What I’ve been reminded of about eating in Saigon: the best food is never inside a building. NEVER. The best food has no menu, or a menu you can’t read, or a menu that’s just a woman pointing at what she’s already made. The best food costs less than two dollars. The best food finds you.
March 2026
Hope Beyond the Spiral Staircase – The Hope Café in Thimphu
Nestled atop Changlam Plaza, The Hope Café is a hidden gem that feels like a reward for those who follow the winding spiral staircase. Its journey to existence is as inspiring as the quotes that adorn its walls. Kinley Phurbo, the Bhutanese heart behind the café, brings a Starbucks-trained touch to Thimphu, having honed his craft in Kuwait before returning home with a dream.
A Café with a Story
The Hope Café opened its doors in January 2020, a time that seemed anything but hopeful as the world shut down for COVID-19 just months later. Yet, Kinley’s passion for café culture and community resilience helped The Hope Café endure. It’s now a thriving space for locals and travelers alike, offering more than just coffee—it’s a symbol of perseverance.
Ambiance & Experience
Step inside, and you’re greeted by warm lighting, colorful local art, and walls filled with uplifting quotes. The atmosphere is both comforting and energizing, perfect for a casual coffee or a long conversation. Despite its challenging upper-floor location, the journey up feels symbolic—sometimes, you have to climb to find hope.
The Menu: Where East Meets West
Coffee lovers will appreciate the extensive drink menu, featuring familiar Starbucks-inspired favorites like caramel macchiatos and mocha frappuccinos. But The Hope Café doesn’t stop there. Its food menu is equally impressive, with hearty meals, light bites, and even alcoholic beverages for an evening wind-down. This blend of Western-style café offerings with Bhutanese hospitality makes it a standout in Thimphu.
Why It’s Worth the Climb
In a city where Western cafés are rare, The Hope Café is a refreshing retreat. Whether you’re here for a quick espresso, a leisurely meal, or simply a moment of peace among hopeful words, you’ll leave feeling uplifted.
Next time you’re in Thimphu, follow the signs, climb the spiral staircase, and let The Hope Café remind you that sometimes the best places are those you have to work a little harder to find.
Location:
213 Chang Lam, Norzin, Thrim Throm, Thimphu, Bhutan
Hours:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 11:00am – 10:00pm
Wednesdays- closed
IG: @the_hope_cafe
Jan2024
After a most recent two-year stint abroad, I returned to Cocoa Beach for a few months in the fall of 2023 and decided to treat it like a little foodie holiday. I love exploring towns for the best Eggs Benedict, so that’s where I started. 😊
After years of passing by this spot, usually with a long line, I finally got in, and it was well worth it. A true traditional Benny.
Whenever I can, I‘ll upgrade to a Crab 🦀 Benny. Real crabmeat.
Another Crab Benny with potato salad on the side. This was a new place since I was last here, so I was excited to try it. I think this was an off day for the staff – took a really long time, lots of faux-like apologies, and then the eggs aren‘t actually poached. Lazy, sloppy. This was disappointing, but the menu is extensive and looks like it should be tasty, so I‘d try it again, and would still encourage others to give the other items on the menu a try.
The Green Room Café is perfect – “Colorful health-conscious cafe doling out organic sandwiches, soups & smoothies plus vegan fare” – the ONLY meat item is the chicken in the Secret Spot above. Otherwise it’s all vegetarian and vegan.
Another new place since I was last here. A great addition to the town.
Delicious burgers, but pricier than other spots in CB.
A cool little place with staff that remembers you and wants to make sure you never run out of sour cream, salsa, water, or beer. Reasonable prices. Looking forward to trying their famous ‘chings’ and guacamole next.
Cocoa Beach, Florida – Autumn 2023
Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪 Cuisine, Part 6
1,2,3: Potato 🥔 & Onion 🧅 Cheburek @samsa_family_bakers
4 & 5: Hamburger 🍔 & Chicken Risotto @viktuscatering
6: CBD Brownie #coffeeshoptallinn
7: Sweet and Sour Chicken and Rice #chinainn
8: Eggs Benedict @rukiskohvik
9 & 10: Best Cinnamon bun in town at Pulla Sourdough Bakery @pullabakery
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Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
October and November 2022
1&2: Kim Yum 🍜 @kimijimitallinn
3&4: Kaurma Lagman @samsa_family_bakers
5: Butter Chicken & 🍚 @cinnamon_restoran
6,7,&8: Grill 🍔 & 🍠 🍟 @grillpruul 9&10: Butter Chicken and Pakora @maharajarestoran
Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
September 2022
Tallinn Cuisine, Part 3.
1&2- Tuna Melt at @soshellfish.viru
3&4- Pizza 🍕 Pepperoni at @locaestonia
5&6- Potatoes and Onions Pelmeni & Shrimp and Salmon Pelmeni @pelment1
7&8- Brioche with Poached Egg and Bacon 🥓 & Brioche with Poached Egg and Salmon 9&10- Flat White ☕️ at @papermillcoffee in Viru Keskus
Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
Sep2022
Tallinn Cuisine, Part 2
1&2: Diavola 🍕 @kolmtilli @kolmtillitallinn
3: Kim Yum 🍜 and Prawn 🍤 rice noodles @kimijimitallinn
4: Vanilla and Chocolate gelato 🍨 @kylmjaatis
5,6,&7: Pear 🍐 Tart and a Flat White at @gallery.cafe.tallinn
8&9: Pepperoni 🍕 at @basiilikrestoran in Rotterman Quarter
10: Kebab Box at #ViruKebab
Tallinn Estonia 🇪🇪
Sep2022
Tallinn Cuisine, Part 1
1-cappuccino and aperol spritz at VIKTUS @viktuscatering
2-prawn poké bowl at @pokebowl_estonia
3-“tumble dry low” 7.4% specialty brew from @mikkellertallinn
4&5-roast beef sandwich 🥪 & fries 🍟 from #Kennedys in Old Town
6&7-lingonberry danish & salmon/broccoli quiche at Old Town @rahva.raamat
8-raspberry tart at @kohviklummus
9-salmon poké bowl at @pokebowl_estonia. 10-a flat white at Viru Keskus @rahva.raamat
Tallinn, Estonia 🇪🇪
September 2022
