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Grandpa Factory: A Cafe Near Seoul Forest

Grandpa Factory is a beautiful and spacious art gallery cafe in Seongsu-dong in Seoul.

Jihyun Lee
3 years ago

Rooftop terrace seating area and open-faced sandwich and drink

Today, we visited Grandpa Factory, one of the most popular cafes in Seongsu-dong near Seoul Forest.

If you're looking for a cafe to go to after visiting Seoul Forest, we highly recommend that you to go Grandpa Factory.

Let’s go check it out!

Exterior of cafe in Seoul

Grandpa Factory is located on Seongsu-dong’s cafe street, not far from Seoul Forest.

Hong Dong Hee, who designed and opened this cafe, is a famous architectural designer and installation artist in Korea.

With all his know-how, Hong has established one the most beautiful cafes in Seongsu-dong.

Due to the popularity of Grandpa Factory, this cafe street in Seongsu-dong could soon become the place to go for cafes.

Grandpa Factory is divided into four spaces.

Let's take a look at each space!

Entrance area to cafe in Seoul

When you first walk into Grandpa Factory, you’re immediately greeted by an array of plants and flowers.

This is the first floor of the cafe.

Interior of cafe featuring counter where customers can order their food and drink

Interior shot of cafe featuring display case of drinks and long wooden table

Once you walk past the plants, the space opens up into this large room filled with natural light.

This space looks big, right?

But this is only one-tenth of Grandpa Factory!

Additional shot of counter where customers can place their orders

You’ll see a long black counter on the right.

This is where you can place your order for food and drinks.

Menu at cafe in Seoul

To the right of the counter, you can see the menu.

Even the menu is huge!

In addition to various coffee drinks, Grandpa Factory serves food such as pizza, salads, steak, and pasta.

Outdoor garden seating area of cafe in Seoul

Opposite the counter, there are floor to ceiling glass doors that open out to a courtyard.

First main seating area of cafe featuring wooden tables and chairs of different sizes and colors

If you walk past the counter, there is a large seating area.

There were four long wooden tables in the center of the room and multiple smaller tables along the walls.

Seating area of cafe featuring wooden tables and chairs

The tables were made out of different types of wood.

Although the colors and textures of the tables were different, this entire space felt harmonious.

Old fashioned record player

Display of light installations

Customer taking picture in front of mirror

Different props such as a vinyl record player, fun light fixtures, and large mirrors added some funk to this space.

I thought that this space in front of the mirror was so pretty.

I had to take a picture here!

Seating area near staircase with tables and cushionsAnother shot of seating area next to staircase

These are the stairs leading up to the second floor.

Along the staircase, there was a seating area with pillows and cushions that looked out onto the entire first floor.

Second seating area featuring smaller wooden tables and colorful chairs

If you go up the stairs, you’ll come to the second floor.

The second floor is a gallery space where various works of art are on display.

Isn't the installation art hanging from the ceiling impressive?

I felt like I was in a modern art museum.

Close up shot of second seating areaDisplay of various works of art on wall

The seating arrangement on this floor was similar to that of the first floor.

What was different about this space though was all of the artwork on display.

Counter featuring various wine bottlesBlack and white photograph on display next to old fashioned wood burning stove

There were all kinds of art including paintings, photographs, and installation pieces on display. 

Grandpa Factory regularly changes the artwork on display to feature new and different artists.

I appreciate how Hong Dong Hee, who is also an artist, intentionally created this cultural space for art lovers when he designed Grandpa Factory.

Entrance to small room in the corner

On the second floor, I noticed that there was this small room in the corner.

Small space for meetings and gatherings

This room had two long wooden tables, which would be perfect for group gatherings and parties.

Framed drawings on wall

Large painting next to window in meeting space

The walls of this room were decorated with vivid paintings and cool drawings. 

It was fun to look at each piece of art. 

The view from the window was also really nice.

Stairs leading up to rooftop terrace seating area

If you follow these stairs, which are located in front of the small room on the second floor, you can go up to the rooftop terrace, which is the third space.

Rooftop terrace seating area

The wooden design of the terrace perfectly matched the overall concept of the first two floors.

The vines on the terrace were so pretty!

Outdoor seating area with hydrangeasLarge bush of hydrangeas

Hydrangeas were blooming everywhere! 

The blue and lavender hydrangeas made this space more inviting and beautiful.

Outdoor seating area on rooftop terrace

There is a lot of seats on the terrace.

So, if you visit on a nice day, feel free to come up and have a relaxing time in this space!

Outdoor seating area in courtyard gardenViolet colored hydrangeas in outdoor garden area

The last place I'd like to show you is the garden. 

Do you remember the glass doors on the first floor that led out to a courtyard?

That’s where the garden is!

This garden felt like a secret hidden place because it was surrounded by buildings.

Tables and chairs in outdoor garden seating areaWider shot of outdoor garden seating area

This is the seating area in the garden.

The colorful chairs gave this space a whimsical feel.

Just like on the terrace, there were so many hydrangeas here.

Treehouse located in middle of outdoor garden seating area

In the middle of the courtyard, there is a treehouse!

This cabin-like treehouse is what Grandpa Factory is known for.

This reminded me of my grandfather’s house in the countryside.

Outdoor seating area near entrance of cafe

I chose this seat so that I could see the entire courtyard.

In the drama, Vincenzo, this is where Vincenzo and Hong Cha Young sat.

Open faced sandwich and coffee drink

I ordered a Cold Brew Dirty Einspanner and the shrimp guacamole sandwich. 

Both of these menu items are very popular here.

Coffee drink on table

Cold Brew Dirty Einspanner
8,000 won

This cold brew drink came with whipped cream and cocoa powder sprinkled on top.

There was also chocolate syrup drizzled along the side of the cup, which made this Einspanner "dirty."

I thought that this drink would taste sweet because of the syrup, but it wasn’t as sweet as I thought.

Because the syrup tasted more bitter than sweet, it went well with the sweetness of the whipped cream.

Plated open faced sandwich on tableSide view of open faced sandwich

Shrimp Guacamole Sandwich
17,000 won

The shrimp guacamole sandwich is an open-faced sandwich.

Guacamole, eggs, onions, tomatoes, shrimp, and greens are served on top of a thick slice of bread.

I thought the plating looked really nice.

Open faced sandwich cut in half

This sandwich was so delicious!

All of the ingredients went so well together.

This was a very generous portion, so this would make a really satisfying meal.

With its delicious food and drinks, beautiful interior, and tranquil outdoor garden, Grandpa Factory is a unique and relaxing place to spend time with family and friends.

If you’re traveling to Korea, this is a cafe that you can’t miss!


Information


Address: 서울특별시 성동구 성수이로7가길 9
9 Seongsui-ro 7-ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Hours: 11:00 - 22:00

Transportation: 6-minute walk from Seongsu Station (Line 2) Exit 3

Instagram: Grandpa Factory



How to Get There

Seoul subway exit sign for line 2

Take Line 2 to Seongsu Station, and come out of Exit 3.

Street view of Seoul subway exit sign for line 2

When you walk out of the exit, turn right, and start walking towards Exit 4.

Turn left onto the first side street that you come to on your left.

Man walking down side street in Seoul

This alley is Seongsu-dong cafe street.

Go straight along this street.

Exterior of cafe in Seoul with car parked in front

Walk for about five minutes.

You'll see Grandpa Factory on the right side of the street.

We hope you enjoy your time at this cafe!

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