Cafe Guide | GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE
2020 Updated List of Cafes around the Palace
Many people come to Seoul to visit Gyeongbok Palace and rent Hanbok to wear. After this, they will often eat or relax in a nearby cafe. What cafes are near Gyeongbok Palace? I have compiled a list of cafes in Seochon, Bukchon, Samcheong-dong around Gyeongbok Palace.
Samcheongdong / Bukchon Hanok Village
- Address : 56-8, Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (서울 종로구 북촌로5길 56-8)
- Hours : Mon~Thur 10:00~21:00；Fri~Sun 10:00~22:00
- Offers : Creatrip members get 10% discounts
"Gabaedo" is a cafe in Samcheongdong with a very unique entrance. Photos taken here are always very beautiful, and many people come here just to take pictures even if they're not getting a drink here.
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Here you can sit in a quiet environment and enjoy special coffee. The furniture is imported from overseas, and this gives the interior design a unique taste.
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The tiramisu at Gabaedo is an iconic menu that is created in-house. There are 3 types (Regular, Malcha, Earl Grey). It is really popular, and a lot of people even get it to take away.
O'sulloc Tea House (오설록티하우스)
- Address : 30, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (서울 종로구 삼청로 30)
- Hours : 10:00~18:00 (Closed on National holidays and Sundays)
A cup of warm Korean tea! A perfect place to enjoy green tea desserts.
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Located next to the Samcheongdong Museum of Modern Art, [O'sulloc Tea Hous] is where you can get authentic tea with sweet desserts. You can also try the tea here before you purchase. The gift box is very beautiful and ideal as a souvenir gift.
"O'sulloc Tea House" is famous for its green tea latte (which is very rich in taste), green tea ice cream (which is very sweet), and other drinks that are just as brilliant. The store serves tea in a beautiful teapot, which not only looks beautiful, but also seems to upgrade the taste.
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It is a perfect combination of rice cake and tea. When you come to Samcheongodng you may wish to experience this traditional and authentic Korean food snack.
- Address: 서울 종로구 율곡로3길 87
- Hours: 11:00-19:00
Hidden behind the modern Sonje Art Centre sits an especially loved hanok cafe named Almost Home. The name well presents itself as this stunning hanok with wooden features surrounded by a small tranquil courtyard oozes a homey atmosphere of a grandparents' house for many locals growing up.
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The signature drinks of green tea latte, ssuk tea latte and sweet potato latte are quite popular on social media, great go-to options for those struggling to decide on a drink. Definitely order one or two of the ju-jeon-bu-ri (snack) plate sets, each consisting of a unique mix of traditional and fusion desserts.
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Cafe Layered Bukchon
- Address: 서울 종로구 북촌로2길 2-3
- Hours: 10:00-22:00
A small cafe with a large selection of desserts! Layered Anguk specializes in British scones and is often seen with a long lineup for tables outside. If you're not in the mood to wait for a seat to open up, takeout is also available.
RadioM
- Address: 서울 종로구 삼청로2길 37-2
- Hours: Weekdays 11:00-21:30; Weekends 11:00-22:00
You get a lot of options for pastries and desserts here. Drinks tend to be a bit pricey at around ￦5,500 and up. What makes this cafe special is the vintage radios displayed throughout the store too.
- Address : 75-3, Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours : 10:30 - 22:00
- Offer : When your order exceeds 10,000KRW, Cafe Bora will give you 100g of their special Purple Potato Chips
Cafe Bora is located in Bukchon Hanok Village and Samcheongdong. The dessert made from the purple potato is popular among everyone.
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In addition to the beautiful shaved ice, the purple sweet potato cream that is placed on top has a sweet taste and is amazing with condensed milk. This ice cream is perfect for people that want to eat a simple yet good dessert.
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- Address : 74, Yunbosun-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours : 10:00 - 21:00, Last order 21:00
Tea Therapy is located in Bukchon and is a strong Korean classical old-style architecture building. It is a coffee shop where you can taste authentic Korean tea and enjoy a foot bath.
