Local Delights: top spots for dining and drinking in Seoul

Seoul's food scene is a vibrant mix of traditional ingredients, international influences, and innovative fusions. With an abundance of excellent restaurants in Seoul, even the most unsuspecting traveler is likely to stumble upon something tasty—especially in those charming mom-and-pop eateries that aren’t plastered all over social media. However, if you're seeking some guidance, here are a few of my top picks for dining with friends or enjoying a meal solo.

Morning Meals

Most Koreans typically enjoy the same foods for breakfast as they do for lunch and dinner—rice, soup, and banchan (side dishes)—making it hard to distinguish a breakfast spot from any other Korean restaurant, other than its opening hours. However, Western-style breakfasts and brunches are a hit on weekends, and my top choice is the Australian brunch café Sunday Arvo. Nestled in the hilly streets south of Namsan Park, it offers fantastic eggs benedict and blueberry pancakes. As you stroll through Seoul, you’ll see bagels are becoming quite popular, and for that, my favorite is SF Bagels in Yeonnam. A pioneer in Seoul’s bagel scene, SF serves delicious organic sourdough bagels made fresh daily, paired with cream cheese spreads and fruit compotes. There’s no seating, so grab your bagel to enjoy at nearby Yeontral Park.

Coffee

Coffee culture is everywhere in Seoul—with a themed café for every mood—so finding a great cup is easy (unless it’s before 9 am, when chains dominate). In Haebangchon, I love the cozy spot Le Cafe; with only a few tables and a welcoming owner-barista, it’s a perfect place to unwind. Over in Yeonnam, Coffee Nap Roasters stands out for its uniquely designed floor that flows into a seating area. Another favorite is Fritz Coffee Company, which boasts five locations (starting in Mapo-gu) known for exceptional coffee and delightful pastries—don’t miss the ham and cheese croissant. Be sure to visit the original Anthracite Coffee in an old shoe factory in Hapjeong (with six branches total) to try the Butter Fat Trio, featuring rich notes of dark chocolate and nuts—a bold choice among its literary-themed blends.

Lunch

For a delightful homestyle Korean lunch, make your way to Nan in Hapjeong, which offers a daily set menu (check their Instagram beforehand) featuring a main dish, rice, and banchan. You can also never go wrong with Myeongdong Kyoja, where their kalguksu is among the finest knife-cut noodles in Seoul. When I find myself in Haebangchon, visiting either Morococo or Casablanca Sandwicherie is almost essential. These two restaurants, located across from each other and managed by the same owner, serve some of the most delicious North African dishes in the city: savor Moroccan-spiced chicken, lamb, shrimp, or vegan options at Morococo, or enjoy hearty sandwiches at Casablanca. Both are casual spots, so if one is busy, just head to the other.

Snack

Korean street food is incredible, and for me, nothing beats grabbing a bite from a sidewalk vendor. If you’re in the mood for tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), make your way to Sindang Tteokbokki Town, a hub of tteokbokki restaurants that has been thriving since the 1970s. For twikim (deep-fried vegetables), I recommend Gongdeok Market. Other beloved street snacks include mandu, kimbap (rice rolls), gyeranppang (egg bread), and hotteok (sweet-filled pancakes), all readily available in Myeongdong, Hongdae, or any traditional market like Namdaemun, Gwangjang, and Tongin.

Dinner

There are numerous options for a hearty and satisfying dinner that won't break the bank, including 17-hour simmered bone broth soup at Imun Seolnongtang (hidden down an alley in Jongno-gu), North Korean-style cold buckwheat noodles at Jinmi Pyeongyang Naengmyeon, handmade dumplings at Gaeseong Mandu Koong, and K-BBQ at Geumdwaeji Sikdang (a tucked-away spot in Jung-gu that doesn't take reservations)—just to name a few. I also enjoy visiting Sinheung Market, a former textile center that has transformed into a lively dining hub, perfect for wandering through its maze of alleys and stairways. If you're in the mood for Thai cuisine, Pad Ka Paw is a must-visit, especially for their divine chive pancakes, or try its equally remarkable sister restaurant, Ginn Laoo, both overseen by the charismatic Sriprateep Paw, who may even serenade you with his guitar if you're lucky.

Bar

Korean alcohol is experiencing a revival, with bars, distilleries, and bottle shops throughout the city crafting intriguing variations on traditional liquors. For makgeolli (Korean milky rice wine), my top pick is Mr. Ahn’s craft makgeolli on Gyeongridan, where the super seasonal anju (snacks enjoyed with drinks) menu features modern interpretations of classic Korean dishes. Just around the corner from Mr. Ahn’s is Namsan Sool Club, which offers nearly 100 different types of Korean craft alcohol by the glass.

The Seoul bar scene boasts intimate, speakeasy-style venues serving an array of creative cocktails. Some of the city's best hidden bars include Myeongdong Sookhee (behind the mirror), Jean Frigo (concealed behind a refrigerator door near Dongdaemun Market), The Storage Room (located at the back of The Cheese Salon in Seongsu), Boxing Tiger (accessible down a staircase through an unmarked door in Sinsa), and Le Chamber (hidden behind a bookcase in Cheongdam).