XLIII Specialty Coffee

My man Dui is awesome. One of the best specialty coffee shops. They use their own custom water recipe to create very well balanced and delicious filter cups. There's a large variety of different varietals focusing mainly on washed processes. The geshas were so delightful. They focus on a higher extraction brew recipe to really bring out the flavors because the beans are very light. A coffee enthusiast's dream come true!

Chanced upon this store by chance! The staff were very friendly and patient in explaining the different coffee bean options and explained how to taste, what to expect and how to best experience the chosen beans. We tried the Racemosa beans and were blown away by the uniqueness of it's aroma, umami and taste. The aftertaste is interesting - neither acidic nor bitter but yet has a slight sweet taste enveloping your mouth if you take a sip of water after. The interior is very spacious, monochrome with peaceful splashes of greenery. It felt very nice and calm here! Would definitely find time to pop by again the next time we are in HCMC!

I've never had coffee like this before. The turboshot of coffee of Indian origin was especially surprising and special. I highly recommend enjoying this lightly roasted specialty coffee and getting the extremely professional explanation from the staff. On top of that, they have a lovely minimalist design with a super entrance with garden.

We had a great experience! It was super interesting to try different coffees next to each other and truly experience the different flavor profiles. Khoi did an amazing job explaining all the different origins, roasting processes and tones. He also recommended which coffee to get for each brewing method. All in all we had a great experience and I would definitely come back! Thank you Khoi!

I can't say enough about my experience at XLIII Coffee. Beyond the fantastic coffee, the service from Kathy was truly exceptional and elevated the entire visit. From the moment I walked in, Kathy was incredibly welcoming and attentive. She was patient and knowledgeable, answering all my questions about the different beans and brewing methods. Her passion for coffee was contagious, and she took the time to make sure I got exactly what I was looking for. She even gave me a great recommendation that I wouldn't have tried otherwise. The coffee itself was, as always, a standout. The quality and craftsmanship are apparent in every sip, but it was Kathy's warmth and genuine enthusiasm that made the experience memorable. She made me feel like a valued guest, not just another customer. XLIII Coffee is a must-visit for any coffee lover, and if you're lucky enough to be served by Kathy, you're in for a real treat. She's the kind of person who makes a great cup of coffee even better.

Amazing coffee tasting experience. I found this place through online discussions about speciality coffee, and this place didn’t disappoint. Our server and barista, Duy, was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a unique experience.

Would not recommend this place, especially if you’re looking for well-prepared specialty coffee rather than just specialty coffee aesthetic. The coffee selection here is interesting and clearly chosen with intention, but the execution and overall customer experience could be improved. My double espresso was pulled to approximately 60ml rather than measured by weight. For a light roast like the Finca La Huela we ordered, this resulted in a thin, over-extracted cup with the acidity and sweetness entirely washed out. Espresso is typically brewed using grams to control consistency, particularly for lighter roasts where a ~1:2 ratio is standard. Measuring in volume made the extraction taste diluted and lacking clarity. The milk drinks were also inconsistently prepared: milk was poured first, then espresso, then topped up again on the scale. This makes it difficult to control texture or ratio and affects both balance and mouthfeel. Expensive equipment (quote unquote their “Italian espresso machine”) doesn’t guarantee good coffee. Technique, ratio, and understanding of extraction do. There was also a noticeable atmosphere of “coffee correctness,” where it felt like we were expected to praise the coffee rather than simply enjoy it. It created a slightly uncomfortable dynamic rather than a welcoming one. Despite only two customers in the shop, our drinks took quite a long time to arrive. When I asked about beans to take home, I was recommended bags roasted in August which is clearly past the freshness window for specialty coffee (especially for light roasts), so that was surprising to see offered without clarification. There is potential here, and the coffees themselves are sourced from reputable farms. But dialing in the extraction technique, refining milk preparation, and improving the customer experience would make a significant difference. The intention is there, but execution matters, and right now, it’s not meeting the standard.

Such a great experience. This place truly lives up to its ‘Specialty Coffee’ name. We got to pick our beans for the pour-over, and our barista explained the whole process and the story behind the beans. It felt personal, thoughtful, and educational. Definitely worth recommending.