Great food!! Great service!! Clean, well kept!! Try the gouda bisque!! Lots of yummy options!!

The food was spectacular along with the service, provided by the sweetest staff. :) The atmosphere was joyful and fantastic to enjoy my meal in! Thank you to everyone who made this breakfast possible. Best, The Hickory soccer team read more

Cafe Gouda - Lil' Brav enjoying her French toast with sausage and a strawberry banana smoothie! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Hickory, North Carolina

Café Gouda was an okay experience overall, though my visit happened under some unfortunate circumstances. When I stopped in, the restaurant's water service was temporarily unavailable due to an issue that was completely outside of their control. Because of that, the menu was significantly limited, and many of the dishes weren't available to order. I certainly don't fault the restaurant for the situation, but it did make it difficult to get a true sense of what they have to offer. Even setting that aside, the menu felt somewhat limited compared to what I was expecting, so there weren't many options that appealed to me that day. The staff handled the situation professionally, and I appreciated their efforts despite the unexpected circumstances. Overall, I don't feel like I experienced Café Gouda under normal operating conditions, so I wouldn't consider this a definitive review of the restaurant. I'd be open to giving it another try in the future when the full menu is available, as I suspect it would provide a much better representation of what they do. read more

Love love love the chicken salad sandwich on sour dough bread, I can't get enough of it. Every time I have ordered it, it's tasted exactly the same! In this day and age it's hard to reliably get the same food and it taste the same every time. read more

I placed an order thru DoorDash. I love the Rapp but it's not enough food for the price (photo next to my hand to show how small it is for $8+). Two of the sides were also incorrect. DoorDash did offer a partial credit but I won't be ordering from here again. The food is good (when correct) but the prices aren't worth it for what you get. read more

Cafe Gouda - The Rapp - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Hickory, North Carolina

I was a twice-a-week customer for several years; then the new owners took over. Since then, the quality has consistently declined. The last few times I have gone, I have waited up to 45 minutes for my food, service very slow. A couple of weeks ago, I ordered an omelet and toast and coffee (an outrageous $25) and the omelet was brown and flat, overcooked. Last time I went, and it WILL BE the LAST time, I ordered oatmeal, coffee, and water. They told me they had no water; isn't that illegal? I had to buy a $4 bottled water. Then they "had no decaf coffee." When my oatmeal came it was stone cold out of the refrigerator; obviously leftover from the day before. Who serves oatmeal COLD, I mean, ice cold? I will never go back. So sad, to see the decline of a Hickory ICON. read more

Eat here at least once a week and have been pleased but this experience was extremely poor. 3 customers in the building & waited almost 30 minutes for pancakes & bacon. Asked for new bacon due to it being burnt and not appeasing. read more

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Thought this might be my local answer to finding a place to eat at that wasn't just serving industrial waste pretending to be food. Listen, if you don't care about eating a bunch of processed oils, preservatives, and otherwise questionable ingredients - then eat somewhere cheaper. $73 later, I still ended up feeling like I ate cheap, Sysco-to-table food. They ran out of their own tater tots and said chips were and option. Didn't mention they were pre-packed trash. Also, they're now carrying comically overpriced, bottled spring water and some of it is even sparking - but no guarantee you'll get it, even if you order it. The place feels like it's gone downhill, but maybe I'm just tired of paying for terrible quality food in this country. To top it all off, the place is dirty, tables are dirty, and it's just not cutting it for me. Best of luck to anyone else. read more

The best lunch! Egg salad sandwich was amazing. Service was great and wonderful atmosphere.

Wait time for food was beyond long. When the food finally arrived sausages were burnt and wrong pancakes. Everyone around us had the wrong order and sent it back. No apologies from owner Received refund and left hungry. read more

This spot is a great breakfast/brunch place with something for everyone! The menu has a fun mix of both savory and sweet options, so it's perfect no matter what you're craving. I tried the breakfast sandwich and it was absolutely worth finishing--so good! The sweet potato fries were a little on the crispier side for my taste, but still enjoyable overall. The vibes are exactly what you'd expect from a busy brunch spot--lively but not chaotic. You order at the cashier and grab any seat you like, which keeps things casual and easy. read more

Cafe Gouda - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Hickory, North Carolina

unprofessional service food not as good with new owner prices to high for current food quality

Awful experience. I have been here many times over the years and have never had such a bad experience. Food is extremely overpriced for what you get. It took 45 minutes for us to get our food after we ordered. I went back up to order something else and was ignored for 5 minutes before someone came to assist me. Animals on the TV watching dung beatles and alligators doesn't add to my appetite while I eat I mean come on!!! read more

Got the hot chick and it was DELICIOUS and they were so friendly! 10/10 experience will be coming back!

We love the food here..everything is always so good and fresh. The owner is very kind and welcoming, which makes the experience even better. He even gave my kids free cookies, which totally made their day. We'll definitely keep coming back! read more

i love this place! always come here! bruno the owner is a joy to know, and all the employees are super friendly! read more

Great simple food done right. Eggs are great. relaxing music and a great staff. Would go anytime every time!

