Hi friend! ✨ Planning your trip to Korea? 💖
If you’re like me, you love a good coffee break. But let me tell you—Starbucks in Korea is on a whole new level! Here, many stores aren’t just coffee shops; they are destinations built to reflect our local culture, stunning architecture, and beautiful nature. A simple coffee run turns into a real travel experience.
To help you find the best ones, I’ve curated a list of my Top 8 most unique Starbucks, all verified by local data on Korea’s No.1 navigation app, Kakao Navi. These are true local favorites!
In this guide, I’ll take you on a tour from the heart of Seoul all the way to Jeju Island! 🚗
🏙️ Seoul & Gyeonggi: Urban Hideaways with a Twist
1. The 1960s Retro Theater: Starbucks Gyeongdong 1960
- What to Expect: It’s like stepping into a time machine! 🕰️ This store is built inside an actual theater from the 1960s, preserving its nostalgic charm with original tiered seating and vintage lights. It’s right inside Gyeongdong Market, one of Seoul’s largest traditional markets.
- 📍 Location: 3 Gosanja-ro 36-gil, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
- 💡 Traveler Tips: Grab a coffee and watch a local performance (they often have them on weekends!). Afterward, I highly recommend strolling through the market for a truly authentic Korean experience.
2. The Mountain View Spot: Starbucks The Bukhansan
- What to Expect: The view! This café offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the famous Bukhansan Mountain. It’s huge, with a spacious rooftop and massive windows designed for “hitting mung” (멍때리기) – what we call spacing out and relaxing.
- 📍 Location: 24-11 Daeseomun-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
- 💡 Traveler Tips: This is the ultimate spot to visit before or after a hike. You’ll see many locals in their colorful hiking gear enjoying a well-deserved coffee. It’s a bit outside central Seoul, but the view is worth it!
3. The Riverfront Bakery: Starbucks The Yangpyeong DT
- What to Expect: This is Korea’s very first “Bake-In” Starbucks, meaning they bake breads and pastries fresh in-house! 🥐 It’s a huge, beautiful building right on the banks of the Namhangang River, offering stunning water views.
- 📍 Location: 76 Yanggeun-ro, Yangpyeong-eup, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi
- 💡 Traveler Tips: This is a very popular weekend drive spot for Seoulites. I’d go on a weekday if you can to avoid the crowds. The river-view terrace is perfect on a sunny day.
4. For the Classy Coffee Lover: Starbucks Jangchung Lounge R
- What to Expect: This is a super classy Reserve (the “R”) café near Namsan Park. It’s a relaxing urban retreat where you can try rare, high-quality coffee beans. The design is grand yet really cozy, with warm lighting and comfortable seats.
- 📍 Location: 25 Jangchungdan-ro 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
- 💡 Traveler Tips: I love stopping here after a walk through Namsan Park. Make sure to try a Reserve-exclusive menu item! It’s the perfect, calm break in the middle of bustling Seoul.
🏕️ Gangwon & Daegu: Lakeside Calm & Traditional Homes
5. The 100-Year-Old Hanok: Starbucks Daegu Jongno Old House
- What to Expect: This is one of my absolute favorites! You get to drink coffee inside a 100-year-old hanok (traditional Korean house). They’ve beautifully preserved the wooden beams, tiled roofs, and tranquil inner courtyard. It’s history and coffee combined.
- 📍 Location: 22 Jungang-daero 77-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu
- 💡 Traveler Tips: It’s located near the Jin-golmok Modern Alley, making it the perfect rest stop during a historical walking tour of Daegu.
6. The Lakeside Magic: Starbucks The Chuncheon Uiamho R
- What to Expect: A stunning Reserve store right on Uiam Lake, surrounded by the beauty of Sammaaksan Mountain. In the evenings, they sometimes have media art shows that light up the lake, creating a magical atmosphere.
- 📍 Location: 231 Sports Town-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon
- 💡 Traveler Tips: Don’t miss the Chuncheon-exclusive menu! After exploring the lake area, try the “Dak-galbi & Potato Ciabatta Sandwich.” (Chuncheon is famous for Dak-galbi!).
🌊 Jeolla & Jeju: Coastal Scenery Meets Coffee Art
7. The Ocean Sunset View: Starbucks The Yeosu Dolsan DT
- What to Expect: An ocean-view café with a massive, wave-shaped art installation inside. You get a fantastic view of the sparkling blue sea and the famous Dolsan Bridge.
- 📍 Location: 3549 Dolsan-ro, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do
- 💡 Traveler Tips: The rooftop terrace is one of the best places in Yeosu to watch the sunset. Trust me, you’ll want your camera ready for this—it’s an Instagram favorite for a reason!
8. The Jeju Forest Retreat: Starbucks The Jeju Songdang Park R
- What to Expect: Tucked away in a “fairy-tale” village, this forest-themed store blends right into Jeju’s natural landscape. It uses wooden interiors, volcanic stone walls, and huge glass windows to give you a calm, relaxing view of Hallasan Mountain.
- 📍 Location: 1189 Bijarim-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju
- 💡 Traveler Tips: This is a Reserve store, so you can get special coffee. Also, make sure to try the Jeju-exclusive drinks like the “Jeju Golden Tangerine Fizzio.” Take a relaxing walk around the nearby park afterward.
🚖 How to Get to These “Hidden” Cafés (The Easy Way!)
Okay, let’s be real—some of these amazing places, especially the ones with the best views (like in Bukhansan, Yangpyeong, or Jeju), can be a bit tricky to get to using only public transport. You don’t want to be confused by bus schedules when you just want a relaxing coffee, right?
That’s why for this café tour, I highly recommend using K.RIDE! 💖
It’s the official taxi-hailing app made specifically for international travelers like you. Here’s why it’s my top pick for this adventure:
- ✅ Multi-language app support: The app works smoothly in English, Japanese, and Chinese (Simplified/Traditional). No more guessing buttons!
- ✅ Foreign card-friendly: This is the best part! You can register your everyday credit card from back home (like Visa, Mastercard, etc.) and pay right in the app. No need to worry about having Korean cash.
- ✅ Automatic destination translation: This is my favorite feature. You just type “Starbucks The Bukhansan” in English, and the app automatically translates it for the driver on their navigation. No stress, no language barrier!
- ✅ Fair pricing: K.RIDE uses the standard taxi meter, so you never have to worry about ‘foreigner’ pricing or haggling. It’s safe, fair, and transparent.
It just makes reaching those beautiful, “hidden” spots so much easier.
🌸 My Final Sip: More Than Just Coffee
I really hope this guide gets you excited! 🇰🇷
From Seoul’s city views to Jeju’s forests, these Starbucks really do show off the perfect harmony of modern coffee culture and our local identity. Each store tells a unique story.
So, on your next trip, don’t just order coffee—discover a unique piece of Korea. ☕💚 And with K.RIDE, getting to that next amazing café is the easiest part of your adventure!
Thanks for reading!
— Your K-Friend at K.RIDE✨
See you on the road!
Explore Korea Like a Local 
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