Daegu café for river views and blog work: Hands Coffee

After having lunch with my husband, we went to Hands Coffee Dongchon Amusement Park branch (핸즈커피 동촌유원지점) so we could work on my blog. I used to visit this café often when we lived nearby, so it felt familiar and comfortable even after a long time away.

Where is it, and what can you see?

Hands Coffee Dongchon Amusement Park branch is on Hyodong-ro 6-gil in Dong-gu, Daegu, fairly close to the walking paths at Dongchon Amusement Park. According to the information available when the original article was written, it was open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The café sits higher up on a hill, so the view outside felt wide open through the large windows. I could drink coffee while looking toward Dongchon Amusement Park and the Geumho River, and the window seats seemed nice for taking a short break.

Can you park if you drive?

There is a private parking lot, so we parked and went inside. It was easy to use that day, but the Dongchon Amusement Park area can get crowded on weekends or around mealtimes, so I would allow extra time for a visit.

How are the seats for working on a blog?

The café uses floors 2 through 4. Each floor had slightly different seating and atmosphere, so we could choose the space we wanted.

The second floor has the counter, ordering area, and tables. After ordering there, you go up to whichever floor you prefer and find a seat.

The third floor also mainly has spacious tables, which looked suitable for opening a laptop and working. We worked on our blogs together at the café that day, and I felt there was enough room for studying or meeting friends too.

Is there space for children or a terrace?

Besides regular tables, the fourth floor had raised platform seating and floor tables. We did not visit with a child that day, but if I brought one next time, I would want to sit on this floor.

There is also a rooftop terrace on the fourth floor. The day we visited was cloudy and cool, and quite a few people were sitting outside. A cool breeze was blowing, so I thought having coffee outdoors would be nice on a pleasant day.

What is available besides coffee?

This café offered brunch as well as desserts. The brunch menu included set options in addition to individual dishes.

We had already eaten lunch, so we did not order brunch. While waiting for the cheesecake before leaving, I noticed quite a few people ordering brunch even around 3 p.m.

The drinks included smoothies, tea, and fresh-fruit drinks as well as coffee. There seemed to be a reasonable range of choices if you visit with someone who does not drink coffee.

They also sell old-fashioned patbingsu (shaved ice with sweet red beans), which I thought would be nice to share with my parents. There were also cakes, waffles, and Sangha Farm ice cream.

How were the drinks and desserts we ordered?

I chose the White Sangria Smoothie, while my husband chose the Vanilla Brûlée Latte. We also ordered a Milk Cream Roll and house-made Basque cheesecake, then added a Dutch Americano to drink with the roll cake.

How sweet was the White Sangria Smoothie?

This was my favorite drink of the day. It combined a white vin chaud base with the refreshing flavors of mint and lemon and the sweetness of pear. It was neither too sweet nor bland for my taste, and it left my mouth feeling clean, so it suited me well after lunch.

What did the Vanilla Brûlée Latte taste like?

It tasted a little creamier and sweeter than a typical vanilla latte. The smooth, sweet flavor stood out more than the coffee's bitterness, which suited my husband, who usually likes lattes.

Did the Milk Cream Roll pair well with the Dutch Americano?

The Milk Cream Roll had a generous amount of cream that felt softer than the bread. The sweet cream flavor came first in each bite, while the bitterness of the Dutch Americano helped balance it, so they went well together.

Could the Basque cheesecake be packed to go?

I ordered the Basque cheesecake because it was a house-made dessert and asked them to pack it for the child at home. A staff member kindly explained that if I prepaid, they could pack and store it for me to collect when I left. Thanks to that, I picked up the cake after spending time at the café.

What was the receipt review event during our visit?

During our visit, customers who participated in a Naver receipt review could receive a house-made cookie.

They said the cookies were mixed and baked in-house. I tried one, and it tasted pretty good.

When would I want to visit this café again?

My husband and I used to visit often, and this time we also spent a comfortable few hours in a familiar space.

Because the space is divided by floor and there are plenty of tables, I would return to work here as a couple or talk with friends. I also thought it would work well after a family meal, when everyone wants to choose their own drink and dessert.

If I come with a child next time, I would use the floor-seating area on the fourth floor, and on a cool day I would try the rooftop terrace. That day, my husband and I took our time looking out the window and eating dessert while working on our blogs.