Updated August 29, 2024
I’m here to share my tips on the 15 coolest coffee shops in Apgujeong!
Oh, Apgujeong. My old stomping grounds, where I’d lounge for hours upon hours at coffee shops. Here, you’ll find the best cookie-cutter cafes with simple minimalism, to those that try hard to exude an exotic vibe (and succeed, I must admit!).
This neighborhood has been trendy since I can remember. There’s tons of cute shops around Apgujeong Rodeo Station, like Piercing Mind, my favorite piercing shop.
It’s also where I had my first nights out, which of course then made coffee the next morning compulsory.
Walk around and you’ll see plenty of freshly fixed-up faces from the many plastic surgery places nearby. Makes sense, given that Apgujeong is part of the Gangnam District (remember Psy’s Gangnam Style??).
Then there’s the smooth elegance of the Galleria Department Store, which looks like a massive rainbow fish from the outside (in the best way possible).
Apgujeong is a great place for coffee lovers, and is home to some of the most popular cafes in Korea. Here’s the ultimate guide to the best coffee shops in Apgujeong!
Best Coffee Shops in Apgujeong
1. Yia Yia and Friends (이야이야앤프렌즈)
Yia Yia and Friends is a much-needed oasis and escape from the city. That’s what the red brick balcony feels like for me – like leisurely spending time at grandma’s (at yia yia’s).
Head onto the second floor, which has a rusty little kitchen nook that honestly reminds me of the cute, crusty kitchens in Providence, where I went to college.
This Greek-inspired cafe uses ingredients sourced from small family farms in Crete.
This cafe has plenty of tasty bread options and savory sandwiches with fresh veggies to keep you going. There’s also private rooms on the fourth floor that you can book out in advance.
Address: 22 Dosan-daero 51-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
2. Panier de M. Mooni Cafe (빠니드 엠 무니)
Take a walk back in time at this four-storey Parisian-themed cafe.
In-person shopping and F&B culture is very much alive in Seoul and you’ll see why at this highly experiential cafe.
The rustic, cottage core vibes are on point, with antique farmhouse cabinets and decorative copper pots and pans.
For all my croquette girlies, don’t miss the Ribbon Croissant (8,500 KRW, 6.40 USD) 🎀
Address: 16 Apgujeong-ro 56-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
3. Ugly Puppy (어글리퍼피)
There’s more rustic, Parisian vibes at Ugly Puppy, a cozy little nook of a cafe with delicious and equally beautiful pastries and pies.
We Koreans love our food salty. It’s no surprise that even with desserts, we love them sweet n’ salty! You’ll get a taste of that in the savory biscoff cream in the Lotus Croissant (6,800 KRW), which weighs heavily against the many crispy, flaky layers of the bread.
The apple marmalade in Ugly Puppy’s Chaussons aux Pommes, or apple turnovers (7,200 KRW, 5.40 USD), is so deliciously vanilla-y, and the meat inside the Tomato Meat Pie (8,500 KRW, 6.40 USD) is tender and in classic Korean fashion, a little hot.
There’s outdoor seating on the first floor, and a basement that’s good for getting some work done.
Come to Ugly Puppy to enjoy delicious desserts in a calm atmosphere!
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Gangnam District, Sinsa-dong, 644-11 1/F
4. Tongue Planet (텅 신사 스페이스)
It’s hard not to reach for your phone at this modern, maximalist-minimalist coffee shop in Apgujeong. Tongue Planet, like its sister location in Seongsu-dong, is delightfully tongue-themed (why not enjoy a tongue emoji cake), except this location is feels more like it could be a fancy curator’s apartment.
The high ceilings on this fourth floor cafe are a relief. Head on up to the sixth floor for their rooftop seating (and check out the stained glass-inspired ceiling on the way!).
The Tongue brand is part of ADER ERROR, which is a super edgy Korean brand that makes unisex clothing. It’s totally worth checking out their shop on your way up to the cafe; the clothing is super cool, but the way that they showcase it is just incredible.
