Local places · 436 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Pulse Line Coffee is a café in Gwanak, Seoul, serving handmade pies and signature drinks. I tried the handmade crumble pie, Pulse-nal Latte, and an iced Americano; the crisp crumble, dense moist filling, and subtle herbal latte stood out, though the café has no dedicated parking.
Hands Coffee Dongchon Resort Branch is a café on a hill in Dongchon Resort, Daegu, overlooking the Geumho River. I visited with my baby for creamy mushroom pasta, a jambon-beurre sandwich, and iced long blacks; the rich pasta and soft sandwich worked well together, and the fourth-floor outdoor garden was nice for a short walk afterward.
MUG is a large bakery café in Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju, Ulsan, with spacious parking and high ceilings. I visited on a weekday to take product photos, work on content, try an avocado coffee smoothie with a lemon cream cheese cinnamon roll, and walk nearby; it was relatively quiet, though weekends were crowded and the smoothie felt expensive at ₩8,500.
Gangneung Sand Main Branch is a dessert café on Seonggogyang-gil 5beonan-gil in Gangneung. I stopped there after a golf trip with my husband to choose gifts, taste crisp cookies with smooth cream, and take photos by the stairs and rooftop. I enjoyed the relaxed visit, but checking the address is important because I initially went to the wrong Seongnam-dong branch.
Benetto (베네또) is a brunch café in Sinjeong-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan, near Ulsan City Hall. A friend and I shared Mexican beef and jambon basil grilled sandwiches with iced lattes, choosing decaf for mine. I liked the tender beef and crisp, chewy focaccia, though the lack of dedicated parking was a drawback.
Gangneung Sand Main Branch is a café and handmade sand cookie shop in Gangneung, Gangwon. I tried coffee and black sesame sand cookies with an Americano, then froze the rest for a chilled dessert. A generous travel-gift stop with plenty of parking.
The Baum Gyeongbokgung Branch is a baumkuchen café 134 m from Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 2 in Jongno, Seoul. I tried a café latte and three types of baumkuchen; the cheese baked baum and less-sweet Chocolate Eiffel Baum stood out, while the first floor was nearly full during my visit.
Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch is a bakery on Gyeongin-ro in Bucheon, Gyeonggi. I arrived after 11 a.m. and could buy only Daesang Chalbori and rye Chalbori loaves; both were chewy, soft, and mildly savory, though the limited selection was disappointing.
Sum (숨) is a bakery café in Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, with mountain and forest views through large windows and from its terrace. I tried the mugwort black sesame bread, yeontan bread, and a vanilla bean latte; the breads were generously filled and the latte was gently sweet, though one drink per person is required.
Cafe Dunchi is a café on the first floor of the Namdaecheon Water Leisure Sports Experience Center in Yangyang, Gangwon. I visited with my husband, daughter, and dog, bringing a strawberry smoothie and affogato aboard an electric boat. Being able to share a quiet ride on the river with our dog was the highlight.
Pink Wall Cafe is a bakery café on Yongyuseo-ro in Yeongjong, Incheon, with a pink exterior, terrace, and parking. I tried garlic and fig bagels with cream cheese, plus coffee with little noticeable acidity; the spacious weekend seating was comfortable, though the carrot cake was sold out.
Pulse Line Coffee is a café in Gwanak, Seoul, where I stopped before lunch with my baby and family for coffee and handmade crème brûlée pie. The crisp, soft-centered pie and aromatic Americano stood out, and the quiet shop and kind owner made the visit comfortable.
