Cafe Gouda

Reviews

• Alejandro H.

  star star star star star_border 1 June 2026

  Really like this joint! I'm from Miami but have family living in Hickory, NC for the past 15 years and we often come to visit them. This time around was not a fun visit but we still managed to go around and visit some places and restaurants. One morning we were hungry didn't know where to go. We Yelped breakfast/brunch around the area and found this little gem.
  
  Located in a shopping plaza. Easy to find with plenty of parking.
  It's a pretty spacious place. Very quaint but yet "homey". Menu on the wall is hand written colorfully with drawings of food and such, which it's pretty cool!
  
  Very friendly atmosphere. When you order at the counter, you are greeted with a smile! They give you a stick to put on the table with a picture so they know which table is yours. Ours had a Disney Castle. It's a fun different way that makes it a little more unique.
  
  We ordered an Oatmeal Bowl with fruits and a Omelette with bacon, cheese, mushroom and avocado. Needless to say it was delicious! Just look at the pictures!
  
  Definitely coming back next and each time we go visit family in Hickory, North Carolina

• Mayra H.

  star star star star star 1 June 2026

  Stopped in this morning for coffee and a snack around 11am. The place wasn't too empty, and everything looked clean. Loved the decorations. Ordered 2 capuchinos, one with skim milk and one with soy milk. They both came our nice and foamy and were delicious.
  We wanted a light meal, so we split the granola bowl. Though $5 seems like a lot 5, the portion is good and the fruits on top were so fresh and tasty!
  The table was clean, parking was easy to access, and the ladies behind the counter were great and so sweet! Love this little spot

• Ryan C.

  star star star star star_border 27 May 2026

  I was in Hickory for work today and I decided to go to Gouda. I have eaten here before once, but it's been at least 7-8 years since that visit-when my (now) wife lived in Hickory. I really don't remember what it was like, but my wife used to love it. Anyway, when I got here right around noon it was as busy as I anticipated. The line moved quickly, however, and it was easy to find a table. They have an extensive menu of sandwiches, salads, quesadillas, breakfast foods and other items.
  
  Today I went the BLT quesadilla. It also included ham and cheese. It came with a side of tortilla chips and salsa. It seemed a little skimpy on the ingredients at first, but it ended up being almost more than I could eat. I debated between that and the Monte Cristo sandwich. The BLT was pretty good but I'll go for the Monte Cristo next time. When I finished my meal I noticed they had smoothies, so I thought I'd get one to go. They have one called "The Elvis" I decided to try. It had peanut butter, banana, granola and (maybe?) honey.. of course those ingredients being what The King reportedly loved on his favorite sandwich. OMG it was so good! I've had a weird peanut butter craving lately (sandwiches/ice cream/anything else) and this smoothie really satisfied it. I will definitely be back soon to get another "Elvis" smoothie.
  
  Service was fine. I had heard (and read here) that it could be a little cold or impersonal when dealing with some of the staff, but I didn't find that to be the case. They were busy today but I found the ladies I dealt with to be pleasant. I look forward to another visit soon!

• Bianca G.

  star star star star_border star_border 24 May 2026

  Kept reading good things about this place, and the name sounded clever, so I finally came to give it a try.
  It's a cozy, artsy cafe, decorated in paintings by one person whose prices are set higher than I normally see in a cafe gallery... maybe I need to visit more?
  Either way, it was fun to look around while we waited because it was busy!
  We came around brunch time, so, as usual, I ordered breakfast (which they serve all day), and my husband ordered lunch.
  The lady who took our order never cracked a smile. Short and cold. Her greeting was hardly a greeting at all. Is that also a trendy cafe norm?
  My Harley breakfast sandwich came without the bacon, so I sent it back.
  My husband's Reuben sandwich had a poor meat to bread ratio and cost $9 without a drink or side.
  
  Besides the nice customers we met inside and the interesting assortment of coffees they displayed, the place was okay.
  
  I may return once more out of curiosity for their baked oatmeal... but I'm in no rush.

• Tim S.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 21 May 2026

  I've rarely experienced worst service at an eating establishment, which when considering what this one charges for so much as a bowl of oatmeal, is pretty egregious.  I suppose it deserves some brownie points for trying to be a decent local cafe in Hickory and the food is actually pretty good, but nothing can redeem the type of service you receive here.  What a shame.