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ByPetra Udomprasert Updated on

My Picks of the 10 Most Memorable Cafes in Busan

No trip to Korea is complete without a few memorable cafes, and Busan delivers.

If there is one thing that the cafes in Busan beats the ones in Seoul, it’s the city’s more laidback vibe that you’ll feel in each of these spots. Not to mention, some has amazing ocean views.

Knowing how much Korean people love their coffee, I made cafe-hunting one of my top missions during the ten days I had in Busan. I must have gained several pounds if I hadn’t walked tens of thousands of steps everyday.

But while it is tempting to stick to seaside cafes because it’s Busan, only two have made it onto this shortlist. I feel that there are so many better ones further from the coast.

At Cheek to Cheek, for example, you’re eating the most delicious strawberry cafe in a flower garden. And you’ll be hard-pressed not to order more desserts at Yeon Kyung Jae.

How I Chose These Cafes

Let’s make one thing clear. Even though Busan is massive, I’m not gonna recommend cafes that are closer to any specific neighborhood.

It doesn’t matter where you stay, you’re gonna have to venture out of your zone to see the top sights anyway. So these cafes are a good mix of different neighborhoods.

The most important things for me when deciding on these ten finalists are a combination of memorability in its atmosphere, amazing coffee and desserts, and its sense of being in Busan.

But who am I kidding? Of course desserts are THE MOST important! ๐Ÿคฃ

โณ Planning Busan last minute? Here’s Everything You’ll Need! ๐Ÿ’ก

Best Hotel: Lotte Hotel Busan (โญ๏ธ Rating 8.9)

โฐ Activities I Recommend in Busan:

Wooden bridge leading to private hut style seating at City Farm House Cafe in Seomyeon. Surrounded by bamboo, stone landscaping, and mountain views, the cafe creates a peaceful retreat in the middle of the city and is one of the standout cafes in Busan.

1. Yeon Kyung Jae (Nampo)

This place is a masterpiece. The space itself is a blend of modern and traditional Korean aesthetics. I honestly thought I had mistakenly walked into a high-end jewelry shop because the first floor was so luxurious.

Yeon Kyung Jae cafe interior featuring textured stone like counters, curved walnut wood walls, and glass display cases filled with plated pastries. The sculptural design creates a gallery like atmosphere that highlights the cafe's signature desserts.

Then there’s the second-floor seating zone that looked like it belonged in a Hanok cafe.

Warm wood toned second-floor seating at Yeon Kyung Jae, with low seating, pebble garden landscaping, and large windows overlooking greenery outside. Natural materials and clean lines create a calm space designed for enjoying specialty coffee and desserts.

But let’s move on to the desserts. Its signature menu, called Dal Hangari (Moon Jar), was delicious, and so delicately done. Earl Grey Citron was another one I tried. Also flawless.

Wooden tray holding a latte with heart shaped latte art, black coffee, and several modern plated desserts including a moon-jar-shaped specialty pastry and earl gray cube cakes. The carefully arranged presentation reflects the cafe's refined dessert focused concept.

The coffee was, of course, amazing as well, being a specialty cafe. Even a simple Americano was aromatic, strong, but in the smoothest way possible.

I recommend visiting before 10 AM and treat it like your peaceful morning coffee before walking over to Gukje Market for some shopping time. Although with three floors of seating zone, it won’t ever feel too packed at any time of day.

2. Deokmi (Osiria)

Yes, yes. Osiria is a little far, but if you have some spare time to explore off-the-beaten track areas, I highly recommend popping in for their strawberry tiramisu while looking out at the ocean.

Minimalist exterior of Deokmi Cafe near the Busan coast with the ocean visible beside the building. The seaside cafe is known for specialty coffee and its signature strawberry tiramisu.

Me being an Italian cuisine purist, I was a bit skeptical about turning a tiramisu strawberry, but they said it’s their signature dessert, so I had to try it. MIND BLOWN. So good!

Strawberry tiramisu topped with fresh strawberries and powdered sugar served with two coffees overlooking the ocean at Deokmi Cafe. The dessert combines layers of cream and strawberries while guests enjoy coastal views.

I don’t even know how I can justify it in writing. It was just the right amount of sweetness (mostly natural from the strawberries), the cream was light and soft, with natural vanilla scent. It was so perfect. I devoured it so fast.

Visit on a weekday in the afternoon, then end your day with a walk along Osiria Coastal Walk. Or if you insist, the famous Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is only one bus stop away.

3. City Farm House Cafe (Seomyeon)

Wooden sign reading "CITY FARM HOUSE CAFE" mounted beside the entrance walkway. The unassuming exterior gives way to a spacious cafe filled with gardens, ponds, and themed seating areas.

I walked by this place while looking for the post office to send postcards to my friends. It looks small and inconspicuous from the outside, but inside is an entirely different world.

Stone stepping path winding through a bamboo garden toward private seating huts at City Farm House Cafe. The hidden garden space features bamboo, ponds, and outdoor seating in the middle of Seomyeon.

