Heading To Seoul? Include These Trendy Spots In Your Café Crawl

Sip and snap away at these beautiful cafés in South Korea’s capital city

 

 

Apart from the K-drama landmarks, exquisite palaces and amazing shopping districts, many recommend exploring the café culture of South Korea. Most of the places are known for excellent brews and tasty pastries, but the design and interior concepts these establishments explore make it worthwhile. From a 2D-looking space to a spot that perfectly mimics the sunset hour, you’ll find yourself enjoying your beverage and the experience. So include these cafés in Seoul in your coffee crawl itinerary—you won’t regret it.

 

Greem Café

Location: 223-14 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours: 12PM to 9PM KST on Wednesdays to Sundays, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

 

 

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Step into a comic book and explore a two-dimensional world when you pay a visit to Greem Café! Its flat-looking, black-and-white interior transports you to the webtoon W. (Yes, the source material for the hit K-drama W: Two Worlds, starring Lee Jong-Suk and Han Hyo-Joo.) According to TripZilla, the spot’s name, Greem, comes from the Korean word geulim (그림 ), which means “cartoon” or “paint.” Sip on drinks and be the main character of your own web series when you head over to some of its branches in Seoul, Jeju, Saudi Arabia and soon, Qatar.

 

Cafe Layered

Locations:

Anguk Branch: 03059  2-3, Bukchon-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Yeonnam Branch: 223-20 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

The Hyundai Seoul: Tasty Seoul Food Hall, LG The Hyundai Seoul, 22 Yeoui-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours: 8AM to 10PM KST on weekdays, 10AM to 10PM KST on weekends

 

 

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Cafe Layered is known for its British-style scones and a vast array of desserts, a treasure trove of treats for those with a sweet tooth. But don’t worry, Cafe Layered has some savory picks, too. Aside from its mouth-watering display of pastries and food, its interior is quaint and a little bit kitschy, with some decor that will remind you of Great Britain. Cafe Layered has different locations in the city, such as Anguk-dong (near Bukchon Hanok Village), Yeonnam-dong and The Hyundai Seoul. If you have a day dedicated to exploring Busan, you can also try out their pastries at the Shinsegae Department Store in Centum City.

 

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Nuldam Space

Locations:

Gyeongbokgung Palace: 24 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu

Haebangchon: 18-12 Sinheung-ro 15-gil, Yongsan-gu

Hwahongmun Gate: 14 Jeongjo-ro 886-gil, Buksu-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Operating Hours:

Gyeongbokgung Palace: 10AM to 10PM from Mondays to Sundays

Haebangchon: 12PM to 8PM from Mondays to Sundays

Hwahongmun Gate: 12PM to 8PM from Mondays to Sundays

 

 

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Let me paint you a picture: you’re sitting down, sipping a great cup of coffee and maybe even sinking your teeth into a delectable pastry. Then, immortalize the vision by penning your future self a wax-sealed letter—a reminder of that trip to South Korea. That’s what Nuldam Space offers, as well as a scenic view of tourist attractions like N Seoul Tower or Gyeongbokgung Palace. Sip on a beverage, munch on vegan pastries and bask in the atmosphere as you write a letter—it can’t get better than this, right? This is one of the cafés in Seoul you need to check out.

 

Dusk Blue

Location: 2F 32-64, Dangsan-dong 4-ga, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Operating Hours: 11AM to 12MN on Mondays to Sundays, closed on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month

 

 

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While some people prefer not to drink coffee as the sun sets to appease their body clocks, there’s nothing like sipping a cuppa while watching the sky turn orange. At least in Dusk Blue, you can enjoy the setup without worrying about the time (and if you’ll be able to sleep that night). As its name suggests, the café’s interiors simulate amazing sunsets to keep the ambiance relaxing. Enjoy desserts, coffee and even cocktails with the cozy interior when you drop by.

 

Concede Seoul

Location: Room 100, 1F, 17 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours: 9:30AM to 5PM KST on Mondays to Fridays, 9:30AM to 6PM KST on Saturdays, closed on Sundays

 

 

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If you’re more on the laid-back, minimalist aesthetic when looking for go-to places, then visit Concede Seoul. Deep wood and neutral interiors offer a relaxing space to hang out. This café in Seoul might be newer then the others on this list, but it also gained popularity thanks to their croffins. Their croissant and muffin hybrid, as its name suggests, has even caught the attention of Esquire South Korea. Pair the pastry with a caffeinated beverage for a great treat.

 

P.S. Concede Seoul is a few hops away from HYBE Insight Museum. So make it a two-in-one trip before HYBE Insight closes on January 15, 2023.

 

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Coffee Nap Roasters

Locations:

                Seoul: 70, Seongmisan-ro 27-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

                Gyeonggi-do: 35, Bongnam 2-gil, Jinwi-myeon, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do

                Jeju: 45, Hagwi 2-gil, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

Operating Hours: 9AM to 10PM from Mondays to Sundays

 

 

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Known for their “red brick hill,” Coffee Nap Roasters comes with an unconventional way of interiors. The hill inside the store serves as seating for their customers, giving them a different view wherever they choose to perch themselves. But more than that, Coffee Nap Roasters stands as an independent coffee brand in Seoul. So if you take your coffee a lot more seriously than your average sightseer, the is one of the cafés in Seoul highly recommended for you to explore.

 

Lowide Coffee Bakery

Location: 685-290 Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Operating Hours: 10AM to 8PM on Mondays to Fridays, 11AM to 9PM on Saturdays and Sundays

 

 

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If you’ve been looking for places to include in your itinerary on TikTok, you might’ve spotted some videos on Lowide Coffee Bakery. Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga is often called the “Brooklyn of Seoul,” but Lowide is considered one of the upcoming must-visits in the area. Whether you have a sweet tooth or a preference for savory pastries, Lowide Coffee Bakery’s selection will have your mouth watering. All are best eaten with their coffee or refreshing beverages like flavored “ades.”

 

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If this story has you tempted to book that flight to South Korea, here’s a list of long weekends and holidays you can maximize. You’re welcome.

 

Got your eyes set on any of these cafés in Seoul? Let us know in the comments below!

 

 

Banner Photo Lowide Coffee Bakery

Art Matthew Ian Fetalver