Late-night decaf at a Mapo café: Pip Espresso Bar

A spacious espresso bar on Yeonnam-dong’s Cherry Blossom Road

Pip Espresso Bar is on the first floor at 5 Seongmisan-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It is 744 m from Exit 3 of Hongik University Station, or about a 10-minute walk. It is a little way from the station, but it sits right beside the children’s park in the middle of Yeonnam-dong’s Cherry Blossom Road, so it is nice to walk there as part of a stroll.

First of all, the space is much bigger than I expected. It is divided into first-floor indoor seating and an outdoor terrace, and the interior has a good variety of seating, so you can choose based on your group size or mood. With concrete walls and vintage lights placed here and there, it even felt like stepping into a stylish select shop. Maybe because it is an espresso bar, the subtle coffee aroma drifting through the whole place was especially lovely. Further inside, there is also a quiet, room-like space, which seems great for a larger group or when you want to talk quietly.

A comfortable spot for catching up on a weekday evening

I went on a weekday evening, and it was not too busy, which made it perfect for catching up with a friend. The tables are nicely spaced apart too, so we could talk comfortably without worrying about the people next to us. The outdoor terrace has parasols and string lights, so I think it would have such a nice atmosphere on a good-weather day. The weather was lovely when I visited too, and there were people chatting and working on laptops out on the terrace.

When you meet in the evening, you have to check a café’s closing time before going, but Pip Espresso Bar stays open until 11 PM, so it is great for talking comfortably into the evening. Many Yeonnam-dong cafés close early, so I really appreciated this!

The thoughtful details stood out too. These days, there are cafés where you have to ask staff directly for water, but here you can help yourself without feeling awkward. There are blankets available in the middle of the space as well, so you can grab one if the weather is chilly. It left an even better impression because you could feel the care that went into details like these.

Cherry tiramisu and a decaf iced Americano

This time, I ordered the cherry tiramisu and a decaf iced Americano.

Cherry tiramisu with a rich coffee flavor

The cherry tiramisu had a stronger coffee flavor than I expected, so it was pleasantly bitter. But when you eat it with the cream and cherries on top, the balance is really lovely. It was less sweet than the tiramisu at a typical chain café, with a stronger natural coffee flavor, which made it different and delicious. You can also switch the coffee used in the tiramisu to decaf.

I could see why the words “Best Tiramisu” were posted by the entrance. It is a dessert worthy of being a signature menu item. My friend and I finished it in no time!

Decaf coffee that was satisfying even in the evening

It is actually surprisingly hard to find delicious decaf Americanos, isn’t it? But the decaf here was tasty too, so I was very satisfied. I think people who are sensitive to caffeine could enjoy it comfortably as well :)

I chose decaf because it was evening, but for anyone visiting during the day, this is an espresso bar with so many options to try: a variety of espresso drinks, granita, non-coffee drinks, and even cocktails. Just looking at the menu was enough to make choosing feel like a happy dilemma.

I would recommend it if you are looking for a Yeonnam-dong café with a spacious feel and a lovely atmosphere. With terrace seating, it would suit a date on a nice day too, and I was happy with both the coffee and dessert. It is charming enough to make me curious about all the other menu items, so I would like to return next time.