My Favorite Cafes in Seoul (Including Hidden Gems You Won’t Find on Instagram)
I’ve spent an entire month in Seoul as a digital nomad, and I went to A LOT of cafes. I love cafe hopping, and Seoul is the ultimate place for it. They know how to do cafes for sure. There are endless cute cafes in Seoul. I just couldn’t get over how cute some of them were. Many are character-themed, too. I have a dire obsession with Hello Kitty and found a few cafes with Hello Kitty cakes or decorations. I was so happy!
Now read on for my favorite cafes in Seoul. I also go into cafes that are more hidden. Any good place you see on social media can be overwhelming! Those cafes are popular, have queues, and so many people want to take photos. Since I could slow down in Seoul, I discovered some of my favorite cafes without the crowds. The locals go there, and they are still utterly cute!
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Things to Know About Cafe Hopping in Seoul
Here are some unspoken tips for cafe hopping in Seoul.
Cafes are self-service
This means you typically order first at the cashier and pick up your order when it’s ready. Most cafes will give you a tray so you can carry your order to your selected seat. The majority of cafes expect you to return your tray before you leave as well.
Most Cafes don’t have savoury food
My biggest complaint about the cafe scene in S Korea is that most cafes only sell coffee and desserts. I’m a savory girly and I love going to cafes for lunch. Sadly, in many cases, I will have to eat beforehand because most cafes don’t sell food.
Minimum Order 1 Drink Per Person
The cafes have a minimum order of 1 drink per person.
1.5 – 2 hour Limit at Cafes
Most cafes expect you to leave within 2 hours. Some even have signs saying that on the table. That’s because they can be very popular. Or if you order again after 2 hours, it can sometimes be ok. I did find some that I stayed at for hours and used my laptop to work.
Credit Cards Accepted
I found that most cafes I could use a credit card and Apple Pay. A lot of them you have to order off a tablet.
My Favorite Cafes in Seoul
1. You Make Cookie
Why Go: It’s a hidden gem and has the cutest Hello Kitty-shaped desserts
Area: Yeonnam-dong
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Mapo-gu Yeonnam-dong 487-273
Crowd Level: 1/5 (Minimal)
Good to Know: Seating is minimal. Cuteness is to the max.
You Make Cookie is one you won’t find on Instagram or any blog. I couldn’t even find it on Google Maps, in fact. My hotel was right next to it, so I was lucky to pass it daily. It was one of my favorite cafes in Seoul! Although it’s tiny, there’s one cute window seat in the cafe, and it’s never too busy. The reason I love it so much is that it has the CUTEST Hello Kitty cookies and madeleines.
If you stay in, it’s served on an adorable tray. The drinks come in cute character cups, too. There are not many drink options FYI. The owner is really sweet and welcoming. She gave me an extra Hello Kitty cookie when I visited.
2. Oh Range
Why Go: Very kind owner, cute decor, and delicious matcha.
Area: Yeonnam-dong
📍Location: [NAVER Maps ] Seoul Mapo-gu Yeonnam-dong 390-71
Crowd Level: 3/5 (Moderate)
This is another Hello Kitty-type cafe. The owner is also incredibly nice. I told him I loved Hello Kitty and how cute his cafe was and even the heart straws. He immediately brought me a heart straw to keep (I was actually totally going to keep the one in my drink too!).
This isn’t just one of those cute cafes without the good drinks/food. I loved my matcha latte – it was one of the best I had in Seoul. And the Hello Kitty tiramisu was cute and yummy!
3. Poesia Portuguese Cafe
Why Go: It’s a hidden gem with beautiful decor and delicious sandwiches
Area: Yeonnam-dong
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Mapo-gu Seongsan-dong 47-12
Crowd Level: 2/5 (Minimal) except it gets busy during the lunch hour when locals come by
I really loved this cafe and found it by chance on Naver Maps. I didn’t expect to like it so much, but as soon as I walked in, I was so happy. It was decorated so beautifully. The detail and ornate pictures and trinkets all around the cafe made the atmosphere so nice. This spot is one I’ve literally never seen on social media, and it was so quiet and relaxing.
Plus, the owner and his mom were incredibly nice. The owner was inspired to make this cafe after living in Portugal.
This is one of the few cafes that has food too. I really enjoyed the sandwiches here, and they have the Portuguese desserts – pastel de nata.
4 Koriko Cafe
Why Go: They have themed Ghibli everything
Area: Yeonnam-dong
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Mapo-gu Seongsan-dong 47-12
Crowd Level: 4/5 (Popular)
Good to Know: It’s popular, but there was plenty of seating, and you may need to wait a bit for your order, especially the pies, which take 20 minutes to bake (so good, though!)
This adorable café is perfect for Studio Ghibli fans. It feels like stepping straight into Kiki’s Delivery Service. The interiors are decorated with cozy, whimsical details inspired by the film. It has a warm and magical atmosphere.
On the menu, you’ll find cotton candy drinks, delicious pies, and cute character-themed desserts (yes, there’s even a bow-shaped one).
