The coffee scene in Savannakhet seems to only be growing.
It’s something that caught me by surprise during my Laos travels, but I probably shouldn’t have. That’s because most of the country’s coffee production comes from the Bolaven Plateau, which isn’t too far away.
Some of you might even be stopping by Savannakhet before heading out on the popular motorbiking loop that traverses the country’s coffee fields.
This also means some enthusiastic baristas and roasters are popping up around the city, most of whom are reusing historical colonial buildings as their base of operations. It gives the cafes in Savannakhet a really cool, distinctive feel.
Much like Luang Prabang in the north, a rather prominent French influence can be felt around town, too. That, mixed with the laid-back Laotian vibes, is a recipe for a strong Savannakhet coffee culture.
Here’s a short Savannakhet coffee guide for those of you looking to grab a nice morning brew. I’ve learned that taking things slow is normal throughout Laos, and the cafes here are some of the best places to do that.
I’ll share some must-visit spots at the start of this article, but I’ll also give a few shout-outs at the end for those of you spending a longer time in Savannakhet.
These are my favorite cafes in Savannakhet, Laos.
Kin Cafe’s 1988
Kin Cafe’s 1988 is simply one of the coolest cafes in town. It’s located in an old colonial building that has been upcycled into a nice modern coffee shop, and the owner clearly cares about the small details that go into the design.
Most of the tables seem to be repurposed items turned into furniture, and there’s a small corner of the terrace dedicated to motorcycles. It all adds to a pretty chilled-out vibe.
The coffee is pretty good too!
I found the baristas to be friendly, and they surely know how to prepare a decent Americano. The menu isn’t extensive by any means, but they serve most basic coffee pours, a few desserts, and some other drinks.
There’s a smaller indoor section with comfortable seating and an open area within the old colonial walls, creating an exterior courtyard. This outdoor section also has a pool table that seems to fill up and keep games going regularly.
It was here that I learned that Savannakhet hosts an annual festival with coffee elements called the Savannakhet Fun Festival. It was sort of similar to the coffee roasting event I attended in Lampang. The dates are different every year, but it’s worth asking around in the cafe to see if you might be here around that time.
Opening Hours | Every day from 7 am – 5:30 pm.
Work-Friendly | Yes, but it can get crowded, especially when people come to play at the pool table.
Location (maps) | In the Savannakhet Old Town on the corner of Kinnali Rd and Latsaphanith Street. There’s some cool street art to see on the walk there.
Hukfilm × Le Grand-père Coffee
I’ll start by saying this is probably my favorite cafe in Savannakhet, and possibly all of Laos.
Everything from the retro decor, talented baristas, and interesting history around photography is just perfect. It falls under that sort of hipster, shabby chic aesthetic, but with a lot of care and effort put into the design.
It’s also the place that takes its coffee the most seriously in Savannakhet.
The menu seems to be up to the barista, but most pours are usually available. I had a fantastic iced honey Americano, while my partner had a wonderful latte. They also had some great-looking sodas for those of you looking for something non-caffeinated.
The cafe also shares a bit of history about Vivian Meier, an American street photographer who shot to fame after her death. Thousands of her negatives were discovered and developed after previously being unknown.
Hukfilm x Le Grand-père Coffee is heavily inspired by her, and the dozens of vintage cameras around the shop reflect that. This adds to the charm, as does the beautiful Laochaleun Cineplex, which is just down the passageway from the cafe.
I suggest stopping in before or after a daytime movie if you can manage it.
Opening Hours | Tuesday to Sunday from 8 am to 6:30 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Work-Friendly | Not really. I didn’t try the wi-fi, but the seating was limited, although there is plenty more in the passageway leading to the movie theater.
Location (maps) | At the entrance to the passageway leading to Laochaleun Cineplex.
Phasouk Cafe 1966
Sitting across from the retro Old Khounsavan Cinema, Phasouk Cafe 1966 might be the most picturesque cafe in Savannakhet.
In fact, I saw several people snapping photos of the colonial exterior every time I passed by. The interior is no different, with a laid-back atmosphere that fits just right with the vintage-style furniture.
I’m just a huge fan of this kind of upcycled design, which has grown in popularity in Southeast Asia. If you’ve been to Georgetown on Penang Island, then you’ll feel the similarities.
