Lily Marlen
릴리마를렌
About
Lushly overgrown retro cafe in Daehangno filled with vintage knick-knacks, nostalgic wall scribbles, and antique decor.
Tucked into an alleyway just off Hyehwa Station’s Exit 3, Lili Marleen feels less like a conventional Daehangno dessert cafe and more like a secret European curiosity shop. Thick, overgrown greenery and blooming vines partially shield the facade, leading to an outdoor garden table and a vibrant red door that resembles a woodland mailbox. Stepping across the threshold reveals a dimly lit, antique-filled sanctuary where sunlight filters through curtained windows, illuminating decades of collected memories. The interior is densely layered with vintage treasures, showcasing the owner’s lifelong eye for oddities and nostalgia. Ceramic-plate picture frames, retro rotary telephones, masquerade ball masks, antique clocks, and figurines of Astro Boy and Crayon Shin-chan share shelf space across every corner. The walls tell their own story, inscribed with layers of scribbled notes and guest graffiti dating back to the early 2000s—a tangible timeline of theatergoers, students, and loyal regulars, including television host Yoo Jae-suk, who has visited multiple times and posed for a photo displayed near the counter. Lili Marleen’s drink roster effortlessly bridges daytime coffee culture and quiet, late-night lounging, staying open until midnight. Classic caffeine orders like iced Americanos and iced cafe lattes provide straightforward refreshment after an afternoon theater show in Daehangno. For something richer with a slow, leisurely sip, the menu features alcoholic coffee creations and cocktails, highlighted by the iced Kahlúa coffee, which blends smooth dairy and dark coffee with the warm, sweet bite of coffee liqueur. Settling into one of the weathered antique chairs with a spiked cold brew makes the room’s gentle clutter feel completely transporting—a quiet, tactile escape from Seoul's polished contemporary cafe scene.
Menu
- Vienna Coffee₩5,500
Local tips
- Open late until midnight, serving both coffee and cocktails.
- May close earlier around 22:00–23:00 if ingredients run out or for private schedules.
- Parking is not available, so public transit via Hyehwa Station is recommended.
Details
- Hyehwa Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 11:00–23:00
- Monday
- 11:00–23:00
- Tuesday
- 11:00–23:00
- Wednesday
- 11:00–23:00
- Thursday
- 11:00–23:00
- Friday
- 11:00–23:00
- Saturday
- 11:00–23:00