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

Sushi that lands soft and pristine with a clean sea aroma, then lingers with a gentle sweetness on warm rice. This is a crowd favorite with locals and travelers, especially for generous course progressions that feel celebratory from the first bite. Expect composed pacing and refined touches that make special occasions feel effortless.

The room blends contemporary lines with calm lighting and attentive service, and parking is conveniently available in the Amorepacific HQ building.

• Order this: The full dinner omakase if you want the chef’s seasonal arc and signature warm bites.

A charcoal grill tavern that pulls from Hong Kong and Italy where the beef and premium Iberian pork arrive with a satisfying sizzle and the courses eat bigger than they look. Loved by both locals and travelers for lively energy that suits dates and group hangs, it is the kind of spot where side dishes cut richness just when you need it.

Chefs with decades of experience handle the grill and sauces and the whimsical Hong Kong style exterior makes a fun first impression.

• Order this: The yakiniku set with rice and chanko nabe for two hungry diners.

Basement level and big on flavor, this dining bar channels Hong Kong cart classics for a satisfying casual dinner. A hit with locals and visitors, the sweet and sour pork is crisp and lively, the fried rice is fragrant, and the tomato egg stir fry is the kind of simple dish that steals the show.

Order at the table with a QR code and settle in for a relaxed, no fuss night out.

• Order this: A quartet of classics sweet and sour pork, chao mian, fried rice, and tomato egg to share.

A modern nod to hanok charm where the grill brings out clean smoke notes and a gentle sweetness in the meat. Loved by both residents and travelers, the signature Samdae Galbi and the tail hot pot are rich, warming, and perfect for lingering conversations.

It is an easy recommendation when you want mood, flavor, and friendly pacing all in one place.

• Order this: Samdae Galbi first then share the tail hot pot to finish cozy.

From daily mozzarella and burrata to long matured Stilton, this grocerant builds dishes around the craft of good milk and patient aging. It draws both locals and travelers who appreciate thoughtful textures and the way a great cheese can make produce sing on the plate.

Expect a cozy room, an ever evolving pizza lineup, and staff that keep things flowing during inevitable peak time waits.

• Order this: Burrata or mozzarella salad to start then a seasonal pizza and house salumi board.

A little hidden and very welcoming, this counter delivers clean cuts and well seasoned rice in a calm setting that both locals and travelers appreciate. The sequence is thoughtful and the team is warm which makes it an easy pick for a relaxed omakase without fuss.

It sits in the Prugio Summit underground shopping center next to Handdam Sushi behind a wooden door so take a moment to spot it.

• Order this: The omakase with seasonal nigiri and ask for the chef’s favorite of the day.

The deep perfume of oak and the sight of barked brisket set the tone before the first bite that yields with a soft tug and a juicy shine. Travelers seek it out and locals return for the course flow that pairs well with a cold beer and the welcome soup that resets your palate mid meal.

Dessert brings a nostalgic smile and the team’s pride shows in every slice and rib.

• Order this: Brisket and beef rib combo with house pickles and a beer.

A polished Japanese course house where seasonal small plates frame two stars silky sukiyaki with premium Korean beef and glossy unagi rice cooked in a stone pot. Beloved by locals and visitors for birthdays and family milestones it pairs gently seasoned dishes with a chic hotel setting.

Shaved ice desserts are a sleeper hit and rooms can accommodate no kids visits if needed.

• Order this: The full dinner course and add fried baby octopus then finish with the unagi rice.

In a remodeled former Italian Embassy residence with a sweeping Han River panorama this is a place to slow down and savor. Locals and travelers love it for rooms that feel private enough for VVIP meetings and anniversaries and plates that keep the table talking while the city glows outside.

Service is polished yet home like and seasonal events make return visits feel fresh.

• Order this: A long lunch that rolls into golden hour on the terrace for the best view of the river.

Spanish cooking with a creative Seoul accent that tells a story from the first amuse to dessert. Both locals and travelers praise the composition and plating and the Burrata Ibicenca with sea urchin roe mullet roe sea grapes gim and salmon roe wraps the palate in a sea breeze of flavors.

Lighting is soft music is calm and the room feels made for birthdays date nights and family treats.

• Order this: Burrata Ibicenca and a honey kissed cod course to see both sides of the kitchen.