Last Updated on April 11, 2022
South Korea is the jackpot of all coffee shops. Gunsan, South Korea (near Kunsan Air Base), has clusters of coffee shops scattered throughout the small city. One could spend days exploring the plethora of cafés and never see them all. As a military spouse stationed at Kunsan Air Base, I’ve had plenty of time to walk around and explore different java joints. I’ve found that each has its very own unique style and personality. Here are some of my personal favorite coffee shops in Gunsan.
For directions, copy and paste each Korean address into your Naver app,
or use the Naver link below.
Click on each cafe name in the description to direct you to their Instagram page.
Old Brick
Address:
전북 군산시 해망로 235
http://naver.me/G7om9VD3
This is my absolute favorite coffee shop in Gunsan. I actually spotted Old Brick the night we arrived in South Korea. Our bus passed the large brick building and it caught my eye. I checked it out the next week and it’s been my staple coffee shop ever since. The café is in a large brick warehouse-type building. The inside is very artsy and modern with an open-air urban feel. There is a variety of seating on two levels, plus an outdoor rooftop patio that overlooks Gunsan.
Café Liz
Address:
전북 군산시 백토로 261
http://naver.me/5X5qPIjj
Cafe Liz is another one at the top of my list. It also has a very urban feel in a large, brick building, similarly to Old Brick. This café is known for its large variety of drip coffees. You can sit and watch the baristas’ extensive process for creating a single drip coffee at the Drip Bar. You can also roast and grind your own coffee beans here to take home to brew yourself.
Santa Rosa
Address:
전북 군산시 한밭로 76-12 산타로사
http://naver.me/Ft9q9g8I
Situated right next to Eunpa Lake and the infamous Paridiso Italian restaurant, Santa Rosa is the perfect spot to grab a cup o’ joe before lunch, to walk around the lake, or to gaze out at the horizon from their rooftop seating area. There are two indoor levels of seating plus two outdoor patios.
Beantie
Address:
전북 군산시 한밭로 76-10
http://naver.me/GjWJ6i0I
This café is right next to Santa Rosa. The crazy thing about coffee shops in South Korea, is that competition doesn’t seem to be a problem. Where there’s coffee and desserts, the locals will flock. Beantie is very simplistic – white and airy with lots of natural light. There are two levels of seating plus an outdoor patio. They even offer signature desserts from around the world.
Titicaca
Address:
전북 군산시 은파순환길 92 해뜨는마을
http://naver.me/5SgFKriV
Don’t get too hung up on the name. Titicaca is a cozy little lakefront café right on Eunpa Lake. Sit indoors or on the rooftop patio for a beautiful view.
Café Velomano
Address:
전북 군산시 은파순환길 92
http://naver.me/xrhBCUkL
Half bike shop, half café, this lakefront coffee shop is a neighbor of Titicaca. Cafe Velomano has a cozy interior where you can sit and sip on your coffee, or a large wrap-around patio to enjoy sitting outside on a nice day. There is also the option to take your coffee to-go to walk around Lake Eunpa.
White Elephant
Address:
전북 군산시 은파순환길 174-13
http://naver.me/FGpREs7I
Another top-of-the-list pick. White Elephant is tucked away from the main chaos of Lake Eunpa, yet still right on the lake, a short walk from all the action. This café is also home to a yoga & Pilates studio upstairs. The bottom floor is bright, white and airy with the baristas in the middle concocting their creations. So much work is put into each and every drink. They even crush their own vanilla beans to make the perfect vanilla latte. What many guests don’t know, is on the top floor, there is rooftop seating that overlooks Lake Eunpa. Check it out!
Monjuic213
Address:
전북 군산시 은파순환길 174-1
http://naver.me/GYpjrKWA
A neighbor to White Elephant, this cute upstairs café is hard to resist. You’ll feel like you’re in a hidden forest oasis. With the lake and trees on one side of Monjuic213 and the city of Gunsan in the distance on the other, you get the best of both worlds. There’s even a baby grand piano in the middle.
Rizerie
Address:
전북 군산시 대야면 서만자2길 6
http://naver.me/x8TXSSzy
This hidden gem is tucked away about 8 miles east of Lake Eunpa right near Daeya Station. Rizerie is a must-visit, especially on a nice, warm day. The inside is beautifully designed with lots of natural light and room for large groups. The outside is a beautiful garden with a large lawn and patio seating. They even serve pizza and some Italian dishes
Munye2gu Village Bus Café
Address:
전북 군산시 옥도면 무녀도리 산10-12
http://naver.me/GqHv9IiU
Not in downtown Gunsan, but out towards the seawall, Munye2gu Village Bus Cafe is a fun little getaway. In the middle of nowhere, right on the water, there is a school bus that has been turned into a café. Order at the small café adjacent to the school bus and then take your coffee and treats onto the bus to sit down to enjoy.
Café 196
Address:
전북 군산시 내항1길 23
http://naver.me/xWomzl2M
Café 196 is right down the street from Old Brick and Lee Sung Dang Bakery. This café overlooks the harbor from the 3rd floor of a large building. The place is warm and cozy, but opens up onto a large outdoor patio with plenty of seating.
A Twosome Place
Address:
전북 군산시 남수송3길 43
http://naver.me/GkEFUFXa
Yes, this is a chain café BUT it’s worth a visit. This ‘A Twosome Place’ location is in the perfect spot right across from Lotte Mart to make your shopping trip into a nice little outing. With tons of seating on two levels and a variety of tables, this coffee shop is great for studying or for meeting up with a group of friends.
