King's Cross Harry Potter Cafe in Seoul
Do you want to experience Harry Potter magic world in real life? From now on, you don’t need to travel far away to London since you can also experience it in Seoul, South Korea! Sounds interesting, right?
As the title mention, I went to this King's Cross (943킹스크로스): Harry Potter Cafe around a month ago. Kings Cross 9 ¾ Harry Potter Cafe is a popular Instagrammable cafe among the Koreans. The cafe is located in the heart of Hongdae. The whole building is designed to look as similar to King’s Cross station in London with architecture its typical half-timbered walls in beige that give you feels like actually being in Hogwarts!
I'm the kind of person who is always on the hunt for cute and beautiful cafes, no matter I am in Korea, Indonesia or overseas. Yes, It's undeniably true that I am a big fan of cafe-hopping. I have so much energy to do cafe hopping and not procrastinating as much as I'm currently doing when the weather is cool. But as soon as it becomes hot, I becoming one lazy panda. LOL~
The famous photo spot right outside the cafe! Don't forget to take your photo with this famous luggage trolly!
Every Harry Potter fan I'm sure knows the most famous train platform in the world: 9 and 3/4. Platform Nine and Three-Quarters (Platform 9¾) is a platform at King's Cross Station in London. Magically concealed behind the barrier between Muggle Platforms Nine and Ten, this Platform is where Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry students board the Hogwarts Express on 1 September, in order to attend school.
Instructions for visitors!
Be prepared to wait outside for quite some time until the staff allows you to get in. Luckily we came on a weekday the queue wasn't too long.
Let's take a look inside the cafe, how it looks! I brought tons of pictures of King Cross Cafe that are too adorable to handle. I am pretty sure you will fall in love with them!
Here we are finally inside the cafe. It has so many Instagram-able spots where you can take wonderful photos.
A wall is full of wand boxes.
Stairs with displays of several books.
The Harry Potter wizard chess.
Once you get inside the cafe, you must order a drink or a cake and then you can take pictures. Ground levels are serving as a cafe, where you can get various beverages, pastries, and cakes.
Pick-Up your order here!
They did not have Harry Potter themed desserts.
I have to say, the drink price is a little expensive, but if you've made it this far, why not treat yourself to their cake or drink?
There are several kinds of dishes with different colors used as a display.
Everywhere you turn there's a poster or a reference to something Harry Potter.
Loving the vintage vibe and I also love the vibrant color that they use.
Off limits to muggles.
After you get your order, grab your seats on 2nd / 3rd / 4th floor with different decoration for each floor. We loved to sit on the 2nd floor.
The 2nd floor is like the Gryffindor common room and has a lot of tables and chairs, where you can sit without interruption while enjoying your cake or drink.
The lighting is quite poor.
I ordered the Peach Iced Tea and an Oreo Cookies Cake as I was hungry while my friend ordered the Iced Latte and Banana Cake.
Iced Latte was just ok. But the Iced Peach Tea it has no refreshing peach flavor and too sweet for me. I must add extra water as it is too sweet.
The cakes look beautiful but disappointed with the taste and were a bit too sweet for us.
We couldn't finish our cake so we decided to explore the cafe more.
Hey guys, I saw Hedwig, Harry Potter’s owl pet!
King Cross cafe still brings in the homeliness with warm lighting and wood paneled walls, complete with tabletop candles and a ceiling candelabra for magical vibes.
Every single corner was decorated carefully and beautifully, and we are impressed by their impeccable attention to detail.
There are several books related to Harry Potter on display which you can read on spot for free.
The cafe will provide you with free water.
The building is quite big. There is an elevator available to take you upstairs if you are tired to climb the stairs. Even the elevator is fully decked out with Harry Potter stuff.
The stairs surrounded by portraits.
3rd floor is the Great Hall which they had long wooden tables and chairs resembling that of the Harry Potter movie. On the third floor gives out a totally different vibe compared to the second floor.
I've always loved to take window seats whenever possible and get lost watching people for hours at a time.
The concept of Kings Cross 9 ¾ Harry Potter Cafe is unique which will bring you to feel the magic world atmosphere while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea.
You can take a picture in a Christmas set but you need to line up for your turn.
The cafe's interior design itself is incredibly impressive!
This spot is an Instagram paradise! There’s a rack of robes, scarves and various props for you to choose from to play dress up with. Everyone can experience being a wizard for a while as everyone is free to try.
Snap a photo and being silly with your friends!
After eating or drinking, you must put your tray here.
The basement is a pub where you can have alcoholic drinks, like in Hogsmeade from Harry Potter.
On a weekday the pub open from 7:30 PM - 5:00 AM and on weekend open from 6:30 PM - 5:00 AM.
Every part of this bar and cafe is designed to recreate scenes from the critically acclaimed Harry Potter series.
There's the telltale hog's actual head hanged on the wall.
Those bottles that displayed on the cupboard are just for decorations.
A pub decorated in dimly light and scattered with wanted posters of wizards.
Overall, although I'm not a Harry Potter fan, the ambient in King Cross cafe makes me feel comfortable to be in here. My only disappointment was they didn’t have any Harry Potter themed treats.
If you like Harry Potter then I am sure you will love this spot. It is recommended that you visit Cafe King Cross earlier to avoid the crowd. The King Cross cafe will give you a unique experience that might be unforgettable. If you're planning a trip to Seoul, don't forget to add this place onto your itinerary.
Hours:
Weekdays 11:00 - 22:00
Weekends 09:30 - 22:00
Directions:
Get off at Hongik University exit 9. Walk and go straight for 5 minutes, you will reach a stoplight and you will see the SPAO store. Cross and go straight ahead and turn left on the first road right after passing Brique Hotel. You will already see the cafe from afar right after you turn.
Address:
Hongdae, Seoul Mapo-Gu Seogyo-Dong 417
(서울특별시 마포구 서교동 417)
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