Gulu Food Guide: 8 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Gulu

December 19, 2017 Agatha Simes

Gulu is a city in the Northern Region of Uganda. It is the commercial and administrative centre of Gulu District. The coordinates of Gulu Municipality are 2°46'54.0"N 32°17'57.0"E. The distance from Gulu to Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city, is approximately 340 kilometres (210 mi) by road. The town is served by Gulu Airport and a railway line.
Things to do in Gulu

1. Coffe Hut

Neben der Baeckerei, Gulu, Uganda Seating, Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Waitstaff Cafe Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Excellent
41%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 43 reviews

Coffe Hut

Es ist ein Café in dem man auch sehr lecker Burger und Sandwiches essen kann!

Reviewed By sixthgentexan - Austin, Texas

Like most Gulu institutions that catered to expat aid workers & volunteers in the heyday of the post-war NGO circus, Coffee Hut is in decline. It's stiflingly hot (the a/c never seems to be on anymore), there are flies everywhere, & the number of customers seems to be fewer every day. The coffee & food are still good, but service is slower & more forgetful than ever. Be prepared to wait at least an hour for a cold Sandwich, longer if you're in a group or want something hot (which will more likely than not be delivered cold anyway). It's sad, but perhaps inevitable, that the old hangout of a generation of foreigners is now falling apart as their attention has shifted to Syria, Yemen, & other crisis zones. Such is the way a dual economy ends.

2. Cafe Larem

Plot 9 Market Road | Next to JoJo's Palace Hotel, Gulu, Uganda Seating Cafe, American, European, Central European Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner +256 779 961050
Excellent
47%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
15%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 13 reviews

Cafe Larem

Reviewed By Sinead F

This is such a lovely quaint local-run cafe. It's small but has a nice outdoor Seating area. It serves great food from brunch to burgers to cakes, and excellent coffee. The wifi can be a bit touch-and-go at times. The staff are really friendly and helpful and remember you if you go back. It's no surprise it is a keen favourite among the Mzungus in Gulu and it is really good to support the local Ugandan-run businesses in town.

3. Free Zone

Plot 1, Market Street | Plot 1, Gulu 256, Uganda Reservations, Buffet Indian, Chinese, American, African Breakfast, Lunch +256 756 689860
Excellent
60%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Free Zone

Located in the center of Gulu Town , Free zone restaurant provides you with quality African dishes, Indian, American , European , etc. we offer our products at affordable prices , sodas at one thousand shillings and water , buffet system , and alarcate , inter continetal breakfast, English Breakfast. Free dinner buffet for every room occupant in the hotel.

Reviewed By sixthgentexan - Austin, Texas

Free Zone is a great spot for a lunch buffet and a taste of what Ugandans eat. It's very affordable (& the price includes a soda/water), the food is hot and well-prepared, and everything tastes great. Excellent for groups.

4. Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant

Labo Road, Gulu, Uganda Waitstaff, Seating African, Ethiopian Dinner, Lunch +256 774 423132
Excellent
59%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant

Reviewed By Itsmorning - Manchester, United Kingdom

Well worth a visit, it is not even remotely 'high end' but there is a great atmosphere, especially sat outside watching life go by. The food takes a while to get there but it is well worth the wait. Tasty and cheap. depending on your budget you could order a couple of dishes - you will never finish them but you can experience a couple of different tastes.

5. The Iron Donkey

Olya Road, Gulu, Uganda Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible American, Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +256 793 719563
Excellent
66%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 42 reviews

The Iron Donkey

Reviewed By bsj104 - Korea

I have stayed in Iron Dunkey for 5 days.
First, there are delicious foods. I can eat every breakfast and coffee/tea. It's really good for me. Also they make new bread and some desserts everyday. We make special birthday cake for my friend in Iron Dunkey. They also offer laundry service and hot water for shower. Emma, the staff in here, is really kind and helpful. I recommend here if you stay in Gulu!

6. Anna food Point

Olya, Gulu, Uganda Indian +256 713 937793
Excellent
44%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
28%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 7 reviews

Anna food Point

Reviewed By K R - Williamstown, Massachusetts

I've been to Anna's several times, and while the food is terrific, something goes wrong with the service every time. Sometimes the waitress just forgets your order--forgets it entirely, and laughs it off when you ask her where your food is after waiting two hours. Or she just forgets part of your order, which still results in another half hour wait at least.
Unless there is nobody else eating at the restaurant, your food will take a very long time to arrive. I would say it's worth the wait, but earlier this week we waited two and a half hours for simple orders for three people. We also watched another table get all their food when they arrived at least 30 minutes after us, no doubt because one of the waitresses again forgot to submit our order when we placed it.
I know they only have a couple people in the kitchen, and those people are doing a terrific job. The food really is incredible. But the service is awful, so unless you arrive at 5pm and plan for a 7pm or later dinner time, go to Sankofa.

7. O Cafe Gulu

Plot 10 Queen's Avenue | Ground Floor, Gulu 256, Uganda Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Wheelchair Accessible Cafe, Contemporary, Italian, American, African, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch HK$39 - HK$78 +256 789 088555
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 41 reviews

O Cafe Gulu

The best in coffee, wine, pastries and food for both eat in or good to go.

Reviewed By BigKevTravels - Bristol, United Kingdom

I took our local ambassador and his family to this newish restaurant in Gulu. It was excellent; great with the children. My sweet and sour pork was excellent and the children loved the ice cream. Nice decor and attentive service

8. Sam's Restaurant

Andrea Olal Rd., Gulu, Uganda Indian, African, International HK$102 +256 777 915302
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 10 reviews

Sam's Restaurant

Sam's is a cozy restaurant with a pleasant decoration. Located in along Gulu-Kampala Highway opposite G4S security offices in Layibi, it can be seen from the road. It is based on a solid wood design and enriched with pictorial details to create an atmosphere of elegance, coziness and comfort.Comfortable furniture create the relaxing and appeasing atmosphere.

Reviewed By FannyMartinez - Los Angeles, California

Sam's Restaurant is located 500 meters pass the round-about as you enter Gulu. Can't miss the big sign. I learned that this spot just opened last month.
I spent a nice afternoon at Sam's Restaurant working on my laptop while sampling several delicious menu items... Goodness you simply can't go wrong.
My favorite was the pumpkin soup with naan bread.
I met some pretty cool folks while sipping on some cocktails specially made for me.
They were playing a variety of music genres at just the right noise level. What a great location. I hear their breakfast is equally scrumptious, so I plan on stopping by Sam's Restaurant as I leave Gulu in the morning.
I highly recommend!

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