I have no problem with coffee, I just don’t drink it. And Seoul has a big coffee scene. On the streets, you constantly see people holding their take away cups. Plus, there are multiple coffee stores on each street, it seems.
If you want to hit up one of these amazing cafes in Seoul but don’t want to only have the choice of coffee and a cookie, here are my personal recommendations of amazing cafes in Hyehwa, Seoul.
Disclaimer: Of course, my list is not comprehensive. I am not seeing each and every café there is. Also, cafes come and go fairly quickly in Seoul.
So, by the time you are reading my article, some things might have changed. Do check the details of your desired café in the Naver app first, to see if it’s in existence. (I did save a bunch of cafes before coming to Seoul just to learn they no longer did when I arrived. You see, I am speaking of experience.)
Why share my café tips for Hyehwa then? It’s a cool area that has a great café scene. You will easily find alternatives. And it might put this area on your radar in the first place. Not many tourists seem to visit.
This post isn’t sponsored nor commissioned. It appeared first in German.
Tips for Café visits in Seoul
When you go to a café in Seoul, there usually is a selection of the menu printed outside with pictures. The free Naver app also often has the menus listed with images.
Instore, you can usually see the cakes on offer in a display case right at the till. So even if they don’t have an English menu (ask for it, they might just have put it away), you can see what you’d like.
Note that I often run into problems paying with my German credit and debit cards – especially at the self-service check out machines. For that reason, I tend to order with the staff directly and have some cash on me if all else fails.
When you’re thirsty, there’s also commonly a jug of water with cups to help yourself during your café visit. It’s a nice complimentary service.
Merry Grin
I really like the cute branding with the smiley faces. It’s not only in the logo, but also the latte art and on the cakes. You can see the selection in Naver, but depending on what’s popular that day, your choice might have already sold out.
This means: come early if you have your heart set on a specific cake.
The café sits a little back from the bending road, behind a triangular building. I accidentally walked past it two times. As is common, you have to look for the café poster, then head up the stairs to enter it. I am so used to have cafes be on ground level, but it’s not always a thing here in Seoul.
Anyway, the café is small and cosy with a calm vibe. It’s great for solo time or having a quiet chat with a friend.
Kafé Langsom
Do you want to enjoy a creamy cake and yummy drink while swinging in a hammock? That’s what you can do at Langsom. I reckon the name is a reference to the Norwegian word langsom, which means slow (as in moving slowly or not being busy).
This place is to wind down and just take a breather. The café is located on the 2nd and 3rd floor, which gives you a great view to people watch and happily let life pass you by for a moment.
I got the creamy mango dessert (which is not a cake) and it comes with different seasonal fruit. I had strawberry. And a matcha latte to sip.
Shaded
Plant lovers will want to visit this Hyehwa café. It’s a little set back in an alley off the main roads and super chill. Plants line all the walls, hang from the ceilings and some are up for sale as well. The furniture is all cobbled together, while still looking cohesive and urban.
The music is a nice low volume, more a background soundtrack, which works well if you are looking for a café to work in that isn’t loud with students doing their team work.
I had the Wedding Imperial black tea with caramel and chocolate flavour to drink and the gorgonzola financier as a snack. Especially the latter was fantastic and one is not enough, to be honest.
Spoon
For fans of fresh fruit and healthy desserts, this yogurt café in Hyehwa comes highly recommended. They have a nice selection of different yogurt dishes with fresh drinks and toppings to choose from.
The food was tasty, the view was nice and the café was quiet. Makes for a great breakfast or brunch spot. Plus, it’s right by the metro entrance, so you can make it a lazy morning without walking much.
PATIO 33
This Hyehwa café lies a bit hidden away, in a side alley, which gives it extra quietness. It’s surrounded by mostly residential buildings after all.
The vibe is a mix of white painted concrete with raw edges paired with lush green trees and potted plants.
The outside area feels very holiday-like, with white chairs around low coffee tables on a bed of grey stones, next to shady trees. Very pretty.
I had a strawberry ade. But dessert-wise, they have quite the selection of baked goods and creamy cake slices.
A_ROUND
One of the coolest cafes in Hyehwa is A Round, which, like the name suggests, is round. The building itself is too, being a tower. The café stetches over two floors with a great view down into the middle of the winding staircase.
It’s rather stylish in a modern minimalist way. There’s a variety of ades and desserts, some seasonal specials.
What I really liked about this café was the big window front on the upper floor, which lets in a lot of sunlight. Yet, there are plenty of spots to sit in the shadow should it be too blinding.
Concrete Palette
As the name suggests, this café is surrounded entirely by concrete, and the aesthetic that goes along with it. All walls and the floor are left with bare concrete. The only pop of colour are the sturdy blue tables and chairs.
The result is a spacious and neat feeling, albeit without the cosy feel. But if you want to get into a business and no-nonsense mode, this could work wonderfully.
On three floors, you can sit on a corner, overlooking the busy Deahak-ro as well as a quieter side street, which is also frequented by nightwalkers and day-roamers alike. After all, this area of Hyehwa is where all the foodie places can be found.
I had a fruity drink as I visited pretty late and most cakes were already gone. They also have chocolate cookies.
Snob
Hidden away in a white little house off of Daehak-ro 11-gil lies the café SNOB. It serves different kinds of layered cakes, coffee and teas.
It’s a quiet spot and feels detached from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding streets.
I had an Earl Grey slice, which did taste like the tea.
Lily Marlene
To feel like you are at a quirky grandma’s place, check out Lily Marlene. This café is hidden away in the side streets close to Hyehwa station. Already the front yard begs for photos with lots of plants shading the entry and trinkets and décor hung up everywhere.
Entering the small venue, you will immediately get a cosy vibe with the floor boards, low ceilings and the moody lighting. The place is popular, so come early to snatch a seat, reserve a spot or prepare to potentially wait.
Saheul
Just a little off the big roundabout, you can find the European rustic inspired Saheul. It’s not only a cafe with nice teas, but also a wine bar. I love the little details with the furniture depicting colourful scenes, and empty wine bottles serving as decor.
Despite it being by the road, it was quiet, the wifi was good and the staff friendly. This is a good cafe to do some work on your laptop in case you are looking for that.
Hakrim Dabang
Just a little off Hyehwa station exit 3, the cosy café Hakrim Dabang invites you with its retro interior, view over the busy Daehak-ro and occasional laid back music performances.
It seems very popular and took me three tries to actually get a seat. This café is great for meeting in small groups. If you’re here by yourself, you might find yourself sitting at a big table. So, don’t come here to work, as you’ll just be taking away space from other customers. I had a nice tea and cream cheese cake.
EDITION.M
A chic bakery inside a small hanok cluster invites you to try one of its many different baked goods on display. You can grab them as self serve and head to the cashier. Or order one of their many cakes and drinks to then fetch once they’re ready.
It’s a good idea to scout a seat first and then place your order. The place is highly frequented. But there are many nooks and crannies to sit at. It’s a great place for a group hang. And on sunny days, you might want to sit around the inner courtyard or next to the plant beds along the streets, but inside the shady building.
