Korea is not only the land of kimchi, but it’s also filled with the most aesthetic cafes, with some having unimaginable concepts and interiors. If you’re ever heading to Seoul, which is the capital of South Korea, here are 40 Cafes in Seoul to check out!
Table of Contents
- Cafes in Yeongdeungpo-gu & Geumcheon-gu (Mullae)
- Cafes in Mapo-gu (Hongdae, Yeonnam)
- Cafes in Jongro-gu (Anguk, Seochon)
- Cafes in Jung-gu & Yongsan-gu (Hannam, Itaewon, Sinyongsan)
- Cafes in Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu (Sinsa, Apgujeong)
- Cafes in Seongdong-gu (Seongsu, Seoul Forest)
- Cafes in Eunpyeong-gu
Cafes in Yeongdeungpo-gu & Geumcheon-gu
INC Coffee
Located slightly below the Yeongdeung-po district, INC Coffee at Gasan is both a roastery cafe and bakery, offering a wide variety of bakes and drinks. Most interestingly, the cafe offers specialty beans aged in rum barrels, which makes their coffee taste almost wine-like. The space is also really aesthetic, a must-visit for cafehopping lovers.
LOWTHER
In the heart of one of western Seoul’s oldest industrial neighbourhoods, Mullae-dong, lies LOWTHER. It is one of the handful of cafes that have slowly popped up in Mullae-dong over the past few years. The high ceiling and large space makes this spot great to enjoy a slow afternoon.
Mokki
Mokki is a cafe located in Mullae, a hip neighbourhood that’s filled with exciting cafes and restaurants. It’s less crowded as compared to Seongsu, but still has that industrial vibe that Seongsu started with. Here at Mokki, they specialize in coffee, while offering a special bingsu during summer months. The atmosphere of this spot is really calming, and offers patrons a nice spot to rest their feet while enjoying some coffee and sweet treats.
Cafes in Mapo-gu
Vimutti
Vimutti Coffee is a small cafe in Yeonnam-dong that reminds us of being in someone’s kitchen. The place gives off a rustic vibe, almost like a kitchen you would find in the English countryside. Make sure to try the cinnamon roll!
rytm
If you’re a serious coffee drinker, rytm in Yeonnam-dong is the spot for you. The space is very minimalistic and lets in a lot of natural light. They have a straightforward coffee menu, with drinks like Americano, Flat White and Mocha. The lineup for filter coffee changes from time to time, so you might not be drinking the same cup of coffee again the next time you visit!
House of Vinyl
If you’re a fan of LP cafes, House of Vinyl in Mangwon-dong offers a relaxing and calming afternoon of music and coffee. The cafe feels almost like a house, with most of the seats facing their music system – an LP player with gigantic speakers. Seats are limited, and it does get crowded during the weekends. Menu-wise, it’s not the most extensive, but you can have the usual coffee menu and a small range of desserts.
Butter & Shelter
Aesthetic cafes are common in the neighbourhood of Yeonnam-dong, but Butter & Shelter caught our attention with its simple, cottagecore vibes. Serving a wide range of bakes such as Levain cookies, scones and brownies, the bakery cafe utilizes good quality butter for every single one of their items, including a butter cream coffee which tastes heavenly!
HAUSKIRU
Located slightly further away from the happening part of Hongdae, HAUSKIRU is a cafe serving up delicious French toast and sandwiches. The cafe is named after Kiru, a cute dog which you might bump into if you’re lucky! They also have another outlet nearer to Yeonnam-dong.
Perception Coffee
Award-winning cafe Perception Coffee is located slightly further away from Hongdae, near the Hapjeong neighbourhood. Many patrons flock here just to gawk at the interior design, especially their ceiling which is comprised of wooden ‘waves’ that have a seeemingly hypnotic effect. Their beverage selection is highly raved about as well – especially their Signature Espresso menu. It features three different drinks named ‘Atmosphere of the Place’, ‘Temperature In The Day’ and ‘Memory of the Moment’ which are each crafted to perfection.
POLY Cafe & Shop
Located in Hapjeong, POLY Cafe & Shop is a spot known for its aesthetic interior and baked goods. When we visited, the Yuja Pound Cake honestly didn’t impress. However, the other pastries and coffee did balance out the experience. If you’re ever in the neighbourhood, it’s a nice spot to rest your feet while browsing through some of the cute items they’re selling over at the shop.
