Best cafes in Seoul, Korea
Seoul’s cafe culture is unlike anything else in the world. With over 20,000 cafes packed into the capital alone, finding the best cafes in Seoul, Korea, is no small feat. From trendy Seongsu-dong warehouse spots to the charming hanok courtyards of Anguk and Ikseon-dong, each neighbourhood offers something unique. Whether you’re a coffee lover or dessert hunter, this guide features the 20 best cafes in Seoul that are highly rated on Google Maps (at least 4 stars), sorted by neighbourhood, sourced from local experts, including Siksinhot and Naver blogs.
While you’re here, read our related Korea articles: Gangnam food guide and Jeju Island cafe guide!
The current exchange rate is ₩1000 = ~S$0.85 as of 15 May 2026.
Seongsu-dong
1. Daelim Changgo
Image credit: Jun Seong Jeong via Google Maps
Before Seongsu-dong became Seoul’s Brooklyn, there was Daelim Changgo. This is the cafe that essentially started the Seongsu cafe revolution. Originally a rice mill from the 1970s, the space was transformed by local architect-designer Hong Dong-hee into a soaring café-gallery with cathedral-high ceilings, exposed brick, and rotating art exhibitions you can actually browse and purchase. Creatrip Korea, South Korea Hallyu, and Naver’s most-viewed travel blogs credit this as the landmark that put Seongsu-dong on the map.
The Geisha coffee programme here is a particular highlight for anyone who takes specialty coffee seriously. Order the Geishaspanner (₩17,000), prepared in the beloved Korean einspanner style, topped with whipped cream. Pair it with the signature bakes on display, including the Double Pain Au (₩6,300), Basque Cheese Cake (₩8,000), or the Canele (price TBD): a crispy, caramelised French pastry with a custard-like centre.
Address: 78 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 서울 성동구 성수이로 78
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Daelim Changgo is not halal-certified.
2. TENNE Cafe
Image credit: feitravel via Google Maps
TENNE Cafe is the standout specialty cafe on Seongsu’s main strip. The cafe features Scandinavian-minimalist interior—think warm wood tones and impeccably arranged pastry cases—and its spacious layout means you can usually find a seat even on busy weekends. On the menu, you’ll find a wide range of brunch fare, including sandwiches, alongside aesthetic pastries such as Greek Yoghurt & Lemon Flan (₩11,000) and Strawberry Pistachio Flan (₩13,500). For drinks, the Gelato Latte (₩9,000) is a rich crowd-pleaser, while the Espresso (₩5,000) is the order for purists.
Address: 55 Ttukseom-ro 17ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 서울 성동구 뚝섬로17가길 55
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 10am to 9pm, Fri-Sat 10am to 10pm
Website
TENNE Cafe is not halal-certified.
3. Cafe Onion Seongsu
Image credit: 먹죽귀 via Google Maps
Built inside a 1970s building that has served variously as a supermarket, restaurant, and factory over the decades, this flagship retains the raw bones of the space entirely exposed—layers of old paint, mismatched brickwork, and worn concrete floors—and transforms it into something beautiful.
The bakery programme here is the same exceptional standard as Cafe Onion‘s Anguk branch, with fresh bread baked on-site daily. Order the Pandoro (price TBD), the cafe’s legendary sugar-dusted domed bread, or the seasonal croissants, topped with Shine Muscat (₩7,500) or Strawberry (₩7,500). Drinks-wise, the Vanilla Bean Latte (₩10,000) is the house standard, and the Cappuccino (₩9,000) is smooth and consistent.
Address: 8 Achasan-ro 9-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 10pm, Sat-Sun 9am to 10pm
Website
Cafe Onion is not halal-certified.
4. Mitbord Seoul
Image credit: @mitbord.seoul
When Danish furniture brand Edition Denmark rebranded their Seoul Forest showroom into a cafe, the result was Mitbord Seoul: a warm, hygge-inspired brunch cafe that feels genuinely transported from Copenhagen. The space features oak furniture, natural linen, and soft Scandinavian design, combined with a distinctly Korean touch.
