Alto Coffee Bar — Restaurant in Seoul

THIS is a coffee enthusiasts place to visit! And I'm not just talking about modern craft coffee, but it does start there.

I visited several coffee shops in Seoul and Alto has some of the best, if not the best, curated and roasted beans! I forgot how often he roasts in a week, but if you do get there on a roasting day, his process is fun to watch and nerd out.

I stayed at a nearby hotel so I was able to go a few times at different parts of the day. I had a few espresso tastings done with the frozen sphere method, a Panamanian and an Columbian. The aroma and clarity were just next level.

This is all to say, the crafted signature lattes and such, accentuate the flavors. So much so, my wife got the same drink multiple times!

Even the ready to go drip coffee is good. Chatting with the owner, he explained how he cycles through different bean varieties so that the morning regulars could experience new flavors.

Overall, Hang Seon and his staff were welcoming and fun company for me and my little family. If you get to chat with him, he is a delight to chat with about coffee, whiskey and cars.

Extra credit: if you love or enjoy whiskey, Alto is a low key whiskey bar at night. Hang Seon has a well curated collection of his favorite whiskeys, currently mostly American bourbon. I had a few drams and they were delicious!

Since most photos seem to highlight the space, coffee and team (all for good ressons), here's some to emphasize the great...

If you're a coffee lover then please make the effort to go to this unassuming but astounding little caffeine gem! I have my wife to thank, she saw Alto Coffee Bar just in front of well known coffee chain that I almost entered... What a mistake that could have been!

We ordered an espresso and a macchiato and the taste of the Honduran roast was simply extraordinary. The owner (also barista) seems young but he's been in the coffee business for 19 years and he certainly knows his stuff. His coffee grinders are from Spain, his coffee roaster is a technological marvel from Korea which roasts beans in 8 mins 30 seconds though air dryer halogen process! (the control panel screen on that thing is like a heads-up display on a fighter jet)!

I was surprised to hear the owners favourite are Honduran beans, until I tasted the roast he served us, wow! So good!

And then...

...he got me to taste the Costa Rica "Cordillera De Fuego" Anaerobic Washed - the cinnamon overtones and ginger tinge were amazing. It was the first time I've seen someone pull an espresso shot over a frozen metal ball. It seems that snap-chilling the shot gives the espresso a creamy mouth feel, presumably by solidifying some of the oils, and that worked a charm with the Costa Rica blend.

There are many reasons I'd love to live in Seoul, Alto Coffee Bar is now an addition to that list.

Many congratulations to the owner. What an outstanding 20 mins...

We wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks for accommodating our early morning coffee fix on the day we had to catch a flight. Your decision to open early made a significant difference in our day and set a positive tone for our journey.

Starting the day with a cup of your exceptional coffee not only provided the much-needed caffeine boost but also created a sense of comfort and routine amidst the travel hustle. We truly appreciate your flexibility and dedication to ensuring your customers' needs are met.

Your commitment to customer service and the exceptional quality of your coffee are just a couple of reasons why Alto Coffee Bar holds a special place in our heart. Thank you for going above and beyond to make every visit memorable.

Wishing you continued success and looking forward to enjoying more of your delightful brews in the future when we...