Apgujeong restaurant with grapefruit rose salad: Awesome Rose

"Wait, what is this vibe?" Why Awesome Rose, an Apgujeong favorite, was such a great Gangnam date spot

I went out for a Garosu-gil date after a while. Wandering the alleys checking out newly opened shops, it was already past 5pm before I knew it, and I started getting hungry haha. While looking for somewhere nearby for dinner, I found Awesome Rose. It's apparently known not just for great steak and pasta, but also as a popular Garosu-gil date spot haha. But once I actually got there, I was struck by how the space itself, not just the food, set the mood for a date 🥰 Let me share my honest review of why it's recommended as a Gangnam date spot :)

Where is Awesome Rose? An Apgujeong restaurant an easy walk from Sinsa Station

Awesome Rose is about a 7-8 minute walk from Sinsa Station Exit 8. The address is B1, 40 Apgujeong-ro 10-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Since you can get there easily just by strolling through the Garosu-gil alleys, it worked well as part of our date route! It was a convenient spot to head to for a meal after shopping or walking around Garosu-gil like we did haha.

Even before you step inside, a huge rose catches your eye 🌹

And going down the stairs lined with an elegant chandelier, a space bigger than you'd expect opens up.

Inside Awesome Rose: rose interiors that surprise you at the door

The basement hall at Awesome Rose is a space where lighting, music, and projected visuals all come together. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was noticeably different from a typical restaurant.

Overall, the lighting, music, and projected visuals blend together so well that just sitting in the space builds the mood on its own haha.

There are basic 2-person tables and 4-person tables set up throughout, and the layout allows tables to be pushed together for 8 or more people.

There's also a bar seating area on one side, which looked good for anyone who wants to enjoy the atmosphere quietly with a drink :)

True to the name Awesome Rose, there are rose accents everywhere, so photos came out pretty ✨

The vibe was great not just for dates or blind dates, but also for gatherings with friends or group meals haha.

Awesome Rose menu lineup and what we ordered

Awesome Rose's menu was more varied than I expected. From set menus to appetizers like soups and salads, main dishes like pasta, rice, and steak, plus sides and desserts — there was plenty to choose from depending on your taste.

We ordered

• Rose salad
• Rose rosé pasta
• Rose steak rice bowl
• Green tangerine chamomile tea

With two of us there, sharing several dishes worked out perfectly.

How does the food at Awesome Rose actually taste?

Rose salad with grapefruit sauce

First, we chose the rose salad with grapefruit sauce. From the first bite, the refreshing flavor really came through, which was great for whetting the appetite.

If you like refreshing food like I do, I'd recommend the grapefruit sauce haha.

Rose rosé pasta topped with an edible rose

Next was the rose rosé pasta! There was an edible rose on top in the center, which made the visual special from the start. It even made me think, "is today some kind of anniversary?" haha. The noodles were cooked just right, the rosé sauce was quite rich, and there were plenty of large shrimp — it was delicious.

Top pick: the rose steak rice bowl with wasabi

And surprisingly, my top pick was the rose steak rice bowl haha. The rice was lightly seasoned with steak sauce, topped with tender steak, and adding a bit of wasabi on top made the combination really work. Personally, it was my favorite dish of the day haha. I thought a pretty restaurant like this might focus more on visuals than flavor, but the food itself was satisfying too ✨

After the meal: black-and-white photo camera and photo zone

On one side of Awesome Rose, there's a booth for taking black-and-white photos. Next to it is a photo zone reminiscent of a wedding hall.

But the fun at Awesome Rose didn't end there haha. On one side of the restaurant, there's a booth set up for taking black-and-white photos. It's nice for taking photos with friends or a partner, or even solo shots, making it a good way to leave with a memory after the meal.

Right next to it is a pretty photo zone reminiscent of a wedding hall(?). I took a mirror selfie there too, and it came out pretty well 😌 If you visit, make sure to take at least one photo haha.

And the final touch that really made me happy 🌹 On our way out, the owner gave us each a rose as a gift. It was such a fitting ending for a place named Awesome Rose, and it put me in a great mood ☺️

Verdict: why Awesome Rose works as a Gangnam date spot

This visit to Awesome Rose felt less like just grabbing a meal and more like enjoying an entire date course — from the food to the photos to the atmosphere. The steak and pasta dishes were good, but what made the space truly special was the rose-themed interior combined with soft lighting, music, and the photo zone. If you're planning a date in Garosu-gil, it's worth remembering as a spot that flows well from a walk into a great meal :) If you want to make a bit of a special day for a girlfriend or someone you like, a place like this could be a great choice haha. If you're looking for an Apgujeong favorite with a great atmosphere, or a unique Gangnam date spot, give Awesome Rose a try 🌹