Banana Tree

Tucked away on an obscure street in upscale Sinsa-dong is Banana Tree, a charming cafe inspired by the fruit from which it takes its name. Instead of "going bananas" with the theme (sorry, we couldn't resist), the cafe tastefully uses soft hues of yellow and banana-themed decor—a door prop here, a small pencil sketch there—in an understated manner to deliver the concept. Perhaps the highlight of the cafe is the "Flower Paap" banana pudding that is served in small flowerpots, complete with silk flower embellishments and Oreo cookie soil. Inspired by the dessert at New York's Magnolia Bakery, it's incredibly creamy and smooth without being overly sweet. Banana Tree's signature Cotton Candy Latte deviates from the theme a bit but draws in crowds with its artistic presentation. The cafe is small, with only a few tables, but there's a lot of light and the tiny patio space is an ideal place to read a book and soak up some sun.