In the middle of busy Hanoi, where coffee shops have sprung up like "mushrooms after the rain", there is still a café with ancient architecture on Dinh Tien Hoang Street (Hoan Kiem, Hanoi). The restaurant has existed for more than 30 years but has never lost its charm.
Nestled on the second floor of an old house, the café is not only famous for its fragrant coffee but also for its memories of generations.
Born in 1987, the café quickly became a favorite destination for young people in Hanoi at that time. It is not easy to find here, guests have to weave through a narrow passage, climb a small and dark staircase, to reach the rustic and ancient space lying quietly on the second floor. For Western guests, they have to "bend their backs and bend down" to enter.
Inside, the shop is decorated with simple items reminiscent of the subsidy era: Old wooden tables and chairs, warm yellow lights, paintings... about the rhythm of life in old Hanoi.
The person who came just felt cozy, away from the bustling life of the city. Although the space is small, crowded, the tables are close to each other, but there is still enough distance to have privacy, no one bothers anyone...
The shop is most famous for its egg coffee - a drink that has become the "brand" of the shop. From the wavy black coffee cup covered with fine golden egg cream, the characteristic aroma of coffee blended with the greasy taste of the egg has captivated countless people. The shop has increased the price a little compared to the old days, the price list of drinks ranges from 15,000-30,000 VND/cup depending on the type.
Each cup of egg coffee at Dinh is prepared according to a family recipe. From the creamy toppings to the rich flavors, it all blends together to create an experience that's not just about taste but also about emotions.
Besides the familiar diners, the restaurant also attracts a large number of foreign tourists who want to experience the feeling of sitting in the middle of an ancient space, overlooking Kiem Lake and enjoying a cup of coffee with Vietnamese flavor.
Dinh café, although it has been more than three decades, still retains its nostalgic and rustic appearance. In the flow of time and the continuous development of modern Hanoi, Dinh is like a gentle bass note, a place that is difficult for those who have ever stopped by to forget.
That place is not only a coffee shop, but also a space for time to stop, to celebrate and to let the love for the old Hanoi always live forever in everyone's heart.
Photo: Nguyen Ha Nam
According to Dan Tri