Asia

Quirky Cafes in Seoul

 

The café culture is Seoul is growing, and it’s growing fast. Of course you’ll find dozens of uniquely themed cafes from fantasy to fairy-tale, but the scene is developing to include speciality coffee shops as well. In Seoul, there is a café to satisfy all of your whims and here are just a few of them.

 

Seoul

Café Imi
Bingsu is Korea’s version of flavoured shaved ice and let me tell you it’s just as good as any Kakigori I consumed in Japan. The creamy orange bingsu I had at Café Imi was seriously good. The tanginess from the mandarin-infused ice went surprisingly well with the fluffy cream layered on top. Do yourself a favour and try bingsu at least once when you’re in Seoul.
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Seoul

Stylenanda pink pool café
Barbie fans, this all-pink café is for you. Located on the top floor of a hotel-themed shopping boutique, the terrace is built to resemble a hotel pool in the heart of the city. The menu is just as girlie as the interior design with candyfloss coffee and pastel pink ice cream.
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Seoul

Café Bora
I am a long-time lover of sweets made with root vegetables, (I’m looking at you carrot cake and beetroot brownies), so I got pretty excited to find this purple sweet potato dessert bar. Nestled down a tiny back alley in the historic Bukchon district, it would be easy to miss if you didn’t know it was there. The purple sweet potato gives all of their desserts a beautiful lilac hue and a sweet, earthy taste.
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Seoul

Felt
Felt has a bare-bones interior, focusing less on aesthetics and more on excellent coffee. Most people come for their rich and strong espresso, but I can vouch for their flawless flat white which also packs a punch. The stripped-back café complements the hipster vibe.
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Seoul

Tarr Tarr
Baked tarts are a popular dessert in South Korea, but no one has as many exciting flavours as Tarr Tarr. With a glass counter glistening with rainbow-coloured tarts and pretty fruit toppings, it’s little wonder it has become a massive Instagram hit.
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Seoul

Luft
This trendy café is where you’ll find crowds of fashionable Koreans. The all-white interior features Hawaiian touches with tropical plants, turquoise paper cups and Hawaiian roasted coffee beans.
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Seoul

The pancake epidemic
If you’ve eaten your weight in kimchi and bibimbap and you just need a stack of good old-fashioned pancakes, this is you place. Aptly named the Pancake Epidemic, you’ll find every flavour to satisfy your sweet tooth. I opted for the classic with lemon meringue cream and maple syrup and it hit the spot.
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Seoul

Coffee Place
With floor-to-ceiling windows and a red brick façade, this light-drenched café is the perfect place to pause after visiting the palaces. Take a moment to reflect on the beautiful palace and gardens over a coffee that is sure to energise you for your next cultural hit.
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Seoul

Ikovox coffee
This royal-blue and brass decorated café wouldn’t be out of place in London. Ikovox roasts its own beans and offers superior coffee to caffeine-craving locals.
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Seoul

Underyard
If you’re missing the Western brunch classics of smashed avocado and shakshuka, look no further than Underyard. This trendy café makes a mean coffee to wash down your spicy shakshuka with.
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