Looking for a cafe in Seoul that opens at 7AM? Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron is a spacious three-story bakery cafe with fresh pastries, art exhibitions, gallery spaces, and a relaxing atmosphere perfect for working, brunch, or simply slowing down in the city.
Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron: A 7AM-Opening Bakery Cafe Perfect for Working, Brunch, and Art Lovers in Seoul
There is one cafe in Chungmuro that I find myself returning to over and over again.
The first time I visited, a friend who worked nearby brought me here, saying it was more than just a cafe. It was a gallery, an exhibition space, and a bakery all wrapped into one building.
She was convinced I would love the bread, the atmosphere, and the different personalities of each floor.
She was right.
Since that first visit, Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron has become one of my favorite cafes in Seoul. Whenever I have work to do near Chungmuro or Euljiro, I intentionally make time to stop by. It is one of those rare places where you can focus completely, enjoy excellent bread, and spend hours without realizing how much time has passed.
What makes it even better is the opening time.
While most cafes in Seoul open late in the morning, Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron opens at 7:00 AM, making it one of the best cafes in Seoul for remote work, early meetings, digital nomads, writers, and travelers looking for breakfast before starting their day.
The building is also well known as a cultural venue and filming location, having hosted productions such as You Quiz on the Block, Netflix’s A Time Called You, Bread Road 2, How Do You Play?, and many other television programs and commercial projects.
Location of Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron
24 Toegye-ro 49-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
The location is surprisingly convenient.
It takes about six minutes on foot from Exit 8 of Euljiro 4-ga Station and about five minutes from Exit 8 of Chungmuro Station.
For drivers, Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron offers a one-hour complimentary parking ticket with beverage purchases.
Even after the free hour, the parking fees remain relatively reasonable, which is one reason I find myself returning so often.
On pleasant days, the outdoor terrace along the alley tends to fill first. Despite the popularity, the cafe occupies an entire three-story building, making it one of the largest independent bakery cafes in Chungmuro.
Because many visitors are office workers from nearby Chungmuro and Euljiro, the early opening hour feels perfectly tailored to the neighborhood. If you have ever searched for a Seoul cafe that opens early in the morning, Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron should be near the top of your list.
Opening Hours of Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron
Daily 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Interior Space of Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron
Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron is much more than a bakery cafe.
The building itself immediately catches your attention. Fresh bread constantly arrives from the bakery kitchen throughout the day, and the aroma alone is enough to convince visitors to stay longer than planned.
The first floor feels like a classic bakery cafe, where customers browse pastries while enjoying coffee and breakfast. It is common to see tourists stopping in for a quick breakfast instead of a hotel buffet.
Families often gather here as well, and thoughtful details such as high chairs and a dedicated handwashing sink make the space particularly welcoming.
The real surprise begins when you head upstairs.
The building was originally constructed in 1956 and later restored as a cultural complex known as Space Do. Half of the second floor is dedicated to rotating art exhibitions featuring fine art, contemporary art, and modern art. As a result, the cafe constantly feels fresh and inspiring.
Art pieces are displayed throughout the building, transforming a simple coffee break into a creative experience.
The third floor is perhaps my favorite.
Filled with comfortable beanbag sofas and open relaxation areas, it feels more like a creative lounge than a traditional cafe. The space is equipped with projectors and audio equipment, making it popular for film shoots, social gatherings, seminars, book launches, and private events.
On my most recent visit, the rooftop area was closed, but I could easily imagine how wonderful it would be during summer evenings.
Menu of Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron
The beverage menu covers nearly everything you could want from a modern cafe.
Coffee, non-coffee drinks, organic teas, fruit ades, lattes, smoothies, and smoothie bowls are all available.
My personal favorite remains the Piccolo Latte Cream Chocolat, one of Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron‘s signature drinks.
It is the perfect combination of espresso and chocolate. Rich, creamy, and balanced without becoming overly sweet. Every time I visit, I find myself ordering it again.
During warmer months, the fruit ades are also excellent options.
As impressive as the drinks are, the bread selection is what truly makes Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron special.
The bakery showcases an enormous variety of bagels, cookies, pastries, pound cakes, roll cakes, and seasonal creations. Choosing just one item can be surprisingly difficult.
Thankfully, the bakery clearly labels bestselling items, signature products, and new releases, making decisions slightly easier.
The pound cakes have become particularly popular and are even available for nationwide delivery in Korea.
Everything is baked fresh daily and sold the same day. If you visit in the evening, you will quickly understand why so many locals consider this one of the best bakeries in Chungmuro—the shelves become noticeably emptier as the day progresses.
The bakery also uses premium butter, quality flour, seasonal fruits, mascarpone cream, and real vanilla beans, resulting in pastries that feel far more refined than typical neighborhood bakery offerings.
Food and Drink Review of Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron
For this visit, I settled into a window seat on the first floor.
The terrace happened to be empty that day, creating an especially peaceful atmosphere for several hours of work.
Once my tray was ready, I carried everything back to my table and settled in for what would become a productive and enjoyable afternoon.
The first drink was, naturally, my beloved Piccolo Latte Cream Chocolat.
Prepared with a nutty espresso base and topped with generous cream and chocolate shavings, it delivers both caffeine and dessert-like satisfaction in a single cup. The balance between coffee and chocolate is remarkably well executed, making it easy to understand why it has become my default order here.
Since I planned to work for several hours, I also ordered a Blueberry Lemon Ade.
Made with house-made fruit syrup rather than artificial flavoring, the drink tasted intensely fresh and vibrant. It was refreshing without being overly sweet and worked perfectly as a long-lasting companion while working.
The surprise favorite of the day turned out to be the Green Onion Cream Cheese Ciabatta.
The bread itself was wonderfully chewy, while the cream cheese filling provided just the right amount of richness. The savory green onion flavor elevated the entire experience and immediately earned a place on my list of must-order items.
I also revisited one of their signature sausage breads.
Filled with an entire sausage and finished with spicy mayonnaise, it delivered exactly the comforting bakery flavor I was hoping for.
Finally, I tried the Red Velvet Cake, topped generously with mascarpone cream, strawberries, and raspberries.
Although the texture was slightly denser than my personal preference, the flavor itself was excellent, with a rich creaminess balanced by fresh berry notes.
Final Thoughts about Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron
One of the things I appreciate most about Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron is how thoughtfully everything is designed.
Guests can pack leftover pastries using the self-service bags and packaging materials provided near the exit. Parking tickets are distributed at checkout, making the complimentary parking process effortless.
Most importantly, however, this is a place that consistently improves my mood and productivity.
It is no longer enough for a bakery cafe to simply serve good bread. Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron succeeds because it combines outstanding pastries, thoughtful service, inspiring art, comfortable workspaces, and a genuine sense of calm under one roof.
Whether you’re looking for an early-morning cafe in Seoul, a productive remote-work space, a relaxing brunch spot, or simply a beautiful bakery to spend a few hours in, Chungmuro Cafe Susanna Apron remains one of the easiest recommendations I can make in Chungmuro.
And judging by how often I return, I doubt I’ll be stopping anytime soon.
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