4. Restaurants

Guglhupf Bakery & Patisserie

2706 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd,Ste 1, Durham, NC, 27707
  • (919) 401-2600
  • Store is closed

Guglhupf Bakery & Patisserie Menu

  • Soups
  • Salads
  • Small Plates
  • Entrees
  • Sides

Healthy Meal suggestions for Guglhupf Bakery & Patisserie

  • Soups
  • Salads
  • Small Plates
  • Entrees
  • Sides

Visit below restaurant in Durham for healthy meals suggestion.

Bojangles ( 176 Stratford Lakes Dr )
Subway ( 705 9th St )

Visit below restaurant in Durham for healthy meals suggestion.

Bojangles ( 176 Stratford Lakes Dr )
Subway ( 705 9th St )

  • Jiten S.

    This place is easily one of the best gems to be found in Durham. Actually stumbled upon this place when looking for a simple bakery to submit a bread order. Here's the lowdown: - During the morning and afternoon this is a nice casual cafe with an awesome outdoor patio setup. Prices are well within reason and the food is nice. - Once 5/6 o'clock hits, this place adopts an entirely different feel. Fancy tablecloths, exquisite menu items, significant boost in staff service , and an ambiance/atmosphere of tight finesse. Try out the Farmer's and Mushroom Omelettes! Both were terrific options! Positive(+)'s: - Amazing quality and presentation. - Lovely modern, reasonably fancy outdoor patio layout (especially well-done at night) Negative(-)'s: - Staff service during the afternoon is sub-par. Waiters seemed confused as to which services they should and shouldn't be offering. (however, this is not at all the case in the evenings when they transform into a better restaurant.) Terrific spot to check out in Durham..looking forward to amending the comment about sub-par staff service.....ENJOY!

    (4)

  • Ch T.

    [Somewhat dog friendly - slightly crowded outdoor seating and no wait service at most times, so perhaps better for small or calm dogs] Good, but I really wish this place was more unapologetically German. Order anything with their breads, that is really their high point. They have a lot of non-German stuff available, like Vietnamese coffee, Caesar salad and French macaroons. Not that that's a terrible thing, I just wish they offered more of an immersion into German cuisine. (if you want a full-on German-only pastry experience, hit up Annelore's at the state farmer's market). Also don't expect the world's best eggs here - they're good enough if you're in the mood for an omlette or quiche, but there's better elsewhere. Also they used to have a smoked fish salad on the menu that was really tasty, but it was gone when I was there recently - dunno why b/c it was good. Also, ordering is absolute chaos when it's busy. I honestly would go here more often if the ordering system wasn't such a cluster f***. It's quite possibly the most disorganized ordering system I've ever experienced. The ordering line crosses over the receiving line and this all takes place in the spot where people are trying to put sugar and creamer in their coffees. There isn't nearly enough counter space to sign your receipt, and you put the menu back in a spot by the door so you're fighting the traffic coming in. Sometimes you're expected to grab your drink at the counter receiving line, sometimes they bring it to your table but they never tell you which. If this is something that really stresses you out (like it does me - I have little tolerance for inefficiency) hit it up at off-peak times. But once you get past that, the food is good, the coffee is good, the atmosphere is really good. Sitting outside on a nice day sipping a coffee is a treat.

    (3)

  • Oscar M.

    Awesome little hideaway. Warm and inviting. Muesli a must, egg dishes very flavorful. Pancakes looked better than they tasted. Almond croissant and other baked goods very fresh.

    (4)

  • Pranav R.

    Good place to hangout. Loved the coffee and going there again to try their lunch menu.

    (4)

  • Michael N.

    Recently got a chance to revisit. Tired and dehydrated from the World Beer Festival, I couldn't leave town without visiting my old friend Guglhupf. We went in the restaurant side today and looked in the pastry case. Dangerous mistake! I couldn't decide which to get, so I got three. Cherry cheese danish like you've never had before - the way a danish should taste! A cream puff perfectly layered with pastry cream - sooo rich. A tender and moist macaroon that danced on my tongue (interpretive dance I think). All with sips of a pefectly made cappucino in between. The only thing missing was a hammock where I could lay down and take a nap afterwards. Bravo!!!

    (5)

  • Anita S.

    Whats not to like? And what can I say that has not been said before? Fantastic food. These guys know what they're doing. Go!

    (5)

  • Deshira W.

    Great pretzels! The bakery may be the best part. I really enjoy this place for breakfast, lunch, and brunch although timing is everything if you want to get a parking spot. The weekend brunch hours can get a bit crazy. If you can park, then you'll enjoy great food and a great ambiance.

    (4)

  • Connie L.

    went for brunch and was craving a huge CARB overload got the nutella sandwich=super fluffy light bread! not heavy like i expected also got the almond croissant which i expected them to heat up.. it was slightly hard but still really good

    (4)

  • J E.

    Overall, this is a lovely restaurant! They have indoor and outdoor seating and a great menu. I live in the Washington, DC, area so my first visit was with a few colleagues for a group dinner after work. Since then, I've wanted to come back on my own to give it another try, but the opportunities are few and far between. I've since gone back once and had a 2nd great dinner. If I lived nearby, this place would be one of my regular spots!!

    (4)

  • Michael H.

    Guglhupf was a pleasant surprise. We had stopped coming to this part of town when one of the neighboring restaurants started the long nosedive towards culinary irrelevance, but Guglhupf may have us returning. I ordered the steamed mussels "small plate", and it was just perfect. The white wine sauce was done exactly right and the mussels we cooked not a second too long. The creme brulee dessert was also delicious; the coffee flavoring was a nice touch. Service was polite and friendly, but our water glasses seemed to empty a bit faster than the water pitcher was circulating. But, all in all, it was a good meal and we'll be back.

    (4)

  • Shelly E.

    So, I love the outdoor seating here and the coffee - 5 stars! Our breakfast was ok - 3.5 stars. Next time I think I'll just get a muffin and see how that goes. I do love the vibe though. Great place to hang out and enjoy a latte.

    (5)

  • Tina W.

    Frequently stopped by this place on a Sunday morning. Tried Danish curl, cream puff and chocolate tartlet. Love tart as always. Wish puff cream could be more creamy instead of stuffily creamy. And Danish curl is a must. Gonna stop by sometimes for a breakfest

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    I don't want to knock on Durham, but I want to knock on Durham. Let's call it constructive criticism. Guglhupf is one of the highest and most reviewed restaurants in Durham, so whether you're a visitor or a local, it's one of the places you gotta try. Unfortunately, Guglhupf is just another gugl-of-a-hupf brunch place. I ordered the Eggs Benedict based on the cashier's recommendation, and my gf ordered the Grilled Nutella. I also got a vanilla latte that took 10 minutes to come out. Both dishes were satisfactory and nothing more. There was nothing to our meal; no flare, no kick, no memory. The place itself is cute enough, with plenty of seating indoors and out. So, if you're looking for just a good 'ole brunch with no drama whatsoever, I guess you could come here... but who doesn't like drama??

    (2)

  • Rosie E.

    From start to finish this place doesn't disappoint, I had the chicken club with a side of soup, the chicken was juicy and seasoned lightly, the artisan bread was perfect. My sister had the farmers omelet, with fresh cut fruit and pieces of fresh baguette, It was delicious. You order at the counter and they bring the food to your table which is good because this place gets pretty busy, the decor is great, they also have upstairs and outside dining areas. We went into the bakery after we ate and its a good thing we were full because going into that bakery hungry would be a mistake. Every single thing looked and smelled amazing, a lot of variety, I bought a coconut cream eclair, it was fantastic

    (5)

  • Jane H.

    I have mixed feelings about Gugelhupf. The pastries and breads are top notch - my only peeve is that they put confectioner's sugar on the almond croissants - making them both messy and overly sweet. The food is darn good. The giant drawback here is how you have to stand in line. They don't do table service, and their cash register is right up front, so you have to stand wedged into the foyer, or outside and wait to order anything. I often go there for just espresso, and I have to wait behind all the folks who have so many questions about the menu, or can't decide, or can't get their kids to make up their minds. For some reason, they won't let you order espresso from the bakery side, which is often much less crowded. The staff at the register appear to be worn out and stressed. They try to be friendly, but they are clearly not having fun. I don't really blame them - It seems like the set up is very unfriendly to both the workers and customers and it's quiet inefficient - often takes at least 15 minutes just to get a latte. The atmosphere is vibrant and enjoyable - the outdoor seating is great. The food runners are very nice and helpful. They have lots of seating and wi-fi.

    (3)

  • Geoff S.

    An oasis along 15-501 Business in Durham. Driving along the street you will have a hard time imagining there is such a wonderful restaurant right beside you. But there is. Guglhupf is both a wonderful bakery, specializing in German style baked goods, and a delicious restaurant with soothing outdoor seating and stylish indoor seating. We especially enjoy dinner (the mussels are delicious), but lunches (I have in mind their sandwiches) and brunches are all a pleasure.

    (4)

  • Natacha S.

    I went to Guglhupf this weekend with family and instantly fell in love with the place. I was previously shocked to see the hundreds of Yelp reviews for this cafe/patisserie and how popular it is in the Triangle. After my first visit, I completely applaud Guglhupf for its excellent dining experience and atmosphere. I often hesitate to give restaurants 5 stars because perfection calls for more than good tasting food, but also clean bathrooms/environment, friendly and helpful staff, and unique/creative decor. Coming from San Diego, many restaurants soar very high in these categories. Guglhupf is one of those stylish eateries that trumps its North Carolinian competitors. First off... It has its OWN building with it's OWN unique signage and logo -- and is NOT part of those numerous "shopping centers". That often drives me nuts, as if originality and advertisement is not important at many restaurants around here. The menu is fantastic, with so many options for breakfast and lunch. I personally ordered the Eggs Benedict which was amazing, especially the way they made the hollandaise sauce. I love that there is a separate patisserie attached to the dining area. Being French, I was ecstatic to see French baked goods and desserts!! I'll definitely need to get one next time :) The patio is a great size; love the scenery, outside with plants, wall decor and the canopy that comes over the patio. The interior is amazing, with large steel posts/bars, a beautiful concrete staircase to a second floor for more seating, and unique paintings that compliment the stylish atmosphere. The bathroom was very clean with a really nice Mediterranean-like feel (white plastered mosaic wall and raised sink). Decorated bathrooms ALWAYS raise the value of a dining place! Lastly, the staff was very friendly and in general the dining experience is relaxing, quaint and you just feel like you took a mini eating-vacation into the countryside. I will definitely be returning and recommending Guglhupf to other friends. It is by far one of the best dining experiences/atmospheres that I have found in the Triangle. I can't wait to explore the many more options available and the bakery!

    (5)

  • Angela W.

    For what it is, I give it 5 starts. To start with, the restaurant is beautiful. It's so quaint and has a great outdoor seating area. You enter in the door and order at the counter. They take your order and you find a table. We received our food very quickly, but we ordered some pastries to try while we were waiting. (I told my kids that this is the only place where we could eat dessert first.) The pastries were AMAZING. We all had different favorites, but I will tell you that mine was the almond croissant. So delicious. Our brunch food was soooo good. My kids ordered pancakes. Usually I roll my eyes at paying for pancakes at a restaraunt - I can make them at home so easily! But these were really delicious. I had the Eggs Arnold and they were amazing. The coffee and tea were so wonderful. I love this place! High quality, not as formal, and delicious!

    (5)

  • Kunal S.

    There are very few good brunch cafes in the triangle area and this German joint is one of them. Amazing coffee, delightful crossaints and tasty sandwich makes this place a top spot. The ambience is also really good and there is enough place to sit and have a good time. If you are in the triangle area, do not miss this place.

    (4)

  • Ellen C.

    The ambiance of this place reminds me of Urth Cafe, however the salads my sister and I ordered were very unappetizing. My sister ordered a caesar salad. Very simple, and she was complaining about her salad. I thought she was just being dramatic, until I took a bit of her salad. It was the most disgusting salad I have ever eaten. It didn't taste like a caesar salad and it had the weirdest after taste (like fish). I was seriously going to gag. My mediterranean salad was very normal. At least it was edible. This place is probably not known for its salad, but if I had known my sister's salad tasted so bad, I would've asked them to make another. Also tried the apple fruit tart..it was ok. Nothing special. I probably won't come back here again. I think it's so highly rated because of the ambiance.

    (2)

  • Crystal T.

    I had the roast beef sandwich with a side salad. So the food wast bad it was ok. The meat could use some more flavor and the side salad some house dressing maybe. The atmosphere was nice very different which I appreciate. If your going during lunch get there early they have outdoor seating if you like that. The service was good BUT when looking for tables to sit most where dirty, we had to clean our own table to make room for somewhere to sit. Some ppl won't do that but I'm not gonna stand there forever and wait for some one. Otherwise it was fine. Would go back at a less busy time.

    (3)

  • Ana R.

    This place is really good for a nice cup of coffee and German pastries while chatting and enjoying the vibe. I liked it but not enough to give five stars. The pastry I had felt dry. The cookies my kids have were good

    (4)

  • L W.

    I decided to come back after a few years to try out their brunch on a Wednesday morning. I assumed that this would be a slower time of week and would provide a relaxing morning activity. Instead, the experience of ordering and receiving our meal was required alertness and persistence I usually need my first cup of coffee to produce. There was quite a line, which was worsened by the fact that people waiting for the coffee invaded the same space as those waiting to place their orders. The young man taking our orders was distracted and disorganized. It took approximately 20 minutes to get an iced soy latte, likely because during that time multiple people were approaching the coffee counter with complaints regarding incorrect orders/poor tasting drinks/forgotten orders. After receiving the latte and our food we realized that we had not received the orange juice we ordered. When we went inside to ask for assistance, there were so many people ordering/complaining/mulling we knew it would take awhile to get help. It was not worth our food to going cold so we gave up on getting some OJ. Overall I will likely not be returning. The service was just so poor, despite the food being good. They would benefit from placing the coffee away from the line for ordering, as well as increasing the number of people working the coffee bar and more training for their customer-facing staff.

    (2)

  • Davis J.

    Rude and snooty. (This is north cackalacka... Check yo self) And who doesn't take reservations for parties of 16? Ignorant ass people. That's who.

    (1)

  • Cherie L.

    Black and white on the dessert menu is really pretty and fresh. Try it if you can. Otherwise vanilla bean flavored ice cream is a great delight!' :-) #fromNYC

    (4)

  • Michelle F.

    I really enjoy having a brunch here. The food is good and you can seat outside, enjoying the good weather, the beautiful place and enjoy some good company. I love their apple pie, although you don't find it very day. The downside is that sometimes it can be too crowded. Hard to find a place to park and to seat.

    (4)

  • Jake M.

    This more like 3.5 stars. Like this place a lot. The cream puffs get a lot of attention, but I recommend their lunch menu as well. The cucumber salad is a good side. We tried a variety of coffee and teas, and they were all very good.

    (3)

  • N. J.

    Part of the reason one goes to a restaurant or coffee shop is because of what it feels like to be there. Today was my third time at Guglhupf, and I was hoping to make it a regular spot, until a gentleman who works there was very rude to me and to my husband. The cafe was nearly empty on a late Sunday afternoon, and when the cafe emptied out completely, we stayed. No one told us we had to leave, so we assumed it was fine. After about an hour, a man with a shaved head came over to us to say impatiently and harshly, "You have to go, we closed about an hour ago," and he took my drink although I had half of it left. He walked away, shaking his head, as if we were children. We felt very disrespected. If someone had come to us, right when the cafe closed, and said we had to leave, we would have finished up and left. Instead, we felt humiliated because of the way he spoke to us. Prior to this interaction, I was hoping to write a solid review: the Guglhupf space is beautiful, the coffee and pastries good, the baristas WONDERFUL and warm. But it's difficult to want to patronize any business that would treat any customer so rudely and without kindness or respect.

    (1)

  • M L.

    What a great restaurant! The outdoor dining area is relaxing and the food is great. I loved the schnitzel and when they had the turkey brie apple sandwich I went back over and over just for that. The patisserie is outstanding and the service is great. I accidentally went about an hour before they started serving for dinner (lunch hours weren't as long as I thought and I was hungry) they apologized for being closed but offered to make something for me anyway! I can't say enough about how great that was, it shows they care about their guests. The vietnamese coffee was perfect. parking lot is always full and for good reason, but even if you have to wait it is worth it. This is definitely a favorite spot !

    (4)

  • Trupti T.

    I was not too impressed with this place. I understand maybe my lack of knowledge for the cuisine might be the problem here. The place however is beautiful, the service was extremely slow. We had to wait for a good twenty minutes for the glass if beer with a fly in it to be taken. Wasn't the most pleasant experience to eat while watching the fly. I tried their coffee and the torte not impressed. I will go back for brunch to see if the opinion changes.

    (3)

  • Spank E.

    When I have visitors to Durham, we seem to always head to this wonderful venue due to the fantastic brunch! Well worth the wait for the table and service, although the coffee is a little pricy and they charge for refills (on the honor system). Parking can be a pain as well, and I have to sometimes resort to the side street across 15-501. Recommend the eggs benedict, sausage with mustard, or eggs florentine.

    (5)

  • Holly C.

    I had the farmer's omelette, and the flavors worked very well together. I wish the portion was a little bit bigger or that there was more meat, but it tasted delicious. There's always a ton of people waiting on the weekends I heard, so get there early! There was already a line when we got there before it opened. The bakery is very cute and seems to have interesting items as you can see by their name. I think it's a really cool place to take visitors because it has an adorable cafe type vibe.

    (3)

  • Jean O.

    This was another first time restaurant for me this weekend. Guglhopf was a nice change of pace for Sunday brunch. It took a few minutes for a parking space to open, but there was plenty of seating inside and on the patio. There was a steady flow of customers the whole time we were there. It took about 20 minutes to wait in line and to receive our food. My Eggs Benedict was outstanding and I highly recommend it for Sunday brunch. The eggs were cooked perfectly, the Westphalian ham delicious and the sauce was glorious and it was interesting on the brioche. I wish they would have served a side of potatoes in addition to the fresh fruit cup. My friend who ordered the Turkey, Pear and Gorgonzola sandwich enjoyed it. She took off some of the turkey as she felt like there was too much meat. (Others would not have that issue!). The other friend thought the beet sandwich was OK... I noticed she left the bread and just are the "insides" and she wished the cheese was not in spread form. The atmosphere was eclectic and I love the patio area. Even though it is next to the parking lot, they did a nice jobs making it look like a private garden. The lanterns and chandeliers hanging inside were warm and cozy. Afterwards, we stopped in the bakery section to bring some treats home. It is definitely worth a visit!

    (4)

  • Maria K.

    Love this place! Amazing for breakfast, lunch or brunch! Also, it is great to get some studying done. Sit upstairs, have a coffee, a croissant and then later stay for a meal!

    (5)

  • Jennifer N.

    I just love this place. They have plenty of outdoor seating and so many wonderful sandwiches and salads to choose from. Their pastries, desserts and homemade breads are delicious, too. This is the perfect place to go with a friend or significant other for a leisurely lunch or brunch. I've tried just about everything and have never had a bad meal here. The German potato salad is authentic and served warm. Try it with a good German beer!

    (4)

  • McKenzie M.

    Get the eggs arnold!! We all passed our plates around the table and everything was delicious. Very cool atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Kat D.

    I absolutely LOVE Guglhupf! The bakery and cafe are both fantastic. The dessert prices can be a little steep, but well worth it. I had the chocolate tart, which has the BEST chocolate ganache I've ever had, along with the lemon bar. I'm not typically a big lemon bar fan, but this was on point. The cream puff wasn't my favorite, but still worth the try, it's a little on the lighter, airy side, so I would definitely recommend trying one of the richer desserts. The coffee in the cafe is also pretty great! It's not your standard "this is boring" breakfast coffee... They have single-origin roasts, too! Definitely prepare to wait on a weekend, but the brunch was simple enough, but included some great staples. The chicken club was really tasty, too. Definitely recommend going (be wary of the wait, though!)

    (4)

  • Marie-Angela D.

    Disappointing. I have loved Guglhupf as a lunch spot for a long time, but I feel like it is going down hill. First, they removed the poblano sandwich from the menu...this was sad especially for my friend who I lunch with regularly. She still has not found a good replacement since...but today we decided to try again. Today I found out that they removed the charcuterie plate from their lunch menu. This threw me off my game! I always enjoyed it and for the last couple of years I have gone there and almost always ordered that plate. Today we went for lunch and had to search for new options - the club and the Reuben, both of which were incredibly disappointing. The chicken club had an off flavor, and the lettuce was not in good shape. Their portion of the side was considerably smaller than in the past. I ordered the Reuben and it was grilled on the outside only and tepid/cold on the inside. It made for an extremely unpleasant contrast. I think it would have been a good sandwich but I couldn't finish it, they just didn't cook it long enough after taking it out of the refrigerator, I guess. Their strength? Their bread and desserts are still really yummy. Guglhupf has always had major problems we were willing to ignore because of a couple solid dishes - parking is a nightmare, the restaurant is not always as clean as one would like, you always have to search for a clean class when you get a fountain drink, and quality of the dishes really varies...sometimes its a hit, sometimes its a major miss. Without the few really good dishes that made all of the above and the expense worth it, I am not sure there's much reason to keep going.

    (3)

  • Momina A.

    Eggs Arnold were amazing!

    (5)

  • Aaron M.

    I went here for brunch one weekend. It was quite busy but the food came out rather quickly. I got the farmers omelette and the buttermilk pancakes. Both had good flavor, however, the buttermilk pancakes were the best. They were actually ridiculously fluffy. When most places make 'fluffy' pancakes they are often deflated and thick. The coffee is decent as well. I think I will return since it is literally 3 minutes down the road from me.

    (4)

  • Jill P.

    Just had a perfect lunch. My husband loved the German potato salad and schnitzel and I loved the avocado poblano pepper sandwich. We love the outside dining space.

    (5)

  • Bethany F.

    Excellent atmosphere. Pastries-- especially the almond croissant-- are worth going out of your way for. Entrees are good but nothing spectacular. That said, I prefer Guglhupf as a place to stop in and grab a quick pastry and coffee to go.

    (4)

  • Emily Y.

    Guglhupf is quite a unique German dining experience. Have been here twice, once for dinner and once for Triangle Restaurant week. The first time, came in around 8:00 pm; had the fish of the day which was very tasty and the best chocolate mousse I have ever had. Cannot recommend that dessert enough; it was so delicious! Service was prompt, and we finished in about an hour. However, when we came for TRW, slightly more negative experience. It was a crowded Saturday night, there was a big group ahead of us so dining took about 2 hours. The waiters were very apologetic, especially since we had to run off right afterwards (drat that car reservation; perks of being a student). I recommend the charcuterie plate for an appetizer. The pan fried trout was a bit on the salty side but nice, and the banana brulee was underwhelming; the black forest torte on the other hand was very nice. All depends on how you order! Lovely interior decor; the first time I came I just wandered around taking photos of the restaurant. Certainly would come again for a celebration but it's a bit too pricey for ordinary meals.

    (4)

  • Cathy C.

    I was here a few months ago for brunch and wasn't really impressed, but stopped by on a Friday to give the lunch menu a try. The layout (as well as parking) can be hectic and confusing, but basically there are two separate areas, one for the actual cafe/restaurant and an entrance for the bakery right next to it. Once you go in, you wait in line to order, tell them where you'll be seated, and then wait in said area with a number and they bring your food out. When I was here for weekend brunch the line was substantially long and slow. This time it wasn't as bad, but there was still a consistent line... possibly because there was only one guy taking orders. The espresso bar menu (coffee and tea, galore) sounds phenomenal but fall short in execution, in my opinion. I was never quite satisfied with my tea latte orders, but maybe I'll give coffee drinks a try. They do give quite a lot though and with a side of small cookie. You need to wait for and pick up the drink menu items yourself, which can be a bit of a stressful ordeal when you're trying to weave around to try to stay out of the way. Food does come out fairly quickly. I tried the turkey/brie/apple chutney panini with a side salad and it was delicious. Very filling, despite splitting it with another individual. Others in the party just had baked goods from the bakery to complement their coffee and they were all very content. I do like their outdoor seating a lot, rain or shine! Probably not conducive to getting much work done unless you come at an off-peak time.

    (3)

  • James B.

    The lattes are very weak. Baked goods are dry. Service was bad, but I think that was just an incompetent cashier. The only good thing about the layout is interesting.

    (1)

  • Chuck M.

    The girlfriend badly needed a night out, so we went to Guglhupf for a slow-paced dinner on the patio. Wiener Schnitzel, KasePlatte, Farmer's Market Salad, great dessert and assorted drinks. Great food, good conversation (Because the noise levels are low!) made for a perfect evening.

    (5)

  • Kolleen F.

    I found this place by actually searching for brunch in Durham. We loved this place. The garden is beautiful and the whole energy of the spot was lovely. I started with a mocha which comes w/ a small butter cookie which was to die for. I also got an omelet I believe it was called the Farmers Omelet. It had sausage, carmelized onions and a delicious cheese. It was very tasty. It came with a side of fruit and two small slices of french bread. The lines are long even just a few minutes post opening but they do move quickly. There are a lot of staff walking around ensuring that you enjoy your meal. After our meal we went in the bakery and got two coconut macaroons to enjoy later. All I can say about those is that I wish we bought more. They were delicious. I definitely recommend Guglhupf and will be back.

    (5)

  • Vivian C.

    I came here for Sunday brunch and I ordered the caesar salad since I wasn't that hungry. The salad was literally the weirdest caesar salad I have ever tasted. I think their dressing might have gone bad - it had this foul fish after taste. Honestly, how do you get a caesar salad wrong? It's the simplest salad to make. I also got a blueberry Italian soda. Tasted like water. Would not recommend this place at all.

    (1)

  • Kate Y.

    Stopped in for dinner after a long day, at about 6 pm on a Saturday. We were willing to sit outside on the very welcoming patio, so we were seated right away. Even in the high humidity we were comfortable outside. My husband and I shared the käseplatte and the sausage plate. The cheeses were varied and accompanied by fruit compote, dried figs, honey, and marcona almonds. I didn't get the rundown of what's what, but I enjoyed it all. The sausage plate was good too. Two types of sausage, housemade and served warm, with cold potato salad, slaw, and a pickle. Everything hit the spot. Not too salty. The service was good and we enjoyed the quiet location.

    (4)

  • Leslie E.

    Great breakfast items, coffee and pastries. Ambiance is exceptional. The outside patio is beautiful and a great place to dine. Lots of local metal art. The bakeshop next to the cafe is a must to visit and buy stuff!

    (5)

  • Christie E.

    I cannot love this place more. Every single thing I have ever ordered from either the restaurant or bakery is delicious! The decor is inviting, cozy, and quite beautiful, actually. The service is pretty good but even a normal 3 stars for service do not lessen the overall experience. Yes, it is a bit, shall I say....J Crew ad-like, not that there is anything wrong with that. Just sayin'. The espresso bar drinks are stupid-good. And I know my espresso, having been a barista for the masses. Don't you judge me. I would go into detail about every unique morsel of food I have ever had here but I don't like 20 page term paper restaurant reviews so I will simply say...Eat here! Eat the small plates or go for dinner and get ready for a treat. Come by in the morning and grab a coffee and a delectable pastry. Hang out and read the paper....WHAT? Do people still do that? I do. Okay, read the Huffington Post on your iPhone. Whatever you do, just make this place a destination. You will not be sorry! On a practical note, parking is a little weird and even though I know where it is, half the time I drive right past it before I see it. You have been warned.

    (5)

  • Nina B.

    My favorite brunch place. The food and atmosphere are excellent, especially if the weather is nice enough to sit outside. I love their bakery; the breads and some of their pastries get close to those in Germany and bring back memories. The coffee beverages are also the best. Love this place.

    (5)

  • Smythe R.

    I've been here quite a few times, and would probably go more, but the parking is always terrible, it's always crowded, and they are not open on Mondays, which is usually my day off to have breakfast/lunch out alone. Food is well-prepared and fairly eclectic, changes occasionally. I've been here for brunch on weekends, and although the place is packed to overflowing, never felt rushed or hurried by the staff. At other times, it's very relaxed, with great shaded outdoor seating and two levels of eating inside. The noise level can get high in either place when it's crowded, and there are always kids around. The patisserie is a separate entrance from the restaurant, and is hugely tempting. If you like German baked goods, you're going to feel like you died and returned to Die Vaterland. I can no longer eat white bread due to my diet, and this is sadly not on my radar anymore. I miss it terribly!

    (4)

  • Art E.

    I like the open kitchen where you can watch the cooks preparing food. The quality of the food is very good. The food tastes fresh and made-from-scratch--you can see this for yourself just by looking in the kitchen--and the prices are reasonable. The espresso bar serves up some wonderful and creative drinks. The only complaint I have is that there is no place to stand and wait for your take-out order to be called out. The place is usually too busy to take up a table while you wait for your order, so you have to just make yourself as unobtrusive as possible, and keep moving from spot to spot to allow the wait staff to go between the kitchen and the dining area.

    (5)

  • Henna P.

    Delicious desserts with unique and beautiful decorations. It's such a nice place to relax and enjoy a meal, coffee, or a snack with friends. There's an upstairs area as well as an outdoors area so you don't feel crowded. The atmosphere is really nice and comfortable.

    (4)

  • Angelique A.

    Stopped by on a Thursday night for Restaurant Week dinner. They have a nice variety of unique Germans beers on tap and refreshing beer cocktails as well. Although items seem a bit pricey compared to other local bakeries, everything is high quality and the setting is lovely. I really liked the Alsatian Potato Leek Tart as a change up from quiche. Be sure to try the Berliner Weisse cocktail if you like raspberry!

    (4)

  • Keith L.

    Been here several times for food in the restaurant or to pick up bakery treats. Besides the *insane* crowds that can sometimes form during brunch, this place always delivers consistently high quality albeit with a pretty high price as well. Still my overall happiness with the experiences cumulatively definitely ranks the place at least a 4-star rating. Parking can be frustrating in their overly small lot relative to their seating capacity. I often park down Hope Valley Road across the street and walk, but that requires crossing the busy Hwy 501, which can be daunting and dangerous unless you are quite quick and spry.

    (4)

  • Beth W.

    First off, parking...is difficult, and has always been, judging from all the quibbles about it on this page. The crowd was much bigger than we expected too--this place had been on my radar for quite some time but I hadn't thought there would be so popular. A good sign, we thought. The decor is really nice and cute--we wanted to sit outside, but since the patio was full we decided on the second floor instead. Service was quick and friendly (how do you deal with so /many/ people?! It's amazing) and we got our food in no time. We (three people) shared two schnitzels, a meat platter, a Caesar salad and two cups of gazpacho. The bread was yummy (though could be warmed up a little more) and I really loved the schnitzel! Meat platter was also good. The OK: The salad was a little sour for me. This was my first encounter with gazpacho...well, let's just say it's not really my thing. But this is to be blamed more on my taste buds than the soup itself, I think...so I guess the only real downside is that it's a little more expensive than I expected. Oh well, the atmosphere does make up for it! Bakery was running out of items when we went in, so I just got some tasty-looking jam. Will definitely try to be back for the bakery and for dinner!

    (4)

  • Mohamed N.

    "Bakery/ patisserie/ Durham fave hangout" Time to update my review, as I've been here lots of times since the original. I like this place a lot for breakfast and lunch, or to buy baked goods/ desserts. Pluses: + Very good quality food overall. I've never had a dish here that I thought was boring-- not for breakfast, lunch, or from the bakery. + Price/ quantity/ value. I'll change my original opinion and note that, at least for breakfast and lunch, and for the bakery, this place is priced well. The portions are hefty, and you can get a great lunch for under $10. The reuben is outstanding, as are some of their veggie sandwiches. I love their (non-vegetarian) German potato salad, too. Some items in the bakery are amazingly cheap-- try the brezel knot at $1! I LOVE their almond pretzel, too-- costs ~$2.25, but it's absolutely amazing. + Atmosphere (once you're seated). Very nice, and an extensive outdoor area for nice-weather days. And free wifi! Minuses: - Servers. Variable-- there're definitely some really nice ones, but there are some who are definitely NOT patient with customers who don't know what to do upon entering (see below). And once, I found mold on my fruit salad, turned it in to someone I think was a manager, and he took it without comp'ing anything or offering replacement. Uncool, but only happened once. - Organization of cafe. You walk in, pick up a menu, and stand in line to order. But that's not at all obvious when you set foot in the door, so newbies are very often confused and don't know what to do when they enter. They see people standing, but don't know if the people in line have already eaten and are paying, if those entering should just find a table, etc. - Parking. Crowded and often a little chaotic in their little lot. Overall, despite the negatives, I have to say I'm a fan now. As a regular, you get used to how to go in and buy your meals, so you bypass server frustration and the organization issue. The mold thing only happened once (and it was with strawberries, which I know mold crazy-fast). Parking just isn't that big a deal, especially given how good the food is. So, the pluses far-outweigh the minuses for me now, and I enjoy coming here regularly.

    (4)

  • Brandy G.

    Went here for dinner. Fine dining is all well and good but then the food should be worth the $$. Not so in this case.

    (2)

  • Bo C.

    What a great find! Bakery products are the best we've been able to find in Raleigh or Durham. Breakfast was delicious. Thanks for all the hard work! :)

    (5)

  • Eileen T.

    My friends and I came for dinner. The hostess took awhile to get to us even though we were the only ones waiting. I don't know if it's a rule that you sit outside if you don't have a reservation, but it was getting late and a little chilly so I was surprised they didn't ask us instead of just seating us outside. The waiters we had seemed a little clumsy. One slammed a cup down onto a plate and another dropped some silverware on me. But that was fine. While my friend and I were commenting on our surprise about the amount of mussels on someone else's dish, the waiter snickered. I didn't appreciate that. The food was good, although expensive. I had a potato leek tart. Although it was just a slice, so I wish they said that in the menu. It was fine, a little cheesy for my taste. The best dish was the noodle dish. The sauce was perfectly creamy, and it was a decent amount. I hope to go later for just the bakery.

    (3)

  • Bethany A.

