Vietnam has a robust coffee culture, and it’s a major grower and exporter of beans. Greater Boston has been home to a large Viet diaspora for decades, and our coffee shop scene reaps the benefits of these delicious traditions. From steamy cups of dark roast to creamy iced coffees, here’s where to drink Vietnamese coffee in Boston.
This Brighton cafe is the latest venture from the entrepreneur behind Allston KoMex favorite, Coreanos (hence the awesome breakfast tacos). The Vietnamese Cold Brew at Glasser Coffee Co. is also served at Coreanos, and new espresso drinks and specialty sips like a Rose Matcha Latte make this pandemic-born endeavor an exciting addition to Oak Square.
Strong and sweet, the classic Cà Phê Sữa Đá (iced drip coffee with condensed milk) at Ba Le goes great with this Dot Ave. shop’s excellent banh mi sandwiches and Vietnamese pastries. Other treats on the menu include smoothies and boba tea, where coffee also comes into play: Try a coffee smoothie, or add springy coffee jelly to your drink for fun—and an extra jolt of caffeine.
A Vietnamese coffee shop in the Fenway neighborhood, Phinista Cafe showcases sustainably sourced beans and brews filtered in a traditional metal phin. The lineup of drinks includes a weekend-special foamy egg coffee; floral flavored syrups; and a vegan Vietnamese Iced Latte, sweetened with coconut cream. West Roxbury sister shop Bánh Mì Ơi has cool coffee drinks, too.
Cicada Coffee Bar takes Vietnamese coffee culture seriously, so the relaxing vibe of this new Cambridge cafe is as thoughtful as the drinks. Stay awhile at the cool espresso bar or on the garden patio, and try a cup of toasted-nutty coffee sourced from Vietnam, brewed strong and served hot; or a sweetened iced coffee, like the frothy Sea Salt Shaker.
The city of Lynn may be a bit far to go for any old iced coffee—but Nightshade Noodle Bar is a culinary destination. Along with stacked banh mi sandwiches and other Viet-influenced fare, there are classics like Thai iced tea and condensed milk-sweetened iced coffee. Even more appealing? The off-menu order Electric Herb, which spikes Vietnamese iced coffee with earthy Fernet Branca.
The second generation of Fields Corner mainstay Pho Hoa opened this forward-thinking coffee shop in a formerly little-used space behind the noodle house. Among Reign Drink Lab’s libations is the Dark & Stormy, nitro-poured cold brew layered with a shot of Vietnamese iced coffee and sweetened sea salt cream. Get there early on the weekend to catch creative mochi doughnuts from Brighton’s Pon de Joy.
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