In this post, I’ll be introducing two of the trendiest avocado toast cafes in Seoul: Conte de Tulear in Apgujeong, and Tenne in Seongsu-dong. From sunny terraces to beautifully plated avocado toast, both cafes capture the refined mood that defines Seoul’s cafe culture.
Table of Contents
1. Conte de Tulear
The name Conte de Tulear comes from French meaning “the story of Tulear,” inspired by a city in Madagascar. The brand first launched as a lifestyle shop specializing in candles, diffusers and fragrance-inspired home products, later expanding into food offerings and meal-kits. Its first offline store opened as a cafe-showroom in Hannam-dong, before eventually relocating to Apgujeong. Conte de Tulear in Apgujeong still functions as a multi-purpose brand space that merges food, fragrance, and design.
Menu & Pricing
Conte de Tulear’s menu reflects a balance between western-style brunch favorites and Korean comfort food. Some of their signature items include avocado toast, kimchi fried rice, and tteokbokki. With brunch served until 4:50pm and transforming into a wine bar in the evening, it offers a uniquely stylish dining experience throughout the day.
What I Ordered
Avocado Toast
The Avocado Toast features creamy slices of ripe avocado resting atop dense rye bread with aromatic basil pesto, and it is probably one of the most photogenic dishes at Conte de Tulear. The pesto adds a vibrant herbal note that lifts the richness of the avocado, while the toasted rye gives a pleasant crunch. What I especially liked was that the toast was only lightly seasoned with a bit of salt and red pepper flakes, allowing the natural flavors of the fresh ingredients to stand out.
Cream Cheese Waffle with Fresh Fruits
A golden waffle base was served with dollops of cream cheese and a generous topping of fresh fruit. The contrast between the warm waffle and the cool tang of the cream cheese was great, while the fruit added natural sweetness that kept it light and fresh. The textures also played well together with crisp edges of the waffle balanced by the softness of the cream cheese.
Vibe & Atmosphere
The entire cafe enjoys plenty of natural light, with a layout that feels open yet cozy. When I visited in December, the cafe was decorated with Christmas trees, lights, and Snoopy figures to celebrate the brand’s collaboration with Peanuts. The Snoopy characters added a playful, nostalgic layer to the cafe’s refined aesthetic, making the place feel like a holiday retreat.
One of the cafe’s standout features is its outdoor terrace seating, which makes for a truly pleasant brunch experience and is a big reason for its popularity. In fact Conte de Tulear is known for its long waits even on weekdays, so I’d definitely recommend making a reservation via CatchTable if you’re planning a weekday visit (FYI they don’t accept reservations on weekends).
2. Tenne
Tenne (meaning ‘warm orange-brown’ in French) is one of the newest rising stars in Seongsu’s cafe scene. It’s a European-inspired bakery cafe in Seongsu-dong that bakes all of its breads fresh on site.
Menu & Pricing
In addition to signature brunch items like soup, omelets and sandwiches, Tenne also serves up artisan breads, cakes, and a rotating lineup of desserts that reflect the seasonal ingredients and trends. When I was there, the major standout items were the Dubai Chocolate Baguette & Pain Suisse, both inspired by the recent Dubai Chocolate buzz in Korea.
What I Ordered
Basil Avocado Toast
Tenne’s Basil Avocado Toast features house-made basil pesto, fresh avocado, a soft-boiled egg, and basil leaves beautifully topped on a thin slice of 100% rye bread. The rye base makes it feel hearty and nutritious, while the pesto adds a savory depth that keeps it from tasting too plain. Compared to the lightly toasted rye bread at Conte de Tulear, Tenne serves its bread untoasted. While I personally prefer the warm crunch of toasted bread, Tenne’s softer & chewier texture paired nicely with the creamy avocado slices.
Greek Yogurt Bowl
The Greek yogurt bowl was topped with seasonal fruits, blueberry compote, nuts, and plenty of granola. It looks like a light side dish but the thick Greek yogurt and granola actually made it quite filling. With the compote and granola, the overall flavor leans quite sweet so I’d recommend it for anyone who wants to add a refreshing, slightly indulgent touch of sweetness to the brunch table.
French Onion Soup
The French onion soup comes with caramelized onions, melted Comté and mozzarella cheese, and baguette slices. The sweetness of the slow-cooked onions blends well with the richness of the melted cheese, and the softened baguette added warm heartiness to the dish.
Fish & Chips
The fish & chips felt more like something you’d order as a bar bite rather than a brunch menu, with crispy fried fish and the well-seasoned fries. For KRW 14,000, the portion size was definitely more than generous, making it a surprisingly good-value dish if you’re looking for something more substantial and savory.
Vibe & Atmosphere
Compared to Conte de Tulear, the space at Tenne is larger with plenty of seating. When I visited around 12:30pm on a Sunday, I could walk in without a reservation.
While Tenne’s exterior stands out with its signature bright orange color (a nod to its name) the interior is decorated in clean white tones that create a bright atmosphere. Tenne also has a terrace area which was enclosed during winter; in warmer seasons, it would be a perfect spot to enjoy the sunlight and Seongsu’s energetic vibe.
Overall
If you’re looking for the best avocado toast in the trendiest neighborhoods in Seoul, both Conte de Tulear and Tenne are worth adding to your list. Conte de Tulear goes beyond the classics to offer creative fusion dishes like kimchi fried rice and even tteokbokki. Meanwhile Tenne captures a European bakery cafe vibe with an impressive variety of cakes, pastries, and desserts. Despite their different strengths, both cafes share the same stylish mood complete with beautiful terrace seating, making them ideal spots to experience Seoul’s trendiest brunch scene.
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