ordered their iced saigonese and iced Càphê Sua Da. both were sooo delicious and they came straight to our table since we used their online ordering system. there's limited seating inside the cafe but they have plenty of outside seating if the weather allows. I saw people stay at the cafe to do some work, so if you're ok with working in a louder environment I think this would be a good spot to work. their drinks were creamy and delicious! the sea salt foam in their iced saigaonese wasn't too overwhelming and both drinks weren't too strong. just the perfect amount of sweetness and coffee.
Marina C.
I give this spot 4 stars because it wasn't out of this world, but it wasn't a huge disappointment either. Some of the things I ordered felt lacking, but I'm hopeful about trying other dishes in the future. Thoughts on the banh mi chao: It's definitely special that Phinista offers this dish because you won't see many other places serve this. However, it was a bit too heavy with the fish sauce, and the bread was a bit stale on the ends. Overall, the banh mi chao was good, but these were a few things that took away from it being amazing in my book. Thoughts on the Saigon Banh Mi: I didn't really think this banh mi was that great. It was mostly pickled veggies and jalapeños. There was an egg and a very thin layer of pate, but the egg tasted unseasoned, and there was barely any pate. So there was not a lot more contributing to the flavor. It tasted like bread and veggies. And it was $12. The banh mi just wasn't worth it, and I would not order this one again. The place was quite crowded, but we were able to find a seat quickly. There isn't much to say about the service. You will not have much interaction with a waiter since you can order on your phone through their QR code posted on every table, and water, utensils, and napkins are self-serve. And you will clean off your own table after you finish. I still feel like Phinista has more to offer than what I experienced. So I would still come back and try out some other dishes and drinks.
Victoria K.
Ordered the iced saigonese which was deliciously creamy and not too sweet (after I selected the less sweet option)! The cafe is somewhat small and doesn't have too many tables, but I can see why coming here to study or catch up with friends would be extremely lovely. I came by at around 11am on a Tuesday, so I was somewhat surprised that it was so full, but alas. The person working there also recommended the matcha white chocolate cookie, which was JUST put out in the display, so it was still warm. I didn't take a photo, but I gobbled that thing up. The matcha flavor was strong, and the white chocolate was the perfect complement.
Baetran Trân Bánh Bao
The owner and the staffs are really friendly and so kind. You will definitely enjoy this coffee place. Drinks and foods served quick and tasted great.“Iced Saigonese” coffee is so authentic. Cute spot for pictures and studying or even working. What more can you ask for?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christa Zhang
Food/drink here was pretty average. We ordered a banh mi, the banh mi chao, one matcha latte and a strawberry matcha latte. I like the concept of a Vietnamese shashuka but it was very bland and not very “dippable” with the bread. The lattes had a very light matcha taste, mainly just tasted like whole milk to be honest. Very cute cafe with friendly service, but wouldn’t return.
Aneesa Akhtar
Discovered this gem during my visit to town and couldn't be happier I did! Upon mentioning to the server that I was a newcomer, they kindly guided me through their menu. The Iced Saigonese with Sea Salt Phin caught my attention, and after sampling it, I was hooked! Ended up pairing it with a delightful Nutella crepe. A definite win-win choice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nutella Crepe, Iced Saigonese Sea Salt Phin
Nara Tiang
Great decor for a Vietnamese cafe. The first time I came here they gave me a free coffee as I was picking up an order with UberEats. Second time I came during my leisure, and was hoping for a place to sit but this place gets pretty busy. Not sure why, but I also got a dirty look from the cashier which left a bad taste in my mouth. Seems kind of odd since they had a friendlier demeanor with the other customers who were white. Don’t think I’ll be visiting again.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 2
Pakkapol Sapkasem
Hidden gem in Fenway. Their Banh Mi Chao and Ube are
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Abbas Kizilbash
Best Vietnamese coffee in Boston. Great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caitlin Peeler
Always so lovely ✨✨✨
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Banh MI - Lemongrass Steak, Bakery Pastries
Super friendly owner and staff, off the chart great Vietnamese coffee and breakfast bath mi and chill music made for an incredible experience ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
H F
A peaceful little spot in the middle of the busy city. Got my blood drawn (not here) and came here seeking solace.Devin smiled at me like an old friend who knows a secret. He made me a crepe and coffee and brought it to my table with a wise smile.The is this heaven crepe. Tastes like something I ate as a child. I don’t remember what it was, I just remember the joy it made me feel and the feeling my parents might get divorced soon.The plate was beautifully put together. I ate it like a ravenous stray dog. I feel my blood being restored. May only kindness walk through you door.Great place for a date.Kid-friendliness: Very annoying crying baby, nobody complained ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Is This Heaven
Amy Norrod
One of my favorite coffee spots in Boston! The ube buns are heavenly!
Food was subpar came in a plastic Togo container even though we were eating in, which I felt was really wasteful, they also don't have proper silverware just really cheap plastic ware that wasn't strong enough to piece the stuff steak in the rice bowl I ordered. You also have to order via your phone and are asked for a tip before actually receiving any service at all or even a welcome in or anything. The tea came in coffee cups where there was so much water that the flavor from a single tea bag was watered out almost entirely. The bar was almost up to my chin while I was sitting at it, sitting on wobbly bar stools no less.. the coffee was also burned.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Samia Penalver
I came looking for a homey experience as a foreign exchange MIT grad student.Devin is awesome and will make you feel right at home.Needless to say the coffee is amazing and their cheese croissant is delicious!Definitely reminded me of home, which is everything I needed after spending the holidays abroad.
ordered their iced saigonese and iced Càphê Sua Da. both were sooo delicious and they came straight to our table since we used their online ordering system. there's limited seating inside the cafe but they have plenty of outside seating if the weather allows. I saw people stay at the cafe to do some work, so if you're ok with working in a louder environment I think this would be a good spot to work. their drinks were creamy and delicious! the sea salt foam in their iced saigaonese wasn't too overwhelming and both drinks weren't too strong. just the perfect amount of sweetness and coffee.