It was a very long wait for one egg sandwich and a latte. I watched another woman wait a very long time for her single latte. The dining room was loud despite the fact it was far from full. The cashier and I had trouble hearing each other. The customers were being forced to tolerate Fox 'News' propaganda in the dining room. It was very cold in the dining room. There was nowhere to stand that I wouldn't be in the way while I waited over 20 minutes for my egg sandwich. I'm hoping they did not put the beef fat they are now famous for using (instead of healthier alternatives) anywhere near my egg when they scrambled it. read more

The best Benedicts I've had in forever. They were prepared expertly by Kirsten, head chef, and the hash browns were crispy as requested + a super duper bowl of fruit. The menu, once posted, will read "DJ's Benedicts" and will be the talk around Hickory and beyond. If you don't think my review is spot on, just ask the owner. Happy Eating, DJ Da Best!!! read more

I have always gone to Cafe Gouda for breakfast or called in my breakfast order to go. My order has always been ready when I arrive and they are also consistently accurate! I like to order the Breakfast Rapp which keeps me full past lunch. Yesterday, I placed a to go order for lunch and it did not disappoint! The Gouda Delight Sandwich was huge and the flavor combination was spot on. I had to wait a bit since a placed my order at the counter but they were also busy. This is a restaurant where you order at the counter and the food is brought to you. You have access to your own refills so do not expect any table service! The food is amazing for both breakfast and lunch, I would recommend either! read more

Cafe Gouda - Gouda Delight Sandwich add Tomato - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Hickory, North Carolina

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The food is consistently good and they don't mind when food orders are modified. I love that Cafe Gouda is a family owned business.

I love their lunch combo with their Gouda bisque soup. My order came quickly. My half sandwich was their veggie delight on grilled sourdough. So yummy and a generous size! And it comes with a drink that includes fresh brewed tea options; unsweetened green and raspberry. Very flavorful! Previously I would have given 4 stars because their tables were not wiped off well enough. But they seem to have cleaned up their act today! Nice to see! read more

We always enjoy Cafe Gouda. Good service, great food. Unique selection of sandwiches, breakfast, and salads.

Came for a late breakfast and was immediately greeted by the new owner! Got the pancakes, eggs and bacon - all was delicious! My husband got the biscuits and gravy with hash brown casserole- ah-mazing! We will definitely be back! read more

Cafe Gouda is a nice casual dinning drop in. The staff was friendly and gave good menu suggestions. The food was decent for what we ordered. I enjoyed my salad (which is honestly why it got the extra star) it was seasoned just right and I used ranch dressing, it would've tasted better if I added a little siracha (which they had) to the ranch to elevate it just a little bit. The club sandwich was a club sandwich, I wish it had some kind of honey mustard or aioli to elevate it as well. The mayonnaise just kind of fell flat. Overall, we ate and were nourished from our long drive. read more

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restaurant, nice and clean and nice restaurant food is good everything is perfect inside the restaurant and is and I like quiet. read more

Great healthy food! Came for the Make Hickory Healthy, and the tallow fried French fries

We had an enjoyable lunch - red pepper Gouda bisque with an enormous half turkey club on the side, and a nice tuna melt the staff happily put into a gluten free wrap. Nice atmosphere. We will come back! read more

We enjoy breakfast and lunch at Cafe Gouda a couple of times a week since we moved here a year and a half ago! The food, and people who work there are the best! Highly recommend for delicious food and excellent service. read more

Stopped here driving through town, and really liked it. The restaurant is cute and decorated with local colorful primitive artwork. We ordered at the counter, got a number, and the servers delivered the meals. We didn't wait long. Booths and tables are available. At the counter are fruit cups, salads, help-yourself flavored coffees, cookies and more. Food was the basic breakfast and ours was tasty. Breakfast sandwiches looked good. The yogurt/granola/fruit bowl did need more yogurt. The eggs over medium were perfect. On a Friday morning during hurricane Ian lots of families were dining. Lunch and dinner are also served. Carry out. read more

Cafe Gouda - tables and chairs in a restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Hickory, North Carolina

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Excellent food! Great selection and service! Clean restaurant and restrooms. The egg salad was delicious!

Amazing service , great atmosphere.. love that the coffee is listed as LARGE , and SMALL so nice

I waited too long for my food and when they brought it fries were cold. The restaurant is dirty, they have to do a better job on keeping the place clean. read more

this was the best food I've ever eaten. I can't wait to come for the rest of my life. I love this place so kind here the ambience is incredible. read more

Amazing food and customer service. Jennifer was exceptional in assisting us with our selections. Will definitely be back!!

The food is absolutely amazing! Sandwich (Hot Brown) and soup (Gouda) both. Staff was great too!

The food is so good. I love coming here for a unique sandwich. It also has a comfy cafe feel.

Used to love eating at this place until a couple months ago. The past 2 times we have ate here it's not been good. I get the grilled chicken sandwhich and the past 2 times the chicken has looked old and doesn't taste like it used to. I don't know if they use new chicken or what they are doing different but hopefully it will get better! The service was good and people are nice! read more

Good coffee, good food and great service. I recommend bringing your own coffee mug for refills. I always order the scrambler with all the toppings. Very delicious! read more

Really like this joint! I'm from Miami but have family living in Hickory, NC for the past 15 years and we often come to visit them. This time around was not a fun visit but we still managed to go around and visit some places and restaurants. One morning we were hungry didn't know where to go. We Yelped breakfast/brunch around the area and found this little gem. Located in a shopping plaza. Easy to find with plenty of parking. It's a pretty spacious place. Very quaint but yet "homey". Menu on the wall is hand written colorfully with drawings of food and such, which it's pretty cool! Very friendly atmosphere. When you order at the counter, you are greeted with a smile! They give you a stick to put on the table with a picture so they know which table is yours. Ours had a Disney Castle. It's a fun different way that makes it a little more unique. We ordered an Oatmeal Bowl with fruits and a Omelette with bacon, cheese, mushroom and avocado. Needless to say it was delicious! Just look at the pictures! Definitely coming back next and each time we go visit family in Hickory, North Carolina read more

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