    I came here for lunch with a friend kind of late in the afternoon when they weren't super-crowded. I really liked the set-up of the restaurant (outdoors area, upstairs area and downstairs area). The lunch menu mostly had sandwiches and then some German specialities (totally going to try the potato/gruyere tart next time). I got the corned beef sandwich on toasted rye bread with Russian dressing and sauerkraut and it was really filling and good. When it came the sandwich looked kind of small but there was so much corned beef inside that I got full pretty fast. The German potato salad was also really unique and special - they dress it using some kind of vinaigrette so it wasn't overpowering and I really liked the red potatoes they used. My friend got the Gorgonzola and pear sandwich with turkey and he enjoyed it a lot as well. The only complaints I have are about the service - we ordered downstairs and went to a table upstairs to wait and it took probably 20 minutes or more for them to deliver our food to us. Also there was a weird black potato in my salad so that was a little gross. Overall good lunch experience though!

    (4)

  • Emma D.

    4 stars for the bakery: Best danishes and tarts in the area! A little pricey, but yum. 3.5 stars for brunch: Drinks are delicious, food is good, but I always feel so rushed and anxious when ordering and then scrambling to find a table. Maybe it's because I've only been there during weekend rush times, but I find Foster's ambience more relaxing. 4 stars for dinner: The wiener schnitzel is SO GOOD.

    (4)

  • Iz X.

    While the pastries and breads here are top notch, I would not go here again for brunch. The girl at the order counter was very impatient and unfriendly. Benedict poached egg was undercooked and tastes of vinegar. My friends enjoyed the turkey sandwich tho'.

    (2)

  • Jaime L.

    European menu focused around German foods. Relaxed neuvo architecture with outdoor seating. Food is generally good but desserts are better. Good selection of German beers offered.

    (4)

  • Andrew Z.

    We were frequenters of the Guglhupf for many years and would enjoy their restaurant and atmosphere 2~3 times a month. On April 4th, 2014 we experienced a meal that was so unlike our many meals before we were completely appalled. We wrote a private message to the owners to contact us if they would like us to return after the meal and never received word back. Mind you after paying for a meal that my wife had two bites of and I ate a third of, we did still leave a 40 dollar tip to ensure we did not short change the server. After three months of not hearing back here is the main content of the message we sent. "We will leave it at the fact that their pork special was under cooked and the sausage stuffing was raw. Worst meal we ever had at the Guglhupf. Very disappointed and they will be lucky to see us again after 10 years of enjoying their bakery and restaurant. Despite the fact I barely ate half my entree and my wife refused to have more than 3 bites, they left it on our tab. We did not consider the cooking mishap to be our servers fault so we still tipped him a little over 25%. After the audacity of serving us raw pork, it will take us a while to build up the courage to eat here again." We no longer recommend this restaurant to friends, clients or colleagues and actually advise them against their patronage.

    (1)

  • Arielle H.

    They bring my company food every morning that is so good. The staff is nice and I just can't get enough of how good they're pastries are. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Dave B.

    Went there on a Saturday, the only menu available was brunch. I was looking for a low carb option, so I went for: "Wurstplatte -A selection of sliced house made artisanal meats and sausages, cave aged gruyère, radish, hard boiled egg, house made pickles and mustards" What I got was a small sampling of some Italian-style cold cuts, some kind of raw meat which I think was sausage, and no cheese to speak of. I guess I was expecting something more like a sausage plate, or at least cooked food. It also took quite a while to arrive, so maybe they forgot how to make it altogether. It may have been an anomaly for this place, but my fiancee was also rather disappointed with her food. Perhaps due to restricting myself to low carb options in a bakery, or the fact that it was the brunch menu, but I found it to be extremely overrated.

    (1)

  • Ines P.

    My favorite is a cafe latte with a yummy GF snack. Sit in the patio with friends and time flies. Plenty of selection .. Great for kids too!

    (4)

  • Liwei J.

    Good authentic german food. Love the bakery. Radler taste good with fresh lemon flavor. Outside area looks nice.

    (5)

  • James P.

    I'm kind of a hater for the crowded scene and parking situation, but the food is pretty good overall. Even though most people like this place for brunch, I think their real charm comes out during dinner. Breakfast/brunch is more of the standard fare, but in my opinion, not worth fighting the crowds over. The prices are a little high considering most breakfast food is pretty simple to prepare, and as far as I've found, nothing they make is so special that it is worth talking about. Also, if a group of people lay claim to a few tables way before their food comes out (and sometimes before they've even ordered), everyone who has food ends up waiting to sit down. Also, I think it is rude for people to ask you if you're about to leave if you still have food on your plate. It rushes you even if that wasn't their intention, ruining the dining experience. Lunch here is good, but not great. The portions are on the smaller side, but usually enough to keep you going. If you're a big lunch eater, then you might want to share an appetizer (or have one all to yourself). Their lunch options have a little more variety worth talking about. Try a Nicoise salad or their brat or schnitzel. Their coffee is pretty good too! I've yet to try dinner here, but it certainly has the right ambience. Once the place quiets down, it is quite romantic. The upstairs looks really elegant at night and I love the lighting. It is definitely an intimate scene where you could talk to your friends/date/colleagues. I cannot speak for the dinner items yet, but I will update once I've tried them. Dessert/bread here is awesome. I'm not a mega huge fan of bread, but everything baked in house that I've tried has been really above the mark. Their desserts are quite tasty and their jam filled donut is godly (drooling right now). Give them a try and grab a coffee while you're at it!

    (4)

  • Marina Y.

    I don't even know where to start listing all the reasons I love this place. Mostly because they have fabulous croissants. The decor is fantastic, food is delicious, atmosphere is great.... A special shout-out to the bakery staff. I get my bread here weekly/bi-weekly, and on one occasion when I first arrived in Durham there were two employees serving one woman. I was the only other person in the shop. The second employee seemed to be ignoring me, and when I asked for someone to assist me with my order, she continued to do so. I stormed out and finished my brunch (I had been eating but hopped over to the bakery to get bread) and came back later. She apologized profusely and gave me a free loaf of bread. That's what I really respect - attention to detail (she remembered me), good customer service, ability to quickly rectify a problem. I've had no problems since and nothing but great service. Just really fantastic place.

    (5)

  • June R.

    Gughlpuf is a restaurant that seems to transport me into another little world inside Durham. The bakery and restaurant portion are separated so when you walk into the bakery you get a whiff of fantastic-bread. Great atmosphere and place to eat although on the pricier side.

    (4)

  • Norma G.

    Guglhupf is so lovely. When I can afford a longer lunch time, and the sun is shining, I make my way to their patio. Parking is limited so I suggest carpooling with your group if you can. They have a cafe and bakery (separate entrances), so if you're in the mood for one of their fabulous desserts or loaves of bread, you can skip the cafe lines and head straight for the bakery. Their macaroons are oooooh so good, but you really can't go wrong with any of their selections. The staff is happy to point out their favorites so can help you narrow down your choices. The cafe's lunch selection is great. The sandwiches really stand out, as they are made with their fresh baked bread. My favorite is the avocado & poblano. It is messy, but oh so good. If you want to save room for dessert, get a half sandwich with side. I had the coconut cake last time I was there. My mouth is watering as I type... Also, if you just want water to drink, you can help yourself to a glass by the soda machine and pour your own H2O.

    (5)

  • Elise Q.

    Guglhupf's mango mousse cake is to die for! We recently ordered several mango mousse cakes as our wedding cake, and it received rave reviews from all of our guests! Guglhupf helped us customize our cake with white icing that was delicious and good-looking, the cake itself was delicate, fragrant, and not too sweet. Best of all, we got this mouth-watering 3 layer cake on a budget that Guglhupf helped us meet! If you are looking for delicious wedding cake your guests will always remember, go to Guglhupf!

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Ordered Weiner schnitzel and the fish special. Both were excellent. Cheese dish was also excellent, though not enough crackers. We were appreciative of good wine advice from our waiter, as23 were not familiar with the German wines.

    (4)

  • Reed F.

    Fantastic brunch spot. Bit of a wait during peak time but well worth the wait! Eggs arnold and latte were delicious. Check out the bakery next store for goodies on the go.

    (5)

  • Heather F.

    Superb panini and baked goods. Everything very fresh and well done. The chocolate fudge cookie was like a brownie/cookie fantasy offspring. Yum. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Sophia K.

    YUM, I love Guglhupfguglkfjgguif. Give up on saying it and just order the Eggs Benedict or Eggs Arnold (get it?) for brunch. Also get a pastry to split, because otherwise what in God's good name are you doing at a patisserie? The interior is cute and romantic with all the lanterns and that sweet spiral staircase, but probably better suited to a girls' brunch with weekend shenanigan recap than an intimate place to sit next to your love and do the Sunday Times crossword. It's bustling on the weekends, so be prepared for a line and a wait (both bearable). Hot chocolate is good but not spectacular, chocolate croissant WAS spectacular and made me want to try all the bakery offerings. In warm weather it's great to sit outside. Looking forward to coming back and trying out their dinner menu.

    (4)

  • Robert P.

    I came on a Saturday around lunch hour. It was hopping and popular. We got some coffee and pastries from the bakery next door and found a seat. Ambiance and atmosphere are great. I got the impression they are supposed to be legendary from word of mouth... maybe there is a key time to come and get them hot and fresh... they weren't so fresh at noon on Saturday but were still pretty good. Didn't get lunch but looking around at what others got, they looked great. I'd go again when I am back in town.

    (4)

  • Joy L.

    I have eaten lunch here at least five times, and had dinner once. The food here is stellar, the building's architecture is artful and playful, complete with a smashing patio. The bakery has a delightful assortment of fresh breads and pastry. Do yourself a favor and try the smoked salmon at lunch, it is so good.

    (5)

  • YL S.

    Love the pastry!!! You can't skip the dessert even if you are on diet. They are just simply good.

    (4)

  • Jesse A.

    The weisswurst is good. The coffee is horrible (I laughed when I tasted it, because it was that bad). The bacon is horrible (is that even possible?). The vibe is horrible. The patrons are horrible. The staff is rude, clueless, or just absent-minded. It does not seem to have a manager, or an owner... Is there a chef or someone in charge somewhere? All of their problems could be solved with an active manager and owner. Been there three times, I will probably never go there again.

    (1)

  • Joy Y.

    I finally got their French macaroon today, they were pretty good, the texture meet the standards which is lightly crisp on the outside, smooth and creamy in the center, filled with flavored jams, the taste was a little bit too sweet to me though. But the almond croissant I got was heavenly tasty, it had fantastic crispiness and flakiness while not being too overwhelming and heavy, it's perfect to me. Will try their German cake next time.

    (5)

  • James E.

    Great atmosphere. Waiter was professional, prompt. Potato leek tart well executed. The schnitzel, made with pork, was moist and well seasoned-did not need sauce. Fig tart was creamy with the right amount of sweetness. Only drawbacks are the metal chairs on the patio can feel uncomfortable after awhile and would be nice to have fans or something to circulate some air flow outside.

    (4)

  • Lalida T.

    This is the best place to have a nice brunch. They have the best bakery in town. Fruit tart is also good. The place is always alive on sunny days. They also have free wifi so I usually end up spending time working there. The service is very good, as well. The downside is it's quite difficult to find a parking spot, especially on Sunday. Car pool if you can!

    (5)

  • Ashley S.

    I've been here for both lunch and dinner, as well as just to get a few items from the bakery and everything has been delicious. I love the spatzle! The dinner portions are huge. I also would recommend eating upstairs or outside if the weather is nice, because the bottom floor inside seems a little cramped. They have great German beers on tap (I just wish there were more) and they also have a long list of bottled beers. The bread they serve at dinner is crazy good- especially the olive bread! Parking is terrible unless you go on a weekday. On weekends their small lot fills up and you have to keep circling around until a spot opens up.

    (5)

  • Rod O.

    Cool Romantic Bakery, Outdoor Dining Area! The inside of the Cafe is also great looking! Busy! Full Parking lot, this place is Popular! Prices are Great and the Baked good are Wunderbar! Sub Brezel and Knot Brezels were my favorite Pretzels! Almond Croissants were Perfekt! Cheese Brezel was Very Cheesy! Cream Puff was Good, though I wish the Cream was Richer, still very Nice Lookalota! Saturday Morning, Rainy and Romantic sitting outside under the awning... What Needs Work : : Macaroons Some of the Food! December 2013 Dine : Sausage is Not that Good, close to 3 yelp stars Slaw was NOT Good and should have been! Vinegar Based with Cabbage and Onion! 2 stars Vietnamese style Coffee needed a little help too, though if I had not had it from so many Great Vietnamese Restaurants I probably would have enjoyed it more! If this had been my first dine I would be giving them only three stars

    (5)

  • Nikki C.

    Went here for brunch for the first time last week. It was super crowded (as to be expected based on other reviews). Our group had the farmers omelette, eggs Benedict, and some pastries. It was good for sure, but I think I'm going to go ahead and say it.. its a *little* over-hyped. Maybe it's better during an easy afternoon when you don't have people constantly trying to take your chairs and tables?

    (3)

  • Sarah L.

    Best pastries in town! Breakfast and lunch are a bit pricey, but the atmosphere is great and the food is all homemade and fresh. Great place for a sunday brunch or first date! They are closed Mondays.

    (5)

  • Emily T.

    Nice decor and ambience. Food was ok, but not worth the money. Especially for brunch.

    (3)

  • Hailey P.

    Guglhupf has good food for a reasonable price. I like the atmosphere of the restaurant when it is not packed with people. Parking is so difficult when it is busy, especially on Sundays.

    (4)

  • Cat M.

    We've eaten here quite a bit over the years. The food is always excellent. However, the bakery is FABULOUS. I love everything, but the lemon bars are perfect.

    (4)

  • Laurie J.

    Pastries are amazinggg. I could live here. Wake up every morning and eat everything they have to offer and die happy. Honestly I dream of this stuff. Almond croissant, chocolate tart, grilled chicken sandwich. Yes.

    (4)

  • Russell M.

    My wife and I went here for lunch for the first time today. It was such a nice day and great day to dine outside in their patio area. I was really impressed with this place. We had been here before but just to grab something from the bakery. The lunch set up is pretty self explanatory. There is a sign telling you to grab a seat before getting in line to place your order. You order and they give you a number. It was a little hectic when waiting in line trying to order but it wasn't bad. The menu is fairly small compared to a lot of other places; however, the quality of the food is top notch. I definitely think there is something on the menu for everyone - from pancakes and brunch items to salads to sandwiches. My wife went with the Chicken Club sandwich with the cucumber salad with dill yogurt as a side, and I had the roasted turkey sandwich with a side salad. We also ordered a bread basket. The sandwiches were excellent. The quality of the chicken and turkey was great. Very fresh tasting. The sides were also great. We also really enjoyed the bread basket. A good variety of different breads served with butter on the side. The butter also tasted extremely fresh to me. We also got a little olive oil to dip our bread in that we asked for. Overall, a great experience. If you're in the mood for a good casual lunch with fresh ingredients, then you must try this place. I'm not sure about the dinner menu, but I imagine it's also great.

    (4)

  • Regina H.

    Loved this place! A and I stopped by the cafe for a quick breakfast and shared the croissant sandwich. Enough for us to share and came with a side of fruit. You can also add in ham for $1. The croissant was huge, warm, buttery and flaky. In a word, perfection. Saw a couple of people studying, but it's not your ordinary cafe! The interior is beautiful, with hanging spherical lights and shell chandeliers, adding to the wonderful atmosphere. Definitely a very pleasant place to study or catch up with a friend. Sadly, we didn't get to try any of the desserts, but they all looked scrumptious!

    (5)

  • Amber H.

    We had breakfast here on our last day in the area. Delicious food and awesome decor. I can't wait to live near bye so we can make use of their outdoor area! The seating is a bit dicey, and we LUCKILY, came before the rush. My coffee still took over 10 minutes to make. We will go back on nonpeak times in the future, but we WILL be back!

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    Holy expensive bread batman! Tasty sandwiches but not mind blowing. They have a good selection of cakes. They have amazing seating outdoors, our waiter was very nice. Very clean inside and out. I would go again and would send a friend along. Give it a try! My boyfriend loved the potato salad.

    (4)

  • Brenda C.

    I've been here for dinner, lunch, and brunch. Most people seem to love this place and maybe I'm missing something, but I'm really not as blown away. Brunch was the most disappointing of all, especially since my expectations were so high from all the rave reviews. I like to think of brunch as a time to relax and chat, but here, I found it to be stressful and uncomfortable. We were fetching something every 5 minutes. First , you need to find your own table. it was 2 of us and we couldn't even order at the same time for fear of losing the table. So consequently we didn't get our food at the same time. You need to get your own napkins, your own silverware, you get coffee, and need to fetch the cup, then pour the coffee, get your own cup, It may not be so bad if all these things were concentrated in one area and if weren't so crowded. I probably sound spoiled or lazy, but that's how I want to feel at brunch. The quality of the food is high, but I'm not a fan of the brunch options. I was just hoping for an omelet or fritatta w/ tomatoes or spinach, but no such thing on the menu and the frittata of the day was potato. The closest thing was the Eggs Arnold, which I ordered although I'm not crazy about hollandaise. It was good, but I didn't like that the bread got so soggy, I was looking forward to trying some of their fresh bread. Their lunch sandwiches are very good and the German potato salad too. it is very crowded at lunch, so you shouldn't come if you're in a rush. We came with a large group once, bad idea. It was hard to get seats and when they accommodated us, our chairs were so close to the people next to us we could hardly move. As far as experience goes, dinner was my favorite. We had a reservation for a large party, so no issues getting seated. They have a wait staff for dinner as well. The schnitzel was delicious.

    (3)

  • Tess M.

    Finally checked this well-hyped place out for Sunday brunch with a girlfriend. Schematic flow of this place is to seat yourself (upstairs, downstairs, or outside), then order (short and fast-moving line). The food came out pretty fast too. We ordered an eggs Benedict and the mushroom omelette (with egg whites only). Honestly the brunch dishes weren't mind-blowing and didn't leave me wanting more or to come back to try other brunch dishes. I'll still come back though, for caffeinated drinks and give their sandwiches/panini's a try. For good brunch food, there are better places in Durham (ie Rue Cler).

    (3)

  • Beth B.

    i recently ordered some french macarons from the bakery for my wedding and they were perfect! they tasted delicious, looked beautiful, and were a huge hit. i received so many compliments, they were definitely the pièce de résistance of the dessert table.

    (5)

  • Princess R.

    The only bad thing here is the parking. I've been here quite a few times. I really enjoy having a brunch here. The food is delicious and you can seat outside.They also have good coffee served with a small biscuit aka cookie.

    (5)

  • Tim B.

    Highly recommend and plan on going back for brunch again. Eggs Arnold was delicious! The outdoor seating is quaint and makes for a very relaxing experience.

    (4)

  • Briana W.

    Eggs benedict! Lemon squares! Everything is delicious and the ambiance is nice. The only thing that could make it better was if it was closer to me....and free.

    (5)

  • Lance N.

    OK so this place is super good! For starters the atmosphere is just as cool and laid back as it gets for a cafe. You easily forget the hustle on 15-501 as soon as you turn in. Get here early as the outside seating goes quickly especially around brunch. Make sure to try the bacon! It's amazing!!

    (4)

  • Heather A.

    Love this bakery for just picking up baked goods to take home or eating in for a meal. I wish they opened earlier in the morning but that seems to be more of a southern thing to not open so early. Their chai tea latte is amazing as is everything in the bakery. Hot breakfast, lunch and dinner as well, regularly changing menu. Sitting outside is my favorite. Place can be crowded but they try to help you find a table when it is.

    (5)

  • Ally D.

    If you're stopping by Guglhupf for brunch, I would recommend getting there early or late enough that you escape the brunch rush. Otherwise, you should prepare yourself for the madhouse that the place can become during peak brunch hours. Because you place your order at the counter, I would suggest that you claim a table before ordering. This way you're not scrambling to find a table after you have already placed your order. While I wasn't blown away by the brunch, I still thought it was great. I was feeling a little gluttonous so I had an omelette that comes with a fruit and bread side, half of a pastry and a latte. The omelette was good, but the pastry and latte were fabulous. All in all a really great brunch. I really look forward to coming back. Hopefully missing the brunch rush next time. Final thought, I have to agree that parking can be an absolute hot mess. The odd shaped parking lot with no obvious traffic pattern nearly could easily lead to a small fender bender so be careful!

    (4)

  • Ben J.

    Left a one star review for the difficulty we had getting a reservation last week... We were able to get in tonight and holy shit was it amazing. The best food and drink I've had in a long time. My wife had a wild boar ragout with an herb spaetzle that was simply amazing. I had acorn flour crepes with chestnut cream, cranberries, arugula, and radicchio- absolutely divine. I also had a German beer, Aventinus eisbock that was the best beer I've ever had and a cocktail called the violet hour that rounded the meal off perfectly. The decor was warm and inviting and the waiter was very friendly and made us feel right at home. I'm just going to chalk up last weeks debacle to us not being prepared and the restaurant being busy. Wonderful experience and we will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Janeen M.

    Looks can be deceiving... My husband and I tried this restaurant during Triangle restaurant week and it didn't disappoint. I had the salmon and it was spectacular. He has a pork cutlet that was larger than his head so needless to say he was happy about that. The restaurant is deceiving because it doesn't seem that it would be as nice as it is from it's outward appearance. However, it has a lovely patio and we sat upstairs and it provided us with a nice view of Durham. I would return for another good meal.

    (4)

  • Lauren R.

    I debated between four and five stars for a while and opted for five because when anyone says Guglhupf it brings up warm and fuzzy feelings--especially now that I'm in Raleigh and can't pop by to pick up treats whenever I want. Guglhupf has three parts. First, there is the restaurant. But it's not just a restaurant. At night it turns into a typical restaurant, serving German fare with a twist. Honestly, I meant to go there for three years and somehow didn't--but I've heard it's great from several people. But during the day it has a coffee shop feel. And in the mornings, it's a breakfast/brunch spot. You order at the counter up front--you can get coffee, sandwiches/breakfast items and/or choose from a selection of delicious-looking pastries (their fruit tarts are delicious, so's just about everything else). The coffee comes with a little coffee cookie (what they'd call a biscuit in Germany--or basically anywhere else in the world for that matter). The sandwiches and breakfasts are good, but not amazing. But the structure itself is open and two stories and really neat. I'd try to describe it, but I wouldn't do it justice. Just remember that it's a tough choice to decide whether to sit in the restaurant loft area or on the awesome patio outside. Next, they have a huge indoor patio that's depressed from the parking lot area. There are some plans and a little water pond. It's one of my favorite places to sit outside for coffee. A lot of folks bring dogs and hang out outside. Especially between 2 and 4 in the afternoon, the patio has a very coffee-shop vibe. Then, there is the bakery part. They have a wonderful (albeit small) selection of local products--jams, cheeses, honeys, etc. They also have a bakery counter full of all sorts of delicious sweets to take home. Finally, they have amazing pretzel bread. It's 100% the best pretzel bread I"ve ever had outside of Germany. I could buy pretzel knots by the dozen (luckily for my figure I usually only get one or two and something sweet). Some of the graduate students I met at Duke who were from Germany frequented Guglhupf for their bread (and homecooking) needs. Warning: Parking is a nightmare, but it's located off of 15-501 so walking is not really an option. Carpool if at all possible, and leave early if you are meeting someone--especially for brunch. Also watch out for unaccompanied children running around the parking lot on the weekends (I've seen it happen surprisingly often).

    (5)

  • Sara S.

    This was my first time at the restaurant and it was an enjoyable experience. I had a good first impression of the place. I followed my gps to get there and it took me around to the back street (which is where I parked). It is gated with a tall fence and the entrance is marked with a chucky wood arch that has metal embellishments. I felt like I was acrossing in through secret passageway. The outside looks like fun boho decor. Inside there is a lot of foot traffic and there is not much time to take in the layout. You grab a menu as you walk in and stand in line to order. They hand you a number and you're beverage after ordering and then you find a seat up or down stairs. I sat upstairs where there was a nice paper light display. I had the Eggs Benedict which is served on toasted bread, not English muffin. It was very good. My eggs were perfectly poached. Oh did I mention, you have to find the flatware your self. Which seems like it would be tricky the first time but I say right by the silverware station. Nice place but if you don't like tight crowds I would not recommend this to you.

    (4)

  • Sara R.

    Good food but even better bakery. I like the roast beef sandwich and Reuben sandwich. Their breads are soooo good in the bakery. I always go for lunch because the dinners are overpriced. The place is very popular with locals and hard to find sitting and parking on pick hours during the lunch. The staff and cashiers are very friendly, but not so much for the owners. I guess if you are famous and popular you CAN effort to be grumpy a bit :)

    (4)

  • June S.

    Double review here, and both the bakery and the restaurant get 5 stars. The bakery - I needed to feed a lot of people unexpectedly, and as I don't live in town I didn't know where to start. I'd eaten at Foster's here before so thought I'd pick up some desserts from there. They didn't have a great selection available, and I needed them that night so I popped across the parking lot to Guglhupf. I was able to walk away with plenty of desserts for the 20+ people at my brothers house that night. It was quite busy for a weekday morning but the girl serving me was extremely patient with my indecision and totally helped me walk out with the right goods to feed everyone - two chocolate pies and two fruit tarts - which was more than enough for the evening but I didn't have a problem with those leftovers! They were SOOO good. Word to the wise: under order on the chocolate, it is so rich tiny slices will satisfy. Now the restaurant: Awesome food, awesome atmosphere, awesome service. Of course we came in without a reservation, and of course it was crowded. The hostess got a table arranged for us and as it was being set up clued us in on the menu - they make their own charcuterie in house! So of course we started with that and it was fabulous. Our server also had some wise words - and he was able to recommend beers (we all loved our selections) and even got Mellie a wine she liked, and corked it up for her to take home when she was done. We all shared some small plates to start - the scallops blew my socks off - and then went onto entrees. I won't go into the particulars because it would take forever. BUT EAT THEM ALL. YUM. Jeez, I never would think I could eat so much but just watching the servers (and the hostess) go up and down the stairs built up an appetite so big we could even fit desserts! I had the Bavarian Creme Tart - the lightest airiest cheese cake you've ever dreamt of with apricot bits and some yummy glaze decorating the plate. Yum. Now, like I have said, the food was good. Real good. But that never makes or breaks a restaurant for me. The atmosphere and the service do. Guglhupfs atmosphere is lovely. We sat upstairs under these cool lantern lights. It was all really pretty. And the service was all around excellent. Everyone was nice, helpful and knowledgeable. It was super busy but our server took his time with us. The hostess was welcoming and didn't even break a sweat at our party of four walking in on a busy Saturday night without reservations (I will make them in the future though!). She even remembered us as we were leaving and asked about our meal. I wish this place was closer and I could be a regular! As it is everytime I visit I will be stopping in. If not for dinner at least for a tart to take back with me!

    (5)

  • Diana X.

    Pretty overrated and undeservedly crowded on weekend mornings. The brunch is average and although its freshly baked breads are a selling point, they're nothing to write home about as its reputation and popularity might suggest. I prefer Loaf to Guglhupf, and Foster's Market next door has a much better brunch offering. In fact, it puzzles me how many Duke students know about Guglhupf but not Foster's, which is literally just yards down the road.

    (3)

  • Catherine A.

    Guglhupf is a combination of a bakery and cafe. They make great pastries, and in my opinion, some of the best bread in Durham. I'll continue to do business with their bakery, but after this afternoon's experience I will no longer patron the cafe. After waiting 15 minutes in line, the cashier took my order and right after I paid mentioned that meals were taking 30-35 minutes to be served. I mentioned that I wish he would have mentioned that before taking my order or better yet posted a sign so that I didn't bother waiting so long in line just to wait for what seems like an extremely long time for my order, a cold sandwich. He shrugged and said, "If I took time to post a sign...then you would have to wait even longer for me to take your order." Now, I understand that Guglhupf is a popular place, but really?!? Going out to eat should be a pleasurable experience. The food, I eventually, received was good. But my experience at Guglhupf was just not very pleasurable.

    (2)

  • Charlie F.

    I like just about everything on the menu. I recommend either the schnitzel or a reuben. The bakery is awesome. Each fresh baked bread is perfection. I can't go to there without getting one. Also, after you eat your lunch, it is mandatory that you buy either a Berliner or a macaroon from the bakery.

    (5)

  • Angela F.

    Everything on the menu and in the bakery is absolutely delicious! One of my favorites places!!

    (5)

  • Amanda W.

    I've never been disappointed with anything at Guglhupf. The food and service are both outstanding. If you have an opportunity, go to a wine or beer pairing dinner. Guglhupf delivers fine dining without pretentious snobbery. The portions are always just right, never leaving you hungry, yet not a gluttonous amount either. It is our go-to place for special occasions, but I go often for lunch or brunch and pick up something from the bakery while I'm there. It's a fabulous place to take out-of-towners for a taste of Durham.

    (5)

  • Katherine A.

    Great atmosphere, and a couple of gluten free baked options.

    (4)

  • Sungmin S.

    Writing this review in the car on my way back from Guglhupf. It was my first time trying dinner there and I was a fan. I've had brunch at Guglhupf in the past and thought it was mediocre (rather small portion, good food but not blown away, thought it was overrated) but I did enjoy the dining experience tonight. I tried the wiener schnitzel -- my waiter recommended mushroom gravy which was on point -- which was huge and delicious. Friends of mine tried different things such as steak, market fish (flounder) and stuffed cabbage and were satisfied with their dish as well. We didn't try the dessert tonight, but I'm definitely coming back for some! What got me the most tonight however was the ambience. It felt warm and cozy to be inside with such well-lit, beautiful lanterns hanging from the ceiling and to dine at a candle-lit table. The meal turned out more expensive than expected (~$24), but bonus points for the efforts the restaurant make to source locally.

    (4)

  • Ali R.

    Great ambiance outdoors and inside. Nice decor and lighting. Coffee is great, food is decent. Their lattes are huge and delicious. Their frittatas are so-so. Their muesli and baked goods are great. Anything you get at the bakery will be amazing. Parking is ridiculous on weekends so I would recommend going during the week.

    (4)

  • Paul T.

    Great pastries and bread. Fine, beautiful omelettes. The parking sucks but who cares. Great Food plus a brilliant outdoor seating makes this a 5 star.

    (5)

  • Kathryn E.

    This place get a 5/5 for ambience. And if you've ever been to Germany you will notice right away that the decor (right down to the toilets) is perfectly authentic. Love the attached bakery and the outdoor seating in the fall. Perhaps part of my lower rating is that I simply don't like German food. They have reasonable prices and portion sizes, but the food fails to captivate my affection. Their brunch food is pretty routine- nothing stands out. Additionally, they are so incredibly crowded on the weekends that it really takes away from the experience. I don't plan on going back on purpose on the weekend- way too loud with people vying for tables. Definitely recommend giving it a try- if nothing else than to experience a taste of Germany- but avoid the weekends and perhaps it will be a better experience.

    (3)

  • Paul G.

    Great wifi cafe to grab brunch or lunch or even just a coffee or tea and chat. It's not great for large groups; it's best for 2-4 or going on your own to read or do some work. The desserts are great as well. The lemon bars are amazing and I usually hate that kind of dessert!

    (4)

  • Allison M.

    Came here for a reunion breakfast with a friend from college. The food tasted good, and it was a completely fair price. I got the "grilled Nutella," which I thought would be like Nutella french toast, but was really just a Nutella panini with some slapdash fruit salad. It was $5.75, which was reasonable for what it was, but looking at the breakfast and brunch options again, I'd say to either get some eggs or come for lunch. The atmosphere, though... Completely five-star worthy!

    (3)

  • Elizabeth K.

    I used to come to Guglhupf to enjoy brunch with friends, and I truly loved the food and ambiance. However, my most recent experience has made me absolutely hate this place because of the service I received. I made a reservation via opentable and was seated promptly. It took a little bit longer than normal for a server to approach our table, but when he did.... My friends and I were reading through the menu when our server came up to the table; he stood there for a moment and said, "Uh...hello...?" Yeah, HI. Our server came off as uncomfortable and unfriendly. After he awkwardly asked if we wanted anything to drink, the next time he came around, I had to ask him what his name was and if there were any specials. I am so appalled that a restaurant, especially one involved with opentable and triangle restaurant week would have a server who does not introduce himself OR even explain to the guests what the specials are. Had I not asked our server, Patrick, that, I would have ordered a salad or a small plate instead. That's a $13 difference to YOUR benefit. I was in the mood for some soup, but because I had to ask Patrick what the soup of the day was AND the specials, I lost my appetite. I normally always order a 3 course meal, but again, your server lost you some more money, Guglhupf. I know that a party of 5 would automatically be charged 20% gratuity added. And I knew, for some reason, that Patrick would charge us that when only 3 out of 6 of us ordered food. Now, I have worked in several different restaurants where the policy is the same: 20% gratuity added to parties of 5 or more. Having said that, if not all 5 people orders food, not just protein, FOOD, we would not be able to charge them that gratuity. So, just for kicks, I asked him why he charged us. His reason?? "Because 6 of you are sitting down, especially at a table meant for just 4 people." HA! That was the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You call that an explanation? Then I presented a hypothetical situation of perhaps 5-6 of my friends came, and I ordered dinner where a few people only ordered some drinks; would he still charge that 20% to a bill that would probably only be $30. His retaliation was, "It's a little weird that your friends would just watch you eat." What a snarky, unintelligent, rude server. Basically, he charged 20% to my 3 other friends' waters, my friend's small plate of scallops, my other friend's salad, and my dinner. Does that make him feel better? I am so disgusted and furious with how horrible and stereotypical Patrick was. Just to clarify, we were a group of 6 young Asian women. From the beginning of his approaching our table in an unacceptable manner, to not bothering to tell us the specials, and to the unfair auto-gratuity, I will tell all my friends and strangers who even consider dining here, to STAY AWAY. If anything, I would probably suggest brunch or the delightful bakery, but definitely do not have Patrick as their server. And because I have some extensive knowledge about restaurants from Chapel Hill, Cary, Durham, and Raleigh, I will easily give them an alternative, PRONTO. And if the manager has the decency to read this: I highly suggest to the restaurant's benefit to discard such a disgrace of a server like Patrick. And to top this all off with a cherry, I came home to receive an email saying that I had cancelled my reservation. So I cancelled my reservation just so I could deal with all of this crap? Fanfreakingtastic, Guglhupf. I wish I could give this place -5 stars.

