Suwon terrace café in autumn with glass-block interior: Caffeine Focus

It's gotten cooler lately, so it's really autumn now! Autumn means terraces! I went to Haenggung-dong to enjoy terrace season!

What kind of café is Caffeine Focus?

The café I visited today is Caffeine Focus. It's a bakery café in Haenggung-dong with a full view of the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress wall!!!!

• Address: 경기도 수원시 팔달구 창룡대로80번길 15 1, 2, 3층
• Hours: 11:00 am - 08:00 pm (closed Tuesdays)
• Parking: check in advance
• Restroom: available on 1st and 3rd floors

Check the hours before you go for a smooth visit!

There's a photo zone right at the entrance too.

Sourdough and ciabatta in Haenggung-dong, Suwon

Caffeine Focus is known in Haenggung-dong, Suwon for its sourdough and ciabatta! I love ciabatta and sandwiches, so just looking at all the different kinds of ciabatta made me happy... if you love ciabatta, this is the place!

This is the real deal.

Apparently ciabatta used to not be available on Wednesdays, but now it's also out on Wednesdays, the day after they're closed, so feel free to stop by any day!

Basque cheesecake on the 1st-floor terrace in autumn

Since I came out to enjoy the short terrace season, I took a seat on the terrace. I really wanted the ciabatta but... stomach issues... so I settled for an Americano plus Basque cheesecake and Greek yogurt instead.

The Basque cheesecake had a deep, rich flavor. If this is how good the cheesecake is, imagine how good the ciabatta they're famous for must be... I need to come back and try it soon!

Inside the 2nd and 3rd floors and their fortress-wall views

After ordering and getting my drink, I went up to check out the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Raw concrete plus wood railings, and on the other side, mosaic tiles casually applied. Fun combination.

Green plants scattered here and there fill in what could otherwise be a stark space.

These are the 2nd and 3rd floor views respectively. Both floors boast a café view of the Haenggung-dong fortress wall! Is there another café where you can see the Haenggung-dong fortress wall through such wide-open windows? I especially wanted to sit by the 3rd-floor window for a long, long time.

The 2nd floor: a raw, metallic concept

On the way up from the 2nd to the 3rd floor, there were glass blocks! A corridor that could feel narrow and stuffy was designed with glass blocks to give it privacy without feeling closed in. To match, the frames and chairs are silver mirror and sleek black. The 2nd floor's concept is that industrial edge.

The 3rd floor: high ceilings and a gabled roof

This is the 3rd floor. It uses the high ceiling for a gabled roof. A playful use of the space.

While the view outside the window is lush and green, the interior is dominated by raw concrete, which could feel cold — so they seem to have used warm wood tones and green plants to balance it out. These contrasting elements come together to fill the space with a warm atmosphere. The furniture and wood color are so, so pretty!

Fortress view on the 1st-floor terrace, wide-open view on the 3rd

The view on the other side is a city view! They've also made terrace seating using the outdoor balcony on the 3rd floor. If you want the fortress view, use the 1st-floor terrace! If you want the wide-open view, use the 3rd-floor terrace!

Restrooms are on the 1st and 3rd floors. The 3rd floor is pretty high up... so you don't have to go all the way down to the 1st floor just to use the restroom. The best.

Before I wrap up, let me show you what I ordered one more time!

This is the café that captures the Haenggung-dong fortress view most beautifully. On a nice day, stop by Caffeine Focus in Haenggung-dong! P.S. I heard it's also known for great sunsets. Apparently once night falls, the building lights up, the fortress wall lights up, and as the sun sets it creates an overwhelmingly beautiful view... next time I'll have to go for a bite of ciabatta at sunset!