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Gulu-Gulu Cafe

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A funky bohemian coffeehouse and craft beer bar in Salem, offering an eclectic global menu and live music.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
great beer menu

Gulu-Gulu Cafe

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A funky bohemian coffeehouse and craft beer bar in Salem, offering an eclectic global menu and live music.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Experience Salem's vibrant spirit with delicious food, great beer, and a unique, artistic atmosphere!"

TIP

Beat the Crowds

Visit during off-peak hours as the cafe fills up quickly.

Unique Drink Options

Try the blackberry mimosa or Bee Gee Latte for a special treat.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 8AM

Cuisine

Cafe, American

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(978) 740-8882

Address

247 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Bohemian Vibes & Live Entertainment

Bohemian Vibes & Live Entertainment

Experience Salem's funky bohemian atmosphere with live events like drag brunches and game nights.

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The Lumberjack Breakfast

The Lumberjack Breakfast

Indulge in the genius combination of sweet Belgian waffles stacked with eggs and bacon.

Foodie Travel Guide To Salem, Massachusetts
Craft Beer & Eclectic Menu

Craft Beer & Eclectic Menu

Savor gourmet sandwiches, crepes, and an impressive selection of craft beers and unique drinks.

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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

How to spend a winter day in Salem🧙🏼‍♀️❄️ ☕️ Start off by grabbing lattes and breakfast at @thegulugulucafe, their breakfast sandwiches are delicious and the atmosphere is so relaxing. 🪄Check out @wynottswands, a crafter of magic wands for witches and wizards 🐈‍⬛ Stop by Black Curiosity Shoppe, a combination of shop and museum, displaying artifacts and curiosities from history, film and television...
@jesslitras
98 likes • 2.3K views

Beat the Crowds

Visit during off-peak hours as the cafe fills up quickly.

Unique Drink Options

Try the blackberry mimosa or Bee Gee Latte for a special treat.

We are the best. #diva #salem #halloween #salemma #gulugulucafe
@.thegulugulucafe
1.3K likes • 9.9K views
Happy Pride Month! Will you be visiting? #salemmassachusetts #localart #pridemonth @.thegulugulucafe
@jayxorcutt
603 likes • 6.3K views

Vegan Choices

Look for clearly labeled vegan options, like their delicious vegan sausage sandwiches.

Shareable Sandwiches

Breakfast sandwiches are hearty and can be shared.

food & drink places in Salem 🍽️ @Gulu-Gulu Cafe @Rockafellas #fyp #salem #salemmassachusetts #foodreview #food
@_azerina
42 likes • 924 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Beat the Crowds

Visit during off-peak hours as the cafe fills up quickly.

Unique Drink Options

Try the blackberry mimosa or Bee Gee Latte for a special treat.

Vegan Choices

Look for clearly labeled vegan options, like their delicious vegan sausage sandwiches.

Shareable Sandwiches

Breakfast sandwiches are hearty and can be shared.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Gulu-Gulu Cafe is praised for its eclectic atmosphere, diverse menu with vegan options, and friendly service. Many enjoy the unique events and craft beer selection. However, some reviews mention slow service during peak times and occasional issues with food preparation.

"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!"

Alyssa D.

"Called in for a quick craft beer before a museum visit. Took order quickly but 15mins no delivery so we had to leave.

Looks lovely place but unfortunately much too slow for our needs today. So appears not the place for a quick drink."

Craft Beer Travels

"Came here on a Sunday afternoon and moderately populated, was able to get a seat within 5 mins.

The ambiance is very nice and cozy and they have a wide selection of drinks and food. ⭐️

I got the Bee Gee Latte and it was really good. I was worried it would be too sweet and too hot but thankfully not! It was just right.

Did not try the food but it does look good. The servers and waiters were very kind 😇

Definitely have a visit if you’re in town. It’s also at a very prime spot."

Anamika Priyadarshini

What People Like

Funky bohemian atmosphere
Diverse menu with vegan options
Live entertainment and events

What People Dislike

Service can be slow
Occasional dry baked goods

Frequently Asked Questions

Gulu-Gulu Cafe is known for its funky bohemian atmosphere, eclectic global menu, craft beer selection, and live entertainment like drag brunches.