    (1)

  • C C.

    Yuuum! Smooth lattes, fabulous pastries (the cream puff is to die for), and a relaxing ambiance. Lots of brunch it's and lunch items as well. Oh, and their version of a jelly doughnut is amazing!

    (5)

  • Desi O.

    I ordered the ice cream which includes two flavored, and was surprised at how small the scoops were for the price, but then I tried it and I understood. The pistachio is particularly delicious! Yum! Just wish it was cheaper!

    (4)

  • Cassandra C.

    Great place for lunch! Really nice atmosphere, although very loud during the rush. Ample outdoor seating which is lovely on a nice day. Parking is often a nightmare - be warned and drive slowly! I think my family and I have tried almost all of the sandwiches on the menu, as well as the charcuterie plates. My personal favorite is the roast beef sandwich, which comes with a cup of jus for dipping. This sandwich is seriously packed with roast beef, and it's delicious. Really crunchy fresh bread. The only sandwich I've had that I would not recommend is the ham and cheese, as it's very, very salty even for me who eats a lot of salty foods. Sides are really tasty and included with the sandwiches; my favorite is the cucumber salad with yogurt and dill. Coffee is very good. They also have good (and seriously generous) children's options at a decent price, and the place is friendly toward children.

    (5)

  • Olivia A.

    Passed through the area on the way home to Virginia and while looking for restaurants, Google had suggested Guglhupf. I am of German descent and my boyfriend and I both love German food so we figured we'd give it a try. First off, the atmosphere was amazing. Has a nice patio outside with a small waterfall thing and we sat upstairs overlooking it all. We had a few different waiters and each one was equally as pleasant as the last. We started off with a shrimp gazpacho which was very light and refreshing. For the entree, I had weiner schnitzel with potatoes, squash, mushrooms, and kale, and it was to die for. I'm not a squash or mushroom fan at all but these were so delicious. My boyfriend ordered the sausage plate, which came with German potatoes, cabbage, and fresh pickles, he also raved about how good it was. The food all tasted very fresh and organic, and the price was surprisingly very reasonable. If I'm ever in the area again I will definitely eat here.

    (5)

  • Kimberly T.

    Wow the food here was great. I got the Farmer's Omelet and pana cotta. I went with a group right as it opened and wow... there was a line already there waiting to get food. First you order and then you find a seat. They bring the food to you using your order number. The food was delicious, there is usually bread and fruit as a side. You can get your own utensils and condiments as well. It was really delicious. The good was well prepared, could use some more salt, but I think that is the American in me talking. But it was fabulous, I want to go there again and again when I got to NC.

    (5)

  • Danni D.

    Urban Chic meets Farmers Market Fresh. Heavy iron work surrounds the upstairs balcony, while sloping wood beamed ceilings recall days past. Heavy iron grids are suspended from the sloping wood beamed ceilings, and these grids are filled with orange paper lanterns that add warmth and whimsy to the space. This is clearly one of the most popular breakfast spots in town, and with good reason. The food is delicious and fresh. We arrived (8:45) just ahead of the massive morning rush (9:00), so we did not have to wait for a table. For those who did, though, there was a well-stocked, self-serve coffee bar in the main dining room. There is always a welcomed touch of civilized dignity that comes with a place that allows you to caffeinate while you wait. There are tables on the main floor, several tables on an outside patio, and there is a prominent staircase that leads to many tables along the perimeter of a loft area that overlooks the main dining floor. We were lucky enough to catch a table upstairs, and watching the servers bring amazing-looking food up the staircase as we waited for our own meal built our anticipation and showcased the entire menu for us as we waited. And waited. And waited. This place is really large, and they can accommodate a tremendous amount of people, though I question the kitchen capacity and whether or not they can handle the same size crowd. We were sure to order one of their delicious house-made pastries, a chocolate croissant, for sharing. We did not realize how important a decision this would be as it clearly helped us ward off utter starvation. The croissant was delicious - crunchy and flaky outer layer, buttery smooth inside, with a delicious strip of dark chocolate running throughout the center of the pastry and drizzled all over the top. Excellent, beautiful, and delectable. When our food did arrive, we were thrilled. We split a stack of the fluffiest, yummiest pancakes I have ever eaten. We also split a farmer's omelet that came with a yummy, chewy, house-baked roll and a small cup of fresh fruit. The omelet was filled with sausage, onion, and pungent, flavorful cheese. It was absolutely worth the wait. This place is so close to a solid 5-star experience. Who knows? Maybe if I were here on a week day it would have been. Maybe if you go on a week day it will be for you. The service is friendly, and they clearly work hard, running up and down the main staircase often throughout the breakfast rush. The food is fantastic. Be prepared to wait for it if the place is busy, and I cannot imagine them being anything but busy. Definitely do yourself a favor and order anything off the pastries menu.

    (4)

  • Erik B.

    Guglhupf is such a delightful and busy spot. Gorgeous patio and upper deck dining inside provide the perfect environment for enjoying all their tasty menu items from delicious breakfast, to baked goods, to a delightful German menu, along with a full coffee bar and excellent beer selection.

    (4)

  • Steve M.

    We had not realized that Guglhupf serves dinner - it used to only be a bakery. The restaurant was surprisingly quiet on a Saturday night. The service was fast and friendly. We ordered the stuffed cabbage and wiener schnitzel and they were outstanding.

    (5)

  • Jay L.

    The food was very good and at a good price. Only issue is that there is not enough parking at lunch on Saturday. I got the last spot in the lot, my friends who I was meeting there had to park somewhere else and walk.

    (4)

  • Jonathan Y.

    I am here in Guglhupf right now on their second floor with the sun streaming in, orange lanterns on the ceilings and white ... snowflake things hanging atop the stairs. It is an ungodly, muggy 90+ afternoon outside today and this iced coffee/air conditioning combo is saving my life. If it was cooler I'd imagine the large outside patio complete with quirky decor and casually strewn Christmas lights would be a great date place. Side note....how do you pronounce Guglhupf? It sounds like something from Harry Potter you would yell while waving wands, or like something immensely satisfying to do to someone. Imma guglhupf you so hard yo momma's gonna feel it. Anyway, there's nice cafe-jazz music going on, the lunch menu looks promising and the smoked salmon tastes fresh, bread is beautiful. I dropped by the bakery before I sat down (free wifi for those who haven't caught on yet) and I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up going back after this meal. I saw a chocolate brownie cookie with my name on it. I'm gonna buy it. Then I'm gonna guglhupf it.

    (5)

  • Mary T.

    This place was amazing. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and we both loved it. I certainly recommend this restaurant for foodies such as ourselves!

    (5)

  • Cheryl K.

    We were there for supper. Food was very good, prices were average. I liked the unique drinks on their menu. The food menu had some different options which were interesting. If you are looking for straight up German this isn't it. Several German dishes & almost all German wine & beers, but there are also other dishes on the menu. And the decor could be any type of restaurant. It is a bit tricky to find too. It is actually tucked in behind Fosters. We drove past 3 times before seeing their small sign. We did like that our server didn't rush us, so we could chat, order & eat at our own pace. The four of us shared salads & appetizers, and they brought them out split for us & with extra plates for sharing which was much easier than passing around plates.

    (4)

  • Claudine D.

    Guglhupf Bakery never disappoints. My visits have only been during weekday lunch. The last visit was so good. The nicoise salad and turkey, brie and apple chutney panini were exactly what I wanted. My friend and I couldn't decide between the two, so we ordered both and shared. The salad was huge and the panini with the side seemed like a hefty meal as well. However when split between the two of us, they were miraculously just the right portions. Let's chat about the nicoise salad, shall we? The tuna was medium rare and had that nice seared crust. Everything was so fresh. The beans had a nice snap to them. The capers and olives gave you that balance of saltiness to keep you coming back for more. The turkey, brie and apple chutney panini was a great combination. I love brie paired with fruit. My favorite pairing is with apricot preserves and almond slices on top of brie and baked till warm. The panini reminded me of that yummy appetizer. So why not five stars? There's always a wait to order, sometimes it takes awhile for your meal to arrive at the table, and it's always so noisy. You can't deny Guglhupf's popularity -- a true testament that they're doing something right. In warmer weather, dining on the patio is a lovely way to spend the afternoon.

    (4)

  • Brian A.

    I couldn't have been more impressed with my visit to Guglhupf. This place is a Bavarian carousel of zen. Peaceful and chaotic, the bustling crowd seems to have some sort of random order that manages to make sense. The atmosphere is a collective of individual groups that seem to intertwine and create a unique experience of belonging and comfort. I started out with an Americano...oh my...how impressive! Perfect press! I would go here regularly just for the perfect espresso. This only leads me to the next great thing. The Eggs Benedict were the best I've ever had. I can't begin to tell you how decadent this dish is. You know the kind of dish that make your eyes roll into the back of your head...and even though it's so good you don'e want to share...but you have to make everyone at the table with you try it? Yes, that good!

    (5)

  • Veronica G.

    Great brunch spot! The actual entree was decent (although not extraordinary); I had an omelette and my husband had scrambled eggs. Service was friendly. Biggest drawback is size: it's very challenging to find parking and on weekends the parking lot gets jammed! And indoor seating fills up quickly. There's plenty of outdoor seating so if it's a nice day, that's a good option. But the real star of the show is their bakery! It's easy to drop $25 or $50 there- and everything is good. Their pretzel bread, the savory croissants, the macaroons... And the bakery is separated from the cafe so it's easy to avoid the crowd and pop in.

    (4)

  • Andrew H.

    This establishment is impressive for the atmosphere, the selection, and the adorable dogs (with their owners of course, not strays) that seem to always be there on weekend mornings. I only did a quick stop here for a Cherry Strudel and a French Apple Tart from their bakery store but I was absolutely amazed by both how classy the outdoor area looked as well as how crowded it was at noon on a Sunday. Good luck getting parking even though they have a private lot. My girlfriend liked her Cherry Strudel and I thought my French Apple Tart was good (but not excellent.) I look forward to coming back here to try their "actual" food.

    (4)

  • Christina G.

    Flipping through the Indie Best Of, I saw that Guglhupf placed first for bakeries, and it reminded me to post a Yelp update for their fine pastries! (See my earlier review for my take on brunch and the restaurant.) The parking is stress-inducing. But the goods are worth it. Because the bakery is small, there's not quite as much variety as I'd like, however what they do carry is unfailingly yummy. I've ordered linzer cookies, scones, chocolate tart. When there's no time to bake before hosting folks, this is my go-to for a plate of treats! On my checklist for future consumption: berliner, guglhupf, and loaves!

    (4)

  • Jessica P.

    German restaurants are not super common in the US, but I feel quite privileged to live down the road from an awesome one! I've tried a few of "THE HUPF'S" offerings: LUNCH - It was a little crowded. You order your lunch at the counter, take a number to a table, and they bring it out to you. I had a delicious turkey/apple/brie sandwich with some sort of ginger soup. Didn't have to wait too long BAKERY - The bakery is located next door, where you can buy fresh made bread, pastries, desserts, and a few other German goods (wish they had German chocolate! Kinder, Rittersport, Milka). I picked up a baguette and a couple of croissants. They were very yummy and fresh! DINNER - It was also a little crowded and we waited a couple minutes to be seated. It's funny because I was looking around and said in my head, "Gee, I hope they don't sit us right next to the live music." Annnd we were seated right next to the live music. But it wasn't too loud, as I had feared. The live piano was really nice! We got a cheese plate as an appetizer. It was really good, but you might want to skip it unless you are super hungry (since you will NEED to get dessert). I was very excited because they had my favorite style of sour beer that usually only German restaurants carry: Berliner Weisse!!! I love it, and it's probably pretty hard to find around here. We both had delicious Schnitzel, and we got a chocolate cake dessert that was... to DIE for! Pure chocolate heaven. Not only is this one of the best restaurants in Durham, but if you love German food, you be quite pleased. Guglholf gefällt mir gut!

    (5)

  • Marnie S.

    Cute place to come have a coffee or a casual mid-day meal. We had the tomato stack and some very tasty sandwiches. I love the multiple seating options (outside patio, indoors downstairs and upstairs. Great coffee bar too!

    (4)

  • Simon B.

    Very good food and a nice space. There were fewer interesting breakfast options than I expected, but the omelet I got was still great. A nice choice of coffees, teas, and so forth as well. And, of course, the pastries are fantastic. Sunday brunch was packed and a little uncomfortable, and there isn't enough parking in the lot. Otherwise, a great place.

    (5)

  • Brad D.

    I have been here for breakfast and brunch several times. Food is great. Great omelette and french toast. Delicious pastries. Love the elpehant ears and mandel hornchen. Only complaint might be fairly small portion size on some menu items. Others are sized just right though. Musli bread from bakery is also very good. Atmosphere is very pleasant. Would return.

    (5)

  • Laurie V.

    Went to the cafe for lunch. Good variety of sandwiches, hot and cold. German potato salad is awesome! The bread tastes very fresh and delicious. My only complaint is that the kitchen area is somewhat open, so you smell like food when you leave. The location is somewhat hidden....I drive by it every day and never really knew where it was. It has a great outdoor space in the back for warmer weather. They were advertising a Duck-Rabbit Beer dinner coming up this week for $45 or so.....yum! I would go back for that.

    (4)

  • Minerva T.

    A place I've been wanting to go for a while from all the hype I've heard about it! My friend and I were planning on dropping by for dinner but after perusing their dinner menu online, we found nothing that we were craving that night nor a price our wallets would be happy giving up. So instead, we opted for lunch another day, and it was a great choice! The establishment was quite cute and quaint with its decor both inside and outside. When we walked in, the baked goods in the displays were oh-so-tempting but I knew we'd hit up the bakery afterward so resisted from ordering something to go with lunch. I ended up choosing the Reuben Panini which was "slow-cooked corned beef with house-braised sauerkraut, emmenthaler cheese and russian dressing on jewish rye" and came with a cup of soup. I opted for the asparagus bisque and my oh my was it an excellent choice. At first glance, the soup just looks a sickly green but that's just the vegetable's shade. It was rich and soothing on the just-rained-on day and had a pleasant texture to it. It wasn't too runny or thick but a smooth creamy. My Reuben was delightful - the sauerkraut really brought out the meat's flavor. I ate this sandwich so slowly because it was both delicious and packed with a lot of corned beef! The meal was wonderful. Guglhupf was definitely very packed when we went during lunch hour but it gave a nice vibe to the place. After lunch, we couldn't help ourselves and had to head over the bakery. Everything looked fantastic. The breads were tempting. The desserts were tempting. The breakfast baked goods were tempting. I decided that I needed to get some treats for my family when they came by for graduation weekend so I opted to snag a fruit tart for them and both the panna cotta and cream puff for me. Yay for indulgences. I tried the cream puff first when I got back to my place, and it was divine. Though small, it packed a satisfying punch. The cream was the right amount of lightness - not too heavy or fluffy. I thoroughly enjoyed the flaky pastry because its texture was just perfect. Later that evening, I had the panna cotta as a late-night snack. The last time I had had panna cotta was when I was in Italy. I must say that this one was a bit of a miss for me because it ended up tasting like a yogurt parfait rather than panna cotta. The strawberries were good but the actual cream was quite tart. Oh well. What I saved for my family was the fruit tart, and it was spectacular. When I first saw the fruit tart, I wondered how they got their glaze to be so shiny. The berries were abundant and the glaze was actually not overly sweet. Whatever cream was used to fill the pastry crust was light but flavorful - I think it was strawberry flavored. It was a great treat. I wish I could go to Guglhupf more often!

    (5)

  • Anitra B.

    Dinner was absolutely AMAZING!!!! Definately will go back!!

    (5)

  • Dawn B.

    Be still my enriched flour lovin heart! The pastries, breads and other savories here are in fact, as good as it gets. The cheese bretzel is to die for.

    (5)

  • Kas T.

    I'm glad I trekked out here. I tried the fruit tart, croissant and some other pastry i don't recall. YUMMY!!!! I wish they could warm up stuff in the oven for us and not direct us to the microwave. Not sure why but my gps directed me to the residential area at the back of the bakery with no access to place and told me "you have arrived at your destination". @,@ I have to eat at the cafe the next time i'm in town!

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    Did not live up to its reputation. When we arrived there was only one other table occupied, and they seated us right next to that table where we had to squeeze and move our table back to have room to sit. I asked if we could be seated upstairs and they said no, upstairs was only for large parties. We then watched numerous parties of two, like us, being seated up there the rest of the night. Our waitress did not show up for a long time and just said "any questions" when she did. I asked if there were specials and she said, oh yeah and then told us. She basically ignored us the rest of the night and we sat with finished meal waiting to be asked about dessert or our bill for a very long period of time while tables around us that came in long after we did were attended to, given their checks and left. The service we received was very poor and the food did not live up to what we were expecting. It is unlikely we will return.

    (2)

  • Leigh A.

    If you go here on the weekend and want to not set foot into chaos, go at a non-traditional brunch time. I have always picked the wrong time to go and it's crazy. They handle the crowd well and still deliver quality food, but I've yet to find the one thing there that is "to die for" (in my opinion). That being said, I keep going back AND I'd definitely list it as a crowd-pleasing favorite.

    (4)

  • Bob A.

    I feel like I'm in Germany when I'm here except the food is better. They always have a good German import on tap as well. Wish that had more beers but...

    (4)

  • Klaus J.

    Great German food, bakery, and desert. The only thing they lack is great german beer, only two beers on tap! Service is a little hit-or-miss, but the food more than makes up for it. Be warned though, the two times we sat outside we got absolutely nailed by mosquitos! Entres are typically $15-$25, so it's not unusual for our two-person meal to be above $60. I would put this at the high end of the $$.

    (5)

  • Melissa T.

    Great study spot. Delicious pastries. Pretty good coffee.

    (4)

  • Denise M.

    Been here twice more for dinner since and the food and service is always fantastic. I've not had anything here that wasn't amazing, but thought I would particularly mention how much we enjoyed last night the herb roasted chicken with cheese spatzle (my husband said at least 5 times how much he liked this) and the maultashcen which were like pirogi with an amazing broth over them. Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Dina A.

    this place is a great spot for brunch. Cool and friendly atmosphere. Good quality food, great deserts.

    (5)

  • Steve B.

    Went for a belated birthday for my son, 7PM on a Wednesday. Atmosphere was great. Professional treatment from greeter and server. Food was excellent. Oyster salad- 5 Stars, Creme Brulee 5 stars. Good selection of beers. Would recommend reservations after 7. Wish the bakery was open in the evening. The experience is worth the price.

    (4)

  • Angie Y.

    Guglhupf is one of my favorite Durham restaurants for its charming decor and ambience, both inside and on the patio. You'll seriously walk in and want to Instagram it immediately. Plus, I have a monster sweet tooth and I can never resist picking something up at the bakery. Their fruit tarts are amazing. That being said, the food is good, too. I've had the eggs benedict for brunch and the wiener schnitzel and beef short ribs for dinner and I'd recommend all of them. My friend's grilled steak sandwich (brunch/lunch) also looked delicious. I would recommend brunch/lunch over dinner since it's more casual and a better value. Come for weekend brunch on a nice day and sit outside - there'll probably be a wait, but it's worth it. Also, Guglhupf is a great study spot during non-peak hours. It was pretty empty and peaceful on a weekday afternoon. They have a wifi password, just ask!

    (4)

  • Stefani S.

    I was here a month or two ago. Although we didn't sit down and eat, we visited the attached bakery, and the whole place was just lovely. There was so much to choose from! There was a bit of a line, and parking was hard to find, but we also went during a busy part of the morning. Everything I tried was delicious and very unique! The danishes, pastries, and crescent rolls were all delicious. I would recommend this place in a heartbeat.

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    Food was pretty good. Our group had a pretty good variety including Reuben, omelet, pancakes, and Muesli. Food was pretty decent. Reuben was excellent. Two big downsides - parking is horrible, horrible, horrible. They also lost our order. It was pretty busy so we waited patiently. After 30 minutes we asked about it. It took them another 10 minutes to decide they had lost our order. We ended up waiting almost 45 minutes for our food. Exact same thing happened to table next to us. It was a fun experience and food was decent with good prices. Not sure I'd go back, especially when its as busy as it was.

    (3)

  • Jennifer A.

    Guglhupf, you really disappointed me. I have been wanting to come but I'm from Raleigh, so it is a good 30 minute drive and I was excited to finally have an excuse to drive over that way. I will say this--I give it 2 stars based on the atmosphere. I loved the design of the place. I always appreciate finding a great place I can sit and read or do work without disturbing anyone, and If I lived closer I'd come back just to get a cup of coffee and a pastry and spend an hour catching up on magazines. However, this time I got the apple-brie-turkey sandwich and potato salad. I enjoyed to potato salad. I hesitated because it is made with beef broth, but I much prefer that to potatoes drenched in mayo. Unfortunately, the sandwich was really not good--and that's saying something, because a 3-ingredient sandwich really shouldn't take much expertise to prepare. The best I can say is that whoever was in the kitchen today was just very sloppy with their work...a little bit more consideration and it could have been ok. It had a giant pile of turkey on one half and barely any on the other, only a few small pieces of brie and barely any of the apple compote. The apple compote was what was really needed to give it some flavor and moisture, and without it, I basically paid $10 for dry turkey on bread and a half cup of potato salad. Boring and completely not worth it. Come on Guglhupf. I know with all these positive reviews you could have done better. Every plate you send out matters.

    (2)

  • Ashley M.

    I have been going to Guglhupf for a few years now and have always loved it there. Today changed my mind. The good news is that they get 1 star for their stellar food. The bad news is that, unfortunately, their service today was horrific. I know the wait can be a bit substantial, so I always call ahead for my take-out orders. When I called today, a British lady answered the phone and took my order. She neglected to tell me when the food would be ready so I inquired. She said 10-15 minutes so, for good measure, I waited 20 and then left my office. When I arrived, I expected my order to be already ready or very nearly so. To my surprise, the girl behind the counter told me that she hadn't received any orders for take out. She left to go see if perhaps the bakery had answered the phone to take my order. While she was gone, the British lady who answered the phone, Emma I learned her name was, emerged and the other cashier behind the counter asked her if she had taken any take-out orders. She started to whisper "maybe, maybe" to him and some other things that I couldn't hear. Then she turned around and told me that the item I ordered was no longer on the menu and that I needed to choose something else. No apology for not putting the order into the system and no apology for not telling me over the phone that the menu had changed. First of all, update your menu online and, secondly, know what's actually on your menu when someone orders. I picked something else and, thankfully, the girl behind the counter put a rush on it and offered me a pastry for my troubles. I was not too happy about the turn of events but it wasn't the cashier's fault. It was Emma's. Even with the rush, I ended up waiting at least another 20 minutes for my order and, effectually, burned my entire lunch break. Emma, who I assume to be the manager as she was not in uniform, is a sad excuse for an employee and really needs a refresher in customer service. If you mess up an order, you should at least apologize. Don't pawn it off on your other employees to make up for your lack of aptitude at your job. If not for their great food, I would never go back to Guglhupf.

    (1)

  • Mei O.

    Oh Guglhupf, your dinner menu had me at homemade noodles. Le sigh. We went here with the MIL to celebrate her first visit to Durham, and we were all impressed. Andrew and I had only gotten dessert here before, their chocolate cake is SO YUMMY, but we were waiting for a good reason to splurge on dinner. And the wait was worth it! The only complaint was that the fish of the night was a little dry, but the sweet potato puree more than made up for that, because Andrew just kept smothering each bite with the puree. MIL got the mushroom (I can't remember the fancy German names) small plate with poached egg, which was just the right size for her bird-like portion ways, and all she could talk about was how delicious it was. I got the house made noodles with mushrooms, and I almost passed out from the yummy-ness. I don't know if I'll be able to order any other dish now... The ambiance was really nice, perfect for a date or celebration, although it did get a little noisy while we were dining upstairs. Unfortunately we came while it was raining, but I could totally imagine sitting on the patio with the waterfall running and gorging on deliciousness for a perfect afternoon.

    (5)

  • Mallory R.

    Guglhupf is a Durham staple. The atmosphere is so fun. It's a great place to bring out of town guests to sit outside with all the fun decor and the water elements near the front door. There is a separate bakery to the right of the front door. I've never been in, but judging from the pastries inside, it's probably awesome. The food is pretty good there. Breakfast/brunch is probably my favorite. The dinner menu is the only one with a significant amount of German food, so don't go thinking you're going to get an authentic German breakfast (not that I know what that is...). Last time I went there I had the ham and brie panini with German potato salad and it was delish. It is almost always busy there but the line goes pretty quick and there's a ton of outside seating, so finding a spot isn't usually a problem. Finding a parking spot on the weekends during the school year is a nightmare. During the summer it's close but not impossible. I'm not really sure why I'm giving it 4 stars, it just doesn't seem like a 5 star place to me. The food is good but not amazing, I think of the atmosphere first and the food second, and I find the amount of time I spend there getting takeout obnoxious for how close it is to my house (it's about 5 minutes down the street from me and I'm rarely back in under 40 minutes if it's busy). But, it is a great spot and pretty darn cheap for some good food and good ambiance! Out of towners tend to love it!

    (4)

  • Patrick H.

    Guglhupf has great brunch and lunch. Baked goods and coffee will satisfy any stateside craving you may have for a European cafe. Let me make note of the bad at Guglhupf first. The setting is mostly perfect albeit with three flaws: - many of the tables and chairs cannot be leveled or stabilized so they jiggle too much; - any outdoor table exposed to direct sunlight becomes so hot that it literally could burn you; - and the table setup is a bit too casual of a pairing for the impressive dinner menu. The service is consistently excellent and the ingredients are top notch. Guglhupf is very kid friendly (stools at the sinks in the bathroom would be nice). The art showing on their walls is often quite excellent which is no mean feat. Guglhupf is one of the best places to eat or just grab a coffee in Durham and it has been since it first opened its doors. This is a 4+ rating; replace some of the furniture and it's easily a 5 star yelp rating.

    (4)

  • Anna R.

    This place is amazing and unique. The food is so fresh. The pastries are so gooey and delicious. The coffee is hot and comforting. The decor both inside and out is stunning.

    (5)

  • Charlie T.

    This place is very good, but is getting to be too much of a scene. Parking is nearly impossible during normal hours -- especially for lunch and brunch. Go early or late. The past couple of times I have looped through the parking lot and gone to Foster's instead. The bakery is top notch. I got a stollen at Christmas that rivaled those I had in Germany the week before.

    (4)

  • Neil S.

    Brunch is my favorite meal of the day. Being a transplant from Further Down South, I did a quick search for good brunch places in the area and found myself at Guglhupf some few hours later. This old German bakery bakes some mean bread, which my wife and I got to try with the Nutella sandwich and Eggs Benedict - the sweet and savory combo. I don't consider myself a bread guy, but I can't say enough about that bread. bread bread. I also loved the local art plastered on the walls - a very cool touch to go along with the other art and decor. Minus 0.5 stars for portions because I'm a fatty and another 0.5 because it was HOT in there (not sure if the A/C was broken or they don't have one; in fairness, it was a scorcher of a day and around 3PM.) I'll definitely be going back in the fall (when it's cooler) to sit on the patio. Go to Google-huff; you won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Cara M.

    Wonderful pastries and baked goods. We went for brunch on our first day in Durham and enjoyed it so much we went back for breakfast the next day.

    (4)

  • Lauren C.

    Guglkumpf has delicious food, excellent service and a great ambiance. Whether you order a more traditional meal, such as Wiener Schnitzel, or oysters, as my friend Rebecca did, the food is delicious. Also, the special dessert we had was to die for. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Kelly H.

    Great physical plant, incredible baked goods, earnest dinner, solid lunch fare. Another great place we are lucky to have nearby.

    (5)

  • David W.

    I came here on a Sunday morning for brunch and it was pretty busy as expected but there was still a decent amount of seating inside, especially upstairs. It can be a little confusing, but you order at the counter and then you grab your number and seat yourself. They'll bring your food to you after you order at the counter, you don't really get your own waiter/waitress. The food was about average. We started off with the $2 bread basket which came with about 8 slices of 4 or so different breads and butter. Not a bad deal and just something to munch on while you wait for some food. We then got the Eggs Arnold and the Schnitzel. The Eggs Arnold were okay (about $8), nothing special (basically eggs benedict but on regular bread and no ham, instead it's spinach and tomato I think). The schnitzel (about $10) was good, but the salad that it came with was very mediocre. The best part of the meal was by far the dessert as we got the white chocolate mousse tart. Maybe it's just my addiction to sugar and anything sweet, but it pushed up a meal that I would've otherwise rated as 3 stars to 4 stars. The tart's not cheap at about $5.50 a pop, but I would say it's the one thing worth trying there.

    (4)

  • Sissel J.

    I'm Scandinavian and I grew up 3 hours from Germany. I have been all over Germany several times and I like German food. For me the Guglhupf cafe has captured a lot of Germany and does it well. The the Bakery is another story. I like the bread, pastries, and cakes, do not get me wrong, but to me the really Northern European breads (like the Vollkorn) is very disappointing. It is very dry and does not taste right. I stick to buying the non-German/generic stuff which are generally very tasty.

    (3)

  • Liza S.

    My date took me here for Valentines Day dinner and I was absolutely charmed. The food excellent (a sort of European fusion- I had the sauteed scallops over a really creamy cauliflower base that reminded me of risotto without that heavy feeling after you eat). Our server was funny, polite, knowledgeable, and nonintrusive. What I loved the most though was the atmosphere! It's beautiful inside and everyone gets a good table upstairs because the second floor is open in the center, looking down over the rest of the restaurant and kitchen. The lighting is also really cute! Big, artsy light decorations hang down in the middle, it's a very cool spot and I'd recommend it to anyone.

    (5)

  • Dave S.

    I'm gonna be honest. I am kind of over Guglhupf. The parking situation is an utter disaster. Words can't even describe how bad that parking lot is. The parking alone makes me never want to go back. It doesn't end there though. When you get inside you have to go through this utterly inanely laid out line that runs right through the most-trafficked areas in the building. The result is feeling like you are constantly running into people. On to the food: the bakery is great. 5 stars. The actual rest of the food - not so good. Generally avoid anything with eggs. They are all bland and just not that great. I don't really recommend going here for anything other than the bakery....

    (3)

  • Jennifer B.

    *Sigh* this place makes me dream of NYC or other large cities with their crowded bistros and tasty food. I had one of the best meals I have had in Durham here. I uploaded a picture of my incredibly yummy seared tuna sandwich. You might ask why my tuna sandwich was so good it was the best meal I had in the area....well calm down and I will tell you. First off, the tuna was seared PERFECTLY. More often I am finding tuna either severely over or under cooked but this was perfect. You could also tell that the fish was very fresh. The bread was perfection. Made in house and so fresh and tasty! The olive tapende on the sandwich. Incredible. The greens both on the sandwich and the side salad were also incredible. The side salad had some of the best salad dressing I had ever had and was also dressed perfectly. I will be coming back here very, very soon. Let me also add that I went on brunch on Sunday and it was crowded. You stand at the counter and order unlike their dinner service. But a great find in Durham. Hooray!

    (5)

  • David N.

    Food is delicious and good beer and wine selection as well. Doug is the best chef in Durham!!!

    (5)

  • Andrea K.

    Love their cream puffs, chocolate elephants ears and breads. The good is good for both dinner and lunch.

    (5)

  • Emma A.

    Oh man I love the decor here! I went on a Saturday and it was pretty crowded, but the coffee and pastries were delish. Copa Vida, a coffee shop I used to go to all the time, sold their pastries and I've always like them. I would like to visit when they are not so busy and spread out with a book and get coffee!

    (4)

  • Dan O.

    Always wonderful! The food, the atmosphere, the baked goods and pasteries are always delicious!

    (5)

  • Sonia C.

    If you have no idea what a guglhupf is (and I didn't), it's a type of cake that looks very much like a bundt cake: bit.ly/19SZKl They have a great bretzel roll! The inside is pillowy soft and the outside tastes exactly like a pretzel should. The drip coffee is good too, and I do like that they give you a free soy milk option for it as well. Other things: - Coffee refills are $0.50. I think they should either raise the prices or make refills free since it's annoying to keep fishing out coins if you plan to stay there for the free wifi. - Bakery should be connected to the restaurant or the restaurant should offer the same pastries as the bakery. It's annoying to have to go next door to check out the full selection. - Lots of different pastries are offered at the bakery (including the guglhupf). My friend said the cherry & cheese danish was good.

    (4)

  • Seneca B.

    Possibly one of my favorite restaurants in the area. I've been here for lunch and dinner, and have never been let down. The staff is great and the food is amazing! If you're having dinner here, be sure to try one of their delicious desserts!

    (5)

  • mary c.

    Meat plate! Cherry danish!

    (4)

  • Joyce K.

    Went here for breakfast with my sister, who has gone here multiple times. You pick up a menu and give your order at the register. The coffee was self-serve (2 regular choices, 1 decaf), 50 cents for refills. We sat upstairs, which allowed us to appreciate the high ceilings, open stairwell, hanging lanterns, and holiday decorations. Surrounding us were folks on their laptops, and a few groups. Ambience was casual and laidback. Our breakfast was brought to our table. The portions are just right, in my opinion. Not too much food. I had the farmer's omelet, which seemed pretty standard to me -- some sausage, caramelized onions, cheese. Not the most savory omelet I've had, but good enough to have again. The accompanying fruit was fresh and ripe. My sister had the frittata of the day, which was artichokes, leeks, and goat cheese. Great combination and well-executed. Finally, we shared a side of applewood smoked bacon -- 4 crisp and tasty strips, devoid of any pools of grease. My only overt complaint from breakfast was the coffee. I am a coffee lover, and I don't like weak coffee. But this was too strong for me. I had to hit the bathroom several times later that morning, due to the after-effects. We bused our own tables at the end of our meal and proceeded to the bakery next door, which was filled with a homey oven-baked aroma. We took home a linzer cookie, which was made just the way a linzer cookie should be. I would be happy to try any one of their other yummy-looking selections in the bakery!

    (4)

  • Shannon P.

