Just like Melbourne, the best part about studying in Seoul, South Korea — which, btw, is the #1 Best Student City in the world according to the latest QS rankings — are the cafes.
I’m living proof of it. I was studying at the University of Utah’s Asia Campus as an exchange student and lived in Seoul and Incheon for three years.
This meant that I was surrounded by cafes (and K-pop), and as a financially irresponsible young adult, I’d frequent cafes almost every day and spend half my weekly allowance on cakes and matcha lattes.
There are so many of them that you’ll be spoiled for choice — even if you spend a year there, you may not even be able to visit all the cafés in Seoul.
I lived there for the full 36 months and barely scratched the surface.
Yes, there are many cafés in Seoul, but none are the same as the last.
You’ll find everything from sleek, minimalist spaces perfect for studying to themed cafés that will make you feel like you’re stepping into another world.
New ones are constantly opening (fashion giant Zara just opened one in Myeong-dong) so there’s always one that’ll fit your vibe, whatever that may be.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of the eight best cafés in Seoul for studying and hanging out. Coming from a self-professed connoisseur, this list won’t leave you disappointed.
View this post on Instagram
8 best cafés in Seoul perfect for studying or hanging out
1. Ugly Bakery (어글리베이커리)
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday (12p.m. to 9p.m.)
Naver reviews: 10,421 reviews
Location: Mapo-gu, Worldcup-ro 13-gil 73, Level 1 (서울 마포구 월드컵로13길 73 1층 어글리 베이커리)
Located in Mapo-gu, Ugly Bakery is serving up delicious baked goods — there’s honestly nothing ugly about it.
If you love bread as much as I do, this is one of the best cafés in Seoul for it.
The café offers a variety of Korean-inspired cream breads, bagels, and ciabatta. However, I recommend the mammoth buns (맘모스빵), a fluffy, brioche-like bun filled with a combination of sweet and savoury ingredients. It’s so good that it makes people flock to its doors.
Prices range between 3,000 Korean won (US$2.16) and KRW 7,200 (US$5.17).
View this post on Instagram
2. Onion Anguk (어니언 안국)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7a.m. to 10p.m.) and Saturday to Sunday (9a.m. to 10p.m.)
Naver reviews: 4.44 stars (9,923 reviews)
Location: Jongro-gu Gyedong-gil 5, Cafe Onion (서울 종로구 계동길 5 카페 어니언)
Combining the traditional aspects of South Korea with the modern-day cafe culture of today’s generation, Onion Anguk is one of the few cafés in Seoul that offers just that.
The café is situated in a traditional Korean house (hanok) surrounded by tall modern buildings, close to the famous Bukchon Hanok Village. Their fandor (팡도르), strawberry baragi (딸기바라기), and angbutter (앙버터) are among their popular desserts, as well as their milk tea, seasonal ade, and Americano.
Prices range from KRW 3,000 (US$2.16) to KRW 8,000 (US$5.75)
View this post on Instagram
3. HIDDEN CAFE AND BAR (히든 카페 & 바)
Opening hours: Wednesday and Thursday (11a.m. to 5p.m.) and Friday to Sunday (11a.m. to 11p.m.)
Naver reviews: Not available
Location: Mapo-gu, Dongmak-ro 19-gil, 42-22 (서울 마포구 독막로19길 42-22)
If you’re familiar with Produce 101, then you’ll probably know the owner of this café in Seoul — Roh Tae-hyun, the former member of HOTSHOT and JBJ.
Tucked away in a little alleyway in Sangsu-dong, the café serves both aesthetics and coffee that will satisfy your caffeine needs. It’s HIDDEN latte (HIDDEN 라떼) and HIDDEN hwa kwaja (Hidden 화과자) are the top picks by customers.
I highly recommend their strawberry aide, sandwiches, and croffle for those who aren’t into coffee or cakes (like myself).
That’s not all; if you’re looking for a sneaky drink, HIDDEN CAFE AND BAR offers highballs, wine, and beer. It was the perfect place for my friends and me to hang out at.
Prices range from KRW 3,000 (US$2.16) to KRW 11,000 (US$7.90).
View this post on Instagram
4. Rain Report (레인리포트)
Opening hours: Daily (11a.m to 9:30p.m.)
Naver reviews: 402 reviews
Location: Yongsan-gu, Sowol-rol 40-gil 85-1, 2nd floor (서울 용산구 소월로40길 85 1, 2층)
Like the sound of rain? Rain Report is the place for you.
The café is famous for its all-black interior and rain theme, which creates a rain effect both indoors and outdoors, all day, every day.
