Exploring Staff Picks (스태픽스) in Seochon, Seoul — a charming cafe with a beautiful outdoor garden, Seoul views, vintage interiors, vinyl, old tech and coffee.
Some cafes are worth visiting for the coffee. Others are worth visiting because the space itself makes you want to stay a little longer.
Staff Picks (스태픽스) in Seochon is definitely the latter for me. I came across this cafe because of its beautiful outdoor space, but the more I looked around, the more I liked the details inside too. Every corner feels thoughtfully put together. From the old cameras and audio equipment to the vinyl records, books, artwork, furniture, and little objects displayed around the cafe.
And then there's the outdoor area.
It's the kind of place where I can imagine spending a perfectly fine afternoon with an iced coffee, sitting outside and just taking in the view of Seoul. It's beautiful regardless of the season, but just imagine this place when the foliage turns golden and starts filling the garden.
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Staff Picks: A Cafe Worth Exploring Inside and Out
- The Interior: Retro, Vintage and Character
- The Outdoor Space
- Coffee, Cake and an Afternoon Break
- How to Get to Staff Picks
- Tips for Visiting
QUICK FACTS:
| Featured spot | Staff Picks Cafe (스태픽스) |
| Address | 22 Sajik-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul |
| Nearest Subway | Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3 (Around 500m / 7–9 min walk from Exit 1) |
| Known for | Outdoor garden, coffee & pound cake |
| Style | Retro Nordic / mid-century-inspired with vintage elements |
| Best for | Afternoon coffee, photography, vintage lovers, relaxing |
Staff Picks: A Cafe Worth Exploring Inside and Out
Located in Seochon, Jongno, Staff Picks sits a little above the surrounding streets, giving the outdoor area a nice view over the neighborhood and Seoul beyond it.
The first thing that caught my attention was obviously the outdoor space. There's a large tree in the middle with tables arranged around it, surrounded by greenery and an open view.
But don't make the mistake of thinking the outdoor area is the only reason to come here. The inside is just as interesting.
The Interior: Retro, Vintage and Character
I wouldn't describe Staff Picks as strictly one design style, but it has a retro Nordic / mid-century-inspired feel that works really well with all the vintage pieces inside.
There are warm wooden elements, simple furniture, open shelving, artwork, books, and lots of little objects that make the space feel more like someone's carefully curated collection than a typical cafe.
And I loved the music-related details.
You'll spot vinyl records, old audio equipment, cameras, musical equipment, and vintage electronics displayed throughout the space. There's even an old computer setup that immediately caught my attention.
It's the kind of interior where you keep discovering something new the longer you look around. It reminded me of my youth when the internet was just booming.
For someone who appreciates old tech, vintage objects, and good music, this is definitely one of those cafes where you might spend as much time looking around as you do drinking your coffee.
The Outdoor Space
But of course, the outdoor area is the star.
There's something really nice about sitting outside with a coffee, surrounded by greenery while looking out over Seoul. The elevated location gives the garden a slightly different perspective from the usual cafe views around the city.
The space feels relaxed and open, with the large tree acting almost like the centerpiece of the whole garden. And while the cafe is beautiful as it is, I can only imagine how pretty it must look when the foliage changes.
Picture the same outdoor tables surrounded by golden autumn leaves, with the afternoon light coming through the trees and the Seoul skyline in the distance. That's probably one of those moments when you don't really need to do anything other than sit there with a coffee.
That's what I like about places like this. They're not necessarily about having a long list of things to do. Sometimes the whole point is simply to sit, look around and enjoy where you are.
Coffee, Cake and an Afternoon Break
Staff Picks is also known for its pound cake, with the Seoul tourism guide specifically mentioning its coffee and sweet pound cake as highlights.
For me, though, the bigger draw is really the overall experience.
Come in, order a coffee and something sweet, find a spot outside if the weather is nice, and give yourself some time to actually enjoy the cafe instead of treating it as another quick stop on your Seoul itinerary.
HOW TO GET THERE
Staff Picks (스태픽스)
22 Sajik-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
It's in Seochon, on the western side of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
The easiest public transportation option:
Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3) → Exit 1 → walk approximately 500 meters / around 7–9 minutes to the cafe. (Staff Picks on the Official Seoul Travel Guide)
The cafe is on Sajik-ro 9-gil, so you're heading into the smaller Seochon streets rather than looking for it along a major road.
When to Go:
Staff Picks operates 10:00 AM–8:30 PM, Monday to Sunday, with the last Monday of the month listed as a holiday. Hours can change, so I'd still check before heading over.
If you're visiting specifically for the outdoor area, I'd go in the afternoon when you can actually sit outside and enjoy the view.
And if you're in Seoul during autumn, even if autumn isn't specifically the reason you're visiting Staff Picks, this is one of those places where the seasonal foliage would make an already pretty space even more special. The giant tree in the garden is particularly known for its autumn color.
Tips for Visiting
1. Explore the inside before settling down.
There's so much to look at, so don't just grab your coffee and head outside.
2. Check out the vintage displays.
If you like cameras, vinyl, old electronics and musical equipment, you'll probably enjoy the little details around the cafe.
3. Go on a pleasant-weather afternoon.
The outdoor garden is a huge part of Staff Picks' charm, so it's worth visiting when you can actually enjoy sitting outside.
4. Pair it with Seochon.
Since you're already in the neighborhood, Staff Picks can easily be part of a Seochon and Gyeongbokgung day rather than a destination you need to travel across Seoul for.
5. Give yourself time.
This isn't a cafe I'd visit just to grab coffee and leave. There's enough to look at inside and outside that it's worth slowing down for a bit.
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My Take
Staff Picks is one of those cafes where every corner is a photo opportunity, whether you're inside surrounded by vintage objects and artwork or outside with the greenery and Seoul view.
I initially loved the outdoor space, but I ended up appreciating the interior just as much. The combination of music, vinyl, old cameras, audio equipment, books, and little vintage finds gives the cafe so much personality.
And then there's that garden.
It's already a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, but I can only imagine how magical it would feel with the big tree covered in golden autumn foliage.
For me, that's the appeal of Staff Picks. It's not just a cafe with a pretty outdoor area — the whole place feels curated, interesting, and worth taking your time with.
Looking for more aesthetic spots during your Seoul Autumn trip? Check out my previous posts:
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