Buzz
It was a day in May when I proudly announced to my friends that I was going on a 3-day, 2-night trip to Da Lat at the end of the month. Everyone said, 'Are you crazy? Going to Da Lat during this season means watching rain from morning to night.' Well, that's exactly my plan. I love observing Da Lat in the misty rain, the droplets lingering on the grass, or a glimpse of sunlight peeking through after the rain. I especially enjoy the leisurely moments, sitting in beautiful cafes in Da Lat, listening to some tunes, and capturing the charming corners through my lens.
Da Lat boasts some truly 'charming' cafes.
On this trip, I was fortunate to discover 4 beautiful cafes in Da Lat that are truly fantastic for admiring the city during the 'lush' season. There's no hustle and bustle; it seems like everyone just wants to sit down with a cup of coffee, gaze at the mountain ranges hidden behind the clouds, all amidst the melodious tunes.
1. Waiting for Someone - Cafe & Homestay
I visited Waiting for Someone on a late afternoon, after a refreshing rain that lasted more than 3 hours, leaving a clear sky. Waiting for Someone is truly unique, situated on a high hill, deeply nestled in the forest, swaying amidst the green pine trees. It's so enchanting; stepping foot here feels like leaving the city behind, with only a natural space lying ahead.
A corner of Waiting for Someone as picturesque as a painting.
Waiting for Someone is indeed a charming place in a very special way. From intricately designed wooden nooks and crannies to a few scattered tables and chairs amidst the clouds and mountains, friendly dogs playfully roam at your feet. A gentle fragrance lingers in the air.
Sitting down here, enjoying a hot cup of cocoa, listening to some soothing tunes, and catching a whiff of the delightful fragrance in the air.
A charming and fragrant corner of the main building.
The entrance to the main building with a sign that couldn't be more romantic.
Doesn't the architecture have a touch of Japanese influence?
A dog in the group with the most swagger.
One of the highlights of 'Waiting for Someone' is the glass house floating in the middle of the lake, complete with tables and chairs, decorated like a miniature beautiful café in Da Lat. After ordering drinks at the counter on the slope, if you want to experience the feeling of 'floating' in the middle of the lake, you can also sit down here.
The floating glasshouse in the middle of the lake.
Because it was raining heavily that day, the water color wasn't vibrant green, and the water had flooded the path leading to it.
The interior is designed like a miniature café.
So charming!
I have a small piece of advice for you; you should stay at 'Waiting for Someone' from 5:00 to 7:00 in the evening. During this time, you can enjoy the scenery when it's still bright, and witness the sparkling atmosphere when the whole space is lit up with golden lights (especially the glasshouse area). But on one condition, you must have a strong grip on the steering wheel and a steady spirit because from 'Waiting for Someone' to the main road is about 1 km. It gets really dark with no lights, no houses, just pure forest.
The glasshouse lights up.
Even though the inside of the glasshouse is brightly lit, the entire lake has no other lights.
The main house seen from the staircase below the glasshouse.
At this moment, the power is out, and the whole area was already pitch black. The staff kindly provided some candles to illuminate the space.
Oh, 'Waiting for Someone' is also a homestay with a few small wooden rooms for those who want to escape from the city dust.
Address: TDP Khoi Nghia Bac Son, Ward 10, Da Lat City (near Dinh 2), 5 minutes by motorbike from Xuan Huong Lake. You can also directly search 'Waiting for Someone' on Google Maps.
2. Gâu Garden
Nestled in an alley on the high slope of Tran Quang Dieu Street, Gâu Garden is surrounded by two rows of lush pine trees. Despite being a recent 'must-go' coffee spot in Da Lat, perhaps due to the rainy season, it's not too crowded, making it an excellent place to 'escape' the rain showers.
Gâu Garden embraces the hills.
Open space, harmonizing with nature.
Gâu Garden nestles in a dreamy space, a vast valley surrounded by houses, layered mountains, lush green hills, and the hazy clouds, especially after a rain. Beyond the charming view, Gâu's decor is equally delightful. A completely wooden house adorned with ancient, meandering writings (though there are plenty of seats, few choose to sit inside due to the lack of a view of the landscape), other corners are also crafted in a nostalgic style. Despite the expansive space, it still exudes a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Wooden house with meandering writings.
The inside space is not very airy.
The ordering counter and payment area here.
The 'legendary' chair of Gâu Garden.
Another corner adorned with original doors instead of walls.
And what I love most about Gâu Garden is, true to its name, there are about 4 dogs here, mostly Corgis, short-legged and chubby, leisurely wandering all over the place, and there's also a chicken. Currently, there are about 6 small puppies inside the house, although they are allowed to be 'petted,' but you should also limit it a bit.