The Fluffy Pancake Set (₩18,000) is the most-ordered item — light, pillowy, and satisfying — while the Brunch Gratin (₩16,000) is a comforting, hearty option if you need something more substantial. The Edition Denmark Signature Tea (₩8,000) is aromatic and elegant, and the Croissant (₩5,500) is a reliable buttery option for those who just want a quick bite with their coffee.
Address: 1 Seoulsil-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am to 6pm, Sat-Sun 8am to 6pm
Website
Mitbord Seoul is not halal-certified.
5. Standard Bread
Image credit: @standardbread_official
When locals in Seongsu want their bread fix, they come to Standard Bread. The sourdough is properly long-fermented, the focaccia is olive-oil-slick perfection, and the croissants have those open honeycomb layers that many Seoul cafes simply cannot replicate. Come early: the best items disappear well before closing time.
The Cheese Baguette (₩6,500) is savoury, crusty, and dangerously addictive, while the Olive Focaccia (₩7,000) is herb-flecked and perfectly airy inside. The Butter Croissant (₩4,500) is evidence that the team knows what they’re doing with laminated dough, and the Mushroom Focaccia Sandwich (₩12,000) functions as a full meal in handheld form. An Americano (₩5,000) ties it all together.
Check out our Standard Bread Singapore review!
Address: 37 Seongsui-ro 18-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 9pm (or until sold out)
Website
Standard Bread is not halal-certified.
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Anguk, Bukchon, and Samcheong-dong
6. London Bagel Museum
Image credit: TooGood via Google Maps
London Bagel Museum is one of the most popular cafes in Seoul, so you can expect a line at almost any time of the day. Opened in 2021, this vintage British-themed bakery cafe has taken Seoul by storm, and the Anguk flagship—just a block from Bukchon Hanok Village—offers over a dozen rotating bagel flavours, from spring onion cream cheese to seasonal Korean twists such as mugwort and injeolmi. Here’s a tip from Korean food writers: arrive 30 to 45 minutes before the opening time, or try the Dosan (Gangnam) branch for a shorter wait.
The Spring Onion Cream Cheese Bagel (₩8,500) is the single most-ordered item and the one most frequently reposted on Korean Instagram—creamy, savoury, and deeply satisfying. The Cheese Honey Bagel (₩5,300), Garlic Bagel (₩5,300), and Blueberry Bagel (₩4,900) are popular, too! Pair any of the above with an Iced Americano (₩5,000) for the classic Korean cafe combo.
Address: 20 Bukchon-ro 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 6pm (or until sold out)
Website
London Bagel Museum is not halal-certified.
7. Nuldam Space
Image credit: Min Delia via Google Maps
Of all the cafes on this list, Nuldam Space offers the most uniquely memorable experience—and not primarily because of the coffee. When you order here, you’re invited to choose a card design and write a letter to your future self. The staff seal it with wax and mails it to you exactly one year later. It’s a simple concept that transforms a coffee stop into something you’ll actually remember. Located directly opposite Gyeongbokgung Palace, this multi-storey cafe with large windows and cosy nooks is the perfect respite from the city, and the menu is also one of the more vegan-friendly options you’ll find in Seoul.
For drinks, the Black Sesame Latte (₩7,000) is rich, roasty, and distinctly Korean, while the Strawberry Latte (₩8,000) is sweet and beautifully layered. They also offer refreshing ades, AKA fruity sodas, if you want something lighter. For desserts, you won’t go wrong with the vegan Tiramisu (₩7,500), where soft and fluffy cake alternates layers of malty chocolate and sweet cream, topped with chocolate powder. The letter-writing station is free with any purchase: do not skip it.
Read our Nuldam Space Singapore feature!
Address: 24 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9:30pm
Website
Nuldam Space is not halal-certified.
