3 Seoul Cafe Recommendations for Espresso Beginners

I Want to Become an Adult Who Drinks Espresso!

For an office worker turned editor, ‘coffee’ is a source of energy. Having a cup of coffee daily has become a necessity rather than a choice. When I suddenly wondered when I started liking coffee, I realized it went through several stages. During middle and high school, I drank non-coffee beverages; in college, coffee-flavored sweet drinks to stay up all night during exams; when the sweetness was too much, I switched to nutty lattes. Then, after years of working part-time at cafes and getting tired of all kinds of drinks, I encountered Americano. I thought I had become an adult who could enjoy Americano, but there was still the big mountain called espresso left to conquer.

Recently, I have fallen for the charm of espresso, but as an editor who still finds it difficult to fully enjoy 100% espresso, I want to recommend three cafes that are great for beginners to visit. Since I have personally been there, I am confident I can share vivid reviews.

Molto

This cafe, located in Jung-gu, Seoul, carries the meaning of the Italian phrase Molto, delicato! (So delicious!). I hope you experience the leisure of sitting on the terrace overlooking Myeongdong Cathedral, feeling the fresh breeze while sipping a cup of coffee. There are sandwiches and signature desserts unique to Molto, so it’s also good to enjoy them as a meal substitute. Molto, where you can feel Italian vibes in the heart of Myeongdong, is recommended on days without fine dust.

From the left, Cafe Con Panna, Cafe Chocolatto.

Must-try menu: Caff? con Panna, espresso topped with cream. The cream is not overly sweet, allowing the rich aroma of espresso to come through. Caff? Cioccolatto, layered with espresso, chocolate paste, foam, and cocoa powder. The sweet first taste and the slightly bitter aftertaste harmonize well, making it a recommended choice for beginners.

Recommended menu: Caff? Sale, espresso topped with cream and salt.

All That Coffee The Hyundai Seoul Branch

Allspanner.

All That Coffee offers a warm feeling with its wood-tone interior that captures the hearts of women. The space is very small, but the charm I found here is the standing bar. The standing bar, which could only be enjoyed abroad before, is a nice spot to take a break while drinking a small-sized espresso. I recommend taking a photo holding an espresso cup at the standing bar. The main branch of All That Coffee is located in Goyang City.

From the left, Dil Butter Croffle, Cafe Brano.

Must-try menu: All Spanner, made with long black, handmade fresh cream, and cacao. The dense fresh cream and cacao are not too sweet, making a great combination with espresso. Caff? Brano, layered with Venezia, espresso, steamed milk, and wet cream, is similar to a nutty latte. If you dip a piece of baguette into the cream, you might want to order extra baguette. Dill Butter Croffle, generously drizzled with handmade lemon dill butter and maple syrup. The fresh lemon scent spreads fully, but it didn’t pair well with the coffee ordered together.

Recommended menu : Caff? Granita, topped with espresso slush.

Kinderpresso

Kinderpresso, located in Daerim Shopping Center in Euljiro, boasts a glamorous yet clean atmosphere with stainless steel, plants, and self-made poster frames. The coffee machine is open, so you can watch the espresso extraction process. They make drinks using specialty beans, eco-friendly pasture milk, and organic sugarcane. This place is especially recommended for beginners to visit and find their preferred espresso, as you can taste five different espressos through varying extraction times.

Is this what Euljiro sentiment feels like?

Must-try menu: Almond Milk Coffee, made with handmade almond sauce, espresso, and milk. It has a stronger nutty almond flavor than the intense aroma of espresso.

Recommended menu: FIND YOUR BEST COFFEE. Espresso Tasting Course.

Someday, I will become an adult who can fully enjoy espresso alone!

Photo by Yoon Eun-ae