Mate Restaurant and Coffee Hoi An Review: Hidden Café Worth Visiting

Searching for cafes in Hoi An that offer something a little different? Somewhere a little more local, laidback, and authentic? Without being overly crowded with tourists?

Mate Restaurant and Coffee was one cafe that really surprised me.

Mate has a cozy location just outside of the busiest areas in Hoi An Ancient Town. It offers up Vietnamese food, western comfort dishes, and chill ambiance that somehow works surprisingly well for couples or families traveling with kids.

We found this place after some googling and it ended up being one of those unexpected meals that we ended up loving.

Mate Restaurant & Coffee – First Impressions

Mate isn’t one of those cafes that try to slap you in the face with colorful walls and lighting. In fact you might not even notice it as you walk by.

The entrance faces a staircase and smaller café downstairs. But what caught my attention was the vivid colors on the front and laidback feel. It just felt more homestyle than your typical cafe.

Trust me that already helps 100x more when you have a toddler in tow like we did.

Mate Restaurant Interior/Vibes

As you enter the vibe really shifts to more chill and inviting.

Warm woods, woven lamp shades, and natural lighting are used throughout the space. I loved sitting at the window table which overlooked plants and palm trees. It just exuded that easy-going Southeast Asia café vibe.

They also have an upstairs balcony which was even nicer.

If you’re the type of traveler that likes to slow down and enjoy your mornings, this cafe is great for spending an hour enjoying coffee and people watching.

As parents we also felt it was spacious and safe for our daughter. Enough room for her to run around but not feel cramped up.

What We Ordered

• Vietnamese spring rolls
• Cao lầu
• Bacon fried rice
• Calamari & fries
• Banana crepe

We decided to order a mixture of everything so we could try multiple dishes.

Food at Mate Restaurant & Coffee – Honest Review

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

The freshness on these spring rolls was top notch. The rice paper was soft (not overly chewy) and the ingredients had a nice blend of herbs + crunch.

The dipping sauce made all the difference here. It had the right amount of sweet with slight tanginess to complement the rolls.

Cao Lầu

As you know if you’ve been to Hoi An, cao lầu is a must-order. Luckily Mate does not disappoint with their version.

Noodles had the classic chewy texture and the pork slices were tasty without being too fatty. Mixed with the herbs it just felt refreshing and balanced.

Honestly you can get better cao lầu in Hoi An. But you can definitely get worse. If you want something easy and convenient to try, Mate is a good option.

Bacon Fried Rice

This dish was on the more “comfort food” side. Large portion size and simple flavors.

Smokiness from the bacon was on point. And it just felt like a safe meal you’d order that adults and kids would both enjoy. If you’re traveling with family and need a no-fail dish this would be it.

Calamari & Fries

Simple. Crispy. Easy to eat.

The calamari batter was light and not greasy at all. Like most places the fries were just your standard fry. Another winner if you’re dining with kids.

Banana Crepe

Hands down, my daughter’s favourite, as expected.

Banana crepe was soft with a slight crunch on the edges. Doused in chocolate sauce and served with ice cream. What’s not to love?

Our daughter devoured this and we kinda did too.

Price + Value

Prices at Mate really feel like you get what you pay for. Compared to some tourist trap restaurants in Hoi An, you get better value here.

Not only do you get actual food but you’re also stuck in a nice relaxing environment.

You’re not paying a premium for fancier decor like other places that serve over-priced food. The portions sizes are also good too.

Service

Service was friendly and authentic.

Not too intrusive but also attentive. Food came out in a timely manner and they were even accommodating with our daughter.

You get that homey service that makes you not want to leave. And that’s what you want with any café.

Mate Restaurant and Coffee: Is It Good For Kids?

Mate Hoi An Restaurant was great for our daughter.

• Roomy seating
• Casual vibes
• Kid friendly options on the menu
• Less crowded than other spots

There are small details like this that come in handy when traveling with little ones. We never felt rushed or forced to eat within a certain time.

Highlights of Our Visit

For me what I liked most was that Mate wasn’t trying to hard to be something that it’s not.

It isn’t trying to be your picture-perfect Instagram café but looks great regardless. Food is simple yet tasty. Atmosphere is cozy and chill without feeling dirty.

It has that perfect balance that makes it a dependable spot especially if you are staying in Hoi An for a couple days and want an easy relaxed spot to visit.

Things That Could Be Improved

As always, I like to keep these reviews real.

Mate doesn’t necessarily have mind blowing food. Sure it’s good but you can find better spots for traditional Vietnamese food.

Their menu is kind of all over the place so they don’t really specialize in one type of cuisine.

During the middle of the day it can get pretty warm as there isn’t much air conditioning.

All minor complaints but things to be aware of.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Family friendly
• Casual atmosphere
• Fun dishes on the menu
• Great food for Hoi An
• Not too touristy
• Relaxed vibe

Cons

• Food isn’t “mind blowing”
• Menu could be more focused
• Gets hot during day time

Is it Kids Friendly?

My favorite part about Mate was our daughter running around near the balcony as we waited for our food.

She was giggling with joy at the simplest of things. Looking back at that moment made me love it even more. It was warm, you had tons of open space with natural lighting. Plus it just felt safe.

Anytime you can find places like this during your travels with kids. It makes the more touristy crowded places not feel as bad.

Who Will Enjoy Mate Restaurant?

Mate is perfect for:

• Families with kids
• Couples looking for a low-key café
• Avoid the tourist restaurants in Hoi An
• Anyone looking for a chill brunch/lunch spot

Getting to Mate Restaurant & Coffee, Hoi An

Address: Hẻm 120 Trần Nhân Tông, Phường, Hội An Đông, Đà Nẵng 560000, Vietnam

Should You Visit Mate Restaurant & Coffee?

Mate Restaurant isn’t trying to be the best restaurant in Hoi An. But it does that by offering something even better.

Authentic, comfortable, and a cafe you can relax at after exploring the streets.

If you’re looking for:

• A low key cafe away from the crowds
• Variety of Vietnamese food and western options
• A family-friendly cafe to visit with kids
• A chill spot to unwind and relax

Then yeah give Mate a visit.