Suyu café in Seoul for soy lattes and canelés: Cafe Mendeolli

A British vintage-inspired café in Suyu

It did not immediately stand out from the outside, but it looked like it had a certain something, so I went in. Once inside, the atmosphere was really distinctive. With British vintage-inspired décor and antique objects placed throughout, it felt a little like a scene from a film.

It felt completely different from the chain cafés that are everywhere these days. This was a mood-filled café with the owner’s personality written all over it. I had been looking for a café in Suyu, and finding this cozy yet exotic brunch spot in Gangbuk made me so happy.

How was the soy latte?

My friend swapped the milk in her latte for soy milk, and the moment I tried it, I said, “Wow, this coffee is seriously good.” At that moment I caught the owner’s eye, and I shot over a look of appreciation because the coffee was so beautifully made ^^ The owner nodded as if they knew exactly what I meant, and we shared a little smile, haha.

My friend said they use very fresh soy milk too~ The coffee was rich, and the flavor really was different. It is a brunch café in Suyu, but it is also a Suyu café that gets the coffee right. Cafe Mendeolli Suyu Branch (카페멘덜리 수유점) is clearly serious about coffee.

Crisp outside, moist inside: canelés

The canelés were crisp on the outside and moist within. Maybe because they are baked in-house, they were much tastier than the ones sold elsewhere. The crisp exterior and tender middle were exactly my style, so this café would not be out of place as a dessert destination too.

If you like canelés, you really have to try them. I found a Suyu café with great desserts, so next time I told my friend we should come back to Cafe Mendeolli, haha.

Fresh grapefruit ade made with blended fruit

The grapefruit ade was even better because it was actually made by blending fresh fruit. It had a freshness that was clearly different from something made with syrup. There were fruit bits to chew on too, and the bright tangy flavor was really alive. I recommend it to anyone who likes fresh-fruit drinks.

If you are looking for a brunch café in Suyu, this is a place that prepares every drink with care, so it could be worth a visit.

A space with a terrace and group seating

It had the kind of atmosphere where local residents seemed to come often. I could see regulars coming and going in comfortable clothes. There is terrace space and seating for groups, so it looked nice for meeting friends or having a casual gathering too.

It is a mood-filled café where you can comfortably enjoy brunch in a cozy space with a British vintage feel.

Cafe Mendeolli Suyu Branch, a great place for easy conversation

Cafe Mendeolli Suyu Branch has a living British vintage sensibility. The antique objects and cozy interior create an atmosphere that feels both comfortable and special. Rather than being a café decorated to look flashy, it is a nice place to sit down, have a cup of coffee, and talk.

There are lots of good restaurants nearby, so it would be nice for dessert after a meal, and it also seems like a good brunch café.

Menu and parking information

The menu has more variety, but I picked out just a few items. You will need to check with the café for the exact menu and prices. It seems delivery may be available too. I also saw sandwiches on Naver Order.

There is space for one car in front of the café. Parking is not especially spacious, but I heard there is also a public parking lot nearby.

• 1F, 18 Suyu-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea (서울 강북구 수유로 18 1층)
• Parking for one car in front of the café
• 314 m from Exit 1 of Hwagye Station
• Hours: 10:30–21:30

I discovered Cafe Mendeolli Suyu Branch while looking for a café in Suyu. I leisurely enjoyed the canelé, a caffè latte with soy milk, and a fresh grapefruit ade. It is a brunch café where you can enjoy good coffee and desserts in a cozy space with a British vintage feel. Next time, I would like to try the brunch menu too!