Gulu-Gulu Cafe in Salem, MA

Gulu-Gulu Cafe

247 Essex Street

Salem, MA 01970

www.gulu-gulu.com

MAP IT– Google Maps Link

Overall Rating: 4 Stars- Solid

Reflections:

Gulu-Gulu Cafe is one of my favored local haunts particularly because of its spacious atmosphere and delightful menu. They have recently started serving breakfast (as well as lunch and dinner), although I have yet to make it there before the noon breakfast menu cut-off.

The atmosphere and servers are a colorful and artsy bunch, which can make for great people-watching when your mind needs a break from your work. I find it very easy to plug in to their wifi (and outlets) and work for 2-3 hours here with minimal interruptions.

This place can be REALLY crowded and busy on the weekends and at Lunch/Dinner hours, so be prepared with a backup plan (aka another Working Cafe location) in case there are no tables to be found. Nevertheless, for off-hours/mid-afternoon working sessions this place can be a real treat to settle into for a while. (And the crepes always keep me coming back :). )

Food Favorites & Thoughts:

My favorites include the Apple & Brie Crepe, the Cranberry Salad, and the variety of cheese plate options. OH, and the AMAZING beer menu… Lambic, YUM!

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The Essentials

• Free Wireless- YES
• Available power outlets– YES, particularly at tables on the “stage”
• Chair & Table situation- Both Indoor/Outdoor seating available; at least 15 tables and several couches/arm chair arrangements available.

Bonuses

• Ambiance & Energy- Spunky, eclectic, colorful
• Service- Very friendly, and definitely used to cafe workers who hang around for hours at a time. As long as you’re good to them, I’m sure they’ll be sweet to you. The place can get very busy at meal times, however, so be prepared to get relegated to a corner sometimes and be respectful to the servers by turning over the table if the place is starting to get hopping.
• Bathrooms-Four single bathrooms (2M/2W), which do appear to be undergoing a well-needed renovation currently (Sept 2010); generally large and reasonably clean.
  
• Parking/Transport- Salem street parking, which is plentiful. Within easy walking distance of the Salem Commuter Rail.
  

My Joys

• Available Views?- The patio looks onto a lovely and tree-filled public square- the one with the “Bewitched” Statue. The large windows of the cafe mostly view the shops of Essex street (which are Salem’s classically eclectic bunch).
  
• Veggie-friendly options – plentiful! Salads, Crepes, Wraps, Paninis… a great selection.
• Cozy features- Personally, I love their teapots, which serve at least 3 cups full and make me happy to settle down to a pot to go with my work.
  
• Chai status- not my favorite… but the Rooibos is lovely.

Some Basic Info

Cost: $$– Sandwiches under $10
Link to Yelp Profile