As new cafes open every day in Korea, each with their own gimmick, it can be rather challenging to find the ones that are worth your time. We’ve compiled a list of 7 cafes in Incheon that are more than just places to get coffee and pastries.
Image adapted from: @bonble_songdo via Instagram, @bonble_songdo via Instagram
Opened on 31st March 2022, Bon Ble is a cafe that spans 5 floors. Each floor boasts a unique concept, with its own separate design and unique selling point – you’ll feel like you’re visiting 5 cafes at once.
Image adapted from: 송날치 via Naver, ㄴ via Naver
One of the interesting features of this cafe is that you enter from the 5th floor.
At the entrance, you’ll be greeted with a balcony that opens to a view of the city. The low buildings surrounding the cafe create an illusion that you’re on a high floor, as though in a penthouse. Read more about different spaces and food the cafe offers here, in our Bon Ble feature.
Address: Cheongryang-ro 70-bon gil, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 0507-1384-0454 | Bon Ble Instagram
Image adapted from: @lab.tso via Instagram, @lab.tso via Instagram
Converted from a semi-detached house, Lab.tso opened in April 2022 and boasts its own garden plot.
Image credit: @lab.tso via Instagram
The garden is peppered with various trees and you can enjoy your sweet treats in the open space. Stroll along the cobblestone path after your meal to complete your relaxing experience here.
Image credit: 룡룡이 via Naver
See the garden in all its glory at night, when the fairy lights switch on and turn the space into something right out of a fairy tale or music video.
Image credit: 빵지 via Naver
The garden also has a sand pit where children can play. It comes complete with toy trucks and various shovels for the little ones too.
Image credit: 러빙윰 via Naver
The minimalist design and simple colours of the furniture and decor make the chic cafe easy on the eyes to add to its laidback vibe.
Image credit: 빵지 via Naver
Grab a seat along the windows to indulge in the pastries and drinks as you admire the view of the beautiful garden outside and the city beyond.
Image adapted from: 빵지 via Naver
Lab.tso also sells a variety of cafe treats that are delicious and wallet-friendly. We suggest giving their Croffle (KRW4,500 ~USD3.40) a try. Croissants? Good. Waffles? Good. Croissant waffle? The best.
Image credit: 빵지 via Naver
Lab.tso uses their own custom coffee blends for their Americanos, and you can buy these blends to recreate the drinks at home.
Address: 595-14 Hogupo-ro, Namdong-gu, Incheon
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-10pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 0507-1336-1057 | Lab.tso Instagram
Image credit: @rendejavous_yg_harbour via Instagram
Cafes in Korea often take advantage of the country’s beautiful greenery and nature, designing the cafe around such views for visitors to enjoy. But being located in the city, Rendejavous takes matters into their own hands by bringing nature into the cafe.
Opened in July 2022, this cafe seamlessly incorporates natural elements like rocks and leaves into their furniture.
Image credit: 날아라파랭이 via Naver
To supplement the feel of an indoor forest, large plants are planted inside the cafe, complementing the floor-to-ceiling windows that allow plenty of sunshine into the cafe.
Image adapted from: @redejavous_yg_harbor via Instagram, 모모누나야 via Naver
The windows span 3 sides of the cafe to give a stunning 180-degree view of the sea. Since the cafe is on the 8th floor, the ocean view is unobstructed for the perfect sunset views.
Image adapted from: 날아라파랭이 via Naver, 모모누나야 via Naver
Instead of booths, Rendejavous has wooden, squarish elevated platforms, above pebble flooring, that give off communal hut vibes.
Image credit: 날아라파랭이 via Naver, @rendejavous_yg_harbour via Instagram
Rendevajous sectioned out 2 areas of their cafe specifically for those who love to document their cafe experiences on camera.
The 1st photo spot has faux wooden-and-rock walls and a high stool, with a mirror set up for your posing needs. The 2nd is a bar stool strategically placed against the extraordinary backdrop of the ocean.
