Braai Republic

This cosy restaurant serves great South African braai (BBQ) consisting of a variety of juicy meats and sausages. The owner and his team are very friendly and welcoming, embodying the South African spirit and plating the food up with a signature cheeky grin. Booking in advance is recommended as the restaurant gets very busy, especially on the weekends.

• Web:

  braairepublic.com

• E-mail:

  braairepublicseoul@gmail.com

• Address:

  19 Itaewon-ro 14-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 70 8879 1967

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat Midday–9pm, Sun Midday–8.30pm, Mon 5pm–9pm

Di Matteoh Daehakro

Di Matteoh Pizza offers authentic Italian cuisine with a selection of Italian wines. The paper thin crusted pizza is hailed as one of the best in town, and is made with fresh ingredients such as basil and buffalo mozzarella. Seafood and pasta dishes also feature on their menu in abundance.

• Web:

  www.dimatteo.co.kr

• E-mail:

  dimatteo1998@daum.net

• Address:

  29 Dongsung-gil, Jongno District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 747 4444

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Fri 11.30am–3pm/4.30pm–9.30pm, Sat & Sun 11.30am–9pm, Mon Closed

Food Court - Lotte Department Store

This food court is located at the basement level of Lotte Department Store, offering a good range of international dishes at reasonable prices. All the Korean food you can wish for is served here and there are plenty of spots to choose from. The place is huge and the atmosphere is lively.

• Web:

  global.lotteshopping.com/eng/store/dining?cstrCd=0352

• Address:

  1 Sogong-dong, Jung District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 772 3044

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–8.30pm

Hemlagat

Hemlagat means "home-cooked" in Swedish. This restaurant executes traditional Swedish recipes that have been passed down through generations, including of course the famed Swedish meatball. It offers a generous portion of Scandinavian charm and hospitality to the Korean capital via an extensive dinner and brunch menu.

• Web:

  www.hemlagatseoul.com

• E-mail:

  hemlagatinseoul@gmail.com

• Address:

  27 Teheran-ro 14-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 6498 3077

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 5pm–11pm, Sat 3pm–9pm, Sun Closed

• More info:

  Booking is recommended

Jinju Kitchen Hamo

Featuring home-made deonjang miso, Hamo serves traditional Korean food with ingredients gathered and fermented in the old-fashioned way. It is mainly known for its bibimbap, a rice bowl topped with vegetables, pepper, soybean paste, egg and sliced beef. Their menu features four different courses, but you can also choose something à la carte if something catches your eye.

• Web:

  www.hamo-kitchen.com/en

• E-mail:

  admin@hamo-kitchen.com

• Address:

  819 Eonju-ro, Gangnam District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 515 4266

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 11.30am–3pm/5pm–10pm, Sat & Sun 11.30am–10pm

Jungsik Seoul

If you are looking for modern Korean fine dining, this restaurant might just be the one for you. Jungsik Seoul features an a la carte menu which showcases sets containing five and six course meals. The typical Korean dishes are prepared with a modern twist and well presented on the plate.

• Web:

  www.jungsik.kr

• E-mail:

  reservation@jungsik.kr

• Address:

  11 Seollungro 158-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 517 4654

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Fri Midday–3pm/5.30pm–10pm, Sat 5.30–10pm

Cakeshop

One of the trendiest clubs of the moment, Cakeshop is where many international DJs and bands play when passing through Seoul. The crowd here is mostly made up of savvy music lovers, those with a penchant for the latest electronic and hip hop releases. The club has an ever-so-slightly grungy feel to it, perfect for a long night of adrenaline fuelled skanking.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/cakeshopseoul/?hl=en

• E-mail:

  cakeshopseoul@gmail.com

• Address:

  134 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 10 7445 1926

• Opening hours:

  Thu–Sat 10pm–5am, Sun–Wed Closed

Club Evans

Music is taken very seriously at Club Evans, an absolute must visit destination for jazz lovers the world over. Mondays are reserved for spontaneous jam sessions whereas professional jazz bands fill the air with gloriously complex harmonies almost every other night of the week. The venue attracts a mixed crowd of locals and internationals of all age groups.

• Web:

  www.clubevans.com

• E-mail:

  clubevans@naver.com

• Address:

  63 Wausan-ro, Mapo District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 337 8361

• Opening hours:

  Daily 8.30pm–10.40pm

Club FF

This indie bar is a favourite underground haunt for alternative music enthusiasts and party people. Club FF offers an all-inclusive bar service at certain hours of the night, which is normally followed by a huge dance party with DJs, dry ice and flashing lights.

