Its location right in the middle of Saigon’s District 1 might bring to mind images of busy streets and loud hawkers, but Creperie & Café sits on quiet Han Thuyen St., in the shadow of Le Van Tam Park’s magnificent greenery.

Popular with Saigon’s business-oriented expats, well-dressed westerners on their lunch hour stroll by discussing the day’s toils. The extensive menu of European-inspired cuisine and typical café fare makes Creperie & Café a great spot for a filling afternoon meal, and the free WiFi may keep the laptop-equipped longer than they intended.

Tasteful furniture and umbrellas dot the outside patio, while the inside is an airy maze of modern tables and décor. Despite being generally crowded, the indoor portion maintains a peaceful and laid-back ambiance often difficult to find in such busy restaurants. The lack of motorbikes and blaring horns on Han Thuyen means that even the outdoor terrace is a pleasant place for lunch, and the colonial buildings and grassy expanse across the street make it easy to forget which side of the world one is dining on.

Opened in August 2005 by two Danish and American Viet Kieu, Creperie & Café has carved out its own niche in the nicer area of town. The building is a hundred-year-old French colonial residence, and the owners have used its storied past to influence the atmosphere of the restaurant. The waiters and waitresses all speak English well, are extremely attentive and eager to strike up a friendly conversation with diners.

The menu is varied enough to please even the most jaded of gourmands, with a long list of savory and dessert crêpes as well as sandwiches and upscale main courses ranging from VND65 000 to VND200 000. In true European fashion, a basket of warm, fresh bread and a plate of butter are brought out by the smiling staff before every meal.

The crêpes are thin and tasty. At VND59 000, the mushroom and bacon crêpe with cream sauce is a delicious and unique choice to quell any appetite. Other options include the cheese steak sandwich, barbecued ribs, and the shrimp and mozzarella ravioli with lobster cream sauce. The long list of vegetarian crêpes and the fancy salads will satisfy the health-conscious, as well as the fact that the management and skilled head chef have an eye to continue to cut down on the amount of cream and fat in their dishes.

Dessert crepes run between VND45 000 and VND65 000, or one could spring for the luxurious kiwi, strawberry and peach crepe with cherry sauce for VND79 000. Various coffees and teas also grace the menu (the usual café da runs VND32 000), along with an assortment of fruit juices and delicate smoothies. A hearty selection of beer, French and New World wine and spirits also make Creperie & Café a nice choice for an evening drink with friends.
Even though it’s known primarily for its lunchtime appeal, the well-priced drink list and epic menu ensure that Creperie & Café is a wonderful place to take a break from a busy schedule any time of the day.

Creperie & Café
5 Han Thuyen, D1
Saigon, Vietnam
Tel: 08.829.9117

-Written by Ross Tabak (ross.tabak@gmail.com)

Mr. Tabak lived in Vietnam for 6 months this year and currently resides in Washington, D.C.