Yeonnam-dong Italian dinner: gnocchi and lasagna for two, Classicdang

I was looking for a place with a good vibe in Yeonnam-dong and stumbled on somewhere that really hit my taste, for the first time in a while.

This is Yeonnam Classicdang. In weather this cool, an indoor table is nice, but I keep gravitating toward places where you can eat while feeling the outside air.

Classicdang has rattan chairs and tables set up right at the entrance, and the moment I saw it, it gave off that classic Yeonnam-dong outdoor-dining vibe.

What do Classicdang's exterior and terrace seats feel like?

Classicdang feels like a European alley

Classicdang was pretty striking from the outside. The white-toned building with red lettering, green plants, and outdoor tables all came together in a way that suited Yeonnam-dong's charming, quaint atmosphere.

The outdoor seating especially looked like it was styled after a small bistro on some Parisian alley, and on a nice day it seemed perfect for sitting here with a glass of wine or beer. If you're looking for outdoor dining spots in Yeonnam-dong, this is one worth a look for the atmosphere alone! The interior was a bit calmer than outside.

With white and cream as the base tones, plus wood chairs, round lighting, and sentimental framed art on the walls, the space felt casual yet warm. The big windows kept it from feeling stuffy, and it seemed like a comfortable spot for a date or a casual meal with friends.

Potato gnocchi and lasagna: a good pair to share between two

What we ordered

Classicdang has a wide variety of menu items, and the first thing we ordered was the potato gnocchi!

A plate full of creamy sauce with golden-seared gnocchi, arugula, and cheese on top looked delicious just from the visual. One bite in, the gnocchi had a slightly chewy exterior with a soft, fluffy interior, and it paired really well with the savory cream sauce.

The arugula on top added a fresh note here and there, so it wasn't as heavy as I expected. Crunchy nut-like toppings and the salty flavor of the cheese added to the texture too, so it never felt monotonous. If you're into rich cream dishes, this is one I'd personally recommend.

The lasagna we ordered alongside it was satisfying too. It comes out hot in an oven dish, with layers of pasta sheets packed with a rich tomato-based sauce and plenty of cheese.

Cutting in with a fork, the lasagna sheets and sauce blend together softly, and the tangy tomato sauce and savory cheese come through fairly rich.

Alternating with the cream-based gnocchi made for a nice combination since the two dishes tasted distinctly different. If two of you are visiting, I'd recommend ordering one gnocchi and one lasagna to share.

Is Classicdang a good autumn evening date spot?

A Yeonnam-dong outdoor spot where you enjoy the atmosphere too

Yeonnam Classicdang felt less like a place you just eat and leave, and more like somewhere you enjoy the atmosphere of the space along with the food.

I imagine that once the sun starts setting, the Classicdang sign at the entrance and the outdoor seating get even more atmospheric. If you're looking for a cool autumn evening date spot or somewhere for a casual drink with friends in Yeonnam-dong, this is a good place to stop by.

Both the potato gnocchi and lasagna tasted as good as they looked, and the space was casual yet full of character, making it great for photos too — that was Yeonnam Classicdang.

If you want to eat pasta and gnocchi in Yeonnam-dong while enjoying the outdoor dining atmosphere, this might be worth saving as a Yeonnam-dong outdoor-dining spot :)