Gulu-Gulu Cafe

Ended up visiting this cafe twice while on a trip up to Salem, MA from Florida. Probably one of the best little indie cafes I've been to, very welcoming atmosphere, love the art and vibe of the whole place and staff! The creme brulee latte is soooo good, the food delicious! They even have fresh sweets like cake and cookies that are baked locally!

This is the cutest little place, they have all different types set ups here for people to meet up and chat. There is a huge table with bar style chairs for those that want to eat but not be alone, tables & sofas. There were also all different types of food with not vegetarian & vegan options, which I always appreciated as someone with a dairy allergy. Been here twice and the service was amazing both times. Briana is amazing and super friendly.

We were greeted warmly outside the door and the host took our names and phone number and said we could go shop and they would text us. We got a text and sat down and were greeted by a wonderful waiter who gave us recommendations. We ordered the fancy grilled cheese and the European and the pretzel appetizer. It all came quickly and was absolutely phenomenal. The host came over and asked how we were doing and what our plans were for the day and gave us some recommendations in town. The bill already has the tip in it, which I appreciated, and the waiter thanked us and the host waved goodbye and told us to have a great visit. The vibe and food was excellent. In the morning they had a pop up tent with coffee and pastries and we got a “lobster tail” to take as we walked to our appointment. It was delicious and we were happy to have something yummy to eat while we walked. Gulu Gulu feels more like you are visiting a good friend who really knows how to cook!

Best Latte Ever! It tastes so good we had to come back a second time before leaving Salem! The breakfast sandwich is also amazing, it comes warm and the sourdough is really good! Also loved the banana bread! Really recommend you try at least their latte and one of their foods!

This was in my opinion the best tasting coffee we had in Salem. We went to multiple coffee shops and breakfast places. Great everything bagel sandwich as well. My husband also enjoyed his meal. Our waitress was great and very friendly. Fun atmosphere and artwork. Would highly recommend.

Amazing cafe! The food was so delicious and as someone who enjoys a strong cup of good coffee, their coffee was really good. The mindsweeper had a ZING to it and I even got a cold brew to go. Our server Billy was amazing, on top of everything and really sweet. It also looks like they have a variety of cool events throughout the week!

The food we had was good. The staff were friendly. It's a nice little place, good to relax in after walking around all day. They have a bar inside , as well. They even have a tent set up outside so you can order from a selection of coffees or lattes without having to wait in line to be seated. I would return.

Its a cool atmosphere for sure but food and service weren't worth the 45- 1 hour wait. Hostess wasn't very friendly and wouldn't even let us use the restroom until after we were seated at our table despite being on the waitlist. The who hash was soggy and overly spiced. The scrambled eggs were bland. However, the homemade sour dough bread was great and so were the waffles. Maybe we were there on a bad day but overall, not worth it in my opinion.

Loved the ambiance and the meal was great :) my husband and I got a chance to speak with the owners while we were in and they were wonderful! Will definitely be coming back.

Came by this hidden gem quite by accident on our trip to Salem. I had a delicious gruyere grilled cheese sandwich with roasted tomato soup. Spicy and delicious and very hearty which was what I needed at that moment. Very interesting Cafe and the service edd impeccable. Definitely give it a try next time you're in town.

My husband and I visited Salem with our small dog and looked for a lunch spot with a comfortable dog friendly patio. After reading mixed reviews and learning the cafe had just went under new ownership, we decided to give them a try. A lot of our time at the cafe was spent waiting and trying to flag down our server because our order kept coming out wrong. Wrong drink, wrong sandwich ordered, and a side completely forgotten about. In the end, the food was good, and the dog friendly patio was cozy with nice views of trees, squirrels, and the Bewitched statue, but the service here is very much lacking. Overall, left feeling like there are better places around Salem to have enjoyed lunch at (reccomend going to Sweet Boba on Derby Street instead for great lunch sandwiches).

Overrated Food was not good The reviews were false Service was not good either There's better places to try then here Was very disappointed

If you're in the area, this cafe is worth the wait! The line was out the door and around the block, but went by somewhat quickly. Food was delicious, service was friendly and the overall vibe of the cafe was pretty chill!