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When walking into this coffee shop, it gives people a warm and harmonious comfort. You have to usually make a reservation as the store is usually full so I recommend you make a reservation.
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At Tea Therapy you can experience both tea making and a foot bath. There are Chinese staff present on weekends. You can make your own tea and have a foot bath just for you based on a questionnaire you do at the start.
Tea Therapy is an outdoor experience and the warm foot bath will give you a sense of comfort.
Pastel de Nata (파스텔드나따)
- 서울 종로구 윤보선길 31
- Hours : 11:30~19:30
Samcheongdong "Pastel De Nata" is famous for its delicious egg tart. Not only do they have egg tart, but they also have coffee, drinks and other desserts as well. I went there at night time, and you could feel their warm atmosphere even from the outside.
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Ingenious furnishings, smell of egg tart, and warm atmosphere is just about enough to make you feel like you are right in the middle of a fairy tale.
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- Address: 서울특별시 종로구 삼청동 율곡로3길 72
- Hours: 11:30~19:30
- Offer: Buy 8 get 1 free with Creatrip member coupon.
Recently, the most popular souvenir in Seoul, Gyeongbokgung-bbang (bread/cake of Gyeongbokgung) is literally everywhere on social media. It is located near Bukchon, Samcheongdong. When you visit the place get some as a souvenir for your friends and family.
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Baked in the shape of Gyeongbokgung, this cake has a lovely appearance and is also a great snack for anyone. You can enjoy free Americano if you purchase the cake here. It has a sweet taste along with a chewy texture.
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Samcheongdong 's "Gyeongbokgung-bbang" has now become a souvenir for many foreigners, so they only use authentic high quality ingredients. I assure you that it is safe to taste this delicious Gyeongbokgung cake.
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Coffee Mill (커피 방앗간)
- Address : 8-11, Bukchon-ro 5-ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours : 08:30 - 23:00
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Coffee Mill was featured in the Korean entertainment show Superman is Back. It got famous for drawing portraits of their guests. So make sure to check it out when you come to Bukchon.
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Although the children on the TV show were shocked when looking at the portraits, it's beauty lies in the fact that the portraits are exaggerated and people seem to like this style.
Cha-Teul (차 마시는 뜰)
- Address : 26, Bukchon-ro 11na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours : 10:00 - 21:00
This coffee shop in Bukchon is in a traditional tea house. The building is 100% preserved and is beautiful.
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Here, you have to follow the traditional rules such as taking shoes off before you enter the cafe. I also saw that a lot of people were wearing Hanbok in the cafe. Come here to drink tea, take pictures, and have fun.
The beautiful tea sets and porcelain cups come with a deep smell of flowers and tea.
What surprised me was that the flower leaf was attached to the ice cube accompanied by a menu that looked traditional. I felt like I went 1000 years back to the Chosun period.
- Address : 46, Yunbosun-gil, Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours : 09:00 - 23:00
- Offer : Show Creatrip coupon and enjoy 10% off on your purchase
Gyeongbok Palace Cafe JIYUGAOKA is a franchise cafe that is famous for its location. It is really popular amongst Koreans. I personally like the blueberry cheesecake here.
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Pictured above is the blueberry cheesecake that is my favorite. Because JIYUGAOKA is located near Hanok Village, if you ever feel tired while touring the area come here and rejuvenate yourself by taking a bite into this blueberry cheesecake.
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Although the latte here is very good, the Americano here has a unique flavor that goes well with the cheesecake. The store is open from 9 in the morning so you can come here and grab a coffee and a cheesecake before you go to experience wearing a hanbok.
Cafe 88st
- Address: 서울 종로구 팔판길 12
- Hours: 10:00~22:00
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The clean and welcoming Samcheongdong Cafe "Cafe 88st" is very spacious, having the large seating areas if you're in a big company. If you are to visit with three to five friends, it is a good place to enjoy your time without the stress of being squashed in the corner.
