The cafe culture in Seoul is truly unmatched. Here are some must-try places to put on your itinerary. (Left: Image by @saltbread.in.seaside. Right: Image by @cheongsudang_.)
Beyond sightseeing and shopping, Seoul is home to some of the most well-known, Pinterest-inspired cafes. With cafes lining every other street, there is no doubt that cafe culture is a big part of everyday life in South Korea, with these places acting as ‘third spaces’ for meeting up with friends and getting work done. If you’re planning a trip to Seoul, cafe-hopping is definitely a good addition to your itinerary.
Before you go, note that most of these cafes have a few branches throughout the city and can get busy throughout the day, so it’s a good idea to use Naver or Kakao Map to get around. Some cafes also offer online queuing via CatchTable, so you can explore the surrounding area while waiting.
Cheongsudang Bakery
Situated in a Hanok and surrounded by a bamboo forest, a small pond, and lanterns along the walkway towards the cafe, Cheongsudang is one of the most tranquil and Instagrammable cafes in Seoul.
Cheongsudang Bakery has a selection of drinks, ranging from coffee and matcha to fruit tea sodas. Their most popular desserts are the Souffle Castella and fromage cake, which are made to order.
Address: 31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno District
Cafe Layered
Walk into Cafe Layered and you’re immediately greeted by a display of mouthwatering baked goods that look straight out of a Pinterest board!
The cafe is known for its wide selection of uniquely flavoured scones, such as Cinnamon Pecan, Earl Grey, and Spring Onion Cream Cheese. In addition to scones, the cafe also offers a range of delicious cake slices.
Address: Multiple locations
Cafe Onion
Cafe Onion is another well-known spot in Seoul’s cafe scene, offering a variety of pastries and breads. They have multiple outlets within the city, but the most popular ones are the industrial-style Seongsu branch and the Hanok-style branch in Anguk.
A non-negotiable item to try from their menu is the Pandoro, a fluffy Italian-style sweet bread dusted with powdered sugar. Other must-try breads are the Avocado Pollock Roe Baguette, Strawberry Pastry, and Honey Maesaengi.
Address: Multiple locations
Jayeondo Sogeumppang
Sogeumppang, better known as salt bread, has been having its moment on social media. So, what better way to hop on the bandwagon than visiting Jayeondo Sogeumppang, the bakery that serves up the best salt bread?
Their recipe uses premium, high-quality ingredients, ensuring a soft and fluffy inside with a crispy exterior, and an exceptionally rich and buttery flavour.
Address: Multiple locations
Artist Bakery
If you’re still craving salt bread and want a creative twist, Artist Bakery should be the next spot on your itinerary.
Artist Bakery offers more than a dozen flavours of salt bread, such as truffle, cinnamon, basil pesto, potato cheese, tiramisu, Earl Grey, and more. In addition to the variety of salt bread the cafe has to offer, they also serve baguette sandwiches and homemade soup.
Address: 167 Anguk-dong, Jongno District
Dotori Garden
A cottage-like cafe hidden behind a lush green exterior, Dotori Garden is a charming, whimsical space that feels like it’s straight out of a Studio Ghibli film.
Here, you’ll not only find their adorable blue-coloured acorn character, but also a selection of bakery goods, Greek yoghurt, brunch items, and more. Dotori Garden is mostly known for their acorn-shaped madeleines, as well as Greek yoghurt bowls. The cafe also has unique latte options such as the Honey Five-Grain Latte and Honey Black Sesame Latte.
Address: 19-8 Gyedong-gil, Jongno District
Bunker Company
If you’re serious about coffee, Bunker Company is the place for you. Having received the 2023 Korean Barista Award for Best Coffee Bar, this sleek and modern cafe is known for their exceptional coffee and high-quality in-house roast beans. For a quick bite to go with your coffee, the cafe also offers a tempting selection of pastries like tarts, caneles, tiramisu, and loaf cakes.
Address: 23 Eonju-ro 167-gil, Gangnam District
Nuldam Space
Nuldam Space is a cosy, peaceful cafe that serves plant-based pastries and beverages. The cafe’s signature items include Filled With Coffee, vegan blueberry yoghurt cake, vegan black sesame cream cake, and vegan Earl Grey scone.
The cafe also offers a unique letter-writing experience. For about KRW5000, you can get a postcard set to write a letter to your future self or someone you love. Once you’re done, seal it and hand it back to the staff, then you pick a date, and they’ll mail it for you.
Address: Multiple locations
