Dog-friendly ocean-view café in Gijang: vodka rosé pasta at De Mer

What is De Mer, the brunch café by the sea in Ilgwang, Gijang?

De Mer (드메르) is an ocean-view brunch café you reach by following the coastal road in Ilgwang, Gijang, and this time I visited with my family. Do you ever have those moments in a busy life when you just want to stop, stand still and breathe in deeply? Whenever I do, I head to the sea off Gijang that I love so much.

Walking while looking out over the endless blue Ilgwang sea, I feel my tangled thoughts getting washed away by the waves. Today I visited, with my family, the Ilgwang brunch café that completely won my heart on that walking trip: De Mer.

Along the Ilgwang coastal road you'll find De Mer, and "a café that embraces the sea" is exactly the phrase for it.

De Mer's floor-to-ceiling ocean view and interior

Big floor-to-ceiling windows open onto the Ilgwang sea, so you can rest indoors with a sea view whatever the weather. The moment you step inside, the view through the glass feels like a giant framed picture hung on the wall. I walk 10 km every day, so I really love a "refuge" like this where I can recharge and rest.

De Mer was the perfect all-weather indoor refuge, where you can watch the sea any time. With the spacious layout and stylish interior, just being there felt like a refined kind of rest.

Is De Mer dog-friendly?

Yes, De Mer is a dog-friendly café in Ilgwang, Gijang, and the tables are spaced generously, so it was lovely to stay quietly with a pet. So many people treat their pets like family these days, right? I know well how healing a warm daily life with a pet can be.

One of De Mer's biggest charms is that dogs are welcome. When you visit a café with a pet, you always worry about bothering people nearby, but De Mer is a considerate space that takes that worry away. Thanks to the generous spacing between tables, it was ideal for spending cozy time with a pet. Sharing warm sunshine with your pets while looking at the sea in front of you, a precious moment every pet owner dreams of, becomes an everyday thing here.

What to eat on De Mer's brunch menu

The brunch I had at De Mer was three dishes: vodka rosé pasta, fruit waffle and mushroom soup. Coffee matters at a café, of course, but true to its name as an Ilgwang brunch café, every dish was made with care. The owner's philosophy of preparing fresh ingredients every morning shows in each menu item.

Vodka rosé pasta

My first recommendation at De Mer is the vodka rosé pasta. It's slightly spicy, so it suits people who don't do well with rich, heavy flavors. The name "vodka rosé" made me a little curious, and it turns out the vodka acts like a cheat code, linking the acidity of the tomato with the richness of the fresh cream. The alcohol cooks off completely, leaving only the deep, savory flavor of the pasta. That gentle, pleasant kick of spice makes it a perfect choice for anyone who finds creamy dishes too heavy. From the first bite I thought, "Oh, this is the real deal."

Fruit waffle

De Mer's fruit waffle is a dessert of warm, freshly baked waffle piled with rich Chantilly cream and seasonal fruit. I'm usually picky about desserts, but I'd call this the waffle of my life. One bite and happiness fills your mouth. I even muttered to myself, "Were waffles always this good?"

Mushroom soup

De Mer's mushroom soup is the ultimate in nuttiness and savory richness, and alongside the pasta and waffle it makes a perfect meal. Dipping warm bread into the thick soup made both body and mind happy.

Is De Mer easy for families and groups?

Each table on the 2nd floor at De Mer has a tablet for ordering, which is convenient, and with high chairs available there were lots of families. The thoughtful touches for visitors stood out too. The large space also makes it good for group gatherings.

Great views, great food, and warm consideration for pets too! It's not easy to find a café that nails all of that in one place, and I felt De Mer managed that difficult feat. Enjoying freshly baked waffles and carefully made pasta while looking at the blue sea of Gijang: if you need a small gift for yourself, or want to make memories with family, friends or your dog, I recommend dropping by.

De Mer opening hours and location

• Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–20:00 (last order 19:30)
• Closed: Every Monday
• Address: 582-48 Ilgwang-ro, Ilgwang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea