5 Hidden Cafes on Train Street Hanoi You Need to Try Before the Next Train Passes

Where Espresso Meets Engine: The Charm of Train Street Hanoi

Imagine this: you're sipping a frothy Vietnamese egg coffee in what feels like someone’s living room, your knees nearly brushing the railway track. Then, without much warning, the signal hums, the café owner waves, and you shuffle your stool closer to the wall. A train rumbles past—slow, loud, impossibly close. The crowd gasps, laughs, lifts their phones, and just like that, it’s gone.

Welcome to Train Street Hanoi.

This stretch of active railway, flanked by homes and hole-in-the-wall cafes, isn’t just a viral photo spot—it’s a slice of daily life. And within its narrow walls, locals have turned front porches into cozy hidden cafes on Train Street Hanoi, each with its own personality, menu, and view of the tracks.

Planning to visit Train Street Hanoi? Join The Insider’s Hanoi or Hanoi Photo Tour to experience the quiet magic of Train Street with a local storyteller.

1. Cafe Ga Đông Dương

Best For: Coconut coffee with a front-row seat Nestled near the Phung Hung entrance, this cafe is run by a friendly couple who’ll greet you like family. Their Vietnamese coconut coffee is creamy, icy, and rich with roasted depth. You’ll likely be offered a seat right on the edge of the track, with perfect angles for photos and plenty of time to chat with the owners between train schedules.

2. The Railway Cafe 1990

Best For: Second-floor views and serious nostalgia Climb a narrow staircase to a hidden gem with vintage decor, black-and-white photographs, and one of the best elevated views on Train Street Hanoi. Their Vietnamese egg coffee is served in a traditional ceramic cup, and they let you stay a while. It’s a quieter spot where locals linger longer.

3. Hanoi Railway Cafe

Best For: Local vibes and perfectly brewed drip Tucked between trackside homes, this family-run spot makes you feel like you’ve been let in on a secret. Their cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced milk coffee) is smooth and strong. You'll be seated alongside regulars—students, rail workers, and a few cats napping on the windowsill.

4. Trạm Cafe

Best For: Hidden corners and artistic flair A little further down the track, Trạm Cafe feels like a cross between a tea house and an artist’s den. The walls are covered in travel maps, poems, and polaroids from visitors around the world. Try their salted cream coffee or ginger tea with honey—perfect for a breezy Hanoi afternoon.

5. 80 Train Cafe

Best For: Peaceful ambiance and morning coffee Open early and rarely crowded, 80 Train Cafe is ideal if you want to experience Train Street Hanoi without the midday buzz. They serve a smooth hot egg coffee and light breakfast options like bánh mì or sticky rice with sesame salt. Bonus: the owner is happy to walk you through the train schedule if you’re unsure.

Tour Guide Picks: What They Recommend at Hidden Cafes on Train Street Hanoi

We asked our Vespa Adventures Hanoi guides which stops they secretly love—and what they order:

Van, one of our most seasoned guides, swears by the phin-dripped cà phê đen at Hanoi Railway Cafe. "It’s strong enough to make you ride like the wind," he jokes. For him, the charm is in the unhurried process—watching the dark roast drip slow and steady, as the whole street quiets in anticipation of the next train.

Hanh, who leads both The Insider’s Hanoi and Hanoi Photo Tour, says her favorite is Trạm Cafe. "The walls tell stories, like the temples we visit. I always get the salted cream coffee—it’s the kind of thing you can’t explain until you taste it." She often brings guests here after visiting Long Bien Bridge, tying the stories of old Hanoi together one sip at a time.

Vespa tip: Want to enjoy these with a local by your side? Our Hanoi tours, including Hanoi After Dark and The Insider’s Hanoi, give you a taste of the scene—with street food, railway cafés, and insider access to photo spots most visitors miss.

Want to meet them in person and sip your way through Train Street Hanoi? Check out our full Vespa Tours in Hanoi.

Train Street Etiquette: Respect the Rails

• Only enter through the designated cafes.

• Never stand directly on the tracks—especially for photos.

• Buy a drink and stay seated during train times.

• Ask the cafe owners when the next train is coming—they know the unofficial schedule.

  
  

Final Sip: Why Train Street Hanoi Isn’t Just a Trend

It’s easy to dismiss Train Street Hanoi as a novelty. But once you’ve sat with a drink, heart thumping as the train whistles past, you realize it’s not just about the thrill—it’s about proximity. To the tracks. To history. To people.

So next time you’re in the capital, skip the generic cafés and follow the tracks. Your best cup of coffee—and conversation—might be waiting on a wooden stool just inches from the rails.

For more on what to expect, read our full guide to Train Street Hanoi and explore other tasty corners of the city in our 7 Traditional Vietnamese Coffee Types You Must Try. Looking for more adventures in Hanoi? Head over to our Explore Hanoi destination page to uncover the best things to do in Hanoi, from its bustling streets to tranquil corners.