The drinks are good here, too, especially if you like iced coffees.
The menu is pretty standard for Savannakhet, with all the basic espresso machine pours, hot and milk teas, sodas, and smoothies. They used to serve food as well, but I’m not sure if they still do. When I was there, the food menu wasn’t out.
Like most coffee shops in town, the seating is limited. The inside has a row of tables along each wall, and there’s a small back patio with a few seats. On nice days, they’ll also throw some tables out front for extra space.
This is one of the few cafes I think is a must-visit, even if it’s only to have a look at the old-school architecture.
Opening Hours | Tuesday to Sunday from 8 am to 5:30 pm. On Google Maps, it states it’s open Mondays and closed Wednesdays, but it was the other way around when I was there.
Work-Friendly | Yes, there’s Wi-Fi, and I saw several people doing work on their laptops. Just keep in mind that it can get busy.
Location (maps) | Across from the side of the Old Khounsavan Cinema in the heart of Old Town.
Le Corbeau Bar
Le Corbeau Bar is one of the coolest places in the city, and something I could best describe as colonial chic. It reminded me of some of the more unique cafes I came across during my Central and South American travels.
The coffee here is good, especially the cold brew, and the prices reflect that. But I think when you see the vibe of the place, you’ll understand it’s going for something more upscale. Which, honestly, is uncommon in Savannakhet.
The old colonial home it resides in is gorgeous; the baristas and bartenders know what they’re doing, and its atmosphere is curated to be one of reflection and relaxation. I definitely recommend it in the evening, too, for anyone looking to have specialty drinks.
In terms of the dining menu, it’s basically Western-style pub food. They serve pizza, steak, appetizers like salads, chicken wings, and French fries, plus ice cream for dessert.
Opening Hours | Every day from 8 am to 12 am.
Work-Friendly | Maybe. There was plenty of space and decent Wi-Fi, but it doubles as a cocktail bar, so I’d ask the staff before settling down to work.
Location (maps) | Behind the open area where the previously mentioned Mokapot Cafe is. It’s on Latsaphanith Street.
Scale Mokapot Coffee by Barista Kham
Scale Mokapot Coffee is everything Le Corbeau Bar isn’t. Well, except for the fact that you can get a really good coffee at both.
These two places are only a few steps from one another. But one is a fancier colonial bar that focuses on specialty drinks, while the other is a roadside coffee stand whose core identity is budget-friendly coffee from a classic moka pot.
I should note that the outdoor stall has expanded to include an espresso lever coffee machine. So, for those of you looking for a more traditional drink like an espresso, americano, or latte, don’t fret.
The cafe was started by Barista Kham as a traditional Italian-style moka pot stand, but he’s since expanded his repertoire. And if his Instagram is any indication, he’s been spending hours doing so.
When it comes to cafes in Savannakhet, this seems to be a favorite amongst the local patrons. Dozens of seats are spread out across the street from the Savannakhet Museum alongside Scale Mokapot Coffee. Almost all of these were taken up when I visited, and people kept “pouring in” as I sipped on my coffee.
This is a drinks-only outdoor shop, so feel free to grab a pastry or banh mi and bring it with you for breakfast. I ordered an iced coffee, but as I mentioned earlier, almost any basic pour can be done here. They also have a variety of caffeinated and milk teas available.
Opening Hours | Every day from 7 am to 5 pm. Naturally, this is weather-dependent, and off days are whenever the owner isn’t up for it.
Work-Friendly | No, there’s no wi-fi since it’s an outdoor coffee stand.
Location (maps) | Directly across from the Savannakhet Museum.
Black Coffee XYP
At the center of the old town, on the first floor of one of the old colonial buildings, is Black Coffee XYP. It’s hard to miss, as the facade is painted jet black and the outdoor patio resembles a chessboard with sleek black and white tiles.
Like Le Corbeau Bar, this is a sort of cafe/bar hybrid. Coffee is served until around 5 pm, while the late evening brings about the drinking crowd who opt for beers.
They serve most espresso-based drinks here, including a wonderful cappuccino.
