10 Best Cafes in Seoul: My Favorite Coffee Spots

Given how prominent cafe culture has become in modern Korean life, visiting Seoul without visiting its unique cafes would be like never arriving.

But which are the best cafes in Seoul among its 20,000+ ones? For that, I’ve got you.

After visiting Seoul 17 times (and counting), including a 2-month stay while on a language program, I’ve been to more cafes in this city than I can count.

Among my all-time favorites are Cheongsudang (of course), Onhwa, Haus near Dongguk University, and Cafe Nakta. That last one was especially hard to find. Stick around for the full list!

I’m definitely leaving out overly crowded places like the famous Onion Anguk, though. We’re not gonna line up for an hour waiting for a place to open. Sorry. 😬

The Best Neighborhoods for Cafes in Seoul

Of course, with the intense cafe culture of Seoul, you’ll find a good coffee or tea shop scattered around the city. But there are patterns to the cafes in each area.

Below are some pointers to get you started.

• Ikseondong Hanok Village: Delicious pastries, unique signature drinks
• Hongdae: Great work/study spaces and themed cafes
• Naksan: Super local cafes most tourists don’t know about
• Insadong: Traditional tea houses

Don’t look for stylish cafes in Myeongdong. It’s all branded chains like Holly’s, Starbucks, or Tom n’ Toms. Not that there’s anything wrong with chain cafes as long as they’re delicious, but you know.

Detailed Review of Each Cafe

Out of all the cafes I’ve visited in Seoul, I’ve gathered a list of my personal top ten, judged by a mix of concept, design, quality of drinks (of course), and pastry selection.

Some are better for their drinks, some for desserts, and some have amazing vibes for working. I’ll also specify what I like each of them for.

1. Cheongsudang (청수당)

• Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM daily
• Location: 31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno District, Seoul
• Must-Try: Chestnut Mont Blanc, Matcha Fromage Cake, Pumpkin Sikhye
• Wi-Fi: Yes

One of the chic cafes of Ikseondong Hanok Village, Cheongsudang blends the traditional wooden structures of a Hanok with sleek, modern interior design elements.

Their signature drink is Sikhye, a traditional Korean rice drink, but pumpkin-flavored. If you only order one thing here, make it the Pumpkin Sikhye.

As for pastries, the Chestnut Mont Blanc and Matcha Fromage Cake are equally delicious.

Grab a table before you head to the cashier to order!

2. Haus Coffee & Dessert

• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
• Location: 257-8 Dongho-ro, Jung District, Seoul
• Must-Try: Cream Shot Black Sesame, Greek Hongsinola
• Wi-Fi: Yes

What’s up with me and Hanok cafes? I’m not sure.

Maybe I’m just subconsciously drawn to historical buildings. Situated inside Jangchundang Park, Namsan’s quieter cousin, it’s nice and quiet most of the time. I get a lot of work done here.

Their signature Cream Shot Black Sesame was at first strange, but it grew on me.

I’ll never get tired of their Greek Hongsinola dessert, though! It’s made with their homemade granola, with Greek yoghurt, and topped with a cold ripe persimmon.

3. Traditional Teahouse Insadong (전통찻집 인사동)

• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
• Location: 33-1 Insadong-gil, Jongno District, Seoul
• Must-Try: Persimmon Leaf Tea, Chrysanthemum Tea, Yugwa
• Wi-Fi: Yes

For an afternoon tea with healthier vibes, Traditional Teahouse Insadong does the job.

While bathing in the completely traditional interior, sip on a hot cup of Persimmon Leaf Tea and snack on Yugwa, the traditional Korean rice puffs.

Avoid the weekends if you can; it gets packed with people coming to enjoy the walking street.

4. Onhwa Ikseon

• Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM daily
• Location: 21-10 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno District, Seoul
• Must-Try: Strawberry Souffle, Berryberry Souffle, Matcha Latte
• Wi-Fi: Yes

Oh, look what we have here… Another chic cafe from Ikseondong Hanok Village! Please excuse me. I do love my Hanok cafes.

True to the Korean aesthetics, Onhwa sports a bright, clean, and modern interior. A small line may form outside if you visit during the weekend, but it remains calm on weekdays.

Their soufflé pancakes are to die for. So fluffy and just the right amount of sweet.

Grab a table before ordering at the cashier.

5. Angel In Us, Hongdae

• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily
• Location: 141 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Must-Try: Vanilla Latte
• Wi-Fi: Yes

If you work remotely and you’re looking for the most work-friendly space, this is it. Many posts on this blog were written right here! (On the long wooden table with charging outlets)

There are multiple seating zones, all of them beautiful. Most other people you meet will be working or studying, too, so it remains pretty quiet.

