Local places · 426 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Gangneung Sand Main Branch is a dessert café near Ojukheon in Gangneung. I bought strawberry and chodang corn sand cookies as gifts for my family, and liked their buttery aroma, soft texture, bright packaging, and individually wrapped pieces.
Hands Coffee Dongchon Resort Branch is a large café near Dongchon Resort in Dong-gu, Daegu, where you can have brunch and drinks. I ordered the Hands House Brunch, ice cream café latte, and ginger tea, and found the meal simple but satisfying; the spacious parking area and roomy seating made it comfortable to talk over food.
Benetto (베네또) is a brunch café near Ulsan City Hall in Nam-gu, where a friend and I ordered two iced Americanos and shared a jambon basil grilled sandwich (ham and basil). The fragrant focaccia sandwich was surprisingly filling for two, and I liked the calm space with its warm wood tones. However, sandwiches only started appearing in the display one by one as we were finishing our meal.
MUG (카페 먹) is a large bakery café in Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju, Ulsan, with mountain views from its spacious interior and outdoor tables. My mom and I ordered three breads and drinks, and the mocha bun was my favorite for its crisp outside and moist center. Wind kept us indoors that day; I learned about the walking paths and observation deck behind the café from its brochure.
Cheongchuni Oranda is a takeout snack café at Dongmun Market in Jeju, Jeju. After tasting, I picked an oranda gift set, nut oranda, and assorted gwajul for 23,000 won, 12,000 won, and 10,000 won. Verdict: a lovely last-day Jeju gift stop for parents and friends.
Forest Jeongbang is a large café near Jeongbang Waterfall in Seogwipo, Jeju, with views of the sea and surrounding forest. I had a Udo peanut latte, a decaf Jeongbang Waterfall latte, and Udo peanut rice cake for 7,500 won each. Forest Jeongbang is a lovely stop to rest tired legs after the waterfall.
The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch is a two-floor dessert café 134 m from Exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno, Seoul. I ordered three kinds of baumkuchen and an iced Americano; the Brûlée Apple Baum, with apple and cream, stood out. The second-floor window seats looked good for a relaxed conversation with parents, but there is no on-site parking.
Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch is a bakery on Gyeongin-ro in Bucheon, Gyeonggi. I bought chewy barley bread, grain barley bread, and mascarpone milk cream; the bread was moist and chewy, though some shelves were already empty after opening.
Cafe Giwa is a hanok café near Chodang Sundubu Street in Gangneung, Gangwon. After a meal, I had its pink strawberry coffee latte, an Americano, and Real Chocolate cake; the drinks were good, but the spacious seating and garden views were what stayed with me.
Cafe Dunchi is a café on the second floor of a water sports center beside the lower Namdaecheon River in Yangyang, Gangwon. I rode an electric boat there with my parents and drank café drinks while taking in the river views. We had to steer and control forward and stop ourselves, but did not need to pedal; the speed felt different depending on the current.
Sum is a two-building bakery café in Gwangju, Gyeonggi, where my husband and I had coffee, chamomile tea, and matcha pound cake by a mountain-view window. We enjoyed the moist cake and the music listening room, but by around 2 p.m. there were no empty tables.
Hands Coffee Gumi Goa-eup Branch is a two-story café on Wondae-ro in Goa-eup, Gumi, with large windows facing nature and a spacious parking lot. I had the Hands House Brunch, paccheri cream pasta, and blueberry cream cheese waffle; the lightly spicy cream pasta stood out most. The baby room and microwave also made it seem convenient for families with children.