5. Brady’s Coffee Bar
Why Go: Beautiful interiors, quiet spot to relax
Area: Yeonnam-dong
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Mapo-gu Yeonnam-dong 244-1
Crowd Level: 2/5 (Low Key)
Good to Know: Cute tub for photo opportunities, English-speaking owner is sweet.
Brady’s Coffee Bar is a shabby chic-style cafe. You will really love the interiors.
It feels like a cozy, rustic atelier with the prettiest weathered wood floors and vintage furniture. There are so many cute flowers tucked into every corner, which makes the whole place feel so fresh and inviting. But the absolute highlight is the indoor tub! It’s filled with water and floating flowers, and it is honestly the perfect spot for an IG photo. I’ve never seen anything quite like it in a cafe before.
Plus, I had the place to myself when I went. It’s not an overly popular, busy place. It’s the kind of place you will want to relax in all day. They have food at this one, too! So I grabbed a bulgogi sandwich and one of the prettiest drinks, which came with a flower inside.
6. Cliff Cafe
Why Go: The sunset view is everything!
Area: Haebangchon
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Yongsan-gu Huam-dong 406-56
Crowd Level: 3/5 (Moderate)
Good to Know: It’s a favorite among locals but a total gem to tourists
This cafe is another hidden gem, and it also offers the best sunset views in Seoul. It’s a place locals flock to. Most tourists head to Itaewon, not knowing that the neighborhood of Haebangchon is moments away. This area is set high on the hillside with great views of N Seoul Tower and the city.
7. Cafe Saeraul
Why Go: Super aesthetic. They have a steamy courtyard and a waterfall
Area: Yeonhui-dong
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Seodaemun-gu Yeonhui-dong 90-1
Crowd Level: 3.5/5
Good to know: plenty of seats. Sometimes there’s a wait to take a photo, but nothing crazy.
This is one of the most unique cafes in Seoul. It’s located in a quiet residential corner of Seoul called Yeonhui-dong. This neighborhood is close to Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong.
Cafe Saeraul feels less like a café and more like a carefully designed escape. Set inside a renovated home, the space features a really cool courtyard with rocks and misty fog. It’s a super instagrammable cafe. Have your photographer go up one level, and you can get some nice shots looking down into the courtyard.
On the other end of the cafe, there’s outdoor seating and a waterfall.
Plus, the inside of the cafe is also cute with modern decor and a huge teddy bear.
The cafe has delicious coffee, and they also sell pizza and pasta if you’re hungry
8. Camel
Why Go: Known for its signature camel cream coffee and minimalist decor
Area: Multiple locations across Seoul — Seongsu, Yeonnam-dong, Dosan (Apgujeong), Sinsa, Cheongdam, Yeouido (The Hyundai Seoul), Euljiro
Crowd Level: 3.5/5
Good to Know: Seating is limited, but it’s not overly busy.
This aesthetic cafe in Seoul is a must-visit. Plus, their signature camel coffee is so good! It’s almost like a Dalgona coffee with thick whipped coffee. It’s better to drink it without a straw so you can taste the cream better.
They have several locations across Seoul.
9. Shinleedoga
Why Go: A Hanok cafe with cute teddy bear dessert
Area: Hongdae
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Mapo-gu Seogyo-dong 367-31
Crowd Level: 4.5/5 (Busy)
Good to Know: It’s busy, but I still had no problem finding a seat and didn’t have to wait at 2 pm on a weekend.
Located on a side street in Hongdae, you won’t expect to find a place like this! This Hanok cafe is super cute, and they have the most adorable bear desserts. It is really popular, but I didn’t have to wait to get a seat when I visited in the afternoon. I recommend going early when they open if you want a peaceful experience. I really liked the drinks! I got a black sesame iced latte, and it was delicious.
10. 1in1jan
Why Go: The view is worth it alone!
Area: Eunpyeong Hanok Village
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Eunpyeong-gu Jingwan-dong 219
Crowd Level: 5/5 (Viral)
Good to Know: It’s very busy, and you will have to be lucky to get a window seat. Sometimes I see the cafe labeled as Irin Iljan.
This cafe has one of the best views in Seoul. That’s of the lesser-known
Eunpyeong Hanok Village. Despite the village being less well-known, this cafe is extremely busy and slightly overwhelming.
I visited the village at 9 am, then went 10 minutes before opening time at 10 am to the cafe. A long line had already formed. The best seats are right by the window, and there are 6 levels to the cafe. I didn’t know that floors 5 & 6 required you to purchase off a different menu and did not open til 11 am. So I frantically went up to the top level to secure a seat, not knowing that the best seats (besides the ones that open at 11 am) are actually on the third floor.
They were all already taken when I got down there, so I asked a girl in the right corner spot to let me know when she’s done so I could have her table. After getting a table, you have to go down and order and wait downstairs for your order, which I found quite inconvenient. It was a long wait since they were busy.