Image credit: 김빼꼼 via Naver
When you’re finally done taking photos or marvelling at the views, consider soothing your sweet cravings with their Black Sesame Cream Latte (KRW6,500, ~USD5).
Image adapted from: 모모누나야 via Naver
Dessert lovers can also enjoy their luxuriously soft and sweet cakes – like their Gateau Chocolate (KRW6,800, ~USD5) or the uniquely Korean Hanrabong Earl Grey Cake (KRW6,800, ~USD5) – that taste as sweet and delicious as they look.
Image credit: 모모누나야 via Naver
We recommend you try their Cookie & Cream Square (KRW7,700, ~USD5.80) as it’s one of their bestselling items.
Address: 8F, 1 Ocean View, Eunhasu-ro, Junggu, Incheon
Opening hours: 9am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 0507-1365-0950 | Rendejavous Instagram
Image adapted from: @badabodacafe via Instagram, 누라 via Naver
Opened in June 2022, Badaboda boasts a huge compound, and takes a different approach of incorporating nature in their decor and aesthetic. Every inch of the cafe is beautifully decorated with natural elements to create a unique space that blends modern comforts with the serenity of nature.
Image credit: @badabodacafe via Instagram
Their interior walls and furniture have wooden designs that go well with the cafe’s forest theme. There are also floor-to-ceiling windows that make the building feel like a greenhouse.
Image credit: 누라 via Naver
The cafe has a rooftop area decked out with rattan lounge chairs, and the plants lining the rooftop and the faux grass covering the floor will make you feel like you’re in a forest resort.
Image adapted from: 누라 via Naver
At the back of the cafe is a huge outdoor area with photo-worthy spots, such as glamping teepees with tribal-inspired designs and a cabin-like photo zone with major cabin-in-the-woods energy.
Image credit: 히빛 via Naver
For a refreshing treat, their Strawberry Banana Smoothie (KRW8,000, ~USD6) and Berry Berry Smoothie (KRW8,000, ~USD6) are definite must-tries.
Coffee lovers will want to order the Sea Latte (KRW7,000, ~USD5.30), which is not only delicious, but also visually unique with its signature blue bottom that inspired its name.
Address: 116 Haeannam-ro Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
Opening hours: 11am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 0507-1300-7087 | Badaboda Instagram
Image adapted from: 갓승희 via Naver, @cafe_danam818 via Instagram
If you’re traversing the more rural areas of Incheon, namely the Gyeyang area, you just might come across Danam818, opened in February 2022. The building that houses the cafe stands out in this rural neighbourhood with its sleek and modern facade.
Image adapted from: 카페투어러 via Naver
Unwind at their outdoor area at the back of the building, which features a wood pile and makes it feel like you’re chilling by a bonfire in the forest enjoying fresh air and cool breezes.
Image credit: 숨수 via Naver
For those who prefer to admire the great outdoors from far or in indoor, air-conditioned comfort, head in to the cafe where the tall windows will allow you to do just that.
Image credit: 카페투어러 via Naver
The cafe’s roof is fitted with glass panels that let in plenty of sunlight to brighten up the entire place and make it feel spacious.
Image credit: 란나란나 via Naver
This seemingly middle-of-nowhere cafe serves some interesting pastries and desserts that you’ll be hard-pressed to find even in the city.
Their Potato Cheese Ciabatta (KRW6,500, ~USD4.80) comes with yogurt topped with nuts, and a balsamic vinegar and olive oil dip. For that price, you simply have to give it a try.
Image credit: 개영 via Naver
For those who prefer sweet treats, you might find it hard to resist their Mille Feuille (KRW6,500, USD4.80) that’s topped with cream and blueberries.
Image credit: 갓승희 via Naver
Wash down their pastries with their Five Grain Latte (KRW6,500, ~USD4.80), a unique take on the traditional latte that you can’t get anywhere else. Grains are healthy too, so you won’t need to feel guilty for enjoying yourself.
