6 Restaurants and Cafes in Daegu Locals Actually Love

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I had no idea we would eat (or drink) out as much as we do. But Daegu has a lot of good food and Drink. We live downtown. So we can walk out the door to find a few hidden gems. And we love living in the mix. Living downtown gives you a great opportunity to explore the food scene.  We’ve found popular restaurants like Little Italia and Hi Thai and a few hidden gems only we know about. Here are a few of my favorite spots to eat and drink in Daegu.

Food & Drink
Neighborhood Hidden Gems in Daegu

There are a lot more restaurants to explore in Daegu. And I plan on eating and drinking at as many of them as we can. Below I’ve listed a few of them we’ve discovered where the food and drink is delicious.

The Soul Kitchen

Neighborhood Good Eats. It’s our Cheers. And while they may not know my name, they do know our faces. We get a sincere smile every time we walk through the doors of the Soul Kitchen. The Soul Kitchen’s chef Eric Ku dishes up everything from Korean BBQ plates to Italian risotto and pastas to Mexican fajitas. The latter was just added this past summer. Everything is delicious. You start with the assortment of bread served with jam and olive oil. And end with complimentary coffee, tea or ice cream. There are a few beers on the menu, but the House wine (white and red) is delicious.

Located at 2 Gyesan-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu 138-2, 053.256.2533

Brewers Brothers

Great Fish & Chips Worth Sharing.Talk about good food and drink. We were skeptical of the fish & chips when we found the Brewers Brothers last year. Boy were we rewarded with the most authentic fish & chips we’ve found here in Daegu. Just enough batter, without excessive seasonings. A load of chips with just the right amount of crunch comes with it. You can order a single portion or large that’s just enough to share. The pub has a great selection of brews as well as cocktails. It’s just one of the great places you can get a good meal and beer in Daegu.

Located at 2 Ga, Jung-gu, Daegu 51-1, 010.3268.4269

Old Blue

Live Music.There are a ton of places to get a cocktail in Daegu. Few offer the added sophistication of Old Blue. Decorated beautifully and located opposite SamDuk Fire station. The club does not have a cover charge (most nights) which is great for a live music venue. When there is a cover it’s usually around 7,000 Won.

No Cover Charge

They have one live set that begins at 9pm. Some food and drink is available, but neither is cheap. A simple cheese platter (with Ritz crackers) will set you back a pretty penny. When I first got here I reviewed Old Blue pretty harshly because I compared it to Jazz clubs back home. I’ve since rethought my original review. Comparing it to other Daegu venues instead. I love having it here as an alternative to the kiddie clubs in town. And if you like live Jazz, Old Blue is the place to hear some really good local and imported talent.

Located at 6 Samdeok-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu Daegu, 053.427.8447

Balaji Indian & Nepali Restaurant

Great Food at a Great Price. I’ve never been to either India or Nepal (yet). But I know good Indian food and drink in Daegu. And Balaji is the real thing. But don’t take my word for it, the local Indian population seems to agree. The food is delicious, but the price keep us coming back for more. You can get a set for 2. Which includes two big pieces of Tandoori Chicken, curry (lamb, chicken or beef), naan bread, jasmine rice and (2) non-alcoholic drinks. All that for as little as W 24,000. A small store sells Indian related dry goods, beer and wine.

Located at 2F 1 Donseong-ro, Jung-gu, 6-32 Daegu, 053.425.3242

La Salud

La Salud was one of my favorite places for an American burger in Daegu. The smoked brisket is tender, flavorful, and served in generous portions. Their burgers were good, and the mac and cheese hit the spot. The restaurant had a casual atmosphere that worked for lunch or dinner. I would gladly return for the brisket, smoked daily in front of the store.

Located on the first floor at 87 Muhak-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu 42174. Call 053-585-9000. It is an 11-minute walk from Suseongmot Station, Exit 1.

Rolling Pasta

Rolling Pasta is my reliable downtown choice for affordable Italian food with a view of city foot traffic. The English menu makes ordering easy for families and picky eaters. Some pasta dishes have a Korean twist, which I do not mind. My usual order is aglio e olio, but I sometimes change things. Even the focaccia is savory instead of strangely sweet. The window seat is perfect for eating alone and watching people. Rolling Pasta sits upstairs, across from the ridiculously overpriced Shake Shack across the street.

Located on the second floor at 52 Dongseong-ro 6-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu 41941. It is an eight-minute walk from Jungangno Station, Exit 2. Call 053-427-6007.

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