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    Gulu Gulu Cafe

    3.8 (1.3k reviews)
    ModerateSandwiches, Bars, Cafes
    Closed 8:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 1 month ago

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    GULU GULU CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Live music
    Moderate noise

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    Chicken salad wrap
    Emile L.

    Trendy brunch spot. Had the waffle, grilled cheese and chicken salad wrap. Everything was very good. Grilled cheese was my favorite. Service was pleasant.

    Urka S.

    Came for the Drag Show and was very glad I did. Dj Maxine, Miz Diamond WigFall and Anx were fantastic!! Made the place feel very open and welcoming. Wish they had more Drag/Queer events going on during the week. It was a great way to start my trip to Salem. Food was just okay. Drinks were okay too. I wish there were more options for lunch. Sadly our server Billy seemed like they weren't in the best mood. They seem like a cool person! When asked what many flavors of the Daiquiris, Billy just pointed us to the back of the menu but that just had Coffee flavors, there was no section for daiquiri flavors. Came back for Bingo and was turned off by the presenter's calling. Very aggressive and loud screeching, not my cup of tea. Seemed like a nice guy though. Margaritas were great!

    Drag performance by Miz Diamond Wigfall!
    Faith R.

    Always come here for the drag shows Sunday which are a MUST. For lunch, I do the DIY pasta bowl. I added pesto, spinach, avocado and breadcrumbs. A few people liked it so I recommend it!! Good portions and great atmosphere. The bathrooms are a bit old and not the best smelling but I'd still recommend! Service is always great.

    Menu - 10/9/25
    Courtney O.

    Our first day in Salem and it decides to rain and not just any rain, but a torrential downpour. We got to Salem around 9am on a Wednesday and most places weren't open yet - we walked by Gulu Gulu Cafe and decided to jump in and escape from the weather for a bit. The inside was so cozy and warm with a bunch of dog artwork all over the walls - we just adopted a black Pug puppy so I loved seeing them represented as well. We ordered the Quiche, Bagel Breakfast Sandwich and Parfait for breakfast. I also ordered the Harvest mocktail which paired perfectly with the Parfait I had. We enjoyed our meal, but my friend did say that the Quiche was very bland - she had to add lots of salt and hot sauce to it unfortunately. There were plenty of seats inside for all party sizes, but it still somehow felt comfortable and not overcrowded. They have a bar area as well that we came back to the following day and sat at. Staff were so friendly and personable - you could really tell that our server loved working at Gulu Gulu Cafe. Overall, I really liked Gulu Gulu Cafe and would 100% return again. I am interested in seeing what they serve for lunch and dinner! Check them out if you get a chance!

    Menu
    Quincy M.

    Fantastic spot!! My girlfriend and I went here for breakfast on a Friday morning to start our day, and it was such a great choice. The place was lively with a super welcoming staff. They sat us right away and were really patient while we tried to figure out what we wanted (the menu is amazing!). I got the Bee Gees Latte and my girlfriend got the Carrot Cake Latte from the seasonal menu. These were honestly the BEST drinks I've ever had. Super creative and just really well-done. For food, I got the Who Hash with sausage on the side. It's different every week, so definitely ask what's in it! Mine had onions and peppers with potatoes (basically like fancy home fries) and it was great. We also grabbed the warm brownie because it just sounded too good to skip, and wow, it was the best brownie I've had in a while. You don't even realize it's warm until you get to the center. It was gooey, rich, and packed with flavor (as a brownie should be!). While we were sitting there, we noticed they have several events going on throughout the week, which is awesome. This is definitely the spot to try out in Salem, and I highly recommend it if you're looking for a café with a great vibe and friendly staff!

    Iced Carrot Cake Latte with Maple Whipped Cream, BEE GEES LATTE
    Aemilia B.

    Had a wonderful first visit to Gulu Gulu and we will definitely be back! We came in on a Friday morning and were seated immediately. It wasn't too busy, and there were some people working from the space. Our server, Billie, was super nice and friendly and took great care of us. I got the carrot cake latte and it was delicious, especially the maple whipped cream, and my boyfriend got the bee gee latte which was also great. For food, I got the vegetarian avocado toast which was great and very reasonably priced in my opinion, and my boyfriend got the hash with sausage. We also split the brownie which was warm and delicious, with a soft center and filled with cherries and white chocolate chips. The cafe seems to have many events, ranging from drag brunch, to karaoke, to a monthly drink and draw event. We will definitely be back to check those out and support this awesome local business!

    SOUP & GRILLED CHEESE
    Connie C.

