Best Cafes in Seoul
South Korea now has over 100,000 cafes, and Seoul has so many amazing cafes and places for coffee, cakes, and iced tea, you could probably go to a different and exciting café every day for a whole year, and still have more to visit. I’ve put together a list of, what I think are, the 16 best cafes in Seoul. Whether that’s for the breath-taking views, theme or the quality of the drinks and sweet treats on offer.
Browse my List of the 16 Best Cafes in Seoul
1. Cafe Gaeppul
Location: Ihwa Mural Village
The first café on my list of the best cafes in Seoul is located up in the hills of Ihwa Mural Village. The sign says ‘Gaebbul’, but it’s called ‘Gaeppul’. Either way, it has beautiful views of the city and Namsan Tower in the distance. It’s also a great place to start or finish the Seoul City Wall Trail.
2. Cafe Pokpo
Location: Seodaemun-gu
The reason Cafe Pokpo is one of the best cafes in Seoul has to be the waterfalls. That’s right, this city of over 10 million people still has serene areas like this which make you feel as if you’re in the Korean countryside. Obviously, it gets busy, it’s super popular. However, grab one of the coveted tables with unobstructed views and there’s no where more relaxing.
3. K-Spot Cafe
Location: Jung-gu (Seoul Station)
No Website
Next on my list of the Best Cafe’s in Seoul is this cute little place close to Seoul Station. It’s located on Seoullo 7017 to be exact, an elevated parkland walkway that makes for a pleasant place for a stroll and city views.
4. Nakwon Station Cafe
Location: Ikseon-Dong
The narrow alleyways of Ikseon-Dong are full of restaurants, shops, and some of the best cafes in Seoul. Nakwon Station opened in 2021 and is famous for it’s large cake selection and Instagram friendly train tracks.
Unique handmade mugs at Gift Lane Studio Design:
5. Casanello Sicily
Location: Gangnam
For some people the reason to visit this Italian-inspired café in Gangnam is its owner, Lee Jin-seok, from the Netflix reality show Love Inferno. And yes, he does actually work there, but the real reason should be the quality selection of cakes, like the chocolate banana slice which was to die for, the exciting drink selection, and relaxing environment.
6. Rain Report
Location: Itaewon
At this trending café you can experience the feeling of rain every 15 minutes, all year round. They even provide you with an umbrella to fully immersive yourself in-between sips on the weather-themed drinks and sweet treats.
7. Thanks Nature Cafe
Location: Hongdae
Website: Visit Website
Have you ever been to a café with real sheep wondering around? Well, now’s your chance at this quaint little venue in Hongdae, with a nice selection of sheep themed drinks. I recommend the iced-chocolate with whipped cream.
8. Ja:u coffee
Location: Jung-gu (Seoul Station)
No Website
Ja:u coffee is a really peaceful café and the perfect place to relax. It has a nice wooden interior design with plants dotted around. The self service kiosk didn’t have an English option, but with the pictures or help from the staff there shouldn’t be any issues ordering.
9. Open One Bakery Cafe
Location: Jongno-gu
No Website
One of the best cafes in Seoul, near Bukchon Hanok Village, is this fantastic bakery. Set over three floors and with some outside space too. They specialise in baked goods, be that crispy savoury spicy sausage rolls, or delectable sweet choices like huge croughnuts.
K-drama mugs & more at Gift Lane Studio Design:
10. Soha Salt Pond Café
Location: Ikseon-Dong
Website: Visit Website
Famous for it’s fluffy salt bread and delicious cakes. It’s not just a name, there really is a salt water pond at the front. This delightful café in Ikseon-Dong is one of the most popular. There can be long queues. So, I recommend getting there early in the morning, or much later in the afternoon, once it’s quietened down.
11. Kakao Friends Hongdae Flagship Store
Location: Hongdae & Gangnam
Its all about the Cuteness at Kakao Friends Cafe, on the top floor of their flagship store in Hongdae. Cute cakes to go with your coffee, and cute characters. The characters being the KakaoTalk messenger app emoticons created in 2012, which are now everywhere in Korea.
12. Starbucks Seoul Wave
Location: Gangnam
Starbucks actually have some quite incredible locations across Asia. This one within the Seoul Wave Arts Centre, a floating three story exhibition venue, has to be one of the best. With stunning views of the Han River, this is not your average high street Starbucks.
13. Flipper's Ikseon
Location: Ikseon-Dong
For the tastiest desserts in Seoul it has to be Flipper’s in Ikseon-Dong. They have the fluffiest Japanese style pancakes. Not only are they beautiful with their mixed fruit or chocolate toppings, but also mouth-wateringly tasty.
14. Knotted
Location: Hongdae
The best café in Seoul for delicious doughnuts, that I know of, is Knotted. Their signature cream filled doughnut is something really special. Super soft dough and oozing with cream. Attractive building in Hongdae with an outdoor terrace on the second floor.
15. Hanok Langsom Ikseon
Location: Ikseon-Dong
One of the other cafe’s amongst the small alleyways of Ikseon-Dong is called Hanok Langsom Ikseon. It has a beautiful entrance, with stepping stones leading from a wooden doorway. It’s an attractive space. Plus, the cakes and coffees are excellent
16. BB Haus
Location: Goyang
No Website
Last on my list of the best cafes in Seoul, BB Haus, isn’t actually in Seoul itself. It’s about a 40 minute drive away in Goyang. However, it’s one of the most instagrammable spots at the moment, due to its bright colours and stain glass style windows. Plus, the drinks and cakes are really good.
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