Eunpyeong-gu doesn’t get the attention that Hongdae or Bukchon does, but it has some genuinely excellent cafés. Here are three I keep coming back to.

FAABS Coffee — My Favorite Neighborhood Café

FAABS is my most-visited café in the neighborhood. I love trying new cafés when I have the time, but this is the one I keep coming back to — it opened in a spot that used to be a rice mill, right along a street I walk almost every day, and the coffee is good enough that I regularly buy beans here too. I heard the name comes from an expression used to describe the taste of coffee.

Menu: Drinks 4,500–6,500 KRW; filter coffee prices vary by bean. Beans can be chosen from Hometown (nutty), Morgantown (acidic), or decaf — a nice range for pairing with the desserts here. Beans run 12,000–16,500 KRW per 200g, with a premium option at 44,000 KRW per 100g. Buy 200g or more of beans and they’ll throw in an Americano or a drip bag.

Today I ordered their seasonal Sweet Latte, made with unrefined sugar — not too sweet, smooth to drink. The only downside is that it disappears fast. Their latte art keeps getting more impressive too.

They also had a seasonal bean on sale at a discount — 22,000 KRW per 100g, which is actually half the usual price for a bean of this quality. I picked some up right away; it felt like the kind of bean the owner offers regulars as a little gift. (I came back the next day for an iced latte too.)

The space is spacious, with seating for quite a few people — two 2-tops × 6, two 3-tops, one 4-top, and 7 bar seats. Even so, outside of the early morning hours, it’s almost always busy. It’s become both a neighborhood hangout and one of Eunpyeong-gu’s go-to coffee spots.

Warm bulb lighting and deep brown finishes give the space a cozy feel, and the large windows keep it from feeling closed in. The floor is finished in hexagonal tile.

They roast their own beans too, though the roasting facility operates out of a separate location. FAABS just keeps growing.

If you’re looking for great coffee in Eunpyeong-gu, a specialty bean shop, or a cozy neighborhood spot to settle into — FAABS Coffee is worth the visit.

Info about Faabs

Address: 15, Jeungsan-ro 15ga-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm

Price range: 4,500 - 7,000won

Cafe Geosil — A Stylish Living Room Near Eungam

Cafe Geosil, near Eungam Station and just off a small side road, has a brown-toned interior with real sensibility. It’s known for rotating seasonal snacks.

I did an opening run to try their seasonal ingredient-based dishes, and ended up ordering a soup and a salad that felt suited to the cooling weather.

The menu board is handwritten, with a line that stuck with me: “Greeted, served, and sent off” — simple words, but they landed. Maybe because of that philosophy, the owner takes your order right at your table.

Drinks run about 4,500–6,000 KRW, and the snacks/dishes are around 9,500–18,000 KRW (as of January). I ordered an iced Americano to go with the warm soup — the coaster had a Christmas-y feel to it that put me in the mood for the season. The coffee was nutty and easy to drink.

The dish I’d really been waiting for took a bit to prepare — the November special, a bread bowl loaded with fresh vegetables, fruit, and soup, as pretty to look at as it was to eat. (Eating the bread together with the soup was warm and filling — plus there was the fun of breaking into it spoonful by spoonful.)

I came back again in January and had the strawberry French plate (18,000 KRW), which paired beautifully with a warm soup. The coffee was still just as good, and the place was, as always, full of regulars.

These days it feels like eating well is as much about the visual experience as the taste — and Cafe Geosil delivers on both. The space itself is full of warmth: a soft blue carpet underfoot, brown furniture throughout, and warm bulb lighting that adds to the coziness. Every corner photographs beautifully — I couldn’t stop taking pictures. Last time I sat in one of their wooden chairs, which stayed comfortable even after a long sit — great design, great feel. Next time, I want to try the solo work desk for getting something done.

Autumn-toned flowers add even more charm to the space, and on an autumn morning, the shadows cast by the incoming light make the room feel even richer. There are little decorative objects tucked everywhere, some larger cartoonish props too. I have no idea where they found that antique electric fan, but it’s clearly a space put together with real taste.

If you’re out for a walk along Bulgwangcheon Stream and craving something warm, Cafe Geosil is worth the stop.

Info about cafe Geosil

Address: 47, Eunpyeong-ro 8-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (tuesday off)

Price range: drinks 4,500 - 7,000won
foods 6,500 - 15,000won

YM Coffee House — A Hidden Roastery Near Yeonsinnae

I’d wanted to visit YM Coffee House, one of Eunpyeong-gu’s well-known roasteries, for a while. It sits down an alley marked only by a small sign — right when you start to wonder “is there really a café back here?”, a large door appears like a secret entrance. The door handle alone gives off a medieval European feel; push through it and a hidden space opens up.

They mainly serve filter coffee, so prices run a bit higher. To get a feel for YM’s coffee, I ordered their house signature blend — rich, with a nice bitter chocolate character.

The row of drippers waiting on the counter has a serious presence — this is clearly a filter-coffee-focused café. Artemide stand lighting pairs nicely with the brewing setup, and music playing through a large speaker makes the coffee taste even better. Even the ceiling lighting has a distinctive design.

The wooden floor and rough wall texture work well together. One wall is lined with beautiful teacups — it seems like the barista picks a cup to match whatever coffee they’ve brewed for you. Every single one is lovely. The café has also picked up numerous Blue Ribbon awards.

There are stamps and take-home stickers, and beans are sold on-site — you can even smell-test them before buying. They had some goods too, including a book about brewing in detail that I was seriously tempted to buy; this really does feel like a place that takes brewing seriously. Small red-orange accent pieces are scattered throughout, and one of the standing cards captured “YM’s time” in a simple, appealing way — a short note on it conveyed real care for coffee and for people, a small but genuine touch. Framed photos capture moments from YM’s history too.

The table seating is good for conversation, while the bar seats are perfect for coming alone to read or just enjoy the music.

YM Coffee House is a good place to find some calm amid Yeonsinnae’s bustle. I’ll definitely be back soon to try more of their filter coffee.

If you want a hidden space to keep to yourself, with great brewed coffee, good music, and a cozy atmosphere — YM Coffee House is worth the visit.

Info about Ym coffee house

Address: 21-8, Yeonseo-ro 29-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
     
Opening hours: 11:30am - 10pm(tuesday off)

Price range: 5,800 - 10,000won