Looking at a place without a particular thought and being immersed in thought is also called “beating.†Rather than the hustle and bustle of the atmosphere, the idleness of spending time alone in a quiet place is emerging as a new healing method. When the camping boom was in full swing, “fire mocks†where people spend time looking at bonfires became a big topic of conversation, and various forms of dazing, such as “water mocks†and “forest mocks,†began to appear.
Among them, cafes where you can enjoy coffee and sweet sweets while looking out at a forest full of trees are on the rise. Facing the thick trees that surround the cafe and the sun shining through the gaps, a cozy feeling of being in a greenhouse lingers. The biggest advantage of the forest view is that you can enjoy the various charms of each season. You can fully enjoy the beauty of nature from spring and summer, when lush leaves give a fresh sensibility, to fall, when colorful autumn leaves are pleasing to the eye, and winter, when white snow falls peacefully. Even the same space always gives a new feeling, changing with a variety of scenery throughout the year depending on the season. Full of late fall autumn atmosphere! Here are 5 of the best cafes to enjoy “Forest Munch.â€
1. Scenery drawn from a window, Gwangju 'Smeltz'
Image source: 100_song22's Instagram
Image source: 8520alghk's Instagram
At “Smeltz,†you can enjoy coffee and brunch while looking at the lush trees. Each space creates a different atmosphere, starting with the first floor, which has a modern feel with black and white tones, the second floor, which makes use of a sense of openness with glass windows, and a rooftop with umbrellas spread out. In particular, when you enter the 2nd floor, where the wall itself is made of a window, it feels like you are in a deep mountain. The view from the window full of trees colored with colorful autumn leaves is a spectacular sight in itself. The signature menu, “Smeltz Cream Latte,†is served by sprinkling cocoa powder on a latte filled with sweet cream and then adding another scoop of cream. The soft-flowing latte is sweetly wrapped in heavy cream and has an addictive sweet and bitter flavor.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 103, Sinhyeon-ro, Opo-eup, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
▲Business hours: 11:00 — 22:00 every day
â–²Price: Smeltz cream latte 7,500 won, matcha latte 7,500 won
â–²Testimonial (Coco Chanel*): There's already a wait before opening time on weekdays, so if you want to sit in the famous hall on the 2nd floor, I think you should go early. Haha, I was disappointed that I failed to make a reservation for Hwadam Forest, but I think I was able to enjoy the autumn leaves just by watching it from the window. I ordered a cream latte because it's a signature drink, but it's full of cream, so if you take a sip, you can get a rich sugar charge!
2. 'Arm Forest' in Namyangju, like watching a panoramic scene
Image source: k_s91y's Instagram
Image source: k_s91y's Instagram
“Arm Forest†appears as you wind up a path deep in the mountains of Namyangju. The unique structure of the building, which looks like two long circles built on top of each other, is very eye-catching. Thanks to the curved shape of the window to match the exterior of the building, the forest scenery seen from the window unfolds like a panorama. The signature menu “PALSOOP BRUNCH B†includes French toast, scrambled eggs, homemade sausage, buttered potatoes, tomato marinade, and salad in one plate. After boosting your taste with a fresh salad, you can fill your stomach by putting each ingredient on a fluffy toast and combining them according to your taste. Dogs are allowed on the first floor of the building and in the yard.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 38-41, Gyeonggang-ro 849beon-gil, Wabu-eup, Namyangju, Gyeonggi
▲Opening hours: 11:00 — 21:00 every day, closed on Tuesdays
â–²Price: PALSOOP BRUNCH 'B' 15,000 won, caramel croffle 5,000 won
â–²Review (Shikigami Mint Chocolate Latte): I've always been to Bukhan River View Cafe often in Namyangju, but today I chose a unique forest view. The strength is good, but seeing the green trees makes me feel like I was able to clear my mind after a hard time. The yard is so spacious and luxurious, I feel like I'm at a rich house. I visited early and ordered brunch because I was hungry, but it was more packed than I expected, so I wasn't hungry until lunch!
