Habakuk Fine Coffee & Bistro - No. 4, Phan Huy Chu Alley, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Although relatively new, Habakuk Fine Coffee & Bistro has already made a lasting impression on its visitors. It can be said that Habakuk is a hidden gem in the heart of Hoan Kiem district, with its impressive space, top-notch coffee quality, and memorable service style.

Location

Habakuk Fine Coffee & Bistro is situated at 4 Phan Huy Chú Alley, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi. This address is conveniently located near the Opera House, parallel to Lê Thánh Tông street.

NOTE: Habakuk is tucked away in Phan Huy Chú Alley, a small lane branching off from the main street Phan Huy Chú. The first time I came here, I wandered around a bit before realizing the difference between this 'alley' and 'street'. Currently, a signboard for the café has been placed at the entrance of the alley, making it much easier to find.

The entrance scene to the apartment building where Habakuk has chosen its location.

Habakuk occupies the entire ground floor of a small apartment building, with a fairly spacious and comfortable parking basement. The security guard is also friendly and cheerful, providing guidance to new visitors.

The parking basement has an elevator directly connecting to the upper floors for residents' convenience. Therefore, even though the café is located on the ground floor, residents won't casually pass through Habakuk's entrance to go upstairs.

The atmosphere in Phan Huy Chú Alley is very tranquil and peaceful, surrounded by residential buildings without any other shops or services. This is also a factor that helps make Habakuk a fairly standard 'work coffee' spot.

Ambiance

Overall Impression

With its blend of specialty coffee and fine bistro style, Habakuk is a place suitable for both work and cheerful conversations. Of course, the café still emphasizes restraint in noise levels as well as a friendly, respectful attitude towards shared spaces.

The moment you step through the door, you'll immediately be greeted by the irresistible aroma of coffee. For many, that alone is enough to ignite a fulfilling café experience as expected.

Formerly known as 'Habakuk x DcodeS Cafe', the café focused solely on specialty coffee before expanding into 'Habakuk Fine Coffee & Bistro' as it is now.

Bistro refers to restaurants of the French middle class, simultaneously serving coffee and alcoholic beverages. This format is widely favored for its diversity, catering to a wide range of tastes from casual to upscale.

Bistro style often brings a cozy yet slightly elegant feeling, allowing people to feel intimate and familiar, without the stiffness of upscale manners. Bistro food tends to be uncomplicated, quickly prepared, and reasonably priced.

The interior design of Habakuk has changed slightly since its establishment, likely due to the shift towards a café x bistro concept as it is now.

Decoration & Interior

The predominant color scheme of Habakuk Fine Coffee & Bistro is gray, white, and brown, very soothing and fitting the atmosphere of a café.

The most impressive aspect remains the way light is managed and the color scheme of the decor. The decoration style is gentle, minimalist yet sophisticated without being dull. Main accessories include small vases of flowers, magazines, and a few paintings on the wall.

Groups of 4 or more coming to Habakuk for a chat will find the outdoor space suitable. There are long benches for gathering, providing a sense of openness and comfort with lush green walls and a fish tank.

The indoor space includes a fairly spacious bar area right at the entrance, highlighted by various specialized machines. Choosing to sit at the counter for observation is also very interesting, and you'll also be introduced to various types of coffee by the barista.

The café tables are mainly small square ones for 1-2 people, with long cushioned chairs, sufficiently high for reading or working comfortably with a laptop. Additionally, there are a few seats facing the glass door, a sofa chair with a low table for 2-3 people.

Service Quality

Beverages

Sitting at the café from 2pm to 5:30pm, TopListCafe has witnessed the meticulous preparation process of the restaurant for those who have reserved dinner tables. It's quite interesting and impressive, but I'll only delve into reviewing beverages in this section.

The menu mostly consists of coffee and foreign-style beverages. I heard that the founder of the café is also a foreign owner, so that style is understandable. The average price for drinks at Habakuk ranges from 60,000 VND to 90,000 VND per cup.

If choosing coffee, guests will be asked about their choice of beans to brew. You can choose Brazilian beans for their popularity and versatility, or Ethiopian beans for their unforgettable aroma and aftertaste (Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee – Read more about the origin of coffee)

The Mocha coffee at Habakuk is meticulously crafted, one of the most beautiful artworks I've seen in Hanoi. The lines are sharp and round, without any flaws.

The Mocha cup is rich in complex aroma, not even a hint of bitterness. The bean variety selected by Habakuk for brewing has a very distinct aftertaste compared to the general standard. The proportion of milk and chocolate also helps create a gentle sweetness that is captivating.

The 'Bạc xỉu' (Silver Milk Coffee) is prepared differently from the usual fluffy foam found elsewhere. The amount of milk added is just right, still highlighting the aroma of coffee without being overshadowed by the condensed milk flavor like many other places.

Music & Wi-Fi

One common aspect I really appreciate in specialty coffee shops is the careful selection and quality of playlists. They understand how to blend music to enhance their vibe.

At Habakuk, it's instrumental or classical songs, originating from the 90s or earlier. The emotions are gentle but not sleepy, suitable for both chatting and working purposes.

The sophisticated atmosphere here also positively influences customers. The first time you step into the café, you'll immediately understand that you should avoid making noise and respect other customers.

Habakuk is a familiar spot for many to work and enjoy good coffee.

Fast and stable Wi-Fi is a given if Habakuk wants to retain its diligent and regular customers.

Service

There are usually 3-4 staff members regularly stationed at the café, each with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. They are all friendly, enthusiastic in assisting customers, even with small requests.

The service style at Habakuk is also very serious and meticulous, to the point where you'll be surprised to witness the process of preparing for pre-booked evening tables.

Each pre-ordered table is carefully attended to, meticulously set with napkins, tablecloths, and flowers. Even the plates are arranged to perfection, requiring a ruler to measure accurately when setting up.

If you want to experience a different coffee enjoyment in a cozy and convenient space, Habakuk Fine Coffee & Bistro will not disappoint you. Whether you're reading an unfinished book or having a date with your loved one, the time you spend here is truly worthwhile.

Want to explore another favorite specialty coffee shop from TopListCafe? Don't hesitate to visit Oromia Coffee to fully immerse yourself in the magical virtual world here!

Posted by: Nguyệt Cát

Keywords: Habakuk Fine Coffee & Bistro - No. 4, Phan Huy Chú Alley, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hanoi