Must-Visit Cafes in Ho Chi Minh City – A Coffee Shops Saigon Bucket List
Why Saigon is Vietnam’s Café Capital
Ask any local or expat: Saigon runs on coffee. This city doesn’t just drink coffee — it worships it. From old-school street stalls dripping robusta into glass cups to hip third-wave brewers experimenting with beans from Da Lat, Saigon’s café scene is a delicious blend of history, creativity, and social culture.
Whether you crave an air-conditioned escape, a leafy courtyard, or an urban rooftop with a killer view, these coffee shops Saigon style will feed your caffeine addiction and your Instagram feed.
1. The Workshop Coffee – Industrial Chic and Expert Brews
Location: 27 Ngo Duc Ke, District 1 (top floor)
The Workshop is often hailed as Saigon’s first true third-wave café. Nestled on the top floor of an old French colonial building, it greets you with high ceilings, exposed beams, and the aroma of freshly ground beans. Check out Hidden Gems of District 1
Ambience and Signature Drinks
Come here for pour-overs, siphon brews, or a classic flat white. Baristas are serious about their craft but always up for a chat. Large wooden tables make it perfect for laptop warriors or caffeine-fueled catch-ups.
Must-try: Their single-origin pour-over — beans often sourced from Vietnam’s central highlands.
2. L’usine – Art, Fashion, and Brunch Vibes
Location: Multiple locations, flagship at 151 Dong Khoi, District 1
L’usine is not just a café; it’s an aesthetic experience. Picture an airy loft with an attached boutique and an art gallery vibe. It’s as much a shopping and brunch spot as a coffee stop.
What Makes L’usine Special
Signature all-day breakfast, salads, craft coffee, and a collection of locally made lifestyle products. On weekends, it buzzes with expats and young locals snapping OOTDs under the vintage lamps.
Must-try: Iced Latte with a side of their famous red velvet cake.
3. Café Apartment on Nguyen Hue – A Hidden Multi-Café Building
Location: 42 Nguyen Hue Walking Street, District 1
An icon in itself — the Café Apartment is an old residential building turned into a vertical mini-universe of coffee shops, boutiques, and co-working spaces. Every floor hides something different.
Must-Try Cafés Inside the Apartment
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Saigon Oi Café: Pastel tones and large windows overlooking the bustling pedestrian street.
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Boo Coffee: Quirky interiors and bubble tea options alongside traditional brews.
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Thinker & Dreamer: Rooftop hangout with chill vibes and photogenic corners.
Each spot has its charm; explore and find your own favorite!
4. Cong Caphe – A Retro Communist Era Hangout
Location: Multiple branches, flagship at 26 Ly Tu Trong, District 1
Cong Caphe is arguably the most recognizable Vietnamese café brand, famous for its nostalgic ‘bao cap’ (subsidy period) décor. Think army green walls, old propaganda posters, and vintage typewriters.
Signature Coconut Coffee and Decor
Order the signature cà phê cốt dừa — creamy coconut milk blended with robust Vietnamese coffee over ice. It’s sweet, refreshing, and pure Saigon.
Must-try: Coconut coffee frappé — perfect for humid afternoons.
5. Thinker & Dreamer – A Rooftop Gem for the Instagram Crowd
Location: Café Apartment, 42 Nguyen Hue, District 1
Thinker & Dreamer is small but mighty in charm. This minimalist rooftop spot is beloved for its monochrome decor, cute phrases on the walls, and killer views of the Saigon skyline.
Ambience and Best Drinks
Take your coffee to the outdoor balcony for that perfect shot of your cup with Saigon’s skyscrapers in the background.
Must-try: Signature iced coffee with fresh milk and a slice of homemade cheesecake.
6. Okkio Caffe – Vintage Charm and Specialty Coffee
Location: 122 Le Loi, District 1
Step into Okkio and you’re stepping into an old Saigon townhouse. Its warm lighting, rattan furniture, and retro floor tiles create a cozy, nostalgic vibe.
What to Order at Okkio
This spot takes pride in sourcing beans from Vietnam’s best farms. Their cold brew is a standout, as is the house specialty — salted cream coffee (a decadent twist on the classic egg coffee).
Must-try: Salted cream coffee over ice — rich, slightly sweet, and unforgettable.
7. The Hidden Elephant Book Café – Cozy Reading Nooks
Location: 35 Pham Ngoc Thach, District 3
A little hard to find, but worth every wrong turn. The Hidden Elephant Book Café is exactly what it sounds like — a book lover’s paradise with quiet corners, shelves packed with English and Vietnamese titles, and a calm, unplugged atmosphere.
Why Book Lovers Adore It
Soft jazz, thick novels, and good coffee — it’s the perfect hideaway when you need a break from Saigon’s traffic madness.
Must-try: Hot cappuccino with a side of carrot cake.
8. She Café – Feminine, Artistic, and Secretive
Location: 158D Pasteur, District 1
She Café feels like entering an artist’s private studio. Dedicated to celebrating women, it’s filled with vintage photographs, old mirrors, and floral arrangements in dim, romantic light.
Signature Vibe and Drinks
Soft music plays while you sip a latte surrounded by poetry books and antique knick-knacks.
Must-try: Iced milk coffee with rose petals — delicate and delicious.
9. RuNam D’Or – French Colonial Luxury with a View
Location: 3C Ton Duc Thang, District 1 (across from Notre-Dame Cathedral)
RuNam D’Or is where you go when you want to feel fancy without breaking the bank. Housed in a restored colonial villa, it offers terrace seating with a view of the Cathedral and Central Post Office.
Best Time to Visit and Recommended Drinks
Ideal for late morning brunch or an elegant afternoon tea. Service is top-notch.
Must-try: Egg coffee — a silky northern Vietnamese classic — paired with tiramisu.
10. Shin Coffee – For True Coffee Connoisseurs
Location: 13 Nguyen Thiep, District 1
Serious about beans? So is Shin Coffee. Founder Shin is a pioneer in specialty Vietnamese coffee and a fierce advocate for local farmers.
What Makes Shin a Favorite Among Locals
They roast their own beans, and the baristas love to geek out about flavor profiles. Try a side-by-side tasting flight if you’re into coffee science.
Must-try: Vietnamese arabica cold brew or signature espresso.
Tips for Enjoying Coffee Shops Saigon Style
☕ Embrace the Plastic Stool: Some of the best coffee comes from street vendors brewing on sidewalks.
📸 Respect the Vibe: Many indie cafes are peaceful spots — lower your voice and linger.
💸 Cash is King: While big cafes accept cards, small ones often don’t.
🕰️ Peak Hours: Mornings (7–10 am) and evenings (7–10 pm) are when locals flock to cafés.
FAQs about Coffee Shops in Saigon
Q1: Is Vietnamese coffee strong?
Yes! Traditional drip coffee is rich and robust — often sweetened with condensed milk.
Q2: Can I work from cafés?
Absolutely. Many cafés have good Wi-Fi and don’t mind if you stay for hours.
Q3: Do I need to tip?
Tipping isn’t mandatory but rounding up is a kind gesture.
Q4: Are vegan milk options available?
More modern cafés now offer soy, almond, or oat milk — just ask!
Q5: Is it safe to drink iced coffee?
Yes, especially in reputable cafés. Ice is usually made with filtered water.
Final Sip – Saigon’s Café Scene Awaits You!
The coffee shops Saigon offers are more than just places to grab a cup — they’re windows into local life, creativity, and the city’s never-ending buzz. So slow down, sip slowly, and let Saigon’s café culture charm you one cup at a time.
Explore out some Coffee Shops Saigon on Instagram
