Brunch restaurant in Sangmu, Gwangju: porcini cream pasta at Camel

Today I finally visited Camel Orzo in Sangmu, Gwangju, a place I'd been curious about for a while. I used to love going to Tate Modern, so when it closed down, I was really sad about it. 🥹

I heard Camel Orzo is under the same group as Tate Modern, so I'd been thinking I should visit on a day I was craving brunch. Finally made it happen! 🤍

Camel Orzo location, hours, and parking in Sangmu, Gwangju

Camel Orzo is located at 261 Uncheon-ro, Urban Peak Sangmu 1F, Unit 102, Seo-gu, Gwangju. It's open daily from 11:00 to 23:00, with last order at 21:00.

• 📍 261 Uncheon-ro, Urban Peak Sangmu 1F, Unit 102, Seo-gu, Gwangju, South Korea
• ⏰ Hours: Daily 11:00–23:00 / Last order 21:00
• Break time: Weekdays 15:30–17:00, Weekends 16:00–17:00
• 🚗 Parking: Nearby lots such as Switzen commercial parking or Nice Park Gwangju Chipyeong (2 hours free)
• *Naver Reservation / CatchTable available*

It wasn't hard to find in Sangmu, and there was a standing sign out front with the Camel Orzo menu on it.

The European-style outdoor tables at Camel Orzo

There's a separate outdoor area right in front of Camel Orzo. That outdoor space really caught my eye — tables, chairs, and potted plants blending together made it feel like a little restaurant you'd stumble into while traveling in Europe!! 🌀💚🌀 On a nice-weather day, eating outside there seemed like it would be really lovely :)

The wood-toned entrance

Just inside the entrance, there's waitlist info along with a remote waitlist device! On weekends or weekday lunchtimes there might be a wait, so it's worth checking before you visit. ( •̀ ̫ -︎︎ )✩

Inside Camel Orzo: wood-toned interior and seating

The interior of Camel Orzo centers on wood tones with warm lighting, brick, and arched spaces blended together. There's a range of seating from tables for 2–4 up to spots for larger groups.

Stepping inside, the vibe was completely different from outside. It's decorated mostly with wood tones, and the warm lighting, brick, and arched spaces come together for a feel that's upscale but not too stiff!

There were also baby chairs set aside in one corner. It seemed like a good place to visit with family, and the tables were spaced fairly generously, so it looked great for dates, friend gatherings, or family meals!

Since I'd reserved ahead, I was shown straight to my reserved table with no waiting. (ᯫ᳐⭐︎˃؎ꔷ ᯫ᳐)๓ɢ००ᵈ ᵎᵎᵎ

The table was neatly set with cutlery and water glasses, and the overall table setting matched the food well.

What we ordered at Camel Orzo and the prices (46,800 won total)

• ✔️ Natural fermented bread ₩5,600
• ✔️ Porcini cream pasta ₩22,000
• ✔️ Fig-berry jambon salad ₩19,200
• Total ₩46,800

That's what we ordered!

Naturally fermented bread with house-made cream cheese

The first dish out at Camel Orzo was the natural fermented bread at ₩5,600. It came out warm, so we dug in right away — crispy on the outside, moist and soft inside, so delicious!! Most of all, the house-made cream cheese that came with it was fantastic — slathering it thickly on the bread added a nutty, smooth flavor that kept me reaching for more. This was my favorite item at Tate Modern, so I was really happy to be able to enjoy it again at Camel Orzo 🤤

What does the fig-berry jambon salad taste like?

The fig-berry jambon salad is ₩19,200 — fresh vegetables topped generously with jambon (ham) and ricotta cheese. A dish that nails both color and presentation 🫜

On top of the fresh vegetables were heaps of jambon and ricotta cheese, plus figs, orange, cherry tomatoes, blueberries, and radish!! I especially love figs, so I had high hopes, and the figs this time were really sweet.

The sweet, soft flavor of well-ripened figs blended with the tangy fruits, so the salad was never bland. On top of that, the ricotta cheese added plenty of body, so you got the salty jambon, the creaminess of the cheese, and the sweetness of the fruit all at once!

It's refreshing yet filling, so it seemed like a great brunch pick in Gwangju for a day you want to eat something light…✨

Porcini cream pasta: is the truffle aroma strong?

The porcini cream pasta is ₩22,000, with a truffle aroma that's only subtly noticeable, so it's not overwhelming. It's pasta with a thick cream sauce and a variety of mushrooms. 🍝

Next up, the porcini cream pasta. It had a rich, thick cream sauce with a variety of mushrooms and a subtle hint of truffle flavor! If the truffle scent is too strong, it can be polarizing, but this had just the right amount, so it wasn't overwhelming. The noodles were cooked exactly to my liking, and the sauce coated them well, so I enjoyed it all the way to the last bite :)

Is Camel Orzo worth it for brunch in Gwangju?

Overall, the food was delicious, but personally what really got me was the whole package — the European vibe of the outdoor tables, the warm feel of the interior, and the food's presentation, all together made for a satisfying visit!

If you want a relaxed meal somewhere with great atmosphere, this is worth a visit next time you're looking for brunch in Gwangju. I especially want to try eating at the outdoor tables on a nice-weather day, so I'm planning to go back. 🤤💨