There’s a waterfall, a pond, a bamboo garden, sitting huts, porch seating area, and the cafe itself. Everything is so lovely, but the place does get PACKED later in the day, so go early.

Okay, yes, I didn’t order coffee at this place, but if you love Ube, you can’t miss out on their Ube Latte. It was the richest one I’ve tried so far (but not overly sweet), in any part of the world.

Ube latte and chestnut pastry served on a tray beside a pond and garden seating area at City Farm House Cafe. The rich purple latte is one of the cafe's signature drinks and pairs with its freshly baked pastries.

I tried their Chestnut Pastry, which they put on the fresh pastry counter behind you when you face the cashier. Korean cafes are so good at making their pastries less sweet. I love them for that.

4. Bohemia (Oncheon-Cheon)

This tiny cafe is super cute, but gets PACKED in the afternoon on weekends, so try to avoid those times if you can. But if there’s one reason why you should absolutely visit, it’s their signature Trdlo (hence, Bohemia).

Original trdlo pastry dusted with sugar served in a basket alongside two caffe lattes with heart shaped latte art at Bohemia Cafe in Busan. The freshly baked chimney cake is the cafe's signature dessert and pairs with specialty coffee.

I got the original one with a simple hot caffe latte, and they go together really well.

The cinnamon ones cooking in the oven smelled super nice, but I was out of my desserts quota for the day so I couldn’t try anymore. If health wasn’t a problem, I could have eaten a dozen of those.

It’s a bit far from most tourist attractions, sure. But you’re super close to Oncheon-Cheon, a canal and public park where you can take a nice stroll with the locals.

View of the Oncheon-cheon stream lined with walking paths, trees, and high rise apartment buildings in Busan. The urban waterway is surrounded by green space and popular neighborhood cafes.

If you love going off the beaten path like me, I highly recommend making time for this entire neighborhood and its band of cute cafes!

5. Terarosa Suyeong (Suyeong)

Terarosa is a famous coffee brand in Korea, so you’ll likely have seen its name somewhere else before if you’ve been in the country.

This branch in Suyeong, in particular, is super interesting. It’s inside F1963, a super cool art complex, which I’ll talk about some other time. The cafe is housed in a renovated wire manufacturing plant, so it’s super vast and industrial.

Industrial Terarosa Cafe inside F1963 featuring large roasting equipment, exposed steel beams, and warehouse style architecture. The restored factory space blends Busan's industrial heritage with specialty coffee culture.
Spacious interior of Terarosa Suyeong Cafe, with vintage industrial machinery, bookshelves, communal tables, and exposed steel trusses. The former wire factory has been transformed into one of Busan's most distinctive cultural and cafe spaces.

There are multiple seating areas, all are worth chillin’ in for a few hours. I sat at the bar facing a row of books. The sense of privacy was amazing.

Pecan tart served with an iced latte dusted with cinnamon on a tray at Terarosa.

You have to try their signature Gangneung Latte, which is only made cold. It goes really well with their signature Pecan Pie. The slice of pie is massive, though. So get ready to NOT finish it.

6. Don’t Do (Seomyeon)

I found this cafe in the most touristy way possible… endlessly scrolling through the city on Google Maps for cafes I wanted to visit.

I intentionally left my hotel on my last night in Busan and walked a few blocks over just to try their Matcha Oreo stuff. They looked so good in the photos, I had to.

Minimalist grayscale interior of Don't Do Cafe with pale green walls, metal furniture, and monochrome decor. The colorless design creates a striking contrast with the cafe's signature matcha desserts.

The whole place is a grayscale. There was no color anywhere except on the Matcha things you order. Granted, if you order their original Oreo menus, then there will be NO COLOR at all!

Matcha Oreo Spanner topped with cream and cookie crumbs served beside a matcha covered black brownie at Don't Do Cafe. The vivid green matcha desserts stand out against the cafe's intentionally monochrome interior.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Matcha Oreo Spanner. The brownie was yummy too, but brownies always feel a bit too dense for me compared to other kinds of desserts, so I’m biased.

I love that it’s only a few minutes walk away from Lotte Mall and my favorite Gukbap place of all time. If you wanna pair some great Gukbap with these brownies, you’ll find it on the 9th floor. Just take the front elevators straight up and it’s right there!

7. Cafe Ognam (Songdo Beach)

I was excited to try their Mango Bingsu… but they were out of Mango Bingsu. (Aw man!!!)

Slice of rolled crepe cake and layered latte served beside a large window overlooking the coastline and pedestrian skywalk in Busan. The cafe pairs specialty coffee and desserts with panoramic ocean views.

So instead, the barista recommended I try Strawberry Crepe Roll, which has been selling almost as well as the Bingsu. Not disappointed at all! The roll was slightly frozen and not too sweet. It was super refreshing after a walk around the beach.

Bright interior of Cafe Ognam with floor to ceiling windows framing views of the ocean, coastal bridge, and waterfront buildings. Rows of tables and lounge seating are positioned to maximize the seaside scenery.

