Coffee shops and the cafe culture that surrounds them are definitely an important part of Seoul’s cultural atmosphere. On the other hand, the small Canadian city that I live in has such a small number of coffee shops that you could probably count them with one hand.

I do not live in a famous Canadian city. In fact, when I say I am from Canada, I am always asked, “Oh! Do you live in Vancouver or Toronto?” No, I live in a tiny city, perched on the edge of Canada’s east coast, with a population of less than one million people. As a result, I am confined to a choice between Starbucks and Tim Horton’s; places that are always crowded with students. Of course, there are a few individual coffee shops here and there, but they are nothing ground-breaking. So naturally, as a lover of coffee and the artsy atmosphere of quirky cafes, I was blown away by Seoul’s cafe culture.

While living in Canada, I had considered cafes as places meant exclusively for studying, people-watching, meeting friends or grabbing a quick take-out coffee on my way to university. Seoul breaks this mold completely by offering places where you can drink your beverage of choice and view art, play with dogs, visit a furniture museum, and shop for clothes and gifts.
Of course there are countless chain coffee shops, like Starbucks and Angel-in-us. But, if you venture down side streets or visit fashionable districts, like Myeongdong or Hongdae, they are overflowing with one-of-a-kind gems.

 Near University of Seoul (UOS), there are a few coffee shops frequented by students. The newest of these, Cafe So-so, has a Scandinavian vibe and with its large tables and quiet location, is a perfect place for group meetings or a study session. Planet Vision by the Rear Gate of the university is more focused on eco-friendliness. Some of its unique features include its large stock of board-games and the outdoor patio which provides just the right place for people-watching. La Siesta is probably the smallest coffee shop that I have ever visited as it only seats about eight people. It is conveniently located by UOS’s Main Gate and serves delicious drinks in a cozy and cute environment.

A little further away from the university, you can visit themed character cafes, such as the Charlie Brown cafe and the Hello Kitty cafe. The Hongdae area boasts some of the most distinctive cafes in Seoul. Cafe 1010 for example, is travel themed and filled with all sorts of charming accessories that make for a memorable experience. Aa Design Museum, which is my personal favorite coffee shop, is a museum, furniture showroom and cafe. The three-story loft style building is full of designer furniture from almost every era.

Gangnam is another great place to find unique cafes. Atelier and Project is a pleasant and warm place where you can shop for handcrafted gifts and home decor while you wait for your order. If you are an animal lover, there are various animal themed cafes around Seoul. Cat cafes and dog cafes are popular and provide a stress-relieving environment. In fact, there is even a sheep cafe in Hongdae!

All in all, Seoul is a cafe lover’s paradise with a coffee shop for every taste. My advice to you is “Do not always stick to the same coffee shop, be adventurous and walk a little further than usual. You might find the perfect cafe for you!”