Sohot is one of those places smack bang in the middle of touristville yet obscured enough from the street that only locals (and intrepid cafe seekers like moi) seem to know about, with nary a tourist in sight. It’s located right next to the cathedral on boutique-filled, could-be-in-Europe Nha Tho street – on the left hand side if facing the cathedral, down a narrow path, in a door and up some stairs.

Another week, another Saigon cafe crush! This time, it’s cute and comfortable hideaway, Plie, which also goes by the name of May. Tucked down an alley off a non-descript D3 street, it’s definitely off the usual expat radar. Catering to a younger demographic evidenced by the cushion strewn second floor playing host to a cool Vietnamese crowd in their late teens, Plie has a fresh contemporary feel. Cushiony couches, wall decals (like black on white tree branches) and coffee tables constructed from old packing crates deck out the ground floor. Loud (and lousy) love tunes aside, it’s the perfect spot to relax with a hot chocolate (or cacao nong as it’s known in these parts!) and a good book.

Saigon is crammed full of cafes in every shape and form – from the shiny and new chain variety to funky, quirky hideaways – but for an excellent cafe sua da I can’t go past my local coffee shop. A little home away from home for me, the cafe ’round the corner is of the variety typically found all over Vietnam. Rows of plastic seats akin to beach chairs line the pavement, all facing out to the street (just like Paris! Sort of….). Coffee is served on little foldout card tables, and is always accompanied by complimentary iced jasmine tea, which the owner continuously refills.

Warda has been carrying Saigon’s middle eastern food torch for a while now (ignoring the dodgy looking kebab vendors in Pham Ngu Lao) so new Lebanese restaurant Byblos is a refreshing arrival. I love Lebanese food (I lived around the corner from a Lebanese sweet shop in Sydney and miss it alot!) so happily I can now get my fix here.

Lately I’ve found that all the best drinks on Saigon’s menus are some variation of the martini. Favourites (so far) include:

Puku brings a little touch of bohemia to one of the Old Quarter’s popular shopping strips. A bit of a hideaway (it’s accessed down a skinny, dingy alley and up a steep staircase) Puku has a faded charm and an arty/studenty/expat-y vibe. With its high ceiling, peeling paint, comfortable but scruffy furniture and a blackboard menu behind the counter, it’s a (much) grungier version of Saigon’s La Fenetre Soleil. The food is western cafe fare – mostly melts, sandwiches and breakfast standards.