Local places · 247 stories
Cafés in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Pino Cafe is a large brunch café in Pungse-myeon, Cheonan, with an outdoor garden and baby facilities. I visited with my mother, younger sister, and 13-month-old niece on a weekday morning, sharing pilaf, pizza, and a sandwich outdoors. The garden was quiet, and moving around with a stroller was comfortable.
Pulse Line Coffee is a café in Gwanak, Seoul, where I went to work on my laptop alone. The two-person tables, backrest chairs, and outlets were comfortable, and while I enjoyed the brûlée pie, I preferred the rich, dense black sesame pound cake.
Cafe KIWA is a hanok café on Chodangwon-gil in Gangneung, with a courtyard garden and window seats overlooking it. I visited on a weekend afternoon with my father and husband for the signature lattes and tile-shaped cake; the restrained sweetness and cozy setting made it good for a family conversation.
Forest Jeongbang is a café in Seogwipo, Jeju, with two floors, a rooftop, and a terrace. I ordered an Americano, Jeju matcha latte, and tangerine yogurt rice cake; the cake and lightly sweet latte were good, though the sea view from my first-floor seat was limited because the second floor was full.
Ward Coffee Gusan Station Branch is a café near Gusan Station in Eunpyeong, Seoul, offering takeout 1-liter bottled drinks and desserts. I stopped by with my family during a weekend walk and took home cold brew, hazelnut cold brew latte, and choux cream manju. The coffee was generously sized, and I especially remembered the crisp manju and kind welcome for my baby.
Pink Wall Cafe is a pink-themed bakery café on Yongyuseo-ro in Yeongjong, Incheon. I visited with my family for photos, drinks, and soft bagels; pets can join you on the outdoor terrace and in the greenhouse, but not indoors.
Gangneung Sand Main Branch is a dessert café on Seonggogyang-gil 5beonan-gil in Gangneung. I bought coffee and black sesame sandwiches as gifts during a trip with my mother, and we both enjoyed their distinct flavors.
Sum (숨) is a spacious bakery café in Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do. I stopped by with my family during a drive and found the parking, child-friendly facilities, roomy interior, and green views convenient, though the annex was rented out and operating hours should be checked before visiting.
Hands Coffee Dongchon Resort Branch is a café in Dong-gu, Daegu, with private parking, seating on floors 2–4, and a fourth-floor terrace overlooking the Geumho River. I ordered Double Tray Brunch Set A with two long blacks and liked pairing the rich cream pasta with the sweet-and-tangy chicken granola salad.
Chamsae Bori Sikppang, Bucheon main branch (참새보리식빵 부천본점) is a takeaway bakery at Simgok Overpass Intersection near Bucheon Station in Gyeonggi. I queued before its 10 a.m. weekday opening and took home three kinds of barley bread. The wait was short, and I enjoyed comparing their chewy textures, grains, and tart cranberries, though early sellouts have made buying the bread I want difficult.
Benetto (베네또) is a brunch café serving grilled sandwiches and coffee near City Hall in Nam-gu, Ulsan. I visited with my husband and children on a weekend and spent ₩28,500 on two sandwiches and two lattes; the portions were filling and the atmosphere was quiet. There was no dedicated parking, and many sandwich options were already gone when we arrived after lunchtime.
MUG (카페 먹) is a bakery café in Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, with a gallery, garden, and forest views. I tried cinnamon rolls and injeolmi (soybean-coated rice cake) bread and explored the gallery and garden; the rolls were chewy outside and moist inside. The bread was memorable, but lemon cream cheese was the only cinnamon roll flavor left at lunchtime.
