Seoul’s Oldest Cafe: Hakrim Dabang Cafe

If you’re a fan of old-school charm mixed with just the right amount of Seoul nostalgia, Hakrim Dabang (학림다방) is the kind of cafe you’ll never forget. Tucked away in Daehak-ro since 1956, Hakrim Dabang is the city’s oldest surviving dabang (traditional cafe), where time seems to slow down the moment you climb that creaky wooden staircase. Honestly it feels a bit like walking straight into a time capsule.

woman posing with coffee in an old school cafe with photos of composers on the walls

Inside, vintage LP records, sepia-toned photos of literary icons, and cozy wooden booths surround you, giving off a nostalgic vibe that echoes decades of artists, writers, and university students pondering life over Vienna coffee. It’s earned the title of a Seoul Future Heritage site, partly because it was a go-to hideout for student activists during the democracy movements and played a real role in Korea’s history.

old school wooden architecture with shelves of old wine bottles

Starting around the 1920s and peaking in the 1960s–80s, dabangs were the go-to spots for students, artists, musicians, and office workers to gather, chat, debate politics, or for young people to go on dates or even just people-watch. What made dabang culture special was how personal and social it felt and from what we could see, Hakrim Dabang preserves this vibe really well. You definitely get that sense of “slowness” that’s so different from the hustle of modern Seoul and we are so here for it!

cafe vienna, affogato, and cheesecake with blueberry sauce

As for the menu, Hakrim Dabang stays true to its roots. Their Vienna coffee is the must have item, served in an old-fashioned cup with a thick, creamy layer of whipped cream floating on top of strong, slightly bitter coffee. It’s the perfect “sip slowly and linger” kind of drink. They’re also known for their insanely creamy homemade cheesecake, which pairs beautifully with the coffee’s richness. You won’t find trendy lattes with rainbow foam here. Hakrim is all about preserving “old-school” cafe vibes and keeping coffee simple, bold, and elegant.

And if you’re visiting and want to bring a bit of history and nostalgia back home, they also sell bags of their roasted coffee beans, bottles of cold brew and even postcard sets with photos from 1956. Personally, I think places like this are a nice reminder that coffee culture in Korea isn’t just about what’s in the cup, but about creating a space for connection, creativity, and a little escape from everyday life.