Seochon dog-friendly terrace café with matcha latte: Respire Bakery

In short

Respire Bakery Cafe Seochon is a two-floor bakery café in a side street off Hyoja-ro 13-gil, near Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno, Seoul, with seating on both floors plus an outdoor terrace. Visiting with a child, the writer ordered a matcha latte, a latte and a lemonade, and found the terrace open to dogs while the second floor has window seats and mostly tables for three to four. The one regret at Respire Bakery Cafe Seochon was arriving after a meal, so brunch is the plan for next time.

Staircase leading up to the 2nd floor

Good to know

Address
40-7 Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30–18:00, Sat–Sun 9:00–19:00
Parking
The lot in front of the café belongs to the Presidential Security Service and cannot be used; use a nearby paid public lot
Seating
First floor, second floor and outdoor terrace, mostly tables for 3–4
Pets
Dogs allowed on the outdoor terrace
Drinks ordered
Matcha latte, latte, lemonade
Event
Free salt bread for a Naver notification review

as written by the visitor on Sep 6, 2026

Exterior view of Respire Bakery Cafe in Seochon

This is Naring's Seoul café log haha 😋 Seochon has so many pretty shops tucked into its alleys, and just wandering around is fun in itself~~ I'm bringing you my review of Respire Bakery, a place with great vibes I'd recommend for a Seochon date or a hangout with friends‼️‼️

Respire Bakery's exterior in the Hyoja-ro 13-gil alley

Respire Bakery Cafe Seochon: location, hours, and parking

Respire Bakery Cafe Seochon is at 40-7 Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul — you'll find it if you walk into the Seochon alleys from Gyeongbokgung Station. Hours are Monday–Friday 8:30am to 6pm, and Saturday–Sunday 9am to 7pm.

📍Address: 40-7 Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea ⏰Hours: Sat–Sun 9am–7pm / Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm 🅿️Parking: The lot in front is reserved for the Presidential Security Service, so you can't use it❌ Use nearby paid public parking instead

Sign for Respire Bakery's Naver notification review event

Don't miss the salt bread giveaway for Naver notification reviews‼️🥐

View of the Seochon alley near Gyeongbokgung Palace
Entrance to Respire Bakery inside the Seochon alley

Walk the Seochon alleys near Gyeongbokgung and the Cheongwadae Sarangchae, and you'll find this atmospheric café hiding among them

Outdoor terrace seating at Respire Bakery

Dogs allowed on the outdoor terrace

Respire Bakery Cafe Seochon's outdoor terrace allows dogs, so it's a good spot if you're coming with your pup. Before picking a seat, we checked out the terrace first 👀

Sipping good bread and coffee with a gentle breeze blowing — the vibe is unbeatable. Don't miss this weather, grab a terrace seat while you can haha

Café exterior atmosphere seen from the terrace

1st floor: European vintage feel, folding doors wide open

The 1st floor of Respire is vintage yet warm, like stepping into a little café in Europe.

Vintage interior of Respire Bakery's 1st floor

The entrance has folding doors that they open wide on nice days, letting the breeze drift in — it feels really good 🍃

Folding doors wide open at the entrance

Regretting we'd already eaten after seeing the brunch on the pickup counter

We just ordered drinks and something light, and while waiting, I saw the brunch plating on the pickup counter and instantly regretted eating beforehand 🥹ㅋㅋ The plating was so pretty, my eyes were treated before my mouth even got a taste haha. Just looking at it, I understood why this place is known as a Seochon brunch spot... it couldn't possibly taste bad ㅋㅋ

Brunch plating displayed on the pickup counter

There was also a big variety of bakery bread. We didn't get to try any since we'd already eaten, but next time I'm definitely going back for brunch ☝️

Assorted breads on display at Respire Bakery
Bakery showcase and ordering counter

A lot of cafés near Seochon or Gyeongbokgung are small and cozy, but Respire has a 2nd floor plus a terrace, making it a great spot for dates or gatherings 💚

Staircase leading up to the 2nd floor

How was the matcha latte, latte, and lemonade?

We ordered three drinks at Respire Bakery: matcha latte, latte, and lemonade. The lemonade was ordered for the kid, but even adults would find it satisfying.

  • 🍵 Matcha latte — I like a strong matcha, and after mixing the settled green tea powder up from the bottom, the first sip was bitter yet nutty, with matcha flavor filling my mouth hahaha. If you're a green tea fan, you'll definitely be satisfied 👍🏻
  • ☕️ Latte — Rich coffee aroma and nutty flavor blended smoothly with the milk, the scent was amazing — a really good latte
  • 🍋 Lemonade — Ordered for the kid. It looked so pretty and refreshing, and tasted like actual lemon rather than artificial syrup, with just the right sweetness that both kids and adults would enjoy 😍
Matcha latte, latte, and lemonade on the table

There are so many spots full of character throughout the space, it's fun just looking around haha

A café corner decorated with charming decor
Photo-spot area on Respire Bakery's 2nd floor

2nd-floor window seats and tables for 3–4

The 2nd floor of Respire has windows all around, so the light is great, and the view of the Seochon alley outside is so pretty I kept looking out ☺️

There are photo spots everywhere, so anyone who loves taking pictures will love this place without question. It's also a perfect spot for a date ✌️

Sunlit window seating on the 2nd floor

Most of the seats were tables for 3–4 people, and I saw groups gathering — it wasn't loud, and the atmosphere was just right for conversation.

2nd-floor tables set up for 3–4 people

Why I'd recommend it for a Seochon date

Atmosphere, taste, and accessibility — all covered! If you're looking for a good-vibe, tasty brunch or drinks café near Gyeongbokgung in Seochon, give Respire Bakery a try!

  • Pretty interior with European vintage vibes — a photo spot wherever you shoot haha 📸
  • A variety of spaces across the 1st floor, 2nd floor, and terrace
  • A wide range of brunch and bread that nail both looks and taste 🥐
  • Lots to see nearby — Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheongwadae Sarangchae, Mugunghwa Park — perfect for a date course! Very satisfied with the location too

A place where you can get good bread and great photos in one trip — with this cool weather, the terrace is a must 😍👍 Go visit Respire Bakery in Seochon soon

Where it is

Respire Bakery Cafe Seochon레스피레베이커리카페 서촌

40-7 Hyoja-ro 13-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea서울특별시 종로구 효자로13길 40-7 레스피레

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