The 25th Seoul International Cafe Show runs at COEX from November 11 to 14, 2026, with public days on November 13 and 14. It suits coffee-industry fans more than casual cafe-hoppers.
What the Seoul Cafe Show is
The Seoul International Cafe Show, also written as Cafe Show Seoul, is a trade exhibition for the coffee, tea, bakery and cafe-business world. The 2026 edition is the 25th. It is built mainly for buyers, cafe owners, baristas and people thinking of opening a cafe, so it feels different from a leisurely afternoon in a neighbourhood coffee shop.
That said, part of the schedule is open to the general public, and foreign visitors can attend. Expect exhibitor booths, product sampling, equipment displays and seminars rather than a place to sit with a book. Some official programme sessions, such as the Asia-Pacific's 100 Best Coffee Shops sessions, are held in English (as of November 2026, eng.cafeshow.com).
If your interest is everyday Korean cafe culture rather than the industry itself, our guide to Korean coffee shops and cafe culture is a better starting point.
Dates and venue for 2026
The show is confirmed for Wednesday, November 11 to Saturday, November 14, 2026. The first two days are for business visitors, and the last two are open to the public (as of November 2026, eng.cafeshow.com).
| Day | Audience | Hours (as of November 2026, eng.cafeshow.com) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 11 (Wed) | Business Day | 10:00-18:00, last entry 17:30 |
| Nov 12 (Thu) | Business Day | 10:00-18:00, last entry 17:30 |
| Nov 13 (Fri) | Public Day | 10:00-18:00, last entry 17:30 |
| Nov 14 (Sat) | Public Day | 10:00-16:00, last entry 15:30 |
Note that Saturday closes two hours earlier than Friday. The venue is Halls A-D of the COEX Exhibition Center in Seoul, a main exhibition area of 37,791 m² (as of November 2026, coex.co.kr).
As of November 12, 2026, the business days have already started and only the two public days remain. If you are reading this before travelling, plan around November 13 or 14 and check the organiser's site for any changes.
- Event
- The 25th Seoul International Cafe Show
- Venue
- COEX Exhibition Center, Halls A-D
- Public days
- November 13 and 14, 2026
- Official page
- COEX exhibition listing
Prices and hours can vary by branch and season — check the official site before you go.
Ticket prices and how to buy
Regular on-site tickets for November 11-14, 2026 are priced as follows (as of November 2026, eng.cafeshow.com):
- One-day pass: KRW 25,000
- All-day pass: KRW 50,000
- Master Blend pass: KRW 150,000
At roughly 1,800 KRW to £1, the one-day ticket works out at about £14 (as of November 2026, eng.cafeshow.com). Exchange rates move, so treat that as a rough guide.
The discounted online pre-order window ran from November 1 to 8, 2026, with a One-day pass at KRW 22,000, an All-day pass at KRW 44,000, and the Master Blend unchanged at KRW 150,000 (as of November 2026, eng.cafeshow.com). That window has closed, so on-site purchase is the practical route now.
The notes do not spell out what separates the one-day, all-day and Master Blend passes, so check the official ticket page before paying, particularly if you want to join paid or special sessions.
Foreign visitors can use either online booking or on-site purchase. Online booking runs through the official English portal, which lists prices in USD, or through partner platforms such as NOL World (as of November 2026, eng.cafeshow.com). Visitor guides, press registration and ticket portals are available in English.
Getting there by subway from central Seoul
COEX sits beside Samseong Station on Seoul Subway Line 2. Exits 5 and 6 connect underground directly to the complex (as of November 2026, visitseoul.net).
- From Gangnam Station: take Line 2 to Samseong, three stops, about 6-7 minutes.
- From Seoul Station: take Line 4 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, or Line 1 to City Hall Station, then transfer to Line 2 towards Samseong. Total travel is roughly 35-40 minutes.
Line 2 is a loop line. Check the direction on the platform sign before boarding, as going the wrong way can add a long detour. Follow the signs for Exit 5 or 6 and stay underground; you will pass through the COEX Mall before reaching the exhibition halls.
If you are still planning the rest of your trip, our Seoul travel planner for first-time visitors covers how the wider transport network fits together.
What to expect inside the show
Think of a large trade hall rather than a cafe. Booths from equipment makers, bean suppliers, tea and dessert brands and cafe-service companies fill the space, and many offer tastings. The research notes confirm the venue size, the English-language programme sessions and the Master Blend pass, but they do not list individual exhibitors or a full schedule, so check the organiser's programme before you go.
Public days are the better choice for non-industry visitors, as business days are aimed at trade attendees. If you come on Saturday, arrive early: the hall closes at 16:00 with last entry at 15:30.
Wear comfortable shoes, because exhibition halls involve a lot of walking, and bring a bag for samples and leaflets. Much of the signage and exhibitor conversation will be in Korean, though English information is available for the show itself.
Visiting Seoul's cafe neighbourhoods nearby
The Cafe Show is a specialist event. For most visitors, Seoul's regular cafe streets offer a more relaxed experience: you sit down, order, and take your time. The show works best as an add-on for people with a genuine interest in coffee production, cafe design or the business side.
Since you will already be in the Gangnam area, you could pair the show with a walk around COEX Mall and nearby streets, then continue by subway to another part of the city. The research notes do not cover specific neighbourhood cafes, hours or prices, so check current listings before planning a route.
For an evening add-on, consider the city views described in our N Seoul Tower night views guide. It is a different mood from a trade hall and a good way to balance the day.
Worth a trip? If you are already in Seoul on November 13 or 14, 2026 and enjoy coffee, yes, it is a reasonable half-day. If you are choosing between flying in for it and simply enjoying Seoul's cafes, the cafes are the safer choice.
Practical tips for foreign visitors
- Entry rules: UK and Irish passport holders can enter South Korea visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days. UK passport holders are temporarily exempt from applying for a K-ETA through December 31, 2026, while Irish passport holders entering visa-free are required to apply for and receive an approved K-ETA online (valid for up to 3 years) before departure unless a temporary exemption applies (english.visitkorea.or.kr; check the official site for current requirements before you travel). Confirm your own situation on the official page before travelling.
- Tickets: pre-order pricing has ended, so expect to pay the regular on-site rates. Check the official site for any remaining online options.
- Timing: Friday runs until 18:00, Saturday until 16:00. Go on Friday if you want a longer visit.
- Crowds: public days, and Saturday in particular, tend to draw more general visitors than the business days. The notes give no attendance figures, so plan for queues without assuming how long.
- Weather: the venue is largely indoors and connected to the subway, so it works well in cold or wet November weather. Bring a layer, as large halls can feel cool and then warm up when crowded.
- Safety and rules: for general safety context, see our guide on whether South Korea is safe for visitors.
Save the COEX exhibition page and the organiser's site before you travel. Hours, ticket types and programmes can change, and the official pages are the only reliable source on the day.
In short: the Seoul Cafe Show is a worthwhile, easy-to-reach stop if you are in Seoul on November 13 or 14, 2026 and curious about the coffee industry. Take the subway to Samseong, buy a ticket on site, and keep the rest of the day free for Seoul's everyday cafes.
Sources checked November 2026: coex.co.kr, nol.com, visitkorea.or.kr, visitseoul.net, visitkorea.or.kr, visitkorea.or.kr.