Before I was a broke grad student, I made a game out of finding the best cafe in Seoul. I would get recommendations from friends, food blogs, YouTube videos and Instagram posts, and planned my weekends around tasting artisanal donuts, Turkish coffee, Dior cappuccinos (don't ask me how much I paid, I am ashamed), and internationally-known latte art. I thought I knew all the best cafes in the city. So imagine my surprise when I stumbled across Mamma Mia, hidden between Apgujeong and Apgujeong Rodeo station.
Mamma Mia is hard to miss. A two-story building painted bright pink, with a gorgeous garden sheltered by hanging flowers. Even in the winter it stops passers-by in their tracks, and draws them in with a window full of baked-goods.
This cafe is a very, VERY rare example of a perfect package: beautifully designed and decorated, with a huge menu of delicious food sold at reasonable prices. For those used to paying 5,500 for a single donut, the cost-per-bite ratio is impossible to resist. When you enter the cafe, turn left at the stairs to enter heaven - I mean, the bakery. Two walls lined with scones, croissants, cakes, tarts, donuts, meringue, cookies... If the old woman from Hansel and Gretel needed building materials, this is where she would come! The variety is impressive, and so is the aesthetic. Everything is beautifully prepared, with cute designs and brightly colored icing, and the worst part is trying to choose between all the options available to you.
After choosing your pastries, each costumer is required to buy one drink if you want to eat in. The menu changes depending on the season, so in winter I tried the Mamma Mia hot chocolate, but in the summer they offered a mint iced chocolate. Delicious! They also have a few brunch items available, like croissant sandwiches and fruit-topped waffles.
Once you have ordered you have a variety of options for seating. Upstairs you can enjoy the sunlight streaming in from the tall windows, or you can sit under the hanging flowers in the garden. Dogs are also permitted as long as they sit outside. Mamma Mia becomes busy in the afternoon and evening, so the earlier you arrive the better if you want your choice of seating. However it's rare that they become full, because there is so much space available.
Mamma Mia is open everyday from 10:00~23:00, and you can call them at 02-511-0620 if you want to order a cake or make an inquiry. The address is:
맘마미아
서울특별시 강남구 압구정동 압구정로42길 45
Mamma Mia
Seoul Gangnam-gu Apgujeong-dong Apgujeong-ro 42-gil 45
cute pinky vibe pictures.👚🌺