Seongsu’s Top 20 Cafes, Restaurants, & Things to Do

South Korea
Written By Things to Book

Last update: June 22, 2025

One of the things that made our visit to Seongsu more memorable is by joining this highlights day tour. Our local guide not only brought us to the popular Cafe Street, Seongsu Art Hall, Seoul Forest, and other alleys where locals frequent, but also made the neighborhood come alive with his detailed explanation and insights. If Seongsu is part of your Seoul travel itinerary, we definitely recommend booking the guided tour. View all things to do in Seongsu ➜

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Also read: Suncheon Travel Guide: What to See in Korea’s Eco-City

Discover Seongsu-dong in Seoul

Seongsu-dong, or the neighborhood of Seongsu (동 or dong can mean neighborhood in Korean), is one of today’s most visited places in Seoul. Easily accessible from Hongdae, the City Hall, and Gangnam via the subway Line 2 (Green Line), this local hotspot is known to house aesthetic cafes, factory-turned-shops, and flagship stores of homegrown and international brands.

Many who have visited Seongsu say that it resembles Brooklyn or East London, but the similarities are very much unintended. Between the 70’s and the early 2000s, Seongsu was known as a production hub of shoes and leather goods. No one came to the area to hang out. But the economic hurdles in Korea eventually forced establishments to close down, leaving factories abandoned. It will take several years before the place gets revitalized by young entrepreneurs. One by one, they would set up shop and remold the area into a notable spot that locals and tourists love coming back to.

On your trip, you will get to witness the multi-faceted side of Seongsu-dong. Expect to find large rustic industrial complexes in the area, as well as reimagined alleys that teem with culture, fashion, and an overall youthful vibe. The fact that you can spot hip and upcoming businesses among old warehouses is where the charm comes from. There’s an element of surprise to every turn. And it’s something that makes the place worth visiting.

In this guide, we have listed the following to help you plan your trip: must-visit cafes in Seongsu, things to do to help maximize your time, as well as a list of restaurants and shops that locals love.

Best Cafes in Seongsu

Seongsu-dong’s Cafe Street is not only where you can get your caffeine fix; it’s a great spot to experience the vibrant cafe culture in South Korea. Come to visit on a weekday, and you’ll most likely see students or young professionals on their laptops, as well as office workers getting their cup of joe during lunch. On a weekend, you will find couples, friends, and a few families unwinding. But why in Seongsu, you ask? That’s because the neighborhood is home to some of the prettiest coffee shops that you can find in the city. Check them out below:

1. Onion (어니언)

Let’s start with what is probably the most famous cafe in Seongsu: Onion. Even among locals, this coffee shop and bakery is quite the buzz. The interior of the cafe reflects the area — it’s imperfect, authentic, and undone. Among the things that you can order on the menu, we recommend the Chocolate Latte (₩7,000 or $5), the Pandoro (₩6,000 or $4.4), and the Salt Bread (₩3,000 or 2.2).

  • ADDRESS: 8 Achasan-ro 9-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (2-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 2)

  • HOURS: 8am-10pm on weekdays and 9am-10pm on weekends

  • BEST LOCAL REVIEW: “Even at 10am, there were already a lot of people… the Angel Chouchou was so good,” a review (translated from Korean) for Onion in Seongsu reads.

2. Daerim Factory Gallery (대림 창고 갤러리)

What was once a rice mill in the 70’s is now one of the busiest cafes in Seongsu-dong. While Daerim Factory Gallery has an unassuming red brick exterior, you’ll be impressed by the cozy, open, and inviting space that shows the true character of the neighborhood. After you find one of your seats in the many communal tables, choose from a variety of drinks including their signature Einspänner called Geishaspänner, Strawberry Milk (₩9,000 or $6.6), and Draft & Craft Beer (₩8,000 or $5.8). If you are feeling hungry, you can try their Truffle Mushroom Foccacia (₩8,200 or $6.2), Triple Cro & Vanilla Cream Croissant (₩9,900 or $7.2), and Salted Butter Bread (₩4,000 or $2.9).

