Cover Photo: Coffee Nap Roasters/ Instagram

Looking for Insta-worthy cafes to snap delectable desserts? Here are our top picks of stylish spots in Seoul

Seoul is a popular destination for both families and friends to jet off to this December as well as the early part of the new year, thanks to its good food and superb chilly weather. The land of Hallyu is a breeding ground for popular bars and cafes that attract many customers for their unique approaches to themes. Cartoon, minimalist, American— they’ve got it all in Seoul.

Don’t miss: Bar Hopping in Seoul: The Best Spots to Visit for Delicious Cocktails 

You’ve probably seen an aesthetic photo of a cafe on your Instagram feed (or Facebook) at one point. The city offers hundreds of trendy cafes to choose from. Below, we gather a list of Seoul’s top runners in the cafe scene:

1. Greem Cafe

A must-see for eager cafe junkies, Greem Cafe is a cafe unlike any other. Visitors immerse themselves in the two dimensional interior of the cafe in the youthful Hongdae area. Inspired by the popular Korean animated web series W, the world of cartoon is at your fingertips.

The cafe’s success with social media draws many customers annually, eager to snap a picture of their coffee and pastry against the unique background. 

161-10, Seongmisan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 03980, South Korea
 
 
 

2. Coffee Nap Roasters

Red and brick are the buzzwords of this quaint cafe tucked in an alleyway of the Yeonnam-dong. It has become a hit amongst locals and international cafe fans since its opening. 

Visitors are treated to a hill of red bricks at the centre of the cafe (for aesthetic purposes, of course), which also serves as a sitting area for patrons. Their manually brewed coffee is a must-have for caffeine addicts. 

35 Bongnam 2-gil, Jinwi-myeon, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

3. Old Ferry Donut

South Korea’s favourite doughnut shop serves up delectably delicious doughnuts that show off the cafe’s eye for artistry. The cafe has adorable miniature chairs and tables for patrons to enjoy on a nice, sunny day. 

Enjoy a selection of eight fluffy distinct doughnut types (crowd favourites include raspberry, tiramisu and choco monkey). You can also pair your doughnut with a drink of your choice. 

66 Hannam-daero 27-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea  

4. Cafe Onion

This industrial-themed cafe near Geongbuokgung Palace screams hipster. Decorated in a fashion that pays homage to Korean culture, the cafe is based on a Hanok (a traditional Korean house). 

Among the numerous pastries and breads on their menu, they are well-known for their Pandoro, an Italian-style bread sprinkled with powdered sugar at the tip.

South Korea, Seoul, Jongno-gu, Gyedong-gil 5 

5. Mamma Mia Dosan

It’s hard to miss the cafe’s strikingly pink exterior against the greenery (and no, it’s not related to the movie). Inspired by French bistros, the cafe has an al fresco area for patrons. 

A huge variety of cakes awaits diners in the store. Mint chocolate fans will also be delighted to know that the choco mint latte with choco chips is one of the best in Seoul.

45 Apgujeong-ro 42-gil, Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

6. Namusairo Coffee

Hailed by caffeine lovers as a speciality cafe in Seoul, Namusairo has made a name for itself in the coffee industry domestically. Locals and tourists alike flock to the cafe to have a taste of its famous coffee. 

A signature drink is the Okinawa Brown Sugar Cappuccino. Have a sip of this crowd favourite in the wooden beamed interior and the original giwa styled roof. 

196 Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

7. Dinga Cake House

Ever seen those aesthetically colourful cakes on social media? Dinga Cake House (perhaps the progenitor of the trend) sits in the Hongdae area serving up colourful cake creations.

The exterior of American style retro dessert shop is often swarmed with influencers trying to snap the perfect shot. Tuck in to their pastries at the cafe’s front yard, which has mats to dine, picnic style. 

68 Donggyo-ro 29-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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