11 aesthetic Jeju cafes for your island getaway
The volcanic island of Jeju is often dubbed the ‘Hawaii of Korea’, and it is best known for its scenic natural wonders, from waterfalls and craters to underground tubes and volcanic rock formations.
These days, the enchanting island of Jeju has also built a reputation for being the go-to spot for romantic getaways and cafe hopping. The island even has a street dedicated to cafes, dubbed the Aewol cafe street.
It can be difficult deciding which Jeju cafe to visit, but we’ve collated a list of different cafes, each with its own unique charm.
From villa-like seaside cafes overlooking the surrounding waters of Jeju island to cosy old warehouses with straw-thatched roofs, we’ve rounded up some of the best cafes in Jeju that will impress even the most discerning cafe aficionados.
These are the eleven cafes you have to hit when you’re there.
1. Haejigae Cafe
South Korea, Jeju-do, Jeju-si, Aewol-eup, 애월북서길 52
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 9pm)
Why visit? Haejigae Cafe, which is Korean for “place where the sun goes down”, has a glass wall facing the seaside that guarantees patrons a breathtaking view – especially at sunset in clear weather.
It is located right in front of Handam Beach, with an outdoor seating area that stretches out into the beach.
And while Jeju has no shortage of sea-facing cafes, Haejigae Cafe stands out with its adorable and delicious pastries, as well as its Hanok-inspired (traditional Korean house) interior. If you aren’t a fan of sitting on the floor with cushions old-school style, Haejigae Cafe also has sofa seats at its compound.
Prince range: $
Crowd favourites: The bakes at Haejigae Cafe tend to sell out quickly, so patrons recommend heading down early. Its strawberry brioche (5,500 won or S$5.60) and tangerine bread (5,500 won) are some popular favourites, though it depends on your preference. For drinks, we’d suggest going for the signature black sesame latte or mugwort latte (9,000 won each).
2. Oleun (Orrrn)
South Korea, Jeju-do, Seogwipo-si, 특별자치도, Seongsan-eup, Ojo-ri, 394 KR
Open: Thursday to Tuesday (10.30am to 7pm)
Why visit? Oleun, more widely known as Orrrn Cafe, encapsulates the idea of industrial-minimalism perfectly in its architecture. The nondescript bare concrete exterior of the building is meant to blend in with Jeju’s natural surroundings by mimicking an Oreum (gentle hills created by the island’s volcanic activity).
The cafe is huge, consisting of two levels. When climbing higher up the building, the ocean slowly unveils itself, revealing a picturesque view of the sea.
Prince range: $
Crowd favourites: As the cafe only sells drinks and pastries, we recommend only visiting for desserts or teatime. The Orn latte (8,500 won) is a sweet latte made with Udo (a small island near Jeju known for its peanuts) peanut cream. For pastries, the ice cream cruffin (6,800 won) is well-received as well.
3. Bomnal Cafe
25 Aewol-ro 1-gil, Aewol-eup, 특별자치도, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 9.30pm)
Why visit? K-Drama fans may have heard of Bomnal Cafe in Jeju, where Warm and Cozy, featuring Korean artistes Kang So Ra and Yoo Yeon Soek, was filmed.
Located conveniently along the Aewol cafe street, Bomnal Cafe’s bright interior and captivating seaview make it worth a visit. As do the corgis on the cafe’s spacious grounds.
Price Range: $
Crowd favourites: As Jeju is famous for its Hallabong tangerines, give Bomnal Cafe’s Hallabong ade (orange sparkling drink; 7,000 won) or Hallabong tea (6,500 won) a try. If you’re looking for light bites, it also sells honey butter toast (6,000 won) and other cakes, though these tend to sell out quickly due to the cafe’s popularity.
4. One and Only
141 Sanbang-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 8pm)
Why visit? Boasting a high rating and over 11,000 reviews on Naver Maps (Korea’s alternative to Google), One and Only cafe in Jeju is a hotspot among the locals. The coastal cafe has modern architecture and a sleek interior resembling a snazzy beach house. This Jeju cafe is also located in front of Sanbangsan Mountain, so you get to enjoy wonderful scenery as you dine.
One and Only Cafe is also a great spot if you’re looking for a full meal. It offers an extensive menu with items such as an avocado sandwich (16,000 won) or a meat ragu pasta (18,000 won).
Price Range: $$
Crowd favourites: The menu at One and Only Cafe tends to be slightly more expensive because of its fame and scenic backdrop. Try more unique items that can only be found at the cafe, such as the Sanbang Mountain Cake (12,000 won), a chocolate pound cake dessert, or an iced coconut latte (10,000 won).
5. In’s Mill
22 Ilgwadaesu-ro 27beon-gil, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 7.30pm)
Why visit? In’s Mill has a rustic appeal accentuated by its charming straw roof and bare and raw interiors. The cafe is housed in a refurbished storage warehouse that has been around since the 1950s. It sports a uniquely different concept from the cafes above, as In’s Mill pays homage to Jeju’s culture by featuring old pottery, tools and art.
Price Range: $
Crowd favourites: One of its most unique offerings is its barley. The cafe mills locally grown barley on its grounds and creates drinks such as its borigaeyuk (barley drink; 6,000 won) or barley green tea (6,000 won) blend.
