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Updated on Nov 11, 2025
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Guide to Specialty Coffee Shops in Da Nang
Vietnam stands as the world’s second-largest coffee exporter, though most people associate it with commercial-grade robusta rather than specialty beans. That perception is changing. Vietnamese producers have begun exploring what happens when you apply specialty techniques to robusta, creating flavor profiles that challenge expectations. I spent six months cafe hopping in Da Nang, discovering how this coastal city interprets both traditional Vietnamese coffee culture and a modern approach to brewing.
Da Nang embraces the coffee shop culture, and places seem to multiply each month. Some cater to the laptop crowd with strong wifi and comfortable seating. Others focus purely on the coffee, pushing Vietnamese beans to new heights. Here are my recommendantions for specialty coffee shops in Da Nang that hit the mark.
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Where to stay in Da Nang
M Hotel Da Nang – Boasting a rooftop pool, stylish interior, and its right on the beach —> Booking.com
Oday Stay Hotel – This pick is located steps from Dragon Bridge on the riverside and offers smart and modern rooms without overstretching your budget —> Booking.com
HSuites Riverside Hotel – I lived in the two bedroom apartment for three months and can recommend it wholeheartedly for short or long stays, it’s modern, clean and luminous —> Booking.com
Lighthouse Coffee occupies an eye-catching brick structure that continues to impress on the inside with the open floor plan on two levels. I usually claimed a spot on the upper level to get perfect views of the operation below. Watching the baristas do their magic while sipping coffee adds another dimension to the experience.
Their approach mixes local ambition with international standards. The roasting equipment sits in plain sight, and used for Vietnamese beans that share the menu with selections from Campos in Australia. This combination works well, letting customers compare Vietnamese specialty efforts against established international roasters.
Industrial design in coffee shops can feels forced, but Dng.coffee wears it naturally. Bare concrete walls and exposed fixtures create a workspace aesthetic that attracts freelancers and remote workers throughout the day. The minimal design extends to the service style – efficient without being cold. Orders move quickly, important when most customers are squeezing coffee breaks between video calls. During my visit, nearly every table hosted someone working, the clicking of keyboards providing a rhythmic backdrop to the Slayer espresso machine’s operation.
Coffee selection rotates occasionally with Vietnamese and international origins on display. The barista recommended their Colombian for espresso, which delivered the expected chocolate and caramel notes with consistency the countless times I have been here.
Proprietor Phú transformed the ground floor of a residential building into Lu Coffee, a cosy cafe with wooden furniture that invite settling in rather than rushing through. The coffee selection stays firmly local. A few different beans sit on the counter, but the focus remains on Vietnamese coffees that showcase different processing methods and roast levels.
The Coconut Coffee deserves its reputation as the house specialty. Thick Vietnamese coffee meets frozen coconut cream to create a balanced, sweet treat that isn’t overwhelming the coffee’s character. If you’re staying in one of Phú’s apartments on the higher floors, your every day could start with a quality Vietnamese coffee, all without having to venture into the street.
XLIII takes specialty coffee seriously – perhaps more seriously than anywhere else in Da Nang. Five years of operation have established their reputation for uncompromising quality, evident in everything from the minimal design to the precisely executed drinks.
The space emphasizes function over comfort. Clean lines, bright lighting, and prominent brewing equipment signal that coffee comes first here. The walls document their commitment to quality. During my visit the barista spoke with obvious knowledge about processing methods, varietals, and optimal extraction parameters. Prices reflect this positioning – specialty quality at specialty prices. For those willing to pay for education alongside excellent coffee, XLIII delivers both. Those seeking Vietnamese beans in particular might be disappointed though, as the barista told me no beans produced in Vietnam have yet met their standard.
After five years running a coffee stand, Vinh and his wife opened SẾU to create something more permanent and contemplative. The Japanese influence shows immediately, from the entrance design to the careful attention paid to each brewing step. SẾU isn’t about speed or efficiency but about creating moments of calm in busy lives.
The interior stays deliberately dim, focusing attention on the coffee and tea preparation. While watching Vinh work with his V60, his pride in securing high-quality Vietnamese robusta shows when he discusses the beans, especially his decision to roast lighter than tradition dictates.
Regular workshops and tasting sessions transform SẾU from simple cafe to educational space. Participants learn to identify flavors in Vietnamese coffee they never knew existed. It’s hard work, changing perceptions one cup at a time, but exactly the kind of patient effort needed to elevate Vietnamese coffee’s reputation. For visitors seeking to understand Vietnamese specialty coffee’s potential, SẾU provides both excellent examples and the knowledge to appreciate them.
Àla Cafe is located on the other side of the river in a tree-lined side street. It requires deliberate seeking rather than casual discovery. This suits their approach – careful, considered, worth the effort. The converted attic space provides intimate corners while the downstairs area is bustling with students and tourists. During my rainy afternoon visit, the upper level offered perfect shelter, the sound of rain on the roof adding to the contemplative mood. It’s a space that encourages slow consumption and appreciation.
Their coffee program rewards this patience. The Quang Tri Pun Farm arabica, scoring 87.67 points, represents Vietnamese potential at its current peak. Tasting through their range of roast levels and local origins provided a comprehensive education in Vietnamese coffee’s diversity. Creative signature drinks add accessibility without compromising quality – a balance many cafes struggle to achieve.
Since December 2023, indigo has been attracting attention along the Han River with its blue design and modern approach. The entrance features three steps, a subtle nod to traditional Vietnamese architecture. Inside, wooden elements suspended from the ceiling suggest a stylized roof, connecting contemporary coffee culture to local building traditions.
Digital ordering might seem impersonal, but here it frees staff to focus on the preparation of your coffee. The efficiency serves a purpose – creating space for what matters. Their coffee commitment centers entirely on Vietnamese robusta, specifically selected and roasted to showcase its potential. The cold brew particularly impressed me, demonstrating how proper extraction can reveal unexpected sweetness in robusta. In the meantime they have also opened a brunch place on the same road closer to Dragon Bridge.
The bright yellow exterior announces Soul’s presence confidently. Inside, certificates and awards reinforce the impression of serious coffee commitment. Connections to Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam’s coffee hotspot, run deep. Staff speak knowledgeably about their sourcing, explaining how different districts produce distinct flavor profiles even within robusta. This educational element continues through their brewing options – traditional phin filters demonstrate cultural roots while the La Marzocco GS3 represents contemporary precision.
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