Best Cafes in Seoul to bookmark for your next trip

Seoul’s coffee rituals are an important aspect of modern South Korean culture. On every corner in Seoul, you will find a café or coffee shop.  Coffee roasting, brewing and drinking is a big part of daily life, which is evident by the local and international coffee chains you will find in Seoul, like Ediya Coffee, Tom and Toms, The Coffee Bean, Tea Leaf and Starbucks. But we suggest taking the time to explore the cities smaller, more unique cafes. They will give you a deeper insight into the capital's cafe culture. diving even deeper into the city’s coffee culture to discover Seoul’s independent cafes. Whether you are looking for a hand drip (that’s a Korean pour-over), a caramel macchiato, or an iced-espresso, alongside a delicious dessert there's a cafe to suit your craving. 

In Seoul, coffee is more than just a beverage, it is an art from. If you are a coffee aficionado or just looking to experience Seoul’s Cafe Culture, you will discover a host of roasters and dessert cafes that will give you the caffeine boost or sugar high you are looking for. Our recommended cafes also give you a chance to discover Seoul’s different neighbourhoods. Itaewon and Hannam-Dong fuel those commuting for work and creatives. Hongdae’s eclectic cafes keep art students buzzing and Gangnam’s glamour hangouts are where fashionistas meet up with friends for petite patisseries and caramel lattes.

Here are 15 places where you will discover the best coffee and desserts in Hongdae, Itaewon, Hannam-Dong and Gangnam.

Located northwest of the Han River, Hongdae in the Mapo district is Seoul’s most fun neighbourhood mostly because it’s the area that surrounds Hongik University, South Korea’s best arts college. This trendy neighbourhood is home to all things indie, from cafes to galleries, bars to nightclubs, plus an awesome thrift shop scene.  

Address: 17, Saechang-ro 2-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

How to get there: Gongdeok Station (Lines 5, 6), exit 10

Fritz is located in a converted old Hanok tile-roof house featuring a mix of vintage furniture and modern finishings.  At Fritz, they take their coffee seriously which is demonstrated by their weekly coffee tasting sessions and choice of metal and paper filters for hand drips. They are as well known for their homemade croissants as they are for their coffee.

Address: 1F, 36 Yanghwa-ro 18-an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

How to get there: Gongdeok Station (Lines 5, 6), exit 8

Millo is a stalwart in the Seoul speciality coffee industry. This small and cosy cafe, located at the entrance to the Gongdeok Station, is popular for Mont Blanc coffee topped with whipped cream. Enjoy it with Millo’s homemade madeleines. Millo’s roasting style brings out the deep sweetness of the coffee beans and their coffee options are excellent. 

Address: 1F 28, Dongmak-ro 8-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

How to get there: Hongik University Station (Line 2), Exit 8

Coffee Lab Roasters serves espresso drinks and hand drip coffees with selections from Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopia and Kenya. The pared-back décor – white walls and concrete floor - is enhanced by hundreds of portafilters suspended from the ceiling. There is nothing pared-back about the barista coffees though and equally enjoyable are their delicious desserts. 

Address: 16 Eoulmadang-ro 1-gil, Hapdžong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

How to get there: Hapjeong Station (Line 2/6), exit 7

Perception is known for its striking, free-form ceiling consisting of wavy wooden slats that look like a stylised tree trunk. This small cafe offers creatively named espresso-based drinks like Atmosphere of the Place, an iced crème latte, Temperature in the Day, a mocha-crème latte and Memory of the Moment, an espresso with a blend of sweet cream and pink salt. Perception also offers baked cookies and a range of delicious cheesecakes including mango and strawberry. 

Address: 20-12 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

How to get there: Hapjeong Station (Line 2), Exit 3

Sin Lee Doga is a Hanok-style café. The exterior and the interior is a beautiful contrast of old and new blending traditional Korean elements with clean white walls and log benches. There are three levels including a rooftop and a ground floor outdoor courtyard where you can enjoy coffee and pastries with a view. Enjoy a corn cream latte, café mocha or a nurungji latte which is a blend of coffee and burnt rice.

Located in the Yongsan-gu district, Itaewon and Hannam-dong are popular neighbourhoods for eating and drinking. The Itaewon quarter is known as the global village of Seoul mostly due to the expats that live in the area and the diverse range of international restaurants and cafes. Hannam-dong is known for its luxury homes, designer boutiques, tree lined streets, dessert cafes, and art galleries. 

Address: Itaewon-ro 49-gil 24 Seoul

How to get there: It’s a ten minute walk from Novotel Ambassador Seoul Yongsan heading southwest on Hangang-daero.

Bonanza Coffee Roasters, housed in More Than Less Boutique, is an artisan roaster founded in Berlin, that attracts Seoul’s serious coffee-drinkers. The coffee brand was elected by National Geographic as one of the “25 coffee shops around the world you have to see before you die.” The cozy exposed brick interior is accented by the scent of freshly roasted coffee beans. 