Rain Report pays special attention to what they serve, making sure it’s all of top quality. They’re famous for their cream mango cake (생 망고 케이크), dessert platter (디저트 플레이트), black cloud cage (블랙 클라우드), sesame cloud coffee (세서미클라우드), and peper cloud (페퍼클라우드).
While Rain Report is one of the best cafés in Seoul, it may make a dent in your bank account. Prices range between KRW 5,000 (US$3.59) and KRW 15,800 (US$11.35).
View this post on Instagram
5. 1in1jan (1인1잔)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (10a.m. to 8:30p.m.)
Naver reviews: 4.33 stars (4,389 reviews)
Location: Eunpyeong-gu, Yeonseo-ro 534 (서울 은평구 연서로 534)
Nestled against the backdrop of Bukhansan, the Eunpyeong Hanok Village multi-storey café has been making its rounds on social media as one of the most beautiful cafés in Seoul — and I highly recommend visiting this place (it’s lowkey better than Insadong and the Bukchon Hanok Village).
1in1jan blends traditional Korean hanok aesthetics with modern minimalism. The café serves a curated selection of beverages, including coffee blends like “잘 되어 가시나 (jal dwae-eo gasina)”, a fruity, aromatic roast, and “풍요로운 땅 (pungyoroun ttang)”, a deep, earthy brew.
1in1jan has traditional and modern desserts, such as anggumjeolpyeon (앙금절편), banana rice cake (바나나떡), kuropin (크로핀), and cream cheese carrot cake.
Prices range from KRW 6,000 (US$4.31) to KRW 8,000 (US$5.75).
View this post on Instagram
6. London Bagel Museum (런던 베이글 뮤지엄)
Opening hours: Depends on location
Naver reviews: 8,750 reviews
Location: Anguk, Dosan, Jamsil, Suwon, and Jeju
Bagel lovers, it’s time to rejoice. Tucked away in Seoul’s Jongno district, this quirky, “British” bakery café is serving up the best bagels you’ve ever tasted.
London Bagel Museum offers an extensive selection of freshly made bagels, ranging from classics like plain, and sesame to adventurous varieties such as spinach, fig, dark olive, potato cheese, or dark chocolate. I LOVE the blueberry bagels, and their bacon potato sandwich is to die for.
The café’s so good that they have opened several branches across South Korea.
Prices range from KRW 3,800 (US$2.73) to KRW 14,800 (US$10.63) — making it extremely affordable and one of the best cafés in Seoul for students to visit.
View this post on Instagram
7. Sinidoga (신이도가)
Opening hours: Daily (11a.m. to 11:30p.m.)
Naver reviews: 4.66 stars (775)
Location: Mapo-gu, Jandari-ro 20-12 (서울 마포구 잔다리로 20-12)
Situated in the always-bustling Hongdae district, Sinidoga is a hanok-style café that serves a mix of traditional and modern drinks and desserts.
You can find beverages such as black sesame lattes, omija (five-flavour berry) drinks, and the “Shini” tropical tea, along with unique Korean-inspired desserts, including yakgwa ice cream, salt bread, and red bean mochi tarts.
As it’s open every day and into the late night, it’s one of the perfect cafés in Seoul for students to hang out or study at.
An appearance by the Hongdae Guy is possible, but not guaranteed.
Prices start at KRW 5,4000 (US$3.88) to KRW 11,900 (US$8.55).
View this post on Instagram
8. Another Side (어나더사이드)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (9a.m. to 11p.m.) and Saturday and Sunday (10a.m. to 11p.m.)
Naver reviews: 4,699 reviews
Location: Gangseo-gu, Gangseo-ro 318, Level 1 (서울 강서구 강서로 318 1층)
Another Side is a forest-themed café located in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and it’s one of the best cafes in Seoul to visit if you’re looking for a quick nature escape.
The café menu features signature aged milk lattes, dark blend espresso, and creamy lattes, such as the Dirty Cream Spanner (거품 크림) and Black Sesame Spanner. As for desserts, they offer freshly baked croffles, tiramisu, cookies, and bingsu, with their corn bingus (초당 옥수수 빙수) making waves online.
Prices start from as low as KRW 2,000 (US$1.44) to KRW 23,900 (US$17.17), making it an affordable option, even for students.
Popular stories
‘Georgia College picked me to study in US’
Student visa to PR: Easiest countries for international students to get permanent residency
8 students tell us the #1 thing they’d wish they’d known before studying business
It’s about more than doughnuts for this pastry business owner in PJ, Malaysia