Stopped in here for a quick drink while figuring out plans for the day, good and cheap shirley temple. Can't speak for much else, but good service and very cute in here!

Service: Nice yet dismissive. we were seated at the bar and the baristas and the bartenders were very frantic! Because there were so many people behind the bar, their was chaos from the long wait to taking orders and the mishap of the coffee order. Food: The Lumberjack - Mid. For a waffle, sausage patty, and eggs, this was just a regular breakfast. Nothing special. Nothing worth waiting a ridiculously long line for. Creme Brulee Latte - this is the good stuff! The sweetness in the coffee was worth it all. I had a cup at the cafe and had another one made to go! On to my next adventure....

I'm kind of at a cross roads with this review, here's why! The staff are very friendly and kind, but the food is either a hit or miss. The waffles at this location are usually amazing when I'm visiting, but they were below par for this specific visit. Granted, I came during September, which is an extremely busy time for Salem. (Also, FYI if you're visiting in Sep-Oct, prepare to wait long periods before you get seated and receive your food). The seating situation seems very congested and it's in close proximity to others, and the indoor ambiance is loud and it's difficult to carry out a conversation or even tune out the loud music, which of course is expected in a busy town, but regardless, you're in for a decent dining experience if you're not coming during rush seasons! When I'm back in Salem, will I come back here? Yes, and I hope to turn this review around!

This cafe was easily the #1 spot we ate at in Salem. Gulu Gulu is your typical cafe with a mix of tables and sofas. They offer various coffee and alcoholic drinks. I wish we would have visited this spot earlier in our trip so we could return. There is a reason people recommend it! The food was tasty but light, very on par for cafes. The only downside was our server was a little slow. We came during the middle of the afternoon and it was only 1/4 of capacity so this was a bit concerning. But our food came out quick once we were able to order.

After seeing how popular this place was I thought it would be overhyped, however it was absolutely delicious. They over simple meals that are done well. I ordered a grilled cheese and soup, the goulash. The grilled cheese was melty with crispy oily bread. The goulash was a hearty stew. At my table we also got the chicken sandwich, which the chicken was cooked well and seasoned. Interior is like a cafe, very busy but service is quick.

Great breakfast!! Got the salmon lox and our server was so kind. Everyone finished their plates! Absolutely lovely. Our 3rd time going, we usually meet up with family for breakfast. Very quiet then got busy fast!

Stopped by while in Salem due to good reviews. Unfortunately, this place did not live up. The cafe is cool looking and I loved the decor but the food and service left something to be desired. The brie was not bad, just warm cheese marinated in some spicy oil. The This and That grilled cheese was dry and lacked cheese. The tomato basil soup was chunky and had stems/seeds/skins. The Barcelona was the best item we had. The cold brew was good but it was just Stok. The service was slow. I believe it was the kitchen and not the waitstaff. There may be better food items but I was not a fan of what we tried.

The location is right in the heart of "Witch City" and mostly sandwiches, breakfast food, a few salads and some appetizers, I think they also have a brewery and bar on site. It was pretty busy because it was the month of October in Salem, but we were able to get seated within 10 minutes, our waitress was super nice, Food was OK. nothing spectacular, but not terrible either.

I felt like the place was very very overhyped for what it was. The breakfast breakfast sandwich was very mediocre and something I could've made at home by myself. However, the coffee latte was really good and honestly, it was probably one of the best latte I've had. it was the long weekend I came here and it was very, very, very crowded so service was naturally not very good and the waiter didn't really seem like what was and was not in stock. We waited over an hour and a half to get in. The place was a very cute little place in the middle of Salem!!

We spent the day in Salem and we chose Gulu Gulu as our one stop shop for coffee and lunch! I got an iced creme brule latte in a to go cup so I could take it to walk around afterwards! For lunch, I got the Uh Oh, it's Magic, a yummy grilled cheese with apple butter and caramelized onions! So cheesy and yummy!

Lots of seating space, delicious fresh food, and friendly service. This was my first time going to Salem, and my friends recommended this place. I had the turkey sandwich with a side salad, and it was really good! The portions were significant as well. As a seasoned barista, I enjoyed my drip coffee. It was a fruity blend with citrus notes. My only suggestion is that they hire more people. Service was on the slower side, and I came during an unpopular hour for lunch.