    I've been here twice now. 1. AMAZING lunch special. Their chai tea lattes are amazing and now cause me to salivate at the mere thought of them. Went on a weekday and the service was great. 2. Went for brunch when it was super busy. Food took forever to arrive, when it did (i ordered pancakes) it was cold. Then the food runner spilled syrup all over the table and never brought any more to the table. Very frustrating. I'll never go back for brunch b/c it seems they can't handle the rush but their food, when served properly, really is fantastic. And the chai tea.... oh the chai tea :)

    (3)

  • Kirsten H.

    In addition to fantastic Bretzel rolls (it's the only place I've found them down here...) the restaurant is excellent. I've been there a few times, never for dinner but for breakfast and lunch. Everything I've had has been very tasty, but I think my favorite was over the summer when I got some sort of heirloom tomato salad that came with mozzarella cheese. Having German running through my veins also has made my try their schnitzel and bratwurst which were also the best I've been able to find in this part of the country so far. It is also a very cute place, a great patio during the summer, and a nice inside space (I like the upstairs) for when the weather isn't quite as nice. The parking can be difficult, but it is certainly worthwhile once you get inside.

    (5)

  • Zach H.

    Great food and a very nice environment. Very good place to have a sandwich or a soup on a cold day. If it's nice, sit outside; their patio and deck are very pleasant. Try an Italian soda, it's an interesting experience. One word of warning thus far - go early and avoid Fridays at lunch time: it's a very popular place and parking literally becomes impossible, particularly on Fridays, it seems

    (4)

  • Lizzie F.

    Remember that time you were tooling around Europe eating good bread, drinking good beer, and saying to your companion, "Man, Americans don't know sh*t about bread"? Guglhupf has you fairly well covered. Guglhupf has two parts: the bakery and the cafe. Lots if reviews cover the cafe, so I'll take on the bakery. Everything in the bakery is killer good. The bretzel knots are a tasty snack or lite lunch. You (obviously) can't go wrong with the true Euro-style sweets: linzer cookies, those little almond horn thingys, biscotti, etc. The ciabatta is the best I've ever had. If it's summer, grab a ciabatta to take home and do this: slice it into top and bottom halves, top it with smoked mozzarella, chopped tomatoes, basil, and a little vinegar. Then pop it in the oven till it looks yummy. Cheap and easy tomato tart thing! The cafe is great, too. Their sandwiches are good, but they really shine on the harder to find Euro fare - cheese plates, sausages, a killer potato leek torte, cucumber salad... Also, I haven't tried them, but I've been ogling their gorgeous lattes. Overall, a great place for a leisurely lunch with friends, a book, or your laptop.

    (4)

  • Jennie C.

    GREAT place to get brunch. With the season leaving us indoors, there really isn't that much seating (despite there's an upstairs). But the food was amazing. I had their Eggs Arnold over brioche toast, and it was delicious. I love their selection of drinks -- every tea imaginable. This is the perfect place to start off your day! Just a heads up, I'm not from the area, so I was a little puzzled with how the service works. Apparently you pay, and then you can either pick it up or they bring it to your table. It's confusing because you walk in, thinking that there'll be someone to serve you (the layout), but no, it's just straight up ordering. I think later in the night, the place becomes a full service restaurant.

    (4)

  • chaz t.

    Guglhuph bakery items and pastries are the best that we have found this side of the Atlantic! We have been visiting late in the morning and found that they were wiped out. Today we made a strategically early visit and were pleasantly surprised that we had anything and everything we could have hoped for, chocolate elephant ears, berlingers (filled with jelly) and chesse pretzels - yes we bought them all! YUMMMYYYYYYY!!

    (5)

  • Rebecca A.

    Guglhupf has been a happy edition to our lives. We first came here to order our wedding cake, which was elegant and delicious! We came back to try their menu, and enjoyed the rich flavor and European feel. It's harder to return with our small daughter, but on Saturdays I make a special trip to their bakery and bring home wonderful treats for us. I can't say exactly why, but doing this makes me feel like I'm part of an eternal moment that's a happy one. I'm glad to have a place like this in Durham!

    (5)

  • Robert G.

    Been here several times when in town. Wonderful place. Wife had the seafood special and I always get the Ribeye. Claudia, the owner, makes sure that everything is superb.

    (5)

  • John E.

    This rating is only for the bakery, but this is a very, very good place. The brezels, danishes, bread, and tarts are all excellent. Order anything.

    (5)

  • Shea M.

    The atmosphere alone makes this place great....add good food and an amazing bakery and I want to go there every day and just hang out....oh yeah and eat. I went this past Saturday and stumbled upon these German doughnuts...Berliners that they just do on the weekend....changed my life. Saturday can't come soon enough.

    (5)

  • Adriana K.

    A friend once overheard a German exclaim (in an appropriately thick accent) "Guglhupf is not REAL German!" In disgust (better with the accent). Which really, its not. There are a few nods to the Deutschland mother land, but when you have French and Mediterranean and everything in between, well, what can you expect? I went here on an extremely busy afternoon for lunch and was lucky enough to have a table outside in the sun after a long, long wait. Fruit tart, wine, salad, panini...one of the best lunches I have had in a long time. The inside decor was great as well- the weather was just too nice to stay inside. The panini (turkey cranberry brie, I believe) had a little too much turkey and a little too little cranberries, but I am a sweets gal. The recommended wine was fruity and refreshing, and the tart was delicious, but I could tell it had been in the case for a few days (what can you do...). Really a great experience - and the staff was super friendly; always a plus when overrun with cranky hungry people.

    (4)

  • Rodney C.

    Come here regularly and food is unique and generally great but.... Service at check in line consistently difficult, unhelpful and painful. Unwilling to answer questions and holier than now attitude detracts from experience and makes me feel as if I am in the Seinfield soup nazi episode. Doesn't seem to be just one person, be a general culture. Yes I know we are all cool, but give it a rest. But... Food is good.

    (3)

  • Emma S.

    Great food, and I love lounging outside. I would easily give them five stars if not for the staff, they either tend to be mindless or snotty every tme. If I am going to spend money at your establishment, don't be condescending, it's just a good business idea.

    (2)

  • stacy W.

    Yum. Coffee is absolutely delish. The whole place reminds me of a Portland coffee house and it's quite charming. Great for breakfast and a good cup of coffee. I would highly recommend this place for your sunday or saturday brunch. I can't wait to try the lunch!

    (4)

  • Sarah S.

    went here with my boyfriend before flying out of raleigh-durham. amazing brunch (and I am extremely picky about eggs and omelettes). very sizable cup of tea, which is unusual for places like this, and very well-made pastries. couldn't stop running up to the counter for more food before heading to the airport... wish I lived in the area, because I'd read and dine there frequently. wonderful atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    i LOVE Guglhupf. It's one my go-tos for coffee, brunch, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dinner is reasonably priced and delicious. The desserts are out of this world and the outdoor seating is very peaceful. My favorite part is that they give you a little cookie with your coffee or tea. They are closed Monday which is usually when I crave it the most.

    (5)

  • Etznab J.

    I enjoyed the look and ambiance of the outdoor patio, but the metal chairs were a bit uncomfortable. I had a potato and leek frittata for breakfast and it was awesome! I will definitely go back to try their other frittatas. However, I can't believe what high ratings this place has for pastries because they were AWFUL. I had an apple strudel that was so devoid of an any apple flavor that I actually decided to go shopping afterwards for ingredients to bake an apple pie at home. My spouse had an equally tasteless cherry Danish. We also split a chocolate croissant that was tolerable, but certainly not great.

    (2)

  • Karsten H.

    I have eaten at the Cafe only once, and it was so long ago that I do not really remember it. However, I have been getting baked goods at Guglhupf since LONG before they built the cafe addition, back when it was just the little hole in the wall basement bakery. Every little treat (with one exception: the lemon bar; not lemony enough) has been fantastic. Vollkorn (my standing Friday morning order for over a year), white bread, traditional rye bread, Müsli bread, brezel, croissants, choco-croissant, almond croissant, danish, little pecan torts, the AMAZING linzer tort cookies, Mandelhörnchen, it's all wonderful. So, I have no idea about the cafe, but go get some lovely pastry and bread.

    (5)

  • E M.

    Very nice ambiance, excellent menu and service, nice outdoor sitting, Wifi is a plus

    (5)

  • Tom P.

    There are already a ton of reviews for Guglhupf, so I'll keep it short -- this place is so good, it literally factored into my decision to move back to NC from the north. Reuben is awesome. Potato salad is the best I've ever had (if you like the vinegary German style). Every single baked good I've tasted is ridiculous, especially the cream puff. I dream about the cream puff. I want to make a pillow out of cream puffs and sleep-eat (somnambuleat?) through it. I went the other day, and they were out of my beloved almond brezels, so I got an oatmeal raisin cookie instead, figuring it would probably be good but nothing mind-blowing. Wrong! Even that was insane. Yes, parking sucks (especially weekdays around noon). But not enough for me to even contemplate deducting any stars from what is otherwise absolute perfection.

    (5)

  • Ben M.

    Guglhupf doesn't look like much from the road. Once you come in, though, it's an adorable cafe with more seating than should fit in what you see from across the street. It's full of quirky little decorations, and even has a large patio with my personal favorite piece of restaurant decoration: a large metal chicken. The main attraction here is the bretzel roll, but you'll have to wake up painfully early to make sure you get one as they go quicker than quick. However, there are still plenty of outstanding pastries available (cherry-cheese danishes that blew me out of the water) or raspberry-filled, cinnamon-coated delights whose name escapes me (but they are helpfully labeled parenthetically as German doughnuts). They also do a nice coffee, so taking your pastry and enjoying yourself for a bit is more than encouraged.

    (5)

  • Beth H.

    Who doesn't love the Gugs? Probably the thing I miss most about Durham - amazing giant Tiger Chai lattes, the best grilled cheese ever, and delicious chocolate croissants. Also the cutest restaurant ever, and it has outdoor seating. What more could you want?

    (5)

  • David A.

    Some of the worst service I've ever experienced, not once, but twice. Need I say more?

    (1)

  • Emilia C.

    Yumm! I love this place. Delicious cookies, croissants, bread, sandwiches. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Brian O.

    I had a nice lunch here a few weeks ago, roasted veg sandwich with a strange but tasty cucumber salad. I remember the salad better than the sandwich since I still can't figure out if I would order it again. It had a creamy, yogurt-like sauce (yum) but wilted cucumbers and it was a bit salty. Anyway, the patio was great and the pastry shop next to the cafe had the best bread I've had since moving to Carrboro (granted that was less than a month ago so I haven't tried that many bakeries yet). The shop also carried a limited but nice selection of gourmet items such as local honey and olive oil. I also tried the fudge cookies which were excellent. I will definitely try this place again. This place is closed on Mondays, I found out the hard way.

    (4)

  • Vera B.

    The Salad Nicoise is incredible!! Incredible!!! Tacky decor, but cozy - endearing really. I love this place. . . wish they had longer hours.

    (4)

  • R F.

    Guglhupf is wonderful.I think it started out as a pastry bakery and has (deservingly) expanded to a full service restaurant. It's known for weekend brunch, which is delicious, crowded, and amazingly well-managed, but their more recent dinner menu is truly awesome. German-inspired dishes (but not necessarily all old-world) at appetizer, small and large size plates are very reasonably priced and frequently use local ingredients. Great cocktail menu, too. Sleek, warm, modern ambiance and great outdoor seating in warmer months. 5 stars for Guglhupf!

    (5)

  • Nancy H.

    3.5 stars I have mixed feelings about Guglhupf. They've definitely got things going for them like the amazing fruit tart and the pretty lanterns and funky chandeliers, but then other things tend to keep me away like the lack of parking on weekends and a bad food poisoning experience with their nicoise salad, I blame the seared tuna. So despite that one bad first experience, I did go back a second time and made sure to order well-done food. I went with the pancakes, always a safe bet, and they were definitely satisfying with a good amount of fluffiness. My friend and I shared the pancakes and the eggs florentine, gotta have the savory and sweet for brunch! The eggs florentine were oddly a little tangy, I think it was the marinated artichokes, and the hollaindaise sauce left the toast soggy, not my favorite. This seems like a good place to study during the week when it's less crowded with the free wifi, although fyi it's closed on Mondays. I still prefer Watt's or Rue Cler for their brunch where you don't have to circle for parking and wait in a massive line for food. Note: The little bakery next door to the cafe has this amazing Muesli bread!

    (4)

  • Farnoosh B.

    The ideal place to eat a leisurely meal and spend time with friends and run into other friends! We love the food and the variety on the menu bur most of all, the sinfully great desserts!! The vibe and ambiance in Guglhupf is unmatched!!!

    (5)

  • janet t.

    Consistently good with fair prices! The desserts are fantastic and varies a little with the season. The bakery makes fantastic bretzel--crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Nice when toasted. They have started serving dinner as well recently, and my experience for dinner was also excellent! A must try!

    (5)

  • Amanda H.

    The best desserts in the Triangle! Good service! Great Atmosphere! When it comes to ordering dinner, stick to what they do best: Sausage plates, German food, etc. I had the fish special, and it was good, but not outstanding. Definitely worth a visit!

    (4)

  • Shannon D.

    The food and pastries are awesome! I wish there was a European bakery in Raleigh. Yummy!

    (5)

  • Adam F.

    Everything I've had from the cafe and bakery has been amazing. A little pricy but you're getting very fresh baked goods. You may want to go early to find a parking spot and you may want to avoid this place if you don't like being surrounded by hippies/yuppies or pretentious college types (professors and trust fund kids). Their cheese danish is the best I've ever had!

    (5)

  • Jonathan S.

    These guys do a fabulous job. Their baked goods & pastries are wonderful. Just be careful to check in before you leave to go, they can be late opening and become packed quickly. The staff are very friendly and anxious to help and their food is well worth the patronage.

    (4)

  • Meg T.

    Guglhupf now serves dinner, and we went last night. It's way different at dinner than at breakfast, brunch, and lunch! It's sit-down style, full service. The food was good, and the service was excellent, but I still think they do their soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastries best. I'll stick with those. So, I give 5 stars for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, and 4 stars for dinner. I wish I could give 4.5 stars!

    (4)

  • Steve B.

    Have been here for brunch/lunch several times with my wife and we both have really enjoyed it. There's a fun atmosphere - very distinct decor that you don't see often in Durham. The nicoise salad and the grilled chicken club are both great.

    (4)

  • Melissa P.

    great ambiance. delicious pastries. good study spot. can get busy on the weekends.

    (5)

  • Benjamin B.

    Guglhupf came highly rated from friends, and I think it does very well on certain aspects. - Ambiance: The building is excellent and the seating comfortable. I would suggest being upstairs as there is a lot of light and it feels more airy. Downstairs is still good, however. - Coffee: my latte was tasty and had a decorative foam design. - Pastry: I had an excellent chocolate croissant that I highly recommend. - Breakfast: this is where Guglhupf (so hard not to write the 'e') lost that elusive final star. The omelette was decent but not special. In particular, the bacon had a very odd aftertaste and was thin and crunchy. I was very disappointed by that. All in all, an excellent place to hang and get some work done, but don't come for breakfast. I've heard others say that lunch is much improved, but I can't speak to that at the moment.

    (4)

  • Ka P.

    I like the famous Guglhupf croissants. The almond, the chocolate and the original (plain). But my true love remains to be the heavenly cream puff! The cream is fresh, fluffy, light, and it goes so well with the perfectly baked pastry. Nothing beats washing it down with a good cup of coffee. I would love to be back.

    (5)

  • s v.

    very adorable. we split an eggplant panini & a fruit tart. next time i visit i'll try something else - it all looked so good!!

    (4)

  • sandy c.

    The only thing that is good here is the french toast. Their coffee and cappichino are ok too. The croissants (filled and unfilled) are too buttery. You may think that this is not possible but they have put so much butter it doesn't really have much texture and is to mushy. The apple tart is blah. Not to much flavor. I got their multigrain bread and they sliced it and it must have been warm or poorly constructed but when I went to make sandwiches, I found a crumbly mess and the pieces fell apart. Their beef and blue sandwhich is just ok. Not great, not bad. Same with the turkey. Overall, very dissappointed considering how people rave about this place. It does have a nice outsideindoor and outdoor area w/ wi fi

    (2)

  • Mike B.

    The mussels were one of the best things that I've ever had the pleasure of eating. They could have cost $50 and it would've been worth it. Great patio seating. When I went, there as live music. Just a solid experience.

    (5)

  • Smanda P.

    It's Sunday morning. Don't you want a tasty raspberry danish? But wait, where the heck can you even go to get one? Harris Teeter? Good news! You don't have to resign yourself to a life of lame store bought boxed danishes. Guglhupf to the rescue! All the trendy hipsters and European transplants have already discovered Guglhupf. If it wasn't for it's out-of the way hard-to-find location, there'd be hour long waits. Luckily, you can just go in, order, find a seat and wait for tasty pastries, eggs and coffee to come to you (this is the order: the Germans get angry if you don't follow the protocol). I've had eggs and the Nutella breakfast items here. Both excellent. Their pastries in the nextdoor pastry shop are all really awesome. You can't go wrong here. The ambiance is Ikeatastic. You half expect techno to be playing.

    (5)

  • Jon B.

    We visit on Weekends when the weather is nice. It has great outdoor dining and very good food. Sunday Brunch is nice! Just updated their wine list.

    (4)

  • Brian H.

    I've been to Guglhupf a number of times, and it is always fantastic. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all great. Among many meals, the sirloin and the salmon dinners really stand out for me. Both were prepared perfectly, very flavorful, and were simply delicious. The service is also great and I've always found the staff to be extremely friendly and helpful. I definitely recommend Guglhupf.

    (5)

  • Brian L.

    What's so great about this place? It's got a nice style to the decoration like a neighborhood yuppie hangout but the food is average at best. It's a place that'll get you some cool points for being there. All hype.

    (3)

  • Scott R.

    I love bread. Bread is good. They have the goodest bread I love. Maaaaaaaaaan is it good.

    (5)

  • Sarah A.

    The best (and one of the only places) for authentic German bakery items. Uniquely designed contemporary cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Not a bad item on the menu. Breads, cakes, sandwiches, cookies and pastries are all wonderful.

    (5)

  • Valentina D.

    Perhaps if Guglhupf were a bit easier to spell, there'd be even more positive reviews... I was pleased to find that Gugl-whatsis was still going strong after my prodigal and all-too-brief return to "the Triangle" after an absence of seven years. I remember that back when I lived in Durham I'd welcomed the arrival of this fine breadmaking establishment, which proved the be the vanguard of a barrage of excellent restaurants and cafes in this burgeoning area. I was, at the time, also disappointed at the excessive attention lavished upon my least favorite type of bread: sourdough. I know, I know, but I'm Italian, and we just don't get sour bread. OK, I won't speak for my entire country...*I* don't get sour bread. Sour's great for pickles, and for hot soup, and for my mood when surrounded by too many zombie mommies (they took a star away from this bakery). But bread shoud be crusty, chewy, fresh, airy, and...not sour. However, I just love Guglsncikerl's fantastic pastries (buttery, fragrant, fresh), their excellent coffee, and their sylvan location. When friend R brought me there I noted the addition of a beautiful cafe`, where we could dine surrounded by Durham's trademark greenery. I was a bit less pleased to hear the cacophony of over-sugared minus-3s and their clueless moms. And what's with seating your toddler's possibly poopied little tush on the counter while you're ordering? I know you're enamored of every inch of your lil' spawny, but honey, that must be some sort of health code violation. If I were to hop up and take a seat on the food counter you might find it objectionable, no? Just 'cause your kiddies' is smaller doesn't make it okay. And while you're at it, please don't let them scream for two hours and ruin the experience for everyone else in the place? But the rest of the clientle was a nice mix of friendly locals, professorial types from Duke, UNC and NC Central, and retirees discussing local politics and the upcoming election. That said, we enjoyed our delicious breakfasts of French Toast, fresh fruits with house-made granola, and a vat of freshly ground coffee in the spacious and airy loft of the cafe`. Afterwards, my buddy bought me some pastries and bread for the road, which I'm still enjoying far away in Guglpootertoot-less Miami. Can't wait to go back so I can try the lunches and have more of their fantastic creampuffs!

    (4)

  • Sarah D.

    Great for breakfast, brunch, lunch, snacks, dessert, and probably dinner. Huge foamy cups of chai, specials every day, a lovely outdoor seating area near the bead store. Parking is almost impossible at the actual parking lot because Guglhupf is too popular, but there is always enough seating somehow.

    (5)

  • Jia Z.

    Guglhupf is one of my two favorite breakfast places around Duke, the other one being Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant, which serves great dim sum. As a duke student, I eat most of my breakfasts on campus but once in a while I will give myself a treat by dining out. I used to go to Mad Hatters a lot since it is the closest cafe to duke. While the food at Mad Hatters is good, it is never fantastic. I was totally amazed and satisfied by the great taste and quality of food at Guglhupf. They have super tasty sandwiches and soups, as well as parfaits. There's a bakery beside the cafe which is perhaps the best in Durham( way better than the crap at duke). I have only been to Guglhupf 4 times and I hope I can go there more often.

    (5)

  • Brian W.

    I feel like I'm walking into a hurricane everytime I go to Guglhupf. It could be that I always go during peak breakfast/brunch hours, but it's mostly the way the place is laid out. There isn't really anywhere for all the people standing in line to stand in line, so they just mill around inside the door. The ordering system - yelling stuff across a crowd of yuppies to a cashier who doesn't seem to quite understand what you're saying - is a little chaotic for brunchtime, but they've never messed up my order once. Aside from the logistics issues, Guglhupf exceeds all expectations - except coffee, which isn't so great. The sandwiches are mostly really simple (caprese, lamb shank on a baguette, etc) but they're well put-together, and everything is fresh fresh fresh. If you go for a meal, don't forget to check out the bakery afterward. You have to leave the restaurant area and enter the bakery through a separate door. Keep in mind, though, that the different sections and offerings - cafe, bruncheteria, and bakery - all have different hours that don't quite make sense, so check the website to see what's open when.

    (4)

  • Charles D.

    Delicious. Great place for brunch (make sure to take home a loaf of bread as well.)

    (4)

  • Paige T.

    This place is spoken so highly of by most everyone, so I was happy to finally have an opportunity to venture there. I was impressed with the hip interior, with all the lantern and dangly snow-like light fixtures (I'm a sucker for cool lighting). It all seemed sleek and mod, yet warm and inviting. We fell into line and decided our orders. I decided on the Frittata special with tomato, feta and carmelized onions and an orange juice, nothing outrageous. We found a nice corner window table upstairs and our food was brought to us pretty promptly by some friendly runners. My frittata was good, but not amazing. I polished it all off, though, as well as the fruit bowl that accompanied it. For all the hype of this place, I felt a little let down, but we also did not partake in a pastry or the bread, so we really ought to go back to have a more complete experience. Overall, I enjoyed my outing there, as we were in good company and our appetites were plenty sated.

    (4)

  • Thor T.

    Every town should have a bakery and café like Guglhopf (that is my American Dream). The bakery turns out wonderful German and French style breads, sophisticated pastries, and the short breakfast menu includes items like light buttermilk pancakes and seasonal omelets plus other dishes including a Swiss style Muesli that is simply perfect. The coffee is excellent, there is a well-chosen beer list, and if you like some champagne for breakfast, you can order a small bottle of Chandon. The Vollkornbrot, a dense German rye bread, is superb, as are the French country bread and baguettes. After placing the order, trays are speedily delivered to your table (my one gripe is that the person at the cash register should not also have to make all the cappuccini and espressi while taking food orders). If you are in the "Research Triangle" area, go to Guglhupf.

    (5)

  • Rachel K.

    WOW! A "real" Reuben sandwich Who knew I could find one outside of NJ that is that good? I also got a ciabiatta loaf to go for bruschetta. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Kiddo L.

    I love this place for breakfast. I have to admit, I am not even tempted to try them at any other time during the day because their early morning fare makes getting out of bed half as bad. I think their breadbasket is outstanding - who would have thought that something as mundane as bread and butter can be pleasing to the palate, but after trying artisan breads throughout the Triangle, the selection at Guglhupf is still the best. If you stop by there early in the morning, do not forgot to visit the store. They usually have a good selection of day old bread and pastries available and because all the baked goods are really good quality, even the day old stuff (at 40% off) is still better than any artisan stuff at other stores. My personal favorites besides the breadbasket is the almond and chocolate croissant as well as their pretzels. But to be honest, I have never had anything at Guglhupf that I regretted ordering at the cafe or buying at the store.

    (5)

  • Matt R.

    We went for the wonderful baked goods, but stayed for the eggs Benedict and the coffee. Blueberry muffin: excellent, and almost healthy thanks to rich whole-wheat flour. Danishes: perfect, flaky, and covered in real fruit. Fruit plate: fresh and generous. Eggs: rich, gooey, not too heavy on the hollandaise (probably a good thing), with a nice mix of flavors with spinach and tomatos. Attractive, warm space with nicely spaced tables and lots of natural light--perfect on a grey Sunday morning.

    (4)

  • April D.

    Went here on a Sunday in May with 3 of my friends, we arrived around 11 am. Parking was a nightmare so we opted to park across the street and cross the 4-lane road. Not ideal, but clearly it worked out fine. The restaurant was crowded which definitely seemed to imply all of the hassle was worth it. When you walk in you order at a counter and receive a number to place on your table for the waiters to later deliver your food. We were told in advance that after ordering our food it would take about 30 minutes for our food to come out since they were so busy. With that information we all ordered a small pastry to enjoy while waiting. I had the apricot and cranberry scone, friends had a cream puff and a petit four. All were delicious. Coffee ran out but was promptly refilled sparing a major tragedy. For my meal I had the kasseplate-cheese assortment. Admittedly, if a restaurant offers a cheese plate I am going to order it. And this one was great! 4 generous helpings of cheese, dried figs, macadamia nuts, apricot compote, assortment of breads, and all the cheeses were drizzled with local honey. I couldn't have been happier! And all of my friends really enjoyed their food as well. However, I could not give a 5-star rating because of the parking chaos, unruly line to order and 2 of us received our food 10-15 minutes before the others. I have heard rumor that in the evening hours there are waiters. But, I will definitely return for the delicious pastries and cheese!

    (4)

  • Angie H.

    food: Giant lattes, great croissants,scones are excellent, eggs are ok atmosphere: beautiful, but extremely crowded on Sundays

    (5)

  • Tom B.

    Really enjoyed our night here tonight. First time here - funky two story restaurant with outdoor seating (closed 2night due to heavy rains/hail!). Restaurant was full and abuzz with activity (had to lean in to hear the waiter tell us about the specials). I picked two of the specials off menu as did two of the others at the table. Ordered asparagus with poached egg and hollandaise sauce with lardons - fantastic! Entree was fresh trout (deboned and reassembled with skin - made it nice and easy to eat - never found any bones). It was topped with bacon jam! and served across sour cream chive potatoes and bok choy. Everything was well prepared, well presented. Everyone at the table enjoyed their apps/entrees as well. Wine list was a little light on choice but we had a decent red Austria blend to accompany the meal. Desserts - great chocolate tarte ordered by two at our table. I ordered the sorbet/meringue fruit dish (name escapes me for the moment). A little too strong on the citrus but still enjoyed it. All in all, another great dining experience in Durham.

    (4)

  • Mimi T.

    I have come to Guglhupf many times for brunch on the weekends and it is great! Love the outdoor seating on the patio when the weather is nice and the upstairs area is very cute! The food is very tasty and fresh. The coffee is delicious. The pastries are amazing! Sometimes it can be a little chaotic with the ordering and sitting down - it is very crowded. I wish they had table service instead. For dinner I was actually pretty impressed. Came one time with my husband. They serve you and it is sit down full service. The restaurant seems oversized for dinnertime and half empty. I think the food is good. Get the short ribs! Very tender and flavorfull. It came with this fried doughey potato gnocci like side dish which was really yummy. Of course, no surprise, the dessert selection is excellent and we had some kind of apple tart which i enjoyed! The service was also good. I will be back for dinner again.

    (4)

  • Mat F.

    Although highly recommended by others, I think it is just ok. I've never had the pastries, so maybe I'm missing the best part

    (3)

  • Lina B.

    This is a beautiful space. I agree that it doesn't look spectacular from the road, but they have a lovely airy/modern look inside with two levels and very French/European tables. It does get very loud when busy. The patio is lovely. Food is top notch. You order at the counter, and they will bring it out to you. Delicious salads and beet sandwich (sounds wierd, but great). Baked goods are spectacular. One of the best things in this area which I will miss when I leave.

    (5)

  • john m.

    If you are new to Durham from anywhere remotely metro, you will find a small nugget of comfort in this rare treat of sophistication. Inexpensive breakfast and lunches ordered up front when you walk in are delivered to your table. Coffee drinks are well done, food is surprisingly eclectic and an overall great value. But these are bonuses, because this bastion of civility has wonderful ambiance in its two floor dining room. The interweb is free, the staff is courteous, and you will undoubtedly find this an excellent place to meet, eat, or just relax.

    (5)

  • Sam T.

    Guglhupf might get more traffic if a) the building looked remotely like a restaurant from the street and b) if their name was a little easier to spell. Fortunately for them, they don't really need more traffic, it was packed when I went. After waiting maybe 15 minutes to order, we snagged a table on the outdoor patio and got our food pretty quickly. The portions were a little small but the food was delicious! I checked out the adjoining bakery next door which looked awesome, but the prices were kind of high. Guglhupf is a unique and fun place to eat.

    (4)

  • ben y.

    Stellar baked goods for the area and now they have a Cafe. I suggest the French Toast and Hot Chocolate. One is made on house-made bread. The other is made with real quality chocolate (not syrup) and steamed milk. They'll know which goes in which.

    (5)

  • Emily M.

    Great quality baked goods and a fab semi-industrial interior. Great place for breakfast. Somewhat surly counter-staff, but you'll forget about that once you sit down with your danish.

    (4)

  • Lisa C.

    YUM! This dinner was delicious. They were relaxed on delicious bread servings, offering a variety with an authentic German option - huge plus for this carb fiend. Great beer and wine selection. The chicken was the most moist and juicy I've had in a long time, red cabbage and Vienerschnitzel was DELICIOUS. Great outdoor seating and delightful staff. Feeling nostalgic about my time living in Munich! Love!!!

    (5)

  • A A.

    Bakery: gRRReat! their rustic house is one of the best in town. Dining: well, some should never leave their comfort zone. I got the hanger steak. the dude knows how to cook his (her?) steak, a bit more salt may be. The side for the steak was a watermelon+watercress salad. I would not rave about it but it's a pretty interesting salad on its own, repeat, on its own. with the hanger steak, it is a terrible match. Dude, just put some spaetzle, will ya? Who can go wrong with spaetzle, really? It is something that is destined to be pretty damn good, the dude's spaetzle was OK, though. Service: not the best, I would say. next time in a far future, don't dump the dessert menu on the table before I finish my main, just add some dessert to the bill and bring the check, OK? and please offer some water from time to time.

    (3)

  • Emily M.

    Gosh, I really really like this place. Perfect breakfast, brunch, lunch. I love their portion sizes--just the right amount of food. I recently had the eggs benedict which I was nervous about ordering as I had seen a photo of poorly poached eggs on their Yelp page. However, they were perfect! The fruit is fresh, the coffee selection is great, I truly have no complaints. Don't forget to visit the bakery for fresh croissants, savory breads, tarts, etc.

    (5)

  • John S.

    My partner and I came here for dinner one evening and had a really great experience. The atmosphere at this place is so cool and trendy, without being too hipster-y . The food was all really good, but the main standout was dessert. We had a fresh made banana ice cream that knocked our socks off! I love all things banana, but hate the flavor of banana extract added to a lot of desserts. This ice cream had none of that. They somehow managed to impart a deep, fruity banana flavor that still tasted fresh and natural. The texture was smooth and perfectly creamy. I can safely say this was the best ice cream I've ever tasted!

    (4)

  • Jeff B.

    The first thing you will notice about Guglhupf is that the restaurant is a uniquely designed restaurant. The mostly-concrete structure has two-stories and a parking lot that seems inadequate for the number of patrons capable of eating at one time. Guglhupf has what I call a "modified cafeteria-style" method of service. Patrons enter the restaurant of the first floor and immediately find themselves in the queue. On the day we visited, the queue was already quite long and rapidly getting longer. The paper menus are easy to find, and specials are noted on a dry-erase board in the middle of the queue. Unfortunately, the specials are only visible once you are at the cashier placing your order. After placing your order, you are given a number. The next challenge is finding a seat. A funny quirk is that you must tell the cashier where you plan on sitting when you place your order. The tables are all metallic with lightweight metallic chairs - the kind you may find on a patio or deck. All of the tables are square-shaped, which made it a challenge to seat our party of five. We ordered the apple-braised pulled-pork sandwich with cucumber salad, the pork schnitzel with German potato salad, the children's ham and brie sandwich. The drinks are self-service and they are served in actual glasses, which is unique; the kids got plastic cups. The service was average. There are no waiters or waitresses. The servers simply serve. There was one mistake: We ordered the potato salad instead of the green salad and yet the green salad was what we got. Our server did not bring our potato salad until we reminded her. The pulled-pork was served on a freshly baked roll and was topped with a kind of carrot and cabbage slaw. The meat was subtly flavored. We suppose that the slaw was supposed to serve as a condiment, but we thought the sandwich could have been improved with a kind of sauce. The pork schnitzel was popular with our kids. It is a very typical German dish so we are not surprised that they did it well. The cucumber salad was bland and it looked like it was flavored with dried chives. The potato salad was tasty, but we prefer it warm, the way we make it at home. The children-sized ham and cheese was split three ways between the kids and it was gobbled up. I would like to try Guglhupf for breakfast. However, I think that the next time we go it will be with friends and without kids. Overall, the inadequate parking lot and the awkward, cramped feel of the interior gave us an overall negative impression. Also, we would prefer a real wait staff. To be fair, I won't have a solid impression of Guglhupf until I visit again - hopefully, soon.

    (2)

  • Arika S.

    Really enjoyed this place. I got the BLT which was just a little better than okay, but the atmosphere was very nice for a Sunday brunch. The coffees are good, but the line to order was a tad disorganized. Overall, the experience was pleasant, and I'll be going back.

    (4)

  • Andy G.

