Free valet parking and mango bingsu at Gonjiam café La Cuesta

A review of La Cuesta, a large café near Hwadam Botanic Garden in Gonjiam, Gwangju, Gyeonggi.

Hi everyone^^ It's Jjittori, who loves good food. On a rare day off, I had a hearty breakfast and headed to 'La Cuesta,' a large café near Hwadam Botanic Garden in Gonjiam, Gwangju. It's been featured on TV several times, and it's clearly a popular spot! Let me walk you through my visit to this large café, La Cuesta.

Where is La Cuesta, and how is the parking? Free valet, 100+ spaces

First, La Cuesta is very close to Hwadam Botanic Garden, so it's perfect to drop by right after a walk. It offers free valet parking and a spacious lot, which made driving there really convenient. With room for over 100 cars, it's no problem even for group visits or large buses. It's also accessible for those using public transit, so anyone can visit without hassle.

Inside La Cuesta: two floors and the outdoor garden

The atmosphere at this large café near Hwadam Botanic Garden in Gonjiam, La Cuesta, was truly impressive. It's split across the 1st and 2nd floors, plus a large outdoor area, so it comfortably fits a lot of people.

A picnic in the La Cuesta garden

The outdoor garden comes equipped with picnic baskets, carriers, mats, and blankets, so on a nice day you can visit with family or friends for a picnic-style outing~

In summer there's a cool waterfall and a water play area, and in winter it's great for a warm fire-watching session, so this large café near Hwadam Botanic Garden in Gonjiam, La Cuesta, has something to offer in every season.

There are also various play facilities for kids, like badminton, soccer, and drawing, which makes this a spot that families really enjoy.

The bakery counter no bread lover can walk past

And one thing you can't skip at La Cuesta is the bakery. The moment I stepped in, all kinds of bread caught my eye~ For someone who loves bread like me, it was a space that was really hard to resist.

I wanted to try one of everything, but since I'd had such a hearty breakfast, I thought about my diet (?) and after a lot of deliberation, picked just two breads.

La Cuesta serves delicious coffee alongside sweet yet healthy desserts and baked goods.

Free meju bread tasting at La Cuesta

The mejubread (fermented soybean block-shaped bread) in particular is famous — it was even featured on SBS's 'Live Today.' The name alone made me curious what it would taste like, and there was a tasting sample right next to it so I could try it out^^

It was nice that whenever new breads come out, you can try them for free like this, and it was fun watching other customers' reactions too.

There were also patented products aimed at skin improvement, including for pregnant women, so if you're interested in healthy desserts, it might be worth checking those out too^^

Pasta, sandwiches and bingsu on one menu

La Cuesta isn't just a large café selling coffee and bread. It also has pasta and sandwich options for lunch, so there's no need to go elsewhere for a meal — you can handle both food and dessert in one spot~

Mango bingsu and a La Cuesta latte at a floor-to-ceiling window seat

We ordered mango bingsu (shaved ice dessert) and a La Cuesta latte that day. What I especially liked was the seat by the floor-to-ceiling window. With warm sunlight softly pouring in, the whole space felt really cozy. On a nice day, sitting by the window with a cup of coffee would be a perfect way to spend some relaxed time.

The weather was starting to cool down, but I was craving something sweet, so I ordered a mango bingsu — it came piled generously with mango, and just seeing it put me in a good mood.

The mango bingsu was sweet and refreshing, and it paired really well with bread^^

And since I was at La Cuesta, I had to try the signature La Cuesta latte too. Soft whipped cream sits on top of the latte, giving it a sweet, nutty flavor from the first sip. It paired really well with bread.

Is La Cuesta in Gonjiam worth a visit?

This visit to La Cuesta showed that, given its size, there was so much to see and enjoy^^

From the spacious parking lot to the wide indoor spaces on the 1st and 2nd floors, the warm sunlight through the floor-to-ceiling windows, a variety of bakery items and coffee, and meal options like pasta and sandwiches — it's great that you can handle both a meal and dessert in one place.

With the large outdoor garden and picnic space, various facilities for kids to enjoy, and seasonal features like the waterfall and water play area or the fire pit for winter, it's a place I think really suits family visitors too^^

If you're planning a drive around Gonjiam, Gwangju, or heading to Hwadam Botanic Garden or Gonjiam Resort, it's worth stopping by this large café near Hwadam Botanic Garden, La Cuesta, where you can enjoy a meal and dessert together^^