Founded in 2002 as one of the first specialty coffee shops in Seoul, Namusairo Coffee is among the most respected venues in the city. They source their coffee beans from a range of growing regions, including Colombia, Guatemala and Ethiopia. If it’s a sunny day, we recommend ordering a pour-over coffee and a couple of sweet treats from their small selection and having them in the charming hanok-style courtyard.

Namusairo Coffee is at 196 Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, +82 70-7590-0885. Visit its website for more information.

With multiple outposts throughout Seoul – including Dongsan Park, Gwanghwamun and Cheonggyecheon – Felt Coffee is a convenient place to get your caffeine hit. The locations generally have a sleek, modern and minimalist design, purportedly so that customers can concentrate on tasting and enjoying the coffee, and drinks such as espressos, lattes and iced Americanos are all crafted with top-notch coffee beans that are roasted in-house.

Felt Coffee has multiple locations in Seoul. Visit its website for more information.

The small and cosy Mesh Coffee opened its doors in 2015 and was founded by two industry veterans. All the furniture in the store was made by hand and while there’s limited space inside, they offer bench seating right outside the coffee shop. Mesh Coffee roasts its own coffee beans and they’re known for their impeccable filter brews. Those who prefer espresso-based drinks can try a cappuccino or latte, or go for a strong, simple espresso.

Mesh Coffee is at 43 Seoulsup-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, +82 2-464-7078. Visit its Instagram page for more information.

Given that Center Coffee was opened by an award-winning barista, you know you’ll be getting a high-quality cup of coffee here. Out of all their outlets, we’re partial to the Seoul Forest location for its tranquil atmosphere and proximity to the sprawling park. Purists can get a drip coffee, while patrons in the mood for something different can order a mugwort latte or peanut butter latte. Avoiding dairy? You’ll be pleased to know they offer oat milk.

Center Coffee has multiple locations in Seoul. Visit its website for more information.

Located in the hip Yeonnam-dong neighbourhood, Coffee Nap Roasters has a rather unusual design feature. Instead of the standard tables and chairs, you’ll be greeted by a “hill” made from 7,000 red bricks where customers can take lots of pictures for the ‘gram. As far as the drinks go, they do classic beverages including flat whites, lattes and filter brews made with your desired coffee beans, plus a small range of non-coffee drinks.

Coffee Nap Roasters is at 453-32 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, +82 2-332-4131. Visit its website for more information.

Pop into one of Anthracite Coffee Roasters’ locations (branches include Hapjeong, Hannam and Seogyo, and they also have one on Jeju Island) and you’ll be treated to a delicious serving of coffee made using single-origin and blended coffee beans that are roasted daily. Their original Hapjeong café is situated within an industrial building that used to house a shoe factory, and you can complement your cuppa with assorted madeleines and cakes.

Anthracite Coffee Roasters has multiple locations in Seoul. Visit its website for more information.

One of Seoul’s newest players in the specialty coffee scene is Upstanding Coffee, which was founded in 2022. Located in the Haebangchon neighbourhood, the three-storey space has a rugged, industrial interior, with a gorgeous spiral staircase and a small outdoor patio on the third floor. The menu keeps things simple, with black and white espresso-based drinks that you can order hot or iced, and with dairy, almond, oat or soy milk.

Upstanding Coffee is at 99-11 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, +82 10-2462-8727. Visit its Instagram page for more information.

Coffee Libre has a clutch of establishments in the city and is one of Seoul’s OG specialty coffee shops. They take their coffee seriously, making regular trips to growing regions to source the finest coffee beans from all around the world, which they then roast themselves. Visit their Myeongdong space – located within Myeongdong Cathedral – for clean-tasting pour-over coffees, creamy lattes made with dairy or oat milk and potent espressos.

Coffee Libre has multiple locations in Seoul. Visit its website for more information.

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