It’s no secret that the specialty coffee scene in Saigon has gone through a rapid growth period over the last 5 years, fueled by changes in coffee culture among young Vietnamese. Here is our guide to the best specialty coffee shops in Saigon.
It’s not only that coffee shops are abundant in Saigon, but also that Vietnamese coffee tradition runs deep. At around 1pm you will see local coffee shops jam packed with office workers getting their dose of Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese iced coffee) before heading back to work. But this is traditional Vietnamese coffee, which entails lower quality, over-roasted, Robusta coffee with a big dollop of Condensed milk- absolutely delicious, but the intensely strong robusta combined with delectably sweet condensed milk can be a bit much for a weekly, let alone daily, routine.
At the same time and perhaps in response to this, young Vietnamese people are embracing the idea of “craft” high-quality specialty coffee. As defined by the Specialty Coffee Association: “specialty can only occur when all of those involved in the coffee value chain work in harmony and maintain a keen focus on standards and excellence from start to finish.”
Here is a list of top specialty coffee shops in Saigon for a high quality brew combined with a unique space:
BrewBar
Located in a classic modernist Vietnamese building in District 1, this vintage-style cafe is one of the few places that nails both the old-school decor and high quality coffee brewing techniques. This dimly lit spot has comfortable booth-style seating, a balcony where you can watch bustling Ly Tu Trong street, and an eerie feeling that you just stepped back in time by about 40 years.
Insider Tip: Our favourite spot to bring a book and spend a few hours absorbing the unbeatable ambiance
Address: 26 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Opens at: 8 am
Price range: 60K – 80K VND
Okkio
Only a 5 minute walk from the Hive D2, on the third floor of another modernist-style building, Okkio is a magnet for young Vietnamese Coffee enthusiasts. They embrace service, ambiance and quality as the core of their offerings, and they deliver spectacularly. Shortly after being served your coffee the baristas might come over and ask how you like your coffee. Usually this type of service and follow-up is to be expected at a high-end restaurant, not a coffee shop, immediately speaking to their loyal customer base.
Insider Tip: Be sure to chat with your barista for an in depth review of their menu and the steps in ordering a cup of specialty coffee
Address: 110 Xuân Thủy, Thảo Điền, Quận 2 (click here for other locations)
Opens at: 7:30 am
Price range: 60K – 80K VND
La Viet
La Viet started as a local favorite coffee shop in Dalat, the origins of most of their beans. Located in a warehouse-style cafe in the quaint mountain-top town of Vietnam’s central highlands, they first stepped into Saigon’s specialty coffee scene with their first location on Hai Ba Trung street, only five minutes away from the Hive D1. It was, and remains, the only establishment where you can get a specialty-grade V60 for only 50,000VND, well below the average price of 80,000VND coming from their competitors. At this price, you will get a cup of specialty-grade Vietnemese coffee, mostly originating from Dalat or Lambian province, and it is phenomenal. High-grade coffee for under 2$? This is the future we deserve.
Insider Tip: For those looking for a more unique experience, try out one of La Viet’s coffee cocktails
Address: 191 Hai Bà Trưng, Phường 6, Quận 3 (click here for other locations)
Opens at: 7 am
Price range: 50K VND
Bosgaurus
Head-barista and Manager Tran Han is Vietnam’s first and only barista champion, multiple times over, capturing prizes representing VIetnam on the global stage in 2017 and 2018 in barista and aroma master categories. Her team of roast and brewmasters serve up one of the highest grade premium cups of coffee the city has to offer, both imported from Latin America and Africa as well as their single-origin Arabica beans from Dalat. This cup of refined joe can be enjoyed in a modern-style glass enclosed space with metallic tables and futuristic roasting machines in the back.
Insider Tip: Head over to Bosgaurus for brunch and pair your coffee with their delicious breakfast menu, inclusive of multiple eggs benedict options
Address: 1D5, 92, Villa, Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, Saigon Pearl, Bình Thạnh
Opens at: 8 am
Price range: 50K – 80K VND
96B
We like 96B for a few well-deserved points- and it’s convenient one minute distance from the Hive D1. One of them is consistency in brewing an extremely high quality cup of coffee, from a classic Americano all the way up to a V60 pour-over. With imported African, Latin American, and locally sourced Arabica, you can always expect high quality in brewing and service which one looks forward to with every visit. But it’s their R&D lab that has to be commended. They do a superb job of fusionary experiments that land on the mark, mixing coffee with local fruits and syrups in a wonderfully exotic fashion that works surprisingly well.
Insider Tip: Try out 96B’s Summer Cold Brew (with lychee glass jelly, coconut water, pandan leaf), Lilac Cold Brew (with home-made hibiscus syrup, hibiscus jam, soda), or Hardcore Double Shot (with fresh lime juice, vanilla syrup, rosemary) for a refreshing fusion coffee experience
Address: 96B Đường Phan Ngữ, Đa Kao, Quận 1
Opens at: 8 am
Price range: 50K – 80K VND
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