OKKIO Caffe

A lovely specialty coffee spot in central Saigon, especially if you’re exploring the Dong Khoi area. I’ve been to Okkio a few times, and my favourite thing to order is the classic Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk). Okkio uses fine Robusta for its Vietnamese coffee, so it has a much bolder, richer flavour than the coffee you might be used to from a typical Western-style café. If you’re visiting Vietnam and want to try Vietnamese coffee beyond the usual tourist cafés, this is a good place to start. I also really like their pastries, especially the Croissant Scrambled Egg. My ideal order is honestly just a Vietnamese coffee + pastry — simple, satisfying, and a very good way to start a morning in Saigon. The Dong Khoi location is another big plus. There’s a small terrace with a nice view towards the Saigon Opera House, and you’re within walking distance of the Opera House, Vincom Center, the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Saigon Book Street. It’s a convenient place to have breakfast or coffee before a morning of sightseeing. The café itself is relatively small, so I think it’s best for solo visitors or couples rather than large groups. The indoor seating is also reasonably comfortable if you need to answer some emails or do a little work. Overall, Okkio is not necessarily the café I visit for a dramatic interior or elaborate experience. I come back because the coffee is good, the pastries are good, and the location is excellent. My recommendation: Ca Phe Sua Da + Croissant Scrambled Egg, preferably on the terrace if you can get a seat. *A small tip for finding the café: the Dong Khoi branch is at 151 Dong Khoi, but the entrance can be easy to miss. You’ll first see a fairly wide alley lined with shops selling Vietnamese paintings and artwork. Walk towards the end of the alley, then look for the signs for the businesses inside the building. Turn right and head upstairs. Okkio is on the first floor. It feels a little hidden at first, but it’s not difficult to find once you know where to look.

Returned to Okkio for my final night in Saigon-the balcony view overlooking the Opera House remains one of the best in the city. However, I noticed a large event was taking place nearby, which meant a bit of noise and some banners partially obstructing the view. Also, a quick note on the banana cake: it was a bit dry and underwhelming this time, perhaps due to it being late in the day. Still, the ambiance is worth a visit, but I’d recommend coming earlier for a better view and fresher treats!

After some trial and error we found this place on our last day in Saigon, while actively scouting for good coffee. This did not disappoint. Had my first Coconut Coffee and my partner had a Vietnamese Iced Latte - both were off the charts good!

Okkio lives on the first floor which back in the day was one of the first L'usine cafe/restaurants. Most reviewers had a negative experience trying to locate Okkio but as they say, fortune favours the brave. Actually you don't need to be brave, just follow the laneway, turn right and walk up the stairs to the first floor. I don't know why so many reviewers found it unnerving. I came for my afternoon coffee and was pleasantly surprised by how seriously the baristas were taking their craft. My flat white was pretty darn good, I feel it lacked the creamy, velvety texture a good milk has, perhaps the don't use Meiji 4.5% full cream milk. I won't say this is anywhere close to the best espresso coffee you'll find in this city however it's decent enough and I would come again if I was close by. Okkio has a lovely ambience and the terrace has a beautiful view to the Opera house and that's reason enough to enjoy a solid coffee on hot afternoon.

This popular café was not easy to find, as we had to navigate a dim alley and walk past an unpleasant passageway before reaching the spiral staircase that leads to the café on the second floor. Upon stepping inside, we were greeted by a warm and cozy ambiance. We ordered a hot cappuccino and a Vietnamese iced milk coffee, paired with croissant sandwiches. The food and coffee were decent but nothing particularly memorable. There is outdoor seating available, offering a panoramic view of the opera house. Overall, it’s an acceptable stop if you’re curious to experience this quaint café made popular by social media.