Address: 518-11 Sinsa-dong, 4/F, 6/F, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
5. Dalmatian Apgujeong (달마시안 압구정점)
There’s something charming about a rugged cottage.
That’s what makes Dalmatian stand out – the garden with the mismatching chairs, the two-storey interior with exposed brick and floor tiles that I can’t tell are ugly or cute.
The highlight of the decor is the three-tier fountain with colorful flowers floating in its fiore pond.
Every seat in this cafe is worth it. Dalmatian is also a great place for brunch with your girlies.
Address: 42 Apgujeong-ro 42-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
6. NUDAKE Haus Dosan (누데이크 하우스 도산)
Everything is a work of art at NUDAKE, like the transparent tomato-shaped jelly (12,000 KRW, 9 USD) and distinctly black-colored desserts.
No need to visit a gallery, just walk through NUDAKE and eat the art you see!
This underground cafe is spacious and is situated below the iconic Korean sunglass brand Gentle Monster, so take a stroll and head on over!
Address: B/1, 42 Apgujeong-ro 42-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
7. London Bagel Museum (런던베이글뮤지엄 도산점)
NYC’s known for their bagels, but I gotta tip my hat off to London Bagel Museum for getting it right! Their bagels are chewy, and you really won’t go wrong with any of their flavors.
Given their popularity and quick turnover, their bagels are always fresh and glistening.
The best seller is the Scallion Pretzel Bagel Sandwich (8,500 KRW, 6.40 USD), which has a thick slather of cream cheese fragrant with onion, scallion and chives between two chewy pretzel-y bagel slices. It’s very Korean of us, you might need a mint after that 🙈
If that’s a bit much for ya, you can’t go wrong with a Plain or Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese.
Address: 1-2/F, 33 Eonju-ro 168-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
8. Milestone Coffee Roasters (마일스톤 커피)
Calling all serious coffee lovers to Milestone Coffee! This cafe is a local favorite specialty coffee roaster that’s been in business since 2014.
If you appreciate coffee with a more acidic profile, Milestone’s coffee will do it for ya.
Their signature drink is their iced Vienna Coffee (6,300 KRW, 4.70 USD), which is topped with a sweet, cushiony layer of cream. You know how you eat Lucky Charms for the marshmallow bits? Well, I wish I had a whole tub of their cream because my lactose-intolerant butt would down that stuff in a second!
Address: 49 Nonhyeon-ro 159-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
9. THOUSAND (따우전드 신사점)
Come all the way to Korea only to devour American-style pies! I know I know…
I grew up next to a huge American military base, and the historical relationship between Korea and the US is obvious. It’s interesting stepping into THOUSAND, which is peppered with nostalgic Americana-inspired posters.
THOUSAND’s pies are legit – they’re just as tasty and rich as they look. The classic Apple Pie, which comes with vanilla ice cream, is a winner (7,000 KRW, 5.30 USD). The moody wooden interior is vibey, and I love the dimly-lit globular glass lamps (that I’ve been seeing all over NYC cafes).
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Gangnam District, Gangnam-daero 162-gil, 40 1/F
10. Will.B Scone Coffee (윌비스콘)
Will.B’s scones, like other Korean scones, are a little more crispy on the outside, and saltier than what you’ll find in the UK or in the US, but they have the same rich buttery innards.
It’s heavenly biting into Will.B’s Clotted Cream Raspberry Scone (4,800 KRW, 3.60 USD).
The most popular item – the Honey Walnut Cream Cheese Scone (5,600 KRW, 4.20 USD) – is a uniquely Korean flavor for a scone. It reminds me of the nutty, bready satisfaction that the fresh batches of hodu-gwaja (walnut pastry balls) give me.
Will.B blew up after their friendly owner, Kim Tae Kwan, was featured in SBS’s famous TV show, Master of Living (생활의 달인).
Plus, Will.B has some really tasty and strong coffee that’ll help you digest all that goodness!
