# Natural-light Gangnam café, two cake slices: Upper and Under

- By Jian (https://superchart.com/en/@little-caffeine/)
- Written Sep 20, 2026
- Local places › Cafés › Gangnam, Seoul
- Sponsored: This visit was sponsored by the business.
- English edition: https://superchart.com/en/@little-caffeine/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/
- Also in: [한국어](https://superchart.com/ko/@little-caffeine/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/index.md)

## In short

Upper and Under is a large bakery café in Gangnam, Seoul, on a side street between Sinnonhyeon and Gangnam stations, using a basement floor plus the 1st and 2nd floors. After a meal with a friend, the writer stopped in for a decaf americano at 7,000 won, pistachio cream at 8,000 won, and a fig cake and a raspberry cake at 8,500 won each, with a different mood on each floor and plenty of afternoon natural light. For anyone looking for a good-looking café on a Gangnam date course, Upper and Under is worth a stop.

## Good to know

- **Location**: 28 Gangnam-daero 102-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (basement, 1F, 2F)
- **Ordering**: Order on the 2nd floor, then take any seat you like
- **Pistachio cream**: 8,000 won
- **Decaf americano**: 7,000 won
- **Raspberry cake**: 8,500 won
- **Fig cake**: 8,500 won
- **Space**: Standalone building from basement to 2nd floor, with a 2nd-floor terrace and outdoor seats

*as written by the visitor on Sep 20, 2026*

![Desserts and drinks at Upper and Under, a café near Sinnonhyeon Station](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-01-togu3-1200.webp)

A café with lovely natural light, found near Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station. After an outing with a friend and a meal together, I went looking for a bright, sunny spot to rest and ended up at Upper and Under, one of Gangnam's hot spots. The wide space let in soft sunlight and felt relaxed, and the variety of baked goods and desserts made choosing part of the fun. Even smack in the middle of Gangnam, it never felt cramped — great for a café date with a friend, or for anyone looking for a good-atmosphere café for a Gangnam date.

## Where is Upper and Under, and what does the building look like?

Upper and Under sits at 28 Gangnam-daero102-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, tucked in an alley close to Sinnonhyeon Station, and the first thing you notice is the exterior — like an old house. The white-toned building, red brick, and a big tree growing as if wrapped around it all combine to give this Sinnonhyeon café a quiet feel despite being right in the middle of Gangnam.

Large windows meant you could see the sunlight pouring in even from outside, and with the 2nd-floor terrace and tree shade added in, it really did earn its reputation as a café with great natural light. The surrounding alley felt relaxed too, making it an easy, slow walk-to spot after a meal for a Gangnam date.

## A different mood on each floor: basement to 2nd floor in Gangnam

![White walls and wood flooring inside Upper and Under](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-02-1w2hh-886.webp)

Upper and Under uses an entire building — basement, 1st floor, and 2nd floor — so the space itself feels quite generous. Each floor has a slightly different mood, so you can pick a quiet corner, a sunny window seat, or a spot good for chatting comfortably with a friend, depending on your taste.

White walls, worn wood floors, and simple furniture come together in a way that feels naturally put-together rather than overly styled, and the interior kept the texture of the building's vintage bones — a nice touch for one of Gangnam's hot-spot cafés.

![Interior of Upper and Under with the vintage building texture kept intact](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-03-1y3pv-852.webp)

You order on the 2nd floor, then sit wherever you like.

![The ordering counter area on Upper and Under's 2nd floor](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-04-13a8z-848.webp)

![Seating at Upper and Under lit by natural light](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-05-xj2nh-886.webp)

![A window seat at Upper and Under with large windows](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-06-1do7v-886.webp)

![Interior space at Upper and Under, with a different mood on each floor](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-07-eg1dk-886.webp)

Big windows face several directions, so in the afternoon the natural light reached deep into the interior. Sunlight fell in long stretches across the floor and tables — pretty enough to photograph — and the green trees visible through the windows gave a slightly leisurely feeling even in the middle of Gangnam. With plenty of seats, the space didn't feel crowded even when busy, and it was fun to wander between floors looking for a favorite spot.

### Why the Upper and Under terrace seats suit this season

Almost as nice as the interior was the terrace. The outdoor seating running along the side of the building has a close-up view of a big tree and greenery, which softens the mood even more.

![Terrace seating at Upper and Under with a large tree visible](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-08-4k5w5-886.webp)

![Outdoor seating at Upper and Under close to greenery](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-09-19v58-886.webp)

![The terrace running along the side of the Upper and Under building](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-10-1affc-886.webp)

In weather like this — good sun, cool breeze — sitting on the terrace with coffee and dessert felt even better than sitting inside. If you're looking for a Gangnam café with great natural light, plenty of space, and a good date-café mood, this place is more than satisfying.

## Upper and Under menu and prices

![The drink menu board at Upper and Under](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-11-tzi7k-886.webp)

The drink menu ranges from basics like espresso, americano, and latte to cream drinks, cold brew, non-coffee options, teas, and sparkling ades. Distinctive picks like the pistachio and matcha cream oat latte stood out, along with seasonal items like mango lemon ade and mango bar sherbet latte — plenty to choose from depending on your mood.

