Lacàphê — Restaurant in San Jose

As someone who deeply appreciates the evolution of food traditions, I want to clarify a common misunderstanding I often encounter in reviews of Vietnamese coffee.

This shop offers a modern take on Vietnamese coffee, characterized by a hazelnut-forward flavor. While it may not be a strictly “authentic” preparation, one fact remains true: Vietnamese coffee is significantly stronger than what you’ll find at Starbucks, Coffee Bean, or most American-style coffee shops. A single glass can easily contain as much, if not more, caffeine than a Starbucks grande latte.

The reason for this strength lies in the type of beans used — Vietnamese coffee is typically brewed with robusta beans, rather than arabica. Robusta beans have nearly double the caffeine content of arabica and offer a more intense, earthy, and naturally nutty flavor. This results in a thicker, crema-rich brew with a bolder edge, a defining characteristic of Vietnamese coffee.

Traditionally, Vietnamese coffee is served over ice (cà phê sữa đá). The ice is not just for chilling; it helps balance the intensity of the robusta, making the drink smoother and more enjoyable. Some customers unfamiliar with the tradition may feel they are given “too much ice,” but that’s exactly how it is meant to be served. Without enough ice, the flavor could be overpowering. Conversely, when ordered without ice, you’re requesting the undiluted concentrate; as a result, the portion size is smaller. This isn't a case of the business skimping; it’s the proper measure for something so potent. Think of it as ordering espresso rather than a venti cold brew.

For first-time drinkers, the iced version is both the most authentic and the most approachable. If you prefer your coffee without ice so you can add ice later, be prepared for a compact serving — its strength compensates for its size, just as intended.

Before leaving a negative review about “small portions” or “too much ice,” I encourage visitors to understand the cultural and culinary context. Vietnamese coffee, whether in its traditional form or with a modern twist, emphasizes boldness and balance rather than sheer volume. Recognizing this difference will give you a more positive experience and give credit to the businesses that introduce these traditions to our...

The egg coffee here is superb—rich, complex, and perfectly balanced. It’s served in the traditional style, with plenty of ice. As another reviewer mentioned, please don’t complain if they can’t make it “no ice”—this isn’t Starbucks! Vietnamese coffee is traditionally served with a lot of ice to balance the intensity and bitterness of Robusta coffee beans. Unlike drinks made with Arabica beans (commonly used in American and European cafes), drinks made with Robusta beans require a different preparation method, and this place does it right.

The sweetness is adjustable, and I personally found my sweet spot at 50%. The egg cream topping is also just right—creamy, flavorful, and in perfect proportion. This drink proves that Vietnamese coffee is truly world-class and a unique culinary art in its own right.

On a hot day, the Coco Freeze at 50% sweetness is phenomenal as well—refreshing, flavorful, and well-balanced.

UPDATE: I heard the store is undergoing renovations. When will it be re-opening? This August/September heat...

La Caphé is a Vietnamese coffee shop in San Jose. The interior is minimal with cute and well-taken pictures of their drinks on the wall.

The inside was very clean and had seats, but the space is on the smaller side. It was very crowded, but they managed to make the drinks quickly.

They have many options on their menu. I tried the iced avocado latte with regular sweetness and oolong boba and the iced Hanoi latte with extra sweetness and oolong boba. Both of the drinks not only looked aesthetic, but they also were really good. The avocado latte consisted of a regular latte with smooth and creamy avocado on the bottom. This was my favorited drink! The oolong boba had the same consistency as regular ones but were soaked in oolong tea, and you can taste a hint of it. If you like your coffee a bit on the sweeter side or if Vietnamese coffee is normally too strong for you, I recommend getting extra sweet for the Hanoi latte.

Overall, I think there drinks were really good and would definitely come back to try their...