This is probably the largest coffee shop I’ve ever been to. Calling Maxim Plant a coffee shop almost feels wrong – it’s more like a coffee complex. The entire building is dedicated to coffee and productivity, with seven floors (five of which are open to the public), each offering something different. And you know what?
It’s just pure awesomeness.
Maxim Plant brief background
Maxim Plant is located in Itaewon. There’s only one location.
What I didn’t realize then is that this coffee shop isn’t just big – it’s also designed to transform.
The first floor has a garage-style door that opens up to the outside. Even the windows on the upper floors can slide open, turning this giant metal looking box into something a very breathable, open, and inviting space!
Coffee drinks: 9/10
The coffee is excellent.
My friend got a cappuccino while I got a white gold black sesame latte (it was their seasonal drink at the time). The black sesame flavor was strong but not overpowering. It wasn’t all that sweet either. The drink is comprised of Maxim’s white gold coffee mix, black sesame paste, black sesame powder, milk, and condensed milk.
Their coffee menu was simple and straightforward. They do showcase their own instant coffee and seasonal special (at the time, it was the white gold black sesame latte).
Pastries: N/A
They also offer cakes and some breakfast foods. My friend and I had just eaten a huge breakfast before coming, so we skipped on their pastries. They looked yummy though!
Productivity: 10/10
- Plenty of space to study
- Fast Wi-Fi
- Different study vibes on each floor
- Bathrooms on almost every floor
- Enough space to walk around if you need a break
I journaled here for a little bit and could 100% see myself coming back here to study.
Décor: 9/10
There’s a lot going on with this coffee shop.
It’s a beautiful looking building from the outside.
I really would’ve loved to see how the coffee shop looked in the summer or at night time. Some of the online pictures really made it looked cool!
It’s sort of like a small adventure when you go inside because each floor has it’s own design and ambiance.
First floor – The Café
The entrance leads you to the main floor, which has a very industrial theme to it. It’s got this large cylinder hanging from the ceiling. It matches well the stainless steel coffee bar that’s right underneath it.
The main floor is the biggest floor. There’s an ample amount of space to hang out and study on both sides of the coffee bar.
Let’s go down the coffee shop and then go up…starting with the library.
B1 (Basement 1) – The library
This is the smallest floor, but it’s dedicated for productivity. Everyone here was studying. It was quiet too. Small detail but there’s three ways to get to this floor: from the main stairwell, a side stairwell from the first floor, and the elevator. I just found that to be an interesting little detail. You can also peek into the roasting room.
B2 (Basement 2) – The Coffee Lab floor
The Coffee Lab is where they have their roasting room as well as a small shop selling KANU, which is Maxim Plant’s coffee brand. Their roasting room is pretty big and very impressive.
Walking up the stairs was actually one of my favorite parts about the coffee shop. It sounds weird but there are these funny and cool coffee quotes on the wall as you walk up. Here are some of my favorites!
Second floor – The Café | Terrace
Another floor that’s dedicated to studying. You get a top-down view of the first floor café. It’s a little quieter up here, and if you need some fresh air, there’s also a small outdoor terrace!
Third floor – The Brewing Lounge | Terrace
This is where they hold their coffee classes. When there’s no class, the floor is open to everyone. I saw some people just socializing up there. They also have an outdoor terrace as well. It’s better than the 2nd floor terrace.
Accessibility: 10/10
I switched this section from ‘Parking’ to ‘Accessibility’ because every coffee shop I’ve visited in South Korea doesn’t have parking.
This section will be based on how easy it is to get to the café. Do you have to walk a lot from a bus or subway station? Is it easy to spot from the outside?
Maxim Plant is super easy to find. The building itself stands out and sits on Itaewon-ro, which is a major Itaewon street. There’s also a bus stop right in front of the coffee shop, so if you know what line to take, getting there can be really convenient.
I hope you enjoyed this coffee shop review of Maxim Plant. It’s my first international coffee shop review. You’ll probably hear me rave quite a bit about South Korea’s coffee shops and coffee culture because the coffee scene over there is really unique.
I would definitely come back here to study and drink more of their coffee.
Let me know what you thought of Maxim Plant! I’m starting to compile my next list of coffee shops when I go back to South Korea so any recommendations are welcome :).
