Seoul coffee shops are some of the most fun places to spend an afternoon in the city. You can find a ₩2,500 espresso at a standing bar, a café that feels like a hotel lobby, and a cheesecake you can only take home if you bring your own container. This guide covers six cafes in Yeonnam-dong, Hannam-dong, Cheongdam, Sadang and Yangjae, with what to order, what we paid, and how to get there.
The picks below are adapted from visits by Revitguide reviewer 호미식 (Homisik), who rated each 4 out of 5. Each section links to the original Korean review.
Searching in Korean? Try 서울 카페 (Seoul cafe) or the neighborhood name plus 카페, for example 연남동 카페 or 한남동 카페, on Naver Map.
Seoul Coffee Shops at a Glance
| Cafe | Area | What to order | We paid | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earth Us (얼스어스) | Yeonnam-dong | Seasonal cheesecake, Green Tea Island | ₩15,500 and ₩6,500 | Cake, matcha, zero waste |
| Jo & Dawson (조앤도슨) | Yeonnam-dong | Classic French toast | ₩18,500 with milk tea | Dessert lovers |
| Atelier Pond (아틀리에 폰드) | Hannam-dong | Vanilla bean latte, baked goods | ₩9,500 | Interior design, gifts |
| Leesar Coffee (리사르커피) | Cheongdam | Espresso drinks, granita | ₩3,000 | A quick espresso break |
| Taeyang Coffee (태양커피) | Sadang | Einspanner | ₩5,500 | Einspanner fans |
| Reflect Coffee Roasting Lab (리플렉트커피) | Yangjae | Matcha cube latte, fig crumble | ₩18,700 | Visiting with a dog |
What to Know About Seoul Cafes
Korea drinks a lot of coffee, and Seoul has cafes on almost every block. However, the Seoul coffee shops that people cross the city for usually do one thing very well. In this list, that means a signature dessert, a specific drink such as einspanner (espresso topped with a thick layer of sweet cream), or a space that is a destination in itself.
- Prices: At these six Seoul coffee shops we paid from ₩3,000 for an espresso drink to about ₩9,500 for a specialty latte. Desserts usually add ₩7,000 to ₩12,000.
- Waiting lists: Popular dessert cafes often use a waitlist. Earth Us, for example, opens a remote CatchTable waitlist in the morning. Others take your phone number at the door and call you back.
- Takeout rules: Most cafes give you a takeout cup. Zero waste cafes such as Earth Us only pack drinks and cakes in your own tumbler or container.
- Hours: Many popular cafes open at 11:00 or 12:00 rather than early morning, and some close one weekday. Espresso bars like Leesar open much earlier.
In addition, if you like this kind of cafe hopping, Anthracite Coffee in Seogyo-dong, one of Seoul’s best-known roasters, is also worth a stop near Hapjeong. For more neighborhoods full of cafes, see our Seongsu-dong food guide and Ikseon-dong food guide.
1. Earth Us (얼스어스), Yeonnam-dong
I finally made it to Earth Us after two failed takeout attempts. The reason I failed was simple. Earth Us is a zero waste cafe, so to take away cake or a drink, you have to bring your own tumbler or reusable container. They don’t use single-use items like napkins or straws either. Every time I stopped by, I didn’t have a container with me, so I had to leave without anything.
As the name suggests, the cafe has a clear direction: no disposables, for the sake of the planet. Even the sign skips anything flashy and is just simple lettering on the wall, which somehow felt very Earth Us.
As soon as I walked in, the space felt warm and natural. Wood furniture and white interiors blend together, so it feels comfortable and cozy rather than over-decorated. There is a vintage touch too. Partway in, there is a section with a low ceiling, and the staff kindly reminded me to watch my head.
The cheesecake I ordered had the slight tang of cheese, but with the sweet layer at the bottom it was easy to enjoy. The melon pairing was especially good, fresh and sweet at the same time, and it worked better than I expected. I heard it often sells out when ingredients run out, so I was lucky to get one. Because I had failed twice before, both the space and the cake felt even more memorable.
