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The best coffee shops within a 5-minute walk

Step out of the Renaissance Riverside Hotel and you’re already standing in one of Saigon’s best coffee corners. The riverside stretch of Ton Duc Thang runs straight into Dong Khoi and the old French quarter, so within a 15-minute walk you can go from egg coffee in a century-old alley to third-wave pour-overs in a converted 1912 warehouse. Here are six stops worth the detour, roughly ordered by distance from the hotel.

Why these picks

Having spent years mapping Saigon's riverfront coffee culture, I know how easily visitors get trapped in overpriced hotel lobbies or generic corporate chains. The blocks directly behind Renaissance Riverside hold everything from northern specialty drinks to rigorous single-origin roasters. Best for serious pour-overs: The Workshop Coffee. Best for a riverside pause: Katinat - Bach Dang Wharf. Best for client meetings: Runam Đồng Khởi. Best for brunch: The Running Bean.

The Pins

01

3T Cà Phê Trứng Vietnamese egg coffee done properly: a whisked, custard-like egg cream folded over dark roast, served in a nostalgic, old-Saigon interior. The nearest branch (1A Ton Duc Thang) is a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Order it hot in a clay cup if you want the full effect.

3T Cà Phê Trứng

Coffee · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

07:00–23:00 daily 0866801599

This is the spot on the list to seek out northern-style whipped egg coffee rather than standard drip brews. It offers a heavier, dessert-like drink compared to the specialty cafes nearby.

Go here if
you want a dense, sweet egg coffee within walking distance of the river
Skip if
you prefer light-roast espresso or black pour-overs
02

Katinat – Bach Dang Wharf Right on the river at 10B Ton Duc Thang — practically next door to the hotel. Outdoor seating looks over the water and the wharf's evening lights; it gets crowded after dark with a younger, social crowd, but the queue moves fast and drinks are out in under 10 minutes. Best for a sunset coffee or a fruit tea before dinner.

Katinat – Bach Dang Wharf

Coffee · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

07:00–02:00 daily +842873001056

Positioned right across the boulevard along the waterfront park, this provides the most immediate river views of any spot on the roster. It functions best as an easy open-air pitstop before or after strolling the promenade.

Go here if
you want river breezes and views of the water traffic
Skip if
you want a quiet environment away from public park crowds
03

Cocoa Kitchen A rooftop concept from The Cocoa Project, built around Vietnamese cacao rather than coffee alone — think chocolate drinks and pastries alongside the usual menu. The draw is the view: one of the better rooftop panoramas of the city and the river. A short taxi or Grab ride from the hotel.

Cocoa Kitchen

Coffee · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

This pick caters to anyone interested in local agriculture, shifting the spotlight from coffee beans toward domestic cacao beverages. It stands out from the area's coffee-centric counters with its chocolate focus and rooftop perch.

Go here if
you want Vietnamese craft chocolate drinks and rooftop seating
Skip if
you are strictly hunting for third-wave coffee roasts
04

Runam Đồng Khởi Saigon's most photogenic coffee stop. The building is around 120 years old, originally the Rotonde hotel from the French colonial era, with a lush interior garden and European-bistro styling. Try the Coffee Peach or Forest Berry Coffee — RuNam espresso mixed with tonic and fruit. About a 10-minute walk from the hotel, on Dong Khoi.

Runam Đồng Khởi

Coffee · District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

07:00–23:00 daily

Runam offers the most polished, formal setting near the hotel, trading quick cafe counter service for full table hospitality. It suits professional catch-ups and upscale afternoon stops better than the street-level options.

Go here if
you need an upscale dining room setting for a meeting
Skip if
you want a casual, quick takeaway counter
05

The Workshop Coffee Up a flight of stairs at 27 Ngo Duc Ke, inside a 1912 building with soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and a lab-like brew bar (V60, Chemex, French press, Aeropress). A favorite with remote workers and serious coffee drinkers — go here if you want a proper flat white or a slow pour-over rather than a photo backdrop. About 10 minutes on foot from the hotel.

The Workshop Coffee

Coffee · Ho Chi Minh City

08:00–21:00 daily +842838246801

The definitive third-wave roastery in the neighborhood, catering to serious espresso purists and pour-over enthusiasts. It provides a raw, spacious alternative to the polished retail chains along the river.

Go here if
you want single-origin beans brewed with precise manual methods
Skip if
you cannot handle climbing multiple flights of stairs
06

The Running Bean Bright, contemporary, all-day brunch spot near Nguyen Hue Walking Street, about 10–15 minutes' walk. Solid specialty coffee plus a menu that runs from Coconut Matcha Foam to Tiramisu Coffee — a good option if someone in your group wants food, not just a drink.

The Running Bean

4.7 (3,393) Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google from 3,393 reviews

Coffee · Ho Chi Minh City

07:30–22:00 daily +84 28 3915 0055

This is the most balanced all-rounder on the list, pairing quality espresso service with a robust daytime food menu. It bridges the gap between third-wave coffee purists and casual brunch crowds.

Go here if
you want high-grade coffee alongside a full brunch meal
Skip if
you want a quiet corner free of brunch traffic

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Questions about this guide

Can I walk to all of these cafes from Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon?

Yes, every location on this list sits within a 5 to 10-minute walk from the hotel lobby. Crossing Tôn Đức Thắng street requires caution due to steady traffic, but pedestrian crossings lead directly into the park and surrounding side streets.

Which cafe is best for getting remote work done?

The Workshop Coffee provides ample table space, strong connectivity, and an open layout suited for laptops. The Running Bean also works well, though peak brunch hours bring higher noise levels.

Do any of these spots require reservations?

None of these venues require advance bookings for coffee. Peak mid-morning and afternoon hours can see Runam Đồng Khởi and The Running Bean fill their ground-floor seating, but walk-ins are standard across the board.