Ho Chi Minh runs on coffee and brunch, and this complete guide is proof! Read on to find the best coffee and brunch in Saigon.

Ho Chi Minh City has an undeniable cadence. The city, which is Vietnam’s biggest, and its 9 million residents have a rapid rhythm that requires copious amounts of coffee and brunch for fuel. Filled with myriad culinary delights, Ho Chi Minh boasts an array of brunch spots serving everything from traditional Vietnamese pho to Western favorites, like avocado toast and smoothie bowls. I’ve rounded up the very best coffee and brunch spots in Ho Chi Minh (HCMC) so that you are properly fueled and fed on your travels.

While brunch is a relatively new concept in Vietnam, the country has a long-standing history with coffee. In fact, Vietnam is one of the world’s leading consumers of coffee, which makes total sense given it’s also a leading producer. The magical combination of traditional Vietnamese coffee and Western brunch favorites results in a city brimming with opportunities for travelers to eat and caffeinate. Read on for my comprehensive list of the very best coffee and brunch spots in Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnamese coffee ↴

CA PHE DEN + CA PHE SUA

When getting an education in Vietnamese coffee, there is only one place to start: ca phe den (black coffee). Ca phe den is not for the faint of heart, with typically a strong and intense flavor body, but there is a sweeter option available in the form of ca phe sua (coffee with condensed milk). By contrast, caphe sua is sweet, creamy, and very rich. I recommend getting an iced caphe sua as the slow melting ice helps balance the sweetness.

COCONUT COFFEE

For those with a sweet tooth, I recommend trying Vietnamese coconut coffee. Frozen coconut milk is added to black coffee and topped with coconut ice shavings. Coconut coffee is aromatic and textured. Some locals believe that the coconut oil in coconut coffee helps speed up your metabolism.

EGG COFFEE

Egg coffee is a bit controversial, in that it often splits people into two camps: those who love it and those who hate it. It’s a classic Vietnamese coffee variation with a fascinating history. A hotel bartender opened a coffee shop during wartime. During the war, milk was sparse. Luckily, necessity is the mother of invention, and the bartender turned barista substituted egg for milk. Egg coffee is rich, smooth, and decadent, but I have to admit I love it.

a traditional Vietnamese coffee in Saigon

best brunch + coffee in Ho Chi Minh City ↴

OKKIO

At the top of a spiral staircase sitting down a narrow alley, Okkio reveals itself. There are multiple Okkio locations in Ho Chi Minh, but I found myself at the more hidden locale. Out of breath, hair damp with sweat, I walked through the café’s door and into the refuge of its air conditioning. Immediately, I noticed how the golden light poured across the floor tiles. I was the first customer of the morning, so I picked a prime window seat to watch the city wake up while I sipped my ca phe sua. The service here was friendly, even by high Vietnamese standards. The selection of cabinet pastries included cinnamon rolls and danishes, but I opted for a classic croissant. The perfected butter lamination felt like a remnant of the French colonial era. Okkio quickly became one of my favorite cafés in the city thanks to its intimate atmosphere: a corkboard filled with Polaroid photos, exposed brick in the back sitting room, and small wooden tables.

This café was recommended to me by my friend and fellow blogger, Millette of The Next Somewhere, and I implore you to check out her beautiful blog.

INSTAGRAM | @okkiocaffe

Soma Saigon

Soma is more than a café and bar: it’s a hub for socializing and remote working. Located in trendy Thao Dien, the café’s speedy WiFi, copious seating, and large tables make it an ideal co-working space. The menu has healthy food of all sorts, from smoothie bowls and salads to sweet treats and cabinet pastries. The coffee here was decent, but the brunch was the star of the show.

I was so hungry when I visited for breakfast that I ordered the Greens on Toast for something savory and the Berrylicious smoothie bowl. The food was 10/10 fantastic. When I returned a second time for lunch, I devoured a quinoa bowl with avocado, beans, and lentils topped with Soma’s signature jalapeno dressing. Again, the kitchen nailed the food.

INSTAGRAM | @somasaigon

Kashew Cheese Deli

Kashew is less a coffee shop and more an expat-frequented brunch spot. My friend and fellow blogger, Frances of So the Adventure Begins, recommended Kashew for its vegan food. The deli has limited seating inside, but the beauty of Vietnam is that, more often than not, the weather is ideal for alfresco dining. The deli’s courtyard features a long wooden table surrounded by boutique shops worth a peruse after you’ve eaten. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you Kashew’s vegan cream cheese tastes the closest to dairy cream cheese I’ve ever tried.