Proverbs 16:3
Address:
전북 군산시 구영3길 33-1 카페 잠언16장3절
http://naver.me/FjrLbzkp
This little café, Proverbs 16:3, is tucked away on a side street amongst a row of many other cafés. It’s a great spot to just sit and enjoy some peace and quiet with a cup o’ joe or one of their signature juices.
Leeman’s Kitchen
Address:
전북 군산시 수송로 174
http://naver.me/xN93nkfX
Another spot right near Lotte Mart that’s great for a small bite to eat and a cup of coffee or tea. Inside Leeman’s Kitchen is cute and bright with plenty of tables to sit at and read a book or converse with friends.
Lee Sung Dang Bakery Café
Address:
전북 군산시 중앙로 177 이성당
http://naver.me/FpNe1NeT
If you haven’t heard of Lee Sung Dang Bakery, it’s a must! It is the oldest bakery in South Korea with tons of delicious baked goods. Once you grab your treats, head next door to the bakery’s café on the second level. Purchase a coffee or tea and sit down to dig into your bag of goodies.
Arboretum Café
Address:
전북 군산시 구영5길 81 수목원
http://naver.me/5VuU8JfL
This cozy café in downtown Gunsan is the ideal spot to be on a cold winter day. Inside the Arboretum Cafe looks like a little log cabin with a fireplace to cozy-up to and large windows to look out into their private backyard. On warmer days, there is seating in the backyard. It’s a little oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of Gunsan.
Café Cheese
Address:
전북 군산시 수송안11길 10 카페치이즈
http://naver.me/GkEFU6WY
Café Cheese, sadly, did not have many cheese options on my visit. They had a few options of cheesecake but nothing that made me believe that this café had anything to do with that rich, creamy goodness (their IG photos beg to differ, though). Regardless, Café Cheese has a super cute, light and airy interior with a large selection of other sweets, such as ice cream and cake.
Haroo Cookie
Address:
전북 군산시 서수송1길 14-5
http://naver.me/x6isJ7Mg
This is a small café but worth it for the macarons. Get to Haroo Cookie earlier in the day before they sell out of their best flavors. There are a few tables to sit in to eat your sweet treat and sip on your hot beverage, but many people just grab their macarons to-go before heading to another café.
Into the Grey
Address:
전북 군산시 서수송1길 18-3
http://naver.me/xhsNPT3E
Right around the corner from Haroo Cookie is Into the Grey. This place is another top-of-the-list favorite. The interior is bright, white, and airy. They sell little trinkets and candles, along with their delicious beverages and scrumptious desserts.
Café Moon
Address:
전북 군산시 구영3길 21-2
http://naver.me/FxzQCjXG
This corner café is great for a pick-me-up and even a sweet treat. There is indoor seating and a small outdoor patio. Close to many other clusters of cafés, Cafe Moon is a perfect stop on a coffee shop hop.
Harbor Bridge Café
Address:
전북 군산시 미룡동 874-2
http://naver.me/xUJz4Dyd
There are a few locations of the Harbor Bridge Café. I recommend the one southwest of Lake Eunpa. It’s in a less crowded area and close enough to stroll over to the lake. It’s also just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Sulbing (the most delicious bingsu in South Korea). The Harbor Bridge Café is the perfect “get stuff done” spot. It has a row of small, private rooms each with a desk or table lining the back hallway of the café – great for small group meetings or private study time.
Sequence Coffee Lab
Address:
전북 군산시 동수송8길 19-1 1층
http://naver.me/xWFnIU3e
Sequence Coffee Lab is a simple and modernistic café is tucked away on a side street. Like the coffee shop, the menu is simple, with only a few options to choose from. Though, quality over quantity, right? The quality of their caffeinated beverages is on-point. They even grind their own vanilla beans to make the most delicious vanilla latte. It’s a must-try! Check out their signature coffee beans as well – they have a few very unique flavors.
Arrive
Address:
전북 군산시 경포천로 110 카페 어라이브
http://naver.me/5bay0avy
Walking into this café will actually make you think, “I have arrived”. Arrive is a clean and simple café with lots of natural light, plenty of seating on two levels – indoors and out – and a variety of tables, perfect for different study/work preferences (high-top and low). Another great feature of this café is the location. It’s a little bit outside of the hustle and bustle of downtown Gunsan, has a view of the river, and even has its own parking lot.
Cafe Hardy
Address:
전북 군산시 구영신창길 26
Paste the above address into your navigation app or use this pin on Naver for directions.
Cafe Hardy is another bright, white, airy and modern cafe in the heart of Gunsan. With two floors of indoor seating, plus an outdoor patio, a rooftop, and a dining room/event space, Cafe Hardy covers all your needs. Don’t miss the fancy wooden wall with their wine display – after your morning cup o’ joe, stop back by later for a glass of vino.
Ahab Flower Cafe
Address:
전북 군산시 진포2길 25
Paste the above pin into your navigation app or use this pin on Naver for directions.
Ahab Flower Cafe was a lucky find. Tucked behind apartment buildings in what feels like the middle of nowhere in the heart of Gunsan, you’ll find a small warehouse-looking building. You guessed it! This is actually a flower cafe! You’ll feel like you walked into a different world when you walk through the doors. Every square foot of space in this building is covered with flowers, greenery, or art.
Did I miss your favorite?
Let me know and I’ll add it to the list.
EMAIL ME THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE CAFE, A SHORT SNIPPET OF WHY YOU LOVE IT, AND A PHOTO OR TWO.
–
kylie@gocatchthedrift.com
