109/36 Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, Phường 2, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
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Cheo Leo Cafe is a coffee shop on Nguyễn Thiện Thuật in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, that serves coffee brewed in a traditional style. Vinh Ngo founded the cafe in 1938, making it one of the city’s oldest coffee establishments. The founder’s daughters continue to operate the business. The cafe sits deep inside a narrow alley within the Bàn Cờ neighborhood.
The name Cheo Leo translates to “isolated” or “perched high up.” This name reflected its original solitary location in a then-undeveloped area. The cafe retains a simple interior with basic tables and stools. It has purposefully avoided modern renovations over the decades. The space maintains the appearance it has had for many years.
Cheo Leo Cafe employs a traditional brewing method using a cloth net filter, known as a “vợt,” and clay pots. This technique has its roots in the local Chinese community and is now rare in the city. The coffee brews over a charcoal stove, which provides low, consistent heat. The menu features classic Vietnamese coffee drinks, including cà phê sữa đá and bạc xỉu.
Historically, the cafe was a popular gathering place for students from prominent nearby schools. Today, it attracts a mix of older regulars and younger patrons. The shop preserves a specific coffee-making heritage passed down through generations. Its continued use of the clay pot and cloth filter method distinguishes it from modern cafes.
Cheo Leo Cafe builds its enduring draw on cà phê sữa đá and egg coffee, served in a setting where tight quarters are part of the bargain.
The space feels charming and old-school on quiet mornings, though it easily turns cramped when crowds arrive.
Locals
4.2 from 40 reviews
Vietnamese-language reviews focus closely on the cà phê sữa đá, with frequent notes on how tight the room feels.
Travelers
4.4 from 69 reviews
Other-language reviews lean slightly more positive, with widespread focus on the egg coffee.
Seating is tight and the room can get warm and slow down noticeably during busy hours.
Compiled from 169 Google reviews across 2 languages. Reviews sampled through August 2026.
Step into Cheo Leo Cafe in District 3, a venerable establishment founded in 1938. This is where you can experience coffee brewed in a traditional style, a testament to enduring Vietnamese coffee culture. The cafe's long history gives it a singular atmosphere, making it a compelling stop for historical immersion.
Visit the oldest cafe in Ho Chi Minh City. Try their traditional iced coffee with condensed milk. It offers a peaceful spot.
Cheo Leo Cafe is located at 109/36 Nguyễn Thiện Thuật, Phường 2, Quận 3, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam, deep inside a narrow alley within the Bàn Cờ neighborhood.
Cheo Leo Cafe is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Cheo Leo Cafe is unique for its traditional coffee brewing method using a cloth net filter (vợt) and clay pots over a charcoal stove, a technique that is rare in Ho Chi Minh City today.
Cheo Leo Cafe was founded in 1938 by Vinh Ngo, making it one of the oldest coffee establishments in Ho Chi Minh City.
Cheo Leo Cafe serves classic Vietnamese coffee drinks, including cà phê sữa đá and bạc xỉu, prepared using their traditional brewing method.
Cheo Leo Cafe retains a simple interior with basic tables and stools, purposefully avoiding modern renovations to maintain its long-standing traditional appearance.
You can contact Cheo Leo Cafe by phone at +84369626363.
The name Cheo Leo translates to "isolated" or "perched high up," reflecting its original solitary location in a then-undeveloped area when it was founded.
Cheo Leo Cafe attracts a mix of older regulars who have frequented the establishment for years and younger patrons interested in its historical significance and traditional coffee.
No, Cheo Leo Cafe purposefully avoids modern renovations and equipment, preserving its specific coffee-making heritage through the continued use of a cloth filter and clay pot method.