TRÀ opens its doors with tea, pool and aesthetic vibes

Tuesday, 26 August 2025

When young people hang out with their mates in town, tea isn’t usually what they’re drinking - but this eatery wants to change that.

TRÀ Coffee and Eatery, recently opened on Willis St, owned by 23-year-old Sue Luong and her partner, 25-year-old Michael Anh.

The pair said they wanted their eatery to be a relaxing place for young people to kick back - a “Gen Z” hangout spot, so to speak, in the style of a Vietnamese cafe.

Luong moved from Vietnam with her family when she was 14. In Vietnam young people often hung out at late night tea lounges, she said, drinking strong tea and coffee and chatting with friends.

Following the culture, her eatery keeps its hours accordingly: opening for breakfast at 7am, and remaining open until late.

TRÀ offers kai, tea, matcha and coffee. And, if you want something a bit stronger, a selection of wine, cocktails and beer is on offer.

With a photo booth, games, and pool table, there is no shortage of things to do at TRÀ. Customers are welcome to stay for as long as they wished, Luong said, assuring there would be no chance of them being kicked out.

“We don't rush to rotate people.”

Trà means tea in Vietnamese, a vital part of their culture, and a simple, cosy beverage close to the couple’s hearts.

Backwards, the word spelled “art,” which also fit the couple’s vibe, the pair posted on their Instagram; with Luong living for aesthetic vibes while Anh was more chill and down-to-earth.

Anh was a java aficionado, so the venue’s coffee included Vietnamese drip coffee, Luong said. A cold brew coffee with cold foam on top was also available.

“[He] makes coffee that’ll have you coming back for more.”

As the eatery approached its second week, Luong said things hadbeen good so far, with the word starting to get out they’re around.

Luong, who had worked in hospitality for seven years, said her favourite thing about the industry was customers.

With TRÀ , she and Anh had wanted to open a venue that had a relaxed culture for visitors and staff to enjoy. “We're enjoying this atmosphere, and we want to keep it that way.”

The Willis St property’s unfortunate legacy

The eatery is located at the former location of Saigon Restaurant, which closed in February following two staff alleging they had been indecently assaulted there by visiting Vietnamese delegates.

After closing Saigon Restaurant, owner Giang Do opened Global Kitchen in the restaurant’s place, but it closed in March, just weeks later.

Luong said she and Anh had no affiliation with Do, although they had purchased some of the eatery’s furnishings from him.

Alison Cook spoke with Stuff’s Paula Penfold about her experience of being groped and injured by the two Vietnamese officials while working at Saigon Restaurant. The two men left the country before police could question them.

Do initially denied the alleged assaults had taken place, saying his staff had been in a happy mood all night, although after he was presented with a statement from the police he called it terrible if it were true.