Cheongdam Italian Restaurant Cucciolo Terrazza near Apgujeong Rodeo Station is a stylish Italian wine bar in Seoul known for small plates, fresh pasta, bruschetta, and a curated wine selection.
Cheongdam Italian Restaurant Cucciolo Terrazza – A Hidden Italian Wine Bar in Seoul
If you are looking for a Cheongdam Italian restaurant that feels more like a relaxed Italian wine bar than a formal restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza is one of the best places to visit in the Cheongdam and Apgujeong Rodeo area of Seoul.
Every dish here has that unmistakable flavor that instantly makes you want a glass of wine. The portion sizes are relatively small, making it perfect for people who prefer lighter meals. Instead of ordering one heavy main dish, the best way to enjoy Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza is by ordering several plates and sharing them slowly with wine.
During lunch, it works well as a light but satisfying meal. In the evening, however, the restaurant truly shines as a place to visit for a second round of food and drinks, where you can enjoy several small dishes paired with wine in a relaxed atmosphere.
I first visited this restaurant back when it became extremely popular around 2017, when reservations were almost impossible to get. Even now, years later, it remains one of my favorite spots in Cheongdam.
On this visit, a friend and I decided to do something fun: order six dishes and enjoy them slowly together.
Overview of Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza
Location
Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza is located at: 33 Seolleung-ro 152-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
It is about a 6-minute walk from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 4.
The restaurant sits in an impressive building complex that also includes other well-known restaurants nearby. As you walk up the street, you may even notice famous spots like Wolfgang Steakhouse nearby, which adds to the upscale Cheongdam dining atmosphere.
The building itself has a slightly castle-like appearance, making a strong first impression for first-time visitors.
About the Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza
Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza was opened by Chef Kim Ji-woon, who is also known for running the popular bakery Cucciolo.
He has created several notable restaurants in Seoul, including:
- Cucciolo
- Maremma
- Volpino
- May 2018
Among them, Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza was designed with the concept of an Italian-style casual wine bar, where guests can enjoy small plates and wine rather than formal full-course dining.
At one time, Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza became famous due to rumors that it was connected to a wealthy business family, which made it even more difficult to visit because of the long waiting lines.
Now, while it is still very popular, it is much easier to visit compared to the early days.
Finding the Entrance
One small tip for first-time visitors.
The area where you arrive is actually a basement-level courtyard rather than the main ground floor. Walk past the trees in the courtyard and you will find the entrance to Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza on the left side.
Opening Hours
Sunday – Thursday
12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday – Saturday
12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Break Time
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
On weekends and holidays, the restaurant operates without a break time. Be aware that the restaurant is very strict about break time on weekdays, so plan your visit carefully.
Interior Atmosphere of Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza
It had been quite a while since my last visit, but the interior still felt exactly the same.
Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza has a slightly European cave-like aesthetic, with wooden floors and textured stone walls that create a warm and stylish atmosphere.
At the same time, the terrace area allows natural sunlight to fill the space, giving the restaurant a bright and open feeling rather than a dark wine bar vibe.
Because we visited during late lunch hours, the restaurant was much quieter than during dinner service.
After briefly considering the sunny terrace seats, we decided to sit inside instead.
Seating Layout
Tables are arranged mainly for two or four people, and for couples, extra chairs are often provided for bags, which is a thoughtful detail.
In the center of the restaurant, there is a large bar counter where the bartender and staff manage orders and service.
Guests can also sit around the bar area if they prefer a more casual wine-bar experience.
On this visit, we were seated at a four-person table near the stone wall in the back, which felt spacious and comfortable even for just two people.
Overall, the space feels:
- European-inspired
- open and airy
- bright rather than dim
which makes it comfortable for both lunch and dinner.
Menu at Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza
One of the best things about Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza is that almost every dish on the menu is excellent.