Come back for the Green Tea Island
On my next visit, I looked at the menu and ordered the Green Tea Island instead of an americano. Earth Us doesn’t claim to be a matcha specialist. But the description, “a green tea latte made with ice cream, topped with green tea cream,” was hard to pass up for a matcha lover. In short, it was better than I expected. The soft foam came with a pleasantly bitter matcha flavor, the sweetness was not overdone, and it had almost none of the artificial taste processed matcha can have. Even the ice cream is matcha, so it felt like stepping into a matcha world.
Earth Us is famous for cheesecake, so I didn’t expect much from the drinks. Still, I would order the Green Tea Island again. If you like matcha, don’t just look at the cakes here; order one alongside. What makes the place attractive is not that it’s pretty, but that it sticks to its own direction.
- Address: 150 Seongmisan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 성미산로 150)
- Station: Hongik University Station Exit 3, about a 10-minute walk
- Hours: Wednesday to Monday 12:00–21:00, closed Tuesdays (last order 30 minutes before closing, per the cafe’s Instagram)
- Waiting: Remote CatchTable waitlist opens at 10:00
- Map: Open in Naver Map · Original review on Revitguide and second visit
2. Jo & Dawson (조앤도슨), Yeonnam-dong
I had already had a coffee that day, but people kept saying you have to go here when you’re in Yeonnam-dong, so I went. I ordered the French toast and a milk tea. The moment my knife cut through the toast, I knew: this is a place worth coming to.
The milk tea was more ordinary than I expected. Even so, the French toast made such a strong impression that I forgot about that quickly. It was a weekday afternoon, yet there were hardly any empty seats, so the place is clearly already popular. Even with a full room, the staff were very friendly, which put me in a good mood. If someone asked me for a dessert cafe in Yeonnam-dong, I would recommend this one with confidence.
- Address: Basement level, 31 Donggyo-ro 41-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 동교로41길 31 지층)
- Station: Hongik University Station Exit 3, about a 10-minute walk
- Menu: The dessert menu is short, mainly the Classic French Toast and a cheesecake, plus milk teas, teas and coffee. Recent blogs list the toast at about ₩10,000 to ₩11,000.
- Hours: Listings have changed often (recent sources say 10:00–20:00). Check Instagram @joanddawson before you go.
- Waiting: Expect a queue, especially on weekends. Staff take your name and number and call you back.
- Map: Open in Naver Map · Original review on Revitguide
3. Atelier Pond (아틀리에 폰드), Hannam-dong
I had plans near Hannam-dong and stopped by after being amazed by photos alone. Honestly, I came away feeling that I drank in the space more than the coffee. It feels a bit like a hotel and a bit like a gallery. In particular, the interior is built around the classic wood tones I love, and everything is calm and neatly arranged.
Classic display cabinets and objects, animal motifs and flower arrangements make it feel like walking into a showroom. I visited without knowing much about the cafe and only had a vanilla bean latte, so not trying the desserts is my one regret.
For context, Atelier Pond stands out among Seoul coffee shops for its baked goods such as financiers, madeleines and caramel bars, which many people buy as gifts. So if you go, leave room for dessert.
- Address: 1F, 19 Itaewon-ro 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 이태원로54길 19 1층)
- Station: Hangangjin Station (Line 6) Exit 1, about an 8 to 10-minute walk
- Hours: Daily 11:00–19:00 (per the cafe’s Instagram)
- Map: Open in Naver Map · Original review on Revitguide
Hannam-dong is right next to Itaewon. For a meal nearby, see our Itaewon restaurants guide.
4. Leesar Coffee (리사르커피), Cheongdam
I came to the Cheongdam branch of Leesar Coffee after reading another Revitguide reviewer’s post. It’s a Cheongdam cafe with an appealing range of espresso drinks. I don’t know espresso that well, so I ordered the granita, a drink I was already familiar with. And for ₩3,000, I had to ask myself: is this price right?