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Yes, Gulu-Gulu Cafe offers clearly labeled vegan options and gluten-free choices.

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They host a variety of events including drag brunches, game nights, bingo nights, and live music.

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While they have a great beer selection, some reviews suggest service can be slow, potentially impacting quick visits.

Google Review

Popular items include The Lumberjack breakfast sandwich, gourmet sandwiches, crepes, and their Goulash.

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Yes, Gulu-Gulu Cafe offers outdoor seating, which is a pleasant option.

Things to Do in Salem MA for Halloween this YearGoogle Review

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The Gulu-Gulu Cafe perfectly embodies the funky little slice of bohemia that is present-day Salem. Part sandwich shop, part coffee-and-beer bar and part live music venue, Gulu-Gulu simultaneously feeds your inner artist and your stomach from morning through night. Take a seat inside or on the patio (right in front of the Bewitched statue), and order up a fresh crêpe, gourmet sandwich or some snacks, like spiced pickled eggs or Hermelin, a marinated brie served with bread.

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A bohemian outpost right in Salem, Gulu-Gulu Cafe is a must for breakfast, not only for the good food but the good vibes!. We ordered The Lumberjack, which consisted of one Belgian waffle, two scrambled eggs & three strips of bacon stacked up with maple syrup and it might have just been the perfect breakfast bite. I’m a big fan of combination sweet and savory for breakfast, so having a sweet Belgian waffle as the base for the savory eggs and bacon was quite genius.

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While this could also arguably be in the café category below, the boho-style Gulu-Gulu—a self-described “artisan sandwich shop and craft beer bar”—is a little bit of everything. It’s the kind of place where laptop warriors hammer out emails while sipping on draft-poured cold brew coffee, or toe-tapping music fans vibe out to local musicians while tipping back craft beers. Stick around for drag brunches, game nights, and open-mic shindigs.

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This artisan sandwich shop and craft beer bar isn’t just known for its tasty offerings, but also its art scene. In addition to the fantastic art gracing its walls, you’ll also find live entertainment, drag brunches, bingo nights, and more, so this isn’t just a cool place to get a drink in Salem… this is also a cool place to spend some time enjoying the local art scene in the Witch City.

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Gulu-Gulu Cafe is a "Bohemian outpost" serving coffee, craft beer, crepes, and more. Gulu-Gulu cafe Salem offers gluten-free and vegan options as well, and it is dog-friendly. Choose to sit by its large windows or sit outdoors; no matter the seating, it feels like "Tu casa es mi casa." Customers appreciate the friendly staff and cool eclectic atmosphere.

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From the moment I stepped foot into Gulu-Gulu Cafe, I was immediately enchanted by its unique atmosphere. The interior was adorned with quirky artwork and cozy seating arrangements, creating a whimsical ambiance that instantly transported me to a world of creativity and relaxation. What truly sets Gulu-Gulu Cafe apart is its accommodating menu.

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Our first stop was Gulu Gulu Cafe located at 247 Essex St. This was a highly recommended place for crepes or quick sandwiches. I ordered the Cozy Crunchy Crepe, a vegan crepe filled with blueberries coconut yogurt and topped with maple syrup and house-made grandma ola. It is made completely gluten-free and vegan and it was really good.

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(Also incredible for C O F F E E, B E E R, and C O C K T A I L S). “Cozy, unpretentious coffeehouse offering an eclectic global menu of small bites, plus live music.” Gulu-Gulu also doubles as one of my favorite bars as well, thanks to their incredible beer and cider selection. The portions are huge and I’ve never been dissapointed!

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Situated in downtown Salem, this eclectic joint offers a funky ambiance and an ideal stake-out for people-watching (ahem, homework-doing). A bar, music venue, café and restaurant, you’ll be set for the day if you have a backlog of sketching assignments. But if you finish early, there’s always the nearby consignment shop to explore.

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For a casual bite, my favorite spot is Gulu-Gulu Cafe, a favorite among creatives and locals. You’ll get a feeling for the Salem spirit at this location, full of quirky thrills and community feels. With great teas, coffee, and bites, they have a lot of inclusive dietary restrictions in mind for gluten-free and vegan options.

