Seongsu coffee date café: two La Marzocco lattes at Iridescent

Why Iridescent for a Seongsu coffee date

Iridescent is a Blue Ribbon café in Seongsu, near Seoulsup, and I went on a weekend afternoon with my boyfriend as a date. When you can't decide where to go on a date in Seongsu, it isn't easy to find a café that nails both the mood and the taste, right? Iridescent solved that worry in one go.

It's perfectly placed for dropping in during a walk near Seoulsup, so it's easy to get to, and the moment I saw the Blue Ribbon sign I thought, "I can trust this place!!" Blue Ribbon spots rarely let me down, so I went in with high hopes, and it turned out even better than I expected.

• Address: 20-1 Seoulsup 4-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 1st floor
• Hours: Mon–Sun 10:00–22:00

Iridescent's signature drink: the perilla leaf smoothie

I hear the signature at Iridescent is the perilla leaf smoothie, but since it was my first visit I tried the basic Iridescent latte that day. The smoothie is a big talking point on social media, so I was curious, and I was a little sad that I picked coffee this time and missed it.

They squeeze the fruit themselves, roast the nuts, and use herbs, so it sounded less like a simple drink and more like a work of art. Next visit I'm definitely taking on the perilla smoothie. If you like citrusy flavors, I think it will be right up your alley.

What Iridescent looks like inside and out

A black exterior that feels like a wine bar

The exterior is black-toned, so it gives off a bit of a wine bar vibe~

You can check the menu from outside the shop too.

Window light by day, mood lighting and music by night

Thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows letting in natural light, the interior feels bright and relaxed during the day. Step inside and there's another charm: I hear that in the evening the lighting and BGM turn it into a completely different mood!

The music isn't overdone, just right, so it's good for chatting and great for reading too. The chairs are comfortable as well. It's not one of those trendy Instagram-style cafés that are uncomfortable to sit in; it's a space where you really want to stay for a long time.

Is Iridescent in Seongsu pet-friendly?

Yes, Iridescent allows pets. I actually brought my dog that day, but I didn't know pets were allowed, so I left her in the car and went in alone (T_T). Finding out later made me feel so bad.

The shop is quiet and the seats are comfy, so I think it would have been lovely with my dog (T_T). Next time I'll definitely bring her and spend a relaxed time here. For pet owners, this is a really good café.

Desserts in the showcase!

There are pretty flowers and plants here and there.

Iridescent's La Marzocco machine and coffee beans

Iridescent uses a high-end La Marzocco coffee machine. The beans are the Special Blend and the Happiness Decaf~

Iridescent menu

Zoom in on the photos to read the menu!

How does the Iridescent latte taste?

What I ordered that day was two Iridescent lattes! I knew the perilla smoothie is the famous one, but I was so curious about the coffee that I chose the Iridescent latte over the signature.

My first sip told me: this is a coffee place!! One of the things that makes Iridescent special is the high-end La Marzocco machine, and I could definitely feel the difference from an ordinary café. The espresso kept its depth without a strong bitterness, and the balance with the milk was really good.

It had the slightly sweet, nutty charm of a proper latte, so coffee lovers will definitely be satisfied. The body was just right, neither too heavy nor too light, easy to drink, and I was impressed that no dry, muddy aftertaste lingered.

Who should visit Iridescent in Seongsu?

As you'd expect from a Blue Ribbon spot, the coffee quality is great~ The coffee has a hotel-barista feel, the interior is lovely, the mood is charming both day and night, and pets are allowed too, so there's no reason not to come back ^^

If you want style, taste and experience all in Seongsu, I really recommend Iridescent. It's good for a date, for quiet time alone, or for chatting with friends, so you'll be happy whoever you go with.

Next time I'll visit on a nice day to enjoy the big windows open, and I'll definitely try the perilla smoothie then. If you're looking for a different kind of café in Seongsu, go to Iridescent at least once.