Sangmu, Gwangju Italian: after-dinner cheese platter at Camel Orzo

If you're hunting for a restaurant with great atmosphere in Sangmu, Gwangju, here's one that's perfect for a special date or a get-together. It's Camel Orzo (카멜오르조), loved for its European-style interior and high-quality, authentic Italian food! I've put together everything: parking tips worth knowing before you go, the dishes that catch both eyes and taste buds, and the perks you'd hate to miss. Shall we take a look?

Where is Camel Orzo and what are its hours?

Camel Orzo is at 261 Uncheon-ro, Urban Peak Sangmu 1F, Unit 102, Seo-gu, Gwangju, and it's open daily from 11:00 to 23:00 (last order 21:00). Break time is 15:30-17:00 on weekdays and 16:00-17:00 on weekends.

It's very easy to reach, whether you come by public transport or by car!! It sits right in the heart of Sangmu, itself the center of Gwangju!

Where do you park at Camel Orzo in Sangmu?

Camel Orzo has no fewer than 4 partner parking options, so the biggest headache of eating in Sangmu, parking stress, is zero!

• Shopping complex parking lot: 2 hours free, weekdays and weekends
• NICE Park Gwangju Chipyeong parking lot: 2 hours free, weekdays and weekends
• Pyeonghwa Park underground parking lot: ₩2,000 per table covered with a parking ticket
• Megabox annex parking lot: 1 hour free at weekday lunch (11:00-16:00)

This time I parked at the NICE Park lot. It's really close to the restaurant, and when paying you can get the free parking discount right at your seat on a tablet, which was so convenient!

Exterior and interior atmosphere

Outside, an Italian flag, soft lighting and a stylish logo on the wall make it a photo spot where you'll get great shots just standing out front!! So pretty, right?!

Inside, it's warm and cozy! Vintage-yet-refined chairs and all kinds of wall decorations come together to create an exotic mood!

Is it OK for group gatherings and company dinners?

The inside is really spacious and comfortable! The tables are nicely spaced, so you can focus on your conversation without being disturbed by neighboring tables!

There's also plenty of group seating for larger parties, so I strongly recommend it for family gatherings or company dinners!

What's on the menu at Camel Orzo?

The menu at Camel Orzo has seasonal dishes, authentic wood-fired pizza and a pasta lineup, plus lunch sets, happy hour sets and dinner courses. Open the menu and it's packed with a wide range of professional Italian dishes, so choosing is half the fun.

There's a huge choice, with good-value lunch sets, happy hour sets and dinner courses to round out the perfect mood, all carefully put together, so I think you'd be happy visiting at any time of day!

Another plus is a drinks lineup as flashy as any big café or bar. It goes well with a meal and is just right for a perfect finish after one!!

What did we order for a second round after dinner?

Since I came to Camel Orzo after already eating, we kept it light and ordered one dish, the Manjo crema risotto, and one Camel Special Cheese Platter, which goes well with wine or drinks, to share. We were full, yet we finished everything, so here's my honest review!

Manjo crema risotto

The Manjo crema risotto looks gorgeous, like a work of art!! Thin fried cheese chips ring the plate, with a mountain of steak piled inside.

Break the crispy chips and eat them with the tender meat and risotto, and it's a party of textures in your mouth! It keeps the cream, which could easily feel heavy, clean, so every ingredient was perfectly balanced!

What's in the dinner-only Camel Special Cheese Platter

The Camel Special Cheese Platter is a dinner-only item, generously loaded with brie topped with rosemary and pistachios, plus salty prosciutto and salami. Add cool watermelon, sweet dried apricots and assorted nuts, and you get a perfect harmony of sweet, salty and nutty.

The richness of the brie and the fresh ingredients filled my mouth with a luxurious flavor, so satisfaction was at its peak!!

Finishing the meal: decaf cold brew

Besides a variety of alcohol that pairs well with food, Camel Orzo has a drinks lineup that rivals a café's. For a clean finish I ordered the decaf cold brew, and it was an excellent choice.

Even though it's decaf, it keeps coffee's fragrant aroma and a smooth finish, a wonderful coffee that lifted our after-dinner dessert time a notch.

Camel Orzo: overall verdict

Camel Orzo gave me a perfect time, like a quick gourmet trip to Italy. From the roomy, convenient partner parking to the stylish interior, the high-quality dishes that dazzle eyes and mouth alike, and the thoughtful events, nothing was missing from this excellent dining spot.

If you're looking for a special, high-quality meal with people you care about near Sangmu, I really recommend giving it a visit!