The New Hanoian

It feels like they've taken 2 or 3 houses, connected them and turned all of the rooms into sitting rooms. Most rooms are open-air, some shaded and enclosed and some open to the sky. None have a great view, but all have charming decoration.

The cake I ordered was pleasing, as was the yogurt.

There's no air-conditioning, only fans, so if air conditioning is important to you, you should avoid this place on a hot summer's day.

I love this place since the first time I walk in :)
I still remember there was more than a year ago, when I was at Biahoi Corner with some friends, someone came and say "there is a new place opening today and free everything" so then we decided to come and see.
First thing I think of when I see it, I think "how small!" because when you just walk pass a very small alley you will see a small room with a bar and something up stair, but then someone said "pls go inside", I followed them and seriously, feel like I'm going to an old palace :) It was a very interesting place with weird design, great music and good foods.
Now, after more than one years being a weird customer there, I can say that it's my second house. They take me from this surprise to other surprise. I can tell how much the owner love this cafe by the way they take care of it. They are trying to make it better everyday. Every month you can see something new, sometime just move stuff -change the position of something, sometime is new painting, new pictures...
The place is almost quiet all day, even they are in the old quarter. If you looking for somewhere that you can working or relax around day time, you got it. They have excellent music which from 1930 to 1970 and get on very well with the space make you feel like you are sitting somewhere in the pass :)
Oh, I'm missing it now :) Bye everybody, I'm going to Nola!

I love the random lego-type arrangement of this cafe, with fun little corners and comfy chairs tucked away. Provides yet another place to 'escape' Hanoi for a while.

The piano on the second floor is a nice touch, though it seems no-one has been brave enough to play it yet. There are two resident black kittens, which is one of the main reasons I keep coming back here, although beware they are extremely timid. You'll have to order alot to stay in Nola's long enough to let them approach!

The food in Nola's can be a bit hit-and-miss, the avocado and goats cheese salad is really good, as are the pancakes. The drinks are all really good, but I was disappointed by the pizza. The location is great in the old quarter, but as is with all of Hanoi's best kept secrets, its hidden down a rabbit-warren on alleys. Blink and you'll miss it.

This is a very interesting café that reminded me of the movie Amelie when I first walked in. What I really like about Nola is when you sit outside on the upper floors it can be crowded but you still feel like you have the place to yourself because it is quite a large space. Nola is not so “hidden” anymore because they have a big sign on the street and there’s always someone outside watching the motorbikes.

The staff is also very cheerful and really seems to enjoy working there. Drinks are pretty standard compared to other cafes in Hanoi. The food here is quite mediocre but that’s what restaurants are for. I saw the jambalaya and was tempted to try to but decided against it. After having read the review below it sure seems like a good decision. For a café though, it’s still definitely one of the best in Hanoi.

I love to spend time here chatting wit my friends on their big long sofa. Or just reading, writing or checking email here... quite place inside the old quarter... good decor, I love the way they put umbrellas on 3rd floors, awesome !