Gangnam café for quiet talks and pistachio cream latte: Upper and Under

Hero image of Upper and Under café near Gangnam Station

I stopped by after lunch because I found this large, multi-level café stretching from B1 to 2F—a place where you can settle in comfortably in Gangnam. This is Upper and Under, a café near Gangnam Station that should be especially satisfying for anyone looking for somewhere quiet to talk, go on a date, or enjoy great desserts!

How are access and parking?

Upper and Under does not have dedicated parking, so if you are visiting by car, you will need to use a nearby paid parking lot. I happened to be at a nearby building for work, so I could visit without having to look for one separately, but parking on side streets is difficult in central Gangnam. On weekends or at peak times, finding a spot may take a while. I recommend taking the subway or other public transportation rather than driving!

A different atmosphere on every floor at Upper and Under

Upper and Under's multi-level café space

One of the biggest draws of Upper and Under near Gangnam Station is its atmosphere. It uses three floors in total, from B1 through 2F. When you enter through the window-front entrance, you are on B1, but I could not see any stairs leading upstairs. You need to go up one level by the stairs first and order on the first floor.

Stair area before ordering on the first floor

Connecting space between floors at Upper and Under

B1 felt like an independent space where it would be nice to settle in if you want a quiet conversation. The clean white-toned interior stood out, and although the overall palette was cohesive, there were little details around the space that made it fun to look around.

The first floor, where the counter is located, had the most people seated. The restrooms are separated by gender, which makes them convenient to use, and the window seats were especially popular.

First-floor window seats at Upper and Under

First-floor counter area at Upper and Under

The second floor has a warmer feel than the other levels. The lighting and furniture arrangement work nicely together, making it good for photos, and the tables are far enough apart that conversations do not carry. It also looked like a nice place for dessert after a blind-date meal.

Second-floor space with widely spaced tables

These are the outdoor terrace seats. It was still hot during the day, so no one had taken a seat outside yet, but with mornings and evenings getting cooler, these will soon be popular spots too.

Cream latte and dessert selection

Here is the menu. There was a wide variety of drinks. The signature cream lattes are the drinks to try here, and there are several varieties, so order one that suits your taste!

This place is known by word of mouth for its varied desserts and satisfying menu selection. There is a good range, from bite-sized desserts that are easy to snack on to cakes, so order a variety and enjoy!

Order for two

Iced Americano ₩6,500
Pistachio cream latte ₩8,000
Fig cake ₩8,500
Lemon madeleine ₩4,300
Matcha canelé ₩4,500
Total ₩31,800

Pistachio cream latte and dessert flavors

Desserts collected after the drinks are ready

Once the drinks are ready, you can bring all the desserts over at once. The Americano was nutty rather than acidic, and the portion felt standard for a typical café.

This is the pistachio cream latte, one of the signature cream latte options. Its distinctive nutty aroma and the cream on top went well together. The top cream was sweet and smooth, and when mixed with the coffee underneath, the nuttiness and pleasantly bitter coffee flavor came into balance. The pistachio flavor was subtle rather than intense, making it easy to enjoy without feeling too rich.

Pistachio cream latte with cream topping

The fig cake won over even me, someone who does not usually go out of my way for cake. It is the dessert I would recommend: the sponge was fluffy and soft, not overly sweet, and clean-tasting. It would suit people who prefer the natural sweetness of fruit over a strongly sweet dessert.

These are baked treats that are easy to enjoy lightly. The lemon madeleine, with buttery flavor and lemon's signature brightness, paired beautifully with the Americano, while the matcha canelé had an appealing contrast between its exterior and interior textures. Personally, I really liked the canelé!

A café for good conversation in Gangnam

Upper and Under near Gangnam Station felt less like a place simply to drink coffee and more like a place to spend time with good people in a good space. Its strengths are its spacious three floors, stylish interior, and varied dessert menu. If you need somewhere to go on a date or have a conversation in Gangnam, it is a solid choice. I liked that it felt relatively relaxed amid busy Gangnam!