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Honestly, this place is still the king of Seongsu.
You walk in and that massive red-brick warehouse just hits different. The ceiling is stupidly high, sunlight pours in from those huge old windows, iron pillars everywhere; it feels like you stepped into a Ghibli movie set that got taken over by fashion kids. After the 2024 renovation with Musinsa moving in, it went from “cool warehouse café” to straight-up cultural landmark. The new rooftop is cracked; sunset views over Seongsu’s rooftops with a beer in hand? 10/10 moment.
Crowds: yeah, weekends are a zoo, especially Saturday 1–6 pm. If you hate lines, come before noon or after 8 pm. Weekdays are surprisingly chill.
Coffee & food: let’s keep it real; the coffee is fine, not gonna win Cup of Excellence, but the Einspänner and yuzu cold brew do the job. Pastries are Insta-beautiful but average taste. Pricey too (₩8–9k for coffee, ₩18–25k for brunch plates). You’re paying for the table with the best background in Seoul, not the flavor.
What you actually come for:
• The vibe. It’s impossible to take a bad photo here.
• Whatever pop-up is running. Right now PLAVE, Tamagotchi, random streetwear collabs; always something worth lining up for.
• People-watching. Half the crowd is dressed like they’re about to walk Seoul Fashion Week, the other half are tourists with huge cameras. Pure entertainment.
Pro tips from someone who lives 10 min away:
• Enter through the side gate if the main entrance queue is insane (most people don’t know).
• Skip the food here and hit Bid Burger or Lowide on the same street after; your wallet and tongue will thank you.
• Rooftop closes when it’s raining or too windy, so check the weather.
• Best light for photos: 4–6 pm on sunny days.
Bottom line: Daelim Changgo isn’t a café, it’s an experience. If you only have one day in Seongsu, this has to be on the list. Just don’t expect mind-blowing food and you’ll leave happy.