The Piano — Restaurant in Seoul

On my way down from hiking 북한산, I stopped by a café that’s apparently well-known for incorporating the mountain’s natural cliff into its interior and exterior design. It really makes you wonder how someone can privately own a chunk of land that’s technically part of a national park.

As soon as I walked in, I understood the hype. It’s not every day you see part of a mountain cliff inside a café. That said, the novelty comes at a steep price—literally. Coffee and dessert here are more expensive than what you’d find at a five-star hotel.

Unfortunately, the quality didn’t match the price. The coffee tasted like something from a chain café, and my iced Americano came in a cheap plastic cup—despite costing 15,000 won. At that price, I expected at least a proper glass or a beautiful ceramic mug.

The view? It was fine. But having just come from the mountain itself, where the scenery was free and far more spectacular, it didn’t really impress me.

It feels like the kind of place designed for Instagram rather than for a quality experience. A “been there, done that” sort of spot. I don’t think I’ll be going back.

The café enforces a strict one-drink-per-person policy—even if you order a high-priced dessert and a drink to share with a friend (for context, one drink and a dessert cost more than two drinks). That alone is enough to keep me from returning or recommending it. I ended up staying less than 10 minutes before heading down to 북악정 for lunch (review coming soon).

It feels like they’ve built a pricey entrance fee into their drinks and desserts for anyone hoping to linger and enjoy the view. On top of that, you’re required to order before you can even look around—so you have no idea if it’s worth staying until after you’ve paid. And to make matters worse, take-out is priced the...

Perhaps the northernmost cafe in all of Seoul, located at the top of Pyeongchang-dong, The Piano is truly unique in character, location and overall atmosphere.

The main lounge area feels like an underground cave, carved out of the striking Bukhan mountain range. Follow the stone steps up from the small terrace up to the back garden and you can’t help forget the distant city below. Those who enjoyed “The Parasite” might recognise this part of Seoul; while it wasn’t filmed on location, the entire set was built to replicate this wealthy neighbourhood, complete with hillside mansions and expansive gardens overlooking Seoul.

It comes at a price though; Americanos cost 13,000 KRW, Lattes cost 14,000 KRW (50% discount if you live in the area). This is about 4 times the average price of a cup of...

This café has one of the best views I’ve seen—absolutely stunning. Con: Price.

Whether you’re looking to relax, read, or snap a few photos, it’s the perfect spot to soak in the scenery. The vibe is calm and stylish, and it’s clearly designed with aesthetics in mind.

The iced americano was decent, nothing extraordinary—but definitely refreshing. The catch? It was ₩15,000.

For a basic coffee, that’s hard to justify. I’d buy something else if I am sitting here for a while but the coffee itself was absurdly pricey that I did not consider spending more here. You’re mostly paying for the atmosphere and the view, which, to be fair, is top-tier.

So if you’re here for the experience rather than the drink itself, it’s worth a visit. Just know you’re paying for the ambiance,...