I liked the space more than I expected. The exposed concrete ceiling and pipes, plus wood furniture and partitions, give it a rough yet warm feel. The lighting doesn’t flood the room; it softly lights only where it’s needed, so it was easy to settle in calmly. Maybe it was just that day, or just my mood, but everyone there seemed quiet and calm, matching the space.
Also, since it’s built around bar seating, coming alone doesn’t feel awkward, and it also looked good for a quiet chat for two. If you have plans in Cheongdam, it’s a nice place to stop for an espresso and a short rest.
- Address: 1F, 60 Dosan-daero 99-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울 강남구 도산대로99길 60 1층)
- Station: Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Suin-Bundang Line), about a 10-minute walk
- Hours: Weekdays 07:00–20:00, Saturdays and holidays 08:00–20:00, Sundays 09:00–17:00 (official website)
- Price: Espresso drinks start at about ₩2,500. Leesar also has branches in Yaksu, Myeongdong and Jongno.
- Map: Open in Naver Map · Original review on Revitguide
Staying downtown? The Myeongdong branch is close to the spots in our Myeongdong food guide.
5. Taeyang Coffee (태양커피), Sadang
I came here because it’s known as the einspanner spot near Sadang Station. You can choose from three einspanner combinations, and I picked number two: espresso, milk and cream.
The rich, sweet cream stood out first. It wasn’t overly sweet, but it kept just enough sweetness to soften the bitterness of the coffee. I arrived almost at closing time, so it felt a bit rushed to fully enjoy the space and the coffee, which I regret. Even so, if I lived nearby, I’d want to drop by often for a cup. Next time I’m at Sadang Station with a friend, I’d like to come back. P.S. The owner is good-looking and has a great voice.
- Address: Near Sadang Station Exit 11, Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울 서초구 방배천로 32). There is no big sign, so look for the red-brick building.
- Station: Sadang Station (Lines 2 and 4) Exit 11, about a 2 to 3-minute walk
- Hours: Daily 10:00–19:30 in recent listings
- Einspanner options: espresso, water and cream; espresso, milk and cream; or cold brew and cream
- Map: Open in Naver Map · Original review on Revitguide
6. Reflect Coffee Roasting Lab (리플렉트커피), Yangjae
I ordered the matcha cube latte. As the name says, it’s a matcha latte plus coffee with ice cubes made from matcha. The cafe is in Yangjae, and the space is clean and modern.
I went because I heard dogs are welcome. Before visiting I didn’t even know the matcha cube latte existed, but it turned out to be a perfect match for me. I also ordered a fig and cream cheese crumble topped with Häagen-Dazs green tea ice cream. The ice cream desserts here use Häagen-Dazs, so the flavor feels fairly reliable.
If you’re visiting Yangjae with your dog, it’s worth a stop. It sits on a fairly quiet street, yet there were quite a few people inside. Still, the space is large enough to handle the crowd, and with everyone doing their own thing, it felt calm and comfortable overall.
- Address: 1F #104, 53 Nambusunhwan-ro 347-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (서울 서초구 남부순환로347길 53 1층)
- Station: Yangjae Station Exit 2, about a 5-minute walk
- Hours: Weekdays 07:30–20:30, weekends 08:00–20:30 (as of August 2026)
- Pets: Dogs are allowed inside
- Map: Open in Naver Map · Original review on Revitguide
More Seoul Coffee Shops Rated 3.5
These extra picks are adapted from visits by Revitguide reviewer 호미식 (Homisik), who rated each 3.5 out of 5.
Ceci Cela (세시셀라), Cheongdam
I came after reading another reviewer’s note, since Ceci Cela is known for its carrot cake. It keeps to the classic carrot cake flavor without anything jumping out: the cream is gently sweet and the sponge is dense enough to feel slightly chewy. Rather than a cake that shocks you, this is one you keep reaching for. Even on a weekday afternoon it was busy, but the room is so big that it never felt crowded. Worth remembering for dessert after a meal in Cheongdam.
Where: Cheongdam, Gangnam-gu (도산대로45길 10-4). Open in Naver Map. Original review on Revitguide.
