Bờm’s Coffee & Food — Restaurant in Ninh Bình Province

Our accommodation was just next to Bom’s which made us pass by every day. One day we stopped just to see what they had on their menu and the sweet sweet lady came to say hello and greeted us with the warmest smile. Her English was close to non existent but she asked us where we were from and when we answered with Sweden we could tell she didn’t quite know where it was. So we translated it on google so she could understand and she looked happy and said it out loud and we asked several times how to pronounce it and had a laugh together. As we had just had food and was on our way home (it was in the evening) we decided to say goodbye but to come back another day just to support the lady and the family that ran the café.

When we came back, the lady recognized us and was so lovely and she led us to this beautiful café in the back just next to the river with a gorgeous garden! Such a hidden gem! We ordered salt coffee and their bac xiu both delicious. The lady came to us with one banana each and puffed rice (as more people had written) and she said “souvenir” to indicate it was a gift from her to us. We have never tried something similar but it was really good and such a nice gesture!

Bom’s café lies hidden just off “the main road” and then also the garden café is in the back so you can’t see it clearly from the street (it looks more like an average convenient store from the outside but don’t let this fool you!). I highly recommend finding this hidden gem and share the smiles with the family who runs the place. A must go when...

Of all of our stops in Ninh Binh, this place was without question our favorite place and offered more than we could ever imagine. The owners and their family truly became our friends on this trip, offering such sweet unasked for treats (make sure you order the spring rolls, they are to die for), amazing hospitality (even sitting with me to help me to learn more words in Vietnamese and showing me how they make their rice wine), and we even got our nails beautifully done by Nguyen on their back patio, for an amazing price. One night, we walked by on our way to dinner, and they were so kind to insist we stop in for a bite to eat with their family. In what other establishment would you ever get that experience?! I wish I could give a hundred stars and if I come back, this will be my first stop...

Walking back to our homestay or out for the evening the owner to this coffee shop always greeted us with the biggest smile and invited us in. We came one morning for a hot drink and food, everyone was so welcoming and brought us to the garden area through the shop. We ordered Vietnamese spring rolls and then two honey pancakes, they were delicious! They had already brought out a traditional puffed rice dish with bananas with our drinks that was a great experience to try and quite nice! They took the time to come over and talk with us through translate, it’s a family run business with mum, dad and son. Very wholesome place, recommend...