There’s certainly no shortage of great cafés in Seoul, from hidden neighborhood digs to trendy hot spots. But a few of them set themselves apart from the rest with their Instagram-worthy interiors and picture-perfect refreshments. Check out the best of the best below.
Ban Bossy Boutique (밴보시부티크)
Cafe, Coffee Shop, Dessert, $$$
Situated in the university district of Hongdae is an oasis of femininity and flower-themed desserts. Because of its rather bland and unremarkable exterior, first-time visitors to Ban Bossy Boutique are often taken aback by the pastel-perfect, plant-packed interior of the café upon entry. Even more impressive than its design are its sweets and beverages. Try the lemonade, which is kept nice and cool with edible flower ice cubes. The cupcakes, meanwhile, are topped with frosting flower embellishments so intricately crafted you’d think they were real. Arrive early and grab a seat by the window; the floor-to-ceiling glass panels provide great natural light, meaning your OOTD and food pics will slay all day.
Previously a rice mill in the early 1970s and then a storage space in the ’90s, the Daerim Warehouse today functions as one of the trendiest cafes in Seongsu-dong. Despite its transformation over the years, the venue stays true to its industrial roots with a spacious interior, high ceilings and a raw, utilitarian aesthetic. Filled with natural light and punctuated with real trees growing from the floors, the space oozes with a zen-like ambience, while long, communal wooden tables add to this atmosphere. Creatives will also appreciate the various artworks on display, ranging from larger-than-life animated sculptures to abstract paintings.
This Mangwon-dong café takes its name from the Korean word for “vending machine” – and for good reason, as its photo-worthy entryway resembles one. After snapping the requisite picture with the famed door, head inside for even more kitsch. Whimsical drinks and adorable cakes inspired by the unicorn and mermaid-themed baking trends sweeping the globe are a few options on offer, but the dessert menu rotates by season. In other words, you’ve got an excuse to make repeat visits to Zapangi throughout the year.
Concealed on an impossibly narrow alley among a series of scruffy structures is one of the most exceptional coffee shops in all of Seoul. Adorned like a dabang – a traditional Korean coffee house – from the Japanese colonial period, the café transports visitors back in time to a different era. Creaky wooden floors and antique furnishings like an old oriental medicine cabinet and wall panels inlaid with mother-of-pearl create an Instagram-worthy aesthetic, while an excellent but unusually varied playlist completes the atmosphere. In addition to its design, Coffee Hanyakbang’s coffee, hand-roasted in-house, is out of this world, not to mention reasonably priced.
If you’re a nature lover, Thanks Nature Café might just be the perfect place for you. Gorgeously designed, the café boasts a relaxing atmosphere with plenty of greenery and an earthy interior. Hanging on the walls are artistic portraits of various animals, but one stands out from the rest: sheep. In addition to small figures and stuffed versions of the fluffy fauna, there are also two live well-groomed sheep that reside at the café on the outside patio, where they can be visited by patrons as they enjoy their coffee. The café’s menu features a varied selection of beverages, which are all made with natural sweeteners. If you’re feeling famished, try their waffles, which are also particularly tasty. The sheep think so, too, so don’t get them too close to the pen.
Inspired by classic horror movies, the beautifully executed monster motif at Monster Cupcake makes it feel as if Halloween is every day. The artistry of the cupcakes, which feature torture devices, body parts, and scary creatures, is highly impressive, as are the icing details. Choose from items such as the tombstone tiramisu, vanilla cake topped with a light chocolate-coffee cream and a tombstone cookie, or the café mocha, which comes ornamented with an edible version of a still-bleeding severed finger. Wash your edible art down with a cup of coffee, or some Monster Blood, juice packaged in a blood bag.
As you enter fashion brand Stylenanda’s Pink Hotel in Myeongdong, you’ll also step into the wonderful world of K-style, decorated in luxurious velour, gold accents, and, of course, lots of pink. Take the elevator to the fifth floor, where even more Instagram-worthy interior design awaits at the Pink Pool Café. Neon lights, poolside vibes, and a plant-adorned rooftop patio make visitors feel as if they’re on vacation miles away from the center of Seoul. Drinks, like the Signature Cotton Candy Coffee (which is exactly what it sounds like), are just as pretty as the décor.
It’s a fact that being around plants is good for our health (not to mention our souls), which is no doubt the philosophy of Ver’s Garden. This Yeonnam-dong café and flower shop (turned wine bar in the evenings) is beautifully adorned with dozens of species of flowers and plants that trace the entirety of the place – from the floor to the ceiling and everywhere in between. Relax with a cup of flower tea as you take in the café’s beautiful décor, and feel free to bring your pup along, as Ver’s is dog-friendly.
Part of Moodlab, a curated lifestyle shop and gallery, Matchacha is Seoul’s first matcha café. Here, one can enjoy traditional, ceremonial-style matcha, or sample one of the shop’s innovative tea beverages such as the matcha blanc, a bold matcha latte topped with a slightly sweet cream. All of the shop’s matcha is grown on Jeju Island and curated by the owner. The drinks on offer are complemented by the café’s minimalist interior, seemingly straight off the cover of Kinfolk.
This inspiring space is the perfect location to grab a cup of coffee and a slice of cake in the afternoon. Takeout Drawing is not only a café, but also showcases artworks by local artists. Even the beverages and snacks seem to be tiny works of art, as they come in all shapes and colors. Try the Paul’s Meringue Factory, a delicious espresso topped with homemade meringues.