I usually get a Vanilla Latte and some random cake, which are always good and not too sweet.

Apologies for never taking any photos of the cakes, though. I always forgot…

6. Mont Blanc Seom

• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM daily (Closes 11:00 PM Fridays and Saturdays)
• Location: Seoul, Jongno District, Supyo-ro 28-gil, 33-10, 1층
• Must-Try: Chestnut Mont Blanc, Vanilla Latte
• Wi-Fi: Yes

While the Chestnut Mont Blanc at Cheongsudang is delicious, this place knocks it out of the park with a lighter texture and slightly less sweet taste.

It just sits lower on my list because of how small the place is.

I recommend visiting only on weekdays, though you might get lucky and grab a table without waiting on a weekend.

The space can feel a bit cramped. Consider that if it’s more important to you than the cakes.

7. Jayeondo Sogeumppang (자연도 소끔빵)

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
• Location: 21-17 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno District, Seoul
• Must-Try: Salt Bread
• Wi-Fi: Yes

You’ll smell this place before you see it. Get ready to drool if you’re coming hungry.

This is easily the best salt bread in Seoul, and I’m not walking that back.

While most people order the pack of 4 from the kiosk, pick up the bread, and be done with it, you’ll find more salt bread varieties in their cafe section.

Walk a few steps past the to-go storefront (and the line) and you’ll find the cafe, with milk cream-stuffed salt bread, caramel salt bread, and more!

8. Cafe Reading Cat

• Opening Hours: 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM daily
• Location: 18-2 Naksanseonggwakseo 1-gil, Ihwa-dong, Jongno District, Seoul
• Must-Try: Hot Chocolate, Vanilla Latte
• Wi-Fi: Yes

This cafe is the most noticeable and accessible to those hiking the Naksan Seoul City Wall trail, though you can also find it entering from the Hyehwa side of Ihwa Mural Village.

Try sitting at one of the balcony seats with a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day, and looking out at the City Wall view. You’ll see why I’m quite obsessed.

I can’t hike the Naksan trail without stopping here. Ever.

9. 943 King’s Cross

• Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM daily (Opens 10:00 AM on weekends)
• Location: 24 Yanghwa-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Must-Try: Wizard Butter
• Wi-Fi: Yes

I didn’t want to include overhyped places, but I’m obligated to list this one as a Potterhead.

The “943” in the name is not a mistake. Fractions are just read from bottom to top in Korean, so it turned out that way.

This place is massive. There are four floors, with each floor decorated in its own theme. You’ll find the dungeon, the Malfoy Manor, the Gryffindor Common Room, and a more neutral main cafe.

You have to pay for your drinks and desserts (which are quite pricey, but I can forgive that) at the cashier before they let you in. But no need to worry, as there are plenty of seats!

10. Cafe Nakta

• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily
• Location: 51 Naksan 5-gil, Jongno District, Seoul
• Must-Try: Iced Green Tea
• Wi-Fi: Yes

I found this one by accident as I was taking a walk in a super un-interesting neighborhood.

Although it’s closer to the middle-of-nowhere Changsin metro station, this cafe works amazingly as a tangent stop from the Naksan City Wall trail or Naksan Park.

It first piqued my curiosity because of how unique it looks from the outside.

I never order much apart from their simple iced green tea, but the drinks were never why I go here anyway. It’s the view and how quiet it is.

Ah, can’t not mention the cheesy pick-up lines on the glass window. They’re hilarious if you can read Korean!

A Shoutout to My Late Favorite Cafe…

Before I leave you to plan the rest of your trip, I’d like to give a quick shoutout to my ultimate favorite cafe, Cheese Industry.

While I dearly loved their cheesecakes and cheese coffees (yup), I couldn’t include the place because they had closed down permanently.

Anyway… enough sadness. Now that you have your list of amazing cafes to visit, I’m gonna give you my list of 15 must-try dishes and snacks in Seoul, too. Assuming we’re both foodies.

Browse the rest of my South Korea guides for more ideas!

Helpful Travel Tips for South Korea

Most visa-free visitors to South Korea need a K-ETA in order to enter Korea. Check if you need one and apply about a week before you travel. This replaces the arrival form.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Papago AI Translator, Naver Maps, Kakao Metro

Read up on how to get from Incheon into the city, so you don’t run into surprises.

Don’t forget to learn some important dos and don’ts in Korean culture, as well as some useful Korean phrases, before you arrive!

Find a Place to Stay in Seoul

Looking for somewhere to stay? Use the map below! Feel free to refer to my guide on Seoul neighborhoods and figure out which area suits your needs best!

Grab My South Korea E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

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