Where to Drink Specialty Coffee in Saigon: 7 of our Favorites
Saigon has a blossoming specialty coffee scene, which we have sampled dutifully over the years. Here are our top picks (in no particular order.)
In a city where coffee stands and laid-back, street-side cafes line every inch of peripheral vision, a quick pick-me-up is never far. This rich coffee culture extends to the world of specialty coffee, also known as third wave or single-origin, as well. Although sweet, Vietnamese-style coffee, poured through Phin filters, is generally the preferred variety in casual settings, there is a strong contingency of shops in the city focused on offering both single-origin coffee and fine espresso. Combining great coffee with a relaxing atmosphere, well-suited for an out-of-office workday or leisurely afternoon reading, here are some of our favorite spots:
1. Okkio Caffe, District 1
Drawing its inspiration from the coffee houses of Japan, Okkio rests at the top of a tight spiral staircase over Le Loi Street in the heart of the city. It’s a quiet, spacious zone to take a break from the bustle of the city and leaf through a book while jazz plays over the speakers. Okkio brings a wide array of expertly-crafted espresso drinks as well as pour-over coffee, and their homemade baked goods are not to be missed.
Coffee: 50-80K
Banana bread: 50K
🕞 7:30 – 22:00 | 📍 122 Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh
RELATED: Saigon’s top Vegetarian Restaurants.
2. Soul Specialty Coffee, District 3
On a side street off of Le Van Sy, Soul Specialty Coffee offers an impressive and creative menu of specialty coffees. In addition to coffees from around the world, their cold brew, served standalone or mixed with lemongrass and fruit, stands apart from the crowd. Sit at the bar to see the pour first-hand or, by night, cool down with a cold brew cocktail.
Coffee: 30K-55K
Flavored Cold Brew: 75K
🕞 7:00 – 20:00 | 📍 386/11 Đường Lê Văn Sỹ, Phường 14, Quận 3
3. The Workshop Specialty Coffee, District 1
An institution in the Saigonese cafe scene, The Workshop has earned its reputation. A massive, top-floor space with plenty of natural light, its large wooden table and wrap-around bar is packed with both regulars and travelers in the know. They have a rotating list of coffees, allowing coffee enthusiasts to read about the day’s beans then choose their preferred method; from pour-over (Chemex, Kalita) to immersion (aeropress, french press), they have something for everyone. Boasting an all-day breakfast menu, it’s a great place to make yourself comfortable.
Coffees: 70K-100K
🕞 7:00 – 20:00 | 📍 27 Ngô Đức Kế, Bến Nghé, Quận 1
Related: Streatery’s pick of Top Breakfast Spots in Saigon
4. Bosgaurus Coffee, award-winning baristas. Binh Thanh
Bosgaurus brings a scientific precision to the art of specialty coffee. Away from the noise in a quaint neighborhood near Saigon Pearl and the riverfront, the cafe and roastery’s minimal design—complete with full window walls—makes it a contemplative escape beyond the traffic-lined streets. You can, of course, simply stop in for a coffee, but they also have extensive literature about their bean-to-cup method and all that goes into their final product. There accomplishments for honing their craft have indeed made international headlines, with their Head barista and manager Han Tran representing Vietnam as the country’s best barista in awards in 2016 and 2017 as well as winning awards as aroma-master. This might indeed make Bosgaurus, the best of the best, in Vitanam for specialty coffee.
Coffee: 70K-90K
🕞 7:00 – 21:00 | 📍 1D5 Villa, 92 Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, Saigon Pearl, Bình Thạnh
5. RedDoor in D1 Specialty Coffee, District 1
An art-space and cafe three stories above Dong Khoi Street, RedDoor brings a roster of specialty coffee from Europe and around the world with a modern feel. Inside, find a calming atmosphere packed with local art, books, and magazines—albeit more upscale, it’s a must-stop when strolling around district 1. Read our previous, in-depth review here.
Coffee: 65K-90K
🕞 7:30 – 22:30 | 📍 151/3 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, Quận 1
6. La Viet, District 1 and District 3
For a Vietnam-centric coffee experience, be sure to stop in at one of La Viet’s two Saigon locations. Having expanded south from their flagship cafe in Da Lat, La Viet’s coffee is cultivated in Vietnam and everything is done in-house. Their light and welcoming cafes have become a favorite hangout in Saigon for those looking to spend a day working or capture a few photos on the patio. It’s also a great option when it comes to picking up beans for home preparation—we recommend the fruity light roast.
Coffee: 35K (espresso)-50K (pour-over)
🕞 7:30 – 21:00 | 📍 191 Hai Bà Trưng, Phường 6, Quận 3
🕞 8:00 – 22:00 | 📍 6D Trần Quang Diệu, Phường 13, Quận 3
7. Warrior Brews: Specialty Coffee with MCT Oil.
Serving hustlers, athletes and entrepreneurs Warrior Brews is a coffee so unique it doesn’t exist anywhere else in Asia Let alone Vietnam. Warrior Brews is a on-the-go coffee, which means they don’t have a physical location meaning you have to order online or via their subscription service. They infuse some of Vietnam’s finest specialty coffee with Prime Fuel MCT Oil concentrate. MCT Oil (Medium-chain triglycerides) are an all-natural healthy type of fat that your body is able to absorb quickly and is instantly turned into energy that your body can use all day long. Check their website for more info: warriorbrews.com
For Subscription Services | Click here!
For their Online Shop | Click Here!