The Corgi is considered the mascot of the cafe.
A little short-legged Corgi here.
Two more cuties over here.
And this is the area for the little ones.
Address3. Rubik Light Coffee
Rubik Light is situated within the complex of Dalat Natural Farm (opposite Vu Thi Village). At first glance, you won't spot this cafe easily, so pay attention to the sign outside the complex to find your way in.
In my observation, this complex seems quite deserted, and Rubik Light follows suit. The evening I visited, it felt like there were only me and my friend around. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it, having the whole place to explore freely, from the cafe to the strawberry garden, up to the daisy flower garden, bougainvillea... the entire atmosphere of the cafe is like being immersed in flowers.
Rubik Light with its front garden full of flowers.
Another wooden house area nearby, you can't go inside, but there are two wooden tables outside for you to sit, enjoy coffee, and admire the scenery.
Inside Rubik Light, everything exudes a vintage vibe. The furniture is entirely made of rustic wood, and the seat cushions feature earthy patterns. There's a small corner displaying photos of famous figures from the 80s, such as King Bao Dai, Queen Nam Phuong, actors Chanh Tin and Thuong Tin, or the yellowed certificates of merit. What's even better is that the owner played a series of Trinh Cong Son's songs throughout my time there, and the lyrics of Khanh Ly echoed through the entire space.
The entirely wooden interior space at Rubik Light.
This is the oldest vintage corner, showcasing old photos and playing soothing music.
Every corner of Rubik Light is picture-perfect.
Oh, Rubik Light also features an upper floor, an open space without a roof. From here, you can freely admire the greenery, gaze at the glasshouse below, especially if you visit in the evening when the glasshouse lights up, it's unbelievably beautiful.
Wooden stairs lead you to the upper floor.
A breathtaking view of the glasshouse from the upper floor.
From here, you can also marvel at countless varieties of flowers below.
This corner below is where strawberries are cultivated.
The green basket in front of Rubik Light's entrance.
A touch of the 70s.
And here is the strawberry garden. However, you can only admire and take photos here, no strawberry picking allowed.
Big, really big strawberries here.
Address: 125 QL20, Lam Van Thanh Group, Ward 11
4. Cheo Veooo Coffee Shop
Oh, Dalat is quite peculiar, two days of relentless rain, and suddenly, the morning I leave, the sky turns brilliantly blue, sunlight blankets the entire city. Thanks to this, the time spent at Cheo Veooo Coffee Shop becomes even more warm and charming.
A small sunlit slope leads to Cheo Veooo.
Cheo Veooo is nestled on the back of a really high hill, hidden behind a cluster of wild trees, with a descent that consists of a handful of tiny steps. At Cheo Veooo, there are rugged mountain ranges with lush greenery, a city of Dalat full of romantic vibes, and a petite wooden house.
From Cheo Veooo, you'll have a fantastic view like this.
Hills and mountains bathed in radiant golden sunlight.
This is the second-floor balcony.
Cheo Veooo's highlight is not only the small table and chairs in the corner of the balcony, embracing the entire hill, but also the meticulous details in the decor, from the charming hanging flower pots on the window grills, along with a sunflower vase on the table, to a couple of 'romance novels' placed on the wooden shelf, even the sign 'walk lightly, speak softly, smile gracefully' at the top of the stairs.
Listen to some music, read some books amidst the drifting clouds.
The bartending counter is quite simple.
Cheo Veooo is truly a space for those seeking tranquility and gentleness.
'Walk lightly, speak softly, smile gracefully. Let's share this space together!'
Sitting at Cheo Veooo, I lost track of time; it gives me an indescribable sense of lightness and peace. Here, you can listen to melodious tunes and occasionally hear the wind rustling through the trees. So, if you want to fully experience the lovely atmosphere of Da Lat, you must visit Cheo Veooo.
Another corner on the second floor.
The drinks at Cheo Veooo belong to the excellent category, not just average.
'It's been so long since we've had a sunny day, hasn't it, kitty?'
Address: 116 Hung Vuong. Go about 30 meters and you'll see an alley on the right with a sign for Nang Xanh homestay. The cafe is right next to it.
I know that traveling during the rainy season is something most people fear, but especially for beautiful cafes in Da Lat, I'm confident that the rainy season here is a wonderful time you'd want to experience. Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, escaping to a corner of Da Lat with friends, chatting about a few stories, holding a hot cup of coffee, with a white rain curtain in front of you, what could be better!
Author: Hoang Linh Ha
*Article participating in the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blogging program introducing beautiful destinations throughout Vietnam. It's a great opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualified article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and the chance to become a contributor with Mytour. Details about the program can be found at: https://www.Mytour/vi-vn/golocal
