Korea's acclaimed restaurants in Itaewon, Seoul (With CATCHTABLE GLOBAL Data)

The moment the garlic hits hot oil you smell that vacation feeling, then plates of gambas, honey glazed cod and saffron bright paella arrive with the glow of the room deepening by the hour. Music lifts the tempo while sangria perfumes the table and every bite feels easy to share, which is why locals bring friends here to start the evening or keep it going late.

• Order this: Gambas al ajillo, seafood paella and jamón with a pitcher of house sangria.

The perfume of real charcoal clings to thick cut galbi that lands on a wire grate and renders to a glossy sweetness, then dips into a comforting potato noodle broth that completes the bite. The team often grills for you and keeps the pace steady, which suits late dinners, family gatherings and celebratory meals where the meat is the star.

• Order this: Hanwoo galbi with potato noodle soup, and ask for a close to the charcoal sear for extra caramelization.

A snug second floor hideout with warm lighting, well seasoned small plates and a drinks list that spans soju, beer and traditional Korean spirits. The pasta is the kind that stops conversation for a moment and the room hums with couples and friends easing into the night.

• Order this: Signature pasta and a couple of seasonal small plates to share with your favorite bottle.

A temple to freshness where the knife work shows and the sesame perfume is delicate rather than loud, letting the gentle sweetness of Hanwoo shine. Service is attentive and relaxed, the sort that makes it easy to linger with colleagues or friends over a few plates and a bottle.

• Order this: Assorted Hanwoo yukhoe and ask the team for the day’s best cut and seasoning balance.

Warm spice blooms from the kitchen in a swirl of cardamom, cumin and butter that wraps around beautifully plated curries and a basket of blistered naan. It is the kind of place that converts the hesitant, with balanced flavors, polished service and a calm dining room that suits families and friends fresh off the train.

• Order this: Butter chicken, a paneer curry and a tandoori platter with a mix of naan for the table.

A quaint city hideaway that feels like stepping into a quiet park, with bright plates that favor freshness and a pace that invites conversation. Regulars celebrate family birthdays here because the food is consistent and the welcome is warm.

• Order this: Signature brunch plates and a citrusy house drink to keep things light.

A sprawling izakaya that mirrors Tokyo’s yokocho alleys, with the gentle steam of Fukuoka style oden and the sizzle of garlic and butter on the teppan. It is lively but not rushed, ideal for highballs, skewers and a table full of small comforts.

• Order this: Oden assortment to start, then a round of teppan dishes with a crisp beer or a highball.

Traditional flavors are refined into crisp modern compositions without losing their soul, served in a casual room that still feels special. The team guides with care, which makes it an easy choice for a date or a business lunch near Samgakji and Sinyongsan.

• Order this: A mix of time honored classics and house signatures, and ask for pairing suggestions from the floor.

A small, warm room where conversation glows, plates feel personal and the wine is poured with real enthusiasm. The aglio e olio is quietly perfect and the fig butter baguette is the kind of little luxury that makes a birthday feel just right.

• Order this: Aglio e olio and the fig butter baguette, then ask for a friendly wine pairing.

A basement level slice shop that turned sweet corn and a bubbling crust into a neighborhood obsession, with satisfying pastas and bright salads to round the table. The room fills fast and the atmosphere stays upbeat as pies fly.

• Order this: Signature corn pizza, a pasta to share and a crisp salad to cut the richness.