    This place has one of the coolest patios for brunch on a warm fall day, and the food is excellent. The coffee is fine, but nothing special. Overall, the place has five-star potential, but the parking is awful, and when there's a crowd, there's no place to stand in line to order food without feeling like your in somebody's way. This is no place for a claustrophobic. As some other reviewers have covered, you just have to learn the rush hours and get here for an off-peak meal.

    (4)

  • Lily P.

    woah beautiful decorations and thought out well! We went when it was 100F today for brunch and though the parking lot was crowded there was room and not too long of a wait inside. The ordering process went by fast and we waited around upstairs with our coffees for the food. We got omlettes, egg benedict, and a cold cut platter. Not as good as cafe zola back in ann arbor, but the decorations, mood, and cuteness of it all was good. There was a bread basket with the cold cut sharing platter and also the other plates had fruit. Id def go back to this place with a laptop and just hang out..or even again to try difference lunch foods. I wanted to go to the bakery but by the time we finished, i was full.

    (4)

  • Jim N.

    Went for brunch with a friend from Boston and, although the food was good and the service was good, the tables were horribly dirty...not just ours; but all of them. Waiter said "oh, we were really busy last night and must have forgot"....then proceeded to wipe them all with the same damp cloth...not very appetizing. Wife says "we'll stick to the bakery from now on". Somebody needs to pay attention to the running of the place, as this was really good up until this visit.

    (3)

  • Dilbert D.

    Best pastries in town. Great coffee. Beautiful building and lots of outdoor seating

    (5)

  • Amy C.

    OMG I heart Guglhupf. Once you can get through the herd of people, order, and find your seat, you can relax and eat like it's your last meal. I love breakfast food, so my go to is their Eggs Benedict (hold the ham, replace with turkey) or the Eggs Arnold. Calories be damned - their poached eggs and hollandaise sauce sauce go together like me and a deep-tissue massage. Most dishes come with fresh fruit, which is a nice touch of happiness and healthiness. I enjoy sitting outside; there are umbrellas by most of the tables allowing for shade. The service is friendly and fast. And then the bakery. Well, let's just say you shouldn't care about fitting into your skinny jeans afterward.

    (5)

  • Jayme W.

    I had heard such great things about the place and was excited to try it. I went with a friend and we shared the kaseplatte and the wurstplatte, a cheese plate and a meat plate. It was delicious and with the bread I was comfortably full. The atmosphere of this place is so nice, and lucky for me the weather was nice so sitting outside was so pleasant. I would definitely go back, and having had bread from the bakery from many sources I would like to make it there more often then I do. The only complaint I have about my experience was that the waiter was not very attentive, as in my drink nor my friend's was ever refilled. It put a small blemish on an otherwise perfect meal, but I am not upset enough not to go back.

    (4)

  • Cindy B.

    Food quality is excellent! But, I'm not sure about the value - a small plate, beer and dessert ended up around $30. The service was excellent, but we had warned them of our theater plans. We'll try them again!

    (4)

  • Emily V.

    I ordered the Chocolate ganache torte for my birthday and was very excited about it based on the photos on the site and the raves I've heard about their baked goods. The cake was very pretty, and although some of the decorations had not survived the short walk from the bakery and the drive back to my apartment, it still looked nice. The real issue I had with the cake was the taste. The layers of sponge cake were very very dry and had zero flavor. The hazelnut butter cream had an okay flavor, but nothing especially impressive. For some reason, despite there being no mention at all of any sort of berry filling, there are dots of red, cherry-ish tasting goo throughout the cake. While the ganache is tasty, it is not enough to make it worth eating another slice. I would not order a cake from here again. I will say that the chocolate covered/dipped elephant ear I had in the cafe was very good.

    (2)

  • Lauren B.

    I would come here all the time with friends for brunch on the weekends. You've got to get here around 10 or 11 or seating becomes really difficult (parking too can be pretty dicey, we usually just parked over by Foster's since they had the bigger lot). This place is definitely one of the most architecturally interesting brunch locations and makes for a great atmosphere, whether inside (downstairs! upstairs!) or outside. The lattes are always excellent and I usually enjoyed the food (omelettes, sandwiches, muesli), but mostly I came here for the ambience and the company.

    (4)

  • Kat M.

    I think this may be my favorite place in Durham. Why? Let me list the ways: 1. Saturday berliners with that amazing strained raspberry jam filling. divine. 2. Each coffee cup comes w a (secret!) tiny shortbread cookie. 3. The standard omelets, fresh salads, granola with yogurt, fruit cup, bread basket are available and always delicious so all parties are pleased. 4. I love salad nicoise in the morning. The end. They win! (and so does my stomach)

    (5)

  • Lenka B.

    Mmmmmmm...brrrreeeaaaadddd........ yes, I love bread. I especially love fresh bread from Guglhupf. It is both my preferred toast bread and sandwich bread of choice. The Jewish Rye is particularly good. I also like the Challah, but I wish the loaf was a little bigger than it is. The address for the bakery should be changed to Heaven, Durham, North Carolina. After a tough day at work, eating a pastry from Guglhupf feels like redemption. What I am trying to say is, the things they make at Guglhupf bakery are yummy. The cafe however, could use a little repenting. Mostly for the ham & cheese sandwich they made for me the other day that had almost no cheese on it at all. The staff are as sweet as the Guglhupf cream puffs though, so I suppose I can forgive them. Overall, my experiences at this place are pleasant, even when they do not come with enough cheese.

    (4)

  • Katie H.

    I went here for brunch last weekend and couldn't have been happier! Good food, totally reasonable prices, beautiful and enjoyable outdoor seating. I was initially confused by the fact that I had to go find my own silverware, but it otherwise wasn't problematic for me that there was no table service. I'm not in Durham all that often, but I'd definitely come back if I happened to be in the area again.

    (5)

  • Catherine S.

    The farmer's omelet is amazing! It is so good that it's the only thing I ever order! Their cappachino's and the baked goods are also worth a try!

    (4)

  • Trinh T.

    Guglhupf Bakery & Patisserie is a restaurant & bakery in Durham where you can purchase fresh baked goods or enjoy a meal. The restaurant & bakery are two separate shops. This review will focus on the bakery side only. My Overall Rating - 4 Stars (Atmosphere, Service, Food, Return) Atmosphere - There's a beautiful outdoor garden with some man made water features that will catch your attention. There's also plenty of outdoor seating - but this is for the café, which opens at 8 AM. For our visit, we came at 7:30 and entered the bakery. Here you'll find tons of artisan breads stacked on shelves in the back, then sweet pastries and amazing baked goods behind the counter begging you to buy them to eat. The bakery side is small though, so 4 or more customers would make it a bit crowded. 1/2 Star. Service - There is a staff member/baker behind the counter that will put together your order. Luckily for us we were the only ones in line, so we were able to browse & go slow. But I think if it ever gets crowded, you better know what you want so you don't hold up the line. The good news is that they have a web site where you can browse and order online. 1 Star. Food - I will admit that I love bakeries. I just love how a few simple ingredients (flour, water, egg, etc.) in the hands of a master baker can result in some outstanding baked items. We were not disappointed. I went with a nice cheese Danish, which was creamy & sweet on the inside and flaky on the outside. We also picked up some nice almond & chocolate croissants for the road. Everything (but the just ok coffee) was fantastic, and I have no doubt the rest of their baked items are just as good. 1 1/2 Stars. Will I Return? - Absolutely. There are too many reasons to come back. There are breads, cookies, and cakes that need to be tasted. And that's only the bakery! I'm sure the café is also a great, unique experience as well. 1 Star. My Yelp Rating Scale (Sum of all parts): 1 Star - Atmosphere - Is it a cool dive? Perhaps an upscale place? No matter the type, atmosphere plays a big part and I'll give a star if I like it or thinks it has great charm. 1 Star - Service - You can have a great meal with bad service. But that's also what can make a five star joint drop to four. It's important to the dining experience that service is great and on point. 2 Stars - Food - I'll award up to two stars for the food, since this is the main reason we dine out. Sometimes the extra star is given for value, but it's really all about the food. 1 Star - Will I come back? - If I know for a fact I'll return, I'll give this a star. A place has to make an impression for me to return. Each Category can be given up to 1 star except food (2 stars) because I consider all these categories important to the overall dining experience. I will sum them up to provide my final Yelp score.

    (4)

  • Katharine B.

    There are two sides to Guglhupf- the cute cafe area where you can order brunch, drinks and afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen and then the bakery itself serving up authentic German breads and pretzels. Parking is a little scarce but you overlook that once you make it inside this lovely space. There is an outdoor seating area with running water and metalic artwork and then the inside has lower level and upper level options with an open atrium in the middle providing lots of natural light. As you come into the cafe, you can look on the chalkboard menu or grab a menu at the counter. You play your order at the register and then your drinks and meal get brought out to you and are linked to your corresponding table number. Water and silverware are on a side table an you can see the open kitchen and cooks at work. We came for brunch on a Saturday and had the omelette and eggs benedict. I also ordered a latte and it was a very large cup filled with lots of foaming milk and was really one of the best lattes I have had. We opted to sit inside just because it was so hot yet the outside seating was quite full and saw people with dogs so you can bring Fido here. After our delicious brunch, we stopped into the actual bakery and got a few items to go. I grew up in Germany so it was like going home and I was so excited to see pretzels and other Laugen items. The pretzels are just the way they make them in Swabia and they were perfect. They also had Berliner, all kinds of bread and meats and cheeses in their shop to go along with the bread. I have found my new source for German pretzels and thank you for bringing tastes from my childhood to Durham.

    (5)

  • Yujin C.

    Cute place where you can order food and also stop by their baked good stores and try some classic German baked goods. I have been here multiple times and is probably my go to place when friends are visiting.

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    I love the schnitzel and the desserts here. To top it off get a great tasting mimosa. The only thing I could complain is the prices for the drinks. Refills aren't free not even for the coffee. I do enjoy the food very much, great for family and dogs!

    (4)

  • Gregory T.

    Two weeks ago I ordered some cookies for an event at work. I picked up the cookies at the time specified and I noticed that the person pulled my order from a fridge. I thought this a little odd. No one really liked most of the cookies ordered (3 chocolate chip, 3 oatmeal raisin and 6 macaroons). The chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and macaroons all tasted stale/flat. The 3 linzer cookies that I ordered were good. Not sure if the products quality has gone down or if this experience was a fluke.

    (2)

  • Stephanie D.

    Guglhupf on a spring or fall night under the patio is one of my favorite date nights. Love it! The atmosphere is great and the food is great as well. Also, I love going there and working in the warm sun with a Vietnamese coffee and a beautiful day! So much love for this place. Though parking can kinda sometimes,so just keep that in mind when going during peak hours.

    (4)

  • Michael U.

    Items Selected: Guglhupf Almond Croissant Chocolate Chip Cookie Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Rustic Apple Almond Tart Baguette French Toast with 100% Virginia Maple Syrup and Roasted Apples Continuing onward into Durham the second stop on a long day of eating saw us arrive at the icy driveway of Guglhupf and although the scene outdoors was besmirched in snow the cozy confines of the two-story restaurant and attached bakery couldn't have been more welcoming, the pleasant servers in each nothing but smiles and recommendations that made one want to order almost everything available - a half-dozen items rounding out our selections still proving to be far too much. Rustic in décor and decidedly European in feel it was just after 8:30 that we entered the divine smelling space, and with my mother grabbing a table while I gathered provisions it would not be long before the lone kitchen item arrived, a custard-rich quartet of thick cut baguette slices draped in apple softened in cinnamon and butter with a sidecar of pure maple syrup sweetening the deal for a mere $7, each bite offering a bit of crunch over a milky center at a price that left me frustrated with every restaurant that takes the low road with inferior bread and Aunt Jemima. Largely underwhelmed by an almond croissant that was far too sweet from the use of confectioner's sugar and far too much frangipane it was onward to the rustic apple tart that our tasting progressed and with an all-butter crust at the base of cinnamon apples and almonds each bite was a study in contrasts, the creamy center and crisp crust on one hand with toasty notes and natural fructose on the other. Unfortunately finding a duo of cookies to be a bit too crisp for my own personal tastes, while the sugar to butter ratio trended a touch to sweet for my mother, it was with the restaurant's eponymous item that our breakfast concluded and opting for a 'small' loaf that was first sliced at the table and then picked at throughout the day it should only be said that the sizable Austrian bundt is every bit worthy its 'signature' status, each yeasty bite featuring subtle citrus tones beneath the crunchy caster sugar exterior while raisins, nuts, and other dried fruits punctuated the experience with explosive bits of flavor amidst all the wispy eggs, flour, and butter.

    (3)

  • Jo K.

    I've been to this restaurant 3 times now. It's totally worth the 90 mile drive. I love sitting outside. I always come right at 5:30 when dinner service starts and by the time I leave it's getting very busy. A perfect place to sit outside and enjoy conversations. I've not had one bad meal here. When I get my food...I immediately cut it in half so I have room for dessert....that's an absolute must when eating here. I take my leftovers home.

    (5)

  • Christina L.

    Whenever I visit a new area, I like to check out the local favorites. If you ask around in Durham, it is very likely that Guglhupf will frequently come up as a recommendation. Problem is, unless you speak German, it's tough to spell, and every time you look at the name, it's easy to forget how to pronounce it! This makes it challenging to research. "Dear Google, please show me the menu for Jigglypuff." Oops, I mean, "gargoyleshuff," or "glughoof," or "gudjslkfjaerf." Soon, it becomes frustrating. "What do you mean 'no results??!' I'm looking for that one German restaurant/bakery, whatever it's called. Why can't Yelp just read my mind! ugh!" Eventually, I did manage to figure out the name again. It's located next to Foster's and has its own parking lot, though very limited. I was seated upstairs in a beautifully decorated room with several paper lamps and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. You would think that it'd be blinding with all the lights, but it's actually not! The lights make the place feel elegant, definitely a date night type of atmosphere. Even the waiter couldn't tell me the correct way to pronounce "Guglhupf," nor could he tell me the correct way to pronounce some of the menu items! I had to resort to a lot of pointing on the menu to indicate which items I was interested in. Did not like the hard complimentary sourdough or wheat bread. Started off with Schwäbische Maultaschen - good luck pronouncing this to the waiter! Two sausage and spinach filled maultaschen, served in beef broth with sautéed onions, $12. Essentially, they're ravioli. Loved both the moist skin of the maultaschen, as well as the flavorful broth that they are bathed in. What a tease to serve only 2 pieces! When I first saw Wiener Schnitzel on the menu, I immediately associated it with the fast food place that specializes in hot dogs, Wienerschnitzel. As a result, I assumed it would look like a sausage. However, when it arrived at the table, I was almost certain it was the wrong order because it looks AND tastes like chicken katsu! Nonetheless, just as I enjoy katsu, I enjoyed this popular dish. Guglhupf changes their menu regularly, but this is one of the selected items that remains on the menu. This dish is composed of pork cutlet, new potatoes, seasonal vegetables (cauliflower and collards), spätzle, and lemon, $18. I don't normally eat much pork, but it seems to be a common choice of meat for German dishes. Thus, I decided to order the green button farm roasted pork loin that comes with braised local greens (collards), Gruyère spätzle, and black garlic jus, $24. It's a wonderfully massive, tender chunk of juicy meat (with bones), but I didn't like the sour collards that accompanied it. The mushrooms in the sauce are good. Love the spätzle, which are long, thin, twisty dumplings that resemble gnocchi that has been stretched out. I was confused when I saw Strawberry Fromage Blanc Bavarian on the menu. "Fromage" means "cheese" in French (I learned this from watching the cartoon "Dexter's Laboratory" - clearly cartoons are educational). Combining strawberries with cheese doesn't sound like a very good idea, but the waiter explained the concept to me. It's supposed to be a light version of strawberry cheesecake. I suppose the translation for "cake" was lost in the naming process, and it became "strawberry cheese" instead. Anyway, this is creatively presented with swirls of white balsamic-strawberry reduction, fresh strawberries, and adorable heart meringues (Valentine's Day was the following day), $8. Definitely lighter than the average cheesecake, so I didn't feel as full as I would have after eating a cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory, but it's just as satisfying. Loved it! For all you beer lovers out there, this one's for you! Dark chocolate layer cake, salted caramel, spiced candied peanuts, and a glass of dark beer with ice cream, $8. I'm not much of a fan of this dessert. The cake is tiny. The ice cream with beer is supposed to mirror the idea of a root beer float, but I'm not a fan of dark beers, so this was awful for me, despite the ice cream.

    (4)

  • Jennifer W.

    Cucumber salad. Try it and love it. But everything tastes good here. Great cafe - I always grab a small table upstairs with all the natural sunlight. After you eat, pop in next store for some baked goods to take home: my recommendation is the olive and roasted pepper focaccia.

    (5)

  • Marlon O.

    I love the sleek and modern feel of this place mixed with the Old World baked goods. Consistently on-point. Great for a business lunch or quick bite alone.

    (4)

  • Lauren H.

    Guglhupf is a restaurant where I really love meeting friends for brunch/ lunch. I love how it is decorated and they have a nice patio outside for meals when the weather is nice. They also have upstairs seating which tends to be a quieter area to sit. I have been here a few times for lunch and once for dinner. My preference is lunch, however, dinner was pretty good too. At lunch/ brunch, you order at the counter and they bring your food out to you when it is ready. At dinner they have waiter service. When I came here for dinner with my husband I ordered the pork schnitzel. It was pretty good, if a little dry. For lunch, I have tried a few of their sandwiches, and I love the potato salad that you can get for a side. The sandwich I tried last time had roasted turkey, brie and a cranberry/apple chutney. I enjoyed it, but the best part was definitely the bread. They also have a connecting bakery and who can resist dessert? On my most recent visit here, I stopped in to get dessert to go and ended up with the chocolate tart - so delicious and rich! I somehow managed to eat all of it though! The prices are very reasonable for brunch and lunch, a little more pricey at dinner. The parking lot is small and can get crowded very quickly. Expect to drive around a little on a Saturday to find a parking spot. Overall a nice spot for German-inspired food in Durham!

    (4)

  • Kim W.

    One of my favorite places to go for an outdoor brunch - if only parking was a little easier! Staff is very friendly, have even gotten complimentary desserts when they needed the table we were sitting at for a larger party. The adjoining bakery has beautiful pastries as well! Wish that they would change up the menu from time to time.

    (4)

  • Joseph K.

    I knew I was I the right place when Agua de Beber started playing on the ambient radio right as I was beginning my afternoon cafe squat session. This cafe has a lot of comfortable things about it, besides the parking! Once within this space though, the cafe aura surrounds you comfortably. There is plenty of diversity with seating arrangements, from an interior terrace overlooking the main interior courtyard or an exterior patio with flowing water elements and an atrium above. The interior is so open with light and windows, which were all open during the beautiful Good Friday afternoon of my visit, it felt as if I was sitting outside. Although I only tried a few baked goods (coconut macaroon and almond horseshoe lookin thing with the ends dipped in chocolate), the menu at this cafe looks very delicious and authentic. Prior to my cup of joe and reading session, I carroused the floor and was suprised to see some very savory dishes being served. I'm intrigued and will be back for a heartier stay I. The future for sure!

    (5)

  • Lori E.

    Great food! I only wish they had more seating!!

    (4)

  • Rose L.

    Returned to Guglhupf after a short stint of time (I reclaimed the Duchess title though, so you know I go a lot!) I've got to say, one of the things that I get most disappointed about when I go to a restaurant a lot is when it get worse over time--you're supposed to get better! I must've tried everything on the brunch menu by this time and I keep coming back to the eggs Benedict, nothing else quite measures up in my opinion. Steve A. was getting a hankering for the Benedict this weekend so we cruised on over. I really dislike ordering the same thing as anyone else when going out to eat, however, with Guglhupf I make an exception. We BOTH ordered the eggs Benedict, although on separate tickets. We received them at the same time and I couldn't help by notice the huge difference between the two plates. A big difference in the amount of ham given, no garnish, and the eggs were even a little lackluster on one. The other plate was beautifully prepared, plenty of meat and a lovely garnish (like I mentioned in my last review, the fruit side is always disappointing to me, so that was no shocker). I'm not sure what's happening in Guglhupf's kitchen, but I hope they straighten it out. With such a beautiful restaurant and the extraordinary bakery, hopefully this is just a case of a new chef or chef in training. If you're looking to go to Guglhupf I'd recommend skipping brunch (it's always insanely packed anyway) and just go for sweets and treats. They have fantastic cream puffs (not overly sweet) and danishes, also grab a loaf of bread while you're there! Coffee drinks are average, but it could be that the barista's always seem to be rotating. NOTE: Parking can be a pain but you can now park BEHIND the restaurant in the neighborhood and walk through the gate.

    (3)

  • Robyn P.

    Great brunch spot! On weekends it is super crowded, but the food, pastries, coffee, and service are all wonderful!

    (5)

  • Matt B.

    Guglhupf is a Durham brunch staple. You order inside at the counter and then grab a table. There's a huge outdoor seating area which is super nice when it's cool enough. I got the museli, which didn't look so great but actually tasted incredible. A few friends got the eggs Arnold (poached eggs on thick toast) which both looked and tasted great. Adjacent to the main dining area is a separate little bakery, with all kinds of beautiful (and high-end) European-style bread and pastries. Notably, immediately inside on the left there's a stand where they sell yesterday's baked goods at a 40% discount.

    (4)

  • Stella M.

    Great place for breakfast with friends. They have a beautiful location and the food was delicious. Nothing there for vegans other than coffee, but they certainly cater to vegetarians. The line to order was intimidating but you get through it fast. Your food doesn't take long to prepare either. Parking on the other hand is chaotic. Be prepared to deal with that. It might be worth parking next door

    (4)

  • Jared W.

    After visiting Guglhupf, it seems like a nice place to grab a lunch/brunch bite, drink some coffee in the afternoon, or to study. I was really impressed by the environment- very laid back, nice decorations, and there were options for inside seating upstairs and downstairs as well as outside seating. They offered a number of options when we went for lunch and had quite a few pastries in the display case. I ordered the schnitzel, my girlfriend ordered the southwestern omelet, and we split an apple danish from the case. My schnitzel was fried perfectly. It was still tender on the inside but had a nice crust. It lacked seasoning or flavor, however, and the salad it came with was just a basic set of greens. My girlfriend's omelet was a pretty standard omelet. I don't like eggs much, but it seemed very average and she agreed. The danish was good and had a really nice flaky crust. The apples were really tart, and we both would've preferred something sweeter, but the flakiness of the pastry was spot on. Based on this, I would think that a lot of the scones, muffins, cookies, etc. here are probably very high quality but I'll have to come back and try some more options to see!

    (4)

  • Chioma I.

    The interior of the restaurant is nice - kind of artsy and eclectic. They have an upstairs and downstairs, and you can set up shop here to work or study. This was my first time trying a chocolate croissant and it was delicious. The Spindrift sparkling orange mango drink that I had was great too. They have a shop set up next to it where you can purchase locally made spreads, cheeses, and other baked goods. Worth a visit if you're in the area.

    (4)

  • Yeshanth J.

    I am tempted to give them 5 stars. I have been here couple of times. I have always tried their vegetarian entree but always felt that there was something missing. The desserts from their patisserie got my palette wanting more. We had Petite four monde(s) and Cream puffs. Coming from India, I had a completely different expectation for the latter. But the french have definitely elevated the taste of my version of the cream puffs. These guys also serve great tasting large portions of hot chocolate and mocha. Didn't like their chai tea latte. In my opinion, the service could have been better.

    (4)

  • Heidi L.

    Service and meal were great. We had dessert and coffee. The Black Forest chocolate bar had fresh cherries and the chocolate cake was not dense or bitter - I would definitely order this again. My husband enjoyed the popcorn sundae.

    (4)

  • T D.

    Wow this place is so underwhelming it's almost a joke. Given I came during the craziest rush hour but the service was below average (came for dinner service it was fantastic!!!!) Got the salmon plate & Vietnamese ice coffee Vietnamese ice coffee was good! Salmon plate was avg, had to ask for it twice they kept forgetting Service makes me never want to come back again Parking can be hectic so plan to wait but like anything during lunch hour it's crazy. They should offer valet. I'd pay.

    (2)

  • Aloysius G.

    Great place to read, study, or enjoy a nice conversation with friends. The building itself is beautiful, with eclectic but tasteful artwork. The outdoor space is lovely during the fall and spring and tolerable during summer due to the large amount of shade. My major complaints: 1) it is nearly impossible to park here 2) for a supposed brunch hot spot the food has been mediocre at best - particularly for Durham. While I did have excellent French Toast the first time I came here about 8 months ago, since then it has been removed from the menu. The omelettes have been, on the whole, slightly greasy and rather plain. I haven't eaten dinner here, so I am unable to comment on that aspect, however their bottled German beer offerings is impressive.

    (3)

  • Heather M.

    3 entrees, 2 ladies, 1 happy meal. Beautiful spot to spend a late Saturday morning! Clearly, I'm not the only one to think this because it was so unbelievably crowded. Don't come here trying to study/get some quiet time on a weekend. Weekend brunch? Packed as can be. Food is delicious. Their entrees consist of typical cafe meals (mainly sandwiches/toasts/other various carbs). However, the bread they make & use is so good that their cafe-like entrees are actually really tasty! I got the grilled nutella and the buttermilk pancakes. The bread for the grilled nutella was super soft yet crispy. How is it possible that the bread was crispy on the outside but nowhere near being dry!!? The buttermilk pancakes they serve is something I can't really rave about. It was really soft, yes, but I think I could get better pancakes at IHOP or some other breakfast place... The croissant was so good! It wasn't oily, but it was still moist and buttery~ Each entree is probably a solid serving. Not necessarily a feast, but you won't leave hungry. In terms of service, you don't really have someone waiting on you. You order at the cash register, they'll bring you your food and that's that. You are in charge of getting your own drinks/utensils/seats! I wish I saved room to try some of their tarts/cookies/pastries/desserts. They looked absolutely scrumptious. I guess this gives me an excuse to venture out to Durham again!

    (4)

  • Millard T.

    Maybe 3 1/2 stars. I like Guglhupf and I've had very good and very so-so food there. The sausage plate is a disappoint but the grilled fish (e.g., grouper) has been very good and other specials have been excellent. Good wine like. The service can be a bit spotty. Forgotten items, having to ask for water refills, having to ask for bread (which is ridiculous for a bakery). Dining on the patio is wonderful when the weather cooperates. I'll certainly return at some point.

    (4)

  • J B.

    Guglhupf is amazing. Go for lunch or brunch or lunch. They kill it. And pastries are on another level than everywhere else in the triangle. Quite frankly a great spot with better food!

    (4)

  • Mountaineer S.

    Food was ok, service wasn't bad. I had the the schnitzle and sauerkraut. Both were decent. I grew up around a lot of great german restaurants, so for me, the food wasn't spectacular. Not a bad place for Durham.

    (3)

  • Shonda P.

    Let me start by saying- I'm part German. Born there, spent many years there and return to visit family every few years. This unfortunately is not authentic German cuisine. The menu isn't full of options but the only items that were German were schnitzel and spatzle. I am not sure if their aim is to be a German restaurant- or if it is a German bakery with a restaurant attached. For me, the experience was disappointing. Aside from the food, the service wasn't great. Our waiter- whose name slips my mind- if he even told us- spent 0 time explaining the menu, was not at all attentive, and didn't even thank us for dining. He laid the paid check down and walked away. The host was nice though! :)

    (2)

  • Tiffany C.

    I don't think Guglhupf is bad, by any means, but it's probably not deserving of 4.5 stars. For a place that advertises itself as a German bakery, they don't really stray too far from the typical American fare. I think I counted about 2 German items on their brunch menu. I've come here twice, and once with an actual German person, and it was a little bit of a letdown to see from his perspective just how un-German it is. Shrug. Which would be fine if the food were amazingly fantastic, which it isn't. It's good, but it's not last-meal-esque or even one of my fallback options for meeting friends to eat. I've also tried their baked goods and good lord some of them (seeded bread and other loaves) are just plain awful, so I don't even know if that's worth a visit, either. Parking's a nightmare, not even going to get into that cause so many people have ranted and raved over it already. Don't try parking at Foster's next door, I'm pretty sure they've caught on to you already. What Guglhupf does have going for it is Charm. Yes, it is Charming, Sweet, First-Date worthy. It does the whole outdoor patio seating superbly. But at the end of the day, I think you kind of just want a good meal to go along with it and on that note, Guglhupf just ain't going to sing.

    (3)

  • Young B.

    Came here on a Saturday morning with our friends. It was so busy that when we got in, we had to snatch a table right as someone was leaving. The food was made fresh and it was good, but the portions are a bit small so grabbing some pastries afterwards is a good idea. I got the Brie Apple sandwich, but I'm not a big fan of fruits in my savory foods, so I didn't like it much. My husband really liked it so he ended up finishing it for me. The restaurant is cute and has a chill atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Katherine Z.

    Great place for brunch - my family loves it here. The bakery is such an airy, beautiful, and homey place. And the food...the food is SO good. Pastries are their specialty, but you can order anything and it'll taste amazing, I promise you. I haven't gone in a while, so the menu isn't fresh in my head, but I can tell you that I vividly remember having a great experience here.

    (5)

  • Carolyn H.

    Absolutely everything here is amazingly delicious and house made. Almond croissants and bretzels, baguettes and ciabatta. Try everything!!!

    (5)

  • Lauryn C.

    Did somebody say cream puff? I don't care how obnoxious the parking is here I will do just about anything for another one of those cream puffs. Norma G and I stopped by Guglhupf for a quick brunch before we headed to the DPAC for a show. This is a great option for a quick brunch. The place was packed when we got there and we needed to park across the street at the bank but other then that everything moved pretty smoothly. You order up front grab a number, find a seat and they deliver your food. I will say a few more menus would have been helpful, folks were holding onto the menus until they ordered which made it hard for a newbie like me to decide what I wanted to order till I made it to the register to place my order. One side is the restaurant and the other side is the bakery. You can order some of the bakery items from the restaurant side or go next door and get what you want. I ordered the mushroom omelet for brunch. The omelet was cooked perfectly I just wish it had a few more mushrooms and a little more taste to it. The side of fresh fruit was a great accompaniment to the meal. I was still a little hungry after my meal though so we decided to hit up that bakery. All of the pastries and fresh breads looked amazing. They had some unique German desserts and cookies that I can't wait to go back and try. My uncle is a German chef and I know he would just love this place. I wanted something light and not too filling so I went with the cream puff. I promise you this will be the best cream puff you will ever have. My mom makes some really good cream puffs but I must say I prefer these. For a girl who doesn't eat many sweets this may be my new go to dessert. The whipped cream in the middle is lightly sweetened and so delicious. The pastry on the outside is so light and fluffy. Though I would love to live closer to Guglhupf it's probably a good thing that I don't:) Let's talk about the atmosphere. I've seen numerous pictures of the restaurant on Yelp which is one of the main reasons I wanted to check this place out. Their outdoor space is so amazing and a great way to spend an afternoon eating and chatting with your friends. I thought it would be difficult to find outdoor seating but the tables seem to move pretty fast and we had a table in no time. There is also seating inside and downstairs. I can't wait to get back for another cream puff as well as lunch and dinner!

    (4)

  • Tammy T.

    Loved their pastries! We only wanted to get a few and ended up getting one of each of the pastries they had that morning to share and every single one of them was delicious. Everyone loved these and they were reasonably priced for the quality of the ingredients. Pleasantly surprised :)

    (4)

  • Jeff A.

    For my wife and I, this is our preferred Durham dinner destination. The cheese plate is delicious, as is the daily fish special (no matter what day it is). I've never had a bad meal from there. One recommendation I have is to eat upstairs if possible. I've had some issues with slow service downstairs; this has never happened upstairs, and it's a quieter atmosphere up there. I'm also the only person in my group of friends who doesn't love their desserts. I think they taste fine, but they're a little fru-fru - they look nice, but I'd rather they be larger.

    (5)

  • Susan G.

    I love Guglhupf! I've always gone for breakfast and it's been great every time. Their outdoor patio seating is perfect for sunny days and their indoor, cool, well-designed interior is great when it's raining. Even on Saturday morning when it can get packed, I can still find a table and the staff is super, super nice. Their food is tasty (esp. the eggs and pastries) and their coffee is delicious. I've also heard it's a great place to study / work.

    (4)

  • Angela H.

    If you love baked goods as much as I do, Guglhupf is a must. Delicious selection of pastries, cookies, and cakes in addition to the regular menu. Coffee and tea drinkers have a good assortment to select from. Yummy brunch on the weekends, and everyone knows it, hence the wait. But it's worth it, you won't be disappointed. Lots of outdoor seating to enjoy your meal. Try the cream puff, yummalicious!

    (5)

  • Minnow N.

    What a cute place! The breakfast here is pretty satisfying. The coffee is pretty good although I'm not so sure about the "Vietnamese ice coffee". I'm Vietnamese, theirs isn't really... But still pretty good The pastries are yummy and fruit is fresh. Great place to hang out, get some sun, and coffee! I'll definitely be back.. might be my new study place to go.

    (5)

  • Dawei L.

    Guglhupf has a lot of things going for it. The ambiance is fantastic(worth 5 stars) with soft lighting and great decor. The baked goods are pretty good. I went with a friend to get dinner the other night and I had a good time. I got the wiener schnitzel, which is essentially a large piece of breaded pork, which comes with some vegetables and roast potatoes. I also opted to get a fried egg on top for the extra buck. The schnitzel was good. It was pretty flavorful and the portion was huge. My only problem with it was that it was unevenly fried, as some parts were crunchier or chewier than others. The vegetables were solid and the potatoes were really good and nicely cooked. My biggest gripe with this place was the service. Due to its size and popularity, our servers just weren't getting to us in time. Just to get waters at the beginning of dinner my friend had to flag one of the waiters down. I don't think this was malicious or badly intentioned, simply I think the place could do with some more staff. All in all, I would come again for dinner and I'd definitely like trying this place out for dessert or brunch(which gets even raver reviews)

    (3)

  • Julia S.

    Ordered over 6 dozen pastries to fill breakfast baskets for clients. The website was easy to maneuver and choose the different pastries, breads and danish. I was able to select the day and time I wanted to pick up my order. When I arrived this morning, my order was ready. I filled my baskets and delivered the goods, then went back to my office to emails full of thank you notes and requests for the source of the goodies. According to one client, there was a flash mob in the break room! Would definitely order again.

