Local places · 375 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Baegya Coffee is a large bakery café directly across from Sageunjin Beach in Gangneung. I stopped by around its weekend opening time for coffee and bread by the sea; it was quiet with little wait, and I preferred the fig campagne over the other bread.
The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch is a baumkuchen café near Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno, Seoul. I stopped by with my child for a decaf iced Americano, a Melona smoothie, and brûlée baumkuchen; it was quiet on Sunday, and I especially liked the robust decaf coffee and rich chocolate filling.
MIMI Coffee Mill is a café in Sunseong-myeon, Dangjin, serving drinks and desserts made with local ingredients such as Dangjin beans and strawberries. I tried its misutgaru cream latte and Dangjin bean sundubu ice cream; the retro interior was comfortable, though the outdoor area appeared to be under maintenance.
Le Bon Goûter is a flower- and plant-filled café in Gangnam, Seoul, where I had lasagna and shrimp mushroom cream pasta on a rainy weekday afternoon. The tomato and cream sauces worked well alternated, and the quiet post-lunch atmosphere suited a slow meal.
Jitheunsan is a terrine-focused dessert café in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul. After work, I returned alone for mugwort terrine and cold brew at a window seat. I liked the subtle mugwort aroma and dense texture, though it was busier than expected on a weekday evening.
Pino Cafe is a garden café by Taehaksan Natural Recreation Forest in Pungse-myeon, Cheonan. I met my family there for my first dinner visit and enjoyed spicy aglio e olio and moist charcoal-grilled pork belly steak; three dishes were filling for us.
Ugly Tongue is a café on Haedoji-ro in Yeonsu, Incheon, where I tried the ₩15,000 Anti-aging smoothie with mango and cherry. Its restrained sweetness and thick yet smooth texture stood out, and I would order it again.
Cafe Giwa is a café in a renovated old hanok on Chodangwon-gil in Gangneung. I visited with my 4-month-old baby and my mother, enjoyed the garden, and found the spacious private parking convenient for the stroller and our luggage. The relaxed setting and Giwa Black Latte with milk roll cake made for a pleasant stop after lunch near Gangmun Beach.
Pulse Line Coffee is a café on Sharosu-gil near Seoul National University Entrance Station in Gwanak, Seoul. I visited with my two daughters and took home Bareyo, an iced Americano, and muffins; Bareyo was smooth and bright, while the yellow cheese muffin was moist but may feel mild for serious yellow cheese fans.
Ward Coffee Gusan Station Branch is a café about 102 m from Exit 2 of Gusan Station in Eunpyeong, Seoul. I stopped by to take out drinks with my child, enjoyed a clean-tasting iced Americano and a less fizzy lemonade, and took an instant photo; the space is small but entertaining while you wait.
Vibe Log Coffee Naju Dongshin University Branch is a café near Dongshin University in Daehodong, Naju. I tried the blueberry yogurt and dirty chocolate croffles with drinks; both were crisp outside and chewy inside, with sweetness that was not overwhelming. The roomy seating was comfortable, and the two croffles cost under ₩10,000 at the time of my visit.
Pink Wall Cafe is a bakery café in Yeongjong, Incheon, where I stopped with my child after a meal in Eulwang-ri. We had Shine Muscat cake, an iced Americano, and a salt bagel; I liked the bagel’s chewy texture, but the strong sun kept us from enjoying the garden-style terrace for long.
