The Most Aesthetic Cafés We Visited in Seoul, South Korea

Anyone who has been to South Korea knows that cafés are a staple for any visit.

There are thousands of aesthetically pleasing and themed cafés in Seoul alone, and with so many available, it's hard to know which ones you should try. If you're planning a trip to Korea anytime soon (or simply love seeing the food and drinks offered), I've laid out my experience at a few of the cafés I had the chance to visit.

Café Onion

Café Onion, located in the Jongno district, is a traditional Hanok-themed restaurant. This café is one of the most popular I've seen in Korea, with wait times rumored to be up to five hours. Luckily, during my visit, I was able to walk right in.

I ordered their famous pandoro, which is an Italian cone-shaped pastry topped with a mountain of powdered sugar. The bread was soft, delectable and went nicely with the ade I ordered. As far as atmosphere, Onion was one of the best cafés I checked out in Seoul.

 

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Koriko Café

The key to my heart is Studio Ghibli films, so when I caught wind of this Kiki's Delivery Service-inspired café, it instantly was at the top of my list of places to visit. 

Koriko Café is tucked away in the quiet, residential Yeonnam-dong area. The location was perfect for this quaint cafe, and I loved the serene Ghibli instrumentals they played throughout the restaurant.

I ordered a tiny (but very filling) Funfetti bundt cake and an ade before taking a seat at one of the little tables. I really felt like I was transported to the city of Koriko.

This themed café was unlike anything I've experienced in the United States. Honestly, the level of detail made me feel like I was in an immersive amusement park. 

 

Minute Papillon

Churro café Minute Papillon is as luxurious as its location in the Apgujeong neighborhood of Gangnam. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to sit down because of the wait times, but the takeaway was still fresh and enjoyable.

These churros have a lovely, soft interior balanced by their crispy exterior. There's the perfect amount of sugar, and the white cream dip I ordered with it gave it a nice added sweetness. If you visit Seoul, know that Minute Papillon is one of the best in terms of flavor.

 

KAMONG

I came across KAMONG while walking through Seoul. There was a comforting quiet energy inside, and they had some of the fastest service of all the cafés I saw.

KAMONG offers a tasty waffle with plenty of topping options, and, somehow, the waffle never gets soggy from the drizzles and creams. I can see myself returning here (and recommending) to others because it's one of the few spots in Seoul that has food that is both delicious and Instagram-worthy.

Though, I think it's worth mentioning: I'm still unsure if it was my human error or the kiosk malfunctioning, but I received the wrong order (for something I couldn't eat) and had to pay again to get the waffle I desired, which was disappointing because KAMONG is amongst the pricier cafés.

I'm not typically one to turn away food unless absolutely necessary, but from others' experiences, customer service at other cafés tends to be a lot better, so this response caught me off-guard. That said, I was still impressed with the waffle and can see many people enjoying KAMONG!

 

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Rain Report

Looking to make the most out of a rainy day? Visit the Rain Report café, located in Yongsan.

This café literally gives you a report of rain around the world. Outside, there's an artificial rain shower flowing from the building's roof, made even more intense when it's actually pouring down. And they have giant umbrellas to help you stay dry in an outdoor photo op.

The café's dark exterior and couch seating make the rainy aesthetic feel even cozier. Cuddle up with an iced coffee and one of their chocolatey treats.

 

Mil Toast House

Of all the cafés I went to, Mil Toast House in Jongo is the one I'm still dreaming about.

Like Onion, Mil Toast House has traditional-inspired architecture and decor (which is quite common for places in Jongo). I ordered the soufflé french toast, and as someone who despises the egg flavor of the dish, I was concerned that it would have the same off-putting taste. But after my first bite, I knew this would be the best French toast I would ever have in my life.

This visit was the first time I've ever had French toast that wasn't soggy and didn't taste like eggs. I also had to chance to try the regular bread, which was equally as good, and the corn mayo bread that doesn't sound appetizing but is probably one of my favorite items on their menu.

I would still go back to Mil Toast House even if there is over an hour's wait. This café is a must-visit for everyone's Seoul trip.

 

Want to learn more about Korean cuisine? Check out our definitive ranking of some of South Korea's most popular convenience store snacks HERE.