Restaurant reviews for Daegu Compass

Three years ago, my friends and I were walking down Anjirang Makchang-street, where we stumbled upon an ice-cream cart where a charming Korean lad, Giho Baek, was selling homemade gelato. After two years of selling gelato from his cart, Giho finally opened his shop in Manchon-dong in January 2016. 

Upon completion of his military service, Giho moved to Australia, where he worked at various Italian restaurants in Sydney and Perth. It was there that he discovered his love for making desserts, and especially gelato. Upon his return to Korea in 2014, he decided to pursue this dream. More than three years later, at the age of 27, he can proudly say that his dream is becoming a reality.

Haltavoca, meaning “Let’s lick” in Korean slang, has both sorbet and gelato options. The sorbet is the perfect way to chill on hot Summer’s day in Daegu. Customers can choose from a wide variety, ranging from Blood Plum to Nectarine, and Lemon Sorbet. Gelato lovers will have their sweet tooth ask for more once they have tasted one of the many creamy options. The most popular gelato is the white rice one. It might sound strange, but the taste will amaze you. The Organic Basil offers a refreshing taste, whilst the Milky Cherry gives you a chance to taste gelato heaven. Customers can even treat themselves to Lotus biscuit gelato.

Giho and his co-worker make all the ice-cream at the shop. The available flavors depend on the season. The Watermelon Sorbet is a summer favorite. Giho has even whipped up some makgeolli gelato! Even though Giho has opened his shop, he still hopes to sell ice cream from his cart in other parts of the city.

The shop has a very inviting atmosphere, with exposed brick exterior, and colorful lighting and signage. 2 scoops will set you back 3,500 Won, and you can get 3 scoops for 4,000. Those of you wanting to savor the taste and have some of the Haltavoca ice-cream at home can do so, as larger portions are also available. 500g for 14,000, 750g for 18,000, and 1000g for 25,000.

The shop is located in Manchon-dong, right by the Damti subway station. To get there, go out of Damti Station Exit 2, and take your first left. Walk on for approximately 30 meters, where Haltavoca will be located to your left. The shop is open from 12 – 10 pm on Tuesday – Saturday and 12 – 9 pm on Sunday. The shop is closed on Mondays.

Address: 대구시 수성구 만촌3동 860 우방금탑아파트 상가4호

Phone: 053 752 4742

Instragram: haltavoca

An Elegant Downtown Gem

Tucked away in downtown Daegu is a Lounge Bar and Café with an impeccably designed interior and a unique sense of sophistication and elegance. GoDo Retro is a Daegu gem, and an establishment with a tasteful collection of wines and champagnes, delicious food, and a classy atmosphere that is worth every Won. 

The exposed brick interior and retro design, combined with the atmospheric music, and the moody lighting, make GoDo Retro the perfect spot to hang out whilst savoring some of the finer flavors of life. You can enjoy some cocktails and wine with a group of friends at a dining-style table, relax with a date in leather lounge chairs, or sit on the patio overlooking the street below whilst appreciating the aromas of Chilean wine and Mediterranean-inspired food.

The very charismatic owner of GoDo Retro, Joseph Taejin Park, is not a big drinker, but he has always had a taste for fine wine, good champagne, and an elegantly brewed cup of coffee. Joseph wanted to create a space where friends could hang out and enjoy the flavors and aromas of wines from various continents, chilled champagne, and good food, without having to go overboard with the drinking.

The history of GoDo Retro goes back to 1997 when Joseph’s father had a gastropub in 동성로 named “Godot”, after the elusive character in Samuel Beckett’s novel “Waiting for Godot”. Joseph remembers this time well! People in their 40’s all knew about this unique gastropub, and it is a sentiment that he has held on to and that drove him to open his own place. After graduating High School Joseph did various part-time jobs at coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, where he learned more about the industry so that he could perfect it once he opened his own place. He decided to have a play on words and use his father’s place’s name “Godot”, but dropping the ‘t’. In Hanja 고도(GoDo) means Old City, the city, and style he remembers when people would drive up in smart cars and wear their best suits. He wanted to recreate this ambiance using a retro style.

Joseph was basically born wearing an apron and has always been interested in cooking and trying new recipes. He frequently visited his relatives in Canada, where he was exposed to a great variety of foods ranging from Mediterranean, Middle Eastern to American-Chinese. Menu items at GoDo Retro include Canadian poutine (with the gravy sauce sent by his cousin back in Canada on a regular basis), bacon steak served with asparagus, buffalo wings and more (Ranging between 11,000 – 17,000 Won in price). Many of the items are seasonal, as some of the ingredients are not easy to acquire in Korea. One customer favorite is “Gambas al Ajillo”, a Spanish shrimp dish; the shrimp is cooked in olive oil with garlic and spices, leaving your taste buds craving for more. GoDo Retro is also home to the best chicken salad I've had in Korea. It is seasoned to perfection with the perfect balance of dressing and balsamic vinegar.

A wide selection of wine is served by the glass for 6,000 Won or by the bottle at prices ranging from 20,000 Won for an Italian bottle of ‘Agreste’, 25,000 Won for a Chilean bottle of ‘Reservado’ to 70,000 Won for a Chilean ‘Valdivieso Singe Vine’. Champagne, which is perfect to celebrate a special occasion, can be purchased around 120,000 Won for a bottle of ‘Moët’, and for the very special occasions Joseph has a collection of very fine champagnes. A variety of beers are also served, ranging from 4,000 Won for a Cloud Draft, to 10,000 for a Goose IPA. Cocktails are available between 8,000 Won and 10,000+ Won per perfectly mixed drink.

Joseph agrees that the café and bar scene in Daegu is changing and that many new places have been opening lately, but he does add that Social Media, the main driving force for these new “hot places” is also one of the reasons so many places close after a year. People crave for a new “hot place”, and jump at the opportunity to take a picture and go to the next place. He wants his focus to be his menu and the atmosphere, and he wants people to come back and experience it in all seasons, even as trends change. Instead of renting Joseph owns the building, and he wants to make sure that GoDo Retro can sustain its client base, and attract many new clients wanting to share in the fine tastes of the wine and food available at his lounge bar and café.

When Joseph is not in the kitchen or behind the bar he tries to visit new places, where he sometimes finds inspiration and gets to enjoy foods prepared by some of the other talented chefs in Korea. He is also an avid fisherman, and he is planning on inviting regular customers to go fishing with him, where he usually slices fresh sashimi on the beach to enjoy as a treat.

Location: 24-2 Bongsan-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu

Hashtags to check out on Instagram: #godoretro #고도레트로

Contact Details: 053-282-9500

Directions: For those coming from the Banwoldang metro station; go straight out of exit 10 by the big Shinhan Bank, pass the S-Tower building, and turn left down the first alley, which will throw you onto cell-phone street. Turn right and walk for about 25 meters, and turn left onto Dongseong-ro 3-gil, then turn left down the first alley (the alley before you would reach Brown Bricks), and walk for about 30 meters. GoDo Retro is on the second floor in the building to your left.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Daegu, is a 3-story culture lounge and café, with a unique atmosphere and décor, ranging from industrial vintage design to a tribute to Rock and Roll legends. The exposed brick interior, combined with classic leather couches and posters and photos from 20th-century Dutch photographers and artists, such as Ed van der Elsken, make Brown Bricks a great spot for various occasions, such as coffee with a friend, beers with mates, and even first Tinder dates.  

Customers are usually met by a friendly dog named Gray. This greyhound has claimed her fame and can be seen on various Instagram accounts. The owner, Son JunHo, is a dynamic man with his finger on the pulse of Daegu's social scene. Prior to opening Brown Bricks, JunHo was the owner of Greyhaus, a jewelry and accessories store on bar street. He has a fine eye for fashion and is now selling some products, ranging from trendy silver rings to bracelets at Brown Bricks. 

Brown Bricks offersa variety of bottled beers and ciders, such as Monteith's Appleciders,and ales, Kona Beers and other IPAs. Draft beers include Paulaner, Guinness, and Goose Island, alongside Big Wave Golden Ale and more. When it comes to cocktails, they are worth the money. The Katharsis, a personal favorite, is a sweet relief after a long day at work. Other cocktails include Jack Honey cider and Hendricks Gin and Tonic, with more tasty thirst-quenching beverages on the menu. Alcoholic beverages are between 6.000 and 9.000 won, and are served with a side of salted mini-pretzels, by a team of friendly Korean lads.

JunHo gets his coffee beans from ‘Coffee Place’ in Gyeongju, where there is a pro roaster, that comes in to train the new baristas. An Espresso will set you back 3.500won, whilst the unique Green Tea Tiramisu will be worth the 6.000 won.  Those with a sweet tooth can indulge in the Brown Bricks Brownies and Madeleines. 

Brown Bricks offers a basic bar menu, designed for all types of casual social interactions. The cheeseburger is a customer favorite, along with a mouthwatering, and tantalizingly fragranced Bricks Chicken Curry. The dishes, which can easily be shared, are in the 10.000 won price range. JunHo is currently planning on adding pizza to the future menu, so be sure to follow their Instagram (id: brownbricks_official) for updates on that.!  

The café attracts a vibrant crowd from diverse subcultures and backgrounds. The music ranges from Reggaetón to hip-hop and k-pop. The choice of music depends on the mood and feelings of the close-knit staff members; a group of friends that support each other, and inspire each other to pursue their dreams. They want to offer comfort to all different types of people, and not only focus on one style; as they want to attract a wide variety of customers to come and enjoy this versatile social café.

Brown Bricks host special DJ events on Fridays and Saturdays between 8 pm to 11.30pm, with DJ Gorillaz and DJ Acorn soothingly entertaining the customers. It is the perfect atmosphere for a Fire Friday session with friends. 

On the third floor, customers can enjoy the great rooftop deck, with a backdrop of downtown, and a Williamsburg-feel. This is the perfect spot to enjoy an ice-cold beer or cocktail in the sweltering Daegu summer. The third floor comes with dart boards, where you can challenge your friends or some of the other customers to see who can get that 501. Designers and artists are often seen there working on projects, and the café often collaborates with designers, by selling some fashionable items in the café. Interior Design students frequently visit the café to take pictures for their projects.

Friendly smiles in a relaxing atmosphere, ice cold drinks, a dash of caffeine, and tasty food;all make the visit to Brown Bricks worth it.

Directions: For those coming from the Banwoldang metro station; go straight out of exit 10 by the big Shinhan Bank, pass the S-Tower building, and turn left down the first alley, which will throw you onto cell-phone street. Turn right and walk for about 25 meters, and turn left onto Dongseong-ro 3-gil. Brown Bricks will be 80 meters down to your left, with Club Volt across the street from it to your right. 

Address: 대구광역시 중구 동성로3길 21 

Business Hours: Mon-Sun, 12pm – 1am 

Instagram (id: brownbricks_official)