• Web:

  www.clubff.modoo.at

• E-mail:

  ianbrown@naver.com

• Address:

  407-8 Seogyo-dong, Mapo District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 10 9025 3407

• Opening hours:

  Wed, Thu & Sun 8pm–11pm, Fri & Sat 6pm–6am, Mon & Tue Closed

Club Octagon

One of the most popular clubs in Seoul's stylish Gangnam district and a nightlife venue renowned worldwide, Octagon is where the party doesn't stop until the early morning. With DJs playing house and electro all night long, all in a trendy interior featuring an indoor pool, it is very easy to lose track of time here.

• Web:

  www.octagonseoul.com

• E-mail:

  info@octagonseoul.com

• Address:

  645 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 10 7328 8182

• Opening hours:

  Thu–Sun 11pm–8am, Mon-Wed Closed

• More info:

  Located at New Hilltop Hotel

Glam Lounge

Fit for an evening drink any night of the week, Glam Lounge is a sleek, stylish bar in Itaewon, the kind this particular neighbourhood isn't exactly known for. The interior was crafted to emulate old European designs, with well-dressed business minded professionals frequenting its glamorous halls.

• Web:

  www.districtglam.com

• E-mail:

  ksj.con@mykinc.com

• Address:

  26 Itaewon-ro 27ga-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 796 6853

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 7pm–3am, Fri & Sat 7pm–5am

J.J. Mahoney's

Located within the Grand Hyatt Seoul hotel, J.J. Mahoney's is an establishment that has something for everyone. Live music is played here frequently and the high-quality sound system makes for great dancing conditions. There is also a billiards and darts room for those who are up for a bit of friendly competition.

• Web:

  www.seoul.grand.hyattrestaurants.com

• Address:

  322 Sowol-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 799 8601

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Thu 8.30pm–2am, Fri & Sat 6pm–4am, Sun Closed

• More info:

  Located at Garden Level

Casablanca Sandwicherie

This trendy and rather unusual eatery is a good pick for those looking to branch outside of Korean cuisine, at least for a moment. Casablanca Sandwicherie is, as the name might suggest a Moroccan café serving a nice selection sandwiches with meat and vegetable fillings amongst other ingredients. There are other authentic, hearty dishes on offer which are great for the winter.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/casablancasandwicherie/?hl=en

• Address:

  35 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 797 8367

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun Midday–10pm, Mon Closed

Gwangjang Market

Gwangjang is a prime destination for those looking to experience the sensation that is Korean street food. Although it is known primarily as a clothing market, it certainly has no shortage of mouthwatering choices. Constantly teeming with visitors, the market is a great place to savour some classic specialties such as bibimbap and maybe even try something very much out of the box like the dreaded live octopus.

• Web:

  www.kwangjangmarket.co.kr

• E-mail:

  kjmarket@hanmail.net

• Address:

  88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 2267 0291

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–10.30pm

Hakrim Dabang

One of the oldest independent cafes in Seoul, Hakrim Dabang is a gateway to the 1950s, with its collection of vinyl records as well as black and white photographs that hang from the walls. Its Viennese coffee remains popular to this day, just like the homemade cream cheese cake that both young and older crowds enjoy.

• Web:

  koreandramaland.com/listings/hakrim-coffee-shop/

• E-mail:

  info@koreandramaland.com

• Address:

  119 Daehak-ro, Jongno District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 742 2877

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 10am–11pm, Sat & Sun Closed

O’Sulloc Tea House

All offerings from O'Sulloc contain high-quality green tea from Korea's own Jeju-do island, where some of the world's finest tea is grown. The menu showcases ice cream, cakes, scones and desserts all made with a base of green tea. There are also plenty of drinks to choose from such as the popular milky matcha green tea latte.

• Web:

  www.osulloc.com

• E-mail:

  mall@osulloc.com

• Address:

  30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 739 9293

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Fri 10am–8pm, Sat 10am–9pm

Passion 5

Passion 5 is home to some exquisite desserts including first-class chocolates and pastries. Here guests will get the chance to choose from a wide array of artisan creations of all shapes, colours and sizes. The café is located in the Hangangjin Station area, so as you can probably imagine it is bustling with commuters hopping on and off the metro.

• Web:

  spcpassion5.com

• Address:

  272 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 2 2071 9505

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7.30am–10pm

Rogpa Tea Stall

Rogpa Tea Stall is a cute spot where one can enjoy delightful vegetarian snacks and drinks that carry the distinct flavour profile of India and the Himalayas. The cafe has a partner organisation which deals in philanthropic pursuits. To support the volunteers and Tibetans in need, stop by the next door shop selling handicrafts by exiled Tibetans on your way out.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/rogpashop/

• Address:

  18 Sajik-ro 9-gil, Sajik-dong, Jongno District, Seoul

• Phone:

  +82 70 4045 6331

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 11.30am–8pm, Mon Closed