Hanoi 36 streets is an old quarter with a thousand years of history. Through many ups and downs, the old quarter has survived the years and has existed until now. Not only is it a place for tourists to explore the ancient beauty, the land of Hanoi also opens the door to learn about traditional cultural and historical values.
If you just walk through the busiest street of Hang Gai in the capital, you will hardly find the address of that coffee shop without asking for directions. Because the only way to get to the shop is through the clothing store.
The only way to get into the Old Quarter Cafe is through the clothing store.
Old Quarter Coffee Shop is located in a small alley at 11 Hang Gai Street.
Nestled in the small alley number 11 Hang Gai, about 200 meters long, hidden behind fashion shops, Pho Co cafe is like a peaceful place that helps us go back in time to find memories of old Hanoi. In contrast to the bustling, prosperous atmosphere outside, the space inside the cafe opens up to a peaceful yard filled with sunlight.
According to the staff at the cafe, the old house was built in 1918, now 106 years old. This house has been preserved by the family and opened a coffee shop since 1998. The family wanted to create a place where people can come to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy peace and quiet. The cafe has become a favorite place for locals and foreign tourists.
Old Town Coffee was built in 1918 and is now 106 years old.
Old Quarter Coffee is like a peaceful place that helps us go back in time to find memories of old Hanoi.
With an area of 150 m2, the coffee shop has a cozy and intimate space in the style of ancient Vietnamese houses. The house is designed into three rooms: the main room, the middle room and the back room. The main room is arranged with a living room and a porch. The middle room is a skylight to welcome the sunlight. The back room is used as a kitchen area.
The main living room space still retains the traces of time with a set of tables and chairs made of rosewood, carved with intricate patterns that have lasted over the years. Not only the architecture of the house but also each item of the coffee shop is carefully preserved by the owner. The walls are decorated with ancient horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, pictures of old Hanoi... In addition, the objects in the shop such as statues, ancient vases... are mostly assets collected during the family's trips across the North and South.
Old Town Cafe has a cozy and intimate space in the style of ancient Vietnamese houses.
Each item of the Old Quarter cafe is also carefully preserved by the owner.
In the Old Quarter cafe, most of the items are collected during the family's trips across the North and South.
The middle space is a skylight connecting to the residential area behind. This is the counter area for customers to order food, the space is also displayed with antiques and plants to add liveliness. In particular, foreign tourists are very impressed and interested in this area.
After many renovations, a small attic was built on half of the yard, connected by a wooden staircase. The shop has a few small tables, perfect for relaxing, reading a book or chatting with friends. This is also where visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee in a quiet space, away from the hustle and bustle of the bustling city.
The skylight space at Pho Co cafe also displays antique objects and plants to add liveliness.
After many renovations, half of the Old Quarter coffee yard has been built with a small attic connected by a wooden staircase.
The shop has a few cute little tables perfect for relaxing with a book or chatting with friends.
The back room has four floors, with the first and second floors being the family's common living space. The third and fourth floors are indoor and outdoor cafe spaces. To get to this area, visitors will pass through a narrow, vertical spiral staircase.
The fourth floor is a cool courtyard with a direct view of Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of Hanoi. If you are looking for a space with a windy view of Hoan Kiem Lake, Pho Co Cafe is the perfect choice for you. Above all, this special feature is also loved and attracts many foreign tourists to the shop.
This is also where visitors can sip a cup of coffee in a quiet space, separate from the hustle and bustle of the bustling city streets.
Pho Co Cafe serves a variety of coffees, teas and other drinks. The menu is varied with juices and smoothies, but mainly focuses on coffee and cocoa. The coffee is made with pure Vietnamese coffee, which has a rich and delicious flavor. One of the famous drinks at the shop is egg coffee. In addition, coconut milk, iced yogurt, green plum juice, guava, watermelon... are all priced from 35,000 - 50,000 VND. In addition, the shop also serves some snacks, such as sunflower seeds, sandwiches and bread.
Old photos of the family that owns the Old Quarter cafe
Ancient ceramic vases
Having the opportunity to visit the capital city on a Spring day, Hong Anh (Bac Giang) shared: "I really like the ancient Hanoi space of the coffee shop. Even though I just happened to follow the suggestions of review videos on social networks, I will definitely save this place to continue visiting the shop if I have the opportunity to come to Hanoi next time."
Old Quarter Cafe is considered a great place to experience Hanoi's coffee culture. It is also the perfect place for diners who want to enjoy a cup of delicious coffee in a peaceful and quiet setting.
Traces of time at the Old Quarter cafe
