Gulu Gulu Cafe - Salem MA.

Holiday Dining Salem MA | Gulu Gulu Cafe Bohemian Eatery

Discover Salem’s bohemian third space at Gulu-Gulu Café & Bar, a welcoming café, full bar, live music venue, and community gathering space in the heart of downtown Salem, Massachusetts.

Located at 247 Essex Street, Gulu-Gulu has been part of Salem’s creative community since 2007. Open from morning until late evening, the café offers freshly brewed coffee, espresso drinks, breakfast, sandwiches, soups, salads, craft cocktails, wine, and an award-winning selection of craft beer.

Whether you’re looking for breakfast before exploring Salem’s holiday attractions, a relaxed lunch during a shopping trip, cocktails with friends, or live music after dinner, Gulu-Gulu welcomes you to settle in and stay awhile.

Locally owned by Jessica and Eric Crescimano, Gulu-Gulu embraces the spirit of a European café with eclectic furnishings, rotating exhibitions by local artists, and a lively calendar of music and community events.

Come as you are. Stay a while.

Why Choose Gulu Gulu for Holiday Gatherings in Salem

Gulu-Gulu is more than a place to eat or drink. It’s a gathering place where locals and visitors come together over coffee, conversation, food, music, and art.

Unlike traditional restaurants built around getting guests in and out quickly, Gulu-Gulu encourages people to linger. Bring a book, catch up with a friend, enjoy a leisurely meal, or discover a new favorite beer or cocktail with guidance from our knowledgeable staff.

The café transitions naturally throughout the day, from a comfortable morning coffeehouse to a lively neighborhood bar and music venue in the evening.

Gulu-Gulu is particularly well suited to individuals, couples, and smaller groups looking for an informal, welcoming place to spend time together. Seating is first come, first served, and reservations are not accepted.

During Salem’s busiest seasons, wait times and seating limitations may apply.

Holiday Dining & Menu Offerings

European Fare & Craft Beer

Gulu-Gulu’s food menu features approachable café fare prepared with care, including breakfast favorites, pressed and toasted sandwiches, wraps, soups, salads, and lighter dishes.

Guests can start their morning with Belgian waffles, breakfast sandwiches, and freshly prepared coffee drinks, or stop in later for a satisfying lunch or casual dinner.

The kitchen emphasizes house-made preparations, from soups and dressings to Gulu-Gulu’s popular spicy pickles, made from fresh cucumbers. The menu offers familiar comfort foods alongside creative combinations and plant-based selections.

Craft beer has long been one of Gulu-Gulu’s defining specialties. Its award-winning beer program features more than 35 selections, including rotating drafts, cans, and bottles representing breweries from New England and around the world.

Expect everything from approachable lagers and classic ales to hop-forward IPAs, Belgian specialties, wheat beers, dark beers, sours, ciders, and seasonal releases. The selection changes regularly, making every visit an opportunity to discover something new.

Guests don’t need to be beer experts to enjoy the selection. The staff is happy to help anyone explore unfamiliar styles or find something that suits their tastes.

Beyond beer, Gulu-Gulu offers a full bar featuring classic and creative cocktails, exceptional wine, spirits, nonalcoholic beverages, and specialty coffee drinks.

From a morning cappuccino to an evening cocktail, there’s something for nearly every occasion.

Inclusive Options

Gulu-Gulu welcomes guests with a wide range of dietary preferences, offering vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free selections throughout its menu.

Clear menu icons help guests identify these options, while knowledgeable staff can answer questions about ingredients and preparation.

Plant-based choices are a longstanding part of the café’s identity, with options available throughout the day.

Guests with food allergies or specific dietary restrictions are encouraged to speak with their server so the kitchen can explain available options and preparation practices.

Visit Gulu Gulu Cafe This Holiday Season

Location & Holiday Hours

Gulu-Gulu Café & Bar
247 Essex Street
Salem, MA 01970

Phone: (978) 740-8882
Website: gulugulucafe.com
Instagram: @thegulugulucafe

Regular Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Kitchen Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Open daily for coffee, breakfast, lunch, and evening food and drinks.

Holiday hours and special closures may vary. Check the website or social media for updates.

Gulu-Gulu operates on a first-come, first-served basis and does not accept reservations.

