Gangneung ocean-view café with pastries: Baegya Coffee

Wanting to enjoy bread and coffee while looking at the sea, I visited Baegya Coffee (백야커피) on Haean-ro in Gangneung. The building was larger than I expected when I arrived, so it immediately caught my attention.

How did parking and ordering work?

There was a parking lot in front of the café, and a parking attendant guided cars during my visit, which was convenient. I also saw roadside spaces that could be used when it was difficult to park in front.

At the café, I could find a table first and then choose and pay for my order. Once we had secured our seats, we took our time choosing bread and drinks.

What bread and drinks did we choose?

There was a wider variety of bread than I expected. From breads that looked crisp to sweet desserts, it was fun looking around and choosing them one by one.

Along with coffee, there were other drinks, ice cream, and teas. We ordered iced Americanos, an iced café latte, a croissant, and an egg tart. When the pager we received after ordering buzzed, we picked up our order on the first floor.

Can you see the sea well from indoors?

We took the elevator to the second floor. Inside the elevator was a shelf where we could set down our bread. It was handy for briefly putting things down while carrying bread and coffee.

The interior was generally neat and comfortable. Sunlight came in through the large windows, and plants placed around the space gave it a warm feel. Turning toward the windows, I could see the sea right away, and there was also a terrace that seemed nice for looking at the ocean or taking photos.

Sitting while looking at the sea made me feel like I was on a trip. The café was spacious, so it felt less cramped even with some people around, and it looked suitable for chatting with friends or spending time with family.

How were the coffee, croissant, and egg tart?

The iced Americano tasted strong at first, but the bitterness did not become overwhelming. It had a mild nutty note and a clean finish, making it nice to drink slowly. The iced café latte was smoother than the Americano, and the coffee’s rich flavor worked well with the nuttiness of the milk, so it paired nicely with the bread.

The croissant was crisp outside and soft inside. Rather than being only sweet, the egg tart was smooth and nutty, pairing well with iced coffee. Next time, I would like to choose other bakery items too.

Was it easy to pack leftover bread and move between floors?

There was a self-packing station for leftover desserts. I could also take water and tissues myself, and having restrooms on every floor was convenient.

There were windows in the stairwell too, so I could look at the scenery outside while moving between floors.

What are the third floor and rooftop like?

Out of curiosity, I went up to the third floor as well. It was spacious, so I could choose a seat I liked. It looked like a comfortable place to talk with friends or a partner while looking at the sea from the window, or to spend time leisurely with family.

There was also a rooftop accessible by elevator. Its open view toward the sea felt different from the indoor space. Next time, I would like to enjoy bread and coffee on the rooftop on a day with good weather.

Because the café is large, it can be a little confusing to know where to go on a first visit. The staff gave kind directions, so I stayed without much inconvenience, from parking through using the café.