Nuldam Space From Korea Opens At SCAPE, Write Letters To Your Future Self Here
8. Green Mile Coffee Bukchon
Image credit: Элен Миркл via Google Maps
While the big-name cafes around Bukchon Hanok Village draw the longest queues, Green Mile Coffee has quietly held its own for years as a neighbourhood favourite—and the rooftop is the reason. It’s one of the most genuinely peaceful vantage points in this part of Seoul, and unlike the packed viewpoints on Bukchon-ro itself, you can sit here with a drink and actually enjoy it.
Drinks are standard cafe variety, from the classic Americano (price TBD) to the creamy Coconut Latte (price TBD). We can’t find an updated menu, but prices for the drinks range between ₩5000 and ₩7000. For something to eat, the house-made Tiramisu (₩8,000) is said to be a best-seller, perfect for a proper afternoon break.
Address: 64 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am to 5:45pm, Sat-Sun 10am to 7pm
Website
Green Mile Coffee is not halal-certified.
9. Artisan Croissant Bukchon
Image credit: Patricia Sainz via Google Maps
If you walk through the alleys of Bukchon and follow the smell of butter, you’ll find Artisan Croissant Bukchon. This tiny bakery in Gyedong opened in 2017 as a sister shop to the well-regarded Artisan Bakers chain, but with one obsessive focus: croissants. The shop has since gained fame for its Laugen Croissant, a German-inspired variety that’s pretzel-brushed with lye and salt before baking, giving it an elastic, fluffy texture and a satisfying salty outer crust that’s entirely unlike a standard croissant.
The Laugen Croissant (₩4,500) is the one—impossibly fluffy, pretzel-salty on the outside, and something you genuinely won’t find done better in this neighbourhood. The Artisan Croissant (₩4,300) is the go-to if you want the classic, and the Chocolate Croissant (₩4,500) has earned particular devotion among regular visitors. Add a drip coffee from the counter to complete the stop.
Address: 51 Gyedong-gil, Jongno District, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily 8:30am to 7:30pm
Website
Artisan Croissant Bukchon is not halal-certified.
Ikseon-dong and Jongno
10. Cheongsudang
Image credit: @cheongsudang_
Tucked into the winding alleys of Ikseon-dong, Cheongsudang is a bamboo-forest cafe with a fairy-tale entrance: visitors cross a small pond via stepping stones, with paper lanterns hanging overhead and lush greenery pressing in on every side. The aquatic theme continues inside an 85-seat space spread across multiple connected hanok rooms, including tatami-style floor seating with a view of the inner garden.
The Matcha Mont Blanc (₩14,700)— intensely matcha, with a dense, melt-in-the-mouth texture—is one of the most popular desserts that keeps people coming back. Don’t miss out on their signature square desserts, too, with the likes of the Mandarin Yuzu Fromage Cake (₩17,800) and Strawberry Fromage Cake (₩19,800), both perfect for sharing. Complete the experience with a drip coffee, priced from ₩6,300.
Address: 31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 8pm
Website
Cheongsudang is not halal-certified.
11. Onjisim
Image credit: Onjisim via Google Maps
The name Onjisim translates as “warm-hearted sincerity,” and the cafe lives up to it in every detail. Inside a traditional hanok, wooden beams, paper screen doors, and carefully arranged greenery create a genuinely calm atmosphere. The specialty here is handmade bagels—each baked to order—with a selection that ranges from classic Salted Butter (₩5,500) to creative Korean-inflected options, such as Sweet Black Sesame (₩5,000), said to be nutty and aromatic.
If you’re extra hungry, get their All Day Brunch Set (₩20,500), comprising the full works: bagel, sausage, bacon, egg, fruits and more. Complete your meal with their signature Butterscotch Latte (₩7,500) or Orange Bianco (₩8,500), a decadent latte with orange cream and mascarpone.
Address: 17 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 9:30pm
Website
Onjisim is not halal-certified.
