A café visit in Gangneung doesn’t always have to involve the sea. Sometimes, a good meal followed by a good cup of coffee is enough. Caffe Brazil’s Ponam branch is a place for that kind of afternoon.
The café sits beside a road in a neighborhood of homes and restaurants. The view is an ordinary stretch of town, with little of the beachside holiday atmosphere you might associate with Gangneung’s cafés.
Inside, wooden walls and tables give the space a warm, familiar feel. Cups line the shelves behind the counter, while jars of beans and brewing equipment fill the area in front. It feels like a neighborhood coffee shop that has settled comfortably into its surroundings.
A Cup of Today’s Coffee
I ordered Today’s Coffee, which the menu describes as a recommendation chosen from the beans in particularly good condition that day. On my visit, it was a hand-drip coffee made with Guatemalan beans.
The coffee had a deep, nutty flavor. It was a satisfying cup to take my time over, served in a floral cup and saucer that suited the wooden interior.
A chalkboard near the counter also named Guatemala as the day’s selection. If you enjoy trying whichever beans the café recommends, Today’s Coffee is an easy place to start.
Coffee at the Heart of the Café
The Ponam branch receives freshly roasted beans each day from Caffe Brazil’s main branch near Yeongjin Beach. A sign outside also advertises beans roasted at the main branch, and several varieties are available to buy inside.
The jars of beans, brewing tools and shelves of cups all fit the impression I took away from my visit: this is a café that takes its coffee seriously.
Bakery items, desserts and light meals are available, but the desserts were less memorable for me. I wouldn’t make a special trip for an extensive selection or an unusual signature dessert. They are more of an accompaniment here; the coffee is what I would come back for.
Coffee After Lunch in Ponam-dong
There are several places to eat nearby. Geumcheon Kalguksu, known for Gangneung’s spicy noodle soup, jang-kalguksu, is about a three-minute walk away. Lunch there followed by a hand-drip coffee here makes a convenient pairing.
Caffe Brazil Ponam suits a day spent around the neighborhood. Have a meal, find a seat and enjoy a cup of coffee before heading on.
Visiting Information
- Name: Caffe Brazil, Ponam Branch — 카페브라질 포남점
- Address: 467 Gangneung-daero, Gangneung-si, Gangwon State, South Korea
- Phone: +82-33-655-1259
- Hours: Daily, 9:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
- Regular closing days: None
- Parking: Available
- Wi-Fi and power outlets: Available
- Getting there: Located in town and easy to visit without a car.
- Menu language: Coffee names are listed in Korean and English; descriptions are mainly in Korean.
- Nearby: Geumcheon Kalguksu, approximately three minutes on foot.
- Naver Map
- Google Maps
Selected Menu Prices
| Menu | Hot | Iced |
|---|---|---|
| Today’s Coffee | ₩6,000 | ₩7,000 |
| Guatemala Hand-Drip | ₩6,500 | ₩7,500 |
| Caffè Latte | ₩5,500 | ₩6,000 |