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The Story

About This Place

XLIII Specialty Coffee occupies a specific position in Saigon's café landscape: no sweeteners, no blended shortcuts, just imported Arabica lots brewed by filter and served with the kind of guided attention more common in a wine bar than a café. Staff ask what a visitor enjoys before recommending anything, then walk through the origins, processing methods, and flavor profiles of each available bean — a ritual that turns a coffee order into a considered tasting. The consistency is notable: with 2,867 Google reviews averaging a perfect five stars, the execution holds across visits and staff rotations.

The Thao Dien outlet, on Đường Số 2 in Làng Báo, has a different register from the District 1 location. The interior reads as homely and deliberate — unhurried, with a layout that regulars describe as beautiful without being showy. It sits a street or two back from the neighborhood's busier strips, and the quiet is woven into what the space offers. The crowd skews toward visitors who made a specific trip: people tracking down a particular bean, returning for a comparison, or simply seeking somewhere that does not ask anything of them.

Each cup off the filter bar tastes perceptibly different from the last — an observation that comes up unprompted across dozens of reviews and points to genuine lot rotation rather than a fixed house profile. The sourdough cardamom is the one food item mentioned consistently, a pairing that holds up against the aromatic range of the lighter roasts on offer. Prices are higher than the Thao Dien average, a fact customers acknowledge without complaint once they've been through the process. The staff — names appear in reviews because people remember them — share knowledge without condescension, which is rarer than it should be.

guided filter coffee tastingsimported arabica bean selectionsourdough cardamomstaff-led flavor profilingno-sweetener brewing
serenehushedrefinedunhurriedintimate

Reviews

5.0(2867)
Han Ly
Han Ly
3mo ago

It was a really pleasant experience, the staff walked us through the concept and bean selection and advised us how to order. The information was extremely fascinating and the accompanying experience is also nice. We felt very well taken cared of, and I enjoyed my pick. Thank you to the nice staff for their guide! However it’s definitely not a cheap visit but definitely worth trying once!

Chantelle
Chantelle
3mo ago

I was recommended to visit this location by Duy after going to their store in D1, and I’m so glad he did. It has a completely different vibe, but their knowledge and dedication to the craft are the same. If you’re looking for a place to sit, wind down, and just be, this is such a lovely spot. The store feels homely, the layout and interior is so beautiful and intentional.

An Huynh
An Huynh
3mo ago

Had such a lovely experience here. A quiet haven for true Arabica lovers, devoted to coffee in its purest form, thoughtfully selected beans, careful brewing, and no unnecessary distractions. What also stood out was the warmth of the team: genuinely friendly, attentive, and generous with their knowledge, all without a hint of pretension. You can feel the founder’s passion in every detail, from the menu to the atmosphere. It’s rare to see such commitment to a truly niche specialty coffee space, and it shows. I deeply appreciate the courage and care behind it 🩵 Calm, beautiful, and full of heart. Will definitely be back. Highly recommended for those who appreciate great coffee and even better people.

Faizal Septian
Faizal Septian
3mo ago

What an experience! The coffee shop is aesthetically pleasing yet the coffee here is surprisingly good! But the most interesting part was how they served you, they gave you an outstanding presentation about their beans. Very happy to be here and can’t wait to be back

Joan Pham
Joan Pham
3mo ago

If you’re a coffee lover, this place is an absolute must-visit. The coffee tasting experience was exceptional, from the aroma to the final sip, every cup was thoughtfully prepared and full of character. What really set this shop apart was the knowledgeable staff. Dung is the one that served our coffee today. She took the time to explain the origins, flavor profiles, and brewing methods in a way that felt welcoming. The service was friendly and genuine, making the entire experience relaxed and enjoyable. You can tell they truly care about coffee and about sharing that passion with their customers. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates high-quality coffee and wants to learn more while enjoying a great cup in a warm, inviting atmosphere. ☕️

gallery

Photos

40

Food

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

Drinks

Coffee Tasting Set

Coffee Tasting Set

Iced Coffee

Iced Coffee

Coffee Drink

Coffee Drink

Iced Coffee

Iced Coffee

Vibe

A spacious dining area with herringbone-patterned light wood flooring. Features two dark wooden dining tables with matching chairs, a large potted pla

A spacious dining area with herringbone-patterned light wood flooring. Features two dark wooden dining tables with matching chairs, a large potted pla

