Where Seoul still dresses up but acts like it doesn't care.
Why APGUJEONGRODEO, why now
Careet's 2026 Gen-Z hotspot survey names Apgujeong Rodeo among the neighborhoods Seoul's 20-somethings actually hang out in right now, distinct from the already-oversaturated Seongsu-dong. Last scouted over two months ago, this revisit surfaces new spots without repeating prior stops.
1. Euljidarak Apgujeong Dosan Park Restaurant
- 25 Eonju-ro 168-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul
- 4.8 · 469 reviews · 공원
Start with the daylight window. Euljidarak sits near Dosan Park, and brunch here sets a rhythm that doesn't rush you toward anything. The park-adjacent category means you can walk it off after, or just sit longer if the table allows. This is the kind of opener that leaves room for the rest of the route to unfold slowly.
Crew's note
I ordered three. You always say you're not hungry, then you are.
What visitors say
Came to Apgujeong and was craving pasta for brunch, so I stopped by… and the spicy crab risotto is delicious!!! The cream is so rich and has…
One of the best pasta places I've tried recently! The Darak Rosé Pasta was rich and creamy without being too heavy, and the Beef Brisket Per…
2. Casa del Vino
- 43 Seolleung-ro 162-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul
- 4.4 · 165 reviews · 와인바
End where the neighborhood used to begin. Casa del Vino opened in 2002, making it one of the oldest wine bars in Korea, and that history sits in the room whether you know it or not. Closing here instead of starting somewhere louder feels right for a course that never tried to be a crawl. You'll leave Apgujeong the way it prefers to be left: still dressed, still quiet.
Crew's note
You'd walk past this ten times. That's why I brought you.
What visitors say
One of the greatest wine places in Seoul. The wine list has everything any wine amateur could wish for. Prices are Korean prices so totally…
The best wine restaurant & bar in Korea. Opened in Oct. 2002 (the oldest winebar in Korea) but still Cool, Chic & Popular. Unanimously accla…
The walk between
The strip between them is the part of Apgujeong that still wears heels on a weekday. You'll pass storefronts that look like they've been here longer than the hype, and a few that just arrived.
- Book the daylight stop earlier in the week if you're visiting on a weekend. The park-adjacent location draws brunch crowds when the weather cooperates.
- Save the wine bar for after sunset. The 2002 opening date means it's seen every version of this neighborhood, and the evening light makes that feel intentional.
FAQ
- How does the price level compare between the two stops?
- The daytime brunch spot runs mid-range for Apgujeong park-area dining, with pasta and rice dishes anchoring the menu. The wine bar carries what one visitor called 'Korean prices', meaning the wine list reflects Seoul's import markups, though the food is consistently praised alongside the selection.
- Can this course work if I'm visiting Apgujeong for the first time?
- Yes. Both stops sit within the central Rodeo strip, so you won't need prior neighborhood knowledge to move between them. The daytime opener near Dosan Park also gives you a geographic anchor if you want to extend the walk on your own afterward.
Ask James
Seoul