Don’t sit on the second floor. The third floor has a much better view without all the cars and foot traffic. I had to sit on the second floor because I arrived too early and the third floor was still too hot. Heh.

8. Cheek to Cheek (Oncheon-Cheon)

Are you down for some coffee in the middle of a garden? You are? Then you should save this place to your list! It’s so freakin’ cute. I walked in purely because of its entrance. I mean, look…

Entrance to Cheek 2 Cheek Dessert and Flower with pale pink doors, potted flowers, and a sign reading "Cheek to Cheek Dessert and Flower." The charming garden style entrance draws visitors into one of Busan's most memorable cafes.

This is another cafe along Oncheon-cheon, so it’s further from most main sights. You have to plan well if you wanna go.

Strawberry mascarpone dessert topped with fresh strawberries served with an iced latte and a hot latte on a woven tray at Cheek to Cheek. The light strawberry dessert is one of the cafe's most popular menu items in its flower garden setting.

I only got a simple Iced Latte for the drink. But the highlight was their Strawberry Mascarpone. From the look of it, I expected it to be much denser, but it was nice and light.

And true to form for these Korean cafes, nothing is too sweet!

9. Ha:nok (Naeri)

Not gonna lie. I went to this cafe with the small-group tour of Busan highlights on my second day in the city. If I were to go alone, it would mean a long bus ride to the suburbs, plus about 20 minutes of walking uphill.

Covered wooden seating area overlooking a reflecting pool and traditional Korean courtyard with tiled roof buildings and forested hills beyond. Floor cushions and low tables create a peaceful setting for coffee and desserts in a restored hanok.

But if you’re with the tour, or you’re up for the task of going by yourself, then everything here is so worth it. The Hanok cafe itself is beautiful, with plenty of photo-ops, of course.

Basque cheesecake topped with fresh strawberry and cream served with a latte, rice punch, and traditional rice cakes on a wooden tray at Ha:nok cafe. The dessert set combines modern cafe treats with traditional Korean flavors in a warm wooden interior.

The Corn Basque was to die for, as well as dried persimmons (my favorite traditional Korean snack). Sikhye was also delicious, but you can never go wrong with Sikhye.

The coffee, compared to other places on this list, was nothing out of the ordinary, but it balances out with everything else it offers.

10. Picosten (Gwangalli Beach)

This is the only cafe around Gwangalli Beach that felt more local to me. Anything right on the beach is packed with foreigners.

Slice of layered chestnut cream cake served with an iced latte on a wooden table at Picosten Coffee. The house made cake and specialty coffee reflect the cafe's focus on carefully crafted desserts and drinks.

Get their chestnut cake with a latte, iced or hot, up to you. But I tried their Americano as well and it was a bit too bitter for my taste, not as smooth as other places on this list.

The chestnut cake is heaven on a plate. Creamy, a little crunchy, super light cake batter, and little to no sweetness.

Cozy interior of Picosten Coffee with potted plants, warm wood accents, and natural light streaming through large front windows.

They also win points for how nice and warm the interior felt, despite occasional groups of tourists walking by on their way to the most touristy beach in town.

Only two small blocks from this cafe is my favorite Bokguk restaurant, Dami Bokguk. Have your morning coffee here before it gets crowded, stroll around the beach for a bit, then enjoy a bowl of steaming hot Bokguk for lunch!

More Resources to Help You Plan Busan

If you’re as willing to cafe hunt as I am, you must be another foodie.

Before you go, why not check out my curated list of the best restaurants in Busan? I also tell you which dishes are local to Busan, so you’re not just going after generic Bibimbaps!

If you don’t have enough time to try so many dishes on your own, I highly recommend this food tour I joined on my first day. You’ll get to try SO MUCH SEAFOOD at Jagalchi Market, as well as the best Pajeon in town at Gukje Market!

If you haven’t decided where to stay, read my guide to the most convenient neighborhoods before booking so you can choose the right area for you.

I personally stayed in Seomyeon, and I highly recommend it for anyone who’s visiting for the first time. It’s the most central area possible, although you’ll always need transportation.

Bookmark my South Korea Travel page for upcoming guides on Busan. There’s more!

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.

Donโ€™t forget to learn some important dos and donโ€™ts in Korean culture, as well as some useful Korean phrases, before you arrive!

Grab My South Korea E-Checklist

To make sure you donโ€™t leave anything important out of your preparations, Iโ€™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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Collage featuring desserts, specialty drinks, latte art, and a large sugar dusted pastry from popular cafes in Busan. Text on the graphic reads "South Korea Foodie Guide" "Most Unique Cafes in Busan" and "PolyglotPetra.com" introducing a guide to distinctive cafe experiences across the city.

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Petra Udomprasert is a career immersive travel blogger and the founder of Polyglot Petra. Believing in travel as a force that inspires empathy and respect in our world, she writes travel guides that deeply explore the history and culture of every destination she visits, leveraging her fluency in five different languages to access the local perspective. Through her immersive guides and localized language tips, she has helped tens of thousands of travelers enjoy trips that leave lasting positive impacts on their lives.