Our first stop in Salem! It was a cozy spot away from the crowds, in between the Witch House and the touristy streets. I loved my sandwich and I appreciated their seasonal/Halloween menu additions. Our waitress was wonderful and very friendly. They do have a small outdoor area for seating as well. If its raining, as it was for us, dont wait at the host stand outside, just come on in!

The service provided by Keeley and Amy at the bar was exceptional!! Service and the environment are easy going and not for the uptight and rushed. The food was good overall. We had the hummus and bean dip duo, and the goulash. The dip portions were generous and easily provided for two guests. The goulash was tender but heavy in grease and light in flavor. The toasted bread originally served with the meal was hard. Keeley was quick to replace the toast with edible toast. The environment was friendly and inviting.

This spot really has it all - relaxing brunch vibes, but apparently they turn it up for dinner/night life. Quirky and cute, eclectic. Coffee house meets café meets chill microbrewery? Loved sinking in the couch. Huge latte, craft beer, food menu. Pretty much anything you want can be modified for any diet that you have. Service was pretty spot-on, waiters are friendly, helpful and obviously super accommodating. While I came here to visit, it made me feel like it could be a nice life in Salem. Bathrooms were clean, decent prices.

Gulu Gulu is such a fun, warm and inviting spot! I came for brunch with a friend and it was DELICIOUS! We had breakfast sandwiches on croissants and split a brownie for dessert! Also had one of the best white chocolate lattes of my life! The team is incredible too - so kind and went out of their way to make a great morning for us!

When this place is "on" they are "on!" When they aren't, well...expect a less than stellar experience. We were in town for the Halloween festivities and our first visit was fantastic. Great service. Good food. Fantastic atmosphere. The second time, there were some hiccups, but pretty normal things that can go wrong during a busy season. The third time, it was back to being great. The last time, it was really clear that they just wanted all the tourists to jump in the bay and leave them alone. Overall, it's a toss up which experience you're going to get, which I think is mostly based on which crew is working that day.

Came here for brunch on a Saturday morning around 10 am with 7 other girls as part of my friend's bachelorette weekend in Salem. This place is AMAZING!! They have a variety of meal options from vegan, vegetarian, and nonveg. For brunch I ordered the vegan breakfast sandwich, which I highly recommend. The sandwich included sourdough bread, vegan cheese, arugula and nice slab of tofu - so delicious and just as satisfying as a non-vegan sandwich. I also ordered an almond milk latte, which was top-notch amazing tasting coffee, and the fruit and yogurt parfait with granola and chose Green Yogurt. Service was prompt and friendly. After we left, I came back again and got a matcha latte with almond milk to-go. If I am every in Salem again, I will definitely return! Thank you for a wonderful experience, Gulu Gulu!

Ambience not loud which is nice, for time to time is busy. If you are in the mood for an old dinner fashion food this is your place. I am not a big fun of American dinners. This place resembles a lot Berkeley Ca vibe Server gets really busy with multiple tables customer service is good, it does take a while to get your food in the table and once comes to the table is room temperature not hot. Coffee no really the greasiest, don't expect refill We order the Barcelona sandwich, the Lumberjack and vegan breakfast sandy. I tried a little bit of everything that we order and it was ok is like eating at Dennys dinner Overall, in my personal opinion food is so so, and expect a lot in and out from people

Such a fun spot in the middle of Salem. No rsvp or q- you just gotta wait it out until you get to the front. I love their breakfast sandwiches and definitely their coffee options. Fast and efficient serve all around.

Pretty nice spot in Salem right on the Main Street! Super cute - decor is great and the place has a really good vibe. Food is good but it took a whiiiile to get service. Idk if that was just for that day or what. Nice though- I'd go back!

Not worth your time. There is a line of people waiting to be seated around the block and we waited nearly an hour for our food. The server came by once and then forgot about us. It didn't seem that busy inside but there was no urgency to move tables despite the long line of people waiting to be seated. The Caesar wrap was 90% croutons and 10% lettuce. Long line with bathrooms too. Cute decor if you're looking for the one non-witch themed spot in town.