Address: 517-4 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
11. Assouline Lounge (애술린 라운지)
They call them coffee table books for a reason! Find your next art book and enjoy it with a coffee at Assouline Lounge. This book cafe is an elegant little hidden gem, somewhere you can spend a while getting lost going through all the beautiful books.
Assouline is one of the top coffee table book publishers. Their Seoul location is painted with the same distinct coral red as their locations in NYC, where they are headquartered.
Address: 11 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
12. Café DIOR Seoul (Pierre Hermé Cafe)
If you’re feeling fancy, wear your sleekest outfit and head to Café Dior Seoul, located on the fifth floor of the Seoul House of Dior. Everything is plated in Dior table arrangements; even a simple latte here is so pretty.
The curved chairs add a modern touch against the ornate, rich patterns and colorful decor throughout the cafe.
The prices are steep at Café Dior, but it’s worth it if you’re into the luxe vibe. The peak hours start at 1pm, so arriving around 11am-12pm for brunch is your best bet! (Brunch is served until 2pm.)
Address: 5/F, 464 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
13. Ceci Cela (세시셀라 도산공원점)
If you love carrot cake, come to Ceci Cela. If you don’t care for carrot cake, come to Ceci Cela anyway, since they’re going to change your mind!
Ceci Cela’s carrot cake is decadent and velvety – the cream cheese frosting is fresh and has a whipped-cream texture, and the cake is pleasantly doused with cinnamon (9,900 KRW, 7.40 USD).
The carrot cakes are baked fresh and new batches are released at 11am and for a second time, at 7pm.
The venue is simple and charming, with white subway tiles along the wall and dark wooden furniture that reminds me of NYC bagel shops.
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Gangnam District, Dosan-daero 45-gil, 10-4 1/F
14. Pink Mellow (핑크멜로우 신사가로수길점)
A Barbie fan? This Pink Cafe is basically Barbie Dreamhouse, with a pink exterior, pink chairs, pink teddy bears… You get the gist!
This girly hideout is the perfect place to delight your inner child & gawk at the colorful drinks and cakes.
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Gangnam District, Gangnam-daero 158-gil, 27 1/F-2/F
15. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (커피빈 압구정시티점)
The Coffee Bean is a classic coffee chain in Korea, but what I love about this location is their outdoor terrace on the second floor, which is adorned with white draped ceiling curtains.
Don’t like the entrance fool you – there’s tons of seating at this Coffee Bean location! The seating is plenty comfy, making it an easy place to chat for hours.
There’s plenty of plugs and wifi, which makes this location a reliable place to get some work done, too.
Address: South Korea, Seoul, Gangnam District, Dosan-daero 49-gil, 13 1/F
Best Coffee Shops in Apgujeong (Conclusion)
In this guide, we went over the best coffee shops in Apgujeong. These cafes have tons of different themes, from Parisian-inspired patisseries, highly artsy and luxe venues, to quirky hidden gems.
Here are 15 great cafes I can stand by!
- Yia Yia and Friends (이야이야앤프렌즈)
- Panier de M. Mooni Cafe (빠니드 엠 무니)
- Ugly Puppy (어글리퍼피)
- Tongue Planet (텅 신사 스페이스)
- Dalmatian Apgujeong (달마시안 압구정점)
- NUDAKE Haus Dosan (누데이크 하우스 도산)
- London Bagel Museum (런던베이글뮤지엄 도산점)
- Milestone Coffee (마일스톤 커피)
- THOUSAND (따우전드 신사점)
- Will.B Scone Coffee (윌비스콘)
- Assouline Lounge (애술린 라운지)
- Café DIOR Seoul (Pierre Hermé Cafe)
- Ceci Cela (세시셀라 도산공원점)
- Pink Mellow (핑크멜로우 신사가로수길점)
- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (커피빈 압구정시티점)
It’s these high quality cafes that make Apgujeong one of the best areas to hang out.
Thanks for checking out my ultimate guide to the best coffee shops in Apgujeong!
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