An ode to all the coffees I’ve had in 🇰🇷 - Sep 2024

No repeat cafes in Seoul this trip - mission accomplished! 🤓

Seoul has an overwhelming number of cafes, and there’s no way I could visit them all in one go. But after two weeks of wandering around the city, I managed to visit over 10 different spots. My goal each day? To stay sufficiently caffeinated—at least two cups of coffee a day. There’s something special about the coffee in Korea. I could drink tons of it and still sleep like a baby at night.

Here are my top 10 cafe picks, and my top three for coffee quality 😉

1. 콤포타블 남산 Komfortabel coffee Namsan

I found this gem on a rainy day, after almost slipping downhill to my death. It turned out to be 💯 for aesthetics. I recommend skipping the cake and sticking to coffee if you’re thirsty. Located on the top floor above Granhand Namsan, it’s a perfect spot to enjoy a view while sipping coffee.

⭐️ Pro tip 1: If you want to avoid the crowds at other Granhand locations, try this one—it was ultra quiet when I visited, maybe because of the rain. I even got personalised shopping service and spent more than I intended!

⭐️ Pro tip 2: Show your Granhand receipt upstairs at the cafe and get KRW1,000 off your coffee. A small discount, but hey, it counts as #mindfulspending , right? 😏

2. 카야네

In Seongsu, after a long trek through the crowded streets, I stumbled upon Kayane, a cute red-and-white building at one end of Seongsu — near Kim Soo Hyun’s luxury homes at the Galleria Foret 🤭. I was drawn in by the quirky name, and they even have a cat named Kaya (though I expected it to be like the coconut jam). The staff were super friendly, suggesting I sit upstairs where the interior was cuter, but I opted for peace and quiet on the ground floor.

Verdict: Come for the excellent service, but the coffee? Not so much, oops. 🥲

3. Cafe Sa Sa 🏃‍♀️

Zesties, don’t walk—run to Seosulla-gil! It’s the hottest spot in Seoul right now, packed with cafes and restaurants. Although the view from Cafe Sa Sa isn’t that great (stone walls of Jongmyo Shrine), the experience inside is on another level.

I found this spot on Google Maps, and while the coffee didn’t impress, the KRW9,000 dessert (four cubes of fruit) was unforgettable. I scored two peach and two yuja cubes, which were absolutely delicious.

Dessert is definitely a MUST-ORDER despite the hefty price tag!

4. 공공재 커피 클럽

This cafe was a recommendation from local friends, which we visited for a pre-Moonlight Tour coffee fix after dinner. It’s tucked between Bukchon and Gyeongbokgung, open until 9pm, with limited seating and so-so coffee. The real draw? The kinda cute barista and cosy atmosphere.

5. Cafe Soodal

For those who can still handle coffee at 10pm, Cafe Soodal is your spot. My friends and I visited post-Moonlight Tour, craving bingsu (sold out, unfortunately). The desserts didn’t wow me, but the drinks were refreshing after battling the September heat.

⭐️ Bonus: They have charging ports, making it a perfect spot for long chats and device recharging.

6. Nuldam Space - Haebangchon branch

The day Haebangchon and the weather defeated me. If you’re visiting HBC, trust me: wear comfortable shoes and walk—skip the bus. I stopped at Nuldam Space to buy a postcard and write a letter to my future self, a thoughtful initiative that resonated with me after leaving a toxic workplace.

While there, I tried their matcha latte (despite being lactose intolerant), and it was love at first sip. The balance of bitterness and sweetness was spot on, and the barista spoke almost perfect English!

7. Everything But The Hero Cafe

After walking for what felt like ages through Huam, Haebangchon, and Itaewon, I missed lunch and needed coffee—badly. This cafe served up a decent basque cheesecake for KRW6,500. The coffee? Not as impressive, but the space was clean and ample. Not a spot I’d revisit for coffee, but it’s an okay choice if you’re in the area.

8. Koffee Sniffer Centerfield 🥈

Hidden in Yeoksam, within the same building as Josun Palace Hotel, Koffee Sniffer served one of the best filter coffees I had in Seoul. Quiet during the Chuseok holiday, this place is a must-visit if you’re in Gangnam. If you ever visit and felt tempted by the doughnut, please — don’t even think of having it. It was dry, cakey and awful.

9. Bunker Company Apgujeong 🥉

Award-winning barista? Say no more. I stumbled upon Bunker Company while running errands in Apgujeong, and what a find it was. The coffee was superb, the service excellent, and the seating spread across several floors. A real hidden gem during the Chuseok holiday.

10. BEAN BROTHERS COFFEEHOUSE SEOUL 🥇

If Bean Brothers are friends with Singapore’s Homeground Coffee Roasters, you know they’re legit. This spacious cafe offers incredible views of the Han River and some of the best coffee I’ve had in Seoul. The barista took time to chat about my preferences and even brought over an extra sample to try. And that butter cake cube? Absolutely divine—crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside. My top pick for pairing with their coffee.

Until my next coffee adventure in Seoul, save this post and let me know if you’ve visited any of these spots! ☕️

Read my other 🇰🇷 posts:

📌 Your Weekend Trip to the Bali of Korea

📌 Your guide to staying caffeinated in Gangneung

📌 Top 7 places to visit in 강릉

📌 Looking for somewhere to stay in Gangneung?

📌 My 2024 🇰🇷 Spring eats

#KoreaTravel #korearecommendation #korea #cafe