This Might Be the Prettiest Cafe in Korea
2020: Sadly this cafe shut down a few years ago now! Don’t worry there are a lot of pretty cafes in Seoul and Korea though :)
I had first vaguely heard of The Grand Garden in Mokpo when my friend, Roxy, raved about it over a year ago now.
I finally got my chance a few weekends ago when I visited my friend, Nicole, and I was not disappointed. This little place, nestled between the normal, boring Korean apartment buildings, really might be the prettiest cafe in Korea.
Inside is what I imagine Koreans picture European cafes look like. There’s a white and laurel green theme throughout and mirrors along the walls to make it feel more spacious.
The most beautiful part about the cafe–there are dried flowers everywhere. Hanging from the ceiling, gathered artfully in corners, on the tables–it’s a sight to behold. Even the most reluctant photographer will want to snap some photos.
The menu is pretty typical Korean for a brunch cafe– you have brunch food but also very random regular food thrown in as well. It was all quite delicious though! Between the three of us (Nicole’s boyfriend included), we ordered a burger, chili fries, eggs benedict, and a breakfast platter. We also each got our own drinks. I, um, may have been a little too impatient to take proper food photos, but I did get a shot of the burger. Baby steps with this food photography ;)
It really is the prettiest cafe in Korea. Mokpo is one of the best ways to get to Jeju by ferry, so it’s a great stop if you want to slow travel through the country instead of flying. Stay here for a few days and get snap happy in The Grand Garden. It’s even by the waterfront, so you can take your post-dinner walk by the sea.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
- Korean Name: 더그랜드가든
- Times: 11:00 am-11:30 pm
- Address: 전라남도 목포시 미항로 79 지번 전라남도 목포시 상동 1152-11 (Naver Maps)
- Phone: 061-282-4945
- How to Get There: Taxi or take bus 7 or 15 to Gatbawi (목포 갓바위). Walk on the path by the water. You’ll spot The Grand Garden in about 10-15 minutes. You can also just show the above address to a taxi driver and ask that he plugs it into his GPS. You may have to insist depending on who you get.
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Love the sage green throughout the cafe, it’s very soothing. Also enjoy the natural feel of this cafe.
That place looks so cute, I love the dried flowers. It’s so lovely to find little places like this when you live in the middle of a huge Asian city (I know, I have lived in Tokyo, Ho Chi Minh City and Mumbai!). I bet you enjoyed that burger!
Right? I might be obsessed with dried flowers! And oh my gosh–the coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City were so cute!!
The decor of the restaurant was really nice and I am not sure what type of sandwich was in the photography but it looked delicious. If that was the burger then it was really big. We are in Nepal and most places they are not good here. I love the seashore so this is a win only stop for a good evening meal and sunset photographs.
Ah it was a burger! I think maybe a bacon burger, but I can’t remember (could just be a normal one). Haha and yes it was really big, our friend had a fun time eating it! Shame about Nepal!
Can I just say how much I love your pictures of this place? It looks so cozy and welcoming. And just look at this juicy burger — Yummy!
Ah thank you so much! I’ve been working on my photo editing :)
Your food photography looks really great! You’re basically a pro already. And YES! This is such a pretty cafe. Wish I had known about it when I went.
Thank you! Haha I need patience to photograph– I’m usually hungry! You’ll have to visit when you visit Korea again!
This place is so cute! I can’t believe I never made it to Mokpo yet…. I can’t decide if I love the cute decor best or that juicy hamburger. I am always eating after all :)
Hahaha I think the combination makes it a total winner!
Samantha, this is really a gorgeous café. I have been fascinated with Korea for such a long time and the more I read about it from bloggers, the more I crave visiting it.
It really is irresistible to take photos inside and you have done a great job!
Thank you! Oh gosh, definitely come and visit! Korea is gorgeous.
I absolutely love your photos! This place does looks so pretty and the food looks really tasty too.
Thank you so much! It was so pretty!
This cafe is super cute! Your photos look beautiful sk whatever you are doing- keep it up!
Thank you :) It was such a cute little cafe.
I absolutely adore how Korea has so many wonderful cafes! I was just in Mokpo and I wish I would have known about this awesome cafe beforehand! It’s so amazing! I’ve always wanted to go to Europe so I’m glad there can be a little piece of it in Asia!
Yeah if you go to Mokpo again, definitely check it out! It’s so cute, and definitely has some European vibes!
So so pretty! Reminds of the south of France with all the lavender! I’m heading to Seoul in a few weeks, so would love any more recos! :)
Right?! Hmm Seoul, I’d check out http://www.boboandchichi.com ‘s Seoul section :) I’m working on Seoul guide, but it’s proving to be quite a lot!
This is so elegant, I love anything with a mint color scheme. I daresay this but you need to come to HCMC and see the cafes they offer here. I think they knock the socks off what Korea has, granted Korea kills it in the themed-cafes category but in terms of aesthetics, the Vietnamese know what’s up! I read that you went to Partea but that’s only a small inclination of what you could find over here…
Haha I do love mint! And yes! I only had 3 days there, so I definitely need to go back and experience more!
The restaurant looks really pretty and elegant. The food too sounds good. Hope you had a great time bonding over some lovely food.
Thank you! It really was all of this, and nothing beats friends and food :)
I love the little details with the flowers! So cool! xo Loren // http://www.thinkelsyain.com
Thank you :)
I love coffee shops, this one is very very cute. You will have to go to saigon, there are PLENTY of these and I would be ready to say nicer as well :) But I think it is unfair to compare coffee shops like these, so many cute and nice ones around the world. Go to BKK too!
http://www.adventurefaktory.com
Haha thanks! I’ve been to both HCMC and BKK actually :) Didn’t get to check out the cafe scene in BKK, but I LOVED the HCMC one! One of my favorite bloggers (Haute Culture) did a really awesome guide that I referenced. Partea was my favorite little place, especially because I love tea and a good pun!
Hahahah, baby steps for the food photography! I know exactly what you mean :) What a lovely cafe! And such a great idea to use dry flowers. I have dry flowers in my home and they are so easy to maintain. I do love fresh ones too tho :)
The Grand Garden is so adorable! I love all the dried flowers and the colors. I’m not sure I would have known it was Korean, but it certainly does look like a place where I’d like to hang out for a while. There just seems to be such a pretty ambiance, and the food looks pretty good, too!
What a cute place. Not at all what I expected when I read the title of the post. Your pictures show it off well too. I love the overall design and the dried flowers. Food looks good too!
omg so cute! i’ve heard korea takes their coffee shops to the next level. i feel like i’ve been to most of the spots in NYC but would loooove to pop over to seoul soon!
Sher
http://www.shershegoes.com
OMG you’re not kidding, this is the prettiest cafe in Korea! Beautiful photos Sam, loving how you captured the beauty of this place! I really can’t believe this is in Korea, it really looks like it’s out of some romantic European city. Wish we could have went before we left!
Right?! Thank you, Megan :) I thought so too. Roxy wasn’t kidding when she said she loved it so much!
I wouldn’t have guessed that cafe was in Korea. It looks like it’s somewhere in Europe. My, what a juicy looking burger. It’s good to know there’s somewhere you can go where you can escape from kimchi once in awhile!
Oh gosh, right?! I love Korean food so much, but when you live here for two years and eat it for lunch every day, you need a bit of a break!