12 Saigon Cafes In Ho Chi Minh That Are Definitely Worth A Visit

More and more tourists are visiting the lovely city of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, also known as Saigon, in recent years due to the city’s rapid urban and economic development. The influx of tourists has been a boon for Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with many modern F&B outlets, bars, pubs, traditional coffee shops and cafes sprouting up across the city.

In just the 4 days that we stayed in Ho Chi Minh, I went to over 9 cafes and 4 restaurants. From the hidden oasis of Secret Garden Restaurant to the charming vibes of Vietnamese coffee spots like Partea and Bun Cha 145 Bui Vien, each venue offered a unique experience.

Honestly, what made it so easy to explore was having an eSIM for Vietnam. I could instantly look up hidden cafes, navigate small alleys, and even call a Grab without stressing about WiFi or hunting for a local SIM card. It gave me the freedom to cafe-hop nonstop without getting lost. 

For more cafe recommendations, you can check out my YouTube video showcasing the best cafes in Saigon, Vietnam.

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite Saigon cafes that you should definitely try when you visit Ho Chi Minh City next time!

Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

We stayed at PARKROYAL Saigon, Vietnam during our time in Vietnam, and it was a fantastic experience.

If you’re looking for other hotel options in Ho Chi Minh, check out Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam for an extensive list of the best hotels to suit your itinerary.

Vietnamese Coffee Shops in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Pin this for later!

1. Little Hanoi

The decor, with its rustic wooden furniture and vintage photographs, transported me straight to Hanoi. I decided to try their signature dish, Bun Cha—a delectable combination of grilled pork, rice noodles, and fresh herbs. The flavours were simply outstanding, with a perfect balance of savoury and sweet.

To complement my meal, I ordered their famous Vietnamese iced coffee, Ca Phe Sua Da. It was refreshingly strong, with the perfect hint of sweetness from the condensed milk. For something a bit different, I also recommend trying the Egg Coffee—it’s a rich, creamy treat that’s surprisingly delightful. 

Little Hanoi Cafe is conveniently located in District 1, a popular area for tourists. The best way to get there is by taxi or Grab, especially if you’re coming from a different district. For those staying nearby, it’s a pleasant walk through some of the city’s most vibrant streets.

Must try: Bun Cha, Pho, Egg Coffee

Address - 123 Hanoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening Hours - 8:00 - 22:00

2. OKKIO Cafe

The minimalist decor, featuring clean lines, wooden furnishings, and soft lighting, creates a serene environment that’s perfect for relaxing or working. Whether you’re looking for a quiet corner to read a book, catch up on work, or enjoy a leisurely meal with friends, Okkio Cafe provides a tranquil setting.

Their drinks menu also features refreshing teas and innovative beverages, making it an ideal spot for both caffeine aficionados and tea enthusiasts.

I opted for their signature dish, the Avocado Toast, which was a perfect blend of creamy avocado, tangy feta, and a sprinkle of chilli flakes on top of freshly baked bread. It was both satisfying and delicious.

Okkio Cafe is located in District 1, making it easily accessible from most parts of the city. The best way to get there is by taxi or Grab. If you’re staying in the area, it’s a pleasant walk through some of Ho Chi Minh City’s most bustling streets.

Must try: Avocado toast, cold brew, passion fruit tea, banana bread

Address - 120-122 Le Loi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening Hours - 7:00 - 23:00

3. Cha Phe Linh

Cha Phe Linh Cafe is renowned for its authentic Vietnamese coffee, made using traditional brewing methods and locally sourced beans. Whether you prefer it hot or iced, black or with condensed milk, their coffee is a true reflection of Vietnam’s rich coffee culture. 

I decided to try their signature Vietnamese Egg Coffee, a velvety-smooth concoction that left me craving for more. Paired with a slice of homemade coconut cake, it was the perfect indulgence.

Must try: Vietnamese egg coffee, coconut cake, jasmine tea

Address - 78 Nguyen Hue Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening Hours - 7:00 - 22:00

4. Phuc Long Coffee & Tea

Source

It’s not uncommon to see this popular café chain all around Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). You can walk down the streets and see tourists and locals holding a cup of Phuc Long Coffee & Tea in hand.

There are so many Phuc Long outlets across Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), serving typical beverages and desserts at reasonable prices. To me, it seems as though this was their local version of the popular multinational chain Starbucks.

A good friend of mine recommended that I try the matcha latte (one of my favourite drinks ever!), promising that it’ll be one of the best matcha lattes ever, and so off I go!

We stopped by one of the outlets near Grand Saigon Hotel to get our hands on a matcha latte and it totally didn’t disappoint – we love the mixture of creaminess and freshness of the matcha latte.

It was drizzling when we were drinking our latte, and so we spent a good hour sitting on the second floor of the cafe and watching the traffic rush pass, enjoying our drink.

I wouldn’t recommend the desserts though. The cake we tried felt like it had been frozen there for days – tough and tasteless.