3. Enjoy the spectacular view of Bukhansan Mountain at a glance, Bukhansan “Cafe Under the Mountainâ€
Image source: 252_travel on Instagram
Image source: eunzzori_'s Instagram
“Cafe Sanshita†is located at the entrance to Bukhansan National Park, just like its trade name. The interior, which has an exotic feel with arched walls on a white background, the terrace where you can enjoy the flowing valley, and the rooftop overlooking the scenery of Bukhansan Mountain, are pleasing to the eye. Designed with a high floor height, the windows, which offer a panoramic view of the first and second floors, have a watercolor-like panorama. The signature menu is the “ice cream croffle,†made by grilling raw croissants to a crispy finish with ice cream and cinnamon powder. The croissants and chewy ice cream that crumble along the texture melt pleasantly in your mouth.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 56 Samyang-ro 181-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
▲Business hours: 11:30 — 21:00 on weekdays, 11:00 — 22:00 on weekends, 7 days a week
â–²Price: Ice cream croffle 8,000 won, cream mocha 5,500 won
â–²Testimonial (Shikigin Toronto Birdhouse): The interior space has a European feel, and if you go to a place with an open air, you can enjoy the exotic atmosphere as if you were in Southeast Asia. I tried coffee and a dessert, so I felt relaxed and healed even just looking at it without doing anything special. I ordered the croffle topped with ice cream, and it was nice that the butter flavor was soft and the ice cream also had a luxurious flavor!
4. “Aquatic Plant Learning Center Cafe the Lake†in Okcheon, the beauty of magnificent nature
Image source: inoweymi's Instagram
Image source: Traveler_7000's Instagram
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 255 Bangasil-gil, Gunbuk-myeon, Okcheon-gun, Chungbuk
â–²Opening hours: Every day (summer) 10:00 to 18:00, every day (winter) 10:00 to 17:00, closed on Sundays
â–²Price: Admission fee (adults 6,000 won, students 4,000 won), cold brew 5,000 won, magnolia flower tea 6,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Seikigin Bapsuni): I didn't come to see it because it was so big, I felt like I was in nature. I wandered around and went to a cafe to take a break, but the atmosphere wasn't a joke. Drinks are usually expensive when I go to places like this, but it's reasonable, so I wasn't burdened. When I sit outside, the view of Daecheongho spreading out in front of me is fantastic!
5. 'Misajang' in Hanam, a variety of charms you can feel in one space
Image source: ilikecafeandcoffee's Instagram
Image source: Rachelmucho's Instagram
“Misajang†is a complex cultural space with a gallery, showroom, and cafe in one place by the interior design studio NEED21. When you pass through the outdoor seats and enter the entrance, the lush trees that stretch out around the downhill path bring out the refreshing feeling to the fullest. The interior, which is filled with antique-style furniture and artistic works, has an old-fashioned style. The terrace, where you can see the forest right in front of your eyes while basking in the warm sunshine, is famous. When you sit down, the gentle scent of phytoncides envelops your body and makes you feel refreshed to the fullest. My favorites are “Café Latte,†which has the rich aroma of espresso and milk, and “Americano,†where you can choose beans according to your taste. Please note that the showroom space is operated as a Nokids zone.
[Shikigami Tip]
â–²Location: 176 Misadong-ro 40beon-gil, Hanam, Gyeonggi
▲Business hours: Weekdays 10:00 — 20:00, weekends 10:00 — 21:00
â–²Price: Cafe latte 7,500 won, Americano 7,000 won
â–²Testimonial (Authentic Food Tour): Looking at a forest full of trees, drinking coffee, and then visiting the showroom was like visiting two places at once. When I entered the showroom, there were colorful chandeliers, bathtub sculptures, etc., and it was really fun to look at them as if I were in an exhibition hall. As for coffee, I ordered a latte and ate it, and I liked that the flavors of the coffee and milk didn't go to either side, and I liked the balanced flavor. If you want to go to a unique place after driving in Hanam, I recommend it!
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