Gonjiam bakery café with a lit night terrace: mango bingsu, La Cuesta
In short
La Cuesta Gwangju is a large bakery café on Gyeongchung-daero in Gonjiam-eup, Gwangju, Gyeonggi. On the way home from seeing golden coreopsis flowers along the Namhangang River in Yeoju, the writer stopped at La Cuesta Gwangju at night. The writer toured the waterfall photo zone, the gift-wrap-themed first and second floors and the lit outdoor terrace, then had mango bingsu (shaved ice) and the La Cuesta latte. The sunset was missed, but La Cuesta's night terrace was a quiet, cozy place to unwind.
Good to know
- Parking
- Free parking lot for up to 100 cars; large buses can park too
- What we ordered
- Mango bingsu (shaved ice, condensed milk served on the side) and La Cuesta latte
- Events
- A free bread for posting an Instagram or blog review, discounts at certain hours, and more
- Space
- First and second floors, glass-walled rooms, outdoor terrace connected to the second floor, walking trail, waterfall (a water-play area in summer)
as written by the visitor on Jun 10, 2026
A night stop at La Cuesta in Gonjiam after Yeoju's coreopsis flowers
La Cuesta Gwangju is a big Gonjiam café we dropped into on the way home, after relaxing among the coreopsis flowers by the Namhangang River in Yeoju. We took a wrong turn, ended up all the way in Munmak and had to come back, so we missed the sunset. A little glow was still left, and judging by the direction, the second floor looks like it would be great for watching the sunset.
Is parking easy at La Cuesta Gwangju?
La Cuesta has a large free parking lot that holds 100 cars. Large buses can park there too. Somehow this feels like a place for group gatherings, doesn't it?
La Cuesta's waterfall and pumpkin carriage photo zones
We followed the sound of the waterfall and found a photo zone!
The pumpkin carriage photo zone looked a bit corny in person, but it comes out pretty in photos. If you want a Cinderella princess shot, head here!
La Cuesta is famous for its meju bread (a soybean-block-shaped loaf), and apparently it has even been on TV.
The waterfall! In summer, they say, this turns into a water-play area. Listening to the cool sound of water, we headed into the café. Mmm, what's that sky color? Gorgeous!
Why we chose the mango bingsu
Mango bingsu (shaved-ice dessert) is a memory for us. Everyone saw it on the menu, thought of that memory and decided to have it. There were meal menus too, but we had just stuffed ourselves with spicy squid and pork duruchigi (stir-fry stew), so we passed!
A kid-friendly first floor at La Cuesta
Let's look around! Judging by the height, this seems to be a service for children. But I grabbed one of each color too, haha. There are lots of kid-friendly touches all over La Cuesta.
The whole shop is gift-wrapped! There are also rooms made of glass walls.
Oh my~ the café runs its own drawing contest. Instead of going no-kids, they seem to have found a way for kids and adults to enjoy the café quietly together. The May winning pieces were on display too.
La Cuesta's second floor: good for group and year-end gatherings?
Shall we go up to the second floor?
There are things to play with on the second floor too.
Cute photo zones. And a mirror selfie, which we couldn't just walk past!
The wide space can seat groups of all different sizes. It could work like a party room too. The gift-wrap interior behind the big windows has a Christmas feel, so it would be perfect for a year-end party. I hear people rent cafés for small weddings these days, and that might work here too.
This spot and the right side seem to be the sunset view. A little sad that we arrived late.
La Cuesta's lit outdoor terrace and walking trail at night
The outdoor terrace connected directly to the second floor was atmospheric at night thanks to the lights, so I took a moment to sit and reflect. It seems perfect for a cozy time on a weekday evening. It was dark so I didn't notice, but they have picnic props, so you can enjoy a picnic feeling in the outdoor garden.
This seems to connect to a walking trail. In daytime I would have gone up, but it was night, so we turned back.
It connects to the waterfall we saw earlier!
La Cuesta review events, discounts and bakery
Shall we order?
La Cuesta also runs Instagram and blog review events, so take advantage and get one free bread, folks!
A discount event for certain hours!
And other discount events!
All kinds of baked goods, in quite a variety. There were lots of desserts I wanted to try, but... I held back!
Health-minded baked goods.
How to eat La Cuesta's mango bingsu, step by step
La Cuesta's mango bingsu is covered in mango with a big scoop of ice cream on top, and the condensed milk comes in a separate cup. Wow~~~ shaved ice blanketed in mango, haha~~~ The ice cream is pretty big too.
I think you should finish the ice cream and then pour on the condensed milk. We went straight for the snowflake ice from the start, so I don't think we enjoyed it properly.
- Tackle the ice cream first while the mango melts a little
- Pour on the condensed milk and mix the mango with the snowflake ice
- Eat it after mixing
We went at night when it was a bit cool, yet by the time we left the mango had melted, hahaha!
What does the La Cuesta latte taste like?
The La Cuesta latte is topped not with whipped foam but with thick fresh cream. Recommended on days you crave sugar! The coffee tastes decent too.
Where it is
278 Gyeongchung-daero, Gonjiam-eup, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea경기도 광주시 곤지암읍 경충대로 278 라꾸에스타
Lacuesta Gyeonggi Gwangju: hours, menu and prices →
