Upscale in Seoul

Zest ★ 4.9

Zest ranked No. 2 Asia's 50 Best Bars and No. 16 World's 50 Best Bars 2025, serving Korean seasonal cocktails sourced from contract farms in Gangnam.

Sanullim 1992 ★ 4.7

Sanullim 1992 in Hapjeong is a speakeasy dedicated to Korean traditional spirits: single-variety soju, cheongju, and artisanal makgeolli by the pour.

Big Lights (Bar Big Lights) ★ 4.7

Seoul's first natural wine bar (2017). Bar Big Lights pours grower Champagne and small-producer natural wines alongside a Neo-French kitchen in Hannam-dong.

Damotori ★ 4.6

Damotori is the definitive makgeolli bar in Seoul, stocking over 40 varieties of the unfiltered rice wine from producers across Korea and presenting them.

Charles H ★ 4.6

Charles H in the Four Seasons Seoul is the city's most refined cocktail bar, a Prohibition-era concept built on Korean seasonal ingredients and 200 spirits.

Le Chamber ★ 4.6

Le Chamber is a Cheongdam speakeasy entered through a hidden bookcase door, a fixture on Asia's 50 Best Bars since 2016, pouring precise classic cocktails.

Juan Makgeolliano ★ 4.5

Juan Makgeolliano is a traditional-style makgeolli bar on the Yeonnam-dong strip, with an extensive compiled selection of quality makgeolli matched.

Woo Lae Oak ★ 4.4

Open since 1946, Woo Lae Oak is Seoul's canonical address for Pyongyang-style naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), the broth made from hanwoo foreshank.

OrderPyongyang naengmyeon: hand-pulled buckwheat noodles in cold hanwoo bone broth.

TipThe broth is clear and mild; if you want spice ask for bibim naengmyeon. Bulgogi is the other order.

Woo Lae Oak ★ 4.4

Open since 1946, Woo Lae Oak is Seoul's institution for Pyongyang-style naengmyeon: cold buckwheat noodles in clear hanwoo bone broth, in the Michelin Guide.

OrderPyongyang-style naengmyeon: the original cold noodle bowl.

TipAdd the thin slices of cold beef from the side dish to the noodle bowl; it is part of the intended eat.

The Booth Brewing (Gyeongnidan) ★ 4.4

The Booth Brewing on Gyeongnidan-gil pairs its own-brewed IPAs and stouts with a food menu, a full evening destination on Seoul's most international street.

M29 (Fairmont Ambassador Seoul) ★ 4.4

M29 occupies the 29th floor of the Fairmont Ambassador in Yeouido, with an indoor cocktail bar and outdoor terrace overlooking the Han River and the Yeouido.

Ida ★ 4.4

Ida near Changgyeonggung Palace is a Korean fusion wine bar pouring natural orange and red bottles with traditional makgeolli and small plates.

TipBooking via Instagram a week ahead is the only way in on weekends; eight tables fill fast.

Magpie Brewing Itaewon ★ 4.3

Magpie Brewing's Itaewon taproom is the craft beer entry point to Seoul, with the full range of Korean-brewed ales and lagers served alongside pub food.

Euljiro Pocha Row ★ 4.3

The pojangmacha tent alleys of Euljiro are old Seoul's most genuine late-night drinking: somaek and dried seafood under orange awnings since the 1970s.

Maple Tree House ★ 4.2

Maple Tree House in Itaewon serves premium hanwoo (Korean beef) and Jeju black pork belly over charcoal in a polished room frequented by international guests.

OrderAged hanwoo sirloin, cooked tableside over charcoal and served with perilla wraps.

TipArrive at opening on weekends to skip the queue; the staff will cook for you if you prefer.

Maple Tree House Itaewon ★ 4.2

Maple Tree House in Itaewon serves premium hanwoo and Jeju black pork belly over charcoal in a polished room frequented by international visitors to Seoul.

OrderAged hanwoo sirloin and Jeju heuk dwaeji (black pork belly) grilled tableside with full banchan spread and perilla leaf wraps.

TipThe Samcheong-dong original is smaller and more moody; the Itaewon branch is easier to reach from central hotels.

Southside Parlor ★ 4.2

Southside Parlor is one of Itaewon's most consistent bars: New Orleans-inflected, with live music Thursday through Saturday and a well-stocked spirits shelf.

Found Local ★ 4.2

Found Local in Seocho is a daytime cafe and evening natural-wine bistro rotating French pet-nats alongside Korean fusion seasonal small plates.

TipWalk-ins are easier on weekday evenings; the Saturday tasting flight is the most efficient introduction to the rotating list.

Maple Tree House Samcheong ★ 4.1

The original Maple Tree House, in a restored hillside house in Samcheong-dong, with a more intimate setting than the Itaewon branch and a view of the old.

OrderHanwoo beef tasting set: three cuts of heritage Korean cattle served in the original house that started the Maple Tree brand.

TipThe Samcheong branch has fewer tourist crowds than Itaewon on weekday lunchtimes.

Jongno 3-ga Hof Alley ★ 4.1

Jongno 3-ga's pojangmacha tents and beer halls open at dusk behind the station, serving somaek (soju-beer bomb) and dried squid until well past midnight.