    (5)

  • Catie F.

    I finally made it to Guglhupf! As many of the other reviews mention, parking is stinky. We ended up just parking across the street and playing frogger to get across. We went at 1pm on a Sunday and the wait was a bit insane. Once we finally got through the line to order we were informed that it would be another 40 minutes to receive our food. To pass the time I ordered the strawberry rhubarb torte for my bf and I to share. It was fantastic! Not too sweet and flaky in all the right ways. For lunch I ordered the asparagus soup and a side salad. The asparagus soup didn't really do it for me. I was hoping it would come with a piece of bread to dip it in but it did not. I think that maybe it was a bit too peppery for my taste. The salad was good and properly dressed. My boyfriend got the turkey chutney sandwich and that was quite tasty! Overall, the food was very fresh and bright tasting. Lots of clean flavors and good sized portions. Based on lunch and parking alone I would have only given it 3 stars but it was saved by that delicious pastry! I'd definitely like to go again and try out something different on the menu.

    (4)

  • Johanna S.

    My fiancé and I eat at this place frequently is amazing and unique.we love their vegetarians dishes and we surely come back to it. Keep it up

    (5)

  • Mathew T.

    I'm a big fan of this place for breakfast. Their Muesli is absolutely out of this world. Think of this as probably the greatest granola and yogurt you've ever had. And... it's super cheap. It's like $5 for it. Also, the meat is really high quality. I recall enjoying the a la carte sausage quite a bit. The steak sandwich and the apple turkey brie toasted sandwich were both really tasty too! At the bakery, definitely try their Monkey's Fire bread (haha sorry, not sure if this is exactly the right name...).

    (5)

  • Todd L.

    Just meh. This could've been a 3-star rating, but the indifference, borderline contempt the employees showed us, knocks it down to 2 stars. I mean, really, 3 different employees looked at the four of us just waiting at the entrance and kept on sipping on their soda and drinking their coffee and didn't both to say 1. Hi 2. How may I help you? 3. Oh, you have to order here and the food is brought to you, or 4. F.U! But effectively they said 5. God, annoying new people don't know how cool we are and the way we do things, let's let them stand their for 5 minutes until another guest comes in to tell them how things work. Sad thing, this is not the first such comment made and yet the management does nothing to whack the surly willful ineptitude out of these kids. Food was average to good, but certainly not near the raves some give it. Pastries were also just meh. I know there's not much in Durham, but every meal up to this one had been quite good. Check yourself!

    (2)

  • Kev H.

    German cuisine? I was actually impressed with the selections. I dined on wiener schnitzel (traditional all natural pork cutlet, breaded, and pan fried; served with parsleyed new potatoes, sautéed market vegetables, and lemon wedges) while my guest enjoyed a dish of maultaschen (filled with potato, roasted corn, balsamic grilled onions, spinach and smoked gouda with a sweet corn velouté sauce and a petit bitter green salad). The staff was robotic but pleasant. This is more of a lunch type place and not good for a romantic dinner. However if you want an authentic taste of Germany without a passport or the long flight to Munich (and you happen to be in Durham) Guglhupf is a good choice.

    (3)

  • Hope M.

    I LOVE Guglehupf, both the bakery and the cafe. The only problem is that a lot of other people love it too. I seem to always end up there at peak brunch hours, with all the beautiful people of Durham and the wannabes. While I find the parking and the ordering at the counter a little stressful, I have never had a problem actually finding a table. The food is tasty (soups, salads, sandwiches, eggs), but my favorites are still a great cup of coffee and the bread and pastries from the German bakery that started it all. I usually order a bread sampler w/ charcuterie or cheeses to go along with my meal. Of course, I have to get a Linzer or fruit tart and a loaf of bread (the darker and the heavier, the better) to take with me when I leave. I try to avoid wheat whenever possible, but I have no willpower in this place.

    (4)

  • Liana L.

    DISCLAIMER: THIS REVIEW IS ONLY FOR DINNER DESSERTS. Completely not applicable to everything else (because I would not rate their lunch 5 stars). Oh my gosh. WHYYYYYYYY did I not discover their dinner desserts earlier? I was bitterly disappointed when I saw their pastries for lunch because they honestly don't look all that great, and I was confused by the hype. I should've probed deeper because all that hype is totally. worth. it. Oh my goodness. On my last day in Durham, I came here with my roommate and we got two desserts to go, and they packed them away nicely in separate containers for the dessert and the ice cream. We couldn't choose (and I'm glad that my roommate made the impulsive decision to just get both), so we got the olive oil chiffon cake with honey pine nut ice cream and the milk chocolate tart with honey lavender ice cream. Please allow me to rhapsodize about how mind-blowingly delicious they were. The olive oil chiffon cake was beautifully moist and soft; the top part of it was left plain, whereas the bottom was sitting in a pool of citrus liquid that it soaked up wonderfully. Each bite was heavenly; the contrast between the cake (by itself) and the citrus-doused cake was fabulous. The candied fennel was a nice touch, as were the bits of mandarin orange and pine nuts. The honey pine nut ice cream is gentle and flavorful; I have no idea how they got the pine nut to cut through the honey, but they did. It was a fabulous pairing. The milk chocolate tart was decent in itself; not stupendous, but not mediocre, either. The crust was fine, and the milk chocolate filling was a smooth ganache. It wasn't very rich or decadent, so that's good if you're feeling really full. I wasn't in the mood for a rich chocolatey dessert, but I was dying to try the lavender honey ice cream - and it did not disappoint. The melodious blend of honey and lavender blew my expectations out of the water. I want a gallon of this to eat when I'm going through life crises.

    (5)

  • Nicole H.

    I had dinner here, it was delicious. We ordered a great bottle of wine, I got a fish dish and it was delectable. I came a subsequent time during the day to do some work. The coffee was great and the lunch I ended up having was good as well. There isn't really any service in the coffee shop.

    (4)

  • Wandell P.

    So Wandell be visiting this little city Durham for because a friend of Wandell having her baby graduating from Duke this weekend. This aint no ITT Tech school graduation, these be the future of keeping Wandell living in the future, and I think they be in good hand. Anyway, Wandell be hungry like you dont even believe during the graduation! I be all like Dang! Why is Wandell so hungry while he is watching these marching gowns? And I know, that's because Wandell ate no breakfast as this graduation real early! So you know what I be craving? That right...breakfast. Even though it around noon or something when I get done, I still need my flappy-pappy-jacks, ya know! So I tell my friend and she be like, oh you never been to this down home little G-man place? They has breakfast like you never even believe! I kinda laughed when I hear the name, but you know Wandell, he ain't never been one to judge books and covers! So I come up to this place and it busy like you never know. Mom day (and yes, Wandell did call his mama and wish her a big imaginary hug) AND DukeU graduation? This day must be what keep the economy down here acting real good. Anyway, the line be long, but aint too hot. Wandell may have southern roots, but him living in Gary, Indiana for most of his life makes Wandell not too a'fond of the cold. So this be nice to stand in. I know what I already want, not like them poeple in front of me. Wandell wants his flappy-pappy-jacks. So Wandell got luck from an angel and got a real nice seat. Outside and umbrellas and everything. Got some sweet tea...well, it unsweetend, but you can add sweet if you want. If you don't want sweet, then you can roll that way. Wandell likes it REAL sweet, hallelujah! And them those pancakes came! I be all like AWWWW YEAh! Strawberries and butter and real deal fo' sheal maple syrup all up in her! But that where Wandell be not excited-ing start. I bite into it and was I mistaken? These taste like them Jack stacks from the store--Hungry jack. Better than Aunt Jemimah (lawdy lawdy, I gonna go to heck for going back on a sister), but Wandell aint lying. Hungry Jack be good, but I expecting something more for real. Other things may be good, but this aint good for pancakes. Better in Gary, IN by Wandell to be honest. 1 star for MAPLE styrip. So here be my final say: Real nice place, but ya gotta do it better! Mayeb here in Durham it is good, but I don't think so.

    (2)

  • Rachel T.

    Great spot in Durham but word to the wise: parking is limited during Brunch rush Sat-Sun from 10 to 2ish. There is street parking behind but expect to circle around a while...suggestions would be to carpool or park in the neighborhood behind the restaurant. Beverages are self service so dont go far from the counter! But food will be brought to your table. Highly recommend this bakery coffee spot!

    (5)

  • Bruce G.

    A great place for Brunch. If the weather is nice and you can sit outside you feel like you are in Europe or somewhere other than Durham. Nothing else like it in the Triangle. Their Eggs Benedict is outstanding (it's all I ever get!). Pastries are great too. I would give 5 stars if they had a better parking situation and had table service instead of standing in line which can get quite long on the weekends.

    (4)

  • W L.

    Took the family here for brunch for an early Mother's Day celebration and dined al fresco. It was lovely and reminded me a little of a cross between California and Arizona bruncheries. There was nothing vegetarian 'sans starch' we could order for breakfast, so we had some granola, pancakes, and I bought a small pastry at their bakery. The bakery wait took quite some time, and there were several happy regulars who bubbled about how they'd been coming for years and what I should be sure to order. Cappucinos are nicely done, and a fun German drink to order is the schorle (apple juice with sparkling water). The kids all had fun entertaining themselves with the fountains along the steps while the rest of us finished our meals. If we return for dinner, we'd try some vegetarian options like: Kaseplatte (cheese plate) Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Noodles & Sugar Snap Peas Vegetable Plate: New Potatoes, Spatzle, Stewed Lentils, & slaw or market vegetables

    (4)

  • Katie R.

    Delicious meal, everything perfectly cooked with great sauces. boyfriend said, "The grouper special was the best fish dish I have ever had". I feel the same about the house smoked trout.

    (5)

  • Andrea P.

    I wanted to follow-up and add that whenever I have guests from out of town, I always stop by Guglhupf and purchase a variety of breads to have on-hand for dinner--this has never failed me.

    (5)

  • Ian D.

    UPDATE! I've been back to the Hupf four times in one week. The bratwurst was better than I could have imagined. My mind now had to wrap itself around the concept of the new perfect bratwurst. Five stars all day. The cream puff was cream dream. The cheese plate was amazing. I ordered an Aventinus Eisboch and it was actually cheaper than T.J.'s beverage. It doesn't get any better. Poor Foster's Market, I will always pick Guglhupf over you. It's been a long time coming and not for lack of hype. I finally visited the famed German bakery today and was delighted. The food quality definitly matched the price paid (Foster's please take notes). I'm going back next week because I saw a lady with a mind blowing sausage. I never sausage good looking pork. If that bratwurst measures up, then the not so coveted five star will upon thee be bejeweled. Hooray for Guglhupf! Sprout forth and spread thy goodness upon this land. P.S. Be prepared to be aggressive when it comes to securing a parking spot. Anybody who has been there has spread the rumor.

    (5)

  • George M.

    Went in on a Saturday looking to order the house-made bratwurst and as it turns out they only serve it on weekdays. Very very disappointing considering i dont live in the area and have been craving this brat for months. I ended up ordering the French Dip and cucumber salad with yogurt dressing. The French Dip was bland and smaller thn I would have liked. Overall I give it a 5 out of 10. The cucumber salad however was very good. Great flavor and in my opinion is better then there potato salad(which is saying a lot). I'd rate it a 8.5 out of 10.

    (5)

  • Josh P.

    Not much of a selection of pastries and the charcuterie can be really hit or miss, but most of the sandwiches are pretty good.

    (3)

  • AP L.

    Love this place, seriously. BUT, When it's busy it's almost impossible to get a table (or parking). If the weather is good you'll find there is plenty of patio seating (and it's a lovely patio) - but if it's cold & rainy and a Sunday, pretty much forget about it. I wish the lattes were hotter - I always ask for extra hot and it's not even close enough. Food is always awesome, pastries are amazing.

    (5)

  • Theresa W.

    Wow. The lemon meringue tart - sized perfectly to share between two or if you're feeling particularly dessert-y, is quite possibly the best lemon meringue I've ever had. The lemon had wonderful tartness and sweetness without tasting a bit artificial lemon, too sweet or too bitter. The meringue, with its soft but well set peaks and toasted golden tips was melt in your mouth delicious. They have some interesting flavors in French macaron though the quality is just ok. The light and airy cream puff dusted with powdered sugar was another hit. But, the lemon meringue. The kind of tart dessert dreams are made of.

    (5)

  • Meghna R.

    Yummy yum yum, Egg benedict and sandwiches., beautiful decor.....efficient delivery of food, and I like the self service concept. You are as quick as your hunger for your food! All the items on the vegetarian menu are amazing. The coffee and the hot chocolate are also super yummy. I've been there for breakfast that turns into lunches just because the place is so warm and cozy, you want to sit there forever. Keep up the awesomeness

    (5)

  • Andrew F.

    Meal: Dinner (Restaurant week) In short: Good German-inspired fare. A little let down given the hype I've heard. Will return if craving German for whatever reason. FOOD I got their beef consommé w/ strips of crepe in it, the pork porterhouse with dumplings, and the ice cream with mini-cookies. Soup: maybe a poor choice on my part, but no interesting flavors to speak of. Broth with a little texture added. I DID try my wife's steak salad, however, and that was quite good. Main course: Juiciest pork I've ever had, very well prepared. Sauce and dumplings complimented nicely. Dessert: blood orange ice cream sounded amazing, but came out too tart and clashed (in my opinion) with the chocolate brownie ice cream. Didn't bowl me over but again maybe it was my poor selection. SERVICE: Server was attentive, nice, explained things as needed, offered recommendations, and kept our water glasses full.s AMBIENCE: I've heard a lot about the ambience...didn't get it. We ate out on the patio, and I got less Old World charm, more sounds and sights of the parking lot. As part of the restaurant week festivities, I had to seize on the opportunity to try something new! It was a pleasant meal, but maybe German isn't my absolute favorite cuisine or there are just much more tantalizing options in the Triangle.

    (3)

  • Matthew K.

    I had the Reuben (my favorite sand which of all time) and it was really good. Not the best ever but worth getting again. I went with a larger group and everyone enjoyed what they got. The pancakes looked particularly good, so I will be getting those next time.

    (4)

  • Sienne E.

    I can't speak for the items from the pastry shop at Guglhupf, but the foods from the restaurant are pretty good. I'm a fan of their vegetarian chili and some of their sandwiches and I always get a fruit pastry while I'm there. Guglhupf is out of my way, but I have been there a few times and I feel it's a place everyone should at least check out. Portions aren't crazy huge, but they aren't super tiny - they're what portions should be. Guglhupf can get very, very busy,(especially on weekends) and parking can seriously suck. Service depends on who's working that day, but for the most part has been pretty good. Great place for brunch. On slower days, you can find students from the local universities studying upstairs. As for how to dress... I've seen people dressed in their Sunday best, being there after church, but I've also shown up in dusty hiking gear, so I think you're good in pretty much everything from casual to formal.

    (4)

  • Lindsay S.

    You know, I don't get to Guglhupf often enough. But every time I do have a chance to go (for brunch or lunch; haven't yet tried the dinner option), I find it so delightfully... Durham-y. There are some obvious perks, first among them the beautiful, shaded patio, which is perfect for lunch on a good spring, summer, or fall day. If you order coffee at brunch, you'll receive a coffee cup and saucer with a biscuit. The bakery pastries and bread next door are, as noted below, a real winner. And the menu, while brief, contains enough options for veggies and meat-eaters alike. I've had several delicious, seasonal lunch sandwiches. My one complaint is that the brunch menu has always seemed a bit... bland. I'm a big fan of salsa/beans/eggs-types of brunch dishes, and Guglhupf steers closer to a simple egg, cheese, and fruit variety. While lovely, not always quite to my taste (but I suppose that's my fault rather than theirs). Parking is a chore, and the place can get crowded during the busiest lunch and brunch hours. But it's a real gem, and I'm glad it's around.

    (4)

  • Berberry W.

    Only visited for lunch, waiting patiently for my next opportune visit at dinnertime. Beautifully decorated restaurant and quaint little bakery. I enjoyed a sandwich and salad: turkey, brie and apple chutney Panini with German potato salad. The sandwich's bread was excellent, very Old-world and the chutney was very flavorful. I wasn't a huge fan of the turkey, it lacked flavor, but the sandwich's components made up for that lack. The German potato salad was vinegary and herby with perfectly cooked potatoes, very authentic. Now for the bakery....YUM! A classic Linzer cookie and fruit tart was in my order. The Linzer was PERFECT! Crumbly texture to the crisp cookie and tasty raspberry jam in the middle. The chocolate coating was excellent. A purchase worth every bit of $2.75. The fruit tart was also quite enjoyable; custard= perfect, fruits=fresh, glaze=tasty, crust= buttery and cookie-like. It was a perfect sunny day to spend on their patio enjoying their wonderful delights. Guglhupf, a must!

    (4)

  • Annette V.

    I should start this off by saying that Guglhupf is getting 1 star because I did not actually get to eat. After months of hearing how wonderful this place was, I decided to try it for brunch this morning. The restaurant was quite crowded inside, but due to the chilly weather, we were offered immediate seating on the heated patio. So far, so good. However, after more than ten minutes and not one, but two servers, making multiple trips past our table - even looking directly at us and seeing that we still had menus but no drinks, making it obvious that we had not been helped - I went inside and informed the rather overwhelmed looking hostess that we would be leaving due to the fact that no server had come to our table. I really wanted to try this place that everyone seems to love so much, but I doubt I will be going back to waste my time being ignored by the waitstaff again.

    (1)

  • Adam Z.

    We got some German cookies for my daughters school project here. they were really fantastic!

    (5)

  • X X.

    This is review of Guglhupf's new dinner service only. They are still top notch for brunch, but it doesn't translate to an evening meal. Went on a very cold weekend night with my friend. It was half empty and we were seated right away. Service: Overall inattentive. Water wasn't refilled very often and allowed to get empty. Didn't seem like our server was was too busy or rushed, but we were check on infrequently. It took about 25 minutes between our starter and the mains to arrive, but no explanation or updates were given We were offered more bread when our appetizer was on the table, but nothing during our long wait. Food: We started with the bruschetta sharing plate. Okay, but over-priced for 3 pieces, one each topped with chicken liver pate, goat cheese, and diced mushrooms. It was also served with a berry compote was didn't enhance the taste. My friend had the braised beef short ribs, which were the highlight of the meal. Very tender and fell off the bone nicely. It was served with large potato gnocchi and vegetables. I had the NY strip, which came extra-well done despite my request of mid-rare. I didn't send it back because we had been waiting for so long already and didn't want to wait another how ever long it would take for a new one. It came with very overcooked cauliflower and potatoes--almost as if someone put the entire plate to finish into the oven and forgot about it. This dish should have never left the kitchen. We shared the golden apple croustade for dessert. Nothing special, which was a little surprising since they are primarily a bakery known for their pastries. The saving grace of the meal was that the hostess (?manager) noticed that my steak was way over done when she was packing up our leftovers (probably because I didn't eat three-quarters of it). She checked on our ticket and saw the kitchen made it wrong, apologized profusely, and took it off our final check. 5-stars for this bit of outstanding customer service, but not enough to make me come back anytime soon for dinner.

    (2)

  • K N.

    I'm not sure why this place gets rave reviews. First, service was terrible. When my husband and I went out for a late dinner there, the wait staff couldn't decide who wanted to serve our table. When the waiter finally got around to taking our orders and bringing our drinks, the young man acted like he was doing us a favor to serve us. Next, let's talk their food. My husband lived in Germany for two years. He ordered a wurst platter, thinking that he would be eating a selection of German sausages. Instead, he was brought a plate of lunch meat. When we questioned the waiter, he confirmed it was the right dish. Apparently, these folks don't know their food. We ended up paying $20 for a plate of what looked (and tasted like) deli meat. My dish wasn't much better. Suffice to say, I will never go here again.

    (1)

  • Kinjal P.

    What this place lacks in parking they make up for in ambiance. It's a great two-story restaurant with really cute outdoor seating. It was a little too hot to sit outside but I would love to go back during the fall and sit in the patio area with a glass of wine and a pastry. We went to for brunch and really enjoyed their fresh, home-made bread. We had the Nutella Toast and Eggs Benedict which were both served on their fresh bread and were delicious! Portions were a little small but they are not trying to be IHop so overall I say it's a great place and I would go back.

    (4)

  • Naomi K.

    I really liked this place. I've been here so many times for coffee and a snack, but this is the first time I went for dinner...and probably the last. They were nice about seating us a little early for dinner. We ordered some coffee drinks but they couldn't make them because they ran out of ingredients, so we settled with the standard drip coffee. When dinner time came we waited and waited. We got our own menus to see what was offered. Silverware was placed and I asked about the soup of the day= he had to check. Twenty minutes later, we got a response. We should have taken that as a sign. Ok, yes they were busy opening up the kitchen but the place was dead, only a few tables were seated...and now we know why. When we finally placed our order the appetizers came fairly quickly, salads and soups aren't too hard to prep. After we finished the appetizers, it took 30 minutes to get the main dishes out. I was seriously thinking about leaving, and then the plates finally came. I think they would have tasted quite good, had it been warm. The dishes were obviously sitting on the kitchen counter for a good 15 minutes. I am not sure if the waiter had experience working there or not, but I'm surprised no one in the kitchen noticed the dishes sitting there, or no one on the floor realized a half an hour went by and no food was served. I would be more understanding if it was an extremely busy night and there were food orders left and right, but you could count the people seated on one hand. Dessert sounded tempting, but since dinner was a two and a half hour ordeal, I did not want to waste another half an hour for melted sorbet. Sorry Guglhupf, but this dinner was incredible disappointing. There was no apologizes from management for this service, so I guess they think this is standard service. I would rather eat somewhere else.

    (1)

  • Emily S.

    I'll start with the good things first. This is probably the only important part of the review to the majority of people reading. I love Guglhupf's food. We came here to try some pastries as a sort of scouting mission for our wedding cake. (More on that later.) We saw they offered lunch, and each ordered a sandwich. Reubens are my favorite sandwiches. I was delighted to see it on the menu, and the cucumber salad as well. Both remind me of growing up, yay for happy food memories. Peter got a roast beef and blue cheese sandwich with German potato salad. The sandwiches we wonderful. The reuben was better than the ones I make at home. The sides were pretty good, though Peter had several bad pieces of potato and there were a couple pieces of purple-ish cucumber (like they'd come into contact with beets or blueberries.) The decor is awesome, absolutely gorgeous in my opinion. We got some pastries to go... a chocolate croissant, a chocolate tart, a coconut bar, and the ham and cheese bretzel. All we amazingly delicious and I'd order them all again in a heart beat. When I have out of town guests, I'll hit up the bakery for sure. So if this review were based only on the food and the restaurant visit, I'd give them a solid 4. But if you've read any of my reviews, you know customer service if important to me. And this is what caused them to lose a star. We were so blown away by the delicious pastries, we decided to consider them for our wedding cake. We'd already pretty much decided on a popular bakery near Peter's office, but thought why not? So, I e-mailed them and provided the required info and asked to set up an appointment. My very first line of the initial e-mail provided the wedding date, December 18. I got a reply, asking me to fill out a form and send it back so I did.The next reply said they don't do December weddings. Um, why isn't this on the website? Why wasn't this in the initial reply, rather than having me fill out a form outlining how many guests I'm having? I'd really like to hear a solid reason. If they get swamped at Christmas, cool. I get the feeling they don't do small weddings. Also, I felt the time they took to reply to e-mails was a bit too long. That's okay, we went with our first choice, and they seem very happy to have our business. So, Guglhupf is totally amazing when it comes to food and pastries. Not so much when it comes to e-mail correspondence regarding wedding cakes for small December weddings.

    (3)

  • Jonathan T.

    Went here a few weeks ago for brunch. Food and atmosphere were great. Tough to find parking, but reasonable service given the crowd. Try the bacon sticky buns!

    (4)

  • Mordecai M.

    This place truly has phenomenal food from the baked goods down. They're creative in the best culinary sense. Try the Grilled Nutella sandwich off the Kid's menu or the Roasted Beet Veggie Sandwich. It's like getting the kind of fare you'd expect at a fancy restaurant without having to cough up the kind of prices you pay simply for the decor!

    (4)

  • Amy H.

    Had dinner here for my birthday and it was the perfect choice. My sis and I ordered to our heats content. We both got salads; she got the fried oyster salad and I got the pea shoots with tarragon dressing salad. Both were sooo good! I don't really like oysters, but these were cooked perfectly, incredibly tender. We split an appetizer of potato latkas with cured salmon. Again, yum! For the entree, my sis for the housemade pasta and I got the slow braised beef. The beef was so tender and juicy with such a great flavor. The potato dumplings were fantastic, too. To finish it off, we had the key lime dessert. The topping was merengue, I believe, but it tasted and felt like toaste marshmellow. The sweetness of the topping complemented the tangy custard perfectly. Though I felt like I could have exploded from fullness, it was soo worth it!

    (5)

  • Liz B.

    I first discovered Guglhupf when Caffe Driade used to serve their pastries, many many moons ago. I quickly became enamored of their bakery items, which were all light, flaky, fresh, and delicious. Their croissants, German pastries, and breads are fantastic. They also have terrific coffee. I haven't checked out the place for dinner, but I haven't enjoyed my sit-in experiences all that much. Brunch is a mess--besides the always-massive crowd of people awkwardly crammed into a small space, and the squished-in tables, the ordering system is chaotic and confusing. You always see a few newbies standing around aimlessly, not understanding where they're supposed to go, or what they're supposed to do. I don't know why it can't have a sit-down ordering system, like most proper restaurants? I find ordering at the counter so annoying. The service also inevitably suffers. The last time I went there for brunch, I ordered an omelet, and for some reason the person who was supposed to deliver the omelet couldn't find me and just brought it back to the kitchen. I finally went to the kitchen to ask about it after waiting for 25 minutes, and was given the now-cold omelet, with no offer to warm it or replace it, and no offer to compensate for it. I barely touched it before throwing it out. (The omelets are rather unimpressive here.) Haven't been back for brunch since, but I'll stop by once in awhile for coffee or pastries.

    (3)

  • Loren W.

    Great bakery and restaurant. German tested and approved (not me but my girlfriend and her family). It's a must visit if you're in Durham/Triangle.

    (5)

  • Yuan F.

    This is my to-go place for PANCAKES. Egg benedict good too. Great bretzel knots and breads. Pastry is not as good as La Farm.

    (5)

  • Heather D.

    Haven't tried dinner yet - but the lunch/brunch is always good, and the bakery is amazing. They have a pear and cheddar sandwich I'm particularly fond of, but so far, I've never had anything there I didn't like. Guglhupf is always on the list of places to take guests from out of town for me.

    (5)

  • Lynda G.

    My family of four planned on seeing a show at DPAC and were unfamiliar with the area (coming from Greensboro). I randomly decided to seek out a German restaurant on the internet and the first one that popped up was Guglhupf. I decided to take a stab at it after reading a few positive reviews. I made reservations for Saturday night and things couldn't have been better. I explained that our show was at 8 and the woman suggested we arrive at 6:15. When we arrived (at 6:25) , the hostess made sure we were being served by an effecient waiter so that we could get out on time. We were seated right away. The place wasn't that crowded....there were about 5 tables that were empty (inside). We ordered the weiner schnitzel and a pork chop dish with saurkraut (can't remember the name). Everything was FANTASTIC!!! The food was seasoned to perfection, everything tasted incredible and very authentic. We were disappointed that we didn't have time for dessert (our fault) because we soooo wanted to try some of their selections. We will definitely come back the next time we're in Durham!! The only thing that I would have changed is that my chair was super rickety....I couldn't shift positions without thinking it would collapse and the table was small for four of us...the plate hung over the table about 2 inches and my son almost knocked his off. Other than that, 5 stars!

    (5)

  • Liwei Y.

    One of my favourite brunch places. The bread here is good and I loooove their turkey, brie, and apple chutney sandwich. If I am not sure what to order on the menu, this sandwich is always my fall-back option. I am not a huge fan of their side dishes now. They used to always order the broccoli and cauliflower as a side, but unfortunately it's not an option anymore. I also came here for dinner a few times. Dinner is a lot more expensive, but still good. I've gotten their short ribs here before and it was really good, but I feel like it's hard to go wrong with short ribs. They have an oyster dish with good tasting sauce. The sausages for dinner were so-so...one of them was a little too sour for my liking. I would come here for brunch instead of dinner. The ambience of this place is very nice.

    (4)

  • Holly B.

    I was treating one of my biotech customers and asked them what kind of food they wanted me to bring in for breakfast. I had 3 people say Guglhupf! and now I know why. The food was phenomenal and the catering order was hot when I came in. I asked for a random assortment and lo and behold it was incredibly diverse. Not only that but my customers raved about it for an incredibly long time. Guglhupf is a great place to use for morning catering.

    (4)

  • Anna L.

    Pleasant dining atmosphere, delicious brunch options, great variety of specialty coffee and pastries. Sunday morning at Guglhupf is the perfect opportunity for an intimate date or outing with family, friends, and loved ones.

    (5)

  • Bernadette A.

    Yelp did not steer me wrong with coming up with a stellar place to eat brunch. My eggs arnold was filling and delicious and the bite of farmer's omelette was tasty. Serving sizes weren't too big so it filled you without the huge gluttonous feeling. It was quite crowded, parking a bit crazy, but we were able to score a table upstairs so we could people watch. We later realized that we didn't try anything from the bakery. Perfect excuse to return!

    (4)

  • Arsi A.

    I'm giving a five star review even though I'm not sure it's entirely deserved. I just seem to enjoy myself so much every time I'm here whether or not the food is up-to-par! haha I went for the first time for lunch, and all the food was great. I was blown away by the atmosphere, as we sat outside in the patio area with the fountain and lovely greenery. The inside is incredibly nice as well, and I loved all the cute touches. Came back for dinner once and I was less impressed. The steak was underdone (we had asked for medium well) and the food wasn't as good as it could have been for the price. Can't wait to go try the brunch, as I've only been for lunch and loved it every time. We've ordered many of the pastries and they've been delicious. This place has turned into a go-to for times when we have people visiting or someone to take out for their birthday.

    (5)

  • Rebecca W.

    I heard wonderful things about Guglhupf for years before I visited, and have been kicking myself for waiting so long ever since. Dinners and brunches there are delicious, everything we've tried has been wonderful - my only disappointment has been that usually by the time I make it to brunch around noon or 1, most of the stock at the attached bakery has been cleared out by earlier customers, so there's not much to choose from for baked goods to take home. It's a little spendy for dinner, but the food is ABSOLUTELY worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    I'm probably going against the grain here, but this has been disappointing. I would give the bakery 4 stars. A little overpriced but excellent food. But the restaurant is subpar. I went for breakfast and got eggs arnold (like benedict but veggie), and the egg was so runny it was disgusting. I tried the other plates on the table and none were all that good. A definite lack of seasoning. You really shouldn't need to put hot sauce on food from a good restaurant. I've also eaten here twice for dinner, and it was only OK. Thought it was overpriced for the mediocre quality. At this point they're coasting on their reputation. I would advice newcomers to not believe the hype. With so many new and interesting restaurants opening up, Guglehupf needs a wake-up call to get back to high quality.

    (2)

  • Alison W.

    Even my food-snob sweetie thinks this place is fabulous. It's a must for their amazing food and delicious desserts. Dine in or take home, food is great.

    (5)

  • Vivian L.

    This place is the bee's knees! The decor is cute, there's 2 floors of indoor seating and a large outside patio. We had the schnitzel and a chicken club sandwich. Both were delightful, not heavy, lots of flavor, and served with a real mixed green salad (not iceberg). We then moved onto desserts. :-). We had a creme puff which had the lightest pastry shell and yummy creme filling and then a chocolate tart which was rich, not too sweet, and beautiful. If come back here again in a heartbeat and pick up some more pastries and bread to take home after my meal, too.

    (5)

  • Ivy H.

    Fast and friendly service. it's also easy to place an order online if you are wanting several items. We've tried several of the bakery items and all were wonderful esp. the Berliners. The scones and danishes have also been big hits when we host guests. They also have several jams we pick up time to time.

    (5)

  • ed f.

    I've been to guglhupf about 5 times. After going this weekend, i felt i just had to write a review b/c it was so damn good. We love the outdoor seating. We love the food. We've had about 6 different dishes and they've all been great. This weekend i had the caesar w/ chicken which sounds incredibly boring, but was nice, fresh and light. Great stuff. The bread basket it comes with is a really nice touch. My only negatives are the parking, & the ordering process, but those are really minor nits. Great place overall.

    (5)

  • Gerard R.

    Good food, terrible service experience. Hostess drop food and disappear. No effort to serve customers. Need to improve before i consider returning.

    (1)

  • Phil H.

    Interesting that I have loved this place so long and it changed my mind in one visit. When you get pork that is still pink throughout, it is not done. When we asked for it to be cooked (pork is not safe otherwise), we are told by MANAGEMENT that their "locally raised pork" stays pink when it is cooked. Incredible that this yahoo thinks he knows more about pork than someone that raised and cooked pigs for 20 years. Their bad attitude can make you sick.

    (2)

  • Kristel D.

    Best lattes around...and awesome real food. Good place to go for stuff that my mom and grandma used to make, while still keeping it cool and relevant. I always salivate at the deserts. Nothing better than to sit outside when the weather is nice.

    (5)

  • Tera B.

    I love this place for breakfast, lunch and dinner!!!!! Everything is so delicious! Make sure to get reservations for evening meals!

    (5)

  • Yelp H.

    My fiance and I had been wanting to try this place for a while and we're so glad we finally did. We loved the ecclectic atmosphere, the service was very good, and the food was fantastic! I had the schnitzel, which reminded me of something my mom would make...yum in the tum. My fiance had the braised beef shanks...DE-licious. We asked to share a beet and walnut salad, and they actually brought it out on 2 plates, which was really rather thoughtful. The Chocolate Aztec Cake we had for dessert was equally good...spicy, rich and different, in a good way. The presentation of their dishes was lovely, too. One final note - the cream puffs from the bakery are nothing short of pornographic. Govern yourself accordingly! :) Go if you get a chance...you'll love it!

    (4)

  • Bradly W.