Coffee Lusso Cheongdam (커피루소 청담)
What I liked most was the space: wide gaps between tables and an opening in the middle of the room where you can see the sky, so soft daylight comes in. The matcha balanced bitterness and nuttiness without being too sweet, and the carrot cake had a cream cheese frosting that was not overly sugary. A calm place to talk or rest in Cheongdam, remembered more for its sense of space than for anything flashy.
Where: Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu. Open in Naver Map. Original review on Revitguide.
Lowkey (로우키), Seongsu
Seongsu is always packed, and the ground floor here was busy too, but the basement turned out to be roomy, with plenty of seats and a gallery-like, wood-toned mood. I had the kaka hojicha rather than coffee, so I cannot judge the coffee, and the drink itself was ordinary. On a weekend in Seongsu, though, getting this much space was a pass.
Where: Seongsu-dong 2-ga, Seongdong-gu. Open in Naver Map. Original review on Revitguide.
Hakrim (학림), Hyehwa
The hot Vienna coffee looked so good that I forgot about the green tea latte on the menu. On top sat a sweet cream that was firm but not stiff, and there was enough of it to last to the bottom of the cup. I had never tried a cream cheesecake like this before, yet it was easy to like. Its old-school dabang interior adds a lot too. However, the location is so good that waits could be long at busy times.
Where: Myeongnyun 4-ga, Jongno-gu, near Hyehwa. Open in Naver Map. Original review on Revitguide.
Second Breath (세컨브레스), Yangjae
A long-running cafe on Yangjaecheon stream that welcomes dogs, which makes it a good stop on a stream walk. Seats are hard to get at weekends and peak times, and I was lucky to get one. The view of the stream through the big windows does most of the work. The peanut butter creamy drank like a sweet cream latte, and the madeleine was simply fine. I was told it stays open until midnight.
Where: Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu. Open in Naver Map. Original review on Revitguide.
Torch Coffee (토치커피), Seolleung
A cafe I keep returning to near Seolleung, because the big windows frame Seolleung Park and the view changes with each season. It is small and very hard to get a seat at lunchtime, so go outside office lunch hours. There is no matcha, which I miss, but the chocolate latte was better than expected: rich but not too sweet. I visited in February 2025, so check Naver Map for current hours before you go.
Where: Bongeunsa-ro 68-gil, Gangnam-gu, by Seolleung Park. Open in Naver Map. Original review on Revitguide.
Tips for Visiting Seoul Coffee Shops
- Go early or on weekdays. The busiest Seoul coffee shops, such as Jo & Dawson and Earth Us, fill up fast, so weekend waits can be long.
- Bring a tumbler if you want takeout from Earth Us. They will not pack it otherwise.
- Check closing days. Earth Us closes on Tuesdays, and Leesar closes early on Sundays.
- Pair cafes with a meal. Yeonnam-dong is next to Hongdae, so you can combine it with dinner from our Korean BBQ in Seoul guide or our best Korean restaurants in Seoul.
FAQ
Which Seoul coffee shops are best for einspanner?
Taeyang Coffee near Sadang Station is known for its einspanner. You can choose espresso with water, espresso with milk, or cold brew, all topped with sweet cream.
How much does coffee cost at Seoul cafes?
At the cafes in this guide, we paid ₩3,000 for an espresso drink at Leesar Coffee and ₩9,500 for a vanilla bean latte at Atelier Pond. Dessert usually adds around ₩7,000 to ₩12,000.
Are there dog-friendly cafes in Seoul?
Yes. Reflect Coffee Roasting Lab in Yangjae allows dogs inside. Always check the cafe’s own rules before you go.
Why can’t I get takeout at Earth Us?
Earth Us is a zero waste cafe. It does not use disposable cups, straws or napkins, so you need your own tumbler or container for takeout.
Do I need a reservation for Seoul coffee shops?
Usually not. Most Seoul coffee shops do not take reservations. However, popular dessert cafes such as Earth Us and Jo & Dawson use waiting lists, and Earth Us opens a remote CatchTable waitlist at 10:00.
We checked prices and hours in November 2026, and they can change. Check Naver Map before you go.