Address: 1st - 3rd floor, 240 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 

How to get there: Itaewon or Hangangjin stations (line 6)

Anthracite is located in Hannam-dong neighbourhood, where the streets are lined with art galleries, international eateries, trending pop-up stores and is home to many Korean celebrities. Anthracite’s three-story, industrial-chic space is dedicated to freshly roasted coffee and baked goods. Come for their pour-over Butter Trio Fat blend, amazing playlists and delicious freshly baked financiers and madeleines. 

Address: 745-2 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea

How to get there: Hannam Station (line 6)

Artist Huh Myoung-wook’s Hannam Atelier is a gallery and café in Hannam-dong. Huh paints on a variety of surfaces including table wear, and he mixes his own natural paints. This small café with a charming outdoor terrace, is filled with his creations, from lacquered trays to painted plates. The warm atmosphere, desserts and coffee are top notch.

Address: 258-63 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul

How to get there: Seongsu Station (Line 2) Exit 3, fifteen-minute walk

This rain-themed café in a residential area of Itaewon offers an immersive experience of sipping coffee during a rainy day. Whether it’s sunny or not, it always rains at Rain Report. The cafe is wildly popular with influencers and TikTokers and offers a wide selection of coffee, unique desserts and ample seating inside the moody, modern charcoal interior. 

Address: 1st floor, 238-43 Bogwang-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

How to get there: Itaewon Station (Line 6) Exit 3. 15-minute walk.

Hell Café, located in Bogwang-dong, which is part of the larger Yongsan district, is frequented by serious coffee drinkers. The most popular coffees are the dark roasted Hell Drip and the Classic Cappuccino. Hell Café is renowned for its coffee, stunning flower arrangements, artisan desserts and loud classical music which all collectively adds up to a memorable Seoul experience.

Gangnam is one of Seoul’s most affluent neighbourhood’s and is home to impressive dessert cafes, luxury designer stores and glimpses of K-Pop celebrities.

Address: 544-4 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

How to get there: Sinsa Station (Line 3), Exit 8

Acknowledged as the pioneer of the tall rainbow-layered cake, Dore Dore features monochrome rooms and windows of various colours and Édouard Manet style cakes. Try and get a table on the third floor, which feels a little like a refurbished attic. 

Address: 10, Bongeunsa-ro 29-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

How to get there: Janggi Station (Gimpo Gold line), Exit 5

Come for the Sicilian food, cake collection, coffee and Italian ambiance. The moon milk cake and the chocolate banana cake are both delicious, as are the espresso’s spiked with Mojito. 

Address: 16, Seolleung-ro 131-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

How to get there: Gangnam-gu office station (Line 7), Exit 3

One of the best coffee shops in Gangnam, Gute Leute, meaning Good People, is where you will find excellently roasted coffee beans and a variety of pastries. House specialties include the brownie affogato and the butterscotch-espresso which comes with a cookie and cream topping. The cafe offers a coffee tasting which includes five different coffees from around the world. 

Address: 464, Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

How to get there: Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Line 2)

Located on the rooftop of House of Dior is Café Dior. The glamourous café has a serene outdoor terrace where you can enjoy a latte inscribed with Dior latte art and a Pierre Hermé dessert. This renowned French pastry chef creates desserts that are (almost) too pretty to eat - notables include his millefeuille citron and glace Ispahan, which is a mixture of rose, raspberries, lychees, cream and sorbet. 

Address: 201 40, Gangnam-daero 162-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

How to get there: Sinnonhyeon Station (Line 9)

Sona is renowned for their beautifully presented desserts. One of their best desserts has to be their handcrafted Champagne Sugar Ball, which is filled with champagne foam, edible flowers, cheesecake snow, strawberry panna cotta and fresh strawberry slices. Pair it with an iced lavender latte. 

Novotel hotels provide a comfortable base for you to uncover new sides of Seoul. Novotel Ambassador Seoul Yongsan is part of the Seoul Dragon City Entertainment Complex. The hotel offers an ideal blend of comfort and convenience for both business and leisure travellers. Directly connected to Yongsan station, the hotel is within walking distance of Itaewon and an easy commute to Gangnam, Dongdaemun and Hongdae. The hotel offers a few different dining venues including Food Exchange, a buffet restaurant that offers an international choice of dishes and The 26 Brasserie which provides a stylish setting for light refreshments, cocktails, nightcaps and coffee breaks.

The Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residences is in perfect sync with its cutting edge surroundings, offering both modern hotel accommodation and residences with a stunning rooftop bar and infinity pool. The Deli offers artisanal snacks including freshly made croissants, cakes and sandwiches.

The hotel is located adjacent to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) - Seoul’s Fashion District. This creative design hub offers a profusion of exhibition space (this is where Seoul’s annual Fashion Week is staged), design studios, international brands and a tranquil rooftop park.