Khoai operates as two different venues depending on the hour. Before sunset, it functions as a proper specialty coffee bar — Vietnamese drip, V60, cold brew, espresso — drawing the Thao Dien remote-work crowd to its natural-light-filled front space. Once evening arrives, the atmosphere shifts entirely: lights drop, music changes, and the backyard fills with a mix of expats and travelers working through a beer list that skews firmly European, with Belgian labels, Czech Budvar, and rotating draught options that would look at home in a Brussels side street.
The interior resists easy categorization. Maximalist is the honest word — a dense accumulation of objects, textures, and references from multiple cultures stacked into a space that reads somewhere between a Budapest ruin bar and a Berlin basement. It overwhelms some first-time visitors and becomes a draw for regulars who find new details on each return. The backyard adds breathing room when the interior feels dense.
Food runs to fried chicken formats — thighs, wings, drumsticks served alongside sweet potato — plus cheese sticks, hot dogs with melted cheese, and shaking rice cake. It's bar food calibrated for late-night eating rather than a dedicated dining occasion. Wednesday brings a half-price pizza deal that draws a regular early-evening crowd before the beer-focused night crowd takes over.
Staff are consistently noted for being genuinely friendly rather than perfunctorily attentive — a distinction that comes up across multiple reviews. The pricing sits below comparable Thao Dien bars, particularly for the imported beer range. For anyone specifically hunting European draught in the neighborhood, the selection here is difficult to match.
Combo of Chicken Thigh + Wing + Meatball + 1 free bottle of 390ml Coca-cola
120k VND
One piece per dish
Combo of Thigh Meat + Drumstick + Chicken Ball, free 1 390ml Coca-Cola bottle
120k VND
One piece per dish
Combo of Thigh Meat + Wing + Drumstick, get a free 390ml Coke bottle
120k VND
1 Piece
Leg + Wing + Chicken Ball, free 1 390ml Coca-Cola bottle
110k VND
One piece per dish
Thigh meat served with potatoes
45k VND
1 Thigh Meat + Sweet Potato Side Dish
Full menu below · prices in VND.
Just east of District 1, I discovered Phan Viet Chanh Street, full of small pubs and restaurants. Khoai looked crowded and interesting — and I was not disappointed. Very cool interior design (can I call it a bit Berlin-style?) and a huge beer menu. I tried Bia Hoi for the first time in Vietnam and loved it. I’ll definitely be back for more.
Not the type of food I prefer, but they are open till late and I liked what I ordered. I was impressed by the staff attitude, well organized, very careful but not pressing: definitely uncommon for Vietnam. Environment is nice due to the greenery all around, but a bit messy and they should not forget to put soap next to the sink...
Wonderfully decorated bar in the heart of Thao Dien. Service is exceptional, their food is delicious and they’ve got a great selection of drinks including some European classics including Czech Budvar! Their coffee game is strong too with a wide variety of beans to choose from and a few different brewing methods (espresso, v60, cold brew, etc) This place is so good that we came here three times!
Khoai Bar in Thao Dien is one of those rare spots that nails the neighborhood vibe by seamlessly shifting gears from day to night. By morning, it’s a laid-back coffee shop where you can grab a strong Vietnamese drip or frothy latte amid minimalist decor and plenty of natural light—perfect for remote work, casual meetups, or just watching the expat crowd roll by. Come evening, it transforms into the ultimate hangout: dim lights, chill music (think lo-fi beats or acoustic sets), and a cozy, bohemian atmosphere with low-slung seating and greenery that makes you forget you’re steps from the main drag. The drinks menu shines here—craft cocktails with local twists, refreshing beers, and small plates like spiced nuts or grilled skewers that keep the night going without overwhelming the mood. What sets Khoai apart is its effortless duality: quality coffee by day, genuine community feel by night, all without pretension. Staff remember your order, the playlist always hits right, and it’s the kind of place where solo visitors blend into groups effortlessly. If you’re in Thao Dien and want a spot that feels like home (but better), this is it.
If I could put 6 stars, I would. This bar is super inspired by the ruin bars you can find in Budapest. Yet it has a very good Berlin vibe too. The staff is super nice and friendly and joined us for some super nice chats. Full of belgiums beers, quite affordable too given other locations in south east Asia. The music played is super nice too. I heard to owner goes from bars to bars to select the best tracks for his guest. Truly and passionate owner and you feel it in the vibe that I super nice. Best bar I did in Ho Chi Mind
Breakfast available: Opens by 7 AM — a viable breakfast stop in Saigon.
Menu starts from: 20k VND, based on 18 priced items on the public menu.
Reservations: Call +84 931 164 417 to book — recommended for weekend dining.
Best for: late-night drinks, after-work beers, remote work mornings, group hangouts.
Delivery: Listed on GrabFood.
Two individuals are holding large mugs of beer in a dimly lit venue illuminated by red lighting.
A person is standing in a dimly lit room that appears to be set up for DJing or music production, with various electronic equipment and plants visible
A group of people is seated around a table in what appears to be an indoor restaurant with rustic decor and various items on the wall, such as framed
This image depicts an indoor dining area that exudes a cozy and eclectic ambiance. The ceiling is adorned with colorful stained glass panels, creating
A menu for 'XÔI BRUNCH' (Northern style sticky rice) at KHOAI, a venue in Thao Dien, Saigon. The menu features sections like 'TRUYỀN THỐNG / CLASSIC',
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