Open-window restaurant in Millak, Busan: gnocchi and fresh OJ, Marento

Where is Marento and when is it open?

Marento (마렌토) is a Western restaurant at 17-9 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro 344beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan, 1st floor, Unit 101. It is open 11:00 to 24:00, last order is at 23:00, and it is closed every Tuesday. Parking is available, but it costs money.

Marento, a Western restaurant with atmosphere near Millak Waterside Park

I found Marento while visiting Gwangalli in Busan and looking for a Western restaurant with a nice mood. I was searching for a brunch spot near Millak Waterside Park in Gwangalli and discovered it!!!! It's close to Gwangalli Beach, so you can eat and then stroll by the sea, and the vibe is just right for a date.

It feels like casual dining that suits the Gwangalli mood, so it's great for photos too. The exterior was so pretty that I couldn't help taking pictures haha. Perfect for Instagram >_<

What is the interior of Marento like?

The inside is clean and warm, with wood-toned interiors. It isn't flashy but feels cozy, so it was comfortable to eat in, and the tables are spaced generously, which is nice for chatting. I could see why it's known as a go-to date restaurant in Gwangalli haha.

There are lots of apartment buildings around Marento, so I guess many locals come here too~~ I'd love to enjoy a casual brunch here every time… lol. The weather is nice right now, so eating on the terrace would probably feel great. If you want somewhere new instead of the usual spots near Gwangalli Beach, I recommend Marento~

Marento's self-serve bar and receipt review event

At Marento, you grab the cucumber pickles, jalapeños and water yourself. If you join the Naver receipt review event, you can get a free gorgonzola pizza or Americano, so definitely take part haha.

What we ordered at Marento

• Pistachio cream gnocchi
• Basil cream pasta
• Orange juice

Marento is open-style, so it honestly felt healing! Photos came out really well too. Eating brunch while looking at the scenery makes me so happy~~ I visited on a weekday, but I bet it gets a lot of customers on weekends.

Is Marento's pistachio cream gnocchi chewy?

Marento's pistachio cream gnocchi has a properly chewy texture, with a rich, thick cream sauce topped off by the nutty flavor of pistachio. Even the look is so stylish. No wonder it's a best-seller haha. It feels different from ordinary cream gnocchi.

I took one bite and the chewy texture is really alive… gnocchi has to be chewy!!!!! Sometimes gnocchi just tastes like potato, which is a bit disappointing. I dipped it generously in the sauce underneath and the nuttiness came through strongly. I immediately understood why so many people order the pistachio cream gnocchi at Marento hahaha.

Is Marento's basil cream pasta too greasy?

In Marento's basil cream pasta, the basil aroma blends with the cream without being overpowering, so it had less of the heaviness cream pasta usually has. Personally, it was totally my style!! It was smooth, with a fragrant basil note, so I could finish it without getting tired of it.

The noodles were cooked just right and soaked up the sauce, and anyone who likes a thick sauce will be satisfied. I really hope you try the basil cream pasta~~

Is Marento's orange juice freshly squeezed?

Marento's orange juice felt like oranges simply blended and squeezed, and it was refreshing, pairing well with the cream dishes. Wow, what is going on with this orange juice… it's truly fresh-squeezed. It felt like just eating an orange. It's seriously good, so get this too.

After rich cream dishes, one sip cleans up your mouth, and I was glad we ordered it together.

Marento verdict: who should go?

Overall, Marento has good food quality and a satisfying atmosphere, so it looked fine for dates or anniversary meals too. If you're looking for a restaurant with a nice mood in Gwangalli, love gnocchi, or love thick cream pasta, Marento is worth a visit.

• Value for money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Staff friendliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Service speed: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Would visit again: O