13 Best Cafes in Seoul to Bookmark for Your Trip

In search of Seoul’s most fun and delicious cafes? If so, you’ll want to keep reading.

In all my travels to 50+ countries, I’ve never seen cafe culture quite like what I witnessed in Seoul. Sure, the city is known for its diverse coffee shops, from themed cafes (many of which have become Instagram famous) and trendy hangouts to spots that offer unique desserts and pastries like the city’s beloved salt bread.

But still, on my recent trip to Seoul I was blown away by just how important cafes are to Korean culture.

Sometimes walking down the street in Seoul, it feels like every other establishment is a cafe. And that’s because they’re a huge part of daily life here—and not just for a morning caffeine fix. Cafes act as “third spaces” in Seoul, and are an integral part of people’s social lives. It’s where they meet up with friends, hold meetings, get work done, etc.

I was very intrigued by how differently the Koreans do cafes compared to Americans (for one, most of them don’t even open until 10 or 11 AM!), so one of my goals on this trip was to experience as much of the cafe scene as possible.

In this post, I’m sharing all the top cafes we visited around Seoul and including a handy Google Map at the bottom of the post to help you navigate your way to all of them.

13 Best Cafes in Seoul

In this post, I’m sharing a list of the best cafes in Seoul we visited and also some helpful tips that are important to read before you set out on your cafe-hopping adventures.

Of course, there are SO many cafes in Seoul that we could only visit a small fraction, but this list is a compilation of a LOT of research before our trip and some hidden gems we happened to stumble upon that I think you’ll enjoy.

Prep your stomachs, because you’re about to ingest a lot of caffeine and pastries.

What Is The Coffee Culture In South Korea Like?

Cafe culture in Korea is kind of a big deal. As I mentioned before, the sheer number of cafes in Seoul is shocking not to mention that most of them are often so packed that they produce a queue!

You can find plenty of cafes offering specialty coffee, unique pastries, creative concepts with themed decor and even pet cafes (though I didn’t include any of those in this list). They’re a fun place to meet up with friends, hang out and people watch, or relax and read a book. I highly recommend integrating at least a few cafes into your Seoul itinerary so you can get a taste of this aspect of local life in South Korea.

How Many Cafes Are in Seoul?

It’s hard to say exactly, but some estimates claim that Seoul is home to over 20,000 cafes, while this article in The Korea Times recently claimed that there are over 100,000 cafes in Korea now! Clearly the country is becoming a massive importer of coffee beans and this trend only seems to be growing each year.

Tips for Visiting Coffee Shops in Seoul

• Don’t Expect Coffee Early in the Morning: Probably the most perplexing aspect of the cafe scene in Seoul is that most coffee shops don’t open up until 10 AM or 11 AM and many are open until late at night. Cafes are more of a social hangout and “third space” for Koreans to meet up, and so the focus is less on early morning caffeine and more as a social space. If you’re hoping to get a coffee right when you wake up, make sure to check opening times or just grab a coffee at your hotel first.
• Arrive Right at Opening to Avoid Lines: Sometimes it feels like there are lines for everything in Seoul, and cafes are no exception. Many are so popular or Instagram viral that lines are common, so my best advice is to pick ones you want to visit and show up right at opening or before. Luckily, many don’t open super early so it won’t cost you sleep to do so.
• Download Naver Map or Kakao Map for Navigation: Google Maps is not the best form of navigation in South Korea, and you’ll do much better finding your way to each coffee shop by using Naver Map or Kakao Map while in Korea. I highly suggesting getting an eSim and setting it up before you arrive for the easiest navigation on the ground.
• The One Person One Drink Rule: Though not present everywhere, some cafes require each person at the cafe to order something, so if you and your travel buddy are planning to share items that’s not always possible. Just something to keep in mind.

The Best Cafes In Seoul, South Korea

Alright, let’s get into all the best cafes to explore throughout the city. As you peruse these coffee shops, I think you’ll soon see why cafe happing is one of the most fun thing to do in Seoul, South Korea and should definitely be part of your itinerary.

Cafe Onion Anguk

Probably one of the most famous cafes in Seoul, Cafe Onion has three locations in the city located in Anguk, Seongsu and Mia. We visited the Anguk location near the Bukchon Hanok village and loved its hanok-style architecture, which is very traditionally Korean—the cafe is set in a 100+ year old building!

You’ll definitely want to come hungry here because there are an overwhelming number of different pastries to try (even better if you come with a group so you can try a few different things). We went with the Jeju matcha scone, salt bread, and the cold yuzu black tea, which was incredible refreshing.

The process here is super organized. First you grab a tray and place the pastries you’d like onto it before hopping into the line to place your order. From there, you can grab a seat in the courtyard or in their separate indoor seating area that’s surrounded by glass walls. Overall, the setting is really what you come here for, so plan to relax and stay for a bit.

Address: 5 Gyedong-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Nudake

With desserts on display that truly look like works of art, Nudake is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth. It was super fun perusing all the desserts here, trying to match expectations for what each would taste like given its unique appearance. One cake even looked like a super realistic head of cauliflower with asparagus popping out of it.

We ended up going with a simple cheesecake and then a gelatin tomato-looking treat which had a surprising hard sugary shell in the center. If you look closely in the photo above, you can see that our iced coffee was even creatively concocted with a chunk of ice resembling a nose and lips.

The cafe has a couple different locations in the city. So make sure to check which was is more convenient for you. The one we visited in Seongsu area had a large indoor seating area as well as a back patio.

Address Location 1: 50 Apgujeong-ro 46-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

Address Location 2: 26 Seongsui-ro 7-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Nuldam Space

This has to be one of the most creative concepts of a cafe I’ve ever visited. Upon ordering your coffee at Nuldam Space, baristas have you choose a card design and then you’re suggested to write a letter to your future self—which they’ll actually send to you exactly one year later!

My friend and I had a blast writing ourselves letters and then melting down our wax seals before placing our letters in the appropriate date box. This is a really cute idea to do if you’re traveling with a friend or partner or even something kids would love to do as well.

For drinks, I ordered the black sesame latte which was a little rich for me. But my friend ordered a super refreshing tea. FYI, this is a great cafe to hit on the same day as your palace visits as its right across from Gyeongbok Palace.

Address: 24 Samcheong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Cheongsudang Bakery

The award for most magical ambiance has to go to Cheongsudang, a cafe in Ikseon dong that’s known for its souffle cakes. The entrance into the cafe alone is incredibly photogenic, with lush greenery and traditional lanterns decorating a stone walking path surrounded by a pond. Inside, the atmosphere is dark and calming with nature vibes and plenty of earthy tones.

Desserts are really the star of the show at this viral cafe, with cakes decorated to mimic the ambiance of the place, but they also do serve matcha drinks and black coffee here.

If I’m being honest, the matcha souffle cake we got here was probably one of my least favorite desserts of all the ones we tried on the trip (a little dry), but the vibe alone is worth going here (and maybe we had a poor choice of order).

Address: 31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Day Row

This cafe in Itaewon is one of the most trendy and minimal aesthetic cafes on the list. Hidden a bit down a quiet alleyway in a high-end shopping neighborhood, Day Row serves up great coffee and pastries. For me, this was personally some of the best tasting coffee we had during the trip.

This isn’t a theme cafe or anything super quirky that you would go out of your way for, but if you happen to find yourself in Itaewon for an afternoon of shopping or visiting the Leeum Museum of Art, then it’s absolutely worth a stop in.

Address: 14-3 Itaewon-ro 49-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea

Soha Salt Pond

Known for their salt bread, Soha Salt Pond is a popular spot to grab the pastry in Ikseon-dong and features a picturesque setting that pays homage to the salt harvesting process. The area where you order is quite petite, so there’s often a queue out front, though we got pretty lucky coming in the later afternoon.

From what I’ve read, it seems like the longest lines form right around opening time and then taper off as more stores open in the area. If you want to beat the line, aim to get in the queue about 45 minutes before opening. Alternatively, you can visit later in the afternoon though some items may be sold out.

Some must-tries are the truffle salt bread, soha salt bread, and the milk cream salt bread.

Address: 21-5 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Cafe Dotori Garden

If you’re looking for the most cute and adorable cafe in Seoul, then Dotori Garden Anguk needs to be on your list. This studio Ghibli-themed cafe located in the hanok village serves pastries but is more known for their yoghurt bowls and fairytale ambiance. It’s fun to walk through here and notice the many fun little details throughout.

You can order your yoghurt with an assortment of accoutrements including honeycomb, nuts and fruits.

This is a nice place to hangout and stay awhile, as they have several different calming seating areas to enjoy, but note that there is often a queue here so try to arrive right at opening.

Address: 19-8 Gyedong-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Coffee Hanyakbang

This hidden gem is tucked down a narrow alleyway and has a nostalgic vibe that’s very different from many of the other coffee shops in the city. “Hanyakbang” translates to “Korean medicine room,” which is a nod to the building’s past as a medicine office during the Joseon Dynasty.

Inside Coffee Hanyakbang, cafe-goers will find artifacts that pay homage to its history like vintage medicine bags, medicine cabinets and medical equipment.

Coffee here is done pour-over style or with espresso, and they also have a bakery across the alleyway that serves their coffee and pastries. My friend ordered up a unique iced coffee that was served slushie style and had notes of ginger and cinnamon—delish!

Address: 16-6 Samil-daero 12-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

Lowide Coffee Bakery

On our final day in Seoul, we were strolling around the neighborhood just north of Seoul Forest and stumbled upon this happening coffee shop. Lowide was so busy and it was late in the afternoon, so we didn’t order anything, but it looked like a super popular spot for locals.

Upon further investigation, I learned that I will definitely be adding it to the list for my next Seoul trip. The aesthetic is super minimal and Scandinavian-inspired and there are many pastries on offer.

You can of course order Seoul’s favorite pastry, salt bread, here, along with other sweet treats like cheesecake, shiopan, and caramel custard cream tart. Plus, the neighborhood here is one of my favorites in Seoul, with narrow walk streets and a very local feel.

Address: 685-290 Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Stereophonic Sound

This was another coincidental find during our time in Seoul and it ended up being one of the most unique cafes we visited.

During some shopping strolls in Hongdae, we randomly stumbled upon Stereophonic Sound and fell in love with the vibe. It’s part listening bar, part coffee shop, with a nostalgic feel for the times before Spotify and music streaming was ever a thing.

Old cassette tapes adorn the walls, and there are headsets you can rent to take around the neighborhood. There are also record players at the bar, turning the baristas into part-time djs.

At night, Stereophonic Sound turns into a pub and serves beers with a side of good tunes.

The vibe here is super hip, 10/10 and one of the more unique cafes in Seoul that we came across during our trip. If you’re an elder milliennial like me who remembers the times of cassette tapes, you’ll get a kick out of this place.

Address: South Korea, Seoul, Mapo-gu, Wausan-ro 21-gil, 6 1층

Foreplan

This concept cafe is an architect’s dream, with decor that mimic’s an architecture office or workshop featuring long tables and aesthetic decor details.

When we visited here, it was clear that it’s a popular cafe for local students as all the long tables were full of young people on their laptops. If you’re needing a place to post up and be productive, Foreplan is definitely one of the best places to do that in Seoul and you’ll be in good company.

Since we’d overdosed on coffee for the day already, my friend and I ordered a yoghurt smoothie and cold yuzu black tea and both were great. They also had some really aesthetic looking cookies that we didn’t try but were beautiful. Next time!

Address: 30-11 Wangsimni-ro 14-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Cafe BOAN

One of the few cafes on the list that actually open up earlier in the morning, Cafe BOAN is a solid option for your early morning caffeine fix. Plus, it’s got a beautiful art book store upstairs that is the perfect setting for art, design and book lovers.

Cafe BOAN is located on the west side of Gyeongbok Palace just across from Yeongchumun Gate, so it’s a great pit stop in the morning before heading into the palace grounds for a tour or walkabout.

I especially enjoyed the fact that this cafe is quiet and relaxing—it had none of the queues or chaos that we experienced at some other cafes and seemed more like an under-the-radar local spot that’s perfect for sipping a brew in solitude.

Address: South Korea, Seoul, Jongno District, Hyoja-ro, 33 보안여관 신관 1층

Blue Bottle Hongdae Cafe

If you’re visiting Seoul and craving a familiar caffeine hit, then the Blue Bottle in the Ryse Hotel in Hongdae is a great spot for a pick-me-up. It’s certainly not the only Blue Bottle in the city, but this location is central in Hongdae’s popular shopping district, and it’s spacious and light-filled with plenty of stadium style seating inside the lobby of the modern hotel.

If you’re in-between shopping excursions in Hongdae and need a place to rest your feet, this is a good place to do so. It’s also one of the few places on this list that opens early in the morning (around 7:30 AM) if you don’t want to wait until late morning for caffeine.

Address: 130 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Google Map of the Best Cafes in Seoul

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