Hooligan Coffee
To be very honest, Hooligan Coffee isn’t the most aesthetic, but they sure serve up some delicious plates of food and desserts. If you’re a fan of black sesame, you need to try their Black Sesame Cream Galette. It’s nutty, rich and very Insta-worthy. We tried the savoury food and were quite impressed. It’s located near Exit 7 & 8 of Hongdae Station, which makes it very accessible for those in the area.
Cafes in Jongro-gu
Donut Jungsu
Up for a cafe experience with a view? Donut Jungsu, located in Changsin-dong, serves up pillowy soft donuts in a selection of different flavours. The best part of Donut Jungsu is the breathtaking view that it is famous for! Coupled with the minimalist hanok-inspired interior, it gives the café a soothing and relaxing vibe. You can try out unique flavours like Green Onion Cream Cheese Donut and Gangwon Potato Donut and wash it all down with their selection of beverages, including Cinnamon Yuja Lime Ade, coffee tea and ade.
Tertre Café
Located at the top of the Changsin-dong neighbourhood, Tertre Cafe overlooks the entire Seoul, giving patrons one of the best views of the city. It is not uncommon to find Tertre Cafe packed with people trying to get a glimpse of the sunrise/sunset through the cafe’s full glass-to-ceiling windows.
There are a couple of unique drinks available here, such as Black Latte, Malcha Vienna, and the Pink Ade. There are dessert options like Lotus Ang Butter and Brownie Pot as well. Sipping on the beverage of your choice while relishing one of the best views of Seoul is truly an unforgettable experience!
Rafre Fruit
Whiile Rafre Fruit might be known for their fruit bingsus, this cafe is popular even if it isn’t bingsu season! You can expect seasonal fruit bingsus here. When we visited during summer, ours came with a topping of peaches, alongside an apple mango parfait. During winter, you might even find your bingsu topped with loads of strawberries. The Seochon outlet which we visited is the newer one, but Rafre Fruit also has an OG outlet in Seongsu.
Yeonheun Roasters
If you’re looking for solid cups of coffee, Yeonheun Roasters in Seochon is not a spot to be missed. Located right opposite Bar Cham, this quaint spot offers up a nice variety of beans for filter coffee. They also have a pretty standard espresso-based menu, along with some small bites. It’s a spot where you can experience the charm of the neighbourhood while enjoying a cuppa.
Naeja & Co
If you love hanok cafes and pastries, Naeja & Co is a cafe near Gyeongbukggung worth checking out. They are known for their mugwort items, such as the signature Mugwort Latte which comes topped with a light red bean cream. There’s also the Mugwort Crookie, which had amazing textures and a herbal aroma.
Cafe Sangguk
Situated in Samcheong-dong, Cafe Sangguk is a spot you should add to your list, especially when visiting during autumn. The location offers an amazing ginkgo tree view. Sip on coffee that’s been roasted in-house, and pair it with their desserts. After that, continue to explore the nearby palaces or Bukchon Hanok Village.
London Bagel Museum
Situated in Anguk, London Bagel Museum is one of Seoul’s most popular cafes, and it is common to find snaking queues at any time of day. The freshly baked bagels are continuously replenished for patrons to help themselves to – they come in a mix of sweet and savoury flavours like Blueberry, Dark Chocolate, Pepperoni Cheese, Spinach Cheese and many more! It is also recommended to pair your bagels with cream cheese, which comes in flavours like maple pecan, garlic spring onion and truffle pesto. While most patrons opt for takeaway, you can also dine in and enjoy the British-themed interior décor!
Cafe Onion Gwangjang
The popular cafe chain, Café Onion has opened its fourth and newest outlet in Gwangjang Market. The cafe is decked out in an open-air industrial theme featuring raw concrete and exposed brick. You will find benches and stools in an outdoor seating area, covered in the brand’s signature ‘Onion’ tape. One of the many unique things about this outlet is that they only serve one food item, which is their Strawberry Pastry Pizza – a flaky, buttery pastry that resembles a croissant and is served with strawberry jam. Drink choices include their signature Hazelnut Latte and Omija Tea.
Check out a comparison of the different Cafe Onion outlets in Korea to decide which one to visit!
Tidewater
Tucked away in an alley within Seochon Village, Tidewater Cafe can be found in a gorgeous hanok that makes it worth hunting for. The minimalistic interior and use of natural materials make the atmosphere super zen – there’s even a water fixture at the entrance that provides soothing sounds of flowing water.
