Gangnam
Glitzy and glamorous, K-pop central
The affluent district made famous by PSY, known for upscale shopping, K-pop entertainment, and modern architecture.
Highlights
Banpo Rainbow Fountain
The world's longest bridge fountain, officially registered in The Guinness Book of Records in 2008 at 1,140 meters in length. Operating since April 2009, the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain features 200 lights illuminating spectacular dancing jets of water in vibrant rainbow colors. The fountain draws water directly from the Han River and recycles it, pumping 190 tons per minute.
Bunker Company Apgujeong
An award-winning specialty coffee roastery with industrial-chic design. Winner of the 2023 Korean Barista Award for Best Coffee Bar, known for homemade baked goods and high-quality in-house roast beans.
Cafe Delmar
An elegant hotel lounge cafe located in the Grand Mercure Ambassador Seoul in Gangnam. Cafe Delmar offers a sophisticated European ambiance with an extensive menu featuring premium desserts, bakery items, and light meals. Known for their exquisite cream brûlée, freshly baked scones, and portobello dishes, this upscale cafe provides a luxurious retreat in the heart of Gangnam's business district.
Cafe Knotted (Dosan)
Seoul's most popular donut cafe featuring fluffy kaya butter donuts that attract long queues daily. The flagship Dosan Park location offers a multi-story space with cute interior design perfect for photos. Famous for fresh cream donuts, premium coffee, and seasonal specials, Cafe Knotted has grown to over 40 locations across Korea and even expanded to Los Angeles.
Cheongdam The Table
An exclusive fine dining restaurant opened in January 2025 by a Michelin-starred chef, featuring contemporary Korean cuisine with an innovative twist. This intimate establishment offers a sophisticated dining experience with meticulously crafted tasting menus that showcase the best of Korean ingredients.
SEA LIFE COEX Seoul Aquarium
South Koreas largest aquarium in the heart of Gangnam, featuring over 650 species and 40,000 marine animals. Located inside Starfield COEX Mall, this impressive underwater world offers encounters with sharks, rays, penguins, and mesmerizing jellyfish displays—perfect for rainy days and winter dates.
COEX Mall & Starfield Library
Asia's largest underground shopping mall featuring the stunning Starfield Library with 50,000 books and 13m tall bookshelves.
Daelim Warehouse
A beautifully transformed warehouse-turned-gallery cafe in trendy Seongsu-dong. Originally a 1970s rice mill, this red-brick industrial space now hosts art exhibitions, fashion shows, and popup stores while serving coffee and desserts in a uniquely atmospheric setting.
Dalmaji Park
A hidden hilltop park in Oksu-dong offering one of Seoul's best nighttime panoramas. Perched 80 meters above the Han River, this neighborhood gem provides sweeping views from Ttukseom to Dongho Bridge and Hannam Bridge. Named "moon-greeting hill" because locals historically climbed here during the full moon festival, it remains a beloved spot for sunset photography and romantic evening strolls.
Dalmajibong Park
One of Seoul's best-kept secrets for stunning Han River views and city skylines. Named after the tradition of moon-watching from its peak, this hilltop park offers breathtaking panoramas from sunset to nighttime, with twinkling bridges reflected in the calm river below.
Dalmatian Apgujeong
A trendy European-style brunch cafe in Apgujeong with a stunning outdoor terrace featuring a water fountain surrounded by beautiful flowers. Popular among Gen Z for its Instagram-worthy aesthetics, this hotspot serves fine wine and warm shakshuka alongside an extensive brunch menu in a chic atmosphere.
Drunken Bean
A remarkable NYC subway-themed cafe spanning from B1 to 5th floor, designed to replicate a Manhattan subway station. Complete with authentic turnstiles and detailed recreations of the 55th Street station entrance, this immersive cafe offers coffee, sweets, and incredible photo opportunities in a unique New York-inspired setting.
Eatanic Garden
A one-Michelin-star restaurant on the 36th floor of Josun Palace Hotel, offering contemporary Korean cuisine with breathtaking Han River views. Chef Son Jong-won creates innovative, wholesome dishes that blend Korean tradition with modern techniques.
Gangnam Station Area
The bustling heart of Gangnam with shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and the famous Gangnam Underground Shopping Center.
