Korea's 10 Must-Try Bar & Pub Restaurants in Gyeongridan-gil

Start with the soft cereal aroma of craft makgeolli and let it bloom with savory small plates that feel tailor-made for sipping. Loved by locals and curious travelers alike, this bistronomy-minded house pairs nuanced rice brews with signature bites like squid sundae and marinated tuna, served in a warmly lit room that flatters conversation.

• Order this: Squid sundae, marinated tuna, pig’s trotters with Baekkotpilmyeop or sweet Cheongmyeongju.

A few steps uphill, the Seoul skyline opens and the tower glows as steak and rosé pasta perfume the terrace. This casual dining bar is equally kind to weeknight wind-downs and celebratory toasts, with area-specific seats that make every table feel like the best in the house.

• Order this: Steak with a glass of red, rosé pasta, Caesar salad for sharing.

If uptempo sets the mood, Paul’s Diner seals the night with curated natural wines and European bistro comfort. The room is intimate, the pairing game thoughtful, and even the bread and butter feel like a promise kept.

• Order this: Chef’s picks with a flight of natural wines by the glass; do not skip the pre-meal bread.

A Lisbon whisper in Seoul, from petiscos-like small plates to glass pairings that surprise even seasoned drinkers. Choose your mood across four spaces, from a romantic terrace to a private room with a sweeping city view.

• Order this: Chef’s Portuguese-inspired plates with sommelier-selected glasses you rarely see in Korea.

If Namsan Winery explores a region, Uphill Namsan focuses on a moment. Private and guest rooms frame the tower at eye level, turning simple bites and a well-chosen bottle into something celebration-worthy.

• Order this: A bottle of wine or whiskey for dinner service, plus shared plates while the sunset colors the skyline.

Daylight here tastes like new lunch steak and café-bright brunch plates, while evenings shift to woodfire perfume and Australian natural wines. The room is calm and measured, the kind of place where time stretches in the nicest way.

• Order this: New lunch steak at midday, then return for wood-fired dinner with a bottle of natty wine.

Head skyward for a breezy lounge that paints the city in sunset pastels. The 5F interior is vintage-cool, the 6F rooftop is pure Seoul glow, and the 7F VIP rooftop makes proposals and milestones feel cinematic.

• Order this: Signature cocktails and shareable bites, then linger until the tower lights up.

A modern bistro-bar where sauces simmer for hours and the room breathes thanks to well-spaced tables. Seasonal dishes are few by design and better for it, with a dessert program that rewards curiosity.

• Order this: House-sauce mains and the signature ice cream that layers flavors with surprising clarity.

By day it’s a photographer’s studio, by night a sofa-lounge bar humming with music and conversation. Chef-cooked bar food, a view of Namsan from underground, and event-ready AV gear make it a sleeper hit for dates and parties.

• Order this: Signature cocktails and chef’s warm plates, then switch to wine as the playlist deepens.

End the stroll with candlelit calm and a bottle list that balances discovery and budget. Locals and visitors alike appreciate the gentle lighting, tidy seating, and attentive hospitality that frames a relaxed glass perfectly.

• Order this: A bottle to share from 19,000–239,000 KRW and simple Italian-leaning bites to match.