The image depicts the exterior entrance of a venue in Thao Dien, Saigon. It features a wooden arched double door with glass panels, set within a white

The image depicts the exterior entrance of a venue in Thao Dien, Saigon. It features a wooden arched double door with glass panels, set within a white

A counter in a café with three pour-over coffee setups (each with a cone and glass), two empty glasses, a glass of coffee with foam, a smartphone, sun

A counter in a café with three pour-over coffee setups (each with a cone and glass), two empty glasses, a glass of coffee with foam, a smartphone, sun

A spacious interior room with light beige walls, herringbone-patterned light wood flooring, and two dark wooden dining tables with matching chairs. Th

A spacious interior room with light beige walls, herringbone-patterned light wood flooring, and two dark wooden dining tables with matching chairs. Th

The image depicts the exterior facade of a multi-venue complex in Thao Dien, Saigon. The structure features a bamboo wall with large black "32" numera

The image depicts the exterior facade of a multi-venue complex in Thao Dien, Saigon. The structure features a bamboo wall with large black "32" numera

A spacious interior room with light beige walls, herringbone-patterned wooden flooring, and multiple furniture pieces. Features two dining tables (one

A spacious interior room with light beige walls, herringbone-patterned wooden flooring, and multiple furniture pieces. Features two dining tables (one

The image depicts an interior space of a venue in Thao Dien, Saigon, featuring several wooden stools arranged on a patterned tile floor. Lush green pl

The image depicts an interior space of a venue in Thao Dien, Saigon, featuring several wooden stools arranged on a patterned tile floor. Lush green pl

A modern interior space featuring a long rectangular planter with various green plants and pebbles, positioned centrally in a narrow corridor. The wal

A modern interior space featuring a long rectangular planter with various green plants and pebbles, positioned centrally in a narrow corridor. The wal

Other

XLIII Specialty Coffee photo 2 in Thao Dien
XLIII Specialty Coffee photo 3 in Thao Dien
A hand holding a promotional card featuring a photograph of a person in a forested area, with text 'XJIN.IXX.RARE.SAW' and 'SUKKOT KACOMASA', a QR cod

A hand holding a promotional card featuring a photograph of a person in a forested area, with text 'XJIN.IXX.RARE.SAW' and 'SUKKOT KACOMASA', a QR cod

XLIII Specialty Coffee photo 7 in Thao Dien
A close-up of a small glass bowl containing brown coffee grounds placed on a dark surface, with a printed menu behind it. The menu features text inclu

A close-up of a small glass bowl containing brown coffee grounds placed on a dark surface, with a printed menu behind it. The menu features text inclu

XLIII Specialty Coffee photo 12 in Thao Dien
XLIII Specialty Coffee photo 16 in Thao Dien
The image displays a menu card for 'SUKKOT RACEMOSA' coffee from XLIII.LXX.RARE.SAW. It features a photograph of a person in a rural setting, details

The image displays a menu card for 'SUKKOT RACEMOSA' coffee from XLIII.LXX.RARE.SAW. It features a photograph of a person in a rural setting, details

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Where is XLIII Specialty Coffee located in Thao Dien?
XLIII Specialty Coffee is located at 19 Đ. Số 2, Làng Báo, An Khánh, Hồ Chí Minh 71301, Vietnam. It is situated in the Thao Dien neighborhood of District 2 (Thu Duc City), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
What is XLIII Specialty Coffee known for?
XLIII Specialty Coffee is a coffee shop in Thao Dien known for guided filter coffee tastings, imported arabica bean selection, sourdough cardamom, staff-led flavor profiling, no-sweetener brewing. It has a 5.0 rating based on 2867 reviews.
What are the opening hours of XLIII Specialty Coffee?
XLIII Specialty Coffee is typically open 6:30 AM–10:30 PM (Monday). Hours may vary by day, so checking the latest hours before visiting is recommended.
Does XLIII Specialty Coffee accept reservations?
Yes, you can contact XLIII Specialty Coffee to make a reservation by calling +84 799 343 943. It is recommended to book in advance, especially for weekend dining.
How expensive is XLIII Specialty Coffee?
XLIII Specialty Coffee is considered moderately priced for the Thao Dien area. It is a popular coffee shop suitable for coffee enthusiasts, solo afternoon, quiet work.
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