Local places · 414 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Cheongchuni Oranda Dongmun Market Main Branch, Tapdong is a dessert café in Dongmun Market, Jeju. I sampled its oranda and gwajul, then compared the four flavors in its ₩23,000 individually wrapped 20-piece gift set. A reliably tasty Jeju travel gift, especially for gamtae and garlic fans.
Forest Jeongbang is a two-story café near Jeongbang Waterfall in Seogwipo, Jeju, with sea views through second-floor picture windows. I had an Americano, strawberry jumulleok, chocolate madeleines, and a tangerine whipped-cream cake; the desserts were not rich, and the generously spaced seating made it a comfortable stop.
The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch is a hanok-inspired dessert café about 100 m from Exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno, Seoul. I tried three kinds of baumkuchen with Americano coffee by the second-floor window; the first floor was busy, while the second was calmer, but the ice cream was sold out.
Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch is a takeout-focused bakery about 600 m from Bucheon Station Exit 2. I bought and compared three barley breads around 11 a.m.; the nutty, soft Grain Glutinous Barley was my favorite, but the shop may close early when everything sells out.
Cafe Dunchi is a café on the second floor of the building connected to the Namdaecheon Water Leisure Sports Center in Yangyang, Gangwon. I rode an electric boat with my parents-in-law, then enjoyed the river view, terrace seating, and bakery selection at the café. The calm boat ride and riverside setting made for a satisfying family outing.
Cafe Giwa is a hanok café tucked into Chodang-dong, Gangneung, with a green garden and its own parking lot. I visited around 1 p.m. on a rainy Monday for two signature lattes and cake; the mung bean flower latte, with its soft cream and nutty flavor, was my favorite.
Hands Coffee Gumi Goa-eup Branch is a spacious café on Wondae-ro in Goa-eup, Gumi, where I had brunch with my parents and walked around the garden afterward. The rich mushroom soup and soft ciabatta stood out, while the comfortable sofa seating and roomy table spacing made the visit easygoing.
Baegya Coffee is a large bakery café near Sacheonjin Beach in Gangneung, across the road from the sea. On my return visit, I had a pollack roe baguette, injeolmi croissant, coffee, and milk tea on the third floor; the open sea view and varied seating stood out, though the second floor was busier.
Sum (숨) is a bakery café in Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, with a main building, a quieter annex, terrace seating, and free private parking. I had coffee and pastries in the annex while looking out at the scenery; there was still a good selection around 3 pm, though some breads had sold out or disappeared while I was deciding.
Pulse Line Coffee is a café near Seoul National University Station in Gwanak, Seoul. I had an iced Americano and its pink Pulse Milk Tea, then took a crumble pie home; the unusual peppermint milk tea stayed with me, but I reached for the familiar, delicious pie more often.
MIMI Coffee Mill is a converted-factory café in Sunseong-myeon, Dangjin, with a large private parking lot and tables suitable for groups. I tried its MIMI Cream Latte and Dangjin Hopung sweet potato gelato; the rich cream and lightly sweet, chewy gelato were the standouts.
Pink Wall Cafe is a bakery café near Yongyu Beach and Seonnyeo Rock in Yeongjong, Incheon, with pets allowed in its outdoor greenhouse, terrace, and garden. I had an iced Americano and maesil ade; the drinks were pleasant, but the fig bagel I wanted was sold out.
