Inside Gwangju’s Most Beautiful Cafes – Are They Worth the Hype?

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During my recent trip to Gwangju, I couldn’t wait to dive into the local cafe scene. Korea is renowned for its unique cafes, each boasting cool themes and eye-catching designs. My anticipation was high, and Gwangju did not disappoint. The city’s vibrant coffee culture and creative cafe concepts were a delight to explore. I had a fantastic time visiting various spots, and I’m thrilled to share three of my absolute favorites in this blog post: Plan B Cafe, Lounge OIC and Cafe, and Lieful Cafe in Gwangju. Each of these cafes offers something special, making them must-visit locations for any coffee lover or travel enthusiast.

Table of Contents

• Plan B Cafe
• Lounge OIC and Cafe
• Lieful Cafe
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Plan B Cafe

Plan B Cafe resides at the heart of the city’s cafe district, offering a charming and cozy ambiance. This vibrant street features delightful architecture and inviting outdoor seating, creating a haven for coffee enthusiasts and relaxation seekers. With an abundance of cafes in the vicinity, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest.

We arrived at Plan B Cafe just before its 11 a.m. opening, and we eagerly stepped inside. Our order included the cafe’s special and a slice of cake. We opted to sit upstairs, enjoying some precious alone time as we were the sole patrons for the first 45 minutes. An English menu was readily available.

I am a contributor to KoreabyMe, an online magazine for expats living abroad in South Korea. Check it out here.

The owner of Plan B Cafe was incredibly friendly, and to our surprise, we had the entire place to ourselves for the entire hour we were there. Although the cafe has a variety of snacks and special coffee options on the menu, we didn’t originally intend to order any food because we had a reservation at the OIC Lounge at 12:30 p.m., where we planned to have our meal.

Address:

Plan B Cafe 카페플랜비
126-7, Donggyecheon-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju

http://kko.to/prf7uNUprs

Lounge OIC and Cafe

The OIC Cafe and Lounge in Gwangju is renowned as one of Korea’s most beautiful cafes. I had to visit before leaving, and it didn’t disappoint. Sadly, I couldn’t secure a table inside the coveted pool area with sunken tables.

Steven and I shared an order of fried coconut chicken, fries, and steak kimchi fried rice. While the chicken was good, it seemed slightly overcooked. However, the fried rice was a delightful surprise. The tender, perfectly cooked steak and just the right amount of spice and kimchi made it a real treat.

Why You Should Go To South Korea: here are my top reasons you should make the trip.

When visiting Gwangju, include cafe hopping on your itinerary, starting with The OIC Cafe and Lounge. Located in the bustling heart of the city, this two-story cafe serves brunch and lunch downstairs, while the upstairs area offers an exclusive dinner setting. The beach-inspired decor, complete with a charming bridge over water, creates a Margaritaville-like atmosphere that’s perfect for photo opportunities.

In a striking contrast, the lounge at the back presents a moodier ambiance with its dim lighting and rich blue and black tones. A mirrored ceiling adds to the space’s unique appeal. The lounge and cafe sections are seamlessly joined through elegant arched doorways, making it an ideal spot for both daytime and evening outings.

Address:

[KakaoMap] Lounge OIC
42, Imbangul-daero 826beon-gil, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju

http://kko.to/d39Nt4SEN

Lieful Cafe

The Lieful Cafe was the perfect ending for a day trip to Gwangju. Located in Hapcheon, a little over an hour from Camp Henry’s front gate, it is an easy lakeside escape from Daegu. The two-story cafe serves food, dessert, signature coffees, and organic ice cream.

But the show’s star has to be the lake and the mountains. It’s Korea, there are always mountains. But that doesn’t make them any less beautiful. We often escape to Hapcheon to hike the beautiful Hwanmaesan Mountains— my hand’s favorite place to see the spring azaleas. I had no idea it was a watersports haven, too.

Have you ever danced around the maipole– naked lol? You can still wear your clothes, check it out here.

Address:

[KakaoMap] 나주영상테마파크 (휴업중)
450, Deogeum-ro, Gongsan-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do

http://kko.to/pzkG2d011Y

I hope you enjoyed this post. I love cafe hopping in Gwangju so much, and I can’t wait to visit more cafes in the future! Share with me some of your favorite cafes in Korea in the comment section down below.

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