Hongdae and YeonnamMon-Fri 08:00-21:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-21:00Work-friendlyWifi
Fritz Coffee Company in Dohwa is the roaster that reshaped Seoul's specialty coffee culture, serving own-roasted single-origins in a converted factory.
Signature drink: Fritz house espresso blend
Itaewon and HannamDaily 09:00-22:00Work-friendlyWifi
gml Hannam runs an espresso-free filter-only program with more than 20 single-origin pour-overs from roasters like Prodigal, Dak Amsterdam and Hatch Ontario, written up with tasting notes on a chalkboard wall.
Signature drink: Filter pour-over from rotating single-origin board
Seongsu and DongdaemunMon-Fri 08:00-22:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-22:00
Cafe Onion turned a crumbling concrete warehouse in Seongsu into one of Seoul's most-photographed spaces, with a thick-cut honey butter toast counter.
Signature drink: Vanilla latte
Jongno and InsadongDaily 10:00-22:00
Tea Therapy is the most design-conscious teahouse on the Insadong strip, selling hand-blended teas named after Korean folklore characters in ceramic.
Signature drink: Korean dokkaebi blend (rooibos, citrus peel, chrysanthemum)
Seongsu and DongdaemunTue-Sun 10:00-21:00, closed MondayWork-friendlyWifi
Center Coffee sits at the Seoul Forest edge of Seongsu, a three-floor specialty cafe from past UK Barista Champion Sang Ho Park, pouring single-origin Geisha and Esmeralda on the rooftop with park views.
Signature drink: Hand-drip single-origin filter
Bukchon and SamcheongDaily 11:00-22:30
Cha Masineun Tteul (the tea-drinking garden) is a traditional hanok teahouse in Bukchon with a courtyard view of the Samcheong rooftops, serving a long Korean tea list with steamed rice cakes and red bean soup.
Signature drink: Jujube tea with steamed pumpkin cake