![Menu listing coffee and non-coffee drinks at Upper and Under](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-12-1yb0b-886.webp)

![Sign listing ades and teas at Upper and Under](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-13-152n9-886.webp)

![Menu and pricing information at Upper and Under](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-14-z739w-886.webp)

### Choosing from the dessert and bakery counter

Upper and Under isn't just about drinks — the dessert and bakery selection is fairly wide too. The pastries lined up along the window looked even more tempting under the natural light, and items like caramel cheese pie, financiers, canelés, and pistachio desserts each had their own distinct character.

![Desserts displayed by the window at Upper and Under](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-15-17nxl-886.webp)

![Financiers and canelés on the display shelf](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-16-s0ivz-886.webp)

![Caramel cheese pie and other desserts on display at Upper and Under](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-17-qg34v-886.webp)

A dessert lineup that's a treat for the eyes and the mouth, true to a Gangnam hot spot.

![Bakery items on display at Upper and Under](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-18-p7ut0-886.webp)

![A dessert case catching the natural light](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-19-1vrlz-886.webp)

![Baked goods and cakes on the display shelf](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-20-13qrk-886.webp)

With options ranging from sweet desserts to plainer bakery items that pair well with coffee, it was easy to pick something light after a meal. So many pretty-looking items made this a satisfying choice for anyone looking for a Gangnam date café or dessert café.

## Taste notes on the four things we ordered

We ordered a decaf americano, pistachio cream, fig cake, and raspberry cake.

![Pistachio cream drink and decaf americano](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-21-1rjwt-886.webp)

### Pistachio cream, 8,000 won

The item that caught my eye first, visually, was the pistachio cream. A thick layer of cream sat on top of the glass, topped with crushed pistachios, giving off a nutty vibe right away. I tried a spoonful of just the cream first, and underneath the soft, heavy texture came a strong, distinctive pistachio flavor.

Mixed with the drink below, it became much smoother, with the cream's flavor carrying through naturally. It wasn't overly sweet — the nuttiness was the main event — so it was satisfying enough on its own, without a dessert alongside. Worth picking if you're already a pistachio fan.

### Decaf americano, 7,000 won

After a meal, I went for a decaf americano instead of something stronger, for a clean finish. It came out cold with plenty of ice, and it was easy to drink alongside dessert. The acidity wasn't too sharp — overall clean and mild — so it paired well with cream-based desserts like the fig cake and raspberry cake.

I especially liked that it's an option even late in the afternoon, or on a day you want to cut back on caffeine. A bite of sweet cake followed by a sip of americano kept my palate refreshed, so I never got tired of it by the end.

![Raspberry cake topped with raspberry sauce](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-22-1i3gr-886.webp)

### Raspberry cake, 8,500 won

The raspberry cake had bright pink cream topped with raspberry sauce and fruit pieces, and it looked refreshing just to look at. One bite brought soft, sweet cream first, followed by the tart raspberry flavor, making the whole thing feel bright and clean. The cream was soft and the cake sponge moist, so everything blended together naturally, and the berry's tartness balanced the sweetness for a clean finish.

If the fig cake is soft with a mellow sweetness, the raspberry cake is brighter and more distinct — I was glad we ordered both. Trading bites with my friend, comparing the two different charms, made dessert time even richer.

![Fig cake topped with fresh fig](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-23-1ccxf-886.webp)

### Fig cake, 8,500 won

The fig cake had large pieces of fresh fig on top, giving it a seasonal look. There was plenty of cream, but the moist figs and their subtle sweetness kept it from feeling too heavy. Cut with a fork, the soft sponge, cream, and fig all came together at once, the texture flowing naturally.

The little pop of fig seeds was fun to bite into, and the fruit's freshness stayed alive between the sweet layers of cream, keeping things balanced. Seen at a window seat with the natural light coming in, the cake itself looked pretty enough to photograph. If you prefer fruit-based desserts over heavy chocolate cakes, this one will likely suit you better.

## Is Upper and Under a good Gangnam date café?

Upper and Under, which we stumbled onto while looking for a naturally lit café after a meal with a friend, was satisfying across the board — space, dessert, and drinks. Being a standalone building meant plenty of seating, and the mood shifting slightly floor to floor made it easy to find a spot that suited us. The sunlight pouring through the big windows, mixed with the greenery outside, gave off a relaxed feeling even in the middle of Gangnam.

![Cake and drinks set on a window-side table](https://img.superchart.com/images/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe-24-8wtq6-886.webp)

The wide variety of desserts made choosing fun for a Gangnam date, and the fig cake and raspberry cake stood out especially for nailing both looks and flavor. The pistachio cream was satisfying with its strong nutty flavor, and having a decaf americano on the menu made it an easy visit even later in the day. In weather this good, the terrace seats are worth using too — a place I'd like to visit again if I'm after a Gangnam date café or a roomy spot to linger with a friend.

## Where it is

- Upper and Under (어퍼앤언더)
- 28 Gangnam-daero102-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea (B1, 1F, 2F)
- 서울특별시 강남구 강남대로102길 28 지하1층, 1층, 2층
- 37.5027449, 127.0276848
- Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/%EC%96%B4%ED%8D%BC%EC%95%A4%EC%96%B8%EB%8D%94/@37.5027449,127.0276848,17z

---

Superchart · https://superchart.com/en/@little-caffeine/upper-and-under-sinnonhyeon-daylight-cafe/ · https://superchart.com/llms.txt