Enjoying a cup of milk coffee on a low wooden stool on the side of a busy road is widely known as a signature activity you can do in Hanoi, but sometimes, retreating to teahouses for a relaxing cup of tea could make for a nice change of pace.
So, here are 8 teahouses in Hanoi, from traditional teahouses to those with chic designs, that you can hit up with your friends for your next tea session.
Image credit: Thưởng Trà
A favorite of Hanoi tea enthusiasts, but unknown to most visitors due to its hidden location on the second floor of an apartment, Thưởng Trà is a traditional Vietnamese teahouse with vintage wooden furniture adorned by plenty of flower pots and a small fish pond.
Image credit: Thưởng Trà
Thưởng trà in Vietnamese translates to “savoring tea”, and that’s exactly what you can do in this serene little space with soothing music playing in the background. On a cool day, go for the outdoor seating on the balcony to enjoy a view of the streets below.
Image credit: @thusequoia
Owned by a tea expert with over 20 years studying the craft, Thưởng Trà offers a broad selection of Vietnamese and Chinese tea at VND50,000-VND100,000 (~USD2.16-USD4.31) a pot. Take a sip of the Thiết Quan Âm tea to feel the tartness lingering on the tip of your tongue as the aroma of orchids fills your nostrils.
Image credit: @its_nguyennqk
Address: Room 301, No. 2 Tông Đản Str., Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 088 822 29 91
Website
Image credit: Phòng Trà Trịnh Ca
Tucked away in a small alley to the north of Hanoi, Trịnh Ca Tearoom oozes a countryside vibe with its thatched roof nestled underneath bamboo trees.
Image credit: Ngọc Hà Lê
Past the entrance, you’ll find yourself in a lovely little garden with a small wooden bridge crossing a fish pond, leading toward the main room. Here, you’ll find multiple seating options from low wooden stools to on-the-floor cushions.
Image credit: Phòng Trà Trịnh Ca
At the center of the room is an elevated stage where local singers perform live music every night from 8.30PM to 10.30PM. Every Sunday, a live performance is dedicated to songs from the late composer Trịnh Công Sơn, a legendary figure of Vietnam’s music scene.
Image credit: @quangthanh28
Trịnh Công Sơn’s songs have long since achieved cult status among Vietnamese music lovers for their melancholic, hauntingly beautiful tunes. This does mean many customers flock to Trịnh Ca Tearoom every Sunday night to catch the live performance, so it is recommended that you arrive early to get a comfortable seat.
Image credit: Phòng Trà Trịnh Ca
Drinks here come at an average price of VND30,000-VND55,000 (~USD1.29-USD2.37), though if you come for the live music performance, you’ll instead pay an entrance fee of VND150,000-VND250,000 (~USD6.47-USD10.78), which already includes one drink. The orange and cinnamon tea with its slightly sour taste complemented by the warm scent of cinnamon is a pleasant treat to enjoy with the music.
Follow Trịnh Ca’s Facebook page for the latest updates on their live music performances. You can also contact them via Facebook Message or telephone to reserve a seat.
Address: 2 Alley 233 Tô Hiệu Str., Cầu Giấy District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 096 343 0023
Facebook
Image credit: Han Long
Yet another destination you shouldn’t miss out on for a quiet tea session in Hanoi is Bạch Hạc Trà, a place to take a break from daily worries. Its comforting space features décor heavily influenced by Buddhist philosophies with plenty of Buddha statues displayed on traditional wooden shelves and calligraphy adorning the walls.
Image credit: Bạch Hạc Trà Quán
The first floor has chairs and tables for regular seating, whereas the second floor is where you’ll be sitting on comfy cushions on the floor. Come here for a cup of ambrosial tea amidst the soothing scent of burning incense to escape from the city hustle.
Image credit: @robin_ramona
Speaking of tea, we recommend Bạch Hạc Trà’s lotus-infused rice tea, which has a slightly sweet taste and a pleasing fragrance. A pot (VND150,000, ~USD6.47) is enough for 2-3 people and comes with a dish of mứt sen – lotus seeds cooked with sugar – as a light pleasant snack to munch on.
Address: Number 106D2, Alley 215 Tô Hiệu Str., Cầu Giấy District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 090 632 96 88
Website
Image credit: Mạnh Nguyễn
With a history that goes back a decade, Thiên Sơn Trà is also an established name among Hanoi’s tea lovers community.
Located on a quieter street on the side of a busy road, Thiên Sơn Trà boasts multiple floors whose designs evoke a sense of nostalgia with lanterns hanging from the ceiling emitting warm light, artificial plants, and ceramic pots and vases displayed on shelves.
Image credit: @ttv.trinh99
The teahouse also has music performances featuring traditional Vietnamese instruments every Sunday.
Image credit: @fanky7777
Tea at Thiên Sơn Trà is brewed with a wide variety of Chinese herbs, which not only adds to its taste, but is also believed to have health benefits. The Red Ginseng & Longan tea (VND55,000, ~USD2.37), for instance, is said to help boost blood circulation and regulate blood pressure.
