Top cafes in District 2, Ho Chi Minh that you should not miss

Vietnam might be a small nation, but our love for coffee and tea far outshines our size.

With the reputation as the 2nd biggest coffee exporter in the world and a ton of independent cafés scattered across the country, it’s hard to believe anyone loves coffee more than Vietnamese.

Especially, in Ho Chi Minh City, people – both locals and ex-pats – love coffee as much as they love the self-employed profession.

Those who’ve been to Ho Chi Minh City will tell you that getting things done in a tranquil coffee shop is a Saigon way of life.

Are you on the hunt for an exciting alternative to working from home? Or do you simply want a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy streets to enjoy a nice drink or snack?

Top cafes in District 2, Ho Chi Minh that you should not miss

Ready for the list? Check it out first then decide

An Cafe And Restaurant – Vietnamese Cuisine

• Address: No 10 Tran Ngoc Dien Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
• Telephone: 0934 994 599
• Hours: From 09:00 – 21:00
• Price range: From 60,000 VND to 150,000 VND
• Facebook page

For some people, going on a trip is all about unplugging. Meanwhile, others want to keep the travel fun going and replenish their bank balance at the same time.

If the latter is your style, the An Cafe And Restaurant top our must-visit coffee shop list.

I don’t mean that this cafe is only for those who need a working place. However, it’s an ideal spot for you to get some things done.

It’s a very beautiful building that can’t be missed, that offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The green color and wooden decorative items dominate the space, making you feel like you’re in Vietnam during the 19th or 20th century. It’s authentic. It’s peaceful. And it offers a wide range of good food and drinks.

People come here for coffee and great working space but stay for the mouthwatering Vietnamese delicacies.

Vietnamese-styled daily meal (cơm), Vietnamese beef noodle soup (phở), Vietnamese salad (gỏi), deep-fried spring rolls (chả giò), and vermicelli with grilled pork (bún thịt nướng) – They are just some of the best-selling dishes.

Walking Distance – Juicery & Café

• Address: No 80D Xuan Thuy Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: From 09:00 – 21:00
• Telephone: 096 879 77 27
• Price range: From VND 40,000 to VND 80,000
• Facebook page

Incredibly hot weather and long dry seasons can’t prevent Saigonese from the attraction of the hot delectable brown beverage.

But rather than having their morning joe at home, people love going to a coffee shop for the atmosphere and great service, and of course, the option grabs a bite to eat while they’re at it. And the Walking Distance is one of the best locations that offer just that.

Add something rich to take you on a sweet ride like a French-inspired cake, all kinds of cakes here are quite the compliment to a nice cup of coffee.

Aside from the quick bites, the cafe also offers many meal options perfect for breakfast or lunch. Take a seat in one of their many green chair and table sets and enjoy whatever you might be craving in a very bright and peaceful setting.

This is a place that surely offers good vibes, and definitely worth checking out to satisfy that sweet tooth.

Kokois Coffee

• Location: No 24 Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
• Telephone: 0901 444 840
• Opening hours: From 09:00 – 22:00
• Price range: 50,000 VND –  70,000 VND a drink and 120,000 VND –  200,000 VND/a dish
• Kokois website: www.kokois.com
• Facebook page

Kokois Coffee is a one-stop coffee shop that offers a bright and cheerful cafe perfectly suited for anyone trying to get a little work done.

They offer a wide selection of food from requisite salad, sandwiches, and also steak – and can’t forget the ever-popular Eggs Benedict. Kokois is where you can find the best flavor of the traditional American breakfast.

It’s such a place that you may even find yourself stopping in multiple mornings to enjoy your choice of espresso, latte, americano, or tea. Come here later in the day and you might want to even try one of their many cocktails.

Also, Kokois Coffee is environmentally friendly in more ways than just one. Right from the moment you’ve stepped through the Kokois Coffee’s doors, you will be feeling like you’re stepping inside a Vietnamese-style house.

From the container-inspired decor inside to the outside, this coffee shop’s concept abides by Vietnamese house design. You’ll be welcomed by a cool ambiance with a delicate mix of furniture that many are sure to find appealing.

Whether you want to avoid the sunlight or you’re interested in being covered by the greenery, you will enjoy privacy at its best. This is an ideal spot for those who don’t always feel the need to sit inside with air conditioning but want to be in a pure setting with natural lighting.