Once I got up, I was able to sit at the nicest table with views right behind me. I preferred the table on the right and not in front of the bigger window to the left because those tables are swarming with Instagrammers. By the time it was 11 am, there was a queue to take a picture at the window directly next to people who had a table. My friend visited and sat at one of those tables and said she constantly had people right next to her taking pictures and asking when she’d leave and if they could have her table. It was a bit more peaceful where I sat. Hope this helps you plan your visit a bit better if you do go. Regardless, if you don’t get the window seat, I recommend going up to the 6th floor for the beautiful views. That alone is worth it!
11. Cafe Pokpo
Why Go: The view is unique
Area: Eunpyeong
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Seodaemun-gu Hongeun-dong 429
Crowd Level: 5/5 (Busy)
Good to Know: The drinks may not be as good as the view. Sometimes the waterfall is not turned on (maybe when it’s raining).
This is another really busy and viral cafe in Seoul. It does look really cool in photos, but the waterfall is man-made. When it rains, it won’t be turned on, just so you know. Maybe if it were right at opening and it was quieter, it would be better, but I wasn’t a huge fan. I took a picture and left, and it was a bit out of the way. I can’t speak to the drinks or food since I didn’t try it. However, I’ve seen a social media review that they weren’t great.
12. Rain Report Café
Why Go: It rains every 15 minutes – so unique
Area: Ikseon-dong or Itaewon
📍Location: [NAVER Maps – Itaewon] Seoul Yongsan-gu Itaewon-dong 258-63
Crowd Level: 3/5 (Viral, but it wasn’t too busy when I went)
Good to Know: Some people reported the rain didn’t happen when they visited.
This is one of the most unique cafes in Seoul! There are 2 locations: one is in Ikseon-dong, and the other is in Itaewon. I recommend visiting the one in Itaewon as it’s much larger and the rain is not as sparse as at the other location.
The rain comes on every 15 minutes, and they even have umbrellas so you can walk through it! There are screens throughout the cafe showing the weather all over the world. It’s an interesting concept, especially if you love those cozy rainy afternoon days.
13. Cheongsudang Bakery
Why Go: One of the prettiest cafes in Seoul + great matcha
Area: Ikseon-dong or Yeonnam-dong
📍Location: [NAVER Maps – Ikseon-dong] Seoul Jongno-gu Ikseon-dong 144
Crowd Level: 4.5/5
Good to Know: It’s a popular place, but I still didn’t have to wait for a seat
This cafe has a lot of nice matcha drinks and desserts. It is one of the most beautiful cafes in Seoul. I visited the one in Ikseon-dong, but they also have a location in Yeonnam-dong.
The cafe feels like you’re in a cozy forest with its stone steps and leafy decor. There are rooms in the back that are much quieter, and I was actually able to sit and do some work on my laptop.
14. Giggle
Why Go: A dreamy café known for its soft pastel interiors and photogenic desserts
Area: Mangwon
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Mapo-gu Mangwon-dong 396-42
Crowd Level: 2/5 (Low Key)
Mangwon is a hidden gem neighborhood in Seoul, full of lots of cute cafes. Giggle is an adorable spot with amazing desserts. The cafe is super aesthetic with windows opening up to the street. Add it to your must-visit cafes in Seoul!
15. l’ Atelier Le Pli
Why Go: Cozy interiors + light lunch options
Area: Mangwon
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Mapo-gu Hapjeong-dong 449-8
Crowd Level: 2/5 (Low Key)
Another secret cafe in Seoul is l’ Atelier Le Pli. It’s also in the non-touristy neighborhood of Mangwon. It felt like stepping into someone’s home. I really loved the minimalstic design and all the plants. They have a few savoury light meals to choose from. I got this cheesy bread with tomato, and my friend got a quiche. Both were really delicious. This was such a cozy place, and I enjoyed walking through Mangwon after.
16. Angbearbake
Why Go: Famous for its adorable heart cake and blossom views (When in season)
Area: Yeonnam-dong
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Mapo-gu Yeonnam-dong 240-53
Crowd Level: 4/5 (popular — especially during peak hours)
If you’re lucky to be in Seoul during Cherry Blossom season, make sure to visit Angbearbake. They have windows overlooking the gorgeous blossoms. It’s in my favorite neighborhood of Seoul where I spent my entire month in. That’s Yeonnam-dong! So many cafes line this particular street. I love how they had a heart-shaped cake – simply adorable!
17. Pluming Cafe
Why Go: Cutest interiors + custom notes on your toast!
Area: Yeonnam-dong
📍Location: [NAVER Maps] Seoul Mapo-gu Yeonnam-dong 487-424
Crowd Level: 3.5/5 (Popular — but usually manageable)
Good to Know: Seating is limited
Pluming cafe was another cafe I frequented while I stayed in Yeonnam-dong. I was obsessed with the interiors. Such cute little knick-knacks hanging on the wall. Plus, they have Hello Kitty Cakes, so I was sold. I think S Korea is more obsessed with Hello Kitty than Japan, honestly. I see it everywhere I go! They have toast with either a Hello Kitty or Bear design, and you can get your own custom message written on it! I saw a girl have her say, Happy Birthday for her birthday – they even had candles she could light and add to the toast. I got one and had it say, “Hi Jackie.”
I truly can’t get over how cute some of the cafes are in Seoul. Most of the time, it’s just too cute to eat.
