Best Cafes in Da Nang: My Local Favorites
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Best Cafes in Da Nang: My Local Favorites

Robert Hendricks
Robert Hendricks
December 28, 2025 7 min read 23

Da Nang's best cafes include 43 Factory Coffee Roaster for specialty beans and pour-overs, Cong Caphe for traditional Vietnamese coffee with coconut variations, and Wonder for digital nomad-friendly work spaces with reliable wifi. After retiring to Da Nang, exploring the city's diverse coffee scene, from $1 street corner setups to modern specialty roasters, became one of my greatest daily pleasures.

One of the unexpected pleasures of retirement in Da Nang is the abundance of excellent cafes. I've spent countless mornings exploring the city's coffee scene, from traditional Vietnamese spots where workers grab their morning fix to modern specialty roasters where baristas discuss bean origins with scholarly passion. After thirty years of office coffee in Minneapolis, this feels like paradise. Here are my favorites.

Beachside Coffee

43 Factory Coffee Roaster

This specialty roaster near My Khe Beach has become my go-to spot for quality beans. The industrial-chic space - exposed brick, high ceilings, gleaming roasting equipment visible through glass - attracts coffee enthusiasts and digital nomads in equal measure. The baristas are knowledgeable without being pretentious, happy to explain origins and processing methods if you're interested or simply serve an excellent cup if you're not.

They roast on-site and offer beans to take home - I buy their Vietnamese beans monthly for my home setup. The pour-over options are exceptional, though their espresso-based drinks are equally accomplished.

The Local Beans

Another excellent specialty option with a focus on Vietnamese beans from the Central Highlands. The staff are genuinely passionate about coffee and happy to walk you through the origins and processing methods of each option on the menu. The space is smaller and cozier than 43 Factory, with a neighborhood feel despite attracting serious coffee people from across the city.

Their cold brew is particularly good on Da Nang's hot afternoons, and they offer interesting seasonal options showcasing different Vietnamese growing regions.

Traditional Vietnamese Style

Cong Caphe

The retro-themed chain with communist-era nostalgia decor offers consistent quality and unique drinks like coconut coffee (sounds strange, tastes delicious). The riverside location near the Dragon Bridge is particularly atmospheric, especially in the evening when you can watch the bridge light up while sipping ca phe sua da.

Multiple locations around the city mean there's always one nearby when you want reliable Vietnamese coffee without hunting for hidden gems.

Local Street Corners

Some of the best coffee in Da Nang comes from unmarked spots serving workers their morning fix. Tiny plastic stools, simple setups, and coffee that costs under a dollar. The area around Han Market has several excellent options where you can sit alongside motorbike taxi drivers and construction workers starting their days.

These places won't appear on Google Maps or TripAdvisor. Finding them is half the fun - look for clusters of motorbikes outside nondescript shopfronts, locals lingering over small glasses, and the distinctive drip filters that mark Vietnamese coffee preparation.

Work-Friendly Spaces

Wonder

Popular with digital nomads for good reason - reliable wifi that actually supports video calls, comfortable seating with proper back support, plentiful outlets, and good coffee. The air conditioning is a blessing during hot months when working from home becomes unbearable. Management tolerates laptop workers for hours as long as you keep ordering.

The vibe is productive without being silent - enough ambient noise to feel alive, not so much that concentration becomes impossible.

Nostaland Coffee

A quieter alternative with multiple seating areas spread across different floors, decent wifi, and a relaxed atmosphere conducive to focused work or reading. Less crowded than Wonder, which makes it ideal when you need to actually concentrate rather than just be around other people working.

The coffee is good rather than exceptional, but the environment compensates. Sometimes you need atmosphere more than award-winning beans.

Views and Atmosphere

Sky36

For special occasions or impressing visitors, the rooftop bar at Novotel offers spectacular city and beach views from the highest vantage point in town. Not strictly a cafe - they're really a bar that serves coffee alongside stronger drinks - but watching sunset over the coastline with a Vietnamese coffee in hand justifies the premium prices.

Dress code applies and prices reflect the setting. Save it for when you want to celebrate something.