Tidewater Café’s signature items are their honey cakes, which come in three flavours – Walnut, Choco and Lemon. Coffee-based beverages include Vanilla Latte, Valrhona Mocha, and teas are available in flavours such as Peachy Oolong and Rooibos Supreme.
Cha Cha Tea Club
Cha Cha Tea Club located near Dongdaemun is definitely not the most accessible, but the secluded location and unassuming exterior only accentuate the pleasant surprise that awaits you when you step in! A hanok-style interior with lots of wooden surfaces and brick walls, Cha Cha Tea Club exudes a warm and inviting ambience. They serve a variety of teas such as White Tea, Oolong, Red Tea, Pu’er and one of the highlights is you can have the experience of brewing your own tea! Pair your tea with the dessert of your choice – there’s Black Rice Matcha Cake, Rice Cake Castella and many more options for you to choose from!
Artist Bakery
Artist Bakery is one of the hottest bakeries in Seoul! Opened by the folks behind London Bagel Museum, this bakery cafe near Anguk station offers a variety of salt bread alongside bakes like baguette sandwiches and comforting bowls of soup. There’s quite a long queue even on weekdays, but opting for takeaway is one of the ways to skip the snaking queues. One of our favourite items was the Original Salt Bread (Soft Version), so make sure to try it!
Cafe Low Roof
Situated near Bukchon Hanok Village, Cafe Low Roof is a spot that has a remarkable concept. When setting foot into the storefront, it appears like any other modern cafe with clean lines and a minimalist theme. However, in the backyard of Cafe Low Roof lies Hyigyeomjae, a Hanok built in the 1920s. Its majestic architecture gives a beautiful contrast to the modern design of the cafe. Caffeinated beverages include Americano, Flat White and their Signature Cream Latte, while dessert options such as Chestnut Cream Croissant, Financiers and Scones are available as well.
Cafes in Jung-gu and Yongsan-gu
Alld’se
Hidden in a corner of Yongsan, Alld’se uses parts of a cave for its interior, resulting in a unique modern-meets-nature interior. The coffee here is exceptional, along with the vibes.
3F Lobby
Located on the 3rd floor of a building in Yongsan, 3F Lobby is a spot that offers both tea and coffee, but no espresso-based drinks. Everything is made via hand drip, and a must-try is their Tiramisook, a mugwort-based Tiramisu that’s herbal, slightly sweet and creamy. Pairs exceptionally well with filter coffee or a tea.
Pirultz
Have you ever heard of a Dabang? Well, it’s a traditional coffee house, and Pirultz is somewhat a modern version of that. They still serve traditional Korean beverages like Ssanghwa-cha, alongside a coffee menu. The interior also reflects certain old-school, retro traits, which makes it a pretty unique coffee drinking experience. This spot also transforms into a bar at night!
Standard Bun
Standard Bun is a cafe in Yongsan-gu serving up Mocha buns, in a wide variety of flavours. From savoury and sweet to even cream-filled buns, this is the spot for bread lovers. We especially loved their pistachio cream-filled bun, alongside their maple syrup-aged butter, which was surprisingly not too sweet!
Zakilove
One of our favourite cafe finds in Seoul recently is Zakilove. It’s a cafe located in Huam-dong, a neighbourhood near Seoul station. The menu here isn’t the most extensive, think basic coffee menu with one or two food items. But what we loved was the vinyl and CD player setup, where the owner intentionally switches out from time to time with the best coffee playlist ever.
Sobb
Located in Itaewon, Sobb is a cafe situated around multiple embassy residences with both a cafe and brunch concept. We visited the coffee house, which opens as early as 7:30 am. The interior is simple, and serves up bakes like sourdough, salt bread, cinnamon rolls and more. But do note that not all items are available from 7:30 am! The coffee offerings were also quite interesting, definitely a spot not to be missed, especially if you’re an avid cafehopper!
Rika by Paprika
Opened by the folks behind Old Ferry Donut, Rika by Paprika is a bakery cafe located right beside Hangangjin Station. It started because the wife was managing lupus and a three-year-old daughter, and they dreamt of bread that could be healthier and more natural. Here, you’ll find delicious loaves of bread and bagels, paired with delicious beverages.
