Gonjiam bakery café: 2nd-floor window-view mango bingsu at La Cuesta

I'm a mom who loves food tours, and today I visited La Cuesta Gwangju, a café near Hwadam Forest in Gonjiam, Gwangju.

Where is La Cuesta Gwangju, and what are the hours and parking like?

La Cuesta Gwangju (라꾸에스타 경기광주점) is at 278 Gyeongchung-daero, Gonjiam-eup, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, South Korea, and it's open daily from 10am to 10pm. Parking, group seating, venue rental, baby chairs and takeout are all available.

It's a big bakery café, one of the best-known around Hwadam Forest, and a must-stop whenever you visit Gonjiam! The parking area in front of the shop is roomy and wide, so it was easy to park and walk in.

What are the 1st floor and the outdoor garden like?

Among the big cafés in Gonjiam, La Cuesta has a spacious, pleasant two-floor interior and is known for its brunch and bakery. Even on the 1st floor you can enjoy tasty brunch and bread while looking out through the big glass windows.

The pretty outdoor garden even has picnic props, so La Cuesta is great for families and group gatherings.

2nd-floor group seating, forest views, mini waterfall and fire pit

The 2nd floor is even roomier and more pleasant than the 1st, with group seating for 10 or more. It's used for all kinds of gatherings, from coworkers nearby to bigger groups.

With its big-window forest view, a mini waterfall flowing in front of the yard, a fire pit (bulmeong, fire-gazing) and a space where kids can draw, it was just great.

What is La Cuesta's signature meju bread?

The signature bread at La Cuesta Gwangju is meju sikppang (메주식빵, meju loaf bread). It has been featured on SBS's Live Today, and is said to be a patented product that's even good for skin, including for pregnant women.

On the 1st floor there's an order counter along with a wide display of bakery items. With so many breads to choose from, I felt totally satisfied, nothing lacking.

What summer bingsu and brunch dishes are on the menu?

For summer treats, La Cuesta has mango bingsu (shaved ice dessert), watermelon bingsu and injeolmi bingsu. Kids and adults alike can enjoy them, so it's a great bingsu spot.

The brunch menu is varied too, with pasta, sandwiches and salads.

Bakery takeout is available

You can take away a range of baked goods here, from the signature meju bread to cookies, all packaged for takeout.

Mango bingsu and bakery at a 2nd-floor window seat

Today at La Cuesta Gwangju I started with something cold, bingsu, plus some bakery items.

• Mango bingsu ×1
• Baked goods ×2

Once the breads were set down with the 2nd-floor window view behind them, they looked even tastier. One was a layered, crunchy bake topped with fresh fruit, and the other was a soft bagel-textured bread stuffed with cheese. Both were delicious!

How does La Cuesta's mango bingsu taste?

La Cuesta's mango bingsu comes with sweet mango and sweet ice cream on top of milk shaved ice, and the generous portion was so appealing. Honestly, it melts in your mouth like nowhere else, so good!!

Mild, soft milk shaved ice with sweet mango and ice cream: a real summer treat and a very charming menu item!!

There are books on the 2nd floor too

On my way down I noticed lots of books on the 2nd floor, as if many people like reading there. Next time I'll come back quietly just to read, haha ♡