Looking for an alternate itinerary inspiration for your next trip to Korea? Besides Seoul, South Korea is home to many other cities that have unknowingly been added to our list of places to visit whenever we see them in our favourite Korean dramas.

While most storylines are set in Seoul, many of the locations where the leads meet for coffee are usually filmed in another city. Here’s a list of 10 notable cafes from popular dramas that you could consider adding to your itinerary!

Photo Credit: Hallie Bradley, Alex The Coffee

Alex The Coffee (Goyang Branch)

Located on a plantation in Goyang, it’s easy to spot the Goyang branch of Alex the Coffee which looks almost similar to a pristine-looking greenhouse.

Known for their simple interior where Park Seo Joon swept Park Min Young off her feet in What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, Alex the Coffee is a great place to unwind with fresh coffee made using coffee beans brought in daily from its headquarters in Yongin.

Drama filmed here: What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim

103-30 Tongil-ro 493beonan-gil
Sinwon-dong, Deokyang-gu
Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
South Korea
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest station: Haengsin Station (by KTX)

Photo Credit: Boon Docks Cafe

Boon Docks Cafe

If you’re a fan of the hit drama SKY Castle and remember that scene where Woo Joo’s mom met up with Ye Seo’s mom to talk about the book incident, this is a cafe you wouldn’t want to miss taking a trip to.

Located about an hour away from Seoul in Chuncheon, Boon Docks Cafe provides a good place for you to rest and relax with a light meal and a cup of coffee. Though this quaint cafe may seem a little secluded from the usual ones in Seoul, the space makes way for the cafe’s interesting exterior that can be easily recognized from afar.

In addition to the cosy ambiance, you might also get a chance to meet the owner’s adorable Dalmatian!

Drama filmed here: SKY Castle

Chunghyo-ro 94, Namsan-myeon
Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
South Korea
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 10pm
Sat: 11.30am – 10pm
Closed on Sunday
Nearest station: Gimyujeong Railway Station (by ITX)

Photo Credit: Cafe Valor

Cafe Valor

If you’re in the mood for some instagrammable moments and a cup of coffee, Cafe Valor’s got you covered.

Apart from being one of the more popular filming locations in Incheon, Cafe Valor is an interesting place to spend the afternoon with their signature peanut butter and choco drink.

In addition to operating a cafe, Cafe Valor also doubles up as a furniture store and carpenter’s workplace, which gives you the opportunity to roam around and browse the items available for sale.

Dramas filmed here: A Korean Odyssey (Hwayugi), Chicago Typewriter, He is Psychometric, Romance is a Bonus Book, Welcome to Waikiki

47 Baekbeom-ro 578beon-gil
Bupyeong-gu, Incheon
South Korea
Mon to Sat: 10am – 10pm
Closed on Sunday
Nearest station: Dongam Station, Exit 2 (by Seoul Subway Line 1)

Photo Credit: Caferia

Caferia

Made famous from its role in Her Private Life as CocoMoco, a cafe run by Lee Sun Joo in Her Private Life, Caferia is a quaint cafe that’s situated in Seoul’s hip Hongdae/Mapo District.

Upon entry to the cafe, you’ll notice that the interior offers a nice, clean concept with its mainly green and white colour scheme, which makes the cafe seem roomier even on busy days. Aside from taking a break with a cup of ice cold beverage, the cafe also offers light bites in the form of cookies and delectable cakes!

Drama filmed here: Her Private Life

14 Donggyo-ro 13-gil, Seogyo-dong
Mapo-gu, Seoul
South Korea
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest station: Mangwon Station, Exit 1 (by Seoul Subway Line 6)

Photo Credit: Chocolatier Zino

Chocolatier Zino

Often depicted as an overseas location or the interior of a rich family’s home, you might be surprised to find out that Chocolatier is actually found within South Korea itself, about an hour away from Seoul!

Housed in a building that resembles a mansion from the past, Chocolatier Zino is a European-themed cafe which serves a variety of beverages and special eats with a touch of class. Do note that the drinks are a little on the pricey side with a cup of coffee costing about 10,000KRW.

Dramas filmed here: Clean with Passion For Now, Goblin, Her Private Life, I Wanna Hear Your Song, Memories of Alhambra, The Beauty Inside

94-5 Daedong-ri, Tanhyeon-myeon
Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do
South Korea
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 7am
Closed on Monday
Nearest station: Hapjeong Station (by Seoul Subway Line 2)

Photo Credit: Hotel SEINE

Hotel SEINE

If you are still recovering from the effects Hotel Del Luna left on you, a visit to Hotel SEINE might help to cheer you up.

Featured in an episode of the show as one of the many forms that the mysterious afterlife hotel has taken, Hotel SEINE is an actual cafe which opened its doors just last November. Built just like a hotel with six floors in total, the cafe’s bright pink appearance is seemingly modeled after the Grand Budapest Hotel with instagrammable interior on every floor.

Besides coffee, pastries and cakes which are served here, the cafe has now included a special photo zone on their third floor just for fans of the show!

Drama filmed here: Hotel Del Luna

28-5 Donhwamun-ro 11-gil
Nakwon-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul
South Korea
Mon to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest station: Jongno 3-ga Station, Exit 4 (by Seoul Subway Line 5)

Photo Credit: Milky Way Cafe

Milky Way Cafe

Helmed as a unique cafe in Hongdae that has been featured in dramas and variety shows such as Running Man, Milky Way Cafe has an ability to deliver the nostalgia of the 70’s and 80’s with their unique and antique decorations.

First made famous after being discovered as the inspiration behind popular Korean indie band 10cm’s single, ‘Love at the Milky Way Cafe’, the cafe is now a well-known spot amongst locals and tourists, serving a selection of light bites and beverages.

Dramas filmed here: He is Psychometric, My First First Love, The Third Charm

33-1 Tojeong-ro
Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul
South Korea
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 12am
Nearest station: Hapjeong Station, Exit 7 (by Seoul Subway Line 2)

Photo Credit: Jenie Jang, Summer Zeng

Moonee Cafe

Enjoy a cup of coffee with a view just like Choi Joon Woo and Yoo Soo Bin did in Moments of Eighteen at Moonee Cafe.

This rooftop cafe not only serves good coffee and delicious bites but it also delivers on creating a magnificent ambience with a gorgeous view in an all-together reasonable price!

Drama filmed here: Moments of Eighteen

37 Sinheung-ro 20-gil
Huam-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul
South Korea
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest station: Sookmyung Women’s University Station, Exit 2 (by Seoul Subway Line 4)

Photo Credit: Plate B Cafe

Plate B Cafe

K-drama aficionados will probably have this one on their lists to visit since it’s first appearance as the family-owned Dobong Walnut Bakery in Strong Woman Do Bong Soon.

Located in a quiet neighbourhood of Yongsan-gu, the cafe mainly serves coffee, brunch and salad, though they have also included a special serving of walnut pie in their dessert menu in response to the overwhelming request from fans since the drama ended!

Drama filmed here: Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

415-1 Huam-dong
Yongsan-gu
Seoul
South Korea
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest station: Sookmyung Women’s University Station, Exit 3 (by Seoul Subway Line 4)

Photo Credit: martasoyaa

White Birch Story Tea Cafe

This small, cozy cafe is styled after a traditional hanok and may be familiar to some as the location where Eun Tak and Sunny met to talk about past life and reincarnation in Goblin.

Unlike the more modern cafes you find in Seoul, White Birch Story Tea House has a more traditional but extensive selection of beverages which includes Omija which is a five flavour tea that brings together five different tastes (salty, sweet, sour, pungent and bitter) in one drink!

A dessert menu featuring Patbingsoo and waffles, is also available for those who would like a sweet treat with their drinks.

Dramas filmed here: Goblin, Touch Your Heart

74-15 Yulgok-ro 1-gil
Jongno-gu
Seoul
South Korea
Daily: 11am – 12am
Nearest station: Anguk Station, Exit 1 (by Seoul Subway Line 3)

Nestled in the quiet Hannam neighbourhood in Seoul, &gather Cafe has since been seeing throngs of BTS fans visit their premises for the sole reason of trying the drinks made by the boys during an episode of their VLive variety show, Run BTS.

As huge BTS fans ourselves, we knew this was the perfect opportunity to get our morning fix and start off our day right.

The walk to &gather Cafe from Hannam Station was no more than a five-minute walk and when we arrived, we were immediately greeted by the signature drinks menu which had an attached photo of BTS during their time at the cafe.

Not wasting any time, we ordered a total of four drinks which were: Hot Creamy Latte (KRW6,000), Iced Rosy Latte (KRW6,300), Iced Lemony Coke (KRW6,300) and the Iced Coco-Presso (KRW6,300).

Once brewed by Jimin, the Hot Creamy Latte tasted velvety smooth which we felt was aided by the milk which was used for the coffee.

Instead of the typical milk from a carton, the milk used was mixed together with whipped cream and sugar syrup, which created a sweet and creamy aftertaste.

Fans of all things coconut and J-Hope would thoroughly enjoy the Iced Coco-Presso which is essentially a cup of coconut coffee.

Instead of using ready-made coconut milk, &gather Cafe uses coconut powder which is mixed in with steamed milk. The result is a sweet and creamy beverage with just a hint of coconut that wasn’t too overpowering.

The Iced Lemony Coke or known by fans as Suga’s Cafe Lemoni, was an interesting concoction that surprised us in terms of taste.

Made using lemon syrup, a slice of lemon, a can of sprite and two shots of espresso, the drink was a burst of flavours that was both sweet and sour. Contrary to beliefs that the acidity in the lemon could react badly with the coffee’s acidity, we felt that the lemon helped cut the sharpness of the espresso instead.

Our favourite out of the four drinks that we ordered was the Iced Rosy Latte made famous by Jin. The drink is made with a combination of rose syrup and espresso before it is finished with a dollop of cream on top.

As rose syrup does have a potential to overshadow the other flavours it’s mixed in with, we were impressed with the rose taste coming in as a complementary flavour to the coffee. We do suggest that you mix the cream in together with the entire drink as it gives a more balanced aftertaste that’s rounded off with the hint of floral aroma.

Though we didn’t have any more liquid capacity to try the other three drinks that were made by V, Jungkook and RM, this just means that we have a valid reason to return to &gather Cafe on our next trip back to Seoul!

&gather Cafe
Hannamdong Shinseong Miso City
39 Dokseodang-ro
Yongsan-gu
Seoul
Republic of Korea
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat, Sun & Holidays: 11am – 7pm
Nearest station: Hannam Station (Exit 1)

For more recommendations, read our Seoul’s guides to discover the best places in the city.