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If you are looking for the best things to do in Seoul, then hopping around aesthetic cafes in Seoul should be at the top of your list! Especially the ones that also serve great coffee and not just looks.
Seoul is heaven for coffee lovers. Whether you are ticking items off your list of top places to visit during your first time in Seoul, or you are wandering the streets of the historic Bukchon Hanok Village, you can be sure there is an aesthetic cafe around the corner.
However, lots of them aim to be aesthetically pleasing and photogenic and tend to leave the quality of the coffee and the barista training slide. And as much as I love a beautiful cafe interior, I still need a good cup of coffee to go with it.
That is why I decided to compile this list of some of my favorite aesthetic cafes in Seoul that also serve good coffee.
Some of these were my regular spots while living in Seoul for three months, so you know they are good!
So let’s get you caffeinated for a day of exploring beautiful Seoul!
10 Aesthetic Cafes In Seoul (That Also Serve Great Coffee)
1. Cerulean Insa
Cerulean was the first great coffee I had in this city, and it changed me. Before this, I had had inconsistently okay coffees in aesthetic-looking places, and I had accepted that that was my fate in Seoul.
But Cerulean Insa gave me hope that this city wasn’t just about the looks but also about the quality of the coffee.
As you order your coffee, the barista will ask you to choose between two of their coffee blends—my favorite one being their burgundy blend with chocolate notes.
You can enjoy your coffee of choice in the hanok space in the back of the building, or in the glass-walled patio in the front of the cafe.
This is definitely one of the most uniquely aesthetic cafes in Seoul, with a blend of traditional architecture and modern design, AND the coffee is delicious. A winner all around!
If you find it, make sure to pin it in your maps because it might be hard to remember how to get there again.
Address: 17 Insadong 12-gil, Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
2. Four Stones
Four Stones is one of the best cafes in Seoul for a good coffee and one of those places that just ticks all the boxes for me; the place is as gorgeous, the pastries are tasty, and their coffee is good.
Walking into the space is very easy to see that this place thought everything through.
The coffee is taken seriously and the beautiful white-walled space with wood-trimmed ceilings invites you to take a seat at one of their numerous tables. If the weather allows, there is also ample space on their patio to sit and enjoy a strong cup of coffee.
For something unique, make sure to try their signature Four Stones latte, a strong and sweet drink, that will give you the wake-up kick you need.
Address: 5 Teheran-ro 103-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
3. Astronomers Coffee
If you are looking for a strong cup of coffee, and a perfectly frothed latte, look no further than Astronomers Coffee, a modest little basement cafe located in the young neighborhood of Hongdae.
As you step down to the Astronomers Coffee you are welcomed by a bare-boned coffee bar that kind of looks like someone stubbornly decided to start a coffee shop with whatever they had at hand, which I love.
The space has a rougher aesthetic, but still its a vibe, and they serve a strong espresso and beautiful latte art.
Address: 22-30 Yanghwa-ro 19-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
4. Namusairo
Namusairo is another great option if what you are looking for is a good coffee to get you through your day. Located inside a beautiful traditional hanok, this is the perfect place to get caffeinated if you are close to the Gyenbokgung Palace.
If is not already taken when you get there, check out the cute sitting area up in the attic in the back room, make sure to remove your shoes before you go up.
Address: 196 Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
5. Coffeology Specialty Coffee
I’m cheating with this one…
This might not be one of the most uniquely aesthetic cafes in Seoul, having a more modern and simple look, but the coffee is so good that I think it deserves a mention anyway.
This specialty coffee shop in the Insadong neighborhood gets straight to the point, delivering a good cup of coffee for the business people in the area.
The location is so simple that it easily goes unnoticed. I discovered it by accident but became a fan after having a perfect latte to go—which I give extra points for since I feel like for some reason lots of places sabotage their coffee when you order it to go.
The venue might not be super aesthetic, but the logo is pretty cute, right?
Address: Susong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
6. Sudal Cafe
Sudal Cafe is, without a doubt, one of the most aesthetic cafes in Seoul with great coffee. I can very confidently say this as I made this my regular spot during our three-month stay in Seoul.
Their coffee has not even once disappointed me, their lattes are always prepared to perfection!
Their menu also offers a variety of teas, cakes, and some of their signature coffees, such as the Viennese, and a delicious mocha, which is great if you need that extra kick of caffeine and sugar.
Address: 49-14 율곡로 Jongno-gu, Seoul
7. Blue Bottle Coffee
Blue Bottle Coffee may not be native to Korea—it’s actually a California-based company—but they have a few locations around Seoul.
And even though there are thousands of unique coffee shops to try in Seoul, I believe we cannot talk about good coffee in the city without giving a shoutout to Blue Bottle. Plus, the space is very cute!
Blue Bottle has been one of the most consistently prepared coffees I have had in this city. And I do believe it has to do with the Korean precision and dedication to coffee because somehow the coffee tastes better here than when I had it for the first time in San Francisco.
Make sure to try their mocha, is one of my favorite ones ever!
Address: 11 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Seorin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
8. Grandpa Factory Cafe
Tucked away in the up-and-coming Seongsu neighborhood you will find a wide variety of unique cafes. From the incredibly elaborate ones, like NUDAKE, to more rustic ones, like the spacious and inviting Grandpa Factory Cafe.
Grandpa Factory Cafe is one of the best cafes in Seoul’s Seongsu neighborhood. The location is beautiful and cozy, it even has a tree house where you can drink your coffee in.
This inviting cafe offers an extensive food menu, which is rare in Korean cafes, and their coffee is carefully prepared and served.
A cafe worth checking out if you are exploring this fun area of Seoul!
Address: 9 Seongsuiro 7(chil)ga-gil, Seongsu 2(i)-ga 1(il)-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
9. Komfortabel
Komfortabel is a moody, elegant, and one of the most aesthetic cafes in Seoul, located in the Anguk neighborhood.
The place is straightforward, their menu is short, you can choose between two types of blends for your espresso-based drink, and there might be two to three options for a small pastry to snack on.
This Scandinavian-inspired cafe also provides wifi and plenty of seating space, which makes it a great spot to work from.
This place really ticks all the boxes for me, a gorgeously designed space with great coffee, and in a vibrant neighborhood worth exploring. So make sure to check it out!
Address: Seoul, Jongno-gu, Yunposun-gil, 16-1 1층
10. Arabica
A very expected coffee arrival in Seoul is the Japanese coffee company Arabica. Which combines everything that Koreans love; great coffee and beautiful design.
This is why is no surprise that as soon as they opened their location in the Coex Mall people were lining up daily to try their famous coffee.
It took me almost until the end of my three-month stay in Seoul to actually find the place empty enough for me to have the patience to wait for the coffee, and honestly, it did not disappoint.
The place has a minimalistic aesthetic; all-white decor and gold details, which I love.
The espresso-based drinks are strong and you can tell they take their time making sure every drink is prepared to perfection. Which is why even though is relatively new to the city, I would consider Arabica one of the best cafes in Seoul for good coffee.
Seoul is the perfect destination for any coffee lover, and while this list might be short I think it is a great place to start your journey of trying some of the most aesthetic cafes in Seoul with actually great coffee.
Have you visited any of these great cafes in Seoul? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
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