Gangnam rooftop café for banana tiramisu: Selected Nicks

There was an AI seminar near Gangnam Station, so I was visiting on my own that day. Even after lunch, I had about an hour and a half to spare, so I headed to Selected Nicks while looking for somewhere I could slowly enjoy a coffee and a sweet dessert.

The address is 37 Teheran-ro 4-gil, 1F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and it is about a five-minute walk from Exit 3 of Gangnam Station to the main entrance, making it easy to stop by before or after an appointment.

As you enter by the building entrance, the outdoor seating comes into view first. The green parasols and plants worked so nicely together that the first impression felt fresh right away. I thought it would be such a lovely atmosphere to have coffee at these outdoor seats on a nice day.

Selected Nicks is a large Gangnam Station café that uses several floors of the building, so its scale was apparent even before I went in. The floor guide showed B1, the first, second, third, and eighth floors, plus a rooftop space.

Starting with the desserts on the first floor

At Selected Nicks, you order drinks and desserts on the first floor, then head up to whichever floor you would like to use. The counter area was neat, and desserts and display-style objects were dotted around the ordering area, so it was fun just to look around.

The tiramisu naturally caught my eye first. They had so many kinds ready, from classic, banana, chocolate banana, pistachio, raspberry, strawberry, and carrot to matcha and chewy Dubai-style tiramisu, along with a tiramisu platter that lets you try three flavors together.

According to the menu, tiramisu was ₩7,800 for classic, banana, and chocolate banana; ₩8,800 for pistachio; ₩9,800 for raspberry, strawberry, and carrot; ₩10,800 for matcha; ₩15,800 for chewy Dubai-style; and ₩14,800 for the three-flavor platter.

Coffee options included an Americano for ₩6,000, café latte for ₩6,500, and vanilla bean latte for ₩7,500. That day, I chose the banana tiramisu, pistachio tiramisu, and an iced Americano.

Banana tiramisu and pistachio tiramisu

First, the banana tiramisu had a gentle banana flavor, just as its name suggests. The banana sweetness came through between the moist cake layers and soft cream, making it a nice match with coffee.

With banana's soft aroma added to tiramisu's signature creamy texture, it felt quite different from classic tiramisu. It was an easy flavor to enjoy if you like sweet desserts.

The pistachio tiramisu stood out for its nutty, smooth pistachio flavor. Its green cream and cake layers were beautifully stacked, making it look appetizing too, and every bite gently spread that nutty taste.

The banana and pistachio desserts I ordered went in such different flavor directions that it was fun to divide my attention between the two. One was sweet and soft, while the other felt nutty and rich, so even though I came alone, I enjoyed taking my time comparing them.

The iced Americano neatly cut through the sweetness of the tiramisu. Since the desserts were soft and sweet, taking little sips of coffee in between made the pairing feel natural.

Floor-by-floor spaces that work well for solo café time

After ordering dessert, I looked for a seat and explored the floors. Each floor at Selected Nicks had a slightly different atmosphere, so it seemed easy to choose a spot whether I wanted quiet time alone or a chat with friends.

The third floor had a livelier feel, with a wide space and a variety of table types. I saw people using laptops alone as well as groups sitting together and talking, which gave it a comfortable café atmosphere.

The eighth floor was introduced as a space with an atmosphere suited to working alone or using a laptop. There were communal tables and window seats, and the city buildings outside the windows made it a nice place to pause over coffee.

If you are visiting alone before or after a seminar like I was, the eighth floor or the window-side seats would be worth keeping an eye on. It was an especially good space for anyone wanting to spend time quietly.

Exploring the exhibitions and objects was another little pleasure. The second floor was set up like a gallery, with artworks and objects on display, and it was nice to take a light look around after sitting in the café.

The rooftop is the highlight on a nice day

The weather was lovely that day, so it was perfect for using the rooftop. Looking at the open sky and buildings framed between the towers in the middle of Gangnam Station's cityscape made me feel as if I had briefly gone somewhere else.

The rooftop had white tables and chairs, along with a large NICKS sculpture. With the café-name sculpture and urban view together, it was a great space for taking photos too.

I could have had my coffee and dessert at lunchtime and headed straight back, but once I came up to the rooftop, time felt a little more leisurely. Getting some air on the rooftop after the banana and pistachio tiramisu made my long lunch break feel well spent.

The rooftop was listed as open from 17:00 to 24:00 on weekdays and from 11:00 to 23:30 on weekends. On a day with good weather like mine, I would recommend making a route of it and enjoying the outdoor space as well.

Useful Selected Nicks tips before you visit

Selected Nicks is close to Gangnam Station and its café areas are spread over several floors, so it was easy to use it according to the purpose of my visit.

• It is about a five-minute walk from Exit 3 of Gangnam Station.
• The address is 37 Teheran-ro 4-gil, 1F, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
• Hours are 08:00–24:00 on weekdays and 11:00–23:30 on weekends.
• After ordering on the first floor, you can explore B1, the second, third, and eighth floors, plus the rooftop.
• For working alone, I recommend the eighth floor or window seats; for relaxed conversation, the third floor.
• On a nice day, enjoy both the outdoor terrace and rooftop.
• For parking, enter through the rear gate and ask the first-floor staff.
• Café guests can use the private parking lot for free, although vehicle restrictions apply.

For the parking lot, the guidance said to search for 827-83 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, then ask the first-floor staff in front of the barrier. Availability can vary by vehicle, so this seemed more convenient for visitors arriving in a sedan.

Selected Nicks FAQ

Is this a good café to visit alone?

Yes, it was an easy place to visit alone. The eighth floor and window-side areas have seats suitable for using a laptop, and the different atmosphere on each floor makes it nice for quietly taking a break by yourself.

Which signature desserts would you recommend?

I ordered the banana and pistachio tiramisu. I recommend banana if you like soft, sweet flavors, and pistachio if you prefer a nutty, richer flavor.

When is the rooftop best to use?

I especially recommend it on a nice day. You can see both Gangnam's city buildings and the sky, so it has a bright, refreshing feel in the daytime, while in the evening you can look forward to the lights and night-view atmosphere.

Is there a wide variety of desserts?

Along with several kinds of tiramisu, they also had baked treats such as wappu salt bread, financiers, and madeleines. It is fun to slowly look around the display case before choosing from the menu.

Dessert and a rooftop in one stop near Gangnam Station

On the day I visited Gangnam Station alone for an AI seminar, I spent a leisurely time at Selected Nicks with banana tiramisu, pistachio tiramisu, and an iced Americano.

It was easily accessible from Gangnam Station, offered a varied selection of tiramisu and baked treats, and had a different atmosphere on every floor, making it good for staying awhile. I especially recommend including the rooftop in your visit on a nice day.

It suited people looking for a solo café stop or a place to study, anyone wanting a sweet dessert during a Gangnam Station date, and visitors hoping to enjoy a rooftop café in the city. Next time, I would love to return for other tiramisu flavors and the rooftop's evening atmosphere too 🤍