In’s Mill also offers barley-based desserts such as the barley and chrysanthemum bread (3,000 won) or its barley ice cream (7,000 won).
6. Goyosae
1569-25, Samyang 1(il)-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Open: Monday to Saturday (12pm to 6pm)
Why visit? The use of natural and raw elements contribute to the meditative mood of this Jeju cafe, Goyosae. Though it’s a two-storey building, only the main area at the ground floor is open to the public. To enter the second floor, you’d have to make a reservation. There, you can write a letter to yourself, drop it in a wooden box and have it mailed to you.
Price range: $
Crowd favourites: Goyosae places great emphasis on its craft. Its signature blended tea (6,000 won) is specially sourced by the cafe and it serves unique desserts such as the Angel Cream (cheese-based dessert; 7,500 won).
7. Cafe Tangerine Flower Attic (Gyulkkot Darak)
34 Ieodo-ro 1027beon-gil, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 6.40pm)
Why visit? This tangerine cafe in Jeju is the embodiment of the cottagecore aesthetic. The Cafe Tangerine Flower Attic is a squat one-storey building with stone walls and lots of greenery surrounding it. While it doesn’t look like much from the outside, the inside houses an amalgamation of items that come together to create a cosy, homely atmosphere.
Price range: $
Crowd favourites: Take a hint from the cafe’s name and order any of these beverages that make use of the tangerine fruit Jeju is famed for. These include the tangerine latte, tangerine ade (7,000 won each) or tangerine tea (6,000 won). Cafe Tangerine Flower Attic has a green tangerine ade (7,000 won) and tea (6,000 won), too, which you don’t see at other cafes in Jeju.
For desserts, the cafe recommends its green tangerine rare cheesecake (6,800 won).
8. Saddler Haus
24-15 Aewol-ro 1-gil, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (10am to 6.30pm)
Why visit? Famed for its croffles (croissant waffle hybrid) in Seoul, the atmosphere of Saddler Haus in Jeju is much quieter. Its neutral tones and curved interior give it a modern appearance that is different from other cafes. The space feels elegant and soft, offering a sanctuary for tired souls to rest and relax.
Price range: $
Crowd favourites: Unlike other Jeju cafes, it’s not the coffees that come highly recommended at Saddler Haus, but the croffles. Choose from plain (4,900 won), cheese (5,500 won), basil (5,800 won) or corn (6,200 won) and have your croffle plain or with cream cheese (2,800 won) on the side.
9. Danish Bakery
South Korea, Jeju-do, Jeju-si, 특별자치도, KR 조천읍 조천읍 함덕16길 56
Open: Thursday to Monday (11.30am to 7pm)
Why visit? Take a step into Europe (while you’re still in Jeju) at Danish Bakery. The red brick building with its tiny wooden entrance is reminiscent of a vintage European building. It also boasts a warm and cosy interior. If you’re a fan of baked goods and all types of bread, Danish Bakery is a must-visit!
Price range: $
Crowd favourites: The cafe offers drinks such as filter coffee (from 6,000 won) and milk tea (5,500 won for hot, 6,500 won for cold). It has a wide selection of pastries available, including a bacon egg roll (4,000 won), corn cheese focaccia (3,800 won) and a lemon gugelhof (a type of cake resembling a bundt cake; 6,000 won), among others.
10. Cafe Knotted Jeju Aewol
24-9 Aewol-ro 1-gil, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 8pm)
Why visit? Located conveniently along Jeju’s famous Aewol cafe street, this bright and peppy cafe is known for two things: Its stuffed donuts and its adorable ’gram-worthy storefront. Cafe Knotted also has outlets across Seoul, so don’t fret if you miss paying it a visit on your trip to Jeju island.
Price range: $
Crowd favourites: The milk cream donut (3,900 won) and vanilla donut (3,500 won) are some of the most popular donuts from the cafe. Exclusive to Cafe Knotted Jeju Aewol is the Jeju green tangerine donut (3,900 won), also inspired by Jeju’s signature tangerine fruit. You won’t be able to find this flavour in Seoul, but a note of caution: It may not be for everyone.
Interestingly, the brand also sells a kaya butter donut (3,900 won) that may be of interest to Singaporean and Malaysian tourists.
11. Cafe the Container
South Korea, Jeju-si, KR특별자치도 제주시 조천읍 함와로 513
Open: Thursday to Monday (10.30am to 6pm)
Why visit? You can’t miss Cafe the Container, thanks to the giant orange-coloured basket sitting atop its building. The rest of the cafe sticks to a neutral palette, allowing the bright orange to pop. Given that Jeju is most known for its oranges, this mandarin-orange themed cafe is worth a visit.
Price range: $
Crowd favourites: Have the freshest mandarin orange juice (7,000 won) while you’re visiting the cafe or try its mandarin cream latte (7,000 won) which is popular even among the locals. This Jeju cafe does serve some mandarin orange-based desserts, but it will depend on what’s available.
If you are travelling widely, you might want to check out our stories on the best places to eat in Tokyo and the best cha chaan tengs and dim sum spots in Hong Kong.
Gaelmaine Hoong
Author
Gael comes from a family of picky eaters and she also likes to talk a lot. So, writing about food seems like a reasonable pastime for her.
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