Seoul & Beyond by Leeloo

Welcome to my little guide of Seoul cafés! 🌿 This list of “Coffee Shops You Can’t Miss” is just a starting point — a selection of spots I absolutely love, but it certainly doesn’t cover all the amazing cafés Seoul has to offer. If you’re craving even more dreamy interiors, latte art and cozy corners, check out my Pinterest board where I pin photos of these cafés (and many more). Perfect for planning your next café-hopping adventure in Seoul!

☕ 1. Café Grandpa
📍 9, Seodsui-ro 7ga-gil, Seogdong-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @grandpa.factory
✨ Why I love it: This café, located in a charming neighborhood of Seoul, is spacious and spread over two floors. It also features a lovely terrace in the inner courtyard — perfect for summer days — along with its famous treehouse, a must-see spot. Fans of K-dramas might recognize it, as a scene from Vincenzo was filmed here.

⚠️ Note: Google currently lists this café as “permanently closed,” but I personally visited in April 2025. Although their official Instagram hasn’t been updated recently, the place is still frequently tagged by visitors, which confirms it’s open.

☕ 2. Café Jigu
📍 30-3 Seongmisan-ro 29gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @jigu_bakery
✨ Why I love it: Their cakes are amazing! It’s takeout only since the space is tiny, but worth it. Bonus tip → if you’re into stationery, check out @ploting_life on the same street 📚.

☕ 3. Café nw2b
📍 255-19 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @nw2b_yeonnam
✨ Why I love it: Head up to the second floor for window seats overlooking the street. You can even shop while sipping your latte — I left with a handbag 👜 but they also sell wallets, varsity jackets, and more.

☕ 4. Café Ma Pause
📍 60 Yanghwa-ro 6gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @mapause_vegan
✨ Why I love it: Cute British-style décor, and best of all — everything’s vegan! Drinks, desserts, and their cookies are a must. 🍪

☕ 5. Café Ramiscone
📍 32, Dosan-daero 53-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @ramiscone.online
✨ Why I love it: This area is one of my favorites — full of trendy shops. They offer plant-based milk for drinks, and while the scones aren’t vegan, they’re huge and seriously good.

☕ 6. Café Minchodan
📍 Yeonnam: 32 Seongmisan-ro 29gil, Mapo-gu
📍 Seongsu: 427-15 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu
📲 Instagram: @minchodan_official
✨ Why I love it: Confession… I’m team mint-choco 😱 and this place is heaven for us. Ice creams, drinks, desserts — all mint-chocolate inspired. They even have mascot-themed merch! (Staff speaks great English too.) Not a mint-choco fan? Maybe skip this one 😆.

☕ 7. Café Pokpo
📍 262-24 Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @cafe.pokpo
✨ Why I love it: Yes, it’s touristy, but so worth it for the view. Sit down with a coffee and enjoy the scenery, or grab a drink to-go from the kiosk and walk in front of the waterfall. Perfect photo spot 🤳.

☕ 8. Café Scene
📍 20, Yeonmujang 5-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @sceneseoul_official
✨ Why I love it: Right in the heart of Seongsu, this café is spacious with a summer terrace and even a shopping floor (I found the prettiest black skirt there 😍). Drinks are refreshing (try the peach coconut iced tea!), the mango cake is delicious, and if you’re hungry, go for the maple syrup French toast. (! Nut allergy? Ask for it without the topping.)

☕ 9. Café Ikcoffee
📍 20 Sinchol-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @ikcoffee_
✨ Why I love it: A small, cozy café with a laid-back vibe. Sometimes it hosts K-pop or K-drama themed events, like idol or actor birthday cafés. Plus, there’s a red Lego dragon by the window 🐲.

☕ 10. Café 1in
📍 534, Yeonseo-ro, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @1in_official
✨ Why I love it: Found at the entrance of Eunpyeong Hanok Village — like Bukchon, but less crowded. You can bus there easily. Explore the village, snap photos, maybe hike to the nearby temple, then relax here with gorgeous views and lovely drinks.

☕ 11. Café Cheongsudang
📍 31-9 Donghwamun-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @cheongsudang
✨ Why I love it: In a charming area full of restaurants and shops, this café feels like stepping into a peaceful oasis. Lanterns, bamboo, and a pond set the mood 🏮. Their citrus teas are perfection 🫖.

☕ 12. Café Justin
📍 8 Sinheung-ro 5gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @justin_haebangchon
✨ Why I love it: Spacious, with a terrace and a wide menu. Orders are made at the kiosk, and you’ll find plenty of options — from hot and cold drinks to meals and sweet snacks.

☕ 13. Café Chaddeul
📍 272, Dongnam-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @cha.ddeul
✨ Why I love it: Close to Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s popular, so expect a wait (I did!). Set inside a hanok, it’s a stunning traditional tea house with an extensive tea menu. I loved the floral tea 👌. Try walnut snacks (hodu) or shaved ice with red beans (bingsu).

☕ 14. Café Clementine
📍 5-1, Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @clemenine.crko
✨ Why I love it: A small, flower-filled, Pinterest-perfect café with an upstairs seating area. It’s busy, but still cozy (most people are busy taking photos anyway 😅). Fun fact: you can order flowers directly through their Instagram 💐.

☕ 15. Café HIDDEN
📍 22, Dongmak-ro 19gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
📲 Instagram: hidden-cafe.bar
✨ Why I love it: I was waiting for some friends here, and the place is really cute and aesthetic. At that time, the coffeeshop still had the birthday event decorations for a K-pop idol, which made it even more charming ☺️. The lady who served us was very kind, and you can also place your order directly on tablets at the counter. I tried the tiramisu, but they also offer a variety of sweet desserts and savory options.

☕ 16. Café Tortoise
📍 81 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu ,Seoul
📲 Instagram: @tortoise_haebang
✨ Why I love it: Adorable café with a quiet, minimalist atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing or reading. I spent a peaceful moment on the second floor enjoying a drink and their delicious mango 🥭 soufflé—light, fluffy, and beautifully presented. One of the cutest details is the turtle-shaped buzzer that lets you know when your order is ready. I loved it so much that I wanted to return to try the peach soufflé, but I didn’t have enough time. It’s definitely a spot I recommend for anyone exploring cozy cafés or dessert places in Seoul.

☕ 17. Café Rainreport
📍 85 Sowol-ro, 40gil, Yongsan, Seoul
📲 Instagram: @rainreport_official
✨ Why I love it: I discovered Rainreport via Instagram and decided to check it out — and it definitely lived up to the hype. I was captivated by its sleek, all-black décor which gives the café a modern, moody vibe that’s both stylish and relaxing. The atmosphere felt calm and minimal, the perfect spot to unwind or catch up with friends over a drink. Every detail, from the lighting to the furniture, contributed to a chic yet cozy aesthetic that’s rare in cafés. Whether you’re looking for a unique café experience in Seoul or just want a beautiful backdrop for photos, Rainreport delivers on both taste and ambiance.