Starbucks in Seoul is a popular place for travellers and locals to enjoy a cup of coffee or even buy a unique Starbucks Korea mug – with almost 2,000 coffee shops in Korea, Starbucks South Korea is ranked fourth in the world in terms of number of cafes, after the USA, China and Japan.
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There are some rather unique Starbucks in Korea including the famous Korea Starbucks Hanok cafe, Daegu Starbucks Jongro Old House – but Seoul Starbucks has some of the most beautiful and unique Starbucks in the whole of Korea if not the world.
From a floating Seoul Starbucks on the River Han to a Starbucks in an old Seoul theater, here is our guide to the 5 best Seoul Starbucks.
You might like – Our guide to Starbucks Korea mugs and collectibles >
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1. Seoul Starbucks The Bukhansan
Starbucks The Bukhansan is easily Seoul’s most beautiful Starbucks, with a huge outdoor terrace and indoor area overlooking Bukhansan National Park.
Best combined with nearby Eunpyeong Hanok Village (which is one of our favourite day-trips from Seoul), getting to Starbucks The Bukhansan 스타벅스 더북한산 is easier than you might think.
You can even take a direct (but slow) bus from Myeongdong – and the rooftop views and experience to Bukhansan National Park are so worth it.
With exclusive merchandise, blends and desserts available only in this mountainside Starbucks, this is a fun trip for Korea Starbucks fans or just those who like brews with views.
Starbucks The Bukhansan 스타벅스 더북한산 is located about 12km north of downtown Seoul and is about one hour away by public transport.
This Bukhansan branch of Starbucks has exclusive food and beverages including Bukhansan Lemon Earl Grey Blended tea. We also spotted a triangular shaped ‘Chocolate Mountain Baumkuchen’ cake in the dessert cabinet (7,900 Won).
From photos to how to get to this Starbucks from Seoul, check out our ultimate guide to Seoul’s Starbucks The Bukhansan >
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2. Seoul Starbucks Gyeongdong 1960
Also known as ‘Kyungdong 1960’, this Seoul Starbucks opened recently in an old theater above Gyeongdong Market. The original theater opened in 1960 and sadly closed down in 1994 before being restored to its former glory.
This is an impressive place to get your caffeine fix and one of the most beautiful and stylish Starbucks in the world – and also one of the largest too with some Starbucks Korea merchandise exclusive to just this one store!
It is Starbucks’ South Korea fifth Community Store, whereby some money from the takings will go back into helping restore Gyeongdong Market, plus community groups are encouraged to meet here.
The former theater bar is now where the coffee counter is located and over 150 seats and booths can be found spread across two floors, with tiers.
We found the best views were at the back of the Starbucks at the top of the stairs or in the balcony areas overlooking the main floor.
From the interiors and how to find it, read our guide to the Gyeongdong / Starbucks ‘Kyungdong 1960’ in an old Seoul theater >
You might like these Seoul neighbourhood guides:
Dongdaemun
Euljiro
Gangnam
Hannam-dong
Hongdae
Ikseon-dong
Insadong
Itaewon
Myeong-dong
Seongsu-dong
Sindang
Or check out our best neighbourhoods in Seoul Guide >
3. Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center
If you like unusual Starbucks in Seoul , time to get your caffeine fix at Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center.
Located on Seoul’s River Han, this special floating Starbucks in South Korea certainly knows how to make a splash.
As far as we know, the world’s only Starbucks that has life jackets – Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center, is a nice way to start your day, or reward yourself after a long river walk.
Opened in September 2020, Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center is a floating coffee shop that opened up on the ground floor of a cultural centre located on a barge.
Given the location of the boat / barge and its large glass windows, Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center offers panoramic views (270 degrees) of the River Han plus such landmarks as the N Seoul Tower or Itaewon.
Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center can be found on South Korea’s River Han, moored up at Jamwon Hangang Riverside Park.
It is sometimes very hard to get a seat here as it is popular with selfie snappers plus swotting students – so people stay in their seats for a long time, but who can blame them with these incredible vistas and riverscapes?!
For the ultimate brews with river views, read our guide visiting the unique Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center in Seoul >
You might like – Our 3 day Seoul itinerary >
4. Seoul Starbucks Famille Park Gangnam
One of our favourite places to visit at Gangnam’s Shinsegae Central City is the Starbucks Famille Park branch.
A very unique Starbucks in Gangnam, this special Korean themed Starbucks opened to mark 15 years of Starbucks being in South Korea – there are ‘flying birds’ on the ceiling and the dome represents a forest setting.
You might like – 35 things to do in Gangnam, Seoul (including a New York Subway themed cafe) >
5. DMZ Starbucks / Aegibong Starbucks Observatory
Heard about the Starbucks on the North Korean border?
Close to the DMZ and a short day trip from Seoul, this new Starbucks at Aegibong Peace Ecopark has a terrace and seating area looking out into North Korea.
Billed as the closest Starbucks to North Korea, Starbucks Aegibong Peace Ecopark 스타벅스 김포애기봉생태공원점 overlooks the Korean Peninsula and serves up uninterrupted views. It is one of many daytrips to the DMZ.
Please be aware that this might be the only Starbucks in the world where you need a passport! To get to the observatory where the DMZ Starbucks is located, you need to apply for a temporary visa / permit at the military checkpoint nearby. So please make sure to bring your passport if you want to enjoy a coffee.
The journey takes around two hours one-way from downtown Seoul using buses, trains and the Metro so you might want to do a tour instead:
Closest Starbucks to DMZ with North Korea View and Suspension Bridge with Klook or Get Your Guide.
You might also like our guide to DMZ tours from Seoul + FAQs >
You might like – 101 best things to do in Seoul >
The best Starbucks outside of Seoul
We have selected another couple of superb Starbucks in Korea for you away from Seoul:
The World’s Highest Starbucks at Busan X The Sky
Have you ‘bean’ to the world’s tallest Starbucks, located in Busan, South Korea? A superb Starbucks in the sky, this is the ultimate brew with a view coffee shop on the 99th floor of a skyscraper and over 400 metres high!
Busan X The Sky (overlooking Haeundae Beach) opened in 2020 – as well as being the tallest building in Busan, it is the second tallest building in South Korea (after the Lotte World Tower in Seoul).
From panoramic views of Busan (the perfect accompaniment to your coffee) to the store layout and Starbucks merchandise and menu available, here is our guide to visiting the world’s tallest Starbucks at Haeundae X The Sky >
South Korea travel tip – you can get ‘free’ admission to Busan X The Sky as part of the Visit Busan pass which we’ve used and reviewed here >
Korea Starbucks Daegu Jongro Old House AKA the Hanok Starbucks
Finally, Starbucks in Korea is famous for its hanok style coffee shops, often opened up in historic buildings (or modern ones aged to look older than they actually are).
Perhaps the best known is the famous Daegu Starbucks Jongro Old House located in an old hanok and opened in 2023 – when it was discussed on our South Korea Travel Tips and Planning group, this hanok Starbucks was one of the most discussed and shared posts ever.
We were lucky enough to visit Daegu in 2025 and finally go ourselves. Housed in a hundred year old hanok house with a gorgeous green courtyard, this is a cute and calming place for a cup of Starbucks in Korea (well, if you can get a seat as it can be busy…)
Here is our full guide to Korea’s Starbucks Daegu Jongro Old House >
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