COLLECTION #1
5 Cafés in Seoul to Slow Down
Maha Hannam
Maha Hannam
85 Seobinggo-ro 91na-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea
Maha Hannam is one of those places that instantly feels special. Set on the top floor of a former bathhouse in Hannam, it’s now a café and design studio imagined by Donghyun Kim, founder of Maha Architects. The space is beautiful, soft light, clean lines, and furniture by Fritz Hansen and Knoll that give it a quiet, architectural elegance. You can come for a coffee in the morning or a cocktail in the evening, and both feel just right. It’s refined but warm, a calm escape in the middle of Seoul.
On Ground Cafe
On Ground Cafe
23 Jahamun-ro 10-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Tucked away near Gyeongbokgung Palace, On Ground feels like a small hideaway in the middle of Seochon’s old streets. The light pours through the big windows, bouncing off warm wood and soft beige walls. It’s quiet, airy, and perfect for an afternoon alone with a book or a slow coffee after exploring the neighbourhood. Every detail feels gentle, the distance between tables, the small objects on the shelves, the easy music in the background. It’s not trying to be trendy; it just feels good to be there.
Poly Cafe
Poly Cafe
South Korea, Seoul, Mapo-gu, Poeun-ro, 14 2 층 201 호
Poly Café in Mapo is all about atmosphere. At first, it looks simple, wood shelves, a turntable, a few seats, but then the music starts, and everything shifts. The sound system is incredible: vinyl spinning, jazz or soul flowing through the air, the kind of sound that makes you slow down without noticing. The coffee is strong, the drinks thoughtful, and the people here seem to move to the same quiet rhythm. It’s not a place that tries to impress, it just gets everything right.
Kangsan Roasters
Kangsan Roasters
174 Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Kangsan Roasters is hidden away in a quiet corner of Seoul but worth finding. The space feels calm and open, with soft light, natural textures, and a clean design that lets the coffee take centre stage. They roast their own beans, and you can taste the care in every cup, smooth, balanced, full of depth. It’s one of those cafés where everything feels simple but perfectly done, from the espresso to the layout of the room. A peaceful spot to pause, think, or just watch the day go by.
Ongozisin
Ongozisin
South Korea, Seoul, Gwanak-gu, Gwanak-ro 14-gil, 101 2층
Ongozisin is a modern tea house built around an old idea, learning from the past to understand the present. The space is soft and organic, with round windows, pale wood, and leaf-shaped lamps that fill it with a warm glow. You can sit on bamboo mats and sip tea the traditional way, or try their signature dessert, the Ongo Ice, injeolmi ice cream rice cakes served on a cloud of marshmallow. Everything is beautifully presented, but never fussy. It’s calm, thoughtful, and a lovely reminder that simplicity can be the most beautiful thing.