    My absolute favorite place for brunch in the triangle, the food is really great. I love to take friends and family here when they visit from out of town. I'm partial to the eggs arnold (vegetarian eggs benedict with spinach and artichoke), and it's really tasty. They make wonderful breads and have the best croissants in the triangle. The atmosphere is really nice especially if you can grab a table outside when the weather's nice. The only problem I have is with the parking, the restaurant can accomodiate twice as many parties as there is parking. I usually end up parking across the street and have to dodge the oncoming traffic on 15-501 business. All in all, I'd highly recommend it.

    (4)

  • Mandy L.

    Chocolate croissants are to die for!!! Parking just sucks

    (4)

  • Marcella W.

    I am obsessed with this place. Every Saturday morning I wake up and turn over to my boyfriend and say "GUGELHUPF!" It's just that good. The bakery is amazing. I love the cheesy pretzel (I love the toasted cheese crust flavor in general, and any type of pretzel bread is my kind of bread). The Linzer cookies are very good too. I tried making some at home but they weren't quite as good, so if anyone has Gugelhupf's recipe, send it my way :) As for the cafe, I recommend the seared tuna sandwich, reuben, or eggs hollandaise. They have a lot of animal-heavy dishes (either meat or dairy) and I've been meaning to check their suppliers to see where they get their meat. Hopefully it's local!

    (5)

  • Atiguf I.

    We went there for coffee & desert. Very nice americano & lattes. Also very good chocolate mocca torte desert w/ rasberry sorbet. So yummy.

    (4)

  • Caroline Z.

    It's also worth mentioning that Guglhupf is an excellent and reliable (if nearly over-popular) teleworking spot. The internet signal is strong, there are a number of tables with easy access to an electrical outlet, and the heavenly hot chocolate feels like a necessary business expense.

    (4)

  • H M.

    Went for dinner and had the wiener schnitzel. Very enjoyable, especially with the Franziskaner Hefe-Weissbier, which was on draft and fresh, served in a classic, tall, .5 L weissbier glass. Served with a lemon wedge and not poured well, but I'lll forgive it. This place doesn't exactly have an authentic German menu through and through, but I had a good meal. I want to go back and try the bakery. Outstanding service. Would go back.

    (4)

  • Liz J.

    I'm a big fan of their brunch, baked good and desserts. Dinner is also fantastic- the patio at night is beautiful and the food is wonderful. One of my favorite places to eat in Durham. I recommend eggs arnold for brunch!

    (5)

  • Dan W.

    Five stars for being the only real German bakery this side of...Washington? NY? Great bread, pretzels and other baked goods from old country. Cafe is bustling and food is straigt ahead wunderbar. And they have a selection of German biers (this is one area they can improve on. More!) Have only been there for lunch and take out. Dinner menu looks very promising.

    (5)

  • Andrew Z.

    3.5 stars- great food, poor service The food at Guglhupf is very good and is particularly well-suited for breakfast and brunch. I'm in love with their schnitzel and also find many of their sandwiches to be delicious and interesting (turkey, apple, and brie, for example). Their breakfast-y items (eggs, toast, omelets) also look really good, but I haven't had a chance to try them. Although the food is good, what really makes Guglhupf worth trying are the desserts and other baked goods. The chocolate tarts, petit fours, lemon squares, etc. are some of the best in Durham (easily beating out Mad Hatter's which is pretty good in its own right). Additionally, adjacent to the actual restaurant is a cool bakery with really amazing breads and "accessories": Italian salamis, French cheeses, various fruit spreads, and other pastries. The one sticking point with Guglhupf, at least in my experience, is that you really have to fight to get your food. The place is always crowded, for good reason, and there is no waiter service. As a result, Guglhupf staff often have difficulty in finding the table where each plate is supposed to go. This can lead to long wait times and multiple trips to inquire in the kitchen about your order. But as long as you don't go in expecting a formal restaurant with candle light and table cloths, Guglhupf is almost always a very good experience. The in-restaurant food is good, the desserts/pastries are masterful and fun to eat, and the bakery is a great place to find some uncommon and high-quality snack and sandwich items.

    (4)

  • Allen K.

    This place rocks. The food is great, The ambiance is good, and the service is usually outstanding. If you are from New York, you will be shocked at how reasonable the prices are (owners please dont read this)!. Even by Durham standards, its very reasonable. And boy what you get!!. The schnitzl melts in your mouth. Each component of the salads bursts tastefully in your mouth, The pasta is perfect. Oh and the deserts will have you crying for more (which if you come for lunch you can get at their bakery to take home). Presentation is conservative and does not distract from the food.

    (5)

  • Amber C.

    Guglhuph is almost perfect. The food is delish--the best schnitzel I've had other than my German grandmother's and the salads and sandwiches are always refreshing. I'll go out of my way home from work to get a pretzel roll, bread loaf, or dessert from the bakery next door. It would be 5 stars if it weren't so crowded sometimes. Favorite items: lemon bar, anything with the mustard, and the sausage and cheese plate.

    (4)

  • Amanda T.

    Wonderful, wonderful breakfast/brunch place. I've been here 5-6 times, and right next to another brunch place I love, Foster's. Both places tend to get extremely crowded on the weekends for brunch, so be prepared to hover around table hunting. It can get a bit cramped inside so definitely sit outside if the weather permits. The patio is delightful on a sunny day and I love sitting in the upstairs atrium - they have fun artwork for sale - I was actually tempted to purchase one. I love their pastries. Make sure you go early enough to go into the bakery (they close before the cafe). I have also tried the omlettes, delicious and fluffy. I usually shy away from potato salad because it's usually way too heavy on the mayonnaise, but Guglhupf serves a delicious light potato salad. Perfectly seasoned and light enough to eat an entire serving.

    (4)

  • Matt M.

    Even though I'll never be able to pronounce their name correctly, we managed a Sunday brunch blitzkrieg over to Guglhupf to see what all the praise was about. Ironically, I discovered upon our arrival that I've been passing them on my way to monthly meetings for well over a year.... son of a beast, d'oh! We managed to find an available parking space and headed in, noting the wicked decor and the waterfall along the steps. The place was bustling outside and stepping in, there was a line stretching to the back door. Thankfully they have an efficient system at the registers to keep the line moving and after about tens minutes of studying the brunch menu in line, we were next. I recommend finding a table before placing your order to reduce the stress of juggling beverages, your table number, and pastries while on the prowl for a table. I really enjoyed the layout of the building. You can sit inside, upstairs, or outside! We chose to people watch from the second story and avoid the bustle of brunch downstairs. We decided on the farmer's omelet, a side of bacon and the bread basket with two drip coffees. The omelet was fresh, filling and packed with flavor from the caramelized onions and ground sausage. The sausage was subtle but added the meat punch that brunch deserves. The fruit was fresh and thick cut. The bacon was crisp and complimented the bread basket. The variety of breads was intriguing and helped polish an omelet plate clean. Overall, I was very pleased with Guglhupf. Their menu is fresh and hearty for the brunch lovers in all of us!

    (4)

  • Nima M.

    I had high hopes for guglhupf after the rating it got on yelp- the place is cute and has lots of outdoor seating. I came here on a weekday with my toddler twins hoping to pick something up and head home- I noticed they had stairs which wasn't going to work for me since I had a stroller- stood there a good two minutes while multiple people and staff walked by and didn't bother to ask if I needed help OR that there was a ramp on the other side- i digress. The menu is pretty good- i got a reuben for myself and a nutella sandwich for the kids- the were both average- nothing memorable. The corned beef on the reuben was good but the sandwich lacked the tang and creaminess I expect in a good reuben and the bread did not taste like rye at all. I also asked the person that rang me up that we would be outside waiting for our order and if they could, just let me know when our order was up- 15 minutes later i go inside to find our order sitting on counter- don't say you will come out and tell me when its up if you aren't going to do it. Will I give his place another shot- maybe, if I was close by. Would I recommend a foodie friend go here- probably not.

    (3)

  • Fakhar K.

    Always packed, always good, does not disappoint. A must if you are in the area. Great selection of bakeries.

    (4)

  • Meredith D.

    I've been to Guglhupf four times total (two brunches, two dinners), but twice in the past week. Guglhupf gets 3 stars for breakfast and 5 stars for dinner, averaging a 4 in my book. Sunday brunch: --Even in winter, people were eating outside by heaters. --I ordered an omelette. It was simple with leeks, mushrooms and cheese, and it was good. --I always order a pastry with brunch here, so I told the man at the counter I'd have whatever cheese danish they had. It was with apples and huge and yummy. Only thing is I didn't know I had to wait at the counter to get it, so after I'd completely finished my breakfast, I remembered I never got my pastry, so I had to go downstairs and ask for it. --Two friends got the eggs Benedict and Arnold, and they finished them, so I guess that means good. --Bf got the scrambled eggs and was not impressed only because they were exactly that: three scrambled eggs and a piece of bread. One friend joked, "Well it's a German restaurant, so you got exactly what they said you would." Friday night dinner: Love, love, love. I do like this place for dinner the most. I don't eat a lot of sausage, but I still like to read all of the German options on the menu, and I always find delicious things to order. --Cocktail: rye smile. YES, try it if you like ginger. --My mom and I each got one of the soups of the day (tomato bisque with chipotle and the monkfish chowder... that ended up actually being a sausage and bean soup... but still yummy). --First courses: I very much enjoyed my fried oyster salad. It was rich with flavor but not too filling. Mom had the sautéed mushrooms and a poached eggs. She devoured it. --Second courses: I had the house made pasta with a white wine cream sauce. My favorite part of the dish was the balsamic red onion. It went so well with the sauce. Mom had the rabbit confit. It was a little dry. --Desserts: We split the eggnog creme brûlée with two ginger cookies. I loved this dish, but the portion size is huge. You can definitely get one to share. We also split the bitter chocolate ganache tart with candied oranges. It came with a pistachio ice cream, which I believe should be eaten with a bite of tart. It really makes the dessert taste the best. I'd probably rather come for dinner again before brunch, but on a sunny morning, eating brunch and sitting in their garden space is a very nice experience. I also think it's more homey sitting upstairs rather than downstairs inside. At night, it was nice to see the garden lights out the window.

    (4)

  • Matthew E.

    I'll start by saying that I love this place - it's my "go to" anytime I can eat breakfast out or grab a coffee. This review is for the dinner experience. When Guglhupf first started up their dinner service my wife and I went and had an average experience. Mostly because the diner on the next door table had the loudest voice ever. We recently returned with both kids and my parents and had a wonderful dinner at a table upstairs. The service was excellent and the food was outstanding. It's hard to find a place that has great food, a varied menu, and you can get away with bringing young kids. The restaurant was almost full on a Tuesday night (wow) and the atmosphere was just lively enough that our kids did not disturb, yet it was not noisy. I ate the wiener schnitzel, my parents had the steak, and my wife had slow braised stuffed cabbage rolls, which looked really good (for a vegi dish). I always enjoy their bread, the beer is great quality, and the half-price wine bottle was a plus. Desserts were equally tasty. This left me feeling that the dinner is now equal to the quality of the breakfast/lunch/bakery fare. A great experience!

    (5)

  • Aaks L.

    I came across Guglhupf a year after I moved to South Durham and now that I don't live there anymore, I regret why I didn't find it sooner!! One evening I was looking for a different coffeeshop (basically: non-starbucks coffee) and I stopped by Guglhupf for a cuppa coffee and I loved it! But the 5 stars on this review are not just because of their great coffee.. I've organized 2 birthday parties and ordered cakes from here (one was a Chocolate Ganache Torte and the other was Mango Mousse Torte) and trust me.. I still bump into people and they ask me where I got that yummy cake from!! The cakes are just heavenly. Now I always swing by their bakery for fresh bread, desserts, et al. Last but not the least.. Weekend brunch here is great too. My favorite? Eggs Arnold. They've a beautiful outdoor seating area.. but the warm interiors indoors (especially upstairs) keep me inside the cafe most of the time. Love what they've done with the space. Only if we could do something about the parking space.. though I always find a spot within 2-5 minutes :)

    (5)

  • Alemayehu B.

    The food was good, service was average. I was there for a Saturday brunch, overall it is one of the better brunch locations in the area, just make sure to save enough time to find parking on the weekends.

    (4)

  • Ron W.

    Wow, oh wow! Living in Raleigh I'm pretty happy with everything we've got out this way eating-wise but please, could we get a Guglhupf?! You run into their pastries at a variety of coffee shops and stores but this was my first visit to the mothership! And yeah, pretty amazing stuff... There's a small storefront where you can get all their pastries and breads. Next door is the HUGE cafe where you can get your caffeine, drinks or sit down for a real meal. The patio is awesome and offers free wi-fi! I grabbed a danish with fruit which was amazingly good. Flaky pasty with a luscious center and fresh strawberry, kiwi and blueberry piled on top, yum-meee! Guglhupf would absolutely kill me if it was nearby because it's an awesome combination of coffee and bakery shop! No disrespect to the Morning Times or Helios but I would loves me some Guglhupf in R-Town some day soon...

    (4)

  • Christine W.

    Went here for brunch on a Sunday. Plenty of seating available. The eggs Benedict were average, the special, beef short rib hash with sunny side up eggs were great! Service is mediocre - cashiers and food runners were not friendly. I had to get up and get my own napkins and silverware and never got water. It's an ok place to go if you are looking for good atmosphere- but I have had much better food and service elsewhere.

    (3)

  • K W.

    Watch Your Wallet! Dinner orders are taken at your table, but until then it's "cafeteria" style. You walk up and place your order. Don't just order your beer randomly without looking at the menu or take the server's recommendation. Some beers are surprisingly pricey so better to ask and know the price before they hand you the credit card slip and startle you with the total - especially if you are treating a friend and having an awkward moment. Ambience is nice, especially the outdoor seating on a pretty day. Skip the steak panini, poor cut of meat with fat and gristle. Other paninis are a better choice. Good pastries.

    (3)

  • Larry T.

    What a pleasure having such a great Bistro/Bakery less than 2 minutes away from our home. Went for dinner last night before going to see Sheryl Crow at DPAC and as usual was pleased as punch with our meal which we ate "Al fresco" in the courtyard patio space. Rather than an entrée; I ordered two small plates; Seared Scallops served with a local sweet corn puree and a pea-shoot salad and their Potato and Leek Tart with a small spring salad on the side. Both were exceptional. My wife choose the local snapper, pan fried and served over a "succotash" of local corn, arugula, bacon and onion that was a wonderful accompaniment. This is truly a local neighborhood gem, with reasonable prices, great ambiance and I love that they are dedicated to sourcing as much as they possibly can locally.

    (4)

  • Karman K.

    We went here for Triangle Restaurant Week and let me tell you, it was legit. The steak salad was legit with a greater steak to organic greens ratio - my kinda salad. The pork porterhouse was legit with a tasty mustard sauce that in no way over powered it - my kinda main dish. The chocolate wafer with mocha mousse was legit with a nice mix of lightness and rich chocolate flavor - my kinda dessert. The dishes were flavorful and vibrant. Beautiful presentation and a very cool vibe.

    (4)

  • Mariko M.

    Love, love, love this place! I am a pseudo-Durhamite and I have been here four times. Each time, I am never disappointed with my experience here. The lattes come with latte art, which is always a plus in my books. What my friend and I usually do is go to the main eatery first and then pick up something at the bakery when we're about to leave. For their sandwich meals, you get a side to accompany it. I would recommend the potato salad or cabbage salad. I have had potato salads that have been so creamy you can't tell what it is. You could stick marshmallows in it and I wouldn't be able to tell due to the overwhelming amount of mayo. The cabbage salad is a twist on cole slaw. It comes with three types of cabbage and once again, you can actually taste the cabbage in the salad. For their sandwiches, you can never go wrong. I've had their chicken salad and turkey-brie-apple sandwiches - both are absolutely delish! Come early as parking here is a *female dog*! My friend lives by the saying 'patience is a virtue', which has resulted in us finding a parking spot eventually each time. ;)

    (5)

  • casey f.

    Quick review from an out of towner: we picked this place on way into town because it was on the "36 Hours in Durham" article in the NYT. We had a great lunch! The cafe has a lovely ambiance on the patio particularly because of the beautiful fountain. They have excellent schnitzel and almond cookies. All of the pastries looked incredible but we only opted for the cookies.

    (4)

  • Emily Y.

    I've been here a number of times for brunch, but somehow I'm always underwhelmed. Sure, the pancakes are fluffy and somewhat decent--but are they worth $7? Yeah, their pastries usually suffice (I really do like their elephant ear), but they always feel super-overpriced for what you get. And last time, the eggs benedict came on a single piece of toast. Nope, not on English muffins. ONE piece of bread, with two little eggs, for $9. And no, it didn't come with much of a side salad--there were only a few meager pieces of fruit. It's sad because (Yelp cliché coming up) I REALLY REALLY wanted to like this place. Enough that I came back so many times. I guess Gugulhupf just doesn't wow me.

    (2)

  • Brett P.

    I tried this bakery when I was visiting Durham for an interview. It was so delicious that I went there 2 times in my 3 days there. Everything I tried was delicious, and everything else looked equally awesome. The staff in the bakery were friendly and willing to talk with me about the different items available. I tried a chocolate disk covered in caramelized almond slivers which was unbelievably delicious. I also sampled their macaroons and an item which consisted of chocolate mousse on top of a cookie enveloped in a rich chocolate ganache - Indulgent as can be! I really wish I had the chance to try their restaurant. It looked great and had a really cool looking outdoor seating area. Definitely hit this place if you are in town! The only bad thing I can say about it is that it is not cheap, but the quality is definitely there.

    (4)

  • Susan Z.

    As the 40 previous reviews have established: Guglhupf is awesome. I prefer Guglhupf over Foster's. The environment is light & airy & clean, the food is delicious and usually nicely presented, and it's chill. Well, as chill as a place as busy as Guglhupf can be. I cannot vouch for dinner, I have never been and I'm actually not a fan of them offering dinner (for selfish reasons). I think the best time to go on weekends is after the brunch rush. So like noon to 1pm. They stop serving food at 2pm. Grab a table upstairs, still enough time to get food, and just chill & tool around on your laptop or do "work". My idea of a good Sunday morning!

    (5)

  • Jeff G.

    Went here for lunch recently and had my first schnitzel. It was tasty, but not amazing, which may just be my opinion of schnitzel in general. They had some interesting German beer, including a smoky Rauchbier that is hard to find. I get the theme, but throwing a few local craft beers in the mix would be nice for people not wanting to gamble on a $5+ unknown beer. The ordering/paying seemed a bit confused because we all ordered separately at the counter but they seemed to think we were paying together, maybe? The decor is amazing both inside and out, and the staff was friendly. I went back again this morning for a pastry, which was wonderful. I will have to make my way back here again soon!

    (4)

  • Laura S.

    I've only been to Guglhupf for lunch so my rating is only based on these two experiences. I really love the atmosphere at Guglhupf. If you are looking for great patio seating, this is a wonderful place (if you can find a spot...it's usually quite packed on a nice day). I've never sat inside, but it seems to be artsy and trendy. Also, be aware that the cafe and patisserie are both closed on Mondays (I've made this mistake a few times). As far as the food goes, I had the ham and cheese panini both times I went because I thought it was delicious! However, my friends did not enjoy their meals quite as much. I sampled my friend's turkey, brie, and apple chutney panini and I found it to be a little bland. I would definitely like to give this place a try for dinner and try out the baked goods on another occasion so I will be back.

    (4)

  • Stephanie T.

    So delighted that we found just a classic but unique spot to grab brunch while in town. We were visiting from Charlotte for a coffee event and used yelp to find a light bite. Hubby had the reuben with salad while I enjoyed the classic scrambled egg, fresh fruit, and local bacon. It is always refreshing to find places that really serve food that is to your own personal standard, We will definitely return!

    (4)

  • Taylor M.

    Loved this bakery. I miss the cream puffs - they were sheer perfection. I'm far away in Dallas now, but can't wait to return to Durham and get a chocolate croissant and a cream puff!

    (5)

  • Dane W.

    Delicious deserts and brunch food. Recommend their paninis. Gorgeous scenery inside and outside of the building. Quick service. Wasn't crowded when I visited. Yummy and inexpensive drip coffee (only 50 cents for refills)!

    (5)

  • Lloyd M.

    Normally we go to Guglhupf for lunch, love it, but it never seemed like the place for a great dinner. I was very surprised, the restaurant totally transforms itself into a fine dining establishment (except for the paper table clothes) in the evening. Service was very professional yet friendly and the food was fantastic. Started with a charcuterie plate, which had some interesting meats. A salad with grilled pear and an apricot vinaigrette was fantastic; I rarely eat salad but this was a plate licker. Main course was the special, duck breast, and it was prepared perfectly. Rare but not chewy or gamey. A great meal. One other thing. They do not have a kids menu but we brought our two children (ages 7 and 9) and they made pasta with butter (and offered some other kid friendly selections).

    (5)

  • Jennifer D.

    I love going to Guglhupf for breakfast for brunch. I had the Spring Omelette, chocolate croissant and a coffee. All delicious, though the Spring Omelette could have used a little sauce or something. The croissant was terrific, very buttery and light. The only thing I don't like about Guglhupf is the ordering process - it's so crowded and disorganized - because everyone crowds by the door near the counter. Other than that, it's an awesome place to go with a group of friends or on a family outing.

    (4)

  • Mark W.

    Guglhupf Bakery is almost an institution around here, and very well deserving of a 5 star review. I've been to Guglhupf more often in the context of a coffee shop than as a restaurant, and I think this is really where they shine. The building is on a relatively large lot, and it's easily one of my favorite commercial buildings in the area. The patio section is cut about 5 feet deep into the parking lot and has a fountain running along the walls, which both serve to isolate you from the road noise and surrounding Durham. The main building is very large and has an open design with staircase in the center, while the bakery section is actually off to the side on the ground level. I love the design of the building, and it really makes for a nice place to hang out to do some work. The bakery sells their bread to other local restaurants, so if you've had an exceptional bun or bread for your sandwich in Durham, it may have come from here. All of the pastries I've tried have been good, although the Berlinners didn't quite meet up to the hype for me. It's probably just because I'm not crazy about jelly doughnuts, because other people certainly rave about them. They usually have three types of coffee to choose from, and I've always managed to find one that I like. I also love how their coffee comes with a tiny sugar cookie that goes great with the coffee. The brunch menu is the highlight here as far as food goes, with many interesting and delicious items available. The dinner menu is really nothing special, and I generally think J Betskis is a better alternative for legitimate German dinner. In some cases I might be tempted to knock a star off for that reason, but Guglhupf does the all day until dinner stuff so well, that it really doesn't even need to do dinner in my opinion. I always try to recommend Guglhupf to people who haven't been here, and I think it's also a great place to bring visitors from out of town. The atmosphere and food are perfect for light conversation in the afternoon, making this a top pick for hanging out whenever convenient.

    (5)

  • Si Eun K.

    Good place for a brunch! But there are always tons of people -- it's a really busy place. They serve really small portion of food, which is not enough for a person like me who eats a lot!

    (3)

  • Dave P.

    Definitely a solid place for breakfast on a weekend but it didn't knock my socks off. I was surprised by the whole 'order up front, take a number, and pray the servers find you'-type thing they have going on. It didn't seem normal for the size and style of restaurant but whatever.

    (3)

  • Rebecca T.

    #NAME?

    (4)

  • Kellye M.

    Love their breakfast, love their pastries. I'd recommend going later in the morning to avoid the crazy rush, but it's still worth the wait. Great eggs, great bacon, and seriously...the baked goods... to DIE for :D Their parking can be a pain, and there's a speed trap nearby(watch out if you're headed back to CH after, we've seen them there multiple times) But otherwise, love that place and you should definitely try it. It is one of the breakfast places I love.

    (5)

  • Romin B.

    After having another brunch there today, I looked at my earlier review and realized I sound strangely bitter, like my gf cheated on me with the owner or something. On second thought, I was a bit harsh. Now to re-address my previous concerns: 1. Portion size - yes the plates are small compared to most restaurants. However, if your stomach is not a bottomless pit like mine, you may be reasonably satisfied and find the smaller portions a refreshing change from the progressive catering to America's expanding waistlines. Personally, I like that little pressure in your gut that says you might have exceeded your caloric requirements for the day. Hurts so good. 2. Food quality - I'll reiterate that I don't find their brunch items impressive in the least, especially compared to other triangle eateries I've tried. My favorite meals are the sandwiches that are not brunch-specific. I recently had a steak sandwich which was fantastic, and the apple brie and turkey chutney is good as well. 2 stars for the brunch, while the sandwiches are a solid 4. Prices also are pretty reasonable, as most things are under $9. Seems a tad high to me cause it comes shorter than many places on fullness:price ratio, but if you're a light eater who'd rather save a couple bucks and avoid taking a to-go box, you might be better off. Overall, I can't whole-heartedly recommend Guglhupf for brunch when I usually walk away slightly unsatisfied across the board with regards to food taste, portion size, and the quarter tank of gas I wasted circling the lot 9 times to find a parking spot. But it's admittedly better than I initially gave it credit for. So no hard feelings Guglhupf owner guy.

    (3)

  • Tierney F.

    I went here for the Triangle Restaurant Week. I ate off the restaurant week menu whereas my boyfriend ate from the regular menu. We both really enjoyed our meals and were stuffed when we left. He got the sausage plate which I would definitely suggest as it was delicious. While there we both also commented on the great atmosphere and we plan to go back when it is a warmer as the outside patio looked like a beautiful place to eat. For a nice restaurant, I felt the meals were reasonably priced and I was very impressed with both the beer prices and the German beer options which you wouldn't get from other restaurants in Durham. It is too expensive for me to go on a regular basis but it would be great for a special occasion. The only reason I gave it a 4 out of 5 is because we had a little problem with our reservation. We called a week in advance but when we got there they had no record of our reservation. However, they fit us in anyway so it did not end up being an issue. I would recommend this place and definitely plan to go back.

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    Came with a large group last month. The staff were very friendly and the food was very good. There is more seating indoors than we first expected, but wasn't enough space for us all to sit together or even near one another. Everyone enjoyed their food and the staff did a good job bringing the orders upstairs and finding us all.

    (4)

  • Eric D.

    Guglhupf is unique, eclectic, and more than delicious. I take my family here when they come to visit. Popular menu items include the tuna nicoise, duck confit (which I do not believe they serve anymore unfortunately) and eggs benedict, among others. I have thoroughly enjoyed every visit I've made, and no trip to this area would be complete with a brunch or lunch here. Their hours of operation can be a problem though. This creates a great deal of congestion inside and out. Luckily there's an unpopular chinese restaurant next door with plenty of spare parking spots. For the most part, you will bump into lots of people both literally and figuratively. It's like a constant dance to stay out of people's way and not lose your spot in line at the same time. To really get the most out of this place, an affinity for standing long periods is a must. The price is as you would expect for food of this caliber, but you don't come here to eat for a bargain. The outdoor dining area is awesome, and the upstairs is decorated awesomely. The service is decent. You'll need to be pretty self-sufficient. They even allow dogs outside, which I'm pretty sure they're not supposed to. Dinner on the few times I've been was much more service-oriented. It felt like a regular sit-down restaurant. Now for the big news. The bakery is out-of-this-world awesome. Anything you see that appears expensive, calorific, and likely the most delicious thing you've ever eaten is probably just that. Their breads are great too! The quality of everything is great, and the ingredients are very fresh. The people that work there will tell you all about them too. Go here. Enough said.

    (5)

  • Stuart S.

    Very good desserts and coffee, in a lovely environment. Can you please be open more hours?

    (5)

  • Nene K.

    I went to Guglhuph for brunch. This place gets very busy for weekend brunch which is a testament to its popularity. I ordered the stack of pancakes which was delightful and very rich. Service was laisez-faire but attentive, well suited for a cafe. They take homage to Germany with a new level with German appliances. Kitschy and funny. Verdict: Guglhuph is ok. It didn't wow me but it's definitely not a bad place for brunch.

    (3)

  • Roll T.

    How amazing is Guglhupf's ciabatta olive bread? My brother was willing to wade through Washington DC traffic during rush hour two days before Christmas to personally deliver it to me. When the culmination of a roughly five hour drive is to simply hand off a loaf of bread and then be on your way, one can rest assured that an object has passed beyond greatness and is bordering on the subliminal. Either that or my brother is just damn cool. It could be both. The aforementioned ciabatta olive bread certainly ranks in the upper echelon of "olive breads" I have had the pleasure of eating. The supple grain perfectly studded with gorgeous kalamata creates a masticating bliss not easily replicated. I would strongly suggest eating the bread within hours of purchase so as to avoid compromising the perfect texture of the bread. If it sits a couple of days, it will harden and you will wonder why your experience wasn't amazing. It will be your fault. Other than the bread, Guglhupf offers a number of pastries, tarts, and brunch (if you are lucky enough to be in the Chapel Hill area). The cookies and tarts that I have sampled are fine, but they aren't on the same level as the olive ciabatta bread. Overall, this is a nice bakery in Durham. It is certainly worth at least a visit.

    (4)

  • Chris K.

    Guglhupf is an eclectic and pleasant little bakery and brunch place situated in a not-so-scenic portion of 15-501 in Durham, just a block and a half from Biscuitville, which - if we're being honest here - could almost deliver more bang for your buck for putting some meat in the middle of homemade bread. Don't get me wrong, Guglhupf has its perks, but it didn't quite live up to the hype I'd been hearing for so long. First, the pros - if you're looking for a somewhat-unsuspecting place to take your hip, multilingual cousin, fresh in from her tour of Europe, then this is your place. Sitting out on the patio is very reminiscent of a chalet or craft cottage in Austria or Switzerland, and you're likely to hear a variety of languages lilting in the background. The atmosphere is a bit chaotic, but the energy can be infectious, and that which is not is surprisingly easy to filter out given that there are people everywhere and wait staff seem to be climbing across empty tables to deliver food. The bread - as to be expected - is fresh and delicious. The cons - the food is average compared to the bread. The menu is a bit misleading, noting a wide a variety of artisanal meats and sausages on the wurstplatte which, upon delivery, looked like the cold cuts section at the local Harris Teeter. The meats were acceptable, but would not have been half as good without the spicy mustard and fresh bread. Speaking of the menu, with a name like Guglhupf, you'd expect at least one true wurst plate, and perhaps the opportunity to find some kraut somewhere other than on the reuben. The closest to that sort of fare you'll find is the schnitzel, which I would like to try if I return for a second meal. At least there was a Southern German potato salad as an option. Speaking of the reuben, this is what my companion ordered, and it was pretty tasty. However, I've had similar reubens at countless other brunch locales, so Guglhupf doesn't set itself apart. Overall, the atmosphere and the bread don't quite overcome the poorly-designed ordering area that clogs up the main entrance to the restaurant, nor the average taste of the food we sampled. Still, I'd give Guglhupf another try, especially their new dinner menu. Next time, I'll try the weiner schnitzel, and if it's as good as I'm hoping, I'll be back to bump those stars up a notch or two. BRUNCH BREADLOVERS TIP: If you plan to get something to take home from the bakery after Sunday brunch, it's probably best to make your purchase before you eat. The selection goes quickly and the bakery closes at 2. We sat on the patio next to the bakery and counted at least 10 sets of people pulling perplexedly at the door expecting to get their loaves of goodness after closing time.

    (3)

  • Michael G.

    Good sandwiches, very cool atmosphere, and good coffee. My only compliant is that when it is cold or rainy outside, it can get really crowded, even with the upstairs part. Oh yeah, parking can also get annoying.

    (4)

  • Anne K.

    Guglhupf is very very Berkeley-esqe! I had brunch here with my grandparents in North Carolina. We had a mix of delicious German pastries, egg dishes, hot chocolate, and coffee. It was also fun to look at all the cake and torts and enjoy the artsy atmosphere while eating and chatting. They rotate exhibiting artists which livens it up. I am kind of excited to see that they ship their famous Dresden-style Christmas Stollen (noted on the food network). I am going to order it as a treat for this holiday season.

    (5)

  • Greg B.

    My wife, son, daughter-in-law, and I ate here about a week ago. We had never been here, but because of the relatively high rating from Yelp, and the fact that we love German food---we were psyched to try this place out. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT! For what you get--the food is a bit on the pricey side. The worst thing was that when our drinks were served---my daughter-in-law's glass was filthy with stains and bits of food. The waitress took the glass away--and POURED IT INTO ANOTHER GLASS!--complete with a few floating reminders of the previous glass. It was at that time that I noticed a very coarse, dark brown HAIR on my glass! The waitress took both back and got new glasses--FINALLY. Only a half-hearted 'Sorry" was given to us. It is pretty sad when one has to inspect one's food to make sure one is not drinking a p____ hair! We will not likely be back!

    (1)

  • April J.

    I love this place! Great atmosphere, good food and decent prices. Mostly it FEELS great. The decor inside and out. I been to two lunches and four brunches so far. Brunches are ALWAYS crowded (this is a good sign). Today I went at 10am...this is a great time to go...it was still a little busy but at least you didn't have to wait in line. I love to just come here to do some work as well. Free Wi-Fi!! My only criticism is the portion of some of the brunch dishes. I had the frittata once and an omelet. I expected a little more than what I got. I was actually still hungry when I was done. My other two brunches were the french toast and apple pancakes. These were more filling... perhaps because they were breadish??? I like to look at the whole of everything...so maybe it's good for me to learn to eat in smaller portions. Then I can finally maintain my weight. Foster's brunch is far better in terms of getting my full dollar's worth. I also love the outdoor area...it's Mediterranean. Now if only we could change the location of the restaurant with some type of body of water in the background and nature like setting...hummmm. I'm always looking for that window seat upstairs but what is there to look at outside??? 15-501 and parking lot?!?! Yikes!

    (4)

  • Patric L.

    Not worth the 30' we spent trying to get anything from the staff. Admittedly, we arrived close to the change between lunch and dinner, but the snootiness of the staff was embarressing to witness and unpleasant to experience. I first looked for a menu since the staff just ignored me but after a few minutes with nothing to show for it, I stopped one of the staff as he was about to walk past me again. I was told that I had one minute to order (after he spent a few minutes looking for the menu). Confused, I asked why, to which one of the cooks butted in and said that dinner was starting then. Naturally, I asked for the dinner menu, but was told I could not order from it. Frustrated, I just walked out. One more person in our group also tried after I went outside and told him. After a few minutes, he came back. Empty handed. We did really enjoy the BBQ at Q down the road though, so something good came of the "visit"...

