Atmosphere is the most important factor in a restaurant and it’s not even close.

Everyone has lied to you. You don’t need great food for a successful spot. 

What you do need is an interior designer. Do it right, and you’ll end up with something like Gong Gan – a new Korean-inspired cafe from Flushing, New York.

Walk inside and you’ll immediately notice: the speaker towers radiating a K-pop selection, a middle cabinet  displaying perfectly aligned art books, a wavy thin five drawer-dresser, precisely spaced mirrors on the wall and pops of bright blues sweep across the main counter-top and the homunculus Victoria Arduino coffee machine.

A good atmosphere is the best hook to reel in patrons – it has universal appeal.

The decorations even extend to the food. The three items we ordered  – the Jeju Island Meringue Affogato and Blueberry Earl Grey Toast – all came with as much visual flair as the cafe itself. 

The Meringue Affogato came in a cloud-shaped cup with a matching coaster, the Jeju Island is drizzled with vibrant blue syrup and the Blueberry Earl Grey Toast is simply the biggest toast I’ve ever laid my eyes on.

Gong Gan is proof that a restaurant’s atmosphere isn’t just decoration—it’s the difference between being noticed and being ignored.

Everyone wants to take a glance inside to see if it’s for them.

Whether people stay or not isn’t the point.

The point is attention.

Few places get this as right as Gong Gan

Their colorful hand-drawn menus tease towering waffles and exotic drinks that you won’t find elsewhere. The space is filled with tasteful decorations including a heart-shaped Persian rug, tables with furry legs and a slew of whimsical decorations that make the place feel near magical.