Address: 65 Trung Liệt Str., Đống Đa District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7.30AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 096 875 41 76
Facebook
Image credit: @hyuko_hanoi
With an ideal lakeside location, Cup Of Tea captures attention with its chic décor with wooden parquet flooring, rattan chairs, and white walls adorned by framed paintings and tall windows.
Image credit: @cupofteavn
While all of Cup of Tea’s 3 floors boast big clear glass windows that allow for lots of sunlight and a clear view over to the West Lake, it is the lovely outdoor zone at the rooftop that stands out. The many plants standing around and flower pots hanging from the ceiling give the space a vibrant liveliness, making it a great place to catch a refreshing lake breeze and watch the sunset.
Image credit: @cupofteavn
Drink-wise, the Longan Chia Tea (VND60,000, ~USD2.59) – green tea infused with jasmine aroma and served with Longan and chia seeds – is a healthy, refreshing concoction perfect for a hot summer day.
Image credit: @cupofteavn
For a snack to accompany your tea, the Earl Grey Chocolate Lava cake (VND55,000, ~USD2.37) is not to be missed. With orange peel added to the dough, the cake comes with a touch of citrus taste that brings out the flavors of Earl Grey tea and the sweetness of chocolate.
Address: 109 Nguyễn Đình Thi Str., Tây Hồ District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 7AM-10.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 083 991 0917
Facebook
Image credit: @eatwithpeachy
For those who dig the pleasant décor and views of Cup of Tea but want some extra coziness – or maybe just a new place to shake up their afternoon tea routine – Thảnh Thơi Tea Shop comes as a solid alternative.
Image credit: @caibungdoi._
Still with the same panorama of the West Lake and cute bright interior design featuring white and beige as the main colors, Thảnh Thơi offers no shortage of photo opportunities for shutter-happy folks. The rooms here are not as spacious as Cup of Tea’s, but it is this compactness that gives the place a homey vibe.
Image credit: @hngocmaionig
The tea shop also holds regular tarot-reading sessions every weekday where you can pay VND100,000 (~USD4.31) to have a fortune teller reveal what lies in store for you in the future.
Image credit: Quán Trà Thảnh Thơi
In terms of drinks, Thảnh Thơi’s Honey Tea (VND45,000, ~USD1.94) – tea mixed with fresh kumquat juice and sweetened with honey – comes in both hot and cold variations to either whisk the summer heat away or warm you up on a cold winter day.
Image credit: @eatwithpeachy
Address: 231 Trích Sải Str., Tây Hồ District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8AM-11PM, Daily
Facebook
Image credit: @imquyenbabii
True to its name, Villa des Fleurs – The Villa of Flowers – is a tea shop that looks like a European mansion in the heart of Hanoi.
Image credit: @ly_li.ii
Located just on the outskirts of the Old Quarter, the place boasts sparkling clean walls, cute European-style pots and teacups displayed as ornaments, and lots and lots of green plants. It is also home to a flower shop, which means you’ll be enjoying your tea surrounded by the inviting scent of flowers. Soothing piano music playing in the background adds to the serene vibe.
Image credit: @h.jessie_
Meanwhile, the outdoor terrace on the second floor offers a good view through the treetops down to the busy streets below.
Image credit: @lethivananh1310
Drinks here come at higher prices than average, but they are more than worth it for the location and décor. A tea set for two people (VND190,000, ~USD8.20) comes with a pot of tea of your choice and cakes served in a lovely birdcage-shaped cake stand. The tea is accompanied by all sorts of condiments such as sugar cubes, honey, and milk for you to adjust the taste to your liking, and there is even a small hourglass to help you track when you should pour your tea.
Address: 42 Trần Phú Str., Ba Đình District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 8AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 090 835 9399
Facebook
Image credit: @hongnhung4124
While most modern-themed tea shops in Hanoi decorate their interior with white furniture and walls to create a bright ambience, Baked by Julie instead opts for pink as its dominant color to set itself apart.
Image credit: @_uhuynn
Pretty much everything you see here is pink, from the doors, windows, and walls to the comfy sofas to cups, teapots and plates. The unique décor offers no shortage of backdrops for check-in shots with artificial roses dangling from above and attached to the walls.
Image credit: @l.ynal.y
Aside from the cute Instagramable space, Baked by Julie is also remembered for its superb cakes and tea. The Tira-miss-u (VND80,000, ~USD3.45) comes with a satisfying fluffy texture, and the sweetness is kept to a very reasonable level. Pair it with a pot of Earl Grey tea (VND105,000, ~USD105,000), and you’ve got yourself a pleasant afternoon tea session and plenty of cute photos to bring home.
Image credit: @masako_vietnam
Address: 193 Hàng Bông Str., Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi
Opening hours: 9AM-11PM, Daily
Telephone: 090 407 2628
Facebook
When you’ve had your fill of coffee, check out these 8 teahouses in Hanoi to spice things up a bit. Whether you’re looking for a cup of traditional Vietnamese tea to chill and enjoy a book with, or a full-blown Western-style tea set with cakes and Earl Grey to satisfy both your taste buds and your camera, this list’s got it all.
For more things to do in Hanoi, check out:
Cover image adapted from Thưởng Trà and @thusequoia
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