Gwanghwamun coffee shop with free parking and cold brew: Center Coffee

There are days when you're just craving a properly good specialty coffee, right?~~ And it's even better if there's a tasty dessert to go with it. Everyone's had one of those days where you want to squeeze in a relaxed cup of coffee, even just for a moment.

So today I went to a Gwanghwamun café that's perfect for coffee and getting some work done! It's 'Center Coffee Gwanghwamun'!!~!!

Where is Center Coffee Gwanghwamun, and how long is the walk from Gwanghwamun Station?

Center Coffee Gwanghwamun is 176 meters from Exit 5 of Gwanghwamun Station, on B1 of SFC Mall, so it wasn't hard to find at all. If you're looking for a Gwanghwamun café for coffee and laptop work, this place is really perfect. Living up to the reputation of 8 Blue Ribbons guaranteeing quality coffee, it's known for specialty beans and careful extraction.

I heard it's also famous for barista Park Sang-ho's coffee, and it's so popular that besides Gwanghwamun, they run several other branches in Euljiro, Sogong-dong, Seoul Station and more — you could really feel the reputation. Apparently actor Bae Yong-joon has even been involved in the business, so there's an extra reason it's become a talking point.

How do you order at Center Coffee Gwanghwamun? Self-service kiosks

There are two kiosks by the entrance, so you order and pay yourself and just grab a buzzer — really convenient to use.

How did the cold brew and the plain and fig financiers taste?

At Center Coffee Gwanghwamun, we ordered a cold brew and financiers, nice and properly! ☕ Wow~~ Maybe because it's specialty coffee, the aroma and flavor were noticeably different. Clean yet deep flavor came through in one sip, and I just kept sipping away. This was truly the dignity of a real Gwanghwamun coffee-and-work café!

The financier had that textbook crispy-outside, moist-inside texture, so it paired really well with the coffee. They had various flavors of financiers ready, like plain and fig, so it was fun picking according to taste. We ordered one of each and had fun comparing the flavors too.

Genuinely, this Gwanghwamun coffee-and-work café gets the seal of approval!!~!! I heard they also have whole cakes lined up that look overwhelming just visually, so I really wanted to try those next time.

What desserts and brunch dishes are on the Center Coffee menu?

Center Coffee Gwanghwamun also has a variety of bakery items like camembert mousse, Earl Grey tart, and butter bars, so it seemed fun to pick and choose. With brunch items like a jambon bagel, overnight oatmeal, and even a yogurt sandwich, it was also a good place for a light lunch.

It felt surprising that a café could have such a wide brunch menu. It tends to get crowded with office workers on weekdays, but is relatively relaxed on weekends, so that's worth keeping in mind when planning your visit.

Parking and restrooms: is 90 minutes free enough?

Parking at Center Coffee Gwanghwamun is paid, but the first 90 minutes are free, so visiting by car wasn't much of a burden. The kiosk ordering system had the menu laid out intuitively too, so even a first-time visitor could order quickly without getting confused. The desserts lined up in the showcase all looked delicious, so it was a treat for the eyes too.

With takeout available and separate men's and women's restrooms, it was a comfortable place to use. Being on B1 of SFC Mall, it's easy to find even underground, and it's also a good spot to duck into and rest while shopping. If you want to enjoy a cup of specialty coffee near Gwanghwamun Station, be sure to check out Center Coffee Gwanghwamun!

A place that had it all — taste, quality, and convenience — without lacking anything. From the bottom of my heart, I totally, completely recommend it!! 😊