If matcha latte isn’t one of your favourite drinks, have a look at other drink options on the menu. The couple sitting next to us ordered a cup of Choco Lover, which comes with a generous serving of whipped cream and chocolate drizzle, which I think will come in perfect on days when the Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) sun is blazing.

Read review on TripAdvisor

Address - (Multiple locations) 
Opening Hours - 07:00 - 22:30
Menu

5. M2C Cafe

This cafe was a little tougher to find during our cafe-hopping in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), but thank goodness we eventually did. We were told that this cafe serves really amazing Vietnamese Coffee, apart from its other drinks offered.

What I liked a lot about this cafe was its rustic, antique interior design. With low-lighting and unique choice of furniture and wall decorations, M2C Cafe was able to give a nostalgic feel of an old-school cafe.

Must try: Again, I set my heart out to try another cup of Vietnamese iced coffee, but with a twist – the Vietnamese Drip Coffee, where hot coffee made from fine Vietnamese coffee grinds are filtered through a traditional Vietnamese filter into a cup of ice, cooling it down for your pleasure.

It was an interesting experience that I enjoyed, and it didn’t cost me much as well.

Read review on TripAdvisor

Address - 34D Thu Khoa Huan Street | District 1, Ho Chi Minh City District 1, Vietnam
Opening Hours - 08:30 - 23:00

6. The Workshop

Source

The moment I entered The Workshop, I felt like I was in New York City all over again. The Workshop is a modern café, much like those you would find across Europe and Australia, yet it still has this local charm to it, making it uniquely Saigon.

Located close to the heart of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), The Workshop is a great venue for you to relax with friends.

This is one of the few cafes in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) that I know of that serves gluten-free and vegetarian dishes. Talk about being inclusive! Now you can bring your friends and loved ones, especially if they have more dietary restrictions, with lesser worries!

Must try: Surely, this is another Vietnamese coffee shop that tops the Vietnam coffee list. The Vietnamese iced coffee, with its creamy and full body and delicious taste, is what I came for, and I didn’t regret walking here in the hot and humid Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) weather at all.

Don’t hesitate to get a second cup while you’re at it – I had 2 of it myself!

Apart from that, they serve a good range of main dishes that you can eat for breakfast or lunch. This includes pasta and Eggs Benedict. If you’re not in the mood for a heavy meal, you can choose to taste one of their desserts or pastries.

The cost is slightly more than the regular price, so come mentally prepared!

Read review on TripAdvisor

Address: 27 Ngo Duc Ke, P. Ben Nghe, Q.1 (2nd floor), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam District 1
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 21:00Vietnamese Restaurants in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

7. Secret Garden Restaurant

This is arguably the toughest restaurant to find in the entire Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). After walking through streets after streets, asking locals for directions along the way, and climbing up numerous flights of stairs, I finally found this gem of a restaurant (no wonder it’s called Secret Garden Restaurant)!

Secret Garden Restaurant, also affectionately known as Secret Garden Home-cooked Restaurant, brings the best of traditional Vietnamese cuisines in a comfortable, homely setting.

The friendly staff sure know how to keep me feeling welcome, too, by constantly making conversations and asking me if the food was any good.

The best part of it all – the rooftop dining view! Having a meal at the top of the building, under the twinkling fairy lights, amidst a traditional setting, was a great dining experience for me.

Must try: As soon as I entered the restaurant, I can’t help but be amazed as I looked around and saw different tables filled with great-smelling and delicious-looking food.

All these home-cooked dishes had a drooling effect on me. They all looked delicious that it’s hard to recommend just one main dish, so why not try a little bit of everything?

Spicy grilled prawns, vegetable spring rolls, lemongrass pork… and the list goes on and on.

On top of that, for the amount that I ordered and the taste, it’s reasonably affordable.

It gets rather busy at times, especially during the peak periods, so I’ll advise you to book a table before your arrival by calling the restaurant at +84 90 990 46 21 to avoid waiting in line too long!

Read review on TripAdvisor

Address: Top Floor, 158 Pasteur, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 22:00

8. Bun Cha 145 Bui Vien

Don’t be fooled – this small, cosy restaurant settled in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)’s backpacking district, Bui Vien, scores big on the taste scale!

Bun cha, a Vietnamese dish consisting of grilled pork and white rice noodles, is a popular dish here in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), despite having originated from Hanoi.

Bun Cha 145 Bui Vien knows exactly how to draw people from all walks of life here – you’ll see streams of locals and foreigners entering the shop, enjoying the food and having a good time.

Must try: As the name suggests, many come here for the delicious bun cha! It’s not as fancy as you would imagine it to be, but the great service that comes with the bun cha will be a bonus.

The owner is affable, and so are the staff, helping us to decide on what to eat and how to eat the bun cha.

The service is super quick and the best part of it all was the cost! It’s pretty affordable, but that’s because the serving size can be small. If you have space in your tummy, don’t be shy to grab another bowl – in fact, most of the tourists here do just that.

