Gwangju bakery café with window and rooftop views: Sum

On a clear weekend, I went to Sum (숨), a Namhansanseong café I had heard had good scenery. I set off without especially high expectations, but the fields and mountain ridges beyond the large windows stayed with me. There are two buildings, each with two floors and a rooftop, so there was plenty to explore.

How were the drive and parking?

I headed toward Namhansanseong's baeksuk (whole chicken soup) street and Sueojangdae, but ran into traffic and ended up on a narrow country lane. In my experience, approaching from the Gwangju side and going around the base of the mountain was more comfortable.

The address is 108-11 Ojeon-gil, Namhansanseong-myeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The parking lot was large. The hours recorded in the original post are daily from 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM.

Which seats offered the best large-window views?

Both the first and second floors were good for looking out at the scenery. My first seat on the second floor was not right at the front, but the window was so large that the view still felt wide open. This was not a place where I had to claim one particular seat to enjoy the scenery.

Later, a front-row seat on the second floor opened up, so I moved over. Fields stretched beyond the glass, with the ridges of Namhansanseong winding into the distance. Watching the leaves sway in the breeze, time passed quickly.

What did I have from the coffee and bakery selection?

I was already full, so I ordered only a café latte. It suited my taste, and the drink price felt reasonable. There was bakery food as well, but I did not try it myself.

What were the rooftop and neighboring building like?

The rooftop looked like a good place to talk while taking in the scenery. I also liked being able to spend time in one spot and then move to the neighboring building to look around. The buildings gave me something of a gallery-like impression.

High chairs were available, and the restrooms were comfortable. The view of the first floor from the second floor also caught my eye.

If the crowds feel busy, it may be worth going to the neighboring building. It had sofa seating with a calmer atmosphere. A large family group also seemed to be using this area more comfortably.

On the first floor, there was also a space where I could listen to music while having a drink. From forest-facing seats to sofa seating and the music-listening area, each part had a different mood, which made it enjoyable to look around.

How was it as a weekend outing?

It was a good place to spend time looking at green scenery through the large windows and moving between the rooftop and neighboring building. I wanted to come back in autumn, and I also found myself wanting to see it in winter snow.

On the day I visited, people were constantly leaving and new visitors were coming in. Rather than expecting only a quiet atmosphere, it would be better to look around and find a seat that suits you. I finished my weekend outing by taking photos on the outdoor terrace and enjoying the breeze.