6 Seongsu Cafes with the Best Vibes
Location: Seongsu-dong, Seoul | Category: Cafes | Best For: Design lovers, Cafe hoppers, Instagram enthusiasts
Seongsu-dong has shed its industrial past to become Seoul's most design-forward neighborhood. Former warehouses and factories now house cafes that double as galleries, photo studios, and botanical spaces. This curated selection covers six spots that define the district's creative energy—from a converted 1970s rice mill to a media art-themed coffee bar.
Quick Overview
| Area | Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul |
| Spots Covered | 6 cafes |
| Price Range | ₩5,000–15,000 ($4–12) |
| Best Time | Weekday afternoons |
1. Daelim Changgo (대림창고)
This 1970s rice warehouse turned gallery-cafe set the template for Seongsu's transformation. Steel trusses span the double-height ceiling, while ivy climbs the exposed brick walls. The space rotates art exhibitions every two months, making each visit different from the last.
The Panama Geisha coffee commands a premium price but delivers accordingly. Their house-made strawberry milk, blended fresh daily, draws a younger crowd.
| Address | 78 Seongsu-iro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul |
| Hours | 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Daily) |
| Price | ₩6,000–15,000 ($5–12) |
| Signature | Panama Geisha Coffee, Fresh Strawberry Milk |
| Reservations | Not required |
| Getting There | Line 2 Seongsu Station, Exit 3, 4-min walk |
2. Move.mov (무브모브)
A cafe built around the ".mov" file format concept. Digital art installations cover the walls, shifting between abstract visuals and seasonal themes. The dimly lit interior works better for atmosphere than productivity—come here to unwind, not to work on your laptop.
The self-photo studio on-site attracts content creators. Their handmade tiramisu (regular and matcha versions) pairs well with the moody setting. The RGB shaved ice lets you customize three syrup flavors.
| Address | 56 Seongsu-il-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM / Sat 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM / Sun 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Price | ₩5,500–10,000 ($4–8) |
| Signature | Handmade Tiramisu (₩8,500), RGB Shaved Ice (₩8,500) |
| Reservations | Available for birthday events |
| Getting There | Line 2 Ttukseom Station, Exit 5, 2-min walk |
3. Kkachi Hwabang Seongsu Naknak (까치화방 성수낙낙)
Part flower shop, part cafe. The interior resembles a greenhouse, with fresh arrangements changing weekly based on what's in season. Located slightly off the main cafe strip, it draws smaller crowds than its neighbors.
The strawberry ice cream croffle remains the bestseller. For summer visits, the cherry bingsu (₩27,000) serves two comfortably. House-made fruit teas use seasonal herbs—rose berry and passionfruit rose stand out.
| Address | 48 Achasan-ro 17-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (SK V1 Center I, 1F) |
| Hours | 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Daily) |
| Price | ₩6,000–27,000 ($5–21) |
| Signature | Strawberry Ice Cream Croffle, Cherry Bingsu, Herb Fruit Teas |
| Reservations | Not required |
| Getting There | Line 2 Seongsu Station, Exit 3, 12-min walk (near Ground Seesaw) |
4. The Coffee Seongsu (더커피 성수)
Brazil's global coffee chain landed in Korea with this 2025 flagship. The design philosophy borrows from Japanese minimalism—clean lines, muted tones, deliberate negative space. A red brick exterior houses a surprisingly compact interior.
The menu stays focused. Pure Black and True White cover the espresso basics. Ichigo Matcha adds a Japanese-Korean fusion option. Quality stays consistent across all drinks, a rarity in Seoul's cafe scene.
| Address | 27 Seoul-sup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul |
| Hours | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Daily) |
| Price | ₩5,000–8,000 ($4–6) |
| Signature | Pure Black, True White, Ichigo Matcha |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Getting There | Line 2 Ttukseom Station or Bundang Line Seoul Forest Station, 7-min walk |
5. Café Cité (카페씨떼)
A departure from the industrial aesthetic that dominates Seongsu. The glass-roofed structure floods the interior with natural light, and the outdoor terrace connects to a seasonal pop-up space. The scale works well for groups or families with children.
Each drink takes inspiration from a different city. The Seongsu Brick Latte (₩8,500) pays homage to the neighborhood's architecture. Pastry chef-baked gâteau de voyage rotates daily. Organic carrot juice rounds out the non-coffee options.
| Address | 71 Seongsu-iro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul |
| Hours | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Last order 9:30 PM) |
| Price | ₩6,000–9,000 ($5–7) |
| Signature | Seongsu Brick Latte, Gâteau de Voyage, Organic Carrot Juice |
| Reservations | Not required |
| Getting There | Line 2 Seongsu Station, Exit 3, 5-min walk |
6. Room Temperature (룸템퍼레이쳐)
A brunch-focused cafe set in a residential alley, away from the main commercial area. Floor-to-ceiling windows and blonde wood furniture create a Scandinavian-leaning atmosphere. The space welcomes dogs—a rarity in Korean cafes.
Dutch baby pancakes arrive with mascarpone cream and seasonal fruit. The cacio e pepe pasta handles the savory side. Filter coffee and natural wines round out a menu built for slow weekend mornings.
| Address | Seongsu-dong residential area, Seongdong-gu, Seoul |
| Hours | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Closed Mondays) |
| Price | ₩12,000–25,000 ($9–19) |
| Signature | Dutch Baby Pancakes, Cacio e Pepe Pasta, Filter Coffee |
| Reservations | Recommended for weekends |
| Getting There | Line 2 Seongsu Station, Exit 4, 10-min walk (street parking available) |
Practical Tips
Timing matters. Weekday afternoons between 2–5 PM see the shortest waits. Weekend mornings mean 20–40 minute queues at Daelim Changgo and The Coffee.
Plan your route. Five of these six cafes cluster within a 15-minute walking radius of Seongsu Station Exit 3. Room Temperature requires a separate trip.
Check Monday hours. Several Seongsu cafes close on Mondays or open late. Confirm before heading out.
Bring a card. All locations accept credit and debit cards. Cash is rarely needed.
Weather backup. Daelim Changgo and Café Cité work well on rainy days thanks to their high ceilings and covered outdoor areas.
Final Thoughts
Seongsu rewards those who appreciate design as much as caffeine. Skip this neighborhood if you need a quick coffee stop—these spaces work best when you have an hour or two to spare.
📌 Quick Reference
Daelim Changgo (대림창고) – 78 Seongsu-iro | Panama Geisha Coffee
Move.mov (무브모브) – 56 Seongsu-il-ro | Handmade Tiramisu
Kkachi Hwabang (까치화방 성수낙낙) – 48 Achasan-ro 17-gil | Strawberry Croffle
The Coffee Seongsu (더커피 성수) – 27 Seoul-sup 2-gil | Pure Black
Café Cité (카페씨떼) – 71 Seongsu-iro | Seongsu Brick Latte
Room Temperature (룸템퍼레이쳐) – Seongsu-dong residential | Dutch Baby