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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.

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

3T Cà Phê Trứng offers traditional egg coffee. This specialty coffee chain operates multiple locations in Ho Chi Minh City. Hoang Trinh Vuong Company Limited owns the brand. Locals know it for its signature cà phê trứng. Hanoi originally created this unique drink. They prepare it with a strong Vietnamese robusta coffee. A rich, creamy layer of whisked egg yolk foam tops the coffee.

The menu lists many choices. It includes modern variations like egg cacao and egg matcha. The chain also serves other Vietnamese coffee styles. Guests find bạc xỉu and cà phê sữa đá available. A selection of fruit teas, juices, and milk teas adds to the offerings. Each drink arrives in a bowl of warm water. This keeps the signature egg coffee at the right temperature.

The founder opened the first location in 2015. It sits on Hoàng Sa street. The initial goal was to introduce egg coffee. They brought this northern specialty to southern Vietnam. The brand creates nostalgic spaces. Each branch features vintage-inspired decor. Wood furniture, encaustic floor tiles, and warm lighting evoke old Saigon.

3T Cà Phê Trứng locations offer distinct designs. Some interiors reflect classic Vietnamese house styles. Others blend these elements with modern touches. The chain has become a recognized name. It focuses specifically on egg-based coffee drinks. This makes it unique within the city’s cafe scene.

2 insider tips

Mr.Pin · curator · 3T Cà Phê Trứng

3T Cà Phê Trứng is known for its signature cà phê trứng, or egg coffee, a rich and creamy Hanoi-style specialty. As a local chain, it provides a consistent and authentic experience. This is a must-try for anyone looking to experience a classic aspect of Vietnamese coffee culture.

Trip Moito · curator · 3T Cà Phê Trứng

Order the famous Vietnamese egg coffee. This cultural phenomenon uses whisked egg yolks, sugar, and condensed milk. It is layered over strong Vietnamese coffee.

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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

Katinat – Bach Dang Wharf is a coffee and tea house on Tôn Đức Thắng Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The cafe sits directly within the public space of Bạch Đằng Wharf Park. It offers waterfront views of the Saigon River and the city skyline. The venue is a branch of the Katinat Coffee & Tea House chain.

The cafe features a two-story structure with large glass windows. It provides both indoor, air-conditioned seating and extensive outdoor terrace seating. The outdoor area faces the river promenade. The design incorporates modern aesthetics alongside elements inspired by old Saigon’s coffee culture. From its position, guests can see landmarks across the river.

The menu contains a range of coffees, teas, and specialty beverages. The establishment serves espresso-based drinks and traditional Vietnamese coffee. Signature items include unique creations like rambutan milk tea and avocado coconut drinks. A selection of cakes and pastries is also available to accompany the beverages. The counter-service format requires customers to order inside before finding a seat.

This Katinat branch is situated in a high-traffic public area near the city center. The surrounding Bạch Đằng Wharf is a popular gathering spot for residents and tourists. The park stretches from the Khánh Hội Bridge to the Ba Son Shipyard. The cafe’s location makes it a prominent feature along the pedestrian-friendly waterfront.

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10B Tôn Đức Thắng, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

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

Cocoa Kitchen is a rooftop restaurant and cafe on Pasteur Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The venue focuses on promoting and utilizing Vietnamese cacao in its offerings. It operates as a part of The Cocoa Project, an initiative that began in 2020. The menu integrates locally sourced cacao into a range of pastries, food, and beverages. The establishment’s core concept is to celebrate the culture of chocolate.

The restaurant serves a menu where chocolate is a featured ingredient. Dishes and drinks are crafted to showcase the qualities of cacao from Vietnam. The kitchen prepares both savory and sweet items. The beverage selection includes a variety of chocolate-based drinks. A retail shop space also offers products from The Cocoa Project for purchase. This allows guests to buy the chocolate used in the restaurant.

The venue occupies a rooftop space. It provides panoramic views across the city and the Saigon River. The dining area is designed to offer an open-air experience. It provides a setting that overlooks the urban landscape. Different seating arrangements accommodate various group sizes. The restaurant provides a distinct vantage point over central Ho Chi Minh City.

Cocoa Kitchen aims to connect diners with the story of Vietnamese cacao. The establishment highlights the journey from local farms to the final culinary product. It serves as a showcase for the quality of cacao grown within the country. The restaurant attracts both local residents and international visitors.

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Pasteur, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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 Đồng Khởi is a Vietnamese bistro and café on Đồng Khởi street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The venue occupies a prominent corner location near the city’s Opera House. It operates as part of the RuNam brand, which focuses on premium Vietnamese coffee and dining. The establishment serves a menu that integrates both Vietnamese and Western culinary styles across multiple floors.

The ground floor offers a more dynamic, modern setting for coffee and casual meetings. The upper level provides a quieter, more formal dining space. The interior design combines classic and contemporary elements, with art pieces decorating the walls. Large windows on the upper floor provide views of the busy street below. The space is arranged to accommodate both small groups and individual patrons.

The menu features a range of food and beverages. The kitchen prepares dishes such as Phở Đuôi Bò (oxtail pho) and Cơm Tấm RuNam (broken rice with grilled pork). Its beverage selection highlights Vietnamese coffee, prepared using traditional phin filters and house-roasted beans. Signature coffee drinks include Cà Phê Phin Sữa Đá RuNam. The bistro also serves a variety of teas, juices, and pastries.

Runam Đồng Khởi belongs to a high-end café and restaurant chain established in Vietnam. The brand emphasizes the quality of its locally sourced coffee beans. The location on Đồng Khởi street places it in one of the city’s primary commercial and historical centers. It caters to a clientele of local professionals, families, and international visitors.

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2-4-6 Đ. Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

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 Workshop is a specialty coffee roaster and café on the top floor of a colonial-era building on Ngô Đức Kế street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. It serves single-origin beans prepared with various brewing methods like pour-over, siphon, and Aeropress, alongside espresso drinks and a Western food menu. The space is a large, open-plan room with high ceilings and industrial fittings, centered around a large coffee preparation bar. Considered one of the city’s earliest third-wave coffee venues, it roasts its own beans, including locally sourced Vietnamese Arabica.

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27 Ngô Đức Kế, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · The Workshop Coffee

The Workshop is a prominent specialty coffee roaster and cafe, located on the top floor of a colonial-era building on Ngô Đức Kế street in District 1. It is known for serving single-origin beans prepared with various brewing methods. This spot is ideal for enthusiasts eager to explore different preparation techniques and coffee origins.

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

Coffee · Ho Chi Minh City

07:30–22:00 daily +84 28 3915 0055

The Running Bean is a café and brunch restaurant at 33 Mạc Thị Bưởi, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The menu features specialty coffee and espresso drinks, alongside an all-day selection of Western and Vietnamese brunch items, pastas, and smoothie bowls. The multi-level space has modern architecture, high ceilings, and large glass windows. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The café serves a clientele of both locals and tourists.

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115 Hồ Tùng Mậu, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

1 insider tip

Mr.Pin · curator · The Running Bean

The Running Bean at 33 Mạc Thị Bưởi, District 1, is a cafe and brunch restaurant offering a broad menu. Beyond specialty coffee and espresso drinks, it serves an all-day selection of Western and Vietnamese brunch items. This makes it a versatile choice for those who want a meal alongside their coffee.