    (1)

  • Bill W.

    Fruit tartlet! Even if everything else were mediocre, I'd get this once a week. But everything else is good to very good and the employees are always nice and occasionally kind. Bratwurst is fair, but the enveloping bun is terrific. Portions, well they're designed for the anemic, but the tastes, flavors and aromas compensate. The atmosphere/ambiance is upbeat and the patrons considerate.

    (4)

  • Claudia J.

    I am German,from Berlin to be exact and I am always excited when I get to go to places that claim to have German or European food. I miss a lot of food from my hometown, mainly pastries,cakes and all the good stuff my grandmother used to make.So i was a little bit disapointed when I saw the Guglhupf for the very first time.Dingy comes to mind and small.For some reason I kept thinking it is a restaurant, cafe and bakery, all in one but also seperate. i walked down the stairs to the front entrance and the first I noticed was smell like pee,something I know well from parking decks or street corners in the city.Anyway, I went to the bakery first and immediately was greeted by some old friends like the "Berliner" and the "Linzer". I bought bread, and some other pastries that tasted very good. After that I went into the cafe and ordered Schnitzel, and panini (not a German thing) and a sandwich for me and my family.Berliner Weisse is also what I wanted but there seemed to be a small problem of no barman on duty that knows exactly how much rasberry syrup is suppose to go in the beer but they managed and it came out tasting not to shabby. Speaking of shabby, the tables were dirty and the whole atmosphere is more what I would think of with a very young, college crowd sitting around the tables in school. The food was very good, I can not recommend it enough if it seems to be fresh and not from a frozen package. The schnitzel was pretty good sized but also very thin, not expected for that price. same with the sandwiches, very nice but not much to it. The German potato salad was very basic: red potatos,chives, vinegar, salt and pepper. A bit on the bland side for my taste. Was it typically German? I guess so because it did not have mayonnaise in it but some of the potatos had black sections in them, something that should have been cut out before cooking unless they came out of the freezer but it did not taste like frozen. Again, love the fresh salads and they have so much more on the menu that I would like to try. But as for the German experience and food that I miss so much this is not as great as expected. Plus it is pricey. Giving the fact that it takes us almost 2 hours to get there, I would not go back anytime soon. I guess German food as grandma used to make it is not something that can be easily copied. For a better experience I will go back to the french bakery in Cary.

    (3)

  • Jenny H.

    Of all the more upscale places in the Durham/Chapel Hill area (this place should really be $$$), I've been to Guglhupf the most, though it took me a while to realize that it is just not my thing. The place itself is gorgeous, quaint, and the service pretty good. The food is just...okay. I'm not really sure what to make of it. The first time I just ordered the wrong thing (a bratwurst platter) and that was not too pleasant, though a friend of mine got the braised pork belly which was much more delectable. The next few times I came here was for dinner, and I ordered another kind of braised pork dish that honestly was not too bad for the first few bites but quickly grew tiresome as the meal wore on. The flavor was heavy and not something that I could eat an entire dinner entree of. My other entrees that I've ordered are just not memorable. There was this apple-based cake dessert that was quite yummy though, and I had the smoothest dirty chai latte that I've ever had here, so that was a plus. Rating should probably be a 3.5/5.

    (3)

  • Ed T.

    Some friends and I went to Guglhupf for dinner, and the first impression was great. The space is really beautiful, the pastries in the case look great... but the meal started going downhill a bit after being seated. We only ended up with half our drink orders, so we had to chase down our waiter to get them. However, our lovely cheese plate app made its way out, which sort of made up for things. Until, that is, we realized that ordering that app was a necessity: it took about an hour to get our entrees. And when we finally did, mine wasn't worth the wait. My pork steak was overcooked (I ordered it medium, as was recommended, and it was a disappointing well done), and in my opinion, overseasoned. The spaetzle and cabbage, however, was nice. So my meal was pretty disappointing overall, but I'm still giving a generous three points - I get the feeling that the staff was just in the weeds that night: everybody else seemed to have a great meal: the noodles in cream sauce were great, the maultaschen was fabulous and everybody agreed that the weinerschnitzel was wonderful. I've heard great things about the bakery and the brunch, so I'd definitely try those, but I'd be hesitant to give the dinner another shot.

    (3)

  • Ellen C.

    I have been to my share of bakeries and patisseries as I have a massive sweet tooth. I was impressed by their fruit pastries, but was seriously disappointed by the bread basket that I ordered for brunch. I think La Farm in Cary has much better bread and frankly, I make a better European boule or crusty bread at home that is much better than the bread I ate at Guglhupf. However, I would agree that they do their pastries - and perhaps their sweet breads - well. My husband tried an egg or omelette dish for brunch and thought it was good but not particularly memorable. I think this restaurant does win points at some things, so I would definitely give this place another try.

    (3)

  • Meg C.

    My uncle: Do you know what a Berliner is? Me: A jelly doughnut and/or John F. Kennedy! Any semblance of a healthy lifestyle are sure to go out the window if you make the mistake of visiting Guglhupf's on Saturday. That, my friends, is the day they make the doughnuts. These heavenly pillows are filled with some of the best raspberry jam I've ever had in a pastry. They were totally worth waking up at the ass-crack of dawn. Seriously, get there early, they will run out. The rest of pastries were divine, but the eggs were just okay. However, the coffee and fruit salad were pretty decent. The general rule here is: stick to the things that will give you diabetes.

    (4)

  • Peter F.

    One of my favorite places in the Triangle. The quality of the ingredients is superior to just about anywhere, and the food just sings to you.

    (5)

  • Moon B.

    Yummy, healthy with vegetarian options.. real food! Fast service to go. I will return next time I'm in the area.

    (5)

  • Michael M.

    Brunch, Dinner, or just picking up bread - I have never had a bad experience. They even bailed us out on getting baguettes even though the bakery was closed! The one criticism that there is nothing they can do about - parking. Because of its popularity it seems their neighbors have taken a hard line on letting people park nearby. If you are there on a Sunday for brunch the place is madness, I suggest parking across the street at the bank and doing the Frogger.

    (5)

  • Ryan T.

    Wow.... I'm so excited a place like this exists in the Triangle. I'm sick of chain restaurants and overpriced venues downtown which are trying to hard to be like a big city "tapas" bar or something. This place gets it right. Affordable prices, GREAT food, locally roasted carrboro hand crafted coffees, an eclectic selection of beers... oh and did I mention there is an epic bakery in here too? Its hard to pick whether to sit on the spacious patio or inside on one of the two levels.... it has a whole urban meets farmers market feel to it. Super rad. Highly recommended place to check out.

    (5)

  • Michelle O.

    Delicious! Wonderful atmosphere. Just be careful of the Sunday morning brunch crowd- this place gets quite packed!

    (5)

  • Harry P.

    Review of the Bakery only - Like a piece of Europe dropped in my backyard. Finest croissants and legit baked goods anywhere. Chocolate croissants, pretzel breads, pretzels. I lived for a few wonderful months in Switzerland near the German border and each morning there would be fresh baked chocolate croissants and pretzel sandwiches in the corner bakeries. Guglhupf makes exactly the same croissants and breads. They're so amazingly good. The pretzel bread is great for making a little sandwich to watch the game with. The pretzel bread doesn't last long due to the salt crystals eventually absorbing moisture and getting wet, but while they're fresh, they're heavenly. The best thing to do is to skip the restaurant which is slow anyways. Go to the bakery, get a drink and a selection of pastries. Leisurely eat out on the patio and enjoy this little piece of heaven.

    (5)

  • Susan B.

    Four stars, not five, for reasons mentioned by other reviewers-- Parking service Quality inconsistent when very busy But... What G does well, it does very, very well: Bakery dinner ....and desserts! It is a German restaurant, people... So I suggest being a bit more adventurous and trying things that you can only get here, rather than wasting your time with something you can eat elsewhere or make yourself at home. That is where G truly shines. Example-- New Year's Eve dinner offered poulin rouge with chestnut spaetzle. Prost!

    (4)

  • Steven H.

    This place is very well known for its baked goods and pastries. I'm not a huge fan of baked goods, so I'll leave that part out of the review. I've eaten here for dinner. It was delicious, but expensive. A dinner for 2 came out to be around $45. Its been quite a while, so I can't go over all of the flavors, and the tastes. For dinner this is a place that you would want to bring two dates to. The lighting is dim, but the place is social. I don't think you'd want to bring a large group as that the dining area is rather small. This is up there with Waldhorn.

    (5)

  • Photon O.

    Good food, reasonable portions, reasonable price, lovely atmosphere. I like the coffee, and the cream puffs. We usually order a sandwich when we come. The lamb was particularly nice, and the reuben is also delicious. The duck confit salad was also something special. I took the in-laws here when they visited, and they got a real kick out of it. I love people watching on a lazy Saturday, sitting outside, sipping my coffee and just enjoying being in such a great place.

    (4)

  • Amy T.

    When I heard rumors of a delicious German cafe and patisserie (a word that I feel at liberty to use without sounding too fancy since I am beginning French language studies) I imagined something a little more culturally specific. Guglhupf has a beautiful layout, main floor with an extended second level overlook, with perhaps more modern with emphasis on casual atmosphere. It is very popular for weekend brunch but not so much that you feel out of place waiting besides tables for a cleared spot. The food was not as uniquely wholesome as I have come to expect from restaurants in Durham. In a city with many fresh twists on common meals, the food at Guglhupf may be easily overlooked. The Shitake mushroom omelet was mildly seasoned, and the melted cheese folded between the whipped eggs was very sharp. I have tried a few of their select pastries on campus, and they were also so-so. The apple tart had an odd jello-like layer underneath the sliced granny smiths. The portions here are perfect if you are in the mood for a light, just-so-satisfied meal.

    (3)

  • Itai R.

    lunch sandwiches were o.k and room was tight indoors downstairs. the place reputation for great breakfast is true, I will stick with breakfast. :-)

    (3)

  • Molly F.

    How do I give this more than 5 stars? We have been here for coffee and desserts and have had the best freshly-made pastries ever. They also serve their lattes (which were excellent) in huge mugs. The metal and glass work around is amazing too - it is worth a visit just for that. The lighting gives the place a really warm happy feel. We cannot wait to go for dinner to experience their German main courses as well.

    (5)

  • Erin M.

    One of my absolutely favorite local treasures. I've been going to Guglhupf for over ten years...back in the day when they didn't have the fantastic restaurant space that they do now. They have solid portion sizes (not huge - healthy!) and source a lot of local/sustainable food. Menus are changed seasonally and lunch/dinner specials always offer some great variety. If you want a little more of the traditional German fare, you'll want to go for dinner. If you need a break in your working day, go for lunch! But go a little early - 11:30ish, because they get jammed. Parking is best in the lot next door where the Asian Market is - there's a little pathway in the back down to Guglhupf.

    (5)

  • Thom Z.

    Parking was terrible. The Caesar salad had a mostly mayonnaise base. My house sausage plate was cold. Will definitely not return

    (1)

  • Laura B.

    Wonderful Food And Atmosphere. A little Pricey but Worth it. Next time I want to sit outside.

    (5)

  • Matthew G.

    I should state this is solely based on dinner.. We had a performance in Durham to attend recently and decided to give Guglhupf's dinner service a try out. We started with the Alsation Potato/Leek Torte which was recommended by a review in the News and Observer. One of the best items we (girlfriend and I)had, it was a large piece of torte. The crust was very flaky and the torte didn't fall to pieces when you cut into it. We then shared a cheese plate. One was a cheddar and one was a soft sweet cows milk cheese (looked like brie but was not). Those two were our favorites as the others were pretty strong. Don't get me wrong I enjoy strong cheeses. One of the stronger cheeses was a blue cheese. The figs and spread were good as was the bread (of course). As for entrees, the restaurant was running a white fish special with risotto. My gf said the dish was only okay and that it was all around bland. It wasn't a total loss as she ate most of it (she was pretty hungry), but she was definitely left underwhelmed. I had the Maultaschen. These are 3 huge (almost empanada sized) noodles made in house and filled with blue cheese, walnuts and sweet potato. The flavor was different for me and I liked it. The sauce which the al dente noodles were sitting in didn't really add much to the dish that I could tell. Also, the dish was room temp. So I'm not sure if it was suppose to be hot or even warm at least, but it was not and that left me a bit bothered. I did finish the dish as it tasted good, but in the future, I hope they will mind the temps of the dishes they send out. We arrived at the restaurant for dinner just in time to make a quick stop into the bakerie to get our dessert for later. We decided upon a giant chocolate covered linzer cookie. To that end, my gf thought that THIS was the highlight of the meal. While I wouldn't go so far as to say that it was definitely tasty! I would have to say that Gugelhupf has its heart in the right place. I think I'd like to see more German based offerings (without it being cliched), but all told thought that the experience was a little disappointing. The service was great and the atmosphere was nice and different.

    (3)

  • H S.

    I was surprised, after all the good things I've heard about Guglhupf, that it was only average. My husband and I went this morning (Sunday), and though they were busy, they weren't slammed. I had a mushroom omelette, and he had eggs benedict. My omelette was nothing special, a lot of fluff but few mushrooms, the bread that was served with it was totally nondescript. My husband's eggs were way beyond sort of runny, as they should be in eggs benedict. The only things we agreed on that was good was the fruit cup that each of us had. Surprised and disappointed in the food.

    (3)

  • Akasha A.

    The food and ambience are great, but - and unfortunately for me it is a big but - the feeling that my wife and I came away with was that the management is trying to squeeze every last penny out of its customers. Very nice omelette and the menu said it came with sliced baguette ... well in way ... 2 tiny slices of a small baguette. Coffee was not included and they charge 50 cents for a refill. It is a shame that they have to be so darn stingy. They got so much else right, it seems to me that they don't have to squeeze you so hard for every penny. I would have liked to have come away with a positive feeling about the place overall.

    (2)

  • Muebla S.

    We came for lunch at 12:30 on a Saturday. Parking was the pits. We cycled through the lot several times before we were able to grab a spot that was being vacated. I was glad I had a small car...I would definitely recommend leaving your SUVoluminous at home, but this place doesn't seem to attract an SUV kind of crowd. I hope they're looking for a new location with more parking. As a first-timer, I would have liked it to be a little more user-friendly; the order system was a mystery for the uninitiated. I had to interview multiple people to learn how to order, where the line was, and how to find the appropriate menu. We studied one menu for quite a while before realizing it was the dinner menu rather than the brunch/lunch menu. On the upside, there was a dessert case next to the ordering station, so we were able to snag a dessert while ordering lunch. Fortunately, we had no problem getting a table. I opted for an upstairs table to try to get away from the noise and bustle of the rest of the place, and, like previous reviewers, enjoyed the decor. I had a grilled eggplant panini, which I thought was great. The sandwich included tomato confit, fresh mozzarella and pickled red onion. The portion was more than ample, tasty, and very filling. The eggplant was cooked thoroughly, which I appreciated. Eggplant is one vegetable that is not enjoyable if it's undercooked. I found my German potato salad side to be kind of boring. It might have gone better with the wurstplatte, or maybe it needed a little more vinegar and/or salt. (this coming from a person who dislikes overseasoned food). My table mate ordered the Alsatian potato leek torte, which comes with a small green salad. She pronounced it delicious, but I noticed that it seemed like a pretty skimpy wedge of torte for lunch, even for a light eater like her. It may be a "small plate", but, well, it was too small. Fortunately, there was that dessert still waiting for us. I didn't need it, but my still-hungry dining companion did. We'd chosen a slice of pecan torte, partly because we've developed the habit of ordering pecan pie at each restaurant that offers it, to use it as a metric of comparison to other places. This one? We snarfed up the whole thing between us. OK, it wasn't exactly pecan pie, but pretty close, and much better. It was served with a fruit and cream garnish, which I thought was not at all necessary. So-I thought the food was for the most part excellent, but I was sorry that the initial part of the experience was stressful, which was especially hard on my elderly dining partner. We don't need a fine-linen place, and definitely don't want Cracker Barrel, but it would have been nice to be a little more relaxed dining experience.

    (4)

  • Patrick S.

    The restaurant is very good with a comfortable outdoor seating area and a pretty good menu but what really makes us go back nearly every weekend is the bakery. I can't leave without buying at least two loaves of bread. There just isn't anything else like it in the area. I would suggest trying a brezel knot, they are amazing.

    (4)

  • Becky F.

    Amazing! Great for classy brunch/dinner and also a great place to do some studying on their off hours. Most everything is yummy but a bit expensive for the portions. Best part is their decor, its a beautifully designed interior with warm lighting and a lively outdoor seating area for when is warm out. Great place all around.

    (4)

  • Matt K.

    Whoa pretzel ("brezel") knots! The bakery side was a little more fantastic than the restaurant for brunch, but either way it was all good. Get some fresh bread to take home. If you can't scarf it all down that day put it in the freezer. It's still top notch when thawed or toasted. We didn't put our pretzel knots in the freezer, but we should have because after 36 hours they were definitely going stale. That's the price you pay for homemade freshness, I guess. Also, in the bakery, spend a little time at the cooler on the side. We picked up some interesting cheese and salami for a snack. If you're going for brunch and it's busy (chances are it will be) make sure you have a seat before you order, or else you'll be standing around pretty awkwardly. This is especially an issue in the cold months when outside seating is less desirable. I recommend having someone from your party scout and hold a table while you make the order.

    (4)

  • George F.

    Why haven't I found bread this good in New England?! Guglhupf makes great food for brunch and dinner too. They WILL NOT disappoint. Durham (and Chapel Hill) are lucky to have this place.

    (4)

  • Marin J.

    Ugh. Normally fantastic. Today, soggy croissant, lackluster old tasting eggs kissed in stale tasting grill flavor,anemic iced latte were the specialties. Based on today I would never, ever return. Time to try Prker and Otis.

    (2)

  • John L.

    This is the sort of place that makes you happy fat, as opposed to sad fat (that would be McDonalds). You know the difference: one sits at the bottom of your stomach and mocks you, a reminder of how you just ate some reprocessed beef with some weird sauce, and possibly some potato-based product. Happy fat, on the other hand, reminds you of happy yumminess: of cheeses and ingredients and other wonderful things. Guglhupf is good. Real good. (if they were a person, and had just gone through a night being chased by weirdly dressed New York gangs on a quest back to Coney Island, they'd tell me that they were the best, which I can dig). Anyways, the breakfast foods are quite good: I had a cheese danish that made me genuinely happy (the cheese was that nice morning cheese danish-y goodness. And I got a chocolate mousse for later that turned out to also be very good. Seating here is also excellent. They have outside tables which are perfect for lounging and enjoying the nice morning or afternoon (depending on when you go). The prices are right, their food is everywhere (see Open Eye, etc.), and overall Guglhupf is exactly what you need on an easy Sunday morning.

    (5)

  • Michael E.

    I can't believe it's taken me this long to try this place. Brit and I were trying to decide where to grab lunch/brunch after dropping somethings off at a friends in Durham. She wanted a great salad. You'll never guess how hard it is to search for "Salads" in Yelp and find some that sound appealing. I brought up the "Hupf" and Brit was all about the Nicoise salad without the Nicoise olives. Off to Durham we went. We pulled into the parking lot, and were pleased to see the hustle and bustle of the patio filled with people enjoying their food. Upon coming in, it's a bit daunting to figure out what exactly you are supposed to do. I don't know if they don't have a hostess all the time, but what we figured out was to grab a menu (make sure it's a menu for the current time frame as people had dinner menus and were trying to order off of it) and once your decision is made step up to one of the two cash registers. We ordered our sandwiches. Yes you heard that correctly, Brit went from a salad to a sandwich. She did however get the Seared Tuna Sandwich and unfortunately for her she forgot to have the olive tapenade removed. I had the roasted turkey with cranberry-apple chutney and brie on some crunchy bread. Brit chose the cucumber yogurt dill salad and I had the cold German potato salad. All I can say is wow. My sandwich was exceptional. The flavors, the texture all worked so well together. It reminded me of Thanksgiving with the cranberry, apple and turkey. The brie just added a creaminess and luxuriousness to the entire fare. The potato salad had the standard vinegary bite but wasn't soggy like most others I've come across. Brit's sandwich was also very tasty, but her failure to ask the tapenade removed marred her enjoyment of it. I enjoyed the heck out of her sandwich as well. The cucumber side was a refreshing accompaniment to her meal. The iced specialty coffees we ordered were delicious. The layout is a bit cafeteria like, but the decor is pleasant and welcoming. This is now on the map for a brunch/lunch possibly dinner option when we're on that side of town. Don't miss out on this place folks.

    (4)

  • Wayne L.

    When I first heard the name of this place, I couldn't stop thinking about the search engine. I know, I know, I'm geeky as hell. Moving on. Guglhupf was a delight. Quaint little place, with emphasis on little. Okay, not that little, but on a Sunday around noon, it is packed. There aren't that many tables inside, with the majority of tables outside. Snipe a seat first, have someone in your party hold it, and wait in line inside to buy your food. I don't know if it's because I'm from the DC area, but I feel like prices in the Durham area are just great. I ordered the Farmer's Omelette and a fountain drink, my girlfriend had the Breakfast Cheese Plate, and the total was like 13 something. The food itself was decent, though my omelette felt kinda small. The cheese plate was eh - huge chunk of brie, with like a million pieces of bread. Okay, like 6 or 7 - a bit overwhelming. A good amount. However, when you think cheese plate, you think that you'd get a few different pieces, rather than just one chunk. Weird. I had heard good things about their drinks, but I just had a soda. A friend ordered the hot chocolate, and it came in a ginormous cup. The parking lot is a bit small, though you can drive around and park on the other side. Overall, it would appear from other reviewers that Guglhopf is a top restaurant, and I would definitely agree. If I'm back in the area, I shall try their dinner menu.

    (4)

  • Mage L.

    I still haven't had an opportunity to eat at Guglhupf's cafe so I can't review the meals at all. But I've been to the bakery many, many times. The pastries at Guglhupf are the best in the Triangle, maybe even the best in North Carolina. It's quite a drive for me now from Cary, but still so worth it. The parking lot for Guglhupf and the surrounding stores is always completely packed. Many times you'll need to park on the other side of the building, or even along the road or in the next lot. Guglhupf's bakery and cafe is on a lower level, down some stairs next to a waterfall. The landscaping and atmosphere here is really beautiful and serene. The outdoor seating was packed even though it was already 85 degrees out. The bakery entrance is directly to the right as you go down the stairs. Sometimes during an especially crowded time, the line for the bakery will be out the door. Guglhupf has 3 bakery cases. The first one on the left has savory pastries such as their delicious ham and cheese croissants. I got 2 of these, as I know my husband loves them and I can't find them anywhere else in the area. The middle bakery case is chilled. They have cream puffs (my son's favorite), tarts, cheesecake, cakes, cookies, and mousse. The bakery case on the left is sweet pastries. On this particular day the selection included chocolate croissants, elephant ears, cherry cheese danishes, apple turnovers, bismarks, and danish curls. I usually get some of their fruit pastries and turnovers. In total I got 2 ham and cheese croissants, chocolate dipped elephant ear, cream puff, apple turnover, chocolate croissant, and cherry cheese danish. Most of the items cost approximately $2, and the total for these 7 pastries was just over $16. It's a lot more than the dozen donuts I used to be able to get at Sweet Traditions for $7, but the quality of these pastries are superb. The bakery area also has breads and coffees, but I've only tried the pastries so far. Some day I'll have to eat at the cafe, but I think I'll wait until the weather is cooler so I can enjoy their outdoor seating more.

    (5)

  • Event L.

    The bakery is to die for. Cream puff heaven - Pretzel & Mustard exquisite-ness. Didn't try the restaurant, but the bakery should not be missed!

    (4)

  • T. W.

    I called asking for reservations for my group of gals (24 of us) for lunch one day. They told me they can't and won't accommodate my group. Said no room which I can understand, but the rudeness of gal answering phone was uncalled for. She said they can't and won't accommodate us and to go elsewhere. Wow, are U that arrogant that U think U don't need the business. One of my gals went there last weekend with her hubby and showed up at 2:20pm and when the door girl said brunch was until 2:30 they ran up to the window and ordered. Man behind counter said we are closed at 2:30 and needed to clean for 5pm dinner service, she said I know but it is 2:20pm and we drove out of our way to try this place, then he turned around and started arguing with the other guy in kitchen which made other patrons leave. She did get her food but was afraid what they did to it. I would go elsewhere, or just don't have high expectations.

    (1)

  • Coleen T.

    This is a german style bakery that imported the ovens from germany.... all of the bakery items are amazing and worth every penny!! My favorite is the chocolate croissant... flaky, sweet... delicious. Now the only reason I don't give it five stars is because of the cafe part of the restaurant. It's a nice atmosphere and the food is very good, but the portions are pretty small and the food in general is over priced. Maybe it's because they are using all organic ingredients, but I just found my meal to be less than filling (and I spent $15). I got the eggs benedict with some coffee and a chocolate croissant, and basically ate all of the food within 10 minutes and still felt hungry!! It's definitely worth it to come here for the baked goods, but you may want to skip the real food and just cook some eggs for yourself at home.

    (4)

  • Xinyi T.

    This place is so cute and great for brunch!

    (4)

  • John S.

    Great atmosphere, good food at lunch. I had the steak sandwich. Wife had the tuna sandwich and soup and enjoyed both immensely.

    (3)

  • Kevin N.

    Though part of me wanted to make some terrible pun-nerific crack about the weird ordering setup here and leaving in a "Guglhupf," I can't really do that, seeing as the fact that my pulled pork sammie hit the spot and and I left plenty full, augmented by the idea that I caught this spot (suggested by the pro in the know, Christina G), on one of those chamber of commerce sponsored days you read about before you take vacations. We sat upstairs, a rather birds' eye view approach to the lunchtime proceedings, and on days like these, with a meal like this in tow, one does well to recall the reason that there was nary a spot in the venue's parking lot. On those crystal sky days, the only thing you want more than getting out in the sunshine is the opportunity to bite into some rich flavor, and from the bakery (crammed with confections like the marzipan and dark chocolate almond encrusted wonder I chewed), to the aforementioned lunch nosh, there's lots to grin about. And, as it turns out, that's exactly what I did. Small wonder.

    (4)

  • Joanna T.

    Awesome. Blew comparable restaurants out of the water for Restaurant Week. It may have a funny name and be German food, but really its just delicious, fresh, high quality food first, then it happens to be German. The chef just has a knack for incredible flavors and the kitchen team executes quality dishes. The waiters give excellent recommendations. I had a beer there a long time ago and just remembered that it smelled like apricots and was the color of honey. He asked if it was cloudy and I said yes. He knew exactly what I wanted. The dopplebock beers are a really special experience, I highly recommend.

    (5)

  • t b.

    Had the lemon tart and it was delightful, just the right amount of sweet to tart flavor. The crust was buttery and light not too heavy. Will defiantly try again.

    (4)

  • Jane Y.

    FINALLY. I MADE IT. After driving 9.1 miles out of the way on a Friday afternoon, I have finally arrived at the "yelphamous" guglhupf. Growing up in the scandanavia, yes, gugulhupf is not a German word. However, it's a pretty cool word you could say in a German (Schwarzneggar) accent no? This piece is spilt into two parts: the restaurant and the bakery. There's an awesome outside patio area and it's serenely decorated with water furniture (no, not a water bed. The rock fountain type of deal). The bread here is amazing. I got a load of their rustic house, which is basically sourdough. It has a chewy crust and a fluffy inside. It is well leavened, and the air bubbles are bigger than your average sour dough. I prefer airy bread. Their lemon bar was also good. Not superb, it wasn't tart enough for me. Their poppy seed elephant ear pastry was flaky and buttery. The poppy seed flavour didn't come through though, because of the almond. However, the texture of the poppy seed was def a plus. So, if you are gonna get it, get it for the extra crunchy texture and not the poppy seed flavour. The chocolate tart was the best thing. I ate it after thawing it in room temp for around 30 mins. It had the consistency of chocolate pudding but it didn't fall apart. It was just the right creaminess, but not too buttery/greasy. My boyfriend did a double yum after his first bite. You know, the "oh wow".."oh YUMM". The chocolate short-bread crust was also delicious, but the filling was the star. However, if you like the filling to have a more solid consistency. Keep it in the fridge. I'm sure both ways would be glorious. It is also very affordable. My huge loaf of awesome bread was only $3.50. I used to pay $8 at Great Harvest in DC. My wallet's happy. =)

    (5)

  • Antonia M.

    Considering how frequently I'm at Guglhupf, it's hard to imagine I haven't reviewed it yet. Actually, I thought I had! Their bakery gets an A+, everything. Guglhupf is the place I come when I'm looking for great bread for panini night, need a baguette, or we're having company over and i want the bread to impress. However, their pastries are incredible too - decadent and beautiful. Also, if you get a chance on a Saturday, try their Berliners (German style donut with wonderful fruit filling). We've only been once for dinner, but it was incredible. Great service, and even better food. But it's pricey. Actually, this place in general is pricey for any meal. Worth it though. The outdoor patio is obviously a huge draw - the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon coffee or beer in the sun, relax for Sunday brunch, or picnic with a baguette and some cheese from the bakery. Oh yeah, and free wifi - it can come in handy if you're looking to be productive while sipping your coffee.

    (5)

  • Frances F.

    While I absolutely love the pastries here, lunch and set-up of cafe leaves much to be desired. I had forgotten you place your order at the front and pray for a table to become available, which my friend and I did this week. You also have to get your own cutlery and napkins, which isn't fun to carry if you have to sit upstairs. Our food came fairly quickly and was good (not great, but good). I think the overwhelming issue for me was the extreme noise level during lunch. We just wanted to sit and talk, while eating, but couldn't hear each other unless we screamed. I will still stop by the bakery when I'm on that side of town, but will not eat here again.

    (2)

  • Dave L.

    We arrived just after 9am on a dreary, rainy Sunday morning and a short line had formed. Surveying the menu we ordered some breakfast at the counter, took our number, some coffee, and a cherry cheese danish and headed upstairs. The cherry cheese danish was crazy good. Fresh, flaky, delicious. Coffee was strong - perfect. A few minutes later we were served - I had a wild mushroom omelet with leeks, fresh fruit, and a hard roll and my wife enjoyed the eggs Benedict. My mushroom omelet was memorable, but I am thankful that I was able to coherce my sweetheart into a taste of that Hollandaise - wow - I have to come back to get that for myself. Looking forward to our next visit.

    (5)

  • Andrew D.

    It's good. It's also too bad that Hartmut is no longer a partner - dude was always dressed like he was on his way to/from the Renaissance Fair.

    (4)

  • Camille W.

    I've only been here for brunch, but it is DELICIOUS. Generally, the horrendous parking lot situation would make me swear off a place forever, but the food mixed with a lovely ambiance keep me coming back for more. If you're meeting friends on a weekend morning though, get there early so you can try to manage a parking space.

    (4)

  • Cait H.

    I don't know that I would make the trek to Durham just to eat here again, but my family and I really enjoyed our meal at Guglhupf. Seating and ordering was a little confusing on a Saturday morning. You're not sure whether you're supposed to sit outside and order, go in and order...fight for a table under an umbrella...etc. The brunch menu was very eclectic. I ordered the Grilled Nutella, which was basically a chocolate sandwich. I enjoyed it very much with my cinnamon latte. A few in our group ordered omelettes, French dips, Reubens. Everyone loved their meal and thanked me for picking such a place. It's way busy on Saturday mornings, so go early or expect to wait. It's definitely worth it...but maybe only for special brunch occasions. It wasn't so good that I'd feel the need to drive 20+ minutes for it on any kind of regular basis. There's also no table service for brunch, so don't bother trying to make a reservation (I did try.)

    (4)

  • Alison S.

    This is one of my favorite Durham spots! I can't believe it has taken me so long to write a review. I have only been here for breakfast/brunch and have gotten bread and pastries from the bakery. I hope to remedy that soon and go to dinner--the menu looks delicious. It's hard to go wrong here! Everything I have had was great--pancakes (light and fluffy with buttery cooked apples and real maple syrup), french toast (made with a baguette and cooked just right--not soggy and eggy), pastries (light and flaky), muesli (filling, but not heavy)...the list goes on. I have brought several out of town guests here and they are all very impressed with the taste and quality. I find the service to be friendly and despite always being very busy, the food comes out pretty quickly. There is plenty of seating, but the outdoor patio is my favorite when the weather allows.

    (5)

  • Helena K.

    Am I getting carried away on these five star reviews? Short answer: I don't care! Meine Gute, Guglhupf is as five star-worthy as it gets in my book. The food is de-licious, the coffee is a-mazing, the interior looks great, and the bakery is basically the best I've visited since I lived in Germany (makes me miss home!). We went for brunch at around 1:00 on a Saturday and the parking lot was packed. We grabbed a parking spot over near the bead store right after someone vacated it: it was on some gravel with my front driver's side tire wedged in a generous indentation created from lots and lots of parking there. Already I could tell that this place was happening. Once you park, I swear it's a mad dash for the door. People---myself included---are getting all swept up in this "OMG, gotta get a table before they're all gone and then we never get to eat and then we have to go home and cry because we're so sad and hungry!" It took my laid-back husband to remind me that we weren't at all in a hurry. And then, surprisingly---shockingly, even---there wasn't much of a line at all when we walked in, so we put in our orders at the counter, took our number, coffees, and apple struessel with us, and found a seat upstairs fairly easily. Only two tables were open and both were dirty, but the staff is really good about keeping the tables bussed. As soon as we took our seats, a line appeared out the door, so evidently we were quite lucky with our timing. Despite all the chatty people, the din is not at all overwhelming and my husband and I conversed without having to strain to hear each other. That apple struessel: boy, oh, boy! It reminds me of home and I lived in Bavaria for the better part of a decade. The cream on the side was also so good, although I always preferred Vanillesosse to cream. Their coffee surpassed my qualifications for excellence, and I am a bit of a snob about my coffee. My wild mushroom omelet---served with baguette and fruit salad---and my husband's chicken club came out very quickly and both were like buttah, baby, like buttah (see my photos for