  • ADDRESS: 78 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (5-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 3)

  • HOURS: 11am-10pm daily

  • BEST LOCAL REVIEW: “I visited because it was a warehouse that was turned into a large cafe... The interior is very unique, and there are many things to see. It was a fun cafe❣️”

3. Cheonsang House (천상가옥)

Cheonsang House, which translates to heavenly house in English, can easily be described as a slice of paradise in the heart of Seongsu. Their cafe features a dining space with large windows and white ceiling drapes, as well as wooden furniture and pots of tall plants. Here, the must-try items are croissant cookies or crookies (₩6,900 or $5), lemon pound cake (₩7,000 or $5.1), and their Pepper Honey Cream Latte (₩7,000 or $5.1). They also have very Instagrammable desserts as well as pet-friendly treats for pawed friends (the cafe is dog-friendly!).

4. Tongue Seongsu Space (텅 성수 스페이스)

This Seongsu-dong cafe is eccentric and bold. On one corner is a dark red wall showing the cafe’s logo (a tongue, of course), and on another is a seating space showing pastel hues. Tongue in Seongsu is a welcome and eccentric fixture in the neighborhood, with many locals enjoying these menu items: Matcha Emoji Cake (₩14,000 or $10.2), Peanut Latte (₩8,000 or $5.8), Iced Green Forest (₩9,500 or $5.8), and more.

  • ADDRESS: 2/F 82, Seongsuiro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (4-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 3)

  • HOURS: 10am-9pm daily

  • BEST LOCAL REVIEW: “Wow, this is a place with a great ambience… we talked here for hours… The cake was cute.”

5. Ruf Ruf Cafe Museum (러프러프 카페)

On the fourth floor of what looks like an uninteresting building is Ruf Ruf, another must-visit cafe in Seongsu-dong. While the long rotating centerpiece catches visitors’ attention, the insanely stunning cakes are the real attention stealers. If you are planning to visit, try the Strawberry Crumble Cheesecake, Matcha Pistachio Cheesecake, and the Honey Sweet Potato Cheesecake, which cost ₩8,500 or $6.2 each. In case there is a special occasion to celebrate during your trip, you can also get a whole cake here.

  • ADDRESS: 2 7 1-2 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (6-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 3)

  • HOURS: 11am-10pm on weekdays and 12-11pm on weekends

  • BEST LOCAL REVIEW: “The cheesecake is crazy… it’s unbelievably good,” reads a local review (translated from Korean).

6. Airdrop Coffee Seongsu (에어드랍 커피 성수)

Our sixth spot is as cool as its name. Aside from the neat wooden grand bar, what I like about Airdrop is their space that looks like a library, lounge, and coffee shop in one. One look at their store, and you’ll want to spend time here. They have tables for students, couches for couples, and bar stools for friends who just want to hang out. If you’re paying a visit, make sure to get their signature menu items like the Mocha Latte (₩6,500 or $4.7), Matcha Matcha (₩6,500 or $4.7), and their Cream Cheese Berry drink (₩8,000 or $5.8).

7. LOOOP Bakery Cafe (LOOOP 베이커리 카페)

If Apple had a home, it would probably look like LOOOP. Their cafe and vegan bakery feature elegant white fixtures and walls that delight all senses. It’s so beautiful that the shop’s Instagram feed shows photos from visitors posing inside the cafe rather than the menu (and we can’t blame them). At LOOOP, you can enjoy their wide variety of coffee, tea, matcha, and more.

8. Beton Seongsu Flagship Cafe (베통 성수 플래그십)

Bread lovers, this is where to go. At Beton, you can enjoy fresh and hot salt bread in a variety of flavors. They also have great soups as well as coffee and tea. But what’s notable about Beton is that it has the Blue Ribbon Survey Award (2024), which is slightly comparable to the Michelin-rating system.

9. Bohumil (보후밀)

An upcoming cafe in Seongsu, Bohumil also gives off the same undone vibe as Onion. Their store walls have a raw and unfinished paint job, which gives the space a vibe of an artist's or a mason’s studio. They also have a very straightforward menu that features Iced Americano (₩4,000 or $2.9) and juice.

  • ADDRESS: 29 Ttukseom-ro 17-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (12-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 3)

  • HOURS: 10am-6pm daily

  • BEST LOCAL REVIEW: “It's a really good coffee place. It smells good, and there are various kinds of drip coffee.”