Cafe 88st has a modern and clean design. The paintings on the walls make the atmosphere luxurious, and you might even think that you're in a gallery. Cafe 88st also operates a homestay, and if you are interested, you can ask the manager for info.
Seochon
- Address : 21, Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours : 11:00 - 22:00 ; Every first Monday of the month is closed
- Offer : Show Creatrip coupon to receive a 10% discount on all menu items between 11:00 - 17:00
PIU says it is a coffee shop but it should be referred to as more of a shop that sells a variety of things. In addition to selling desserts and drinks, PIU also sells small items inside the cafe.
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Overall, the Gyeongbok Palace Cafe PIU is really comfortable. The simple and bright interior space with the floor-to-ceiling windows, gives people a sense of comfort.
The interior of the store is also very simple with no design being to excessive. Feel free to come inside pick a chair and relax while eating dessert and drinking a drink.
I recommend that everyone try the yogurt. The dessert at PIU is not too sweet at all giving people a feeling that it is the healthier option.
- Address : 69-3, Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours : 12:00 - 22:00
- Offer : Download Creatrip coupon and enjoy 10% off on all items
Astarte & relax is my favorite dessert shop hidden in Seochon. It is not only a cute looking cafe but also perfect to eat delicious desserts.
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On the first floor there is a dessert display cabinet where you can see beautiful small cakes. Don't hesitate in choosing to eat these desserts.
The dining area is located mostly upstairs. There aren't that many seats but it is arranged in a good looking style. How about coming here and enjoying a cup of coffee and cake and enjoying the afternoon at Seochon?
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Not only does this look good, it is also good to eat. You can enjoy the desserts here for cheaper now through the Creatrip coupon which gives 10% off.
For those of you who do not know where to go after you rent your Hanbok I recommend you come here for a cup of coffee and dessert and rest a little bit before you continue your journey.
- Address: 서울 종로구 자하문로 36
- Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-20:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-22:00, Closed on Tuesdays
For a refreshing cup of quality tea and delicious scones, stop by Ma Chance in between your itinerary in the Gyeongbokgung area.
Pick a tea you like from their selection or simply ask for the 'Tea of the Day'. Pair the tea with fluffy scones with clotted cream and jam to complete your relaxation.
Sitting out in the courtyard is another great way to indulge on these delights in a nice weather.
Tongindong Coffee Workshop (통인동 커피공방)
- Address : 41-1 Zahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Time : 08:00 - 21:30 on weekdays ; 09:00 - 21:30 on weekends
This cafe is not just to come to enjoy the pretty interior and design but for the taste of its coffee and it is really high quality.
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I prefer the coffee bean called Autumn of Gyeongbok Palace. I can guarantee that the quality of the coffee you gain from the coffee here is high.
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Tongindong Coffee Workshop opens at 08:00 and is very close to Gyeongbok Palace so I recommend you come here first grab a cup of coffee and then go to tour Gyeongbok Palace. Also because it is earlier, there are fewer tourists in the morning.
The drinks here are all smooth and are not too sweet making it an unstoppable taste. If anyone wants to taste coffee made with passion this is the correct place to come!
Seoul Coffee Sanghoe (서울커피상회)
- Address : 21-1 Nuha-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Hours : 12:00 - 21:00
Seoul Coffee Store has to be the most famous in Seochon. The store seems like it is from a movie 20 years ago.
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Although the appearance from outside may not be the most attractive, it is different once you come inside. The mystery atmosphere makes everyone want to take photos of this place the moment they enter.
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Although it is not the classic Hanok, it has the beauty of the West and gives people a feeling of returning to the past Seoul era of the West.
The main dessert of this place has to be the tiramisu. Once you eat it you will never forget the taste. The taste is so deep and rich that people cannot stop. It is very hard to find delicious tiramisu at a cafe but this place does it really well.
We constantly add on to this list to stay up-to-date with cafe scenes in Seoul so be sure to check back often!
We hope that you can enjoy a day around Gyeongbokgung Palace! If you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com! You can follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!