Another item on the menu worth mentioning is the famous spring rolls, which I enjoyed so much too. There are plenty of other options to try from, so keep your options open!

Read review on TripAdvisor

Address: 145 Bùi Viện, Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening Hours: 11:30 - 16:00, 17:30 – 21:00

9. Bonsai Cruise Restaurant

Enjoy a unique way of dining in Saigon – by having dinner cruises on the Saigon River.

Serving a host of different international cuisine, it’s a great opportunity to discover Saigon by night and enjoy the view as you partake in your meal.

As well as being romantic, Bonsai cruise is also a family-friendly affair. There are onboard performances and local shows catered for the young and old. Watch as local musicians work their way through several traditional instruments and a magician who’ll fascinate your kids.
Must try: The lamb curry and the Vietnamese sweet soup.

Read review on TripAdvisor

Address: Nha Rong port (5 Nguyễn Tất Thành, District 4)
Opening Hours: Daily departures at 7pm

Saigon Cafes in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

10. Maison Marou

Chocolate lovers, rejoice! Have a break at one of the most popular cafes in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Here at Maison Marou, chocolates are specially and freshly made in-house by chefs daily and you can view the entire process behind glass windows. Combining traditional French recipes with locally grown single origin cacao and some of Vietnam’s finest ingredients, this cafe whips up great chocolates, albeit at higher prices.

Started by two French chocolate lovers, Maison Marou has evolved into one of the most adored cafes around Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). In fact, Maison Marou is so well-known that you’ll see groups of tourists and locals entering the shop to see what the hype was about.

Personally, I feel that Maison Marou wants to share its love for chocolate with the world, so much so that it invests heavily in sharing its origins by dedicating a sizeable section of its café to show the history of chocolates in Vietnam via its massive mural of information. The artefacts, like an old chocolate-making machine, add to the amazing ambience of the cafe.
Must Try: Knowing that they specialize in chocolates, I decided to go for the most chocolate-y drink. Their signature hot chocolate is a good start! Frothy and delicious, it certainly awakened my sweet tooth.

If you want to bring a piece of the magic back home, they have packet chocolate bars available!

Read review on TripAdvisor

Address - 167 Calmette, Nguyễn Thái Bình, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Opening Hours - 09:00 - 23:00

11. Partea

If you’re in the mood for some English tea in a fine, classy British setting, then Partea’s for you!

Located within a building on the 5^th floor near the city centre, Partea houses a wide range of English tea which are served in unique porcelain cups and tea pots when you buy a pot.

Partea is located inside a seemingly old, derelict building on the outside. As you gaze up the building, you’ll see many people sitting by the window, sipping drinks and having a chat. To get to Partea, you might have to climb up flights of stairs, as the elevators might not be fully operational (it happened to me) or large enough to transport everyone.

Paradoxically, you’ll soon notice that there are plenty of hipster cafes and boutique shops housed inside this building. I learnt my lesson – never judge a book by its cover!

What attracts me to Partea the most is the unique design and style of the café, so much so that I spent almost half an hour walking around and taking photos of the cute aesthetics, completely ignorant of the fact that my drinks and dessert were already waiting for me at my table!

We met a local friend, Linh, to go to Partea right when it just opened. I purchased the freshly baked chocolate brownie (it was so good!) and English Breakfast tea that comes in a teapot. The teapot serves about 4 to 5 cups.

It’s great for when you want to hang out with friends and chill over non-alcoholic drinks, admiring and basking in the cute ambience.

Read review on TripAdvisor

Address - Floor 4, 42 Nguyen Hue street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 700
Opening Hours - 09:00 - 22:30

12. L’Uisine

This cafe was where I had my dinner on the first night in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). L’Uisine was one of those hip, modern cafes that virtually everyone would recommend you to visit.

Situated within walking distance from Ben Thanh Night Market, we walked to the café with huge expectations at around 8:30pm, and were we glad it was still open then!

L’Uisine also doubles as a bar, serving alcoholic beverages that you can get for special prices during their happy hours from 5pm to 7pm daily. Apart from that, the cafe serves a selection of main dishes fit for your breakfast, lunch or dinner meals.

We ordered a fish and chips for two together with Vietnamese iced coffee and chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream.

The prices were pretty steep and the serving size was small. The fish and chips felt like something you can get for a third of the price.

However, the highlight of the night was the amazing Vietnamese iced coffee; the aroma, body and taste of the coffee is one that is hard to replicate once you’re out of Vietnam.

On top of that, they have a nice ambience too. Decorated with wooden furniture and bright fairy lights, it’s a suitable venue to just hang out and enjoy a night out with friends and loved ones (the café is located on the second floor of a shophouse with an open-air balcony)!

Students get to enjoy an additional 15% off! You just need to bring your student pass and show it to them upon payment to receive this discount.

Read review on TripAdvisor

Address - 151/5 Dong Khoi St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 70000
Opening Hours - 07:30 - 22:30

Pin this for later: