A FEAST FOR YOUR EYES
Devour some of Seoul’s finest views, and the cuisine that comes with them 

Written by Loren Cotter

Seoul is a skyscraper city with ample opportunities for dining in a picturesque setting. Whether you are at a peak of the metropolis’s surrounding mountain landscapes or south of the river in the hectic hub of Gangnam, you can undoubtedly discover an epic view of the Hangang River, hanok rooftops, or majestic skyscrapers. Uncover the cream of the crop through our guide to the most scene-stealing sights in the city and the restaurants from which to gaze upon them.

[box_light]Indulge with a sight of the Hangang, Seoul’s resplendent river[/box_light]

Walking On The Cloud, located near the top of the golden-faced 63 Building, is one high-rise dining option close to the Hangang River. Based in Yeouido, the view from the restaurant is truly dramatic—and the international menu has a price tag to match. An evening at the 59th floor location will set you back between KRW 96,000–230,000 for a multicourse set meal. The crayfish starter comes highly recommended, however, as does the magnificent view.

For more affordable fare at KRW 44,000 for an evening spread, Viking (T. 02-782-3344), an international buffet restaurant, has an excellent vista of the National Assembly at Yeouido—and the Hangang River behind it—from its 20th floor windows.

Looking for somewhere a little closer to the water? A Season of Secret Garden (T. 02-413-5535), an Italian floating restaurant and wine bar in Jamsil’s dock, is situated right on the Hangang itself, with full-length windows emphasizing the aquatic view. While the restaurant’s flashy exterior and interior decor may not be to everyone’s taste, the beautiful river landscape will be. Skip the overpriced desert (KRW 12,000) and make your way to one of nine cafes situated on the six bridges linking southern and northern Seoul afterwards.

Our top choice is Gureum Café (T. 02-3476-7999), where you can consume a soft drink or alcoholic beverage along with a spontaneous pork cutlet or steak meal while taking in Banpo Bridge’s Moonlight Rainbow Fountain Show from spring to autumn.

Walking On The Cloud (59F) | 워킹온더클라우드

FYI>
T. 02-789-5904
www.63restaurant.co.kr, www.63wotc.co.kr
(60 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul | 서울시 영등포구 여의도동 60)
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Yeouinaru Station 여의나루역 (Line 5), Exit 4 or Saetgang Station 샛강역 (Line 9), Exit 1

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While downtown Itaewon has many a rooftop bar, the preeminent views in this zone can be found on higher grounds. The elite viewing spot near the notorious foreigner district is of course at Namsan Tower. The view at the North Seoul Tower is especially astonishing from the N Grill (T. 02- 3455-9297) restaurant, a high-class eatery with a Michelin-starred head chef, serving French food in a pleasant, rotating restaurant.

The Grand Hyatt Hotel’s The Terrace (T. 02-799-8166), with its international buffet and a la carte dining, also boasts excellent views of central Seoul. During spring to autumn, customers can dine on the quaint veranda and enjoy a stunning outlook of Hangang River. Akasaka (T. 02-799-8164), the Hyatt’s Japanese dining spot, displays a fix of visual nourishment from its full-length windows, too. Private dining is available for both restaurants and guarantees a view, but reservations are recommended.

Near the Hyatt is Rufxxx (T. 02-511-2570), this writer’s favorite bar in Seoul. Hidden in the alleyways of Gyeongnidan, a stone’s throw away from Itaewon, Rufxxx is an artist’s former studio that serves simple meals on its first floor. While you cannot dine with a view at this establishment, you can look forward to drinking an after-dinner cocktail on a rooftop that boasts the stunning sight of Mt. Namsan and the Yongsan district.

Il Vino Rosso (T. 02-7540-0113), a classic Italian restaurant, is located near the base of Mt. Namsan and has its own garden. Not only can you get a backyard view, you can also book a table with a Seoul scene below it.

Dominic (T. 02-790-7558), a swanky steakhouse near Hangangjin Station, has floor-to-ceiling back windows overlooking the rooftops of Hannam-dong. While the view won’t take your breath away, it is pleasant, and the sumptuous steak dishes are recommended by local food bloggers.

The Terrace (1F) | 더 테라스

FYI>
T. 02-799-8166
http://seoul.grand.hyatt.kr
(322 Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul | 서울시 용산구 소월로 322)
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Hangangjin Station 한강진역 (Line 6), Exit 1

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[box_light]Samcheong-dong brings visual pleasure from its quaint hanoks and rooftops[/box_light]

International dining spot Romanee Conti (T. 02-722-1633) in Samcheong-dong is hanok heaven, set slightly further back up the hill in a rustic, comfortable setting with floor seating. Try to nab the best seat at the window to eat dishes such as coq au vin with a view of Mt. Bukhansan’s peak.

Baedongbaji (T. 02-777-9696), a well-priced hansik, home-style restaurant, is tucked away in the alleyways leading up from the main Samcheong-dong drag and can be difficult to find. When you do finally locate the beautifully traditional restaurant, you will be utterly charmed by its quaint interior, peaceful atmosphere, and friendly owner. To consume with a perfectly framed tableau of Mt. Bukhansan, ask for one of the two upstairs rooms that face the mountain.

The Restaurant (T. 02-735-8441), located next to Kukje Gallery, is more costly at up to KRW 148,000 for a 12-course Korean banquet, but has a beautiful, modern interior with a large window overlooking a portion of the outer wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

For outdoor eating, Café Breezin (T. 02-722-8120), a desert and coffee shop serving the usual waffles and honey bread, possesses a lovely open rooftop with a street and mountain view. The superlative panorama in the local area, unfortunately, does not serve dinner.

Go for post-supper drinks at wine and coffee bar Fatum’s outdoor terrace (T. 02-739-9888). Set higher than other shops in the area, Fatum provides a 180-degree panoramic view encompassing the older architecture in the vicinity of Samcheong-dong and some of the higher parts of Gyeongbokgung Palace, all the way down to Seoul’s modern skyscrapers. It can get a little chilly on the balcony due to the height, but blankets are provided, and customers can always move to an indoor, lower floor, where the views are still exquisite—especially if you manage to catch a particularly stunning sunset.

Fatum | 파튬

FYI>
T. 02-739-9888
(63-15 Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul | 서울시 종로구 삼청동 63-15)
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Anguk Station 안국역 (Line 3), Exit 1

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One of the best views in the Gangnam area is from the 52nd floor of the COEX’s InterContinental Hotel at the sumptuously decorated Marco Polo (T. 02-559-7620) Asian and Mediterranean restaurant. The window-facing booths compete with tables at the modern 30th floor Sky Lounge (T. 02- 3430-8630) for some of the greatest vistas of Seoul’s illustrious district.

Another local restaurant with a scenic outlook is Arancio (T. 02-3400- 7200), a 26th floor Italian brasserie near Yeoksam Station where pasta dishes start at KRW 25,000. The owners of this eatery are said to have spent KRW 20,000,000 on their orange-tinted lighting, deliberately chosen to recreate the natural radiance of Tuscany. While the food at Arancio is not spectacular, it is reasonably priced considering the view is anything but mundane. Make sure to call ahead to reserve seating besides the windows. Seoul’s most glamorous ward also plays host to restaurants with some offbeat views.

Charming Italian brasserie Buona Sera (T. 02-543-6668) and Asian fusion restaurant Zen Hideaway (T. 02-541-1461) both include leafy indoor gardens in the midst of their Apgujeong establishments.

On a sunny day, Korean restaurant Samwon Garden (T. 02-548-3030) is a worthy choice for a relaxing meal in gorgeous surroundings. Eat outdoors in the traditional garden with its waterfall and fishponds while flexing your chopstick skills on some tasty galbi and bulgogi.

Sky Lounge (30F) | 스카이 라운지

FYI>
T. 02-3430-8630
www.iccoex.com/eng/rest/list.do
(159 Samseong 1-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul | 서울시 강남구 삼성1동 159)
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Samseong Station 삼성역 (Line 2), Exit 5 or 6

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Written and photographed by Daniel Gray

Dominic | 도미닉
(Hannam-dong)

Dominic in Hannam-dong is all about steak. You order a hunk of wet-marinated steak by weight and they grill it up and then serve it in a sizzling pan, Peter Luger-style. With your steak you get to pick an assortment of sides like baked mac n’ cheese, creamed spinach, salads, and more. The interior has a stylish New York loft feel to it, with very cool lights that are x-ray slides of light bulbs. To the back of the restaurant are large windows that showcase Seoul’s cityscape. The place is surprisingly intimate. The façade of the restaurant is cleverly behind a wall that shields the restaurant from the cold and the noise from the road. It is a perfect place for a business meeting or a date.

The service is polite and the food is tasty. On my first visit I started with an order of bruschetta. The bread was crispy and the bruschetta was topped with caramelized onion flavored with balsamic vinegar and fresh tomato, basil, and grated Parmesan cheese.

For the meal I ordered 300 grams of the rib eye (48,000 won, or 16,000 won for 100 grams), which was more than adequate to feed two (or possibly three). I ordered it medium, but it continued to cook in the sizzling, cast-iron pan. Next time I would probably get it rare. The steak was flavorful and good with the horseradish and Dijon mustard that came along with it.

To accompany the steak I ordered the creamed spinach and mac n’ cheese. The spinach was my favorite dish. It was very flavorful, and the hunk of bread that sopped up the cream was a treat. For my starch I got the mac n’ cheese, which had a very crispy, cheesy top and oven-baked corn. For dessert, I recommend the decadent chocolate souffle. The wine list is impressive as well, with many selections from around the world, such as a Pennywise Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (50,000 won).

Overall, if you are looking for a good date spot that will impress your companion, Dominic is definitely worth a visit.

Dominic | 도미닉
Great atmosphere, good NYC-style food

FYI>
Hours: 11am–11pm (weekdays);
11am–midnight (weekends)
Cost: 15,000–50,000 won per person
T. 02-790-7588
(683-133 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul | 서울시 용산구 한남동 683-133)

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Itaewon Station 이태원역 (Line 6), Exit 3

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Reilly’s Taphouse and Restaurant | 라일리스탭하우스
(Itaewon)

Itaewon hasn’t always been one of the hot nightlife centers of Seoul. Itaewon used to have a bad reputation, which gave many expats the opportunity to set up businesses and restaurants here. One of these expats is the wily and affable Wayne Gold, who has had several businesses and bars over the years. His latest endeavor is Reilly’s Taphouse and Restaurant, which has over 20 domestic and international beers on tap including local favorites such as Magpie Porter, Geumkang Dark Ale, and even some of their own, like Reilly’s Peninsula Dark Ale. They have beers that I haven’t even seen in Korea before, such as Belgium ales and tripels. Reilly’s treats beers like wines. On their menu they even suggest beer pairings for the food. It is nice to know the brew pub is focusing on their entire concept and not just making food an afterthought.

The food is quite good as well. It is a mix of hipster gastropub and greasy pub fare. The onion rings are thick and the paprika dipping sauce is excellent. I thought the rosemary in the batter was a bit of overkill, but the beer batter made the rings quite crispy. They have an assortment of mussels as well, such as with tomato or cream sauce. The Scotch eggs were the best appetizer I tried. They are big and the egg is slightly yolky, with crisp pork and breading on the outside. Wow. The marinara sauce under it was rich and delicious as well. The marinara sauce was so good that next time I will have to get the meatballs.

They also have entrees. The tenderloin, served over potatoes and baked apples, showed that the chef had some skill. This was a hearty meal big enough to share, and the bourbon cream sauce matched it well. I have been told by several people that the star entree on the menu is the braised lamb shank with sweet potato. I will have to get that next time.

They have a giant burger as well. It is a feast and not one for sharing because the thick beef patty is topped with onion rings and veggies and held together with a huge steak knife. Once you grab on to this burger you just have to finish it.

Overall, a great hangout spot and a place to get good food. Next time you are in Itaewon, be sure to check it out.

Reilly’s Taphouse and Restaurant | 라일리스탭하우스
Great beer selection and food

FYI>
Hours: 5pm–2am (weekdays); 11am–3am (weekends)
Cost: 10,000–20,000 won per dish
T. 02-792-6590
(123-32 Itaewon 1-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul | 서울시 용산구 이태원1동 123-32)

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Itaewon Station 이태원역 (Line 6), Exit 2

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