Dog-friendly terrace restaurant in Gwangalli: spicy pasta at Marento

I was looking for a place in Gwangalli, Busan, where I could eat comfortably with my dog, and that's how I ended up at Marento! It's near Millak Waterside Park, so it's great for a visit after a walk with your pup, and I loved that dogs are welcome both indoors and outside :) The terrace atmosphere is really nice, so it would be perfect on a sunny day.

Where is Marento, and what are the hours and parking?

Marento is at 17-9 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro 344beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan, Unit 101 on the first floor. It's open Monday and Wednesday to Saturday 11:00–24:00 (last order 23:00) and Sunday 11:00–21:00 (last order 20:00). It's closed on Tuesdays.

Marento sits near Millak Waterside Park in Gwangalli. For parking, use a nearby public parking lot. Since a walk by the sea fits nicely after the meal, it looked good for a date or a family dinner too.

Is Marento easy to visit with a dog?

Marento has clear dog-friendly signs right from the entrance, so it was easy to walk straight in with my dog. I visited with Kobi and we got in without any fuss.

Marento's atmosphere and seating

Marento feels like a brunch café and a dining restaurant at the same time! The exterior is neat and charming, so I was already looking forward to it before going in.

The interior is decorated mainly in wood tones. It felt warm and cozy, and the tables are spaced generously, which made eating comfortable. The window seats had a nice mood too, and the natural light made them good for photos ◡̈

Best of all, dogs are allowed! You can use the indoor seats or the outdoor terrace, so I thought it was a really great space for dog owners.

Can you open a dog stroller on Marento's terrace?

In the outdoor area at Marento you can leave a dog stroller open, which made visiting with my dog easy. The terrace was my favorite spot, of course. It's open and airy, and you can feel the Millak Waterside Park atmosphere too, so mealtime felt more relaxed.

We went at a relatively quiet time, and at a seat where the terrace and indoor area are separated, I opened the stroller and Kobi and I spent time even more comfortably!

Marento's menu and the pasta and gnocchi we ordered

Marento has a range of Western dishes such as pasta, gnocchi (potato dumplings) and pizza, and you can adjust the spice level of the pasta. I liked being able to choose to suit my taste.

We ordered the shrimp scallop oil pasta, the Cheongyang truffle oil pasta and the pistachio cream gnocchi. They all came out at once, and they looked really appetizing. The portions were decent and the plating was pretty, so great for photos ◡̈

How spicy is Marento's shrimp and scallop oil pasta?

I chose the spicy level for Marento's shrimp scallop oil pasta. The clean taste of oil pasta plus a kick of heat made it the kind of dish you keep reaching for. There was plenty of shrimp and scallop, and the ingredients seemed in good condition!

Even at the spicy level, it wasn't just harshly hot. The heat blended well with the nuttiness of the oil. It wasn't greasy, so I could enjoy it down to the last bite ◡̈

What does Marento's Cheongyang chili truffle oil pasta taste like?

I ordered Marento's Cheongyang truffle oil pasta (Cheongyang is a spicy green chili) at the mildly spicy level. The truffle aroma rose up subtly and was appealing from the first bite. If you usually like truffle dishes, I think you'd enjoy this one ♥

The sharp kick of the chili cut the richness and brought out the flavor even more! It's oil pasta like the shrimp scallop one, but with a different charm, so it was good for sharing ◡̈ I think it would pair well with wine too.

Marento's signature pistachio cream gnocchi

The pistachio cream gnocchi is said to be Marento's signature dish, so it's the one I was most looking forward to, and I can see why it's popular. The sauce was rich and full of nutty aroma right away.

The gnocchi was chewy yet soft, and it went really well with the pistachio cream sauce. The cream wasn't too heavy, so it didn't feel overwhelming, and the nutty flavor lingered.

All three dishes had a distinct character, so it was fun to try a bit of everything. I felt the lineup works whether you like oil pasta or cream dishes.

Can you relax over a meal with your dog at Marento?

There was no awkward vibe at all about being there with a dog, and Kobi could relax during the meal too, which made me even happier 🥹 Even where dogs are officially allowed, some places make you feel uneasy, but Marento wasn't like that.

What I remember most is how kind the owner was. Every interaction was really friendly, so I felt good the whole meal and wanted to come back again!

If you're looking for a dog-friendly restaurant in Gwangalli, or a Western restaurant with a nice atmosphere, I think Marento is worth a visit! It had tasty pasta and gnocchi, plus a comfortable space you can share with your dog.