Local places · 247 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
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.
Gangneung Sand Main Branch (강릉샌드 본점) is a sand-cookie dessert café near Ojukheon in Gangneung. I chose the sweet corn and dried persimmon flavors as gifts on my last day, and found them easy to enjoy with tea or coffee. The spacious store and convenient parking made the stop practical before heading home.
Gasangsun Coffee (가상순커피) is a roastery café in Ara-dong, Jeju. We ordered two drinks and three bakery items for under ₩20,000; I liked the quiet atmosphere and sweet flavors, although the tart was small.
Café Sum is a large bakery café in Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, with forest and field views through its second-floor windows. I had decaf iced Americanos, red bean bread, and Mont Blanc bread; the crisp pastry texture, spacious table layout, and easy parking stood out.
Grid Cafe is a bakery café near Ogeum Park in Ogeum-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul. I went for an egg tart, but the pollock roe and gamtae salt bread stood out more; the tart was generously filled but sweet for my taste, and few breads or seats remained when I visited.
Forest Jeongbang (포레스트 정방) is a spacious café near Jeongbang Waterfall in Seogwipo, Jeju. I had iced Americano, freshly pressed Jeju Hallabong juice, and Hallabong yogurt cake upstairs while looking out at the sea; it was a comfortable place to pause during a trip.
Hands Coffee Dongchon Yuwonji Branch is a café in Dong-gu, Daegu, with Geumho River views, parking, floor seating, and a rooftop. I visited with my child and enjoyed the chewy blueberry cream cheese waffle, but found the old-fashioned shaved ice disappointing because the ice was coarse and melted quickly.
Gyeongju Tokyo Pie is a handmade pie shop in an alley of Hwangnidan-gil, Gyeongju. I bought a six-piece gift set with apple pies and Tokyo anko pies to share with my family. I liked the subtle apple sweetness and nutty red bean filling, but the chocolat pie was sold out.
