ZEST SEOUL — Restaurant in Seoul

Bar Zest earned the #9 ranking on World’s 50 Best Bars prestigious awards in 2024. So my anticipation to visit while in Seoul was high. After visiting Charles H and Bar Cham earlier on the same trip to Seoul and the hyped Superbueno in NYC, the rankings have been a mixed bag. With their increasing popularity, getting reservations may be necessary if you are planning to visit Zest. A reservation requires a credit card deposit, so be sure you show up or you’ll get charged for flaking.

The bar is a combination of modern with the backlit frosted glass sign and yellow accents on the exterior and earthy with a beige stucco surface inside the bar back alcove. The counter is a combination of unpolished wood facing patrons and a stone counter fitted with multiple sinks and many garnishes and bottles containing mixes including their signature Z&T cocktail base.

For my first drink, I ordered a Daiquiri No. 6 which contains a house rum blend, Jeju kiwi schnapps, lime, cucumber, pineapple, coconut & sesame oil. It was very smooth, nothing disrupting the balance of subtle flavors. Enjoyable and refined.

I noticed how much more serious the bartenders at Zest seemed compared to Bar Cham. They were really busy making drinks, as it was packed inside. But they were just not that friendly, until I later met one of the head bartenders Danny. Just an observation that might have been relegated to the male bartender that was serving me and my friend. At Bar Cham, I was chatting away with the bartender and patrons to the sides of me. It felt more like a party there.

For my second and sadly last drink since I had to work early the next day, I tried the Biscuit Einspänner which contains roasted Tonka bean scotch, espresso, Italian amaretto, upcycled coffee Amaro, salted cacao cream, and biscuit crumble. I enjoyed it more than the first drink. Rich, creamy, flavorful and sublimely blended.

There were several other drinks on the menu I wanted to try and they have a Shakshouka dish and charcuterie that I will definitely order next time I return. It’s difficult to fully capture the Zest experience in a single visit, but it left me intrigued and curious to try more. There are dozens of glass jars containing powders and flavors in the back area and I was told by Danny that they have an off-site lab where they must create new drinks and prep cordials and cocktail components.

As for their #9 ranking, there is a palpable sense of Michelin-like attention to detail and diner to maître de-esque formality between the bartenders and patrons. It may seem pretentious to some more casual drinkers but it highlights the challenge of creating a unique bar program attracting worldwide recognition. It seems like a lot of pressure that only the most resilient can grin through. That was why Danny stood out with his cordial demeanor while the other bartenders were joylessly shaking away. I look forward to...

I visited Zest Korea on 3 September 2025, after seeing it pop up on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, and honestly, I left scratching my head about how it got there.

The first thing that caught me off guard is that the server told me all the signature cocktails are batched. I don’t mind batched cocktails if the recipe is especially complicated, but for drinks that cost 26,000 KRW each, I expected something made fresh. At that price, it really does feel like paying for a fancy canned cocktail.

What annoyed me more was when I asked for a small substitution in the Glazed Manhattan. I ordered two and just wanted one made with bourbon instead of Scotch so I could taste the difference. I was flat out told it wasn’t possible. For a bar that’s supposedly one of the best in the world, that felt really inflexible. To top it off, I could hear the bartender shaking drinks behind the bar, which made the whole thing even more confusing.

I did notice they have a solid spirits list, but I don’t understand the point if they won’t make you a cocktail to order. The staff kept highlighting sustainability as their main focus, which is fine, but that’s not why I came here. I came for great cocktails and that just didn’t happen.

The space itself looks cool, and the vibe is nice, so I’ll give them credit for that. But overall, the experience didn’t live up to the hype, and with so many amazing bars in Seoul, I won’t be coming back or recommending it to others.

Rating: 2 stars. Great atmosphere, but overpriced, batched drinks and no flexibility really...

One of the best cocktail bars in Asia – truly lives up to the hype!

Zest Bar is ranked #2 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, and it absolutely deserves it. I’ve visited 12 of the top 50 bars across Asia, and Zest really stands out with its creative cocktails that are deeply inspired by Korean culture.

The Z&T is incredibly unique and unlike any gin & tonic I’ve tried — bold, local, and memorable. For anyone who enjoys sparkling drinks, don’t miss the Hwachae — a champagne-based cocktail that’s sweet, elegant, and refreshing. Also highly recommend the Jeju Garibaldi — the carrot balances the bitterness perfectly and gives it a really clean, almost healthy taste.

We came without a reservation (group of 4) and waited around 20 minutes. The host was super kind and did their best to accommodate us. Huge shoutout to the service and hospitality — warm and professional.

The place is very stylish, and I was honestly shocked by how clean the restrooms were — cleaner than any other bar I’ve visited!

Only minor downside: the high stool seating was a bit uncomfortable, and we were quite close to a loud neighboring group. Some softer seating or more space between groups would be nice.

Cocktail prices were fair for the quality. One small suggestion: would be cool to see some Korean-style seasoned snacks instead of just sweet potato chips.

Still, overall an unforgettable experience. Zest team — keep...