The menu includes:
- bruschetta (Italian open sandwiches)
- mini pizzas
- pasta
- small plate dishes
Portions are intentionally small, making them ideal for sharing several dishes at once.
For someone like me who prefers lighter meals, this format is actually perfect because it allows you to try many different flavors in one visit.
There are also larger main dishes available, but I have never ordered them before. Next time I visit for a Cheongdam dinner date, I might finally try one.
Wine Selection
As expected from an Italian-style wine bar, the wine selection here is excellent.
You will find:
- red wines
- white wines
- sparkling wines
- rosé wines
- orange wines
The bottle list ranges from very affordable options to premium wines.
What makes this place particularly impressive is the wide variety of wines available by the glass, which is rare even among Cheongdam restaurants.
If you want a specific wine by the glass that is not listed, it is sometimes worth asking the staff — they occasionally make exceptions.
Unfortunately, since we arrived for a late lunch, we decided to skip wine this time and focus entirely on food.
What We Ordered at Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza
We decided to order six dishes total — three each.
The table ended up looking quite full, but because the plates are small, the portions were actually perfect for two people.
The dishes we ordered also created a balanced meal with:
- vegetables
- protein
- carbohydrates
Flounder Carpaccio
We started with flounder carpaccio, which is the most delicate dish among the ones we ordered.
It is best eaten first before stronger flavors appear.
Unlike the colorful presentation I expected, Cucciolo Terrazza’s version is covered generously with:
- basil pesto
- capers
- arugula
The result is a fresh and herb-forward dish that feels light and vibrant.
Roasted Pumpkin and Prosciutto Salad
This salad perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors.
Roasted pumpkin, prosciutto, and plenty of arugula come together beautifully. The ingredients are so flavorful that the dish hardly needs additional dressing.
Honestly, this salad alone would be enough reason for me to visit again.
Bruschetta
The bruschetta arrived cut into four pieces, which made it perfect for sharing.
A helpful tip: eat it as soon as it arrives.
Because of the generous toppings of cherry tomatoes and cheese, the bread can become slightly soft if it sits too long.
Even so, the flavor is fantastic and packed with umami.
Mini Pizza with Anchovies and Capers
This is truly a mini pizza, almost the size of a tortilla.
Topped with capers, anchovies, tomato, and cheese, it delivers a bold flavor despite its small size.
It is easy to roll up and eat in one bite.
Because of the anchovies and capers, some bites can be slightly salty, but overall it pairs very well with beer.
Zucchini Fries
Compared to previous visits, the batter seemed slightly thicker this time.
The zucchini inside felt a bit smaller than expected, but the crispy texture was still satisfying.
The highlight of this dish is actually the sauces:
- chili mayo
- rich chili tomato sauce
Both sauces complement the fried zucchini very well.
Green Onion Pasta (Best Dish of the Day)
The best dish we ordered was easily the green onion pasta.
At Cucciolo Terrazza, you can really tell the chef’s skill through the pasta dishes.
The fresh pasta had a perfect texture, and the sauce was flavorful without being overly salty or heavy.
The green onion flavor added a surprising depth to the dish.
Every time I eat pasta here, I wish the portion were slightly larger — it is just that good.
Final Thoughts about Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza
Returning to Cheongdam Italian Restaurant, Cucciolo Terrazza after a long time felt nostalgic.
It was my first time visiting during the day and also my first time enjoying the food without wine, but the meal was still incredibly satisfying.
Because the dishes are small, this restaurant is especially great for people who prefer lighter meals but still want to try several dishes.
If we had more time, we definitely would have opened a bottle of wine.
Next time, I plan to return for a proper Cheongdam Italian Restaurant dinner date with wine and enjoy the full experience again.
Related post about Cheongdam Italian Restaurantl you might enjoy : [Seoul / Apgujeong Rodeo Station Restaurant] A Great Date Spot for Pasta and Pizza Lovers at Apgujeong Rodeo, D’SLOW Cheongdam
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