Da Nang traffic is psychotic. There’s really no other way to say it. Providing a much-needed slice of minimalist serenity to your everyday schedule, I found a lovely spot that sits secluded at the exact end of a peaceful alleyway – completely shielded from the thunderous motorbike congestion typical of the main thoroughfares.
This urban retreat is none other than Brewman Coffee Concept, situated in Da Nang’s Hai Chau district. As the cultural and commercial beating heart of the city, Hai Chau is this easily accessible cityside neighborhood. You can reach it by simply navigating a scooter or booking a Grab taxi. My recent mission to track down interesting cafes in Da Nang led me straight to this absolute hidden gem.
Details
- Location: Found on Google Maps precisely at Alley K27a/21 Thai Phien, Phuoc Ninh.
- Hours of Operation: Open daily from 7 AM until 6 PM.
- Socials: Check out their Instagram or Facebook Page to see the aesthetic.
- Atmosphere: Literally a tranquil haven tucked away inside a quiet alleyway.
- Lighting: Spectacular natural light streams right in through a gorgeous glasshouse roof.
- Climate Control: Both air conditioning and fans are available (read my notes below on this though).
- Seating: Options for both outdoor and indoor lounging.
- Parking: Generous and completely complimentary motorbike parking.
- Refreshments: Free drinking water provided. God I love this practice.
- Service: The staff is exceptionally welcoming and amiable.
Getting There
If you are navigating the city with your own scooter, you will be happy to know there is ample, complimentary motorbike parking right outside the cafe. It is highly convenient – just pull up, drop the kickstand, and leave your rental knowing the area is well-monitored. Keeps it secure while you enjoy your brew.
If you aren’t feeling brave enough for the scooter chaos and are relying on ride-hailing services instead, I highly suggest downloading the Grab app (you can download the Grab app here). Seriously do it. It functions flawlessly within Da Nang and takes the hassle out of haggling over standard taxi rates. A taxi ride via Grab is essentially required if your accommodation is situated across the bridge near Da Nang’s beachside. This includes the My An area, My Khe Beach, or anywhere around the An Thuong Streets, which are widely recognized as the primary hubs for expats and digital nomads. It’s a bit of a trek to walk.
Then again, if your lodging is on the cityside… take a scenic stroll. Walking to the coffee shop is highly recommended to soak up the local neighborhood vibe along the way. Exceptional places to stay nearby include Tran Phu and Bach Dang Streets. These avenues are celebrated for their enchanting French colonial architectural touches and picturesque riverfront views alongside the Han River.
At the end of the day, the Hai Chau District location of Brewman Coffee Concept flawlessly unites the city’s modern third-wave specialty coffee scene with its classic, old-school Vietnamese charm.
Brewman Coffee Concept
Man, the layout and architectural brilliance of Brewman instantly stand out. According to reports I dug up, the space was designed by 85 Design. They’re a popular local architecture firm that remarkably converted a traditional old house into a Scandi-cool, chic glasshouse. Stepping inside feels remarkably similar to entering a trendy spot in Berlin or Brooklyn.
The interior features two stories, though the upper level is quite compact—making it more accurately described as one and a quarter floors. The restroom is conveniently situated on the ground level.
Outside, the cafe boasts a charming front patio area shaded by umbrellas and a canopy to block the harsh sun. Adding to this zen-like outdoor ambiance is an abundance of lush greenery and a delightful little koi pond. I could have zoned out there for an hour.
Inside, the seating options lean more towards an industrial-chic aesthetic rather than plush, cozy lounging. As demonstrated in my pictures, there are tables suited for laptop work, though honestly the seating might not be the most comfortable for extended, hours-long work sessions. Your back might start yelling at you.
During my recent visit, the temperature indoors was a bit warm. While the cafe is equipped with both fans and AC, I suspect the air conditioning might have been off at the time. The ceiling fans did an adequate job. But the stunning glass roof design- while providing spectacular natural light that is absolutely ideal for photography – tends to trap the afternoon heat like a greenhouse. If I had planned to set up my laptop and work for a longer stretch, I definitely would have requested the staff to turn on the air conditioning. I was sweating a bit.
I dropped by on a Saturday afternoon and found the environment to be wonderfully peaceful, acting as an optimal sanctuary to escape the usual bustling weekend crowds.
As for the beverages, Brewman boasts an impressive menu of drinks and specialty coffees at very reasonable prices. Matching the standard costs found across most Da Nang coffee spots, the prices you see above (click the photos to expand) provide staggering value given the premium quality of the beans utilized. Further sweetening the deal is the provision of complimentary fresh drinking water. It’s a widely cherished and common practice in Vietnamese cafe culture that is always appreciated… seriously every country needs to adopt this.
For my order, I opted for a Salt Coffee from the Traditional category for 38.000 VND, alongside a Vietnam Filter from the Hand-Drip section for 40.000 VND. Marking Brewman as a truly dedicated specialty coffee house, my beverages were prepared fresh to order with noticeable precision and wild attention to detail.
Honestly, the coffee was excellent and met all my expectations. The drip-filter coffee, affectionately known by locals as cà phê phin, is absolutely a must-try beverage when visiting Vietnam. Look, it utilizes a traditional metal filter placed directly over your cup, allowing the dark, rich brew to seep through at a beautifully unhurried pace. It naturally forces you to slow down and relax. You literally can’t rush it.
Many artisanal shops here have perfected this craft. In case you were unaware, Vietnam ranks as the second-largest global producer of coffee. The vast majority of its yield – over 90% actually – is the Robusta bean. This specific variety is renowned for its chocolatey, intensely bold, and highly caffeinated flavor profile, making it the perfect counterpart to stand up to sweet condensed milk.
The Salt Coffee (cà phê muối) was another absolute highlight. Concocted originally around 2010 in Hue – an imperial city located approximately two hours north of Da Nang – this unique beverage is a masterpiece of contrasts. It successfully harmonizes the strong bitterness of the Robusta brew with sweet condensed milk, topping it all off with a slightly salty cream foam. The addition of salt serves to neutralize the bitter notes while amplifying the natural sweetness, resulting in a flavor experience that is remarkably similar to salted caramel. I’m sort of obsessed.
Also, if your tastes lean toward more contemporary creations, Brewman also receives high praise for their carefully crafted Chemex and V60 pour-overs. And their famous deconstructed iced coconut coffee is supposed to be incredible.
If you are hunting for a quiet cafe with friendly staff located in the city proper (rather than out by the beach), you need to investigate Brewman in Hai Chau. It stands as a flawless representation of how Da Nang gracefully merges modern, third-wave specialty shop trends with deeply rooted, traditional local coffee culture.
Should you decide to visit, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to leave a comment down below or tell me directly inside my Da Nang and Hoi An travel planning Facebook group. Let’s talk coffee.