Who doesn’t dream of the perfect date night in Seoul while visiting South Korea? Known for its romantic K-dramas, couples often come here with high expectations for a memorable and romantic adventure with their loved one.
From the honeymoon haven of Jeju Island to popular spots in Seoul like N Seoul Tower, Lotte World, and bustling streets such as Gangnam, Itaewon, and Myeongdong, there’s no shortage of exciting places to explore.
This time, we want to introduce you to Hongdae, a vibrant and youthful area perfect for a romantic date night in Seoul. Here is a guide to the top activities for the best date night in Seoul!
Why We Recommend Hongdae for the Best Date Night in Seoul?
As travel enthusiasts ourselves, we’re drawn to locations that let us experience life like the locals. We believe this creates a more meaningful memory, especially for a romantic occasion like a date night. Hongdae strikes a balance by offering a local vibe while remaining accessible to tourists.
For us, date night in a typical tourist hotspot tends to feel less romantic. Popular destinations like Itaewon or Gangnam often feel more like standard shopping and exploring experiences due to the heavy crowds. While Hongdae can also be bustling, it’s generally less crowded compared to these well-known areas.
Hongdae is located around Hongik University, a prestigious art college in Seoul. This explains why you’ll find so many unique stores, cafés, murals, exhibits, and even street performances here. It’s where college students often hang out with friends or partners, giving the area a vibrant, youthful energy. Hongdae is often referred to as Seoul’s “hipster” district, making it the perfect spot for a romantic and memorable date night.
Where to Stay in Hongdae
Image Source: Booking
Hongdae is one of the top locations where tourists book accommodation when visiting Seoul. Other popular areas to stay include Itaewon, Gangnam, and Myeongdong, all offering alternative lodging options.
Some well-known places to stay in Hongdae include IHG Hotel, L7 Hongdae (by LOTTE), Mercure, and RYSE by Marriott, though these can be quite pricey.
Therefore, we recommend staying at 9 Brick Hotel, a charming 3-star option. It offers a romantic and cozy vibe with its wooden floors, complementing the brick exterior and elegant interior design.
🛎️ More Accommodations in Hongdae!
What to Do in Hongdae
1. Visit South Korean Popular Brand Galleries
Photo by. Kpopmap
Although there aren’t as many stores as in Myeongdong, Hongdae has plenty of big-brand shops to explore. One of South Korea’s biggest brands, 📍 Samsung, has a store here where you can check out their latest products. Even if you’re not planning to buy a gadget, they offer some cool accessories too.
If your partner is a BTS fan and collects BT21 merchandise, you might want to spend some time at the 📍 Line Friends Hongdae Store. In addition to BT21 characters, it’s a hub for Line Friends mascots like Brown and Cony.
The store is large, featuring a café with a themed menu, mostly sweets and beverages. You can also find a similar concept store and café for 📍 Kakao Friends in Hongdae.
2. Have a Sweet Time in Sinleedoga
Image Source: Walkerland
📍 Location
Open hours: Everyday 11.00 am – 10.00 pm
If you prefer to enjoy dessert in a smaller, calmer, and cozy place, we have some of the best cafés in Hongdae that are popular among couples.
Hongdae has a variety of cafés offering high-quality desserts, from traditional-inspired sweets to Western cakes and pastries. We recommend Sinleedoga, which beautifully combines both styles. This café adopts the concept of a Korean Hanok, or traditional house from the Joseon dynasty, blended with a minimalist theme for a modern feel.
For desserts and beverages, they offer classic Western coffee and tea with a Korean twist, like black sesame in their lattes. We suggest trying the Yokan Cake Set, which includes three yokan (jelly cakes) perfect for sharing. It makes for a delightful quick stop before continuing your date at other exciting spots!
Food and beverage price range: 2.000 – 10.000 won
3. Play with Cute Cats in ROOF CAT ME Cat Cafe
Image Source: Seoul Pass
📍 Location
Open hours: 12.00 – 10.00 pm (Monday closed)
We’re excited to recommend this very special themed café in Hongdae!
ROOF CAT ME is a hidden fairytale-like cat café located in the B2F of the H-Cube building in Hongdae. You can enter through the main entrance and take the elevator to the basement or use the stairs next to the Olive Young store.
It’s likely the best cat café you’ll ever visit. The indoor space is spacious, clean, beautifully decorated, and well-organized. It’s heartwarming to see that the cats are well-cared for in such a lovely environment.
You’ll need to follow a few rules for your own comfort and to ensure the (estimated) 50 cats have a positive experience.
There’s a large space designed like an indoor garden where you can play with the cats, and there’s also an unlimited refill drink bar. If your partner is a big cat lover, this hidden gem will be a delightful surprise!
Admission ticket: from 18.000 won
🎟️ Booking Info
4. Capture Memory in Self-Photo Studios
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Most of the time, going to a studio to have photos taken by a photographer can feel a bit awkward. But capturing the memory of your best date night in Seoul is worth doing in a special way.
Photobooths or self-photo studios are a trend among youth in South Korea. If you’ve watched K-dramas, you’ve probably seen couples taking cute and silly photos in booths—it seems romantic, doesn’t it?
You can be your own photographer with a remote control, then edit and print the photos yourself. There are various themes and styles of self-photo studios in Seoul, with most studios offering a classic style photobooth in Hongdae.
Estimated price: Most of self-photo studios in Seoul isn’t more than 4.000 won.
5. Have Dinner in Hongdae
Image Source: Unsplash
If we listed all the best restaurants in Hongdae, it would be overwhelming—most of them are fantastic. But you didn’t come to Seoul to have a typical Western dinner or visit a Harry Potter-themed restaurant, did you?
For a truly authentic experience in Seoul, try something more local. We love the concept of sharing food in most Korean restaurants, with hotpot or BBQ sets placed in the middle of the table. What could be more festive and romantic than that?
To experience Korean BBQ, we recommend 📍 Meatman Kim Chun-bae. They accept orders until 10:00 pm and close at 11:00 pm, with seating and menu packages perfect for tourist couples.
If you’re more into seafood, try 📍 Hawaii Clam Hongdae, which offers BBQ and hotpot sets where you can even cook ramyeon. There’s a two-person set for 89,000 won, and it’s open until 2:00 am every day.
You to try dakgalbi, it’s a stir-fried chicken dish often mixed with Korean staples like ramyeon, tteokbokki, and topped with melted cheese. It depends on your choices or you can pick an available package. The best place we can recommend for tourist would be 📍 Shin Mi Kyung. The Cheese Fondue Chicken with Vegetables is visitors’ favorite here!
Image Source: Rawnie’s
For a best date night in Seoul, Hongdae offers the perfect blend of charm, authenticity, and fun. From cozy cafés and vibrant photobooths to shared Korean BBQ feasts and delightful themed spots like cat cafés, this youthful neighborhood has everything to make your night special. Exploring Hongdae together, you’ll find it’s a place where you can capture memories, experience local culture, and enjoy a romantic, lively atmosphere that’s uniquely Seoul.