Address: 116 Haeannam-ro, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
Opening hours: Wed-Fri 10am-7pm | Sat-Sun 11am-8pm (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Contact: 0507-1300-7087 | Danam818 Instagram
Image adapted from: @insomniac_coffee_bar via Instagram, @insomniac_coffee_bar via Instagram
In contrast to Badaboda’s sprawling compound, Insomniac Coffee Bar, which opened in August 2022, is a tiny cafe on the 2nd floor of the Canal Avenue Shopping Centre.
Image credit: 먹보요정 via Naver
The owner brews all of the many types of coffee available – each one is a precious creation carefully designed to give customers a unique coffee experience.
The cafe offers a variety of coffee preparations, from the simple espresso shot – called short coffee – to filtered coffee, all from a specially curated selection of coffee blends. They also have a non-coffee selection, and a decaf option for an additional KRW500 (~USD0.37).
Image adapted from: 먹보요정 via Naver
Having a personally designed menu means that there are drinks you can only find here.
The Coup De Vent (KRW5,500, ~USD4) is Americano with Coke. While the combination might sound strange, the bitterness of the Americano complements the sweetness of the Coke, perfect for those who like fizz in their drinks. You can also choose your preferred coffee blend for the Americano as well.
The Caffe Lemon Romano (KRW4,500, ~USD3.40) is an espresso shot with a sugar-coated piece of lime. It is recommended to dip the lime into the espresso after taking a sip, then eating the lime for a flavour bomb of sweet, sour, and fragrant bitterness.
Image adapted from: 2층테라스 via Naver
If you find yourself hankering for something sweet to pair with the incredible coffee flavours, Insomniac Coffee Bar has Tiramisu (KRW5,500, ~USD4) that will definitely round off this experience for you perfectly.
Image adapted from: 란나란나 via Naver
Do note that due to its small space, Insomniac Coffee Bar does not accept groups larger than 5 people.
Address: 2F, 79 Cheongna Emerald-ro, Seogu, Incheon
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-9pm | Mon 10am-6.30pm
Contact: 0507-1346-0684 | Insomniac Coffee Bar Instagram
Image credit: @dongyang_bakerycafe via Instagram
Going right back to massive cafes, space is definitely not a concern here at Dongyang Bakery Cafe which opened in September 2022 at an old salt farm.
Image adapted from: @ya._182 via Instagram, @ya._182 via Instagram
Dongyang Bakery Cafe is set in 2 entire warehouse-sized buildings so you won’t have to worry about not being able to get a seat here. Read more about the spaces and food offerings at Dongyang Bakery here in our feature article.
The gist is that no one will question the quality of the food and drinks here, as the cafe’s menu is crafted and designed by 4 of the most renowned individuals in Korea’s pastry and coffee industries – father-son baking duo Lee Kwang Jik and Im Se Hoon, the CEO of multiple bakery corporations and the youngest baking master respectively, as well as coffee masters Jo Yong Jae and Cha Mi Gyeong, both of whom are ambassadors for Coffee Natural Specialty, and regularly hold brewing master classes.
Image credit: @sointotea via Instagram
The best thing about this cafe is that the bread and pastries here remain rather inexpensive, despite the star power behind the food offerings. Each pastry hardly goes above KRW7,000 (~USD4.80).
The drinks here are mostly cafe staples, such as the Iced Americano (KRW6,000, ~USD4.10) or the Cream Latte (KRW9,000, ~USD6.20), but are definitely extraordinary in quality.
Address: 922-1, Nambuk-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon
Opening hours: 10am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 0507-1436-0901 | Dongyang Bakery Cafe Instagram
Finding new places to visit when planning for your trip can certainly be headache-inducing, especially for a country whose attractions are as diverse as South Korea’s. Hopefully this list of cafes in Incheon can ease that trip-planning headache and inspire a visit.
If you’re looking for new accommodation or things to do in Korea, check out 10 new hotels in Seoul as well as 9 new things to do in Busan. For more cafes to visit in Incheon, make a trip down to Ssang-Gom Dabang and Mahogany Coffee.
Cover image adapted from: @rendejavous_yg_harbor via Instagram, @lab.tso via Instagram, 만복맘 via Naver
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