GML Dosan
GML (Good Materials for Life) is a unique multi-roaster cafe concept featuring specialty coffee beans from world-renowned roasteries. This second location in Apgujeong's Dosan coffee alley showcases 17 different international specialty coffee roasters under one roof, creating a curated coffee experience. Partnering with Obeor for pastries and desserts, GML offers high-quality baked goods alongside exceptional coffee selections. The modern minimalist space attracts coffee enthusiasts and professionals seeking rare coffee varieties.
Hangdong Railroad
A charming 4.5-kilometer abandoned railway track transformed into Seoul's premier walking trail. This preserved 1960s railroad features rustic tracks lined with trees and wildflowers, offering a unique blend of industrial heritage and natural beauty that leads to the scenic Pureun Arboretum.
Kim Young Mo Bakery
A legendary Seoul bakery with over 43 years of tradition, representing the pinnacle of Korean French pastry craftsmanship. Founded by master baker Kim Young-mo in the Dogok neighborhood of Gangnam, this institution has earned recognition from Blue Ribbon Survey and remains a beloved destination for discerning pastry lovers.
Kimssibooin
An elegant Korean dessert café in charming Seorae Village, renowned for its exquisite royal court-style rice cakes, yakgwa, and jooak beautifully presented on traditional soban tables. This Blue Ribbon awarded establishment offers an authentic taste of Korean palace desserts in a refined, hanbok-friendly atmosphere.
LCDC Seoul
A cultural complex in trendy Seongsu-dong transformed from an old auto repair shop and shoe factory. LCDC (Le Conte des Contes - "story of stories") brings together creative brands, boutique shops, cafes, and galleries across four floors. The industrial-chic space features Cafe Ephemera, curated select shops, and a rooftop bar, making it a must-visit for Seoul's contemporary design scene.
Légume
Asia's first and only Michelin-starred vegan restaurant, Légume showcases Chef Sung Si-woo's innovative plant-based Korean cuisine. This refined dining destination earned its Michelin star through creative vegetable-forward dishes that highlight seasonal Korean produce, offering a sophisticated vegan tasting experience with signature creations like flounder with gochujang-marinated caviar reimagined with plant-based ingredients.
Lowide Coffee Bakery
A charming two-story bakery cafe in trendy Seongsu-dong, famous for its cream-filled salt bread and artisanal pastries. The bright, minimalist interior with large windows creates a welcoming atmosphere near Seoul Forest, making it a perfect spot for brunch and coffee.
Maison Jo
An artisanal French charcuterie restaurant in Seocho led by Chef Ouram Cho, the first Korean to receive France's national certification in charcuterie. Complemented by pastry chef Eunhee Lee's French-honed craft and sommelier Jaehwan Jung's thoughtful wine pairings, Maison Jo delivers authentic French flavors with depth and care.
MERCATO521
An innovative contemporary dining and bakery concept at Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas that brings the vibrant energy of a European urban market to the heart of Gangnam. Opened December 22, 2024, MERCATO521 combines the Italian word for "market" with the hotel's address on Teheran-ro 521.
Mingles
Korea's only three-Michelin-star restaurant and ranked #4 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2025. Chef Kang Min-goo masterfully reinterprets traditional Korean cuisine with modern techniques, creating an unforgettable fine dining experience.
OUR Bakery (오아 베이커리 도산본점)
A premium artisanal bakery that has become a staple in Seoul's sophisticated Gangnam district, OUR Bakery represents the pinnacle of contemporary Korean baking. Known for its clean flavors and exceptional quality, this bakery has earned celebrity endorsements and a dedicated following among Seoul's discerning food enthusiasts.
Panid M Moony
A stylish multi-floor bakery cafe in Apgujeong known for its photogenic interior and seasonal decorations. Each floor features different moods and aesthetics, making it a popular photo spot year-round. During Christmas season, the cafe transforms with elegant black ribbon decorations and sparkling tree lights, creating a sophisticated holiday atmosphere.
Rooftop KLOUD
An award-winning rooftop bar on the 21st floor of AC Hotel by Marriott Seoul Gangnam, featuring panoramic 360-degree views of the city skyline and N Seoul Tower. This sophisticated venue combines artisanal cocktails with breathtaking bird's-eye views, earning recognition as one of Tourscanner's 50 Best Rooftop Bars in the World. The outdoor terraces offer stunning vistas over Gangnam's urban landscape, perfect for sunset drinks and special occasions.