INSTAGRAM | @kashewcheese

The Apartment Cafés

This isn’t a café. Instead, it’s a nine-story collective of boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops. I suggest walking up each floor of this dilapidated maze and scouring the menus at each place before committing to one. Part of the fun of the Apartment Cafés is discovering the hidden gems residing within its walls. The other part? The views from the balconies.

I recommend trying:

Arabica | a chain with impeccable aesthetic
Dosh | specialty donuts
PartTea Tea Room | for those who are coffee adverse

96B Café + Roastery

96B is a sleek specialty café around the corner from the Jade Emperor Pagoda. The concrete design is minimal to the point of spartan, however, its many hanging plants soften the entryway. It’s an undeniably aesthetic environment for the coffee workshops it hosts. Order the coconut cream coffee and I promise you won’t regret it!

INSTAGRAM | @96b.cafe.roastery

Anh Coffee Roastery

Anh Coffee Roastery’s feature in an Arch Daily article is responsible for initially putting it on my radar. Every element of the space is curated; designed to within an inch of its life, while somehow remaining cozy and ambient. Anh magically combines terracotta brick with curved lines to create a space so eye-catching, that I’m surprised it hasn’t been plastered all over everyone’s Instagram feed.

Apart from the visual appeal, Anh’s menu is… eclectic. Prawn curry and popcorn chicken sit alongside espresso and iced teas. Luckily, the coffee they serve is perfectly paired with their selection of cakes and pastries. I recommend their banana bread, which was served warm with butter. The portion was great value for money.

INSTAGRAM | @anhcoffeeroastery

The Ghé Coffee

This hidden gem lies down a narrow alleyway. Like a breath of fresh air, Ghé offers respite from the city noise despite being located in the heart of District 1. The barista sat me at a two-seater table by the window overlooking a balcony with ashtrays lining its ledge, overflowing with potted plants. I ordered the café’s signature ca phe sua ghe, which is cleverly made using espresso ice cubes so that as it melts into the condensed milk it doesn’t dilute. The Robusta coffee’s bold and aromatic flavor balanced the smoothness of the condensed milk.

INSTAGRAM | @theghecoffee

WKND

WKND is another Thao Dien hangout. On the café’s menu, accompanying brunch classics like avocado toast and eggs benedict, you’ll find signature dishes like octopus salad and tiramisu French toast. I ordered the Smashed Peas on Toast and was not disappointed. The dish’s dukkah mixed with its greens and soft sourdough was the perfect finishing touch for my palate.

INSTAGRAM | @wkndsaigon

Godmother Bake + Brunch

Godmother Bake + Brunch is an antipodean café best known for its cozy and colorful ambiance. It’s quickly becoming a hotspot for hip brunch-goers. The interiors are reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film set: colorful and defined by symmetry. I was greeted before I had even walked through the door. The eager staff walked me to the second floor where I was seated at a small green table. The menu was brimming with options, but ultimately I settled on their shakshuka. I was not disappointed and I’m confident you won’t be either. As a bonus, their breakfast menu is served all day!

INSTAGRAM | @godmother.vn

Maison de Boony

The quirkiest place I had brunch in Ho Chi Minh was Maison de Boony, an out-of-the-way café that looks like you’ve stepped into someone’s home. Filled with vintage furniture, knick-knacks, and framed family photos, Maison de Boony is as cozy as it sounds. The coffee here was good, but it was upstaged by the berry smoothie bowl I ate in the garden. The portion was massive, and the bowl’s cold temperature made every bite a moment of welcomed respite from the oppressive heat. It’s a bit of a trek to get to, but it’s worth the Grab ride for the experience.

INSTAGRAM | @maison.de.boony

Ollin Café

Multiple locations across Ho Chi Minh give travelers ample opportunity to try Ollin Café. The café proudly serves Vietnamese-produced Robusta, which their manual brew menu showcases impeccably. The pastries were noteworthy, though the coffee is clearly the point of pride. I recommend Ollin for espresso enthusiasts and coffee connoisseurs. Its glossy interiors create the ideal environment for café goers.

INSTAGRAM | @ollin_cafe

Rang Rang Coffee

On an unassuming street corner in Ho Chi Minh’s Chinatown (Cho Lon), is Rang Rang Coffee. This modern café has a futuristic feel, perhaps because it stands in such contrast to the derelict apartment buildings and chaotic marketplaces nearby. Spanning multiple floors, Rang Rang towers above buzzing Cho Lon, with balcony views of the busy streets below. During my visit to Rang Rang, I was still plenty caffeinated from the day’s previous café stop, and thus I opted to forego coffee in favor of their berry iced tea. It was impossibly refreshing. I watched the baristas expertly brewing Chemex coffees for other patrons while I sipped every drop of my tea. They moved like a well-choreographed dance behind the rattling espresso machine. Rang Rang is definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.