Getting Here

Gulu-Gulu is conveniently located at 247 Essex Street in the heart of downtown Salem, within walking distance of the city’s museums, shops, historic attractions, and seasonal celebrations.

The café is an easy stop while exploring the pedestrian-friendly downtown district, whether you’re visiting the Peabody Essex Museum, shopping along Essex Street, or enjoying Salem’s holiday festivities.

Public parking is available in nearby municipal garages, including the Museum Place Garage, as well as metered spaces throughout downtown.

Visitors arriving by public transportation can reach Gulu-Gulu on foot from the Salem MBTA Commuter Rail station. The café is also accessible from the Salem Ferry landing.

Its central location makes Gulu-Gulu a convenient place to begin the day with coffee, take a break from shopping, or wind down after an evening exploring Salem.

Live Music & Arts

Live music, creative expression, and community events are essential parts of Gulu-Gulu’s identity.

The café hosts live performances and special events most evenings, featuring local and touring musicians across a wide range of genres, including folk, rock, blues, jazz, country, experimental music, and more.

Thursday evenings feature Gulu-Gulu’s longstanding Open Mic Night, welcoming musicians and performers to share their talents in a supportive setting.

Other recurring programming includes karaoke, storytelling, art gatherings, and special performances that bring together Salem’s creative community.

Gulu-Gulu is also a gallery space for local visual artists. Rotating artwork fills the café, giving artists an opportunity to share and exhibit their work without gallery fees or commissions.

The café regularly supports community arts programming, including Drink-N-Draw gatherings and opportunities for artists to connect with one another.

Whether you’re discovering a new musician, enjoying familiar favorites, or admiring local artwork over coffee, Gulu-Gulu offers an authentic connection to Salem’s creative culture.

Check the café’s website and Instagram for upcoming performances and events.

A Community Gathering Place

For nearly two decades, Gulu-Gulu has been more than a café or bar. It has been a place where people come together, discover new experiences, and build connections.

At the heart of Gulu-Gulu is the idea of a third space: somewhere beyond home and work where people can relax, socialize, explore their interests, and feel part of a community.

Its eclectic collection of furniture, colorful artwork, cozy corners, and relaxed atmosphere create a space that feels personal rather than polished or corporate.

Some guests come to work on their laptops over coffee. Others meet friends for lunch, settle in with a book, discover a new craft beer, or spend an evening enjoying live music.

Gulu-Gulu is committed to being a welcoming, inclusive environment where people from different backgrounds and walks of life can gather comfortably.

The café also actively supports Salem’s artists, musicians, performers, and community organizations, helping preserve the independent, creative spirit that makes the city special.

Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting Salem for the first time, Gulu-Gulu offers a space to connect, explore, and simply enjoy being yourself.

Holiday Dining That Feels Like Home

Salem is a special place during the holiday season, filled with independent shops, festive gatherings, local art, and opportunities to explore the city’s unique character.

Gulu-Gulu offers a warm and welcoming space to enjoy it all.

Start your morning with a cappuccino and breakfast before exploring downtown. Take a break from holiday shopping with a sandwich, soup, or Belgian waffle. Meet friends for cocktails or discover something new from the café’s award-winning beer selection.

Stay into the evening for live music, a community event, or simply good conversation.

Unlike a conventional restaurant or bar, Gulu-Gulu invites guests to enjoy the experience at their own pace. There is no need for a special occasion or elaborate plan. Sometimes a cup of coffee, a comfortable seat, and good company are all you need.

By visiting Gulu-Gulu, you’re also supporting a locally owned business that invests in Salem’s musicians, artists, employees, and creative community.

Find us at 247 Essex Street in downtown Salem.

Come as you are. Stay a while.

About Holiday Happenings Salem

Gulu-Gulu Café & Bar is proud to participate in Holiday Happenings, a celebration of the independent businesses, artists, restaurants, and community organizations that make Salem a vibrant place to live and visit.

Holiday Happenings encourages residents and visitors to shop locally, dine independently, and discover the people and places that give Salem its distinctive character.

As a locally owned café, bar, and music venue, Gulu-Gulu is committed to supporting the community that has supported it since 2007.

We invite you to explore Salem, discover its independent businesses, and celebrate the holiday season with us.