Passing this French-style coffee house at the busiest and the most beautiful corner of Pasteur and Le Thanh Ton streets in District 1 hundreds of time, I didn’t have the courage to enter inside as I thought it was too expensive.
A carefree day at Bitter Sweet Coffee House
By Kieu Giang in HCMC
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| A guest gazes down on the street from a huge glass window on level 1 of the Bitter Sweet Coffee House in District 1 - Photo: Kieu Giang |
Passing this French-style coffee house at the busiest and the most beautiful corner of Pasteur and Le Thanh Ton streets in District 1 hundreds of time, I didn’t have the courage to enter inside as I thought it was too expensive.
Avoiding another blast of heavy rain earlier this week gave me and my buddy a chance to check the cafe out and see if it was worth a visit.
It is shaped like a triangle, is quite narrow and is decorated with round-shaped tables and cushioned chairs in the elegant colors of brown, light yellow, green and black floral patterns.
As the floor space doesn’t have much width the owner has been creative to design wooden spiral staircases with iron coffee bean decorations leading guests into the floors above. Some will think it interesting to look at the numerous French-style lights hanging along the aisle which gives the cafe a more elegant look.
It is recommended that you choose a seat next to a wide window on level 1 overlooking the ancient building of the HCMC People’s Committee at the opposite side and watching colorful vehicles traveling in different directions.
Sometimes you will shout ‘wow’ if you see a beautiful girl crossing the street or a luxury car stopping at a garden view coffee on the other pavement.
Guests can choose from various kinds of smoothies, fruit juices, cocktails, muffin cakes and light food to enjoy whilst admiring the frantic city life below. It’s also a good idea to take your beloved ones here at night as the cafe has a romantic and cozy environment in dim yellow light mingled with such an irresistible smell of roasted coffee beans rising in the air.
Drinks are priced between VND35,000 and VND89,000 while food will cost you from VND42,000 to VND72,000. The treats don’t taste that good but the cafe’s amazing view is what you are paying for.
The Bitter Sweet Coffee House is located at 81 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1.