Two Popular Cafés with Breathtaking Sea Views and Lush Green Lawns on Jeju Island!

Text and photos / Excerpted from "Once-in-a-Lifetime Private Journey – Heartfelt Jeju: Seven Themed Experiences, Discovering the Wonders of Jeju Through All Five Senses!" by Kim Tae-yeon, published by Orange Tree Culture

A popular online café: Salon de Lavant (La Gavroche)

After living on Jeju Island, you’ll notice that travelers here have all kinds of different ways to enjoy their visit. Some explore nature, others seek out popular tourist spots, while some enjoy strolling along the Olle Trails and forest hiking paths. There are those who savor the quiet of lesser-known villages, spending leisurely time with their families, seeking out experiences and seeing animals with their kids, and then there are the food lovers who can eat up to six meals a day. But recently, a new type of traveler has been rapidly emerging—also known as the “café-hopping crowd.”

Because the scenery of Jeju Island adds unique character to its cafés, it can indeed leave you with truly memorable experiences. Café-hoppers usually plan their route in advance, visiting two or three cafés a day on average. They’re not just there for the coffee—they’re there to soak in the atmosphere of these distinctive cafés. For them, a café with the charm of the Jeju countryside offers more healing power than crowded tourist spots.

Located in Aewol, Salon de Lavant is also a popular café online. There are no famous tourist attractions nearby, and the location isn’t easy to find. It’s tucked away on a rural path, in a quiet village where you might think you’ve taken a wrong turn.

The reason Salon de Lavant is so beloved is that, in the countryside of Jeju Island, there’s a rustic café that has set a table for you as if it were straight out of a magazine cover—offering you a romantic moment. The iron furniture perfectly paired with wooden pieces and leather goods, along with charming little decorations, all seem like they’ve been plucked from a magazine. If you’re at Salon de Lavant, you’re sure to enjoy a blissfully relaxing trip.

Address: 146-9, Haemaji-ri, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si
Business hours & days off: 11:00–20:00, closed on weekends
Menu & prices: Brownie 5,000 KRW, Banana Pancake 10,000 KRW, Cream Cheese Apple Pancake 12,000 KRW, Garden Salad 10,000 KRW, Americano 4,500 KRW, Earl Grey & Yuzu Tea 6,500 KRW
Phone: 070-7797-3708
URL:www.facebook.com/salondelavant

Nearby tourist attractions: Jeju Folklore & Natural History Museum, Jeongbang Coastal Walk, Seopjikoji Cliff
Nearby restaurants: Ttungttanji (live fish hot pot), White Castle (sashimi), Deodon (barbecue), VIVARI JJAMBBONG (Chinese cuisine), Kitchen Hygge (Danish cuisine), AROYO 1st Branch (Nagasaki champon noodles), Café Tae Hee (Fish & Chips), Monster (churros), Steve’s Truck Shrimp, Bap Kkang Pae (pasta)

Seaside-popular café: LOWA Café in Yeondong-ri

With more and more seaside cafés opening up, what many find regrettable is the sea in Yeondong-ri. Over time, aside from the increasingly chaotic paragliding activities, even more people come here for this very ocean. The pale green sea surrounds the coastline, with white fine sand, basalt rocks, and distant wind turbines forming an inseparable ensemble in Yeondong-ri.

Though there are many cafés facing the sea, Yeondong-ri LOWA is the one that best matches the surroundings and stands the test of time. As its name suggests, Yeondong-ri LOWA has a kind of magnetic charm that draws people in. (Note: LOWA means “come here.”)

Approaching from the coastal edge, Yeondong-ri LOWA seems to float lightly on the clouds, inviting you to come and explore. When sitting in the café and gazing at the sea, the most popular spot is the second-floor “Come to the Sky” seating area. Here, you don’t even need an espresso—the coffee from a vending machine can feel blissfully satisfying. Behind LOWA is a rural backyard called “Come to the Backyard.” Choosing between “Come to the Sky” and “Come to the Backyard” is a delightful dilemma!

Address: 472, Haemaji Coastal Road, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si
Business hours & days off: 10:00–21:00, open year-round
Menu & prices: Americano 400 KRW, Latte 5,000 KRW, Cappuccino 5,000 KRW, Cake 5,000 KRW
Phone: 064-783-2240
URL:http://blog.naver.com/allzzoin

Nearby tourist attractions: Sehwa Beach, Gwakji Forest, Yonggak Mountain, Darangsi Beach, Geumnyeong Maze Park
Nearby restaurants: Daraehyang (champon noodles), Woljeong Station (octopus ramen), Abalone Stone Pot Rice, Choran Sikdang (set meals), PyeongDae Snack (spicy rice cakes, fried snacks)

Other information
Yeondong-ri LOWA is primarily a beverage-focused café. Not far to the east, you’ll also find “Yeondong-ri Brunch,” a restaurant serving brunch dishes made with Jeju ingredients—such as beef cheese mega burgers, Jeju pork sandwiches—that are very popular. The second floor here is also a prime, hard-to-get sea-view spot.