Sezoni
Located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Sezoni is an Italian restaurant that clearly captures the essence of seasonal ingredients. Chef Lee Taewoo returns to his roots, perfectly capturing the core of authentic Italian cuisine. The fresh seafood saffron broth and eggplant dishes are particularly popular.
Shoto Patisserie
An exquisite Japanese shortcake specialty patisserie run by husband-and-wife chefs trained at Shilla Hotel for 13 years. Shoto has earned Blue Ribbon recognition multiple times for their exceptional craftsmanship. Their signature cakes, including the Jeju Apple Mango Short and Earl Grey Grapefruit, showcase delicate layers and premium ingredients that have made this one of Seoul's most sought-after dessert destinations.
Shoto Patisserie
Shoto is Apgujeong's most coveted shortcake destination, where seasonal fruit-topped cakes disappear within hours of opening. Run by a Shilla Hotel veteran who graduated from Tokyo's prestigious confectionery school, this elegant patisserie showcases Japanese-style shortcakes with pristine presentation and luxurious flavors.
Solbam
A Michelin one-star contemporary Korean fine dining restaurant that opened in 2021, earning critical acclaim for its innovative approach to Korean cuisine. Led by Chef Um Tae-joon, who honed his skills at New York's Eleven Madison Park and Seoul's Impression, Solbam presents meticulously crafted seasonal courses that showcase the elegance and depth of Korean culinary traditions through a modern lens.
Spa Lei
An exclusive women-only jjimjilbang in Gangnam that blends traditional Eastern European-style Hungarian saunas with Korean spa culture. Located near Sinsa Station, Spa Lei offers a serene and luxurious wellness retreat in the heart of Seoul's most fashionable district.
Starfield Library
An Instagram-famous open library inside COEX Mall with towering bookshelves and comfortable reading spaces.
STEREOSCOPE Coffee Apgujeong
American specialty coffee roaster STEREOSCOPE opened its first Korean location in April 2025 at Galleria Department Store's West luxury hall gourmet section. This carefully curated coffee shop brings STEREOSCOPE's renowned American specialty coffee culture to Seoul's upscale Apgujeong district. The minimalist interior design reflects the brand's aesthetic, creating an elegant space to enjoy high-quality single-origin coffees and signature blends from this respected U.S. roaster.
Tellers 9.5
A premium rooftop cafe located on the 19th floor in Gangnam's Sinsa-dong area. Tellers 9.5 offers stunning panoramic views of both the city skyline and the Han River, making it one of Seoul's most spectacular vantage points. The modern, sophisticated atmosphere is perfect for special occasions or romantic evenings.
Vault Steakhouse
A Michelin-recognized American steakhouse in Cheongdam-dong featuring premium USDA beef and one of Seoul's finest whiskey collections. This sophisticated dining destination combines classic steakhouse excellence with masculine, dimly-lit decor and an impressive selection of nearly 400 whiskey bottles. The restaurant serves hormone and antibiotic-free American beef dry-aged for 14 and 28 days, earning recognition with 2 Michelin knife-and-fork symbols for comfort and quality.
VIEW 376
A stunning rooftop cafe near Apgujeong Rodeo Station offering panoramic views of the Han River. This modern three-story cafe features indoor seating with floor-to-ceiling windows and an expansive rooftop terrace, making it perfect for sunset watching and night views of Seoul's skyline.
View 376
A stunning rooftop cafe literally sitting on the Han River with one of Seoul's most unobstructed waterfront views. This floating platform offers panoramic vistas spanning from Namsan Tower in Yongsan to Lotte Tower in Jamsil.
VIEW 376
A stunning Han River view cafe in Apgujeong-dong that opened in September 2024, quickly becoming one of Seoul's most sought-after view spots. Located at the address 376-1, the cafe's name directly reflects its unique location. With panoramic views spanning from the Han River to Namsan Tower, Lotte Tower, and the Seongsu Trimage, VIEW 376 offers one of the best riverside vistas in the city.
Yangjaecheon Riverside Culture Rest Area (양재천 수변문화쉼터)
A newly opened cultural complex along the Yangjaecheon stream, transforming a once-passive riverside area into a vibrant cultural destination where nature meets art.
Tips
Explore the alleyways where locals go. You can find hidden restaurants and cafes!