Gongju's Lucia's Garden Hanok Cafe: A Tea Lover's Dream in 2026
Step into Lucia's Garden, Gongju's iconic Hanok cafe, a beautifully restored 1960s home offering a serene escape for tea enthusiasts in 2026.
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Step into Lucia's Garden, Gongju's iconic Hanok cafe, a beautifully restored 1960s home offering a serene escape for tea enthusiasts in 2026.
Gongju Jeminchon Hanok Cafe Lucia's Garden
Black Tea & Milk Tea Specialty Shop
As a true tea lover planning a trip to Gongju,
the cafe I saved as my top priority was none other than
Lucia's Garden, Gongju's iconic Hanok Cafe and tea house!
Lucia's Garden Essential Information
Address - 145-8 Ungjin-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Operating Hours - 12:00~18:00
Regular Day Off - Every Tuesday
Phone Number - 041-855-2233
Lucia's Garden in Gongju doesn't have its own dedicated parking lot,
so you'll need to park in a public parking lot near Jeminchon Stream or on a side street
and walk to the cafe.
And oh, how beautiful the alleyway leading up to the cafe was!
From the outside, it was already causing a stir with its amazing aesthetic charm!
It turns out this place was once an abandoned house built in the 1960s,
lovingly renovated over three years, so much so that it even won the 'Uri Sarang Award'
at the Korea Space Culture Awards, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism!
It's truly a meaningful local regeneration project.
Lucia's Garden Main Building
As it's already a super popular hot spot in Gongju, when I visited,
the main building was completely full with so many guests.
I was really disappointed (ㅠㅠ) that I couldn't properly admire the beautiful teapots and cups,
and the black tea tin cases filling the main hall.
Lucia's Garden Annex
Thankfully, I was guided to the cozy and quiet annex,
where I could truly soak in the tranquil ambiance of Lucia's Garden.
On the way to the annex, in the yard, there were two beautiful cats,
and they were the sweetest, prettiest kitties ever!
This was the prettiest spot in the annex!
But since there were guests at the table, this photo was
the best I could do (ㅠㅠ).
The annex was also quite crowded with guests, so
I couldn't take as many photos as I wanted.
However, from the moment I entered the annex, the rich and sweet aroma of brewing milk tea
filled the air and absolutely tantalized my senses!
There were group tables and two-person tables,
and I managed to snag one of the slightly more spacious tables.
While looking around the interior, I noticed a message congratulating the owner on publishing a book,
and it instantly made me understand the unique sensibility and taste
evident in every corner of the space.
Menu
Lucia's Garden is a renowned cafe, especially loved for its black and milk teas.
Upon seeing the menu, it was evident that tea options dominated their offerings,
more so than other beverages.
Our Order & Review
We went with 'Today's Black Tea' paired with a scone, and an à la carte 'Today's Milk Tea'
(iced).
When we visited, they did mention that only iced milk tea was available, not hot.
The moment it was served to our table, my inner tea lover couldn't help but gasp with delight!
It was presented in a Fortnum & Mason teapot set – one I've always dreamed of owning!
With just one sip, a wonderfully familiar aroma enveloped me.
Given its unique balance of chocolate and caramel notes, I instantly thought,
'Could this be Mariage Frères' Wedding Imperial?' Haha!
Spreading generous amounts of cream cheese and fig jam on the scone made for an
absolutely perfect tea time! Seriously, haha.
My husband's tea was served in a charming Noritake Cutie Rose set!
Normally, when you order iced tea or milk tea at most tea houses, it just comes in a plain glass,
but here at Lucia's Garden, even our iced drinks were presented in a beautiful teapot and charming
cups, which was incredibly thoughtful and made the experience so special!
The generous portion size meant we could easily share it, too.
Was this really the best photo I could capture of our beautiful tea time? Oh, the struggle! 😭
Just as the 'Tea Culture Space' sign tucked away in the garden corner attests,
Lucia's Garden truly embodies that meaningful local revitalization I mentioned earlier, right here in Gongju!
We spotted poems by Na Tae-ju sprinkled throughout the cafe, which reminded me!
We had actually planned to visit the nearby Na Tae-ju Wildflower Literature Museum too.
But alas, a trifecta of phone battery woes, forgetting my portable charger, and a sudden energy crash meant
we sadly couldn't make it. Such a shame! 😩
Even though missing the Wildflower Literature Museum was a bit disappointing,
I was glad we could find solace and lift our spirits with a peaceful cup of tea at Lucia's Garden.
So, the Na Tae-ju Wildflower Literature Museum is officially at the top of my list for our very next trip to Gongju!
Gongju Travel Must-Know Tip: Onnuri Gongju Citizen Pass 5% Discount!
Oh, and guess what? We got some fantastic savings right here at Lucia's Garden thanks to the Onnuri Gongju Citizen Pass!
Simply present your Onnuri Gongju Citizen Pass at checkout and you'll receive a 5% discount on your entire bill!
Seriously, I can't recommend getting one in advance enough.
I'm definitely planning a dedicated post all about the Onnuri Gongju Citizen Pass very soon, so stay tuned! Haha!
▼ Check out my review of Bameu, another fantastic cafe in Gongju! ▼
Gongju Accommodation Recommendations for Walkers (1 Night, 2 Days)
To be honest, this trip came together quite spontaneously, so all the beautiful hanok stays I'd originally set my heart on
were fully booked. We ended up staying at Hotel Fashion near the Gongju Terminal, which was fine, but to truly soak in that tranquil,
charming atmosphere, much like Lucia's Garden, a hanok guesthouse would be absolutely perfect, don't you think?!
While a day trip to Gongju is certainly lovely, I truly recommend a more relaxed 1-night, 2-day itinerary,
especially for those exploring on foot! You'll get to see so much more!!
The accommodation I've already bookmarked for my *next* Gongju adventure is Haruhanok Guesthouse,
conveniently located right near Gongsanseong Fortress. It's perfectly situated for enjoying the stunning night views of Gongsanseong
and offers incredible value, making it a stress-free and wonderful choice!
If you're planning your own trip to Gongju, don't make my mistake and miss out due to full bookings!
Make sure to check the real-time availability below first!!
🔗 Check Haruhanok Guesthouse Gongju Availability Here
▼ Another great read: Value-for-Money Accommodations Near Gongju Terminal ▼
📍 Lucia's Garden
145-8 Ungjin-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Lucia's Garden does not have a dedicated parking lot. You need to park in a public parking lot near Jemincheon or in an alleyway and then walk.
Lucia's Garden is regularly closed every Tuesday. Business hours are from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
If you present your Onnuri Gongju Citizen Card, you can receive a 5% discount on the total amount. It is recommended to obtain one in advance.
'Today's Black Tea' was served in a Fortnum & Mason teapot, and 'Today's Milk Tea (Iced) single item' was served in a Noritake Cutie Rose cup, even though it was an iced menu item.
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