Oh my gosh! They are the kindest people that has ever served me. All the from the host to the server and to the other server. Everyone here was so magical and sweet and had the greatest reccs. You can tell they love their people. And the food too was immaculate! I can't wait to come here again. This is the spot to be when you're in Salem. And they're pretty much open later than some of the stores. Please give them my love when you visit as they have given me theirs! If they can keep the Lavender Lemonade for me, I'll give them 10 stars. Hahaha!

Not worth the wait in my opinion! Food was average, soup was served cold. Staff was nice but I wouldn't prioritize eating here. It's in a central location but there are other spots nearby with shorter wait times. The food is being made so fast it's smoky in the restaurant and they have the fans running non stop, it was actually a bit cold inside.

UPDATE: they no longer serve crepes which was their best option so the food on my last trip was rather inconsistent. Would love more gluten free options on the menu. Service was friendly one day and not the next. Coffee is still the best ever. Try to avoid coming on a weekend. There is no hostess to greet you and long lines outside with no designated way to give your name. There is also no way to go in and order a takeout beverage which I found very odd.

Parking Off street parking meters available. Menu Menu includes a variety of foods, great for all food restrictions. Staff So nice! Very knowledgeable of options Seating We sat right away, plenty of seats/space Great place to go in Salem, highly recommend!

Honestly, the amount of time we waited was worth the wait. Unfortunately we got there a bit early for alcoholic drinks so we only had time to have one but even that one was delicious. We also didn't make it to their drag show that starts at 2 but we will definitely come back during another time of the year. The lumberjack, although comes with the typical breakfast items and isn't badly priced, is basic. The waffle wasn't bad tho. I had the vegan breakfast sandy. I realized that day I'm not a fan of hot arugula. But other than that, I'm obsessed with their vegan cheese and the way they cooked their tofu. The cheese tasted way better than *real cheese. There were parts of the sandwich that were just cheese and bread and I was so happy because it tasted like a grilled cheese straight from my youth. Since we went in October, they had their fall cocktails. We tried the Toil & Trouble. It was delicious and surprisingly sweet! Service was great! Although it was quite busy and we did have to wait, the waiter was so friendly, we didn't mind the wait. Plus the decor was fun to look at.

Yummy I always love it here Good ambiance good food yummy drinks nice staff cool events. All you need

One of the best casual spots in town. For an afternoon visit the coffee is excellent, and they have arguably the best beer list in town. Absolutely worth a visit.

This was recommended to me and it didn't disappoint! The line moved pretty quick and once I was seated the service was efficient. Large menu of breakfast and lunch as well as a bar. It's an eclectic style inside which was fun to look at. Iced coffee and lox breakfast sandwich were delicious!

I'll give them 3 for the setting as I think the spot could actually be pretty cool, but the overly hip, slow and uninterested staff, along with the crazy long time it takes to get a drink or a wrap when the place had maybe 10 customers and there seemed to be at least 6 staff on is just crazy, The menu looks interesting with some Eastern European influence, but all we had was the buffalo wrap which was actually quite fresh although it took at least 30-40 minutes to get it which is absurd. Get it right for the passing tourist trade and it could be sweet.

This experience was just horrible. Perhaps if the service was better, my mind could be changed. But I doubt it. Food was mid, did not live up to its yelp hype. The table behind us left because the server never came. Our server finally came, we asked for water and he said "we are waiting for clean cups it'll be a few minutes", that's normal and often happens in a high volume setting, I get it. Untillll... 45 minutes passed. He never came back. I ended up just going and ordering from bar. Mac and cheese came out ice cold. We sent it back to the kitchen. The table beside us also sent their food back, as it was extremely cold. Host kids were eating a literal pizza at the host stand, and throwing water on each other. Overall just extremely unprofessional and mismanaged restaurant - in my opinion. (And to be fair, our server appeared to be the only one on shift) Won't be back.

awesome atmosphere! took a trip to salem and ended a night tour at midnight. everything in the area was closed besides gulu gulu cafe. open mic night was lively and fun- the dessert was exactly what we needed!