I give this spot 4 stars because it wasn't out of this world, but it wasn't a huge disappointment either. Some of the things I ordered felt lacking, but I'm hopeful about trying other dishes in the future. Thoughts on the banh mi chao: It's definitely special that Phinista offers this dish because you won't see many other places serve this. However, it was a bit too heavy with the fish sauce, and the bread was a bit stale on the ends. Overall, the banh mi chao was good, but these were a few things that took away from it being amazing in my book. Thoughts on the Saigon Banh Mi: I didn't really think this banh mi was that great. It was mostly pickled veggies and jalapeños. There was an egg and a very thin layer of pate, but the egg tasted unseasoned, and there was barely any pate. So there was not a lot more contributing to the flavor. It tasted like bread and veggies. And it was $12. The banh mi just wasn't worth it, and I would not order this one again. The place was quite crowded, but we were able to find a seat quickly. There isn't much to say about the service. You will not have much interaction with a waiter since you can order on your phone through their QR code posted on every table, and water, utensils, and napkins are self-serve. And you will clean off your own table after you finish. I still feel like Phinista has more to offer than what I experienced. So I would still come back and try out some other dishes and drinks.
Ordered the iced saigonese which was deliciously creamy and not too sweet (after I selected the less sweet option)! The cafe is somewhat small and doesn't have too many tables, but I can see why coming here to study or catch up with friends would be extremely lovely. I came by at around 11am on a Tuesday, so I was somewhat surprised that it was so full, but alas. The person working there also recommended the matcha white chocolate cookie, which was JUST put out in the display, so it was still warm. I didn't take a photo, but I gobbled that thing up. The matcha flavor was strong, and the white chocolate was the perfect complement.
The owner and the staffs are really friendly and so kind. You will definitely enjoy this coffee place. Drinks and foods served quick and tasted great.“Iced Saigonese” coffee is so authentic. Cute spot for pictures and studying or even working. What more can you ask for?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food/drink here was pretty average. We ordered a banh mi, the banh mi chao, one matcha latte and a strawberry matcha latte. I like the concept of a Vietnamese shashuka but it was very bland and not very “dippable” with the bread. The lattes had a very light matcha taste, mainly just tasted like whole milk to be honest. Very cute cafe with friendly service, but wouldn’t return.
Discovered this gem during my visit to town and couldn't be happier I did! Upon mentioning to the server that I was a newcomer, they kindly guided me through their menu. The Iced Saigonese with Sea Salt Phin caught my attention, and after sampling it, I was hooked! Ended up pairing it with a delightful Nutella crepe. A definite win-win choice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nutella Crepe, Iced Saigonese Sea Salt Phin
Great decor for a Vietnamese cafe. The first time I came here they gave me a free coffee as I was picking up an order with UberEats. Second time I came during my leisure, and was hoping for a place to sit but this place gets pretty busy. Not sure why, but I also got a dirty look from the cashier which left a bad taste in my mouth. Seems kind of odd since they had a friendlier demeanor with the other customers who were white. Don’t think I’ll be visiting again.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 2
Hidden gem in Fenway. Their Banh Mi Chao and Ube are
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best Vietnamese coffee in Boston. Great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always so lovely ✨✨✨
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Banh MI - Lemongrass Steak, Bakery Pastries
Restaurantji Recommends
Super friendly owner and staff, off the chart great Vietnamese coffee and breakfast bath mi and chill music made for an incredible experience ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A peaceful little spot in the middle of the busy city. Got my blood drawn (not here) and came here seeking solace.Devin smiled at me like an old friend who knows a secret. He made me a crepe and coffee and brought it to my table with a wise smile.The is this heaven crepe. Tastes like something I ate as a child. I don’t remember what it was, I just remember the joy it made me feel and the feeling my parents might get divorced soon.The plate was beautifully put together. I ate it like a ravenous stray dog. I feel my blood being restored. May only kindness walk through you door.Great place for a date.Kid-friendliness: Very annoying crying baby, nobody complained ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Is This Heaven
One of my favorite coffee spots in Boston! The ube buns are heavenly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Custard Bun, Lavender, Phin Ube, Coffee Buns, Ube Latte, Phinista Matcha Bun
Food was subpar came in a plastic Togo container even though we were eating in, which I felt was really wasteful, they also don't have proper silverware just really cheap plastic ware that wasn't strong enough to piece the stuff steak in the rice bowl I ordered. You also have to order via your phone and are asked for a tip before actually receiving any service at all or even a welcome in or anything. The tea came in coffee cups where there was so much water that the flavor from a single tea bag was watered out almost entirely. The bar was almost up to my chin while I was sitting at it, sitting on wobbly bar stools no less.. the coffee was also burned.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
I came looking for a homey experience as a foreign exchange MIT grad student.Devin is awesome and will make you feel right at home.Needless to say the coffee is amazing and their cheese croissant is delicious!Definitely reminded me of home, which is everything I needed after spending the holidays abroad.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bakery Pastries