Explore the best cafés and restaurants in Nami Island – From halal food to lunch boxes, dessert to Korean BBQ.
Nami Island is one of those places you can visit any time of the year as it boasts the most picturesque views, no matter rain or shine. What’s more, it’s only a few hour’s drive away from Seoul, making it the perfect destination for a day trip! It is a famous destination in South Korea for local and international tourists looking for natural beauty. For a complete travel guide in Nami Island, please read our post, The Ultimate Guide to South Korea’s Nami Island.
Many head towards Nami Island for photo ops with the ‘Winter Sonata’ (K-drama) sculptures, but there’s so much more to the island than meets the eye. There are amazing natural attractions in the form of walking paths all around the island, which are mesmerizing as well as peaceful. The island also offers a fun foodie experience with so many places to treat yourself after enjoying the picturesque beauty of the site.
For food lovers, we have picked our favorites in Nami Island with their signature dishes and mouthwatering food!
Seomhyanggi
It is a famous local Korean BBQ restaurant with a concept of self-serving. The restaurant is located at the center of Nami Island across Unchi Garden. Local specialty food from Chuncheon and Dak-galbi, a Korean dish, are the signature dishes of the restaurant. As it is a self-service restaurant, you have to seat yourself and order directly from the cashier. You can sit on the benches outside and admire the view with the delicious aroma of barbecued meat and equally tasty food.
Swing Café & Bakery
The café is located on the banks of Bukhan River, and it offers a peaceful scenery, excellent music, as well as coffee and dessert for all travelers. No other café can beat the atmosphere of the Swing Café. Song Museum is the theme of the café, and it also stages performances and exhibitions. Don’t forget to try the delicious bread baked locally, which comes fresh from the oven three times a day! Pine nuts flavored gelato is another people’s favorite.
Yeongajiga Lunch Box
It is a cozy dining space where you can try ‘Korean soul food.’ The food is presented in lunchboxes from old school days. It serves ‘Dosirak,’ a Korean-style lunch box. Spicy tteokbokki, a classic go-to Korean dish, is a specialty of the restaurant that everybody likes, both kids and adults. And if you are traveling on a budget, this place offers one of the cheapest menus you can find on Nami Island.
Snow Café
Visitors stop by the café for famous snowman cakes and cooling ice flake sundaes. You can find cute snowman statues to take pictures with and enjoy snowman-shaped cakes and bread.
Book Café
The café is located in the Baplex building, a sizeable food-and-drink complex in the center of Nami Island. Book Café is a perfect place for a light lunch. It is a unique café where you can find walls full of books with a variety of drink and dessert options. Natural Ice Cream is one of the signature dishes of the café.
Asian Family Restaurant Dongmoon
The restaurant specializes in dining for couples and families. It serves Asian fusion cuisine, and it is the only halal-certified restaurant on the island. Dongmoon can fulfill the dietary needs of Muslim visitors from around the world. Beijing Sweet & Sour Chicken is one of the specialties.
Planning a trip to South Korea, add Nami Island to your travel itinerary and check out more of our guides of the region:
- The Ultimate Guide to South Korea’s Nami Island – A Natural Paradise
- South Korea Travel Guide – Best Time of Year to Visit South Korea
- First-Timer’s Ultimate South Korea Travel Guide – Things to Know Before Traveling to South Korea
Photo Credits: Nami Island Official Website & Official Facebook Page