Squid ink dough pizza near Gwangneung Arboretum: From Italy, Pocheon

The weather has been so nice lately. Maybe it's the autumn air, but I've been craving a drive somewhere pretty. There's a route I take often, and it's especially beautiful for a fall drive.

While driving down this road, I spotted a place with such a lovely atmosphere that it caught my eye right away. Today I want to share my visit to From Italy Gomo-ri Main Branch, a great spot near Gwangneung Arboretum for both a scenic drive and a good meal.

Where is From Italy in Gomo-ri, Pocheon, and what are the hours?

• 📍 669 Jugyeopsan-ro, Sohol-eup, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• 🚗 Private parking lot in front of the restaurant
• ⏰ Open 11:00–20:40 (Wed/Thu/Fri break time 15:30–17:00 / last order 20:00)
• Closed every Monday and Tuesday

Red brick exterior and the Blue Ribbon sticker at From Italy

The exterior of From Italy Gomo-ri Main Branch has a red roof and red brick walls. The building itself is charming and the atmosphere is so pretty that the moment I saw it from outside, I wanted to rush in.

The entrance already set my expectations high — the window was covered in Blue Ribbon stickers! And hearing that the place is run by a chef who used to work at a five-star hotel made me even more curious about the food.

Antique-filled first floor and chandelier-lit second floor

The moment I walked in, the interior grabbed my attention first. Unlike a typical restaurant, antique furniture filled every corner, and it felt like stepping into a stylish antique shop. The classic yet cozy atmosphere felt fresh and unusual for a restaurant. I thought to myself, glad I made the trip out to Pocheon, haha.

It's not easy these days to find a restaurant with such a genuinely antique feel, which made From Italy Gomo-ri Main Branch even more impressive. There's also seating on the second floor — going up, I found a huge chandelier along with antique furniture and decor pieces everywhere, giving off a totally different vibe from the first floor. It felt like stepping into an old European restaurant, so there was as much fun exploring the space as there was enjoying the food.

And if you go out through the door connected to the first floor, there's a pretty little garden waiting. It's a charmingly decorated space with a great atmosphere, and I bet photos taken here would come out really nice! It's a perfect spot to step out for a look around or take a few photos before or after your meal.

Squid ink pre-meal bread: the first surprise at From Italy

After ordering, we waited a bit and were brought pre-meal bread. I was told it was made with squid ink, and wow... it was genuinely one of the best pre-meal breads I've ever had. Chewy on the outside, soft and savory on the inside — I kept reaching for it even before the main dishes arrived.

It was so good that I kept thinking while eating it — hey chef... haha, any chance you'd consider selling this separately? I would honestly buy this bread on its own haha. The pre-meal bread I always wished existed!

What we ordered at From Italy and what it cost

Ta-da! While we were still munching on bread, our order arrived!

• Half-and-half pizza ₩34,000 (spicy pepperoni, Hawaiian)
• Zuca dolce pasta ₩37,000
• Lemon ade and grapefruit ade, ₩7,000 each

We went for lemon and grapefruit ades to keep things refreshing!

Zuca dolce pasta served inside a whole sweet pumpkin, 37,000 won

The first dish to arrive was zuca dolce, a tomato-based pasta. The noodles are served inside a whole pumpkin, cooked together with bacon and fresh seafood for extra flavor.

A touch of spice was added, which paired really well with the bright, rich flavor of the tomato sauce.

Above all, having the pasta served inside a whole pumpkin made for a really unique visual.

When they brought out the dish, the staff gave a brief explanation of the menu. They said the tomato sauce is made in-house from scratch. Maybe that's why it tasted much cleaner and lighter than usual. With all the seafood and a bit of spice, it almost felt like eating a hangover-curing pasta.

Most of all, the sauce itself was really delicious — unlike a typical thick tomato pasta sauce, this one was thinner and lighter, more like something you'd spoon up like soup. Even after finishing the noodles, there was still tasty sauce left, so I kept spooning it up. 👍🏻

Can you pick two pizza flavors? The 34,000 won half-and-half

There was one more thing I loved about From Italy Gomo-ri Main Branch. You know how sometimes your dining companion's taste doesn't quite match yours? Here you can order a half-and-half pizza, which was such a great option.

Each person can pick their favorite pizza and share one pie together, so nobody has to give up what they want. It seems like a great option for couples or families with different tastes.

Why the squid ink dough pizza is the one to order

If you visit From Italy Gomo-ri Main Branch, definitely try the pizza! Honestly, once I tasted the pre-meal bread, I was already excited for the pizza. If the bread was this good, there's no way their homemade pizza dough could be bad. 😂

And sure enough, the pizza was just as good as I expected. The dough itself was delicious, and it paired wonderfully with the toppings. Out of everything I ate here, the pizza stuck with me the most — I'd honestly call this place a pizza destination.

The squid ink dough had such a great chewy texture. It was thin, so it was easy to eat without feeling too full, and the edges were wonderfully crisp — that combination of chewy and crispy was so good. I usually judge a pizza by how good the dough is, and here the dough itself was so tasty that it made the whole pizza even better.

The pickles served alongside the pizza are also handmade in-house, apparently. From the pre-meal bread to the pasta sauce, the pizza dough, and even the pickles — seeing how much care goes into every single element made it clear why the food tasted so good. That kind of attention to every ingredient made the whole meal more satisfying.

Is From Italy a good date spot near Gwangneung Arboretum?

Overall, the atmosphere was great and the food was delicious, making it a wonderful date spot. From the homemade pre-meal bread to the pasta and pizza, every dish felt made with care — and the pizza in particular was the one I'll remember most!

If you're looking for a date course near Gwangneung Arboretum or a good restaurant in Gomo-ri, I'd definitely recommend enjoying a meal at From Italy Gomo-ri Main Branch.