May's Restaraunt And Coffee

Overview

Walking down Nguyễn Tri Phương in Cẩm Nam, Hội An, I first noticed May's Restaraunt And Coffee because it didn’t try too hard to stand out. No flashy signs, no tourist traps-just the smell of freshly brewed coffee and food that looked like someone actually cared while cooking it. The address, 111 Nguyễn Tri Phương, Cẩm Nam, Hội An, Quảng Nam, places it slightly away from the Old Town crowds, which already sets the tone for a calmer, more local experience.

The menu is where things get interesting. On my first visit, I ordered a classic Vietnamese breakfast combo with eggs, bánh mì, and a hot cà phê sữa đá. The coffee had that deep, chocolatey bitterness you expect from properly brewed Robusta beans, not the watered-down version you often get in tourist-heavy areas. According to data from the Vietnam Coffee Association, over 90% of Vietnamese coffee production uses Robusta, and when done right, like here, it delivers higher antioxidant levels compared to Arabica. You can taste that richness in every sip.

What stood out to me wasn’t just the food, but the process behind it. The owner explained that most ingredients are sourced from nearby markets early each morning. Vegetables come from local farms around Hội An, which aligns with sustainable sourcing practices recommended by organizations like the World Food Programme for supporting regional food systems. You can tell the difference when herbs still smell like they were picked the same day, because they probably were.

I came back a few days later for lunch, this time trying the grilled pork with rice and a side of pickled vegetables. The pork was marinated overnight, a method commonly used in Vietnamese home cooking to improve tenderness and flavor absorption. Studies published in the Journal of Food Science show that longer marination times significantly enhance meat texture, and this dish was a solid example of that in real life. It wasn’t fancy plating, but it was honest, satisfying food.

Coffee lovers will appreciate that this place treats coffee as more than just an add-on. They use a traditional phin filter, which slows extraction and increases flavor complexity. Baristas here don’t rush the process, even during busy hours. That patience matters. The Specialty Coffee Association often emphasizes brew time as a key variable in flavor balance, and you can feel that care in every cup served.

Reviews from other diners echo similar experiences. Many mention the relaxed atmosphere, friendly service, and reasonable prices. While some reviews note that the menu isn’t huge, I see that as a strength rather than a limitation. A smaller menu usually means better consistency, and from what I’ve tasted, that holds true here. Still, if you’re looking for a wide range of Western-style dishes, options may feel limited, which is worth keeping in mind.

The location also plays a role in the overall vibe. Being in Cẩm Nam means it’s quieter than central Hội An, yet still easy to reach by bike or a short walk. Locals often stop by for morning coffee, which is usually a good sign. When residents choose a place repeatedly, it suggests trust built over time, not just good first impressions.

What keeps me recommending this spot is how balanced everything feels. The food, the coffee, the service, and the pace all work together. It doesn’t promise anything extravagant, and it doesn’t need to. It delivers reliable quality, grounded in real cooking practices and thoughtful preparation, which is often harder to find than flashy presentation.

Good to know

Service options

Outdoor seating On-site services Takeaway Dine-in

Highlights

Great coffee

Popular for

Solo dining

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Assistive hearing loop Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Offerings

Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee

Dining options

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating Table service

Amenities

Toilet

Atmosphere

Casual Cosy

Crowd

Groups Tourists

Planning

Accepts reservations

Payments

Credit cards

Children

Good for kids

Parking

Free multi-storey car park Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking

Photos

Location

Reviews

- No ratings yet 736 reviews
Amazing 949
Great 14
Okay 2
Not Great 1
Terrible 2
Jana Ostapčuk Lipjanska

We were happy to find this place right when we arrived, and since then we’ve been coming back here for every meal. The food is excellent – delicious homemade local dishes, but they also make great pizza and burgers. Not only the food, but also the fresh juices and drinks are amazing. On top of that, the staff are incredibly kind and always happy to help with anything. They also organized a fishing trip for us on the river, which was an amazing experience. Don’t hesitate and go there – you won’t regret it!

Daniel.mariette 1203

I had the best experience here! Came twice in a row and had the chicken pho which was full of flavour, and the next morning for shrimp bahn xeo. Both meals were absolutely delicious, generous portions and great prices, could not fault them at all. The atmosphere was great! Really friendly service from Fiona, Hannah and their mum, even through the flooding, they had the whole restaurant talking together and making us laugh. A hidden gem in Hoi An and a cozy, wholesome family run restaurant, I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone in the area!

Nicola Garrett

I had dinner at May's a couple of times and each time it was full of flavour, ample servings, and well priced. The family treat every guest like family. We also organised, through Hannah, a private driver (Ha) to pick us up and drop us off at the airport along with two day trips (one to BaNa Hills and Hue). These were also well priced and Ha made them even more interesting. Thank you May, Hannah and Fiona.

Elise Wyper

Amazing place!! We came back multiple times for food and loved the Vegetarian Cao Lau. Both Hannah and Fiona are so so funny and lovely too and helped us with anything! They even brought me a homemade remedy for my cough. Couldn’t recommend enough :)

Malena Hirsch

Hanna & Fiona are the sweetest people!! We came here 3 days in a row and they took so good care of us. They even recommended and brought us to a tailor shop to get some clothes made The food is also amazinggg! Beat Banh Mi we had in Vietnam so far Thank you guys

anna ruocco

Happened to stumble across May's Restaurant run by Pho and Hannah. Made us feel so welcome and the food is delicious. What a great cook Mrs May is and lovely to have met such a great family run business. Will definitely plan to come back to see them all

Tiana Frame

Partner and I happened to walk down the street and came across May’s and we are so glad we did! Amazing variety of local food, freshly caught seafood, and great drinks! The service we received was beautiful and very attentive and friendly. Will definitely be back! Thank you

Katelyn Sherman

The kindest family runs this place! The food potions are large and very delicious!! We ate here many times (we had Cao Lau, the Hoi An chicken and rice, the bbq chicken and the chicken spring rolls) and the drinks are very cheap (a large Bacardi and coke is 80,000). We were lucky to also celebrate New Year’s Eve here and the feeling was so welcoming and fun. The two sisters speak English very well and love to have fun and talk with you! It’s always busy here Which tells you a lot about how special this place is!! They also have a very shy dog

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