My little coffee shop-04

Many cafes in Seoul share a similar aesthetic, with matching tables and chairs, often from discontinued designs. Despite efforts to maintain uniformity, unique chairs emerge over time due to wear and tear, adding a quirky charm to each table.

first visit

When I stumbled upon ‘Cafe The Lobby’ for the first time, it felt like stepping into Alice’s wonderland. Housed on the ground floor of a residential building, it exuded a charming ambiance reminiscent of a foreign country. The sight of the door painted in my favorite deep green hue filled me with excitement, imagining the interior awaiting beyond the handle.

The air was filled with sweet aromas that tantalized my senses as soon as I entered. Displayed next to the cashier were an array of scones and cookies, while freshly baked treats cooled on trays nearby. Despite my initial intention to indulge in just a hot coffee, the irresistible aroma of the cookies compelled me to order some as well. Thankfully, the coffee was reasonably priced compared to other cafes.

Atmosphere is all

I often visit cafes to work, but I always struggle with choosing the right table and chair due to their unique designs. Despite initially overlooking low-height tables and sofas, I eventually found the perfect spot beside a socket, recommended by the owner. I opted for a table near full-length windows, allowing me to people-watch when I needed a break from work. The cafe’s retro-style cider boxes stacked among dried flowers added to its charm.

I immersed myself in work for 2-3 hours, only to find my cookies gone and cold coffee waiting for me. The thoughtful owner noticed and offered to heat up my coffee, even giving me an extra cookie. I stayed for another hour before bidding farewell, with the owner smiling and saying, “See you again.”

Information about Cafe the lobby

Address
171-5 Banghak-ro, Banghak-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul

Opening hour
Tuesday to Sunday : 11:00 – 22:00
Closed on Monday

Price range (won)
Drink : 3,800(Americano) ~ 6,000(Matcha latte)
Dessert : 3.500(Pound cake) ~5,000

* Name of cafe is shown as Cafe The Robi on naver maps.