South Korea is famous for its unique and cozy cafés, so in this article I will tell you about 8 of my favorites, where you can go to relax and spend a pleasant afternoon with your friends.
1. Forest Outings (포레스트 아웃팅스)
Let’s start immediately with this beautiful café/restaurant located outside Seoul. It’s a bit far away but believe me, it’s really worth stopping by. Forest Outings offers not only pastries but also other types of food, such as pizza or pasta, so you can choose to stop for lunch or for a simple coffee and a pastry. Personally I recommend doing both, since the place is very big you can also take a walk inside. What stands out the most is the fact that the decorations are very pretty. The first floor has a beautiful botanical garden where you can walk and take a lot of aesthetic pictures.
Address: South Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Goyang-si, Goyang-daero, 1124 KR
2. Koriko Cafe (코리코 카페)
The Koriko Café is quite famous as it is Studio Ghibli themed, in fact it is inspired by the famous film ”Kiki’s delivery service”. This café is very nice, the interiors are decorated to give a welcoming mood. When the weather is good you can sit outside, on the second floor and at the top, where the café has a very pretty rooftop. On the first floor there is also a small shop where you can buy themed souvenirs.
*It is not necessary to make an advance reservation
Address: 223-96 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
3. Savage Garden Café (새비지가든 카페)
If you are looking for a peaceful place to relax and enjoy an excellent vegan menu, Savage Garden is for you. Located in Itaewon, one of the trendiest areas of Seoul, this café offers an amazing view of the Namsan Tower and the surrounding neighborhood. The interior is very unique, each area has a different ”style”, you can sit surrounded by nature or, on the second floor there are areas that resemble a laboratory, where you can find various plants bottled and displayed on the shelves. An incredible place to spend a day with friends or alone.
*It is not necessary to make an advance reservation
Address: 5 Hoenamu-ro 35-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
4. White Birch Story Teahouse (자작나무 이야기)
The White Birch Story Teahouse is personally one of my favorite places to go when I want to feel part of a fairy tale. This adorable teahouse is located in one of Seoul’s traditional neighborhoods. The interior is relatively small but very comfortable, with a rustic style. As soon as you enter you are greeted by incredibly friendly and welcoming staff. As for the menu, you can enjoy typical Korean herbal teas and their famous red bean Bingsu. They also make a delicious croiffle (croissant+waffle) with fresh cream and grapes. I recommend booking on the weekend because being a small and quite famous place it tends to be often crowded. Or I recommend going during the week as soon as it opens (12:00)
Address: 74-15 Yulgok-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, 서울 South Korea
5. Cafe Onion Anguk (카페 어니언)
I’m sure that for those of you who have already been to South Korea, the name of this café is not new to you, Café Onion is in fact one of the most popular cafés in Seoul. Also located in a very traditional area of Seoul which includes the famous Gyeongbokgung (경복궁) Palace. In this area you can also rent the famous traditional Korean clothes (Hanbok 한복) to fully experience the tradition.
Coming back to us: The Onion Café was created inside a traditional Korean structure called Hanok (한옥). In addition to having the usual tables and chairs you also have the possibility of sitting on the floor (remember to take off your shoes!). This pretty café also offers a huge variety of pastries and savory food. So, if you want to spend a day full of tradition, I highly recommend this place.
Address: 5 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
6. Connects Coffee (커넥츠 커피 망원)
I discovered this café by chance, I was wandering around the streets of Seoul and I happened to come across this unique place with a very welcoming mood. Connects Coffee specializes purely in coffee, and believe me when I tell you that it is one of the best I have ever tried.
The interior is very minimal and modern, with nice background music.
Honestly, I find that this place is also suitable for those who simply want to spend a few hours in the company of a good book, or for those who want to study in peace, without the general chaos. It is also open 24/7.
Address: 서울특별시 마포구 월드컵로 11길 8, 1층 커넥츠커피 105호, South Korea
7. Bear Cafe (베어카페)
I believe that the best way to find a place to relax is to simply walk and look around, this is what I did when I discovered the Bear Café, I was wandering through the alleys of Seoul when I stumbled upon this cute café entirely built in a traditional Korean establishment, where you can sit outside and enjoy a bit of nature or stay inside and observe the beautiful details that this café offers.
One thing I really appreciated is the fact that inside there is a space dedicated to magazines of all kinds, which you can look at while waiting for your order. Since it is slightly hidden, I find it even more beautiful and peaceful.
Address: 24 Jahamun-ro 24-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
8. Dotori Garden (도토리 카페)
Last but not least we have the Dotori Garden, another very cute café built inside an old house. Located in Jongno, a very central and popular area of Seoul, this café, in addition to being beautiful inside, with a rustic and homemade design, offers many sweet and savory delights. I think it’s an extremely nice place to go for a first date or with friends.
*I recommend making a reservation, because it is very often full, or you have to wait outside for at least 10-20 minutes.
Address: 19-8 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
*all the photos displayed were taken by me