Café Hopping in Seoul

ShuTravelDiary

16 hours ago

5 min read

Even before my Korea trip, I had already saved so many pretty cafés I wanted to visit! From beautifully decorated spaces to desserts that looked almost too cute to eat, I kept finding reasons to stop for another café break. I thought I’d put together a little collection of the cafés I visited, the things we ordered and the photos I took along the way. If you enjoy a pretty café as much as I do, you might find a few to add to your list!

SEONGSU

DALIM BREAD

The little bear breads at Dalim Bread were almost too cute to eat! They looked like they were dancing, especially the one perched on the straw of my milk tea. I also ordered the cream bread, which I quite like. The cream tasted fresh and wasn’t too sweet. The bear bread on the straw was a little dry, but it certainly made my drink extra adorable.

A whole little bear bakery. Too cute to resist!

Little bears perched on drinks, each striking a different pose.

My cream bread and milk tea, complete with a bear that looks like it’s dancing!

Dalim Bread (달임막)

Address: Ground floor, 38-2 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opening hours: Daily, 9 am–10 pm

CAFÉ ONION

The queue at Café Onion was so long, but thankfully it moved quite quickly. There were also plenty of seats inside. I ordered their signature Pandoro, the tall bake that looks like a little snow-covered mountain. It was quite nice, but very sweet for me. That whole white peak you see is icing sugar!

So many tempting bakes lined up at the counter.

Fruit-topped pastries, cream-filled treats and plenty more to choose from.

Rows of golden loaves and tempting bakes. Choosing just one was a challenge!

The signature Pandoro and my drink by the window. That snowy peak is a whole pile of icing sugar!

Café Onion Seongsu (어니언 성수)

Address: 8 Achasan-ro 9-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 8 am–10 pm; weekends and public holidays, 10 am–10 pm

RAFRE FRUIT

Rafre Fruit is very popular, so expect a wait! Thankfully, you can collect a queue number at the shop and track your turn while exploring the area. There are plenty of shops nearby to browse while waiting, and Seoul Forest is close by too, which make the wait much more enjoyable. Just keep an eye on your queue number so you can head back when your turn approaches!

I ordered the strawberry cream cake, which was quite nice, with plenty of fresh strawberries packed between the layers. A drink purchase was required when I visited, so I chose a strawberry milk drink, thinking it would pair nicely with the cake. It turned out a little too sweet and milky for me. I’d probably choose something less rich to go with the cake next time.

Strawberries on strawberries! A slice of strawberry cream cake with a matching strawberry milk drink at Rafre Fruit.

Rafre Fruit, Seongsu (라프레플루트)

Address: 2F, 8-8 Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 1 pm–7:30 pm; Saturday–Sunday, 1 pm–8 pm

CAFÉ MATRI

Café Matri caught my attention online for its peach bingsu and flower-filled interior. There was a queue when I visited, but thankfully, you could collect a queue number and browse the nearby shops while waiting.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t any peach bingsu available. In fact, there was no bingsu at all when I visited! Perhaps it was a seasonal offering. From what I remember, the available options were cakes and drinks, so that was what I ordered instead. Both looked lovely, but tasted just okay to me. With the wait involved, it wasn’t quite a highlight for me.

Cake and a floral drink in pretty pink and purple shades.

Rustic walls, wooden furniture and pockets of greenery at Café Matri. Pleasant enough, though I’d pictured more flowers after seeing it online.

The café has also offered a complimentary flower for leaving a review on Naver. Nobody mentioned this during my visit, so I missed out. There was a busy flower corner, but it was quite busy with a number of people gathered there, so I didn’t feel like squeezing in to find out more. If you’re interested, ask the staff about the review offer when you visit.

Café Matri (카페 마트리)

Address: Unit 301, 3F, 17 Seoulsup 4-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Opening hours: Daily, 12 pm–10 pm

SINSA-DONG

PANIER DE M. MOONI

Panier de M. Mooni was so pretty, starting with the giant black bows decorating the exterior! Inside, the different seating areas each had their own character, with antique-style furniture, decorative mirrors and whimsical little displays. Almost everywhere felt like a photo spot. No matter where you sat, there was something lovely to admire.

Giant black bows dressing up the exterior of Panier de M. Mooni. Pretty before you even step inside!

A flower-framed entrance and a little cobbled courtyard adding to the café’s charm.

An arched doorway framing the bakery counter, with warm lighting and antique-style furniture.

Colourful ribbon-shaped pastries and cream-filled croissants. So many tempting choices!

There’s plenty to explore across the indoor seating areas and rooftop, so take a little wander before choosing your seat. I enjoyed both my drink and the adorable little bread too. A café I’d happily recommend for its beautiful setting and tasty refreshments!

My drink and an adorable little bread by the window. Both tasted good too!

A little gathering of rabbits by the fireplace. One of the café’s many whimsical corners.

Panier de M. Mooni (빠니드 엠 무니)

Address: 16 Apgujeong-ro 56-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Opening hours: Daily, 10 am–10 pm; Last orders: 9:30 pm

ANGUK

CAFÉ LAYERED

I came to Café Layered hoping to try the adorable baby puppy cake I’d seen online, so I was quite disappointed to find it sold out! The queue was long, and after spending so much time waiting, I didn’t want to leave empty-handed. I ended up getting a cream-filled scone instead.

Many of the trays were empty by the time I entered. Even the sold out sign was cute haha!

Cakes perched on stacks of books, with flowers and lace adding to the café’s cosy charm.

A tempting spread of scones beneath Union Jack bunting.

The scone was okay, but it wasn’t a favourite for me. The cream felt quite rich and dense, whereas I prefer the lighter, airier kind. Still, the café itself was lovely. With flowers, lace-covered lamps and cakes displayed on stacks of books, it had such a charming, homely feel. There were so many little details to admire while eating.

My consolation scone after finding the puppy cake sold out. They certainly didn’t hold back on the cream!

Illustrated mugs, tote bags and little souvenirs to browse after your café break.

Café Layered Anguk (카페 레이어드 안국점)

Address: 2-3 Bukchon-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Opening hours: Daily, 8 am–10 pm

EUNPYEONG HANOK VILLAGE

1IN1JAN

I visited 1in1jan for its beautiful view over Eunpyeong Hanok Village, with traditional tiled rooftops stretching towards the mountains. My drink and neatly arranged rice cakes looked lovely against that backdrop. The rice cakes weren’t really to my taste, though I’m generally not very fond of kueh-style desserts, so that probably explains it. For me, the highlight here was definitely the view!

A little café break with Korean rice cakes, a floral tea and a beautiful view beyond the window.

Tiled hanok rooftops with Bukhansan rising behind them. The view I came to 1in1jan for!

1in1jan (1인1잔)

Address: 534 Yeonseo-ro, Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong District, Seoul, South Korea

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, typically 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM (closed on Mondays)

YEONNAM-DONG (HONGDAE AREA)

OATS COFFEE

This cream-topped coffee at Oats Coffee was so cute, with little peaks that made it look like a cat! I ordered their signature Einspänner and really enjoyed it. You’re meant to sip it without stirring, letting the coffee and cream come together with each mouthful. Definitely a drink I’d happily have again.