My Morning Routine

Most mornings find me at a simple local spot near my apartment, enjoying a ca phe sua da before the heat builds. The owner knows my order, nods hello, and places the glass on my table without asking. The ritual of starting the day slowly, watching the city wake up around me, is something I never experienced in my working years. The cafe culture here isn't really about fancy drinks or Instagram-worthy interiors - it's about taking time, about refusing to rush, about finding peace in routine. That's what Vietnam has taught me about coffee, and about retirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ca phe sua da and how is it different from regular coffee?
Ca phe sua da is Vietnamese iced coffee made with dark-roasted Vietnamese coffee beans (often Robusta), brewed through a traditional phin filter directly over a glass containing sweetened condensed milk, then poured over ice. The result is intensely strong, sweet, and creamy—very different from Western-style iced coffee. The slow drip brewing method (3-5 minutes per cup) creates concentrated coffee that holds up against the sweetness of condensed milk. The hot version (ca phe sua nong) is served without ice. This style developed during French colonial times when fresh milk was scarce, making shelf-stable condensed milk the practical choice. The coffee is much stronger than typical Western coffee, providing a powerful caffeine kick that Vietnamese workers rely on to start their day.
How much does coffee typically cost in Da Nang cafes?
Coffee prices in Da Nang vary dramatically by venue type. Street corner cafes and local spots charge 15,000-25,000 VND ($0.60-$1.00) for traditional Vietnamese coffee. Mid-range cafes like Cong Caphe charge 35,000-55,000 VND ($1.40-$2.20) for specialty drinks like coconut coffee or smoothies. Specialty roasters like 43 Factory and The Local Beans charge 50,000-80,000 VND ($2.00-$3.20) for pour-overs, espresso drinks, and single-origin coffees. Premium locations with views like Sky36 charge 80,000-150,000 VND ($3.20-$6.00). Even expensive Da Nang coffee remains significantly cheaper than Western prices, making daily cafe visits affordable on modest budgets.
Are Da Nang cafes suitable for working remotely with a laptop?
Many Da Nang cafes explicitly welcome laptop workers, especially those catering to the growing digital nomad community. Work-friendly spots like Wonder, Nostaland Coffee, and 43 Factory offer reliable high-speed wifi (strong enough for video calls), plentiful power outlets, comfortable seating, and air conditioning. Most cafes expect you to order drinks regularly if occupying space for hours—typically one drink every 1-2 hours is considerate. Traditional Vietnamese cafes and small local spots generally lack the infrastructure (outlets, strong wifi, comfortable chairs) for extended laptop work. Weekday mornings and afternoons are quietest for productive work, while evenings and weekends see more social customers. Many cafes operate from 7am-10pm, giving remote workers flexibility to choose less crowded hours.
What is the best time to visit cafes in Da Nang?
Timing varies by cafe type and your purpose. Traditional Vietnamese cafes are busiest 6-8am when locals grab morning coffee before work—visit during this window for authentic atmosphere and fresh-brewed coffee. Mid-morning (9-11am) offers quieter conditions for relaxed coffee and reading. Lunch hours (11:30am-1pm) see another rush as workers take breaks. Afternoons (2-5pm) are ideal for work-friendly cafes, with good seating availability and quiet atmosphere. Early evenings (5-7pm) bring students and young professionals socializing after work. Specialty roasters maintain consistent quality throughout operating hours. Da Nang's heat peaks 11am-3pm, making air-conditioned cafes especially appealing during midday. Weekend mornings see families and tourists filling popular spots, so arrive early or expect crowds. For street corner cafes, early morning offers the most authentic local experience before tourist hours begin.
Written by
Robert Hendricks
Robert Hendricks
United States From Minneapolis, United States | Vietnam Living in Da Nang, Vietnam

Thirty years of Minneapolis winters were enough. Retired from manufacturing, packed up, and landed in Da Nang. Best decision I ever made. Now it's beach sunrises, Vietnamese coffee, and figuring out healthcare as an expat retiree. Happy to share what I've learned.

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