Inside a Glass Greenhouse Café by the Sea
Part 2: Café hop with me to two coastal cafés and one unforgettable island escape
Welcome back to another edition of Café Hop Throughout Korea with Me! This time, we’re heading to the beautiful and peaceful Geoje Island. It’s a small, mountainous island off the southeast coast of Korea and the second-largest island in the country (155 sq mi), behind Jeju (714 sq mi). Known for its peaceful pebble beaches, vast mountains, wisteria flowers, and fresh seafood, life feels slower here, offering a much-needed step away from the fast pace of everyday life in Korea.
Getting there by public transportation is possible, but it’s not easy (from Seoul, it takes about 6-7 hours and several transfers), so I recommend renting a car if you can. My friends and I rented one for three days through Lotte Car Rental at a fair price (∼190 USD), and it made exploring the island much easier and more enjoyable.
This was my first time visiting Geoje, so I wanted to share my honest first impressions of the cafés we stopped at. As you know, cafés are a big thing in Korea. Some have incredible drinks and desserts to match their gorgeous settings, while others just have gorgeous settings... with menus that fall short. But nonetheless, I want to share those places with you anyway because it’s part of the real-life experience. Even if the menu falls a little short, some places are still worth visiting for their unique charm. So maybe after you read these newsletters, you’ll still want to visit for the views and vibes, or maybe you’ll use it to guide you to different cafés instead!
In this edition, I’ll take you to a coastal café where I had one of the best tiramisus ever, and another fairytale-like spot that was magical to be in—even if the desserts and drinks weren't exactly "top tier."
So, let’s get hopping!
As always, here’s the running Naver Map List (Korea’s version of Google Maps) to easily access all the places I mention.
Note: To view the map, you may need to create a free Naver account.
Sibang-ri – Geoje Island, South Korea
Address: 608-2 Sibang-ri, Jangmok-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 거제시 장목면 시방리 608-2)
Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (7 days a week)
The Atmosphere
Sibang-ri sits right by the coast, with the ocean practically in its backyard. It’s a spacious, four-story café with a modern, sleek interior and a "no kids zone" rooftop. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in tons of light and offer peaceful ocean views. Big grey-and-black couches paired with white tables make the space feel cozy and open. The muted tones and stone accent walls match the surrounding island scenery—more rocky and mountainous than tropical. It was raining during my visit, so I didn’t get to see the rooftop, but even from the lower floors, the views were beautiful.
The Menu
There’s a wide variety of coffee options, including espresso, hand drip, and cold brew. Since I’m more of a tea person, I’ll let the full menu photo speak for itself.
They also offer a range of baked goods—bagels, croffles, and salt bread are displayed in the center of the ordering area, and cakes, tiramisu, and mini trifles fill the dessert case. Coffee beans are also available for purchase.
My Order
Tiramisu
THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST TIRAMISUS I’VE EVER HAD. Hands down. Deep espresso flavor in every bite, perfectly soaked ladyfingers (not soggy!), and the lightest, silkiest whipped cream. Every bite melts in your mouth. One of the best desserts I’ve had at a café in Korea. I’d definitely recommend ordering this when you visit.
Honey Black Tea & Hibiscus Tea
Both teas were lovely. The honey black had warm citrus notes, and the hibiscus had a nice floral tang. Full-bodied, not watered down, and perfect for a rainy day.
Americano
A friend ordered this and said it was one of the best she’s had in Korea. Smooth, well-balanced, and not overly bitter.
Sibang-ri is a great stop if you want coastal views, a chill vibe, and genuinely delicious treats. Ideal for reading, chatting, or just soaking in the calm.
Oedo Nursery Café – Geoje Island, South Korea
Address: 415-5, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 거제시 415-5)
Hours: Weekdays: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM / Weekends: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
The Atmosphere
This café looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale. A row of tall Hollywood juniper trees leads you down a path to what looks like a charming glass greenhouse.
Inside, wooden beams and flowing white fabric across the ceiling give it an elegant garden party vibe. Tables are surrounded by lush plants and flowers, and there’s plenty of seating both indoors and outside on a patio that overlooks the sea. It’s one of those places where you just want to wander around and take it all in.
The Menu
The drinks and desserts look just as pretty as the café itself. Here’s a portion of their menu.
My Order
Lemon Cheesecake
I was excited for this, but honestly... it was a bit of a letdown. It was smooth and airy with pretty whipped cream, but the lemon flavor didn't really come through. If you hadn’t told me it was lemon, I would’ve assumed it was just a vanilla cheesecake.
Blueberry Hibiscus Tea
Pretty to look at, but also a bit underwhelming. The flavors were there, but too faint. I wanted them to be bolder and linger longer.
Nursery Coffee & Americano
My friends said the Nursery Coffee was just okay—nice smooth foam, but the coffee reminded them of Mega Coffee (a popular chain in Korea). The Americano was described as "average."
I never like being too critical, but I also want to be honest with you. While the drinks and desserts didn’t blow us away, we were still happy we visited. The café’s unique setting and atmosphere made it a memorable experience and a lovely part of our trip.
Thank you for reading!
That wraps up this Geoje edition of Café Hop Throughout Korea with Me! I hope you enjoyed and are excited for more spots~ till next time, happy hopping!
I’d love to hear from you!
Have you ever been to Geoje or visited any coastal cafés in other countries? I’d love to hear about your favorites!
Lovely! I miss the effort that Korea puts into their cafes, even the relatively unknown spots in small towns.
I enjoyed reading this. It made me feel like I was there in person