Buzz
Musings on Coffee.
There have been countless articles sharing trendy coffee shops for 'Instagram moments,' boasting beautiful views, unique decor, or sunset vistas over Da Lat. Yet, we haven't stumbled upon one that delves into the unique aspects and peculiarities of Da Lat's coffee culture. So, during our days wandering around Da Lat, we set out to explore the beauty within the coffee culture of this misty and flowery city!
Reflections on Da Lat's Coffee Culture
Join us as we step into and savor some unique and renowned coffee spots in Da Lat!
From what we've observed, Da Lat resembles a cradle that carries within it: firstly, a harmonious blend in brewing techniques from various regions and countries, and secondly, the vibrant cultural hues that scream 'Da Lat.' It's in the way they cultivate and harvest coffee, in sipping coffee in the misty city air, and in the coffee service style of the people of Da Lat.
Mrs. Năm's Bamboo Stick Coffee
Meet Mrs. Năm.
Up until now, Mrs. Năm remains the vendor here, even in her old age. One has never witnessed her hurriedly standing behind that coffee counter. With grace in every move, seamlessly refined over the years, and the customers engage in hushed conversations. No one is in a rush in Da Lat. Mrs. Năm offers traditional drinks like black coffee, milk coffee, arrowroot powder, salted plums, sugar cookies... simple yet enticing for both locals and tourists like us.
The Column for Hanging Fishing Nets.
A portion of savory sticky rice and iced milk coffee.
The clientele mostly comprises middle-aged individuals, scattered here and there, with one or two tables hosting a group of young friends like us. Rarely does anyone at Mrs. Năm's café inquire about the WiFi password; instead, they gather around their coffee mugs, sharing everyday stories. We ordered a cup of black iced coffee, iced milk coffee, and two sugar cookies, sat back, indulged in treats, chatted, admired the city, and relished the pleasant atmosphere of Da Lat.
Customers at the café span all age groups.
A souvenir snapshot to cherish!
Là Việt Coffee Workshop
Setting foot in Da Lat, to truly embrace the city's coffee culture, a visit to Là Việt Coffee Workshop is a must. Là Việt Coffee stands out as a rare example of a cafe with a 'workshop' concept. Là Việt is clearly divided into two areas: an elevated space for customers to enjoy their coffee and a workshop area below for coffee production and roasting.
The café's ambiance is quite spacious.
Elegantly crafted brewing tools.
At Là Việt, apart from the familiar traditional Vietnamese brewing method, coffee is prepared in various other ways. For coffee enthusiasts like us, it's an eye-opening experience. A cup of French press coffee using a glass carafe and piston filter, a cold brew American-style, or an Italian-style espresso... Là Việt is like a 'grocery store' of global coffee. This is how the coffee culture in Da Lat intersects with other coffee cultures worldwide.
A steaming hot latte cup.
Distinctive cold brew.
Tùng Coffee - A Northern Mark in the Heart of the Mountain Town
The coffee culture in Da Lat is also enriched by the venerable Tùng Coffee. Located in the Hoà Bình area, it exclusively plays classical music, orchestral tunes, and pre-war melodies (Trịnh's Music, Vũ Thành An, Ngô Thụy Miên... spun from records by artists like Tuấn Ngọc, Khánh Ly, Lệ Thu, Jully, Sĩ Phú, recorded before the liberation) catering to music connoisseurs and coffee enthusiasts alike. The café's owner, affectionately known as 'Uncle Tùng,' is a Northern migrant who found his way to Da Lat.
The café nestles comfortably in the Hoà Bình district.
A taste of nostalgia.
'Savoring' the Flavor of Life through the Window Frame.
Tùng Coffee has been a presence in Da Lat for over 50 years, and its ambiance remains unchanged - quaint with two rows of old, creaky chairs. Yet, the place is always bustling, perhaps because the coffee's taste, unchanged for decades, still draws crowds. Tùng's clientele mainly consists of middle-aged individuals, artists, photographers, intellectuals, and a few foreign tourists.
Aluminum coffee filter.
Yogurt is a favorite at Tùng.
Through the narrative of Uncle Tùng's biological son: In the past, Tùng was a meeting place for talented artists like Trịnh Công Sơn, Ngô Thuỵ Miên, and up until now, it's a haven for photographers like the eccentric 'Phước Khùng.' Amidst the urban hustle, witnessing the changes of the times, it birthed numerous works of the late composer Trịnh's family. It's where the charming musician had his first encounter with the 17-year-old schoolgirl, now known as singer Khánh Ly.
Hoài Coffee - A Budget-Friendly Street Corner Spot
In Da Lat, there are plenty of budget-friendly street corner coffee spots, much like in Saigon. It's easy to stumble upon any makeshift spot along a row of shops. These places might be inconspicuous to tourists, but for locals, they are familiar haunts, places they often visit. Of course, these budget-friendly spots also contribute to the overall mosaic of 'Da Lat Coffee Culture.'
Adorable Pink-themed Café.
Charming Tiny Windows.
Hoài Coffee boasts a super cute pink color scheme. In contrast to the exterior pink paint, the interior is adorned with vintage wooden tables and chairs, paintings weathered by time, and cute little windows. The coffee here is brewed using a ready traditional filter; just order, and a cup is brought to you instantly, with prices starting from only 10,000 VND. The patrons are mostly middle-aged men who casually drop by.
The café space is quite petite.
Savoring Coffee.
Modern-style Beautiful Cafes in Da Lat
An essential part of the 'map' of Da Lat's coffee culture includes beautiful, modern-style cafes that capture the hearts of young patrons.
The Sparrow - A Coffee Spot with Japanese Flair
This is a newly opened coffee shop just two months ago. The owners, a young couple deeply in love with coffee, have designed the place with a minimalistic style, quite youthful and perfect for the younger generation. The Japanese corners of the 'sparrow' coffee shop will surely make you shine brightly in photos.
The café exudes Japanese vibes.
One of the beautiful cafes in Da Lat currently swarming with young enthusiasts checking in.
By the glass window.
The drinks at The Sparrow may not be very diverse, but the quality is unquestionable. When you visit, try ordering yourself an iced milk coffee made with a machine and slowly savor each delicious sip.
Iced milk coffee.
Passion fruit and wild strawberry soda.
The Married Bean - A 'Very Western' Style Coffee Shop
The café was opened about 6 years ago by a young man named Duy - someone with a special affection for coffee beans. It's said that when you come to The Married Bean, you must order a specialty coffee. Specialty coffee - in a general sense, has a fragrant taste, sweet aftertaste, enjoyed delicately like wine. A 'made in Vietnam' specialty coffee typically starts with Arabica beans and goes through a standardized process of harvesting, processing, selecting the roasting level, and brewing method to achieve that sweet aftertaste.
Coffee prices.
Located in the Hoa Binh district.
If you can't make it to the United States, Italy, or France, then come to Da Lat to try a cup of coffee. Even if you can't visit every region on the S-shaped land to taste and appreciate the beauty of coffee culture, come to Da Lat. This place is a harmonious blend of different brewing methods, the essence of coffee appreciation from around the world.
Author: Vu Van Tuyen
*This article participates in the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blogging program introducing beautiful destinations throughout Vietnam. It's a great opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a Contributor with Mytour. Details about the program can be found at: https://www.Mytour/en-vn/golocal