INSTAGRAM | @rangrangcoffee

Beanthere Café

With multiple locations, Beanthere is an oasis of plants and coffee. The District 1 location I visited opened into a courtyard filled with greenery and two-seater tables. People were working on laptops, reading, and generally chatting with friends. It was obvious to me that Beanthere is a hub. It even hosts workshops and other social events. The menu is wide-ranging: from pizza and pasta to omelets and salads, but I stuck to their coffee menu, which was equally as diverse. Through the sea of kombucha and milktea, I found their cold brew, which I promptly ordered. The strength of the ice-cold coffee hit the spot!

INSTAGRAM |

Cheo Leo Café

Hidden away in a District 3 alley sits Saigon’s oldest café, Cheo Leo. Mr. Vinh Ngo opened the café in 1938 when District 3 was a relatively uninhabited area of the city. Since its opening, Cheo Leo has served Vietnamese coffee using traditional methods. The café’s charm is found in its heritage decor and meticulous brewing process. Faded blue and white tiles sit halfway up the wall in a checkered pattern. Folding chairs and tiny tables spatter the café, the walls of which are covered with framed newspaper clippings. You’ll likely smell incense burning from the shelf of a hanging altar and coffee brewing.

The sisters who own the coffee establishment use tap water to brew the coffee that must sit in a tank for three days, a practice their father started. Next, they boil the water on a coal stove their father built specifically for this purpose. A cloth strainer, stained brown from its repeated use, is placed in a Chinese clay pot. When the temperature is perfect, the coffee is prepared and served.

INSTAGRAM | @cheoleo_cafe

Aramour Coffee Roaster

This is another Frances recommendation that I jumped on! Aramour is a beautiful third-wave coffee shop in Thao Dien that takes coffee as seriously as they do vibe curation. Aramour is a quiet nod to Australian café culture, serving incredible barista-style coffee. I tried their affogato made with caramel gelato and a bold espresso shot and, while it’s something much richer and sweeter than I typically order, it was inarguably well-balanced. Their coffee menu also features classics like cortados and macchiatos.

INSTAGRAM | @aramourcoffeeroasters

Mindfully Coffee + Bakes

(Temporarily closed)

Looking for freshly baked bread and a caffeine fix? Mindfully is the spot for you. I devoured their banana bread and an iced coffee, both of which were *chef’s kiss* Unfortunately, at the time of my visit, the café informed me they would be closing for an undisclosed period. Hopefully, it will open again soon so that you can put this small business on your Ho Chi Minh itinerary.

INSTAGRAM | @mindfullycoffeeandbakes

The Vintage Emporium

The Vintage Emporium wasn’t originally on my coffee crawl itinerary. I stumbled upon this hidden-in-plain-sight spot while walking to a hair appointment at a nearby salon. Behind its glass doors, this artsy café proudly serves traditional Vietnamese coffee alongside its signature brunch menu that stars a souffle pancake stack.

INSTAGRAM | @thevintageemporium.dakao

where to stay in Ho Chi Minh ↴

You might be wondering why I’d include a section about “where to stay” in Ho Chi Minh inside a café guide. The city, while easy to get around, is large and relatively spread out. Your hotel or hostel location will likely impact your overall experience. I recommend first-time visitors stay in either District 1 (D1) or District 3 (D3), where plenty of affordable, clean hotels and hostels exist.

BEST AREAS TO STAY IN HO CHI MINH CITY

District 1 | Staying in District 1 keeps you close to the city’s main attractions. I recommend staying here on your first visit to Ho Chi Minh.
District 3 | District 3 borders District 1, the city center encompassing many main landmarks. District 3 also houses several tourist attractions.
Thao Dien | This is expat central! If you’re visiting HCMC for an extended period or are a solo traveler looking to socialize, this is the area to stay in.

BEST HOTELS IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Wink Hotel | I stayed at the Wink Hotel Saigon Center during my most recent visit to Ho Chi Minh, and I found it to be incredible value for money. Beyond the breakfast buffet, the gym, and the remarkable location (so close to everything!!!), was the 24-hour stay policy. For example, if you check into the Wink at 10 PM and notify the staff beforehand, you don’t have to check out until 10 PM the following night.
La Siesta Premium Sai Gon | La Siesta offers amazing amenities and affordability. The hotel has an infinity pool, a Sky Bar, and two restaurants.
Myst Dong Khoi | A stay at the Myst Dong Khoi epitomizes luxury in HCMC.

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