We met some friends here for breakfast/lunch on Sunday. It has a nice layout with a mix of tables, communal tables, couches, and bench tables. I love the decor with the doggies! Server Amy quickly came to get our drink orders, interesting cocktails and mimosas. Water was good and fun in the past, old red plastic cups from diners! We chose to start with their hummus plate. Ideally, this should have taken less time to prep, scoop the hummus, and plate it with vegetables and toast. But it was nearly 45 minutes before we got the plate and only a few minutes before our mains arrived. The food overall was good, simple, and clean. The hummus plate only had green veg. But maybe that is just what they had. Overall, decent experience. Will be back for their "brunch," which runs 4-7 on Sundays.

Didn't have any food here but picked up a matcha and cappuccino. Both were delicious and served promptly. The server was quick, friendly and helpful. The ambiance is a fun, laid back type of atmosphere. Love that they allow furry friends to hang outside. Would definitely return!

I'm sad to say I was pretty disappointed in this place after hearing such great things. The last time I visited Salem with friends, the line was over 3 hours long so we skipped it. This time, there was no wait so we decided to give it a try. We waited over 35 minutes just to be greeted at our table, and it was not busy. Finally, one of us decided to ask the host, just as our server came over. The wait for the food was pretty long too. The food was fine, nothing spectacular. I do like that their patio is dog friendly and we were able to order her a plate of scrambled eggs! Unfortunately, because of the wait and the "just okay" food, I probably won't be back.

Stopped in to order to go at the bar and was met by the rudest person (guy) I have ever encountered in a restaurant. Horrible attitude in such a brief amount of time. I have had such a great experience up North until this moment. Some people are not meant for hospitality business or he was having an off day. Either way it was unnecessary. I immediately had to leave and order somewhere else based on that alone.

Very dissapointed. I went in to get a iced latte to go. Very difficult to get service, was giving an attitude unfortunately as the person taking my latte order thought she already helped me. Then I didn't get what I ordered after waiting for about 10 minutes as that was the wrong size. Think they were understaffed.

Waited for over an hour to sit down. Place had a very long line, usually a good sign and they had some great reviews. Food was just ok. My breakfast came out cold and they ended up making me an egg sandwich. The waffles my kids ordered were room Temperature. Kind of crazy to wait an hour to be seated to then wait another 30 minutes for food to then have them have to make me something quick because they left it on the counter too long. Server was excellent and coffee was great. Food was ok, nothing special. Place 8/10. Server 9/10. Food 4/10.

It was a chilly September afternoon- we stopped in for a warm drink and a bathroom break. We weren't hungry, but it smelled so good and the counter boasted all sorts of treats, so we had to try some things! We ordered Bublanina, which is a Czech-style berry cake that was delicious. It was moist, sweet and tart, with large pieces of berry througout. The walnut banana bread was also very good. Dense and delicious. Kiddo enjoyed her large soft pretzel. It was a great vibe and the menu had a ton of sandwiches and salads I'd like to try. Will return!

Been here a few times. No complaints about the food - no matter what I've gotten (sandwiches or breakfast) it's been really tasty. Ambiance is really cool too - a hip little spot where it's cool to hang out and people watch, or come with friends. Service however is ALWAYS slow. No matter what time of day.

Sooooo good and so worth the wait! They were a little slow to get us seated and take our orders but to be fair it was packed! And I could tell all the wait staff were busting their butts to go as quickly as possible. When our food finally did arrive it was sooo worth it. This is the best place to drop in as soon as you get to Salem to get some breakfast in you and a cold espresso martini! It's a no nonsense place. They have solid menu items that taste great. Don't expect anything super fancy.

LOVE this place so much! Unfortunately I don't go anymore since they took away our favorite corner couch. Every time I walk in the seating just feels cold & is uncomfortable.

Came here for a cookie and coffee after dinner. There were many cookies sitting to the side in a huge box, so supply was not an option. They didn't taste the freshest, however. Still a good cookie but nothing particularly memorable. Latte was good and smooth. It was served in a nice sized mug. Service was friendly, quick, and helpful.

We went somewhat early, right after open, so we did not wait long. I heard the lines can get crazy long. They are a few other brunch spots in the area, but I liked the menu options here. They had vegan/vegetarian options. I had a bagel sandwich and it was a large serving. They also have mimosas. The vibe is great too. A very laid back place. There was couch seating along with regular tables. They had fun coffee options too.