Emily in Paris was one of Netflix’s biggest hits in 2020. The TV series told the story of an American girl’s eye-opening journey in the romantic city – featuring tons of fashionable clothes, stunning shots of iconic Paris landmarks, beautiful streets, and quaint cafés.
The good news is, you don’t have to be in Paris or wait until the COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted to fly to the City of Love to have an authentic Parisian experience.
If you’re a Saigon office girl who enjoys taking selfies and making boomerangs with everything Parisian just like Emily, Le 91 Bistro & Bar could be your best bet.
Image adapted from: Le 91 Bistro & Bar
Nestled on the 3rd floor of a townhouse in District 1, the bistro has a color scheme of only red and brown that exudes a classic Parisian vibe. Fresh flowers in beautiful glassware and plants indoors and outdoors add a pleasant and romantic touch to the dining space.
Image adapted from: Le 91 Bistro & Bar
When you walk through the door, what jumps out to you are the rows of charming bistro chairs that you normally see in postcards or movies shot in Paris.
Image adapted from: Le 91 Bistro & Bar
These chairs and an old-fashioned upholstered couch are accompanied by white round dining tables clad in red and white chequered cloth, offering truly Parisian seating options.
Image adapted from: Le 91 Bistro & Bar
If it’s not raining, you can lounge and savor your meal out at the terrace where you can enjoy views over the streets.
Image adapted from: Le 91 Bistro & Bar
The terrace is also the bistro’s most checked-in and photographed spot by diners. Featuring classic wooden bow windows and a red awning, a photo here can easily fool your friends into believing that you’re somewhere in Paris.
Image adapted from: Le 91 Bistro & Bar
This eatery’s offerings will satisfy your tummies, with their wide array of mains, teatime nibbles, and classic lattes. Visitors will find a good selection of tea, coffee, beer, and cocktails with prices starting from VND30,000 (~USD1.30), alongside a variety of French and Vietnamese dishes.
Crab with pepper sauce
Image credit: Le 91 Bistro & Bar
If you prefer a stronger brew, you should give Cafe Noir Black (VND40,000,~USD1.73) a shot. For a sweet and milky combination between French latte and Saigonese coffee, order a Bạc Xỉu Cafe Latte (VND50,000,~USD2.17), which goes well with a fragrant, freshly baked Croissant (VND60,000,~USD2.60).
For a more fulfilling breakfast to start the day – or a tasty brunch for those who wake up late – check out the beautifully made Smoky Bacon & Sunny Side Up Eggs (VND60,000,~USD2.60).
Saigon broken rice with pork
Image adapted from: Le 91 Bistro & Bar
Savory and succulent, the Grilled Lamb Chop (VND270,000,~USD11.7), though a bit pricey, is a delicious choice for dinner. If you’d like to know what it feels like to have Saigonese street food in a French bistro, go with the flavorful Broken Rice with Pork (VND70,000,~USD3.03).
Now that Saigon has entered her monsoon season, there’s nothing more Parisian than taking refuge in a chic and quiet cafe near the city center, nursing a latte and delicately munching on croissants.
Featuring a tastefully designed space that reminds us of that old-Paris glamour as well as good-looking food at decent prices, this cafe sounds like an ideal place to wind down or have a romantic date.
If lounging out on a sunny terrace listening to La Vie En Rose, with a croissant and espresso placed neatly on a red chequered tablecloth, sounds good to you, look no further than this little corner of Ho Chi Minh City’s well-weathered streets.
Address: 91 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: 8AM-12AM, Daily
Telephone: 0938 866 191
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: Le 91 Bistro & Bar, Le 91 Bistro & Bar, and Le 91 Bistro & Bar
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