These cafes in Ho Chi Minh City don’t just serve coffee — where else can you try 2L Matcha and Fish Sauce Ice Cream? 👀
As much as I appreciate a hot cup of Kopi O Kosong, I came to Ho Chi Minh City with a mission: to try everything but coffee — because the cafe scene here goes far beyond its famous brew.
Our friend Dat, a Vietnamese local, was around to show us some of the best cafes in town with unique menu items, and Insta-worthy spots. From giant 2L matcha lattes to refreshing fruit teas and interesting ice cream flavours, here’s a list of cafes worth checking out.
1) Lạc Café — Experience Old-school Ho Chi Minh City
Lạc Café is inspired by traditional Vietnamese street culture, with vintage touches making the space feel like olden Ho Chi Minh City.
The menu was handwritten on a simple sheet of paper, adding to the old-school feel.
We were recommended strawberry tea, coconut matcha, milk coffee, and bánh mì with pâté. Drinks came in generous portions too, and we enjoyed sitting on little plastic stools by the alleyway.
Drinks here were priced from 30,000đ (~S$1.50), and there’s a one item-per-person minimum.
Many locals were dressed in their traditional áo dài, having their photos professionally taken. Of course, we had to have our own little photoshoot too!
Opening hours: 6AM – 6:30PM
Address: 208/1 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường Võ Thị Sáu, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 100000, Vietnam
How to get there: 16min drive from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Google Maps)
2) La Creme — Unique Vietnamese-Inspired Ice Cream Flavours
La Creme serves unique Vietnamese-inspired ice cream, like the Hanoi Egg Coffee, Saigon Pho, and Vietnamese Fish Sauce flavours.
The Hanoi Egg Coffee was our favourite one, tasting like a creamier, sweeter version of regular coffee ice cream. On the other hand, the Vietnamese Fish Sauce flavour tasted similar to salted caramel ice cream.
It was hard to describe the flavour of the Saigon Pho ice cream, but we agreed that the taste of phở only comes through at the end of each bite.
A single scoop of ice cream costs 129,000đ (~S$6.50), with the option to add on a fresh waffle cone for 10,000đ (~S$0.50).
Opening hours: 8AM – 10PM
Address: 84 Phó Đức Chính, P, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
How to get there: 20min drive from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Google Maps)
3) Kocha Matcha Spot — 2L Matcha Latte
If a regular cup of matcha is never enough for you, you have to try the 2L matcha latte at Kocha Matcha Spot. One cup of their 2L matcha latte is priced at 399,000đ (~S$20), and this oversized glass was perfect for sharing amongst our group of four.
There are multiple outlets around Ho Chi Minh City. We visited the one in Phạm Ngọc Thạch, which was uncrowded, and featured a traditional Japanese seating area that made the experience feel calm and intimate.
Do plan your visit early, as each branch only serves a limited number of 2L matcha lattes a day.
Opening hours: 8:30AM – 10PM
Address: 47/3 Phạm Ngọc Thạch, Phường 6, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
How to get there: 15min drive from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Google Maps)
4) Little Cam Saigon — Simple and Work-Friendly
Little Cam Saigon is perfect for slowing down and escaping the busy city. We went to Outlet 2, an open-concept space with various outdoor and indoor seating options.
There were plenty of power outlets around too, making it a suitable spot to get some work done.
We had their signature tropical drinks, like the lotus oolong tea with wampi jam and jelly — which was a standout. It pairs perfectly with the buttery croissants and pastries, best enjoyed in the beautiful courtyard.
Opening hours: 7:30AM – 10PM
Address: 115/3 Trần Quốc Thảo, Phường Võ Thị Sáu, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000
How to get there: 13min drive from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Google Maps)
5) Dabao Concept – Cố Đô — Aesthetic Photo Spots
At first glance, you will not believe that Dabao Concept is a cafe, but an art gallery.
Different outlets boast different aesthetics. The Cố Đô outlet had a spacious garden and a layout reminiscent of old Ho Chi Minh City homes, with so many photogenic corners to explore!
From the wooden doors and vintage furniture, to the open-air courtyard and greenery, the photo opportunities are endless. It’s the kind of place you visit not just for their drinks, but for the experience of being in a beautiful space.
Coffee and tea aside, you may also enjoy some icy cold bingsu here. By the time we arrived at 6PM, it was sold out, so come early if you want to try it.
Drinks here cost around 65,000đ (~S$3.15), while the bingsu is priced at 129,000đ (~S$6.30).
Opening hours: 7AM – 10PM
Address: 18A Tú Xương, Phường Võ Thị Sáu, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
How to get there: 14min drive from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Google Maps)
6) Tiệm của Gỗ Ghibli — Studio Ghibli-Themed
Calling all Studio Ghibli lovers! You have to visit Tiệm của Gỗ Ghibli, for all things inspired by the iconic films.
From classic animations constantly playing on the television, to a life-sized No-Face statue, there’s plenty to take in within this cosy space. We enjoyed a cup of rich matcha and a hojicha latte from the cafe.
If you are feeling artsy, you can even try your hand at mosaic-painting your favourite characters like Totoro. There is also a souvenir shop here to purchase merchandise and apparel!
Opening hours: 9AM – 8PM
Address: Hẻm 29 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, Đa Kao, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
How to get there: 23min from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Google Maps)
7) Pha Cafe — Roaster with Sunlit Atrium
Tucked away in a residential estate, Pha Cafe is a nature oasis. The sunlit atrium, surrounded by lush green plants, created a calm setting to enjoy our drinks.
We tried the lemonade matcha and ginger cinnamon latte, both of which were rich and refreshing.
Xem Gallery is an art gallery hidden behind the cafe that focuses on experimental photography, photobooks, and visual storytelling. The long photo wall allowed us to view Ho Chi Minh City through a different lens, one that was dreamy and whimsical.
Opening hours: 8AM – 9PM
Address: 28 Đ. 37, Phường An Khánh, Thủ Đức, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 713100
How to get there: 33min from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Google Maps)
Tips for finding the best hidden cafes in Vietnam
I loved exploring the other side of Ho Chi Minh City’s cafe scene. There was so much more than just coffee to enjoy, and I got to try so many new and interesting flavours of tea and matcha.
Overall, our cafe-hopping adventure was a success, so here are some tips to help you discover the best cafes in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ask a local
Whether it’s your Grab driver, hotel staff, or a shop owner nearby, locals almost always know a quiet spot that tourists haven’t discovered yet. Instead of asking for “popular” cafes, try asking where they personally go to relax. Had Dat not introduced us to Little Cam Saigon, we might never have discovered this hidden space.
Search Vietnamese keywords
Instead of just typing “hidden cafe Vietnam” in Google, try terms like “quán cà phê trong hẻm” (alley cafe) or “cafe chung cư cũ” (old apartment cafe). You’ll often uncover places locals frequent that don’t always show up in English searches.
Go beyond the famous drinks
While Vietnamese cafe culture is often associated with coffee, we hope this article inspired you to explore other items on the menu. We got to taste a different side of the scene, and were truly impressed by what we found — unexpected flavours and cosy vibes.
If you love cafes, but also love coffee, check out our guide on the best Ho Chi Minh City cafes based on taste, value-for-money, and aesthetic.
Which cafe in Ho Chi Minh City would you like to visit? Let us know in the comments below!