The coffee menu also has some nonstandard stuff, at least for Savannakhet. You’ll find a ristretto, an affogato, a caramel macchiato, and the more unique biscoff latte. There are also several variations of an Americano that remind me a lot of the coffee scene from Lampang, Thailand. These include honey, honey lemon, lychee, orange, and coconut.
If you’re looking for noncaffeinated drinks, they serve iced and milk teas, Italian sodas, and smoothies. The atmosphere here is pretty good, both in the mornings and evenings. It’s quite social, the staff is friendly, and the wi-fi is very good.
After my first visit, I later found out that this is the second Black Coffee in town. Black Coffee 1, as the other is known, is closer to the airport and equally as beloved.
Opening Hours | Every day from 7 am to 5 pm, although it turns into a bar most nights.
Work-Friendly | Yes, there’s good wi-fi and plenty of seating. Be aware that it gets busy.
Location (maps) | Across from the front of the Old Khounsavan Cinema. The other shop is further inland near the airport.
Lin’s Cafe
Lin’s Cafe is up there among the most popular places in town for foreign visitors.
Set in a beautiful Art Deco building, it’s been churning out quality coffee and food for some time now. The drinks here are decent, with a range of coffees, juices, and smoothies. The juices and smoothies in particular are made fresh with seasonal fruits, so don’t be surprised if not everything on the menu is available.
Where they stand out most, though, is in the quality of the food.
Meals range from local delicacies to Western fare, with the breakfast options standing out the most among the latter. The staff speaks good English and the atmosphere is very relaxed.
If you want to kill some time, you can grab a coffee and sit near the reading corner. There are a handful of books in English that sit on a shelf.
It’s a cozy place and a sort of staple on the backpacker trail, making it a fairly reliable cafe.
Opening Hours | Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 10 pm. Closed on Sundays.
Work-Friendly | Yes, there’s good wi-fi and enough seating.
Location (maps) | Down the street from St. Teresa’s Catholic Church.
Coffee KEN
Look, unless you’re missing the strong, bitter roasts of Vietnam, the coffee here isn’t going to blow you away.
They use the popular Trung Nguyên roast, which, after visiting the farm and roastery in Buon Ma Thuot, is a taste that has become very obvious to me. It’s a strong bean that is better served with ice or condensed coconut milk.
With that being said, it has the distinct taste of the Central Highlands in Vietnam with every sip, which is something that brings back good memories for me.
It’s also probably the cheapest coffee in town.
I stopped by, asked for a coffee, and was brought a cà phê phin with condensed coconut milk, a cup of tea, and a bucket of ice on the side. I’m not sure if I would have had another choice; I didn’t have a chance to ask anything more. So if you’re coming here, you’ll have to be ready to go with the flow.
The guy serving coffee was super friendly, though, and I paid under a dollar for everything. Oh, and it gave me that warm, embracing feel when I think back on my Vietnam travels!
Opening Hours | N/A
Work-Friendly | I’m not sure, as I didn’t see anyone working on laptops here and never asked if there was Wi-Fi.
Location (maps) | On Talat Rat Road near the Kao Chao Market and Train Park.
Best of the Rest for Savannakhet Cafes
Here are some more cafes around Savannakhet that are worth a visit if you’re staying for an extended period. These are places I think are worth mentioning for one reason or another, but lack the overall appeal of the previously mentioned coffee shops.
Simple Cafe (maps) | One of the more “instagrammable” cafes in Savannakhet. The coffee beans are Nescafé, so I suggest sticking to their other drinks. The desserts are decent, and the shop was used as a filming location for a Vietnamese movie in the recent past.
Pheunchit Café (maps) | I didn’t actually get to go here during my trip because it was closed down every time I visited. However, it’s a very pretty shop with some cool street art along the side of it. I heard good things about the coffee, too. Let me know if you have a chance to try it (or if it happens to be permanently shut down)!
Boarderland (maps) | A coffee shop with board games to play. It’s a good shout if you’re bored and want to keep busy for an evening.
Pilgrim’s Kitchen & Inn (maps) | The cafe belongs to a hotel and has been a popular spot for backpackers and travelers for some years now. I can’t say much about the food, but they roast their own coffee, which is always a bonus. The view of the Mekong and Mukdahan across it is hard to beat!
COFFEE & FOOD GUIDES FROM AROUND SOUTHEAST ASIA:
