Your mom misses you, give her a call
For those of us who live oceans away from our loved ones, the holidays are that one time of year you want to be home with family more than ever—and if you can’t make it home, chances are you’ll be video chatting with hordes of family members crowding the screen. Need to escape a nosy roommate? Head to one of these four cafés: they’re spacious enough that you won’t be over-sharing with all the customers, have good WiFi, and plenty of natural light so you can look your best (and for everyone’s sake, bring along a pair of headphones). - Sonja Swanson
If quality coffee is a must, head to this Hongdae mainstay. Tailor sources their beans directly from farmers and roasts them on-site (you’ll be in caffeinated heaven by the time your relatives log-in). Tip: Tailor Coffee’s second location has large open windows and more seating, and laptops are a common sight here.
For a cozier atmosphere, head to Idle Moments, a white-walled, natural wood-filled space overlooking a quieter Hongdae side street. Order the pudding if you can (it sells out quickly) for an extra holiday treat. This is the ideal café for quiet conversations with a few family members back home—best not to try calling into a holiday party. (Twitter @ahohkk)
The name couldn't be more perfect for this list, and in fact, part of Holiday Project’s its eclectic charm that you’ll find on every level of this multi-story café. From broad wooden tables to sunken, squishy couches, there’s a bit of everything here to suit your tastes and help get comfy for a nice long chat. And if you’re sick of the same ol’ Americano, Holiday Project has an ample and creative drink menu.
Cow and Dog actually stands for “Coworking and Do Good.” As the name suggests, it’s a space for entrepreneurs and like-minded people to gather and share ideas, so you’ll feel right at home with a laptop—video chatting won’t draw any stares here. The space can be a bit echo-y in the main hall, so try to get a seat in the side corridor if you’re chatting with hard-of-hearing Gramps. Note: weekend hours apply on Christmas Day (12pm–7pm).
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