Phin Coffee House is a Vietnamese cafe located in Boston’s downtown area in the financial district, just a few blocks away from South Station and the waterfront. Popular items include banh mi sandwiches and specialty coffee.
Phin Coffee House
Overall Rating: ★★★★ out of 5 stars
Address: 10 High St, Downtown, MA 02110
Neighborhood: Downtown
Perfect For: Coffee or lunch in a cozy and relaxed cafe atmosphere
Hours: Mon – Fri 7am – 6pm, Sun 8am – 5pm
Reservations: No
Parking: Garage
Links: Website, Food Menu, Drinks Menu
Cost: $15 per person (food only)
Phin Coffee House has a relaxed and cozy ambiance, with tall street-facing windows on one side. There is a bar with seating for about 3 people as well as individual tables that can seat 2 people each. I’ve visited during off-peak hours as well as busy lunch times, and the tables are usually occupied so you may need to wait a bit before one is available. Takeout orders are also popular and you can order online ahead of time.
For dine-in guests, food is ordered at the counter and then brought out to you. There are bins at the back of the cafe to return finished plates.
Their beverage menu includes coffee and tea options, in addition to specialty drinks such as:
- Boston Cream Latte: Creamy Vietnamese espresso with milk over ice
- Coconut Coffee: Espresso shot over condensed coconut milk with vanilla ice cream
- Citrus Espresso: Espresso shot over fresh orange juice and limeade with ice
- Ca Phe Phin: Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk
Lunch items include brisket bao buns, spring rolls, banh mi, and various other sandwiches. Baked goods include a variety of muffins, with flavors such as corn, lemon poppy, cranberry, banana, pistachio, and chocolate chip. I decided to order a chicken banh mi as well as a chocolate chip muffin.
The banh mi included chicken, pate, mayo, cilantro, cucumbers, pickled carrots, and jalapeño on a baguette. I enjoyed the combination of flavors and textures, and the inclusion of jalapeño only added a minimal amount of spiciness. The chicken was flavorful, the picked vegetables were delicious, and the baguette was satisfyingly crunchy. Next time, I might skip the cilantro because I’m not the biggest fan of it.
The muffin was good, with chocolate chips sprinkled throughout. I would’ve liked it to be a bit more moist and less dry. I probably would skip the baked goods next time as I’ve had better ones elsewhere, and I’m more interested in the unique savory options that Phin Coffee House offers.
Overall, I enjoy my experiences at Phin Coffee House as the staff is always very friendly and welcoming, service is quick, and I love the cozy cafe ambiance. I would be interested in returning to try out more savory dishes such as their California chicken sandwich, beef bao buns, and pho burrito.
