The Old Compass Cafe and Bar

Don't skip this small coffee shop. It is about halfway down a narrow alley that you would probably pass by without looking. Up a few stairs you walk into this quaint lovely coffee house. It is very quiet, bright and relaxing. What I read as a simple vegan meal on the menu board, arrived as a full table of food. More than I could finish alone. Needless to say, everything was fresh and tasty. There's a selection of books at the end of the counter, with a few items for purchase. This is a charming and relaxing spot if you want to sit and work or read quietly.

Nice cosy café with friendly staff and a clean, quiet atmosphere. Loved the healthy breakfast — it was fresh and satisfying. The cappuccino had too much milk and was too hot, and the salad was a bit too sweet for my taste. Still, a pleasant place overall. I’d come back for the breakfast and the peaceful vibe.

A true hidden gem right in the heart of bustling District 1, The Old Compass Café & Bar is an absolute delight. Stepping inside feels like escaping into a calm oasis filled with charm and authenticity, far from the touristy buzz. I especially loved their Vietnamese dishes—the daily specials are fresh, tasty, and full of local flavors, beautifully presented with lots of care. The team is genuinely warm and attentive. This cozy spot has quickly become one of my favorite places in Saigon. Highly recommend!

Not sure if it's a better place to visit during the day but the variety here wasn't great for us but the vibes were quite good. Drinks and dessert were decent. As with quite a few places that we visited...you need to walk up the stairs if you wanna enjoy a quiet and relaxing place to chat and unwind.

We had some fresh juices, salt coffee, and banh mi for breakfast and all of them were so delicious. It was a nice and quiet spot!

Nice small coffee shop with a good menu and great cappuchino, which despite the many coffee shops in Vietnam, is really hard to find! Staff and service is A+++. Really pretty inside with wooden tables and leather covered stools. There’s a table that seats 10 and smaller tables for 4…and a comfortable couch in a bright corner if you’re a single traveller looking to curl up somewhere. Really nice vibe and a place to come with friends. The Bahn Mi’s were great and they also have eggs and bacon if you’re looking for a western breakfast. It’s a little hard to find though. It’s down the alley just past the driveway to the big buiding next door… on the corner. There’s a sign at the beginning of the alleyway and then you have to walk up to the 2nd floor.

Very unique and cozy cafe tucked on the 3rd floor through a small back street. Staff are friendly and the cafe plays chill English songs. Mostly foreigners patronize this place. The healthy breakfast (190k VND) tastes great (would be better if the avocado is not over-ripe). The ice latte is good too. Would be wonderful if there is oat-milk option.

Honestly, a great little cafe with everything you want - food made from quality ingredients, nice seating options and friendly staff. Worth the 3 flight of steps for this very quiet hideout and it definitely served its purposing of feeding us well and happy. Would come back again.