10. Subjective Cafe (서브젝티브 카페)

Clean, white, and minimalist. This is what Subjective Cafe is all about. Although it is quite far from the Seongsu-dong Cafe Street, Subjective Cafe does deserve a spot on our list. Their interior design is spot on — it seems as if it jumped out of Pinterest. Their signature item is their latte (₩6,500 or $4.7), but they also offer cakes, toasts, croissants, bagels, cheese platters, and wine.

  • ADDRESS: 229, Gwangnaru-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea 04802 (10-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 1)

  • HOURS: 11am-8pm from Sunday-Thursday and 11am-11pm on Fridays & Saturdays

  • BEST LOCAL REVIEW: “The toast was delicious… The cafe is so pretty… I think a lot of people come to take pictures here…”

Where to Eat in Seongsu

Aside from coffeeshops, Seongsu also has a mouthwatering collection of restaurants serving local and international cuisine. Here are our favorites:

1. Gowoo Seongsu (고우성수)

If your visit to Seongsu is around lunch or dinner time, consider having a traditional pot rice meal in the area. A place we recommend is Gowoo, which serves delicious Steak Pot Rice (₩23,500 or $17.3), Eel Pot Rice (₩22,000 or $16.2), and Pork Belly or Samgyeopsal Pot Rice (₩18,000 or $13.2). Whenever my friends come to visit me in Korea, I always try to bring them to a claypot rice meal, which has a distinct smoky flavor.

  • ADDRESS: Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Yeonmujang-gil, 9-1 2층 (7-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 4)

  • HOURS: 11:30am-9pm with breaktime at 3-4:30pm on weekdays

  • BEST LOCAL REVIEW: “The servings were huge, and I like the quality, too… The side dishes taste clean, and the short rib patties were really delicious…”

2. BD Burger (bd버거 성수역연무장길)

Fresh. Handmade. Burgers. If you want to try a good burger joint in Seoul, come to Seongsu’s BD Burger. On their menu are exciting varieties of burgers, including the signature Cheongyang Mayo Bulgogi Burger (₩11,400 or $8.4), the must-try Double Cheese Burger (₩12,400 or $9.1), and seasonal selections like Buldak Shrimp Burger (₩12,900 or $9.5). They also have a great fries selection featuring mushroom fries, eggplant fries, and their addictive butter garlic fries.

  • ADDRESS: Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, 322-20 2층 (6-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 3)

  • HOURS: 11:30am-9pm

  • BEST LOCAL REVIEW: “The burger is so filling... I can see why everyone says it's good. The sides and the milkshare are so delicious... I wanted to eat a delicious hamburger, and this place did not fail…”

3. Hyojadong Seongsu (효자동목고기 성수점)

Feast on Korean BBQ in Seongsu at Hyojadong. If you are looking for a nice BBQ place in Seoul, consider this resto-grill that serves pork belly and pork shoulder from Jeju Island for just ₩19,000 or $14 per person.

  • ADDRESS: 25 Yeonmujang 5ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (2-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 3)

  • HOURS: 10am-10pm with breaktime between 3-5pm

  • BEST LOCAL REVIEW: “Their bestseller, the pork, was really delicious! The staff grilled the meat for us, so it was convenient…”

4. Horange Boonsik (호랑이분식 성수)

This famous tteokbokki or Korean rice cake place serves more than just their famous cheese tteokbokki or malatang tteokbokki. They also offer several traditional Korean street food and meals like blood sausage, bulgogi rice rolls, pork cutlet, and udon — the perfect quick meal or snack if you ever feel hungry in Seongsu.

  • ADDRESS: 40 Seongsuil-ro 8-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (2-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 1)

  • HOURS: 11:30am-9pm with breaktime between 3:30pm-5pm on weekdays

  • BEST LOCAL REVIEW: “The food was delicious yet affordable. ♡♡♡ The interior is pretty, too… even the free fish cake soup was good…”

5. Cinderella Speakeasy Bar (신데렐라)

As mentioned earlier, Seongsu was a shoe production hub decades ago. And there’s nothing like Cinderella, a speakeasy bar in Seoul, that perfectly captures this historical significance. In this bar, you and your friends will be served a cocktail on a 3D-printed shoe (₩18,000 or $13.2) , which makes for a very exciting and unique nightcap in South Korea.