12. Fritz Coffee Company
Image credit: I Z via Google Maps
If you take specialty coffee seriously, Fritz Coffee Company is non-negotiable. They directly import over 90% of their beans and roast on-site, making this as close to farm-to-cup as Seoul gets. The flagship is in Dohwa-dong, but the Wonseo branch—a charming hanok just outside the Ikseon-dong area—is the most convenient for visitors exploring this neighbourhood.
The Flat White (₩5,400) is the definitive Fritz experience—consistent, well-balanced, and a benchmark for the city. The cafe also offers a series of Single Origin Pour Over coffees; just ask the barista for their recommendation. For bites, you won’t go wrong with the Croissant (₩3,800) or Blueberry Pie (₩4,800), though they also have scones and cakes on display.
Address 83 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 7:30pm
Website
Fritz Coffee Company is not halal-certified.
Hongdae/Yeonnam-dong
13. Pain Perdu
Image credit: Pain Perdu via Google Maps
If you’re shopping in the trendy Hongdae area, Pain Perdu, located on the second floor of a Yeonnam-dong building, is a great pitstop. Walk in, and you’ll be greeted with the cafe’s wood oven, which fills the room with the smell of fresh, caramelised bread.
The menu has several varieties of toast, and all of them are worth trying. The Creme Anglaise French Toast (₩13,000) is the gold standard—brown butter cream-soaked, wood-fired, and executed flawlessly. The Churros French Toast (₩13,000) is another excellent pick for sweet tooths, starring thick cubes of toast coated in a cinnamon sugar mix. Wash everything down with an Americano (₩5,500) or Kyoto Matcha Latte (₩6,500).
Address: 260-2 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am to 9pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 9pm
Website
Pain Perdu Seoul is not halal-certified.
14. Ouvert Seoul
Image credit: @ouvert_seoul
Ouvert Seoul is an IG-famous, multi-branch cafe that has quietly become one of Seoul’s most beloved coffee institutions. The interior design is consistently modern and considered: exposed concrete softened by warm lighting and quality furniture, spacious without feeling cold. What makes Ouvert stand out from the hundreds of minimalist cafes in Seoul is the sheer breadth of the coffee menu, which boasts over 20 drinks on a single menu.
The Affogato Bread (₩11,500) is the one dessert to order: thick toast drenched in espresso and vanilla ice cream, finished with a dusting of cacao powder. Their coffee is equally delicious, with classics including Flat White (₩5,000) and Espresso Macchiato (₩5,500).
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 10pm, Sat to Sun 10am-10pm
Website
Ouvert Seoul is not halal-certified.
15. Coffee Nap Roasters
Image credit: seoul.corners via Google Maps
For those who want to escape the queues and simply taste great coffee, visit Coffee Nap Roasters in Yeonnam-don. This specialty roastery attracts a quieter working crowd, with reliable WiFi and a general absence of the queue anxiety that dogs most of the cafes on this list.
The pastry programme here is understated but excellent. You’ll find a small range of pastries, including Financier (price TBD) and Madeleine (price TBD) here, best enjoyed with your choice of brew. For drinks, a Filter Coffee is the order—ask the barista what’s in rotation—and the Cold Brew (₩6,500) is bold and smooth for those who prefer it iced.
Address: 70 Seongmisan-ro 27-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 5pm, Sat-Sun 8am to 6pm
Website
Coffee Nap Roasters is not halal-certified.
16. House of Vinyl Yeonnam
Image credit: @houseofvinyl_yunnam
Of all the cafes in the Hongdae-Yeonnam area, House of Vinyl Yeonnam is the one with the most distinctive identity. It’s an underground vinyl cafe: you descend into a basement space fitted with serious speakers, moody lighting, and a curated record collection that plays on rotation throughout the day.
The menu is intentionally unfussy, letting the music take centre stage. The Americano (₩6,000) is a popular choice, paired with a dessert: the Apple Cinnamon Pound Cake (KRW7,000), also available in green tea and chocolate flavours is a go-to.
