Zest

Zest is a cocktail bar in Seoul, South Korea, built around sustainability and a zero-waste approach. Its minimalist room of wood, stone and earthy tones is light and open, unlike the hidden bars common in the city.

The World's 50 Best Bars ranks Zest No. 7 in its 2026 list. The design studio Stirred notes that it was ranked No. 2 in Asia three years running, and the website World's Top Bars puts it at No. 1 in its own ranking.

Zest makes its own gins and tonics and puts every ingredient to full use. Its gin and tonic, infused with seasonal fruits and herbs and topped with a zero-waste tonic, has become a calling card. The bartenders also work with Korean drinks such as soju, makgeolli, yakju and the rarer gosori-sool. With few seats, guests stay close to the bar, and it suits a lively night out as well as a relaxed afternoon drink.

Sources of this text: William Reed / 50 Best (London) · World's Top Bars · Stirred Studio