Cuisine

Spanish (스페인음식점)

District

Seongbuk (성북구) , Seoul

Address

Seoul Seongbuk-gu Hwarangro5-gil 4

Quick read

Why go

A Spanish restaurant hidden within a Seongbuk-gu market alley, Villa de Costes delivers accomplished results across both paella and pasta.

Best for

Local dining shortlist

Visit tip

528 Google Maps reviews make this a useful shortlist pick.

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A Spanish restaurant hidden within a Seongbuk-gu market alley, Villa de Costes delivers accomplished results across both paella and pasta. The signature original squid ink paella is adapted for Korean palates and arrives on a portable burner, keeping the rice hot throughout the meal. A squeeze of the accompanying lemon adds a bright citrus aroma that lifts the dish considerably. The gosari (bracken fern) oil pasta stands out as a vegan option with remarkable depth of umami, enhanced by fire-kissed garlic shoots and shishito peppers that contribute both crunch and subtle spice. The honey cod, served with a tangy sauce, consistently impresses relative to its price and has become a fixture on most tables. The white ragu pasta draws praise for its clean, light character, while the onion anchovy pasta offers an intriguing savory profile of its own. Among the pintxos, the eggplant version is widely preferred over the shrimp, and pairing the crema de gambas with garlic baguette creates an excellent beer accompaniment. The cozy interior makes solo dining comfortable, and dishes arrive relatively quickly after ordering. Lunchtime seats fill up continuously, making a Naver reservation beforehand strongly advisable. The restaurant welcomes pets and even provides a dedicated cream pasta for dogs, making it a practical choice for diners who bring their companions along.