Things to Do & Tours in Seongsu-dong

Aside from dining and chilling at a cafe, there are a lot of activities and experiences that you can have in Seongsu. Maximize your time in the neighborhood by adding the following to your itinerary:

1. Make and bottle your own perfume

As the most popular activity in Seongsu on Klook, this class is an absolute must-try. Inside a gorgeous studio, you will be making your very own bottle of perfume that can remind you of your stay in South Korea (instead of purchasing a souvenir, why not make it, right?) This class is also offered in up to 13 different languages including English, Indonesian, Spanish, Italian, French, and German, so you won’t have to worry about not keeping up!

  • PRICE: Book here from $36.05

  • OPTIONS: Perfume only (50ml of personalized scent) or Gift Set (Perfume, diffuser, and room spray)

  • ADDRESS: 2F, 6 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (8-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 4)

  • BEST REVIEW: “Foreigner friendly… You watch [an] instructional video while making the perfume… The bottles are so cute and [there was] even a designated area to take a picture of your perfume,” reads a review on Klook.

2. Have a facial or massage at The FORET Spa

Located near the Seoul Forest and SM Entertainment, the FORET Spa is where you want to be for some self-care and pampering. The spa offers hydrating facials, anti-aging facials, and lifting facials, as well as body massages that will help you relax in the middle of your trip. While the FORET is a 19-minute walk from the station, you can also take Bus 2224 to get to the spa more efficiently.

  • PRICE: Book here from $117.69 — get 3-5% off with promo code TRAVLISTS

  • OPTIONS:

  • ADDRESS: B115, 32-14, Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Take Bus 2224 from Seongsu Station or ride the train from Seongsu Station to Ttukseom Station)

  • BEST REVIEW: “Great experience [with] very professional staff. English speaking… [The staff] was very attentive throughout the service and can adjust the intensity of your massage as needed. Our 60 minutes went by quickly. At the end of your [service,] they will serve your choice [of] hot or cold tea... Will definitely consider returning here next time in Seoul.”

3. Join a walking tour in Seongsu

While it can be enjoyable to tour Seongsu on your own, having a local guide who can explain the neighborhood and take you to all the great spots will add more meaning to your visit. If you are looking for an easy day tour, consider this 3-hour K-Culture adventure. It will take you to great spots in and around the area, including Seongsu Café Street, Understand Avenue, SM Entertainment HQ, Seoul Forest, K-Sool Place, and hidden gems (boutiques and pop-up stores).

  • PRICE: Book here from $49.45 — get 3-5% discount with Klook promo code TRAVLISTS

  • WHAT’S INCLUDED: 3-hour tour with English-speaking guide & Duty Free Vouchers

  • HOURS: 3pm-6pm

  • BEST REVIEW: “Our tour [guide, Mr. Han,] is very kind and accommodating during the tour. He started our tour by sharing [a] brief history about the Seoungsu-dong place. Then he showed us the very nice cafes and trendy shops around the area…”

4. Try live action painting with friends and family

Turn up your visit to Seoul by joining this fun action painting experience. If your travel itinerary is lacking some interactive experience with your group, consider this activity that will let you throw and play with paint. Instead of a brush, you can use your hands, paint gun, sponges, and more materials to color your canvas.

  • PRICE: Book here from $25.75

  • WHAT’S INCLUDED: 46x38cm canvas, paint, protective gear, & painting tools

  • ADDRESS: 39 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea (10-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 3)

5. Visit a jazz bar and watch live performances

Take a rest from your usual K-pop playlist and listen to Korean musicians deliver some jazz. At Seongsu’s entry55 Jazz Bar, you can catch a live performance as you feast on pasta, pizza, wine, beer, and more — perfect after visiting Onion Cafe, which is located just a few steps away!

  • PRICE: Book here from $11.05

  • WHAT’S INCLUDED: Admission to entry55 Jazz Bar

  • HOURS:

    • Weekdays: Part 1 from 6:30-8:50pm / Part 2 from 9am-12am (next day)

    • Weekends: Part 1 from 5-7:20pm / Part 2 from 7:30-10:30pm

  • ADDRESS: B101, 60 Seongsuil-ro 8-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea (1-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 1)

  • BEST REVIEW: “Great atmosphere, and the band was excellent,” reads a review on Klook.

Share your trip

Found other cafes, restaurants, or things to do in Seongsu? Let us know below!

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