The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon - review by Rusty Compass
Ho Chi Minh City | eating guide

Independent reviews and recommendations by Rusty Compass. No advertorial, no paid placements and no sponsored content.

The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon

| 30 Jun 2019
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Map

Map
The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon
3rd Floor 63/11 Pasteur St, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City - down the alley right by Liberty Citypoint Hotel
+84 28 38232969
Sun - Wed 08.30AM - 2300PM; Thu, Fri - Sat 08.30AM - midnight

Map

Price guide: $$$

Our rating
30 Jun 2019

The Old Compass Cafe and Bar is a little sanctuary of local flavours and wine in Saigon's chaotic centre. It’s a great place for an experience of Vietnamese home-style cooking. By day, The Old Compass serves a tasty western and Vietnamese breakfast, Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, lunches and great coffee. It’s a perfect place to chill, chat, or read a book over a glass of wine. The Old Compass is the home of Rusty Compass in Ho Chi Minh City.

Note: The information provided in this review was correct at time of publishing but may change. For final clarification please check with the relevant service

We’re always on the lookout for places with local character and great local flavours - where you feel comfortable to unwind from the intensity of the city, but retains a connection to the city. In cities like Saigon, that’s even more important.

That’s why we opened the Old Compass Cafe in 2016.

Since then it’s become a hub of local flavours, wine, coffee and great conversations - with a distinct Saigon vibe.



The food concept is based around the Vietnamese family meal with a concise selection of dishes that echo what is found of the Vietnamese dinner table. There’s always a vegetarian option.

I’ve been a fan of Vietnam’s home-cooked cuisine for a long time - yet many travellers never get to experience the simple delights of the Vietnamese home. So that’s what we’re offering - in a cosy old Saigon setting. Other manu items include a weekly special from Vietnam’s street food tradition such as bun thit noon, bo kho and bun bo Hue. There’s a small selection of banh mi sandwiches, gourmet baguettes, a cheese plate and bar bites.

The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon
Photo: Mark Bowyer The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon

 

The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon
Photo: Mark Bowyer The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon

 

The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon
Photo: Mark Bowyer The Old Compass Cafe, Saigon

 

The wine list is concise and mixes old and new world options including several by the glass. Saigon’s best craft beers are also served.
 
The Old Compass keeps a selection of books and magazines about Vietnam and the world for our guests - a few are available for sale too.

We also host regular talks on history, architecture, art and live music performances.

We’re right in the heart of Saigon - but hidden down an alley next door to the Liberty Citypoint Hotel. It takes a little effort to find us. Come by and say hi.

You can also ask about our Saigon Tales of the City heritage walking tour - a half day walk focused on history, heritage as well as the contemporary life of the city. In 2019 we have added a tour of Saigon's religious architecture and an alternative tour of the Cu Chi tunnels complex. For more on our heritage walk and other tours, check the website.


Disclosure
The Old Compass Cafe is our place in Saigon - so yes, we’re biased. But we’ve been very flattered by the response we’ve had from our customers over the past two years. Come by for a special Saigon experience.

Mark Bowyer
Mark Bowyer is the founder and publisher of Rusty Compass.
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Rusty Compass is an independent travel guide. We’re focused on providing you with quality, unbiased, travel information. That means we don't receive payments in exchange for listings and mostly pay our own way. We’d like tourism to be a positive economic, environmental and cultural force and we believe travellers deserve disclosure from publishers. Spread the word about Rusty Compass, and if you're in Saigon, pop in to The Old Compass Cafe and say hi. It’s our home right downtown on Pasteur St. You can also check out our unique tours of Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney at www.oldcompasstravel.com Make a financial contribution using the link below. Even small amounts make a difference. Thanks and travel well!

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