Address: 230 Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily 11amto 10pm
Website
House of Vinyl is not halal-certified.
17. SLIT
Image credit: @slit_seoul
The monochrome space at SLIT is quiet, minimal, and floods with natural light in a way that makes it feel closer to a contemporary gallery than a cafe. It’s an ideal counterpoint to the sensory overload of the surrounding Hongdae streets—a reset spot that rewards those who find it.
The menu leans into a similar restraint, and the two most-talked-about items are both distinctly Korean. The Misugaru (₩6,500) is a traditional drink made from a blend of roasted grain powders; it’s savoury, nutty, earthy, and deeply satisfying. Complete the experience with their seasonal Fig Shortcake (₩9,000), a gorgeously layered autumn cake that multiple Naver cafe bloggers single out as a must-order.
Address: 21-12 Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 12pm to 9pm
Website
SLIT is not halal-certified.
18. Cafe Gong Myoung Hongdae
Image credit: @cafegm_
You’ll know you’ve found Cafe Gong Myoung Hongdae when you see the queue forming in front of a red brick building with a circular arched entrance. This is one of the most popular large cafes in the Hongdae-Sangsu area, and its Google rating of 4.7 stars tells you it’s not just viral for the aesthetics.
The signature is the Gong Myoung Latte (₩6,500)—a cream latte topped with sweet cinnamon powder and finished with a cinnamon-rimmed cup, combining rich espresso with the warmth of spice in a way that genuinely works. If you’re feeling peckish, get a Madeleine (₩4,200 each), available in flavours such as Yuja Coconut and Churros.
Address: 11-8 Wausan-ro 17-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Cafe Gong Myoung is not halal-certified.
Gangnam
19. Terarosa Coffee
Image credit: Patrick Min via Google Maps
Korea’s most celebrated specialty coffee roaster chose a remarkable canvas for its Gangnam flagship: the ground floor of the POSCO Center, the steel giant’s towering headquarters on Teheran-ro. Terarosa Coffee is a two-storey space where the host building’s galvanised steel is woven into every surface, and balanced by over 10,000 books lining the walls in a grand library-esque arrangement.
Coffee is the reason to be here. The Hand Drip (₩6,500-₩7,300) is the flagship experience—ask the barista what’s rotating and let them guide you through the flavour profile. Espresso options are available here, too, priced from ₩5,500 for a Double Espresso or Americano. For bakes, choose from a wide range on display, from cakes to their signature Pecan Pie (price TBD).
Address: 440 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am to 9pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am to 9pm
Website
Terarosa Coffee is not halal-certified.
20. Mooni Apgujeong
Image credit: YUKARI KOIZUMI via Google Maps
If any cafe in Seoul earns the description “storybook,” it’s Cafe Mooni. The three-storey standalone building in Apgujeong is clad in European-style architecture with a giant black-and-gold bowtie mounted on the rooftop terrace. The whole experience skews whimsical and feminine, and the rooftop is a genuinely beautiful spot in good weather.
The signature bake is the Matcha Ribbon Croissant (₩8,500)—flaky, properly laminated, filled with smooth matcha custard and folded into a ribbon shape. The Strawberry Custard Cronut (₩5,500) sells out early most days, so arrive before noon if it’s on your list. For drinks, the cafe offers interesting options such as Lemon Black Tea Americano (₩9,500) and Cinnamon Latte (₩9,500).
Address: 16 Apgujeong-ro 56-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Mooni is not halal-certified.
Best cafes in Seoul to visit in 2026
Whether you spend a morning wandering the lantern-lit alleys of Ikseon-dong, an afternoon hopping between Seongsu’s industrial warehouse spaces, or a full evening in Hongdae’s vinyl-soundtracked basement cafes, Seoul’s cafe scene will reward every detour.
For more Seoul cafe recommendations, check out our Hongdae cafe guide! Otherwise, read our guide to the best Korean cafes in Singapore.
10 Korean Cafes In Singapore For Loaded Bagels, Dalgona Coffee And More
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