Where: 7 (phía sau), Hàn Thuyên, Bến Nghé, Quận 1,Hồ Chí Minh City
Type: Indoor Café
Offer: Drinks & Food
Price: $$
This cafe is located in side alley off Han Thuyen connecting the Reunification Palace and Note Dame Cathedral, opposite Starbucks. So it is centrally located.
The cafe has only one floor indoors plus a little terrace at the back. It has a rather interesting decoration. The main sitting area has a few tables and a little stage with a piano. Some parts of the cafe still have the old brick walls, which gives the place a rather rustic look – in a very positive way. In addition some rather vintage decor has been places throughout the cafe – from a vesper to an old typing machine. On the wall are some old photos and even a hand-made looking map. So it is certainly interesting to look around. Oh, there are also some soft toys sitting on some of the very comfortable seats.
The area in the slight alcove is a more quiet place, though near the door towards the main street (which unfortunately it is closed – if they would open the door and use the yard outside it would offer a great view towards the little park outside) we got bitten by mosquitoes.
They offer the usual drinks like ca phe sua da, juice and smoothies. However, they also serve a famous specialty from Hanoi – Egg Coffee. If you never had it, it is worth a try. The decoration of the coffee is lovely, though I must admit I prefer the original version in Hanoi. The juices and ca phe are nice though. According to their Facebook site they have a new menu and now serving Italian coffee as well.
Apparently they have live music on a Friday night. I have not been there yet, but it is on my list. If I have been I will update this page.
Overall, it is a nice little cafe in the center of Saigon. I like the quiet atmosphere and the decoration – simple, rustic but full of character. The prices are standard for District 1 (though better than Starbucks on the other side of the alley!!!). Certainly worth a visit.
Rating: 8/10
(First visited September 2018)
