Local places · 382 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Boulangerie Tan, Hyundai Department Store KINTEX is a bakery in Goyang, Gyeonggi. I packed up several breads with a vanilla latte, and the milk cream salt bread and chocolate baguette were especially memorable. A great spot for choosing a variety of breads to take away at KINTEX.
Boulangerie Tan Unjeong Main Branch is a bakery in Paju, Gyeonggi, with breads, sandwiches, and desserts. I chose the salt bread and loved its nutty, salty butter flavor. Verdict: a great stop for packing up several breads or having a simple meal.
Selected Nicks is a large café near Gangnam Station in Seoul, with rooftop views and seating across several floors. I had a hot vanilla latte and classic tiramisu, then looked around the rooftop before settling on the second floor. A lovely stop for blue-sky views over Gangnam.
Mandong Jegwa Yeonnam Branch is a takeout-focused bakery in Seodaemun, Seoul, known for Gangneung-style garlic baguettes. I sampled the garlic baguette, cappuccino, salt soboro, and squid-ink bread, with the squid-ink bread becoming my unexpected top pick. Verdict: a bakery I would revisit for its cream-filled breads.
Cheongchuni Oranda is a traditional snack café in Dongmun Market, Jeju. I sampled oranda and yuja gwajul before choosing individual snacks, five-piece bundles, or four-flavor gift boxes. A worthwhile stop for distinctive Jeju travel snacks and gifts.
Notten is a brunch café in Dongpyeon Village, Anyang, Gyeonggi. We had the ₩16,000 wheat bread plate, ₩12,000 seasonal campagne French toast, and ₩14,000 avocado shrimp salad with my parents. Verdict: a relaxed, gentle brunch spot for parents.
Cafe Dunchi is a floating café on the Namdaecheon River in Yangyang, Gangwon, where I had drinks with my child before riding an electric boat. The river views and boat ride were memorable, though it was busier than expected during the May holiday and the restroom is outside near the entrance.
Le Bon Goûter is a brunch café near Apgujeong Rodeo Station in Gangnam, Seoul. I had the chicken Caesar salad and shrimp mushroom cream pasta; both were satisfying, especially the crisp grilled chicken skin and light cream sauce. The terrace and range of table sizes also looked suitable for a date or group gathering.
Hands Coffee Gumi Goa-eup Branch is a large café in Goa-eup, Gumi, with two floor-seated kids’ zones and baby-care facilities. I returned with my family for a Häagen-Dazs ice cream waffle and drinks, and the spacious parking, window views, and family-friendly setup stood out.
Baegya Coffee is a large bakery café on Haean-ro in Gangneung, where I stopped for coffee and two breads after a run. The ocean-facing tiered seating and full-height windows made the view especially enjoyable, and the spacious parking and tray stands by the elevator were useful touches.
Gyeongju Tokyo Pie is a handmade pie shop on Hwangridan-gil in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. I packed a six-piece, three-flavor gift set and liked the crisp pastry, crunchy apple, smooth red bean filling, and neat box, though I had to walk from a public parking lot.
Ugly Tongue is a café in Yeonsu, Incheon, where I ordered a Brain-Booster smoothie and blue spirulina ice cream. The ₩16,000 smoothie felt pricey, but I was impressed that it was made without ice, and the ice cream was smooth; parking must be in the J Block building.