    Nestled in the heart of Salem. We visited this cute little shop right in Essex St. There was about a 15 minute wait but well worth it. We were sat at a cute little couch with a table and chairs and it was super comfortable. Our waiter Bradley was super chill and didn't bat an eye when we had some changes or challenges to the order. All the food came out hot and everything was tasty and the best part of the wait was just soaking in our surroundings. As we waited for our food with our beverages we played 2 rounds of Uno and passed the time chatting and laughing. The bill was about $70 for 3 of us and I thought it was super reasonable. There are really so many places to chose from and we were really happy to have that experience.

    Bre B.

    Love the adult beverages here! Avocado toast and marinated olives (pits in them) are yummy too. Great place to have a bloody good time with your besties when in Salem!

    Menu
    Justin A.

    After strolling downtown Salem, we decided to stop for lunch here after hearing positive things and so glad we did. We arrived around 2pm and waited about 30 mins for a table, which wasn't bad at all since it gave us time to explore the nearby shops. I really loved the overall vibe of this place. Everything from the atmosphere and playlist, to the friendly attentive staff. The playlist they had on(red hot chilli peppers, incubus, Fleetwood Mac) fit the atmosphere perfectly. Also loved how queer friendly and welcoming the environment felt. Food we ordered: Pepperoni panini (7/10): served w/ chips and a pickle. Good but could've been warmer. Soft pretzel (6/10): A bit stale. I'd skip this one next time. Grilled cheese w/ goulash soup (10/10): perfect comfort meal. Soup was meaty, savory, packed with flavor. If you're in Salem visiting, definitely add this spot to your list. Good food, welcoming energy, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile.

    Melissa J.

    Very eclectic and artsy fartsy vibe. The servers are good, attentive, and friendly. Our food, though delicious, wasn't all too hot. I recommend the visit and making reservations ahead of time for Gulu Gulu. Yummy but small cocktails.

    Meg S.

    What a cute and relaxed placed! This cafe sits right by the Bewitched statue, and this place wouldn't be more welcoming. I had their bagel sandwich, and the bagel was the perfect mix of crunchy and soft. I also got a creme brulee coffee, and was so happy with how much I loved it.

    Shareeda B.

    All I can say is--kiss the chef! The waffles, eggs, and bacon were out of this world. I don't even eat pork bacon, but theirs was perfectly crispy, the waffles were light and fluffy, and the syrup hit the sweet spot without being overpowering. My waitress was also super friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. The last time I visited Salem, I couldn't get in because the cafe was packed. This time, since it's not peak season, I finally got to try it--and it was worth the wait. Highly recommend checking it out!

    Rebecca K.

    A Hidden Gem for Live Jazz!! Stumbled into this spot and it was exactly what I didn't know I needed. The vibe is mellow, intimate, and super quaint--just the right size to feel cozy without being crowded. The live music was smooth and jazzy, with musicians who clearly love their craft. Every note pulled you in, whether it was the soft brush of the drums or a saxophone run that stopped you mid-sip. It's the kind of place where you can grab a beer, exhale after a long day, and just let yourself get caught up in the rhythm. No frills, just good atmosphere and talented players who set the mood perfectly. I'll definitely be back when I need a low-key night with great music.

    NUTTY PROFESSOR LATTE

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    5 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    Eric C.

    Thank you for visiting us.

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    2 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    Eric C.

    Thank you for visiting us. We're thrilled you enjoyed everything!

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    9 months ago

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    Eric C.

    Thank you! That carrot cake latte is my favorite right now.

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    10 months ago

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    Eric C.

    Thank you for such a nice review.

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    10 days ago

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    11 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    Eric C.

    Yes! Love to read this. Thank you for visiting us.

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    1 year ago

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    Eric C.

    Thank you so much for visiting us! Glad you enjoyed everything!

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    20 days ago

    This cafe is a great stop. Stopped for dinner. The food was great. Has a great vibe. Excellent service.

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    1 year ago

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    Eric C.

    That's exactly what we're going for! I'm so glad you found us!

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    11 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    Eric C.

    We look forward to seeing you the next time you're around!

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    1 year ago

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    Thank you so much!

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    7 months ago

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    Thank you for stopping by!

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    Page 1 of 32

    Gulu Gulu Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Gulu Gulu Cafe

    Do you have a full liquor license? I saw a "sunset mule" on the featured drinks, but saw that this page says beer & wine only.

    We have a beer, wine and cordial license. A cordial license covers liquors with a certain sugar ratio (for example grand marnier or kahlua).

    What's the WiFi password?

    It changes every couple weeks. Next time you are in ask your server for the latest and greatest.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Gulu Gulu Cafe - sandwiches - Updated September 2026

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