Local places · 399 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
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.
Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch (참새보리식빵 부천본점) is a bakery near Bucheon Station where I picked up three barley breads on a weekday. Each had a different texture and toasty grain flavor, and the mascarpone milk cream made them feel like dessert. Much of the bread had already sold by around 11:30 a.m., so selling out early was a concern.
Benetto (베네또) is a small brunch café right beside Ulsan City Hall in Nam-gu, Ulsan. I visited with my husband and child on a weekend and shared a jambon (ham) basil grilled sandwich, along with a latte, iced tea, and affogato (ice cream with espresso). The sandwich was crisp with a gentle basil aroma, and we spent a relaxed time together, though the café had no dedicated parking.
MUG is a spacious bakery café in Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju, Ulsan, with ample parking and window seats. On a return visit one weekend morning, I had a tiramisu cinnamon roll, sogeumppang (salt bread), and drinks while reading. I liked the bread and comfortable table height, though weekend afternoons tend to get crowded.
Cheongchuni Oranda is a traditional snack shop in Dongmun Market, Jeju, selling handmade oranda and gwajeul made with Jeju ingredients. After sampling, Ellane took home square oranda, gwajeul, and an orange doughnut oranda that were crisp without being hard. Verdict: a lovely stop for Jeju travel snacks and shareable gifts.
Gyeongju Tokyo Pie is a pastry dessert café in Hwangnidan-gil, Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. I took home the Premium Set and loved the crisp layers and whole-apple texture with an Americano. Verdict: a lovely travel snack or souvenir to enjoy with coffee.
Forest Jeongbang is a café about a one-minute drive from Jeongbang Falls in Seogwipo, Jeju. I visited with my baby, sat on a sofa seat, and had an Americano, yogurt rice cake, and a chicken breast sandwich. The filling sandwich and island view from the window stood out, and there was a high chair inside.
Pino Cafe Cheonan is a café in Pungse-myeon, Cheonan, where I had brunch and snowflake milk patbingsu with my family. We liked the spacious parking lot and garden views through the main building’s large windows, though heavy rain kept us from fully exploring the outdoor photo zones and cosmos field.
Cafe Dunchi is a café by Namdaecheon in Yangyang, Gangwon, with a water sports center on the first floor. After coffee with my family, we took a six-person electric boat for 30 minutes and watched the sunset; the quiet ride and river view stayed with me.
