8 Best Restaurants in Jeju-do, South Korea

Seoul-based coffee roaster Anthracite opened its second branch in a 70-year-old former sweet potato flour mill in Jeju's increasingly trendy Hallim district. They kept the lava rock walls and wooden ceiling, but planted a verdant indoor garden of ferns and other local plants along one wall, fed by plenty of natural light pouring through the ceiling. It's a wonderful place to drink an espresso, Americano, latte, or one of the non-coffee beverages on hand. If you like coffee dark and chocolaty, go with the William Blake blend. They bake plenty of cakes, cookies, scones, and other baked goods to snack on, too. The seating is a bit on the minimalist side, though, and the cafe can fill up on weekends, so if you're looking for a quiet space to kick back for a couple of hours, this isn't it.

Tucked away in a cove in northeastern Udo Island, this cafe opens its window walls when the weather is nice, letting in the ocean breeze. Udo Island is renowned throughout Korea for its peanuts, a fact reflected in the menu starring peanut ice cream, lattes with peanut-flavored milk, peanut cheesecake, and even jars of peanut jam. Non-peanut beverages are available, too, including a smoothie made from Jeju hallabong. The minimalist white interior distracts little from the seaside scenery, though if you really want to embrace the surroundings, take a seat on the outdoor terrace.

Two old homes overlooking the Sehwa Coast have been renovated into one of the island's most picturesque cafes. Strategically placed windows offer captivating views of the emerald sea, while the vintage interiors foster a warm, intimate atmosphere. The signature menu item is the Jeju Carrot Cake, made from locally grown carrots and shaped like Hallasan itself, complete with white frosting "snow" and some crumbled cornflake "lava" at the peak. In addition to the usual selection of espresso-based beverages, they also serve tangerine juice, tangerine iced tea, and tangerine aide, putting Jeju's ubiquitous citrus fruit to good work. No children are allowed, however.

Kim Sa-hong, one of Korea's top baristas, moved his operations to this former tangerine plantation on the slopes of Hallasan in 2020. His cafe has since become a travel destination in its own right. The Super Clean Espresso is, true to its name, a superbly clean beverage free of the grit of your usual espresso. For something a bit more fruity, the Tangerine Cappuccino—garnished with an actual tangerine slice—blends deep chocolate flavors with a citrus bouquet. Situated in an old tangerine warehouse, the cafe is part of a larger complex that includes a library, art museum, and guest house. No kids are allowed.

Located on the grounds of Playce Camp Jeju in Seongsan, Dorrell projects a younger, edgier vibe with its skateboarder aesthetic, but coffee lovers of all ages flock here for its singular "Nutty Cloud"—cold milk and cold peanut cream over hot espresso, drunk unmixed. Simultaneously bitter and sweet, it's a great way to start the morning. You'll find some unusual local baked goods here, too, including mugwort donuts, Hallabong cupcakes, and sweet rolls shaped like Jeju carrots stuffed with jam and egg salad. The seating on the floor is more hip than comfortable, but the second floor has more traditional seating for customers who value comfort over selfies.

Easily one of the most photogenic cafes on Jeju, Gujwa Sanghoe is a collection of old Jeju stone homes, beautifully renovated with vintage wood interiors decorated with arrangements of dried flowers. The star of the menu is the carrot cake, prepared from locally grown carrots. The black tea served in vintage cups is a major draw, too. The neighborhood is pretty cool, too, with a flower shop, bookstore, and other charming spaces. It's quite popular with travelers and young couples, so don't be surprised if there's a line to get in.

Located on a small, family-run organic green tea plantation on the middle slopes of Hallasan mountain, this tiny tea shop not only serves a lovely cup of tea, but also offers fine views of the rolling tea fields. The tea costs ₩5,000 per person, and it's the only thing on the menu, but that gets you a lot of tea served with sweets made from Jeju tangerines. While you're there, you can walk around the tea fields, too. The plantation has inspiring views of Hallasan mountain, and the fields are beautifully landscaped with walls of volcanic rock and rows of evergreen trees.

This cozy retro space near downtown Seogwipo's historic Lee Jung-seop Street brews a serious cup of coffee, making it a favorite of local aficionados. If you prefer drip coffee, you can choose from three blends, and there are plenty of espresso-based beverages as well, including the house signature, the Songsan-dong Coffee, an especially rich cream latte. The cafe can get a bit crowded, though, so be prepared to wait in line. Founder Jo Yu-dong has won many of Korea's most prestigious coffee awards, a fact he advertises by covering the place's walls and ceiling with plaques and certificates.