The Girls of Rosie's Cafe
Dear reader,
Since we can’t visit our favorite cafes IRL right now, I thought I’d bring you to mine.
I like to think of myself as a cafe traveler. There are all kinds of travelers. The nature traveler. The pilgrim. The urban traveler.
And then there’s me, a cafe traveler. I travel the world in search of the best plant-based cafes. I don’t know if there’s anything more exciting than discovering a new hippie, unpretentious, veggie friendly cafe. Walking in hungry and realizing I can eat ANYTHING on the menu, the owners are conscious, and the ambiance is soothing is like striking gold.
I look for a few things when giving a cafe The Free Spirit Foodie stamp of approval:
Is it vegan friendly?
Is it reasonably priced?
Is it down to earth?
Is there a sense of community?
Is it conscious?
Is it locally owned?
Is the food locally sourced?
Is the coffee locally sourced?
Is there an all day breakfast menu?
Is it cute, but not overly done?
Is it eco-friendly?
Brownie points:
Can I take my shoes off and sit on the floor?
Is it open-air with no AC?
Is there a case with freshly made vegan AND gluten-free baked goods?
Does it feel like home?
I’m not picky. I just know what I like.
And Rosie’s Cafe in Hoi An, Vietnam is what I like! This little cafe won me over with it’s adorable ambiance, exceptionally tasty food, and boss babe owners.
Hoi An
Hoi An is a well-preserved, charming little ancient town in Central Vietnam. When you close your eyes and envision Vietnam, Hoi An is probably what comes to mind. Hanging lanterns draping in between exposed wires, pointy hats seeming more decorative than practical, and everyone in bicycles swerving through rice paddy fields. It’s so darn cute! And it’s home to my favorite cafe in the world.
source: hiddenhoian.com
Female and locally owned
Rosie’s Cafe was opened in 2016 by Thuy and My. They called it Rosie’s Cafe after their favorite movie, “Love, Rosie”. Thuy and My left the corporate world to pursue dreams of opening up a cafe in their hometown of Hoi Ann. Like true millennials, they paved their own way. They actually had their cafe open for an entire year before eventually telling their parents! They kept it a secret because as women, they felt they had a lot to prove and they were determined to prove it. I love that these two ladies followed their dreams and gained inspiration for their menu from Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. Their dishes are definitely instagram worthy! They’re the kind of cafe owners you see everyday, taking orders, bussing tables, whipping up coffee. You know, the kind of cafe owners that care.
I dined at Rosie’s Cafe every single day for the two weeks I was in Hoi An. I even selected my guesthouse right next door so I can roll out of bed and waltz on in eyes half-closed.
source: hoiannow.com
The Ambiance
Walking into Rosie’s Cafe isn’t just a treat for the tummy, it’s also a treat for the eyes. This open-garden cafe is small enough to feel cozy, but big enough so you’re not forced to sit at the community table if you’re in one of those moods. The tables for two are surrounded by barely maintained lush greenery, because imperfection is perfection. The place is deliberately decorated juuuuuust enough to hardly notice, with hanging plants, wooden accents and their staple neon purple sign reminding customers their already home. It’s down-to-earth and unpretentiously adorable, making anyone feel comfortable.
source: hiddenhoian.com
The Food!
Their menu isn’t extensive, which contrary to popular belief, is a good thing. Do a few dishes and drinks right, because consistent quality over quantity builds loyalty. And loyal customers are the best, failproof ads. Avocado toast, veggie wrap, mushroom qunioa, crispy french toast, homemade cakes, traditional coffees, cold-pressed juices, milkshakes...are you drooling yet?
I lived off that avocado toast, which was served on TWO pieces of bread (the fact that I even have to reiterate that still baffles me. Dear cafes of the world, STOP SERVING ONE PIECE OF TOAST. Thank you.) It’s loaded with enough avocado to drip off the edges of the bread, so you have something to lick off the plate when you’re done. It’s filling and fresh!
Let’s talk about their breakfast salad. I know. A salad for breakfast!? It’s the greatest, unexpected breakfast find you’ll ever find! Lettuce, sliced avo, roasted pumpkin, tomato, cucumber, mustard sprouts, puffed rice, and hummus dressing is what we all need to get the day started right. This salad is one of those dishes I will fly back to Hoi An for!
I also devoured their smoothie bowls on the daily, which were all made with coconut milk, the way smoothie bowls were made to be made. Dear Sweetie was my fave! Banana, strawberry, peanut butter and coconut milk blended together for the delictable combo of sweet, nutty and tangy. All served in a wooden bowl with a wooden spoon because the entire cafe is plastic free! Another reason why I LOVE Rosie’s Cafe.
source: stephloves.com
The Coffee
Their coffee concoctions are to die for! Thuy and My stayed true to their Vietnamese roots with their coffee selections, brewing traditional Vietnamese robusta beans, served hot or cold with a complimentary cookie. Their signature iced-coffee is cold-dripped through a large glass phin, the french-pressed inspired Vietnamese coffee filter. My personal favorite was their vegan-friendly coconut coffee, strong, acidic black coffee topped with creamy, frothy coconut slush. This is so much more than a caffeine kick. It’s a refreshingly, guilt-free delicious morning dessert!
source: foody.vn
From the delicate details, to the consistently delicious food, to the passionate owners, these are just a few reasons why I love Rosie’s Cafe so much! It’s everything a good, conscious cafe should be. But the reason why it’s my favorite is because of how it made me feel. I felt at home, and that’s a pretty impactful feeling when you’re 10,000 miles away from home. Eating with my shoes off, sitting cross-legged, gobbling my favorite plant-based comfort foods, amongst heaps of plants, no plastic in sight and genuinely friendly staff is when I am my happiest and healthiest.
I always left Rosie’s Cafe with my heart and belly full!
Love,
Janelle
What’s your favorite cafe? Share with me in the comments below. I would love to hear from you :).