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Gulu-Gulu is known for the adorable little Boston Terrier mascot that plasters the walls and brings a new essence to the dining experience. He acts as a friendly invite for patrons to bring their furry friends along too!. Sister restaurant to Flying Saucer Pizza Company, you will find no lack of quality in their food.

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For this category I decided it was a tie between Gulu Gulu Cafe and Rockafella’s, it really just depends on the vibe you are looking for. Rockafella’s has more of your typical bar vibe, but it’s located in one of the most haunted buildings of Salem which adds an unusual thrill to your get-together.

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247 Essex Street 978-740-8882We are a gathering place for locals and visitors alike to meet, relax, and have fun. Come on over, grab a light bite and enjoy one of our specialty coffee drinks. A popular haven for artists and musicians featuring a wide array of international beers.Gulu-Gulu Cafe

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Immerse yourself in the eclectic vibe of Salem at Gulu-Gulu Cafe. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, artisanal coffee, and delectable pastries, this cafe is a local favorite. Experience the perfect blend of creativity and comfort in a setting that reflects Salem’s unique spirit.

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Gulu-Gulu is really part coffeehouse, part, café, part sandwich shop, and part beer bar, with its menu including marinated brie, pickled eggs, soft pretzels, goulash, vegan burge and crepes, while also offering some terrific craft beers and ciders, and, of course, coffee.

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A Little Bit About: At Gulu-Gulu Cafe, they serve some of the best coffee in town, paired with some great food. Some of the meals that they offer are Crepes, Wraps, Sandwich’s, Salads, and really delicious Mac and Cheese. On the weekends, they also have a brunch menu!

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A fun atmosphere with a little bit of everything - coffee, craft beer, and other alcoholic beverages, and light food. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: They have a $25 meat and cheese board. They also have a hummus plate, light sandwiches, bagels, waffles, crepes, and pastry items.

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Food is great; lots of gluten-free options clearly marked on the menu. The staff was friendly & service was pretty great. The location, tucked away from the main drag and yet in eyesight of most everything is fantastic & makes for epic people-watching.

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They have a gluten-free breakfast sandwich that I love as well as other food and bakery. This is also my go-to coffee spot; I get the Caramel Brulette latte with almond milk and it’s chefs kiss. I also love their mimosas and they are HUGE!

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⭐️ Gulu Gulu Cafe: A really cool place to hang out, drink coffee, and play board games. Or, a good place for a cocktail in the evening- they have bands play there quite a bit. They also host a drag brunch every weekend which is so fun.

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Located just around the corner from the Salem Inn, Gulu-Gulu Cafe is a bohemian bistro offering an eclectic cafe menu alongside coffee, beer and wine. This sister restaurant to the Flying Saucer hosts a number of live performers.

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Gulu Gulu Café is a cozy, unpretentious coffeehouse offering an eclectic global menu of small bites, plus live music. The European-style café supports the arts. Breakfast, espresso, craft beer and imports, wine, and light fare.

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Last on our Witchy Travel Guide recommendations is the Gulu Gulu Cafe. This little spot is right behind the famous Bewitched Statue in the heart of Salem. It has an outside seating area, as well as inside.

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Other spots to check out for lunch include Gulu-Gulu Cafe for gourmet sandwiches, Sea Level Oyster Bar for their raw bar and chowder, and Flying Saucer Pizza for sci-fi themed pies and craft beer.

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Salem’s free Sunday Drag Brunch, going 4 years strong at Gulu-Gulu Cafe. Hosted by Miz Diamond Wigfall and DJ Maxine Harrison!. Featuring new guest performances every week.

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Operating since 2007, this cafe is one of the great breakfast places in Salem serving incredible waffles, sandwiches and other classics, plus more menu alternatives.

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Mercy Tavern, Gulu Gulu, Howling Wolf, Notch Brewery, Old Main Street Pub, and All Saints Lounge. Hopefully those should keep you busy on a Wednesday night.

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Gulu Gulu Cafe is hard to miss on Essex Street, and serves a great assortment of sandwiches, salads, beers, and teas in an art-friendly environment.

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Gulu-Gulu Cafe: this bohemian place is the perfect lunchtime hangout and they’re super dog-friendly too. Go for a sandwich, coffee or craft beer.

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I sat and got some work done for a bit at Gulu-Gulu Cafe, a quirky, laidback sandwich shop and beer bar in the center of town.

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