Caffe l’eau: A Community Staple
Written and photographed by Sarah Pittman
One thing I love about living in a city like Gwangju is being able to find shops and stores that separate themselves from the hustle and bustle of corporate branding and seasonal offerings. I love finding quiet places that seem timeless. Caffe l’eau captures that feeling for me, not only as a quintessential mom-and-pop cafe but also as a fixture of its neighborhood.
I found Caffe l’eau one day when I was taking my morning walk. I saw this massive old wooden sign attached to the side of a duplex advertising coffee, beer, and cocktails. The age of the sign is honestly what piqued my interest. It’s not very often that independent cafes survive longer than one or two years in Sangmu, so a business that opened in 2012 must be doing something right if it’s lasted this long in the area around the Kimdaejung Convention Center.
Taking a look at their menu, I noticed that they offer beers and wines in the evening. I couldn’t make up my mind on what type of coffee I wanted, so I ordered a cappuccino and a caramel frappuccino to go with my mocha bun, and all were reasonably priced. I loved their interior design: a cute but clean hodgepodge of styles that felt very cozy and lived in. The cappuccino had a light dusting of cinnamon sprinkled on top and was very well made. My personal favorite, however, was the caramel frappuccino sans whipped cream. The flavors were perfectly balanced – not so sweet but also not bitter. The mocha bun was soft and fluffy on the inside and crunchy on the outside, and dunking it in my cappuccino gave me a perfect breakfast snack.
Overall, I think that Caffe l’eau is a fantastic, quaint little shop. In my short time there, I got the feeling that Caffe l’eau had become an important part of its community. It wasn’t just that it was busy; it was also filled with business meetings, community events being organized, and families. So if you’re down by the Kimdaejung Convention Center, you should give it a try.
CAFFE L’EAU 카페 루
Address: 32 Sangmuhwawon-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju
광주 서구 상무화원로 32
Telephone: 062-383-1312
Opening Times: Daily 10:00–22:00 (subject to change)
The Author
Sarah Pittman is an English teacher from Southern California. She is an avid hobbyist and enjoys knitting, sewing, and photography, among other things. If you have a place you think that Sarah should try next, you can contact her on Facebook or on her Instagram @hello.korean.adventure.