When you walk through neighbourhoods like Seongsu, Mapo or Bukchon, every coffee shop has its own personality. Some feel calm and spare. Some feel warm and old fashioned. Others feel energetic and loud. All of them reflect a city that loves coffee and treats it as part of its culture.

The South Korean coffee market is projected to reach $667 million in 2025, according to Statista. When you visit Cafe Show Seoul, that energy will undoubtedly show up in the exhibition halls. Yet the real story sits outside the venue in the cafés that locals return to week after week.

Below are ten cafés that capture the different sides of Seoul’s specialty culture. I have included driving times from COEX so you can plan your route easily.

Coffee M Stable

_{Approximate drive time from COEX: 5 to 10 minutes}

Coffee M Stable is the natural place to start. It is close to the exhibition and easy to reach when your feet need a break. What makes it special is how quietly confident it is.

The space is simple and open. The drinks lean toward balanced extractions that taste clean and steady. You might order a flat white and watch the room while you drink it. You might pick a single origin filter after talking to the barista.

Either way, you feel looked after. It is the kind of café that does not need theatrics. It offers consistency and care.

If you want to start your coffee circuit gently, this is the place.

Lowide Coffee Bakery

_{Approximate drive time from COEX: 10 to 15 minutes}

Seongsu is a neighbourhood people often describe as the creative heart of Seoul. Lowide fits that energy perfectly.

The café combines specialty coffee with a bakery that draws people from across the city. The interior feels warm without being cluttered. Light fills the room in a way that makes you want to stay longer than planned.

The filter options rotate, and the espresso drinks are steady crowd favourites. The pastries play a big part here too. You will see trays of fresh bread and cakes disappear quickly on busy days.

What makes this café stand out is how naturally food and coffee sit together. Nothing feels forced. People come here to catch up, work quietly or slow down for an hour.

It is an easy stop for anyone who wants to feel how Seoul mixes craft and comfort.

Better Roasting Lab and Showroom

_{Approximate drive time from COEX: 10 to 15 minutes}

Better Roasting Lab and Showroom sits a short distance from Lowide. The two cafés are close but feel completely different.

Better Roasting Lab feels like a working space where roasting and brewing take centre stage. The roaster sits behind glass and gives you a view into the part of coffee most cafés hide. The filter bar is often the centre of attention. If you attend any technical sessions at the show, you will appreciate how these brews connect to the equipment you saw earlier.

The café has a quiet atmosphere that encourages you to pay attention to the cup in front of you. There is room to talk to the staff if you want to understand the beans better.

It is a place for people who enjoy process as much as flavour.

Coffee Libre

Approximate drive time from COEX: 15 to 20 minutes

Coffee Libre has earned its reputation over many years. It is one of the earlier names in Seoul’s specialty movement and still feels relevant.

The roasting approach focuses on clarity. The espresso shots taste bright and clean. The filter menu often includes origins that highlight sweetness and fruit notes. Some locations are tucked into unusual spaces, including a spot near Myeongdong Cathedral. The rooms tend to be compact, which adds to the sense of discovery when you first walk in. You will often see people picking up beans to take home.

It is a café that attracts those who want to taste something thoughtful. The staff usually share recommendations in a warm and confident way.

If you enjoy cafés with strong identity and less noise, this one belongs on your list.

Kihei Coffee

_{Approximate drive time from COEX: 15 to 20 minutes}

Kihei Coffee appears often in conversations among enthusiasts. The café focuses on light roasts and clean extractions. The room is usually quiet and minimal, allowing you to settle in without distraction.

This café suits people who enjoy tasting details in each sip. You will find single origin coffees that highlight floral and citrus notes. Kihei is a good choice if you want a more contemplative stop that helps you absorb everything you have seen at the show.

It rewards visitors who care about nuance and patience.

Namusairo

_{Approximate drive time from COEX: 25 to 35 minutes}

Namusairo feels different from newer cafés in the city. It carries a slower and more reflective atmosphere. Some branches sit near historical neighbourhoods, which adds to the sense of place.

The interior often includes elements of traditional Korean design. This café is well known among locals who appreciate quiet spaces and classic brews. The menu leans into filter coffee, although the espresso drinks are also steady favourites.

It is a good stop for anyone who wants to pair coffee with a sense of history. You might sit outside for a moment before going in. You might walk through the older streets nearby after finishing your drink.

Namusairo gives you space to breathe and think, which can be refreshing during a busy exhibition week.

Anthracite Coffee Roasters

_{Approximate drive time from COEX: 18 to 25 minutes}

Anthracite carries a strong reputation among both locals and visitors.

The cafés often occupy large industrial rooms that give you a clear view of the roasting process. The décor leans toward concrete floors, tall ceilings and quiet lighting.

The filter menu changes regularly and includes a mix of origins. You can choose a spot near the bar, or you can sit in a quieter corner and let the room settle around you. It is a café that suits people who enjoy the connection between roasting and brewing.

It is a helpful contrast to smaller cafés earlier in your route.

Fritz Coffee Company

_{Approximate drive time from COEX: 18 to 25 minutes}

Fritz Coffee Company has a global reputation as the specialty coffee brand that most closely represents Seoul.

Think retro signs, deep wood tones and soft lighting. You might find yourself adding a second drink simply because you are enjoying the room too much to leave. Fritz feels inviting in a way that encourages longer stays.

Small Good Coffee

_{Approximate drive time from COEX: 12 to 17 minutes}

Small Good Coffee rounds out the list with a focus on precision and simplicity. The room is modest and quiet, which allows you to focus fully on the cup in front of you.

It suits people who want one last thoughtful cup before heading back to their hotel or the airport. You may sit by the window and let the city move around you while you enjoy the drink.

It is a peaceful ending to a long day at the show or a long route through Seoul’s café culture.

Seoul rewards curiosity

Seoul rewards curiosity. Each café on this list gives you a slightly different experience. Some are lively and some quiet. Some focus on design and others focus on flavour. Together they show why the city has become one of the most interesting coffee destinations in the world.