Local places · 395 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch is a two-floor baumkuchen café on Jahamun-ro in Jongno, Seoul. I tried several varieties with an Americano and liked their soft layered texture and restrained sweetness, though I ordered too much to finish alone and packed up the rest.
Mimi Coffee Mill (미미커피방앗간) is a café in Sunseong-myeon, Dangjin, where I tried the MIMI Cream Latte and chestnut tiramisu. The latte was nutty and less sweet than I expected, while the tiramisu was a dessert I kept thinking about afterward.
Jitheunsan is a dessert café near Gyeongui Line Forest Park in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul. I shared flourless lemon terrine, a café latte, and a Lemonicano with a friend; the dense, chewy cake and warm vintage interior stood out, though it was nearly full late at night and several terrines were sold out.
Pino Cafe Cheonan is a café in Pungse-myeon, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, with a garden, annex, and private outdoor tent area. I took photos in the yellow cosmos field and had an early dinner of risotto, a croissant sandwich set, and pizza; the garden scenery and crisp textures stood out.
Cafe Giwa is a hanok café in Chodang, Gangneung, with a garden-like courtyard, indoor seating, and its own parking lot. I tried the Green Tea Triangle, mugwort injeolmi gâteau, Americano, and mung bean flower latte; the calm space was lovely, but the smooth, nutty Americano with its clean finish stood out most.
Pulse Line Coffee is a café near Seoul National University Entrance Station in Gwanak, Seoul. After a meal, the two of us shared a signature crumble pie with two iced Americanos; the crisp topping and dense, soft filling stood out, and the calm seating made conversation easy.
Forest Jeongbang is a café in Seogwipo, Jeju, less than a minute’s drive from Jeongbang Waterfall, with its own parking lot. I had the egg and crab meat sandwich and ice cream croffle sets by the second-floor window; the tree-and-sea view was the highlight, and I was satisfied with the Americano-included sets.
Ward Coffee Gusan Station Branch is a small first-floor café near Gusan Station in Eunpyeong, Seoul. We ordered five desserts and an iced Americano; the chewy mini hotteok and mild whole potato bread were our favorites, and the dessert prices made it easy to try a range of items.
Pink Wall Cafe is a large bagel café near Eulwangri in Yeongjong, Incheon. I visited in the evening for a mocha cream cheese bagel and hot Americano while watching the West Sea sunset; the bagel’s mocha aroma and soft cream cheese stood out.
Sum is a large bakery café in Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, where I stopped with my child for bread and drinks during a drive. The bread was generally good, and the mountain-view windows, outdoor terrace, and separate music-listening space stood out, though it became busier after lunch.
Gangneung Sand Main Branch is a dessert café on Seonggogyang-gil 5beonan-gil in Gangneung. I took strawberry and corn sand cookies back to my accommodation; the strawberry was tangy and creamy, while the corn was savory, sweet, and salty. The neat box and individual wrapping made them convenient travel gifts.
Hands Coffee Dongchon Recreation Area branch is a large café in Dong-gu, Daegu, with floor seating, outdoor space, and a spacious parking lot. I had brunch there with my 3-year-old on a weekend morning; the mushroom cream rigatoni was satisfying, and the visit continued with a walk at Dongchon Recreation Area.
