Credit: Ika Rahma H, Shutterstock
In nearly two years on Vyse Street, Tranquil 1992 has gained a loyal following serving authentic Vietnamese coffee from its modest venue. The independent café has now made the bold step of moving into a larger, more prominent location in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter—and introduce this delicacy to even more Brummies.
You see, Vietnamese coffee isn’t just coffee from Vietnam. It uses more intensely flavoured robusta beans and condensed milk to sweeten it, to create something special. This isn’t your average latte. And Tranquil 1992 is the only coffee house in Birmingham serving it.
Thang Nguyen, Tranquil 1992 founder, said: “Since we have experienced the demand for Vietnamese coffee and Uji matcha, we have decided to relocate to a bigger space in the main area of the Jewellery Quarter. Our new site is not only larger and more welcoming—it also gives us the platform we need to grow.”
What is Vietnamese coffee like?
Using robusta coffee beans from Vietnam, expect a stronger, darker and more earthy taste than you’re average coffee. Drinks are handmade in a single-serving Vietnamese coffee press, known as a ‘phin’, which drips slowly into the glass over several minutes.
Cà Phê Sữa Đá is one of the most popular coffee drinks in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and is rich, thick and strong, sweetened with condensed milk. Meanwhile, Cà Phê Trứng, aka Egg Coffee, is famous for using whisked egg yolks to create its rich topping—invented in post-war 1940s Vietnam when condensed milk was scarce.
What is the new Tranquil 1992 like?
The new location on Hall Street expands the café’s capacity to 27 customers, while maintaining Tranquil 1992’s signature mid-century aesthetic and ambient lighting. As well as a curated menu of authentic Vietnamese coffee, enjoy premium Uji matcha imported from Japan.
With the added space, Tranquil 1992 plans to enhance its food offerings, expanding its bakery selection, and introduce new beverage options. “This is a major upgrade for us,” added Nguyen. “We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from our customers, and we’re excited to bring something new and vibrant to the Jewellery Quarter.”
Tranquil 1992 opens on Friday, September 26 at 18A Hall Street, The Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham