Gangneung hanok café garden break with a baby: Cafe Giwa

Which hanok café did I visit with my baby?

I visited Cafe Giwa (카페기와) on Chodangwon-gil in Gangneung with my 4-month-old baby and my mother. After spending time at our ocean-view accommodation, I also wanted to rest somewhere with a hanok and garden.

Cafe Giwa is at 15 Chodangwon-gil 54beon-gil in Gangneung. I sought it out on this trip because I was drawn to its quiet hanok atmosphere.

What were the hanok and garden like?

The space is a renovated 130-year-old hanok, combining the character of an old home with the relaxed atmosphere of a garden. The garden, arranged with trees and flowers, was especially memorable.

The space seemed fairly large, making it suitable for families or groups to spend time together. It also had an atmosphere that suited a date, with time to look around the hanok and garden.

Was parking convenient with a baby?

The private parking area was spacious, so taking out the stroller and organizing our luggage was not inconvenient. Since we were moving around with a baby, I was particularly pleased that unloading our things from the car was easy.

Where did it fit into our Gangneung trip?

We rested at our accommodation, had lunch near Gangmun Beach, and then headed to the café. Adding time to relax in a hanok garden after our meal was a nice change of atmosphere during the trip.

What coffee and dessert did I have?

They use beans roasted in-house, and there were hand-drip coffees and signature drinks as well.

We ordered a Giwa Black Latte, a hot Americano, an iced Americano, and milk roll cake.

The Giwa Black Latte had a full-bodied taste with a hint of smooth sweetness. The Americanos were clean-tasting and went well with dessert, while the milk roll cake was mild and soft, making it easy to enjoy alongside the coffee.

What did I like most while spending time with family?

What I remember most was the feeling of lingering in a hanok garden. There were vintage objects throughout, which also made it enjoyable to look around and take photos.

The relaxed atmosphere made it easy to rest comfortably with my baby on this visit. I felt more at ease than I do in a crowded café.

I was happy with our itinerary of resting at our accommodation, having lunch near Gangmun Beach, and ending at a hanok café. I remember the brief rest in the garden after seeing the sea.