6 Best Restaurants in Eastern Jeju, Jeju-do

Tucked away in a cove in northeastern Udo Island, this cafe opens its window walls when the weather is nice, letting in the ocean breeze. Udo Island is renowned throughout Korea for its peanuts, a fact reflected in the menu starring peanut ice cream, lattes with peanut-flavored milk, peanut cheesecake, and even jars of peanut jam. Non-peanut beverages are available, too, including a smoothie made from Jeju hallabong. The minimalist white interior distracts little from the seaside scenery, though if you really want to embrace the surroundings, take a seat on the outdoor terrace.

Hidden in an old stone home in a small forest grove in the town of Seongsan, this cozy place serves a mean galchi jorim (braised hairtail), a Jeju specialty. It's also known for being especially inviting to solo diners, still something of a rarity in Korea. Solo diners can enjoy their galchi jorim with a choice of three side soups: abalone and seaweed, sea urchin and seaweed, or soybean paste. The dishes are fresh and plentiful, too. Order a bottle of local Hallasan soju to complete the meal.

Two old homes overlooking the Sehwa Coast have been renovated into one of the island's most picturesque cafes. Strategically placed windows offer captivating views of the emerald sea, while the vintage interiors foster a warm, intimate atmosphere. The signature menu item is the Jeju Carrot Cake, made from locally grown carrots and shaped like Hallasan itself, complete with white frosting "snow" and some crumbled cornflake "lava" at the peak. In addition to the usual selection of espresso-based beverages, they also serve tangerine juice, tangerine iced tea, and tangerine aide, putting Jeju's ubiquitous citrus fruit to good work. No children are allowed, however.

Located on the grounds of Playce Camp Jeju in Seongsan, Dorrell projects a younger, edgier vibe with its skateboarder aesthetic, but coffee lovers of all ages flock here for its singular "Nutty Cloud"—cold milk and cold peanut cream over hot espresso, drunk unmixed. Simultaneously bitter and sweet, it's a great way to start the morning. You'll find some unusual local baked goods here, too, including mugwort donuts, Hallabong cupcakes, and sweet rolls shaped like Jeju carrots stuffed with jam and egg salad. The seating on the floor is more hip than comfortable, but the second floor has more traditional seating for customers who value comfort over selfies.

Easily one of the most photogenic cafes on Jeju, Gujwa Sanghoe is a collection of old Jeju stone homes, beautifully renovated with vintage wood interiors decorated with arrangements of dried flowers. The star of the menu is the carrot cake, prepared from locally grown carrots. The black tea served in vintage cups is a major draw, too. The neighborhood is pretty cool, too, with a flower shop, bookstore, and other charming spaces. It's quite popular with travelers and young couples, so don't be surprised if there's a line to get in.

Udo Island might seem a strange place to find one of Korea's finest burger joints, yet this renovated lava rock house overlooking the sea hits the spot with massive, filling burgers, the patties made of locally produced "black pork" or shrimp sitting high atop lettuce, tomato, and other ingredients. The signatures are the garlic burger with a sauce made from garlic cultivated just across the strait in Jeju's Gujwa township, and the peanut burger served with a sauce made from Udo's very own peanuts. You'll need to cut your burger in half before grabbing it. Wash it down with coffee or a locally produced fruit juice. For dessert, have an Udo peanut or Gujwa garlic ice cream. Indoor and outdoor seating is available; note the restaurant closes at 5 pm.