There’s nothing like summer love, and June-August is full of opportunities for dates. Korea has many coffee shops and cafes where you can take your oppa or noona for a romantic outing. These are the best Korean cafes for a summer date!
Seoul
We’ll start in the capital city, where you’ll find cafes of all kinds. We’ve made several lists in the past of aesthetic, trendy, and otherwise unique cafes to visit that you can also check out. Just be aware that some of those blogs are a few years old, meaning a few of the shops mentioned have unfortunately closed.
Stylenanda Pink Pool Café (Hongdae)
Image Credits: Stylenanda pinkpoolcafe via Instagram
Barbie would love this café. With its décor and menu inspired by an indoor swimming pool, a visit to Style Nanda is the best way to kick off your summer. Sip some fruity cocktails or Cotton Candy Coffee as you sit in a comfy beach chair nibbling on a meringue.
Address: 4th Floor Stylenanda, 21번지 335, Seogyo-dong, Mapo District, Seoul
Image Credits: Stylenanda pinkpoolcafe via Instagram
Banana Tree (Seongsu)
Image Credits: Image via Seoul Foodie
Nothing says “summer” like bananas and sunflowers. Banana Tree welcomes patrons with its yellow sign, picnic bench tables, and flowerpot bowls. There are various beverages, including non-alcoholic mojito, that you can order with your cake and bingsu. Did we mention that this is a cute spot for a first date?
Address: 685-63, Seongsu-dong 1-ga, Seongdong District, Seoul
Image Credits: NEWT via Instagram
Jeonggeurida (Jongno District)
Image Credits: Cafe Jeonggeurida via Instagram
Transport yourself to a tropical island with a trip to Jeonggeurida. Ferns, palms, and pineapples grow inside, offering a unique dining experience. Jeonggeurida’s signature drink is a striking coconut and mango shake/ade, and you can't go wrong with their cheesecake or fruit tart. Take us with you when you go!
Address: 2 Naksanseonggwak-gil, Jongno District, Seoul
Image Credits: Cafe Jeonggeurida via Instagram
Madang Flower Café (Jongno)
Image Credits: Madang Flower Cafe via Instagram
Looking for something a little more rustic? Come to Madang Flower Café, where you can live out your k-drama fantasy (Goblin and True Beauty were filmed here) while breathing in the scent of fresh flowers. The café itself is built in a hanok style, with wooden screens and paper umbrellas adding to the ambience. Enjoy hot and iced tea, waffles, and homemade ice cream.
Address: 33-12 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Ikseon-dong, Jongno District, Seoul
Image Credits: yeon.6k via Instagram
Summer Lane Café (Itaewon)
Image Credits: Summer Lane via Instagram
Our last stop is in Itaewon, which is a hub for tourists, expats, and students. Summer Lane is an Australian-inspired café that is a must-stop if you’re going out for brunch. Their menu includes eggs benedict, French toasts, and a sweet fruity Pavlova. Order a fruit tea or, if you’re feeling adventurous, an Aussie Ice (iced latte made with vanilla ice cream).
Address: 49 Itaewon-ro 55ga-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul
Image Credits: Summer Lane via Instagram
Jeju Island
If we’re talking summer, then we need to mention the Hawaii of Korea, Jeju Island. Here you can eat local fish, walk stunning beaches, and of course sip tea or coffee at these popular cafes.
Bomnal Café (Aewol)
Image Credits: Image via Sheryl Bella
You may recognize this café from the 2015 k-drama Warm and Cozy. Bomnal Café looks like a regular wooden shed, but it’s a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Located on Aewol Café Street, it’s built above Handam Beach and has lovely seating inside and outside. The menu includes hallabong tea and cake, as well as brunch items like pizza and sandwiches. It's the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, AND dessert!
Address: 25 Aewollo 1(il)-gil, Aewol, Jeju Island
Image Credits: Bomnal Cafe via Instagram
Gongbech (Gujwa)
Image Credits: Image via KoreaTravelPost
Once owned by BTS Suga’s brother, Gongbech is a bit of everything: eatery, gallery, and scenic lookout. With windows facing the sea and a minimalist aesthetic, the focus is on the ocean’s natural beauty and the delicious menu Gongbech offers. From freshly baked bagels to its signature cream coffee made with Jeju barley, you’ll leave the café with a full stomach and photo gallery.
Address: 83 Dongbok-ro, Gujwa, Jeju Island
Image Credits: ikuko via Instagram
Café Hallasan (Gujwa)
Image Credits: Cafe Hallasan via Instagram
Located in front of Sehwa Beach and with a view of Mt. Hallasan, this other café in Gujwa offers a unique photoshoot opportunity: you can take a selfie behind a TV-shaped frame. Like other coffee shops, Café Hallasan offers hallabong items. We recommend the Hallabong Cocktail with the café’s signature carrot cake.
Address: 48 Myeonsu 1-gil, Gujwa, Jeju Island
Image Credits: foodh_ee via Instagram
Café Delmoondo (Jocheon)
Image Credits: Cafe Delmoondo via Instagram
If you’re looking for something fancier (and pricier), then check out Café Delmoondo. Easily one of Jeju’s most gorgeous spots, it’s like a small island hideaway with palm trees, sand, and waves right outside. Besides Jeju's classic carrot cake, Café Delmoondo offers a delicious fondant au chocolat. Jeju Island is also home to a second cafe, a coffee roastery, and an art museum under the Café Delmoondo name.
Address: 1008-1 Hamdeok-ri, Jocheon, Jeju Island
Image Credits: Cafe Delmoondo via Instagram
Busan and Elsewhere
We can’t end this list without mentioning a few places outside of Seoul and Jeju Island.
Huinnyeol Beach Café (Busan)
Image Credits: Image via Interesting Korea
Busan is THE seaside city, with delicious dishes and fantastic views. We had to include a café from here, and the most iconic is this coffee shop located in the Huinnyeoul Culture Village. Both the exterior and interior are cute, and there are tasty pastries as well as various tea and coffee options (served hot or iced). Finally, whether you sit in the basement or on the terrace, you’ll get stunning shots of the water. Food for the stomach AND the eyes!
Address: 236 Jeoryeong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
Image Credits: 김화나 via Creatrip
Daily Oasis (Daegu)
Image Credits: RJ via Instagram
Less sea, more desert. Daegu’s Daily Oasis café features cactus motifs in their décor and toppings for drinks and desserts. It’s the perfect spot for matcha lovers, since you’ll find everything from matcha espresso to matcha bingsu. Oh, and they serve souffles and Dutch babies, making this a must-visit brunch spot.
Address: 322-7, Dongin-dong 4-ga, Jung-gu, Daegu
Image Credits: Dailyoasis via Instagram
Greetvi Coffee (Ulsan)
Image Credits: Image via Korean Go Go
We end our café-hopping in Ulsan. The designers pulled no punches: Greetvi Coffee has walls that are entirely made of windows and a seating plan that makes patrons feel as if they were in a movie theater. They’re greeted by waves and blue sky while they munch on freshly baked pastries and sip fruit- and espresso-based beverages. You can also find Greetvi Coffee in Busan.
Address: 4 Sinamhaean 1-gil, Seosaeng-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan
Image Credits: Image via Korean Go Go
Have you been to any of these cafes? Were there any that we should have mentioned? Tell us in the comments. And have a safe, cool, and happy summer!