Teddy Beurre House
If you’re ever in the Samgakji/Singyongsan area, one particular cafe stands out amongst the rest and it’s none other than Teddy Beurre House. This cafe might be the reason locals head to the area, to try their hand at the range of bakes such as the iconic Pistachio Kouign Amann, Milk Cream Castella Croissant and more. We absolutely enjoyed the pastries in their French cottage-inspired setting, definitely worth adding to your list!
Oats Coffee
Oats Coffee is renowned for its Einspanner, a drink made by topping black coffee with cold whipped cream. Their Yongsan branch is conveniently located near to Sookmyung Women’s University Station (Line 4) and Namyeong Station (Line 1). The cafe is tastefully decorated with wood and tatami, befitting the industrial vibes of Yongsan-gu. Other beverages include drip coffee, Milk Tea and Matcha Latte. Be sure to pair your drink with a scone, which comes in different flavours such as Butter, Cranberry, Matcha and more!
Cafes in Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu
Sansaecoe
This cafe near Apgujeong Station is hidden away on the 7th floor of the most unassuming building. It almost feels like you’re visiting a friend as you need to take off your shoes before entering. It’s a quaint and unique space that can fit fewer than 10 people. We tried the matcha latte here, and they added a dash of osmanthus syrup which made it really unique!
Ichi Seoul
Ichi Seoul is located in Sinsa-dong, somewhat hidden from the crowds that mainly head for Garosugil. It has a simplistic design, with modern design elements such as wood slats making the place refreshingly elegant. Some of the drinks that Ichi Seoul sells include Basil Strawberry Latte, Cherry Cinnamon Ade, Basil Kiwi Ade and more. Ichi Seoul’s ice cream, especially their Mugwort Ice Cream is definitely worth a try as well, and can be served in a variety of different styles depending on your preference!
Hrr Seoul
Hrr Seoul is another cafe that specializes in serving bagels. It is located near Jamwon Hangang Park, so be sure to stop by if you are visiting! Paying homage to the site’s heritage as a ferry dock, this glasshouse cafe features an all-white interior with some wooden furnishings.
The bestsellers here are the bagels, which come in flavours like Blueberry, Squid Ink Cheese and Cheese Potato. Like any good bagel shop, they also sell a variety of cream cheese like Maple Cinnamon, Chives Bacon and Corn! You can also find Drinks such as Latte with Condensed Milk, Lemon Ade and Choco Shake.
Cafes in Seongdong-gu
Bake Mogul
If you’re ever in the Seoul Forest, you probably won’t miss Bake Mogul’s exterior. With an interesting pink object perched on the roof, the cafe is easily spotted from far. The cafe serves up a variety of bagels, but their most well known for the Butter Salt Bagel which can be paired with a variety of cream cheeses, such as Green Onion, Fig or even Toffeenut!
Nudake Teahouse
A visit to the Seongsu neighbourhood is not complete without a trip to HAUS Nowhere, a building complex that houses brands like Gentle Monster and Tamburins. Located on the 5th floor is NUDAKE Teahouse, a spot where you can experience uniquely plated desserts that go well with their house brand of teas.
Unlign
Unlign is a cafe in Seongsu that serves up comforting soups and sandwiches. If you’re a fan of the industrial yet minimalistic aesthetic, this spot that opens at 8am is perfect for you. We highly recommend the Morning Platter, available until 11 am, which features freshly baked bread paired with a soup. A great breakfast before conquering all the shops in Seongsu!
Foreplan Cafe
Located in Seongsu, Foreplan is a unique architecture-themed cafe opened by architects. With an interior that looks almost like an architect’s office, perfectly blending elements of wood, glass and bricks – this cafe is worth visiting when in Seoul!
Cafes in Eunpyeong-gu
Eunpyeong Hanok Village Cafe (1in1jan)
Near the outskirts of Seoul next to Bukhansan mountain lies Eunpyeong Hanok Village, a relatively low-profile hanok village that is not known to many. Overlooking the village, 1in1jan, a cafe housed in a 5-storey building provides a breathtaking view of the entire village. Wooden flooring and antique furniture give this cafe a hanok-themed aesthetic. One of the highlights is the Grapefruit Tea, made from handmade concentrates to give a better flavour. Their traditional rice cake desserts, such as the mal-ee-ddeok, filled with red beans are also one of the many delicacies.
Undoubtedly, one of the best cafes in Seoul!
For other Cafe-related Articles:
- Cafes Near Bukchon Hanok Village & Gyeongbukgung Palace
- Aesthetic Cafes in Seongsu
- Underrated Neighbourhood for Cafehopping in Seoul
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