No matter where you are in Seoul, you never need to look far to find a coffee shop or cafe for a morning caffeine fix. From Starbucks and Coffee Bean to local chains like Tom n Toms and Caffe Bene, coffee shops are ubiquitous in the city.
But, in Korea, coffee shops are much more than a quick pit stop for your daily macchiato. Rather, cafes offer a social setting where friends and loved ones can enjoy semi-solitude in a constantly buzzing city. As a primary hangout for the young and old, cafes in Korea are often warmly decorated with plush seating and several floors of space.
Over the years, themed cafes have popped up throughout Seoul, paying tribute to everything from favorite cartoon characters to beloved pets. While you’ll have little trouble finding a coffee shop while in the city, it’s well worth the effort to make a side trip to sip the afternoon away at these seven quirky themed cafes in Seoul.
Hello Kitty Cafe
Diehard Hello Kitty fans and lovers of all things cute – and pink – will want to put this whimsical cafe at the top of their to-do list while visiting Seoul. Nestled in the funky, artistic neighborhood of Hongdae, the Hello Kitty Cafe is a large, bright pink establishment built around the friendly feline herself. A pink silhouette of Hello Kitty and her signature bow atop the cafe let you know you’re in the right place. Inside, prepare yourself for cuteness overload: cartoonish pink booths, a plethora of pictures of Hello Kitty and friends, and her likeness on everything from waffles and cakes to your latte foam are sure to satisfy your Hello Kitty needs. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir plush before heading off to the next cafe.
Cat Cafes
Speaking of kitties and cafes, you can grab a cappuccino and some kitten cuddles at a cat cafe in Seoul. Cats haven’t historically been popular pets in Korea, but as they grow in popularity, locals and tourists alike love to spend some time getting to know these friendly felines at cat cafes across the country. In Seoul, head to the shopping mecca of Myeongdong to get your feline fix. The Godabang Cat Cafe is home to dozens of pampered cats, many boasting cute bows and frilly collars. There’s no charge to hang out with these cafe kittens, though you do need to purchase a drink. Cats will usually greet you at the counter, and since they roam free in the cafe, don’t be surprised if you have a few furry visitors jumping in your lap as you enjoy your coffee.
Dog Cafes
Need your daily dose of doggy overload? Well, you can easily spend a few hours petting and playing with puppies in Seoul. Similar to cat cafes, dog cafes have a pack of live-in pups that patrons can play with after purchasing a drink. The Bau House chain of dog cafes can be found in popular areas like Hongdae. Be prepared to cuddle with a wide range of breeds, including everything from corgis and golden retrievers to Pomeranians and even huskies.
Capi Capi Loom Loom
The uber-cute cartoon teddy known as Rilakkuma is set to give Hello Kitty a run for her money, especially now that Rilakkuma has its own themed cafe near Sungshin Women’s University. Enjoy coffee and desserts like shaved ice as you check out the cafe’s impressive collection of Rilakkuma-themed swag. You can even share a booth with a full-sized Rilakkuma plush. Don’t forget to add a note or photo to the pegboard that features messages and selfies from past patrons.
Thanks Nature Cafe
Another quirky Hongdae find, Thanks Nature Cafe is for the more adventurous traveler. If cats, dogs and cartoon characters aren’t quite cutting it for you, then up your cafe game by hanging out with roaming sheep at Thanks Nature Cafe. Here, visitors can get up close and personal with a pair of sheep that wander throughout the coffee shop. Just be sure to keep an eye on your food while meeting the sheep.
Air Cafe
Travelers will fall in love with Air Cafe in Hongdae, thanks to the cafe’s travel-themed decor. Even the menu gets the travel treatment, with the food list presented in the form of an arrival form. Food arrives on a tray, too, just like on a plane, but minus the fellow passengers and jet lag. World maps and photos of exotic locales adorn the walls, making it a great stop for a traveler in Seoul.
Monster Cupcakes
In the international district of Itaewon, Monster Cupcakes serves up some of the creepiest sweets you’ll find in the city. Cupcakes here feature some interesting (sugar-based) toppings: everything from cute, cartoonish monsters to severed fingers, tombstones and eyeballs. Creepy creatures like the Chucky doll from the “Child’s Play” series, gremlins and bags of “blood” (that are actually cocktails) complete the morbid feel.
(Main image: librarianidol)