If it is not enough reason to visit this great cafe in District 2, the Kokois Coffee is also an exhibition space, conference hall, pop-up stores, and souvenir shops. Come here and work surrounded by people talking about food and art!

Mad House

• Address: No 6/1/2, Nguyen U Di Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
• Telephone: 028 3519 4009
• Hours: From 09:00 – 22:00
• Price range: From  150,000 VND to  275,000 VND

Piquing customers’ curiosity and growing their retention is an integral part of the growing coffee business. And it’s what the Mad House has succeeded in.

With the Mad House’s credo summed up in just a single word: “chill,” its decor and ambiance are a reason enough for patrons to keep coming back.

Located in the center of District 2, the Mad House is a village in its own right. Part of it is the wide-open space in a lovely garden with Western-styled swimming pools.

It goes without saying that the Mad House may be the best café-restaurant in District 2. On top of their welcoming indoor seating, they have an extravagant outdoor seating area shaded by surrounding trees in a wide-open garden decorated to perfection, making it an ideal place to lounge.

The staff here puts a lot of care into every single drink and dish that they offer. From smoothies, soda, and espresso to their various food items like salad, traditional Vietnamese dishes, and Western-styled staples, they make everything with customers in mind.  

It’s an ambiance that accompanies pretty much anyone’s reason for coming very nicely and sure to be a pleasurable experience.

Mekong Merchant & MM Bistro

• Location: No 23 Thao Dien, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City;
• Telephone: (08) 37 444 713
• Hours: From 10:00 – 11:00
• Price range: From 50,000 VND to 550,000 VND

Lying across the river in Thao Dien, this cafe is a real hit among ex-pats in Saigon. A great place to gather in the spacious courtyard that offers delicious dishes, such as, crab salad, Phu Quoc squid, and grilled prawns.

What sets Mekong Merchant apart from others is that it’s one of the initial businesses to maintain a lasting presence in the District 2 region. The owner started this cafe over a decade ago and has been continuously developing it ever since.

The atmosphere of this place is quite modest yet loaded with traditional decoration that may even take you to the heart of the Mekong River.

It’s a perfect site for you to get away from the mayhem of the modern city while allowing you to have a quiet space to focus more on whatever you need to get done.

The tile-roofed houses resemble an old Vietnamese village and the ancient lamps in combination with simple wooden furniture add a special Vietnamese rural touch.

It is easy to order a cappuccino, French press coffee, or Vietnamese iced coffee, take a seat, and get to work.

Apart from the beverages, the Mekong Merchant & MM Bistro also offers an impressive menu full of Asian and Western cuisines. Serving a mixture of pasta, burgers, pizzas, and salads. With new additions added every so often like, the mussels dipped in white wine and cream.

The only drawback of the Mekong Merchant & MM Bistro is the high price compared to other coffee shops in the area.  

However, if you fancy a Western-styled meal in a miniature Vietnamese village, the Mekong Merchant & MM Bistro is a good choice.

A great cafe-bistro is known for more than just the drinks. Sure to be a tastebud pleaser.

Villa Royale Antiques And Tea Room

• Address: No 3 Tran Ngoc Dien Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City;
• Hours: From 10:00 – 17:00
• Telephone: 028 3744 4897
• Price range: From 70,000 VND to 500,000 VND

There are a substantial number of great coffee shops in District 2. But Villa Royale Antiques And Tea Room is one that definitely stands out from the rest.

The cafe has a very eloquent victorian era ambiance with decors such as antique collections and dishware to support that look.

Their menu is simple but fits perfectly with the look. They offer a wide variety of teas, which goes great with a side order of cheesecake. They are so good that you are likely to end up sampling every single kind of cake they have.

Other food items consist of dried bread/puffs, finger sandwiches, English breakfast, American breakfast, quiches, and a lot more. Every single dish is made to enjoy and offer comfort in the purest form.

Also, there are some private rooms that are specifically meant for people trying to escape to a quieter area in order to focus on whatever it is they need to.

For all of the above reasons, it is a great place to take your laptop or book and spend hours indulging in some work and the many menu items.

Even though the price here is pretty high in comparison, it is well worth checking out to see if it suits your taste.

The enjoyable decor and a wide collection of savory food invite you to experience high tea time.

The Factory Contemporary Arts Center

• Address: No 15 Nguyen U Di Street, Thao Dien Ward,  District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
• Hours: From 11:00 – 22:00
• Telephone: 028 3744 2589
• Price range: From 70,000 VND to 290,000 VND

Anyone who loves the startup life and the freelancer scene in District 2 probably knows of the Factory Contemporary Arts Center.

This contemporary arts center is a great place to bring your laptop and sit awhile. Why do people rate it one of the most brilliant co-working spaces in District 2?  

The Factory Contemporary Arts Center serves wonderful Vietnamese coffee. Though not over the top relatively simple brews, it is good enough to make it a favorite spot for digital workers in this district to get their caffeine fix.

Aside from the strong Vietnamese coffee, it also offers comfortable chairs, adequate seating, rock-solid Wifi signal, and one-of-a-kind artistic atmospheres.

This coffee shop is not too big but offers a variety of seating options. For example, if you want to work while people-watching, taking a seat at the bar facing the window is sure to give you that fix.

Their menu aims to elevate healthy eating in Vietnam. They source their ingredients locally, focusing on organic as much as possible and offering both vegetarian/vegan-friendly dishes.

It’s a mixed crowd of designers, art lovers, freelancers, students, aspiring digital nomads, and architects. A great place to meet people with similar interests or simply buckle down into your own work.

LA Garden Restaurant And Café

• Address: Lan Anh Villa Complex, No 2 45 Street, Binh An Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
• Hours: From 06:30 – 21:30
• Telephone: 028 3740 6289
• Price range: From 39,000 VND to 189,000 VND

Another coffee shop that draws self-employed professionals into the allure of caffeine and unlimited snacks is LA Garden Restaurant And Café.

This cafe is a wonderful choice for those who are looking for an elegant venue to sometimes getting down to work.

A major reason that this cafe is a part of our recommended list has to be the magnificent scenery.

No matter what kinds of scenery you are into, you can change it up in the blink of an eye. Amazingly, there is no need to go to another cafe, you can simply get a variety of views all in one place.

The swimming pool area is for those who want to delve into the fresh atmosphere. Meanwhile, the outdoor cafe is mainly designed for couples.

They also offer an air-conditioned area which is a great place if you’re looking for more privacy. Whether you need to do some online shopping or want to get business-related things done, this is an area that would suit you nicely.

This cafe is sure to be an eye-pleaser with a huge area of land and thoughtful decor, LA Garden Restaurant And Café is an alternative space for any home office.

Some might think that your surrounding area is of no importance. But those who post up at a Saigon cafe on the regular will know that it matters much more than one thinks.

Thai Cong Warehouse  

• Address: No 215 A1 Nguyen Van Huong Street, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
• Hours: From 08:00 – 19:00
• Telephone: 0243758 5153
• Price range: From 140,000 VND to 550,000 VND

What is one of the most important things in a cafe that keeps you focus on the task at hand? If design if a major factor for you, then the Thai Cong Warehouse is a go-to.

Even those who have gone to all coffee shops in Saigon have to say that the Thai Cong Warehouse is one of the best.

From the moment you step inside, you will feel like being in a “real” house. They have meticulously selected every single luxury item inside for their potential to embellish the daily life.

The savory dishes and cakes are great, too – provided that you want to try Vietnamese fusion, grilled lamb tenderloin, or grilled French duck breast.

Forget your traditional office desk! It has a good Internet signal and a fair amount of plugs to keep you connected in for the long haul.

From the friendly service to the brightly lit room, you really can’t go wrong spending some time in this up-scaled luxury esc cafe.

Summary:

Starbucks is often the first thought when it comes to a gathering place for self-employed professionals.

But a handful of independent coffee shops in District 2, with one within a stone’s throw away from another, will change your mind from the typical western chain.

Our compiled list could easily have been “Top 20 Best Coffee Shops For You To Work From Home.” But I think that the minimalist version of 10 cafes can help you think about your choice more certainly.

Because they are all stunning, you will have a hard time only going to one place. Lucky for you, you don’t have to go just one. So do a little exploring to find the one that’s the best fit for you.

Having fun checking Saigon Kiss Tours’ blog? If you’re new to the country, prepare yourself for some tips or advice from our Vietnamese coffee tasting guide.