City cafe that whisks you away to the bustling streets of Hanoi

CAPHINIQUE IS ROOTED IN VIETNAMESE STREET CULTURE

- By LYNETTE PINCHESS

FROM the outside, Caphinque looks like any high street cafe, with its black painted facade and a row of alfresco tables and chairs.

But step inside and you're instantly whisked away to Vietnam.

To be more specific, the iconic charm of Hanoi’s bustling Train Street, a narrow bypass where trains pass close to the buildings in the capital city.

One of the walls is designed like a train with the traditional red, white and blue livery, while above, running the length of the ceiling is a handmade timber track.

A painted mural on the opposite wall is a realistic interpretation of the front of the train.

The aim? To take visitors on an unforgettable journey into the flavours of Hanoi.

The 30-seater cafe has opened in one of Nottingham’s most up-and-coming areas - Carrington Street, which is bustling with food and drink outlets for all tastes.

The name Caphinque is a fusion of three words coffee, phin (the traditional coffee-making vessel) and unique, roughly translating as a unique Vietnamese coffee shop.

Previously an office for student accommodation company Redgate, the property has been transformed.

Husband and wife Tuan Nguyen and An Vu are the brains behind the cafe.

Coffee is brewed the Vietnamese way, slow-dripped, strong and balanced with creamy condensed milk.