Walter Ponce
Dream Beans Coffee Roastery is a small specialty coffee shop and roastery on Lý Nam Đế street, on the western edge of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. It roasts its own beans and serves everything from Vietnamese egg coffee to single-origin pour-overs. During my trip to Hanoi in November 2024, it was a true hidden gem: a small but charming café over three cosy floors, with managers and staff who are incredibly friendly. I loved it so much that I went back three times during my stay.
A cosy space over three floors
Despite its small size, Dream Beans makes the most of its space. Each floor has a different feel: sit at the bar on the ground floor, find a quiet corner upstairs, or take a relaxed coffee break on the top level. The minimalist yet inviting decor makes it a good place to unwind, work or chat.
Dream Beans menu: what to order
Dream Beans takes pride in high-quality specialty coffee, roasted in-house and carefully brewed. There is a wide choice of brewing methods, including pour-over, siphon and espresso-based drinks, so there is something for every coffee lover. Standouts:
Vietnamese egg coffee: rich and creamy, a must for an authentic Hanoi coffee experience.
Single-origin pour-over: perfect if you enjoy complex flavours.
Cold brew: smooth and refreshing, ideal for Hanoi’s warm days.
Local favourites such as coconut coffee are also on offer, and you can buy bags of their beans to take home.
Friendly, passionate service
What really sets Dream Beans apart is the exceptional service. The staff and managers are friendly and passionate about coffee, happy to recommend drinks based on your taste and even talk you through their roasting. Their hospitality makes you feel like a valued guest rather than just another customer.
Dream Beans Coffee Roastery review: is it worth it?
My rating is five stars, with five for service and four for atmosphere and price. Here is why:
A warm, friendly welcome: the staff make every visit enjoyable.
Top-quality specialty coffee: beans roasted in-house and a variety of brewing methods.
A cosy three-floor space: perfect for a quiet coffee break in Hanoi.
Dream Beans is a small but exceptional café that every coffee lover should visit in Hanoi. With its friendly service, excellent coffee and inviting space, it is worth visiting again and again, just like I did.
Where is Dream Beans in Hanoi? Address and getting there
Address: 79 Lý Nam Đế, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi.
Lý Nam Đế runs along the western edge of the Old Quarter, a calmer area than the streets around Hoan Kiem Lake. The café is easy to reach on foot from most Old Quarter hotels, and Grab cars or motorbike taxis are the simplest option from other districts. Dream Beans has also run a second, smaller branch, so make sure you head to the Lý Nam Đế roastery if you want the three-floor café.
Best for: specialty coffee fans, café lovers and anyone looking for a cosy escape.
Price range: mid-range, great value for the quality.
Opening hours and menus change, so check the official Dream Beans pages or Google Maps for current hours before you go.
What is nearby
- The Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long: a UNESCO World Heritage Site with centuries of royal history.
- The Old Quarter: the famous “36 streets”, each traditionally named after a trade.
- Đồng Xuân Market: the largest covered market in the Old Quarter.
- Hoan Kiem Lake: the heart of the city, with the red Thê Húc bridge and Ngọc Sơn Temple.
- Ba Đình Square and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: a short ride to the west.
Hanoi’s coffee culture
Coffee is part of daily life in Hanoi. People of all ages sit on low plastic stools at pavement cafés, sipping strong iced coffee and watching the street. Alongside that tradition, the city has seen a wave of specialty coffee shops and small roasteries in recent years.
- Robusta vs Arabica: Vietnam is a major producer of Robusta, a strong, bold bean. Specialty roasters also work with Arabica from regions such as Đà Lạt and the Central Highlands.
- The phin filter: a small metal drip filter placed over the cup, the classic way to brew Vietnamese coffee.
- Egg coffee: invented in Hanoi in the 1940s, when milk was scarce. Whipped egg yolk, sugar and condensed milk form a thick, sweet cream on top of the coffee.
- Siphon brewing: a vacuum method with two glass chambers and heat, giving a clean, aromatic cup.
- Pour-over: hot water poured by hand over ground coffee in a filter, which highlights the notes of single-origin beans.
Tips for visiting cafés in Hanoi
- Climb the stairs. Many Old Quarter cafés are narrow “tube houses”, and the upper floors are often quieter.
- Ask the baristas. In specialty cafés they are usually happy to explain origins and methods.
- Try something you can’t get at home. Egg coffee, coconut coffee and salt coffee are local favourites.
- Bring some cash. Many cafés take cards and QR payments, but cash is useful in Vietnam.
Autumn, from around September to November, is often the most pleasant time to visit Hanoi, and a warm egg coffee is especially welcome on a cool winter day.
If you are exploring Hanoi’s cafés, also read my reviews of The Hanoi Social Club and Terra Café & Workshops.
FAQ
Where is Dream Beans Coffee Roastery in Hanoi? At 79 Lý Nam Đế, on the western side of Hanoi’s Old Quarter in Hoàn Kiếm district.
Is Dream Beans Coffee Roastery worth visiting? Yes. I gave it five stars and went back three times, mainly for the coffee and the friendly staff.
What should I order at Dream Beans? Vietnamese egg coffee for a Hanoi classic, or a single-origin pour-over or siphon if you like specialty coffee. Cold brew is good on a warm day.
Does Dream Beans roast its own coffee? Yes. It is a roastery, and you can buy its beans to take home.
What is egg coffee? A Hanoi speciality: whipped egg yolk, sugar and condensed milk on top of strong coffee.
Is Dream Beans good for working? The upper floors are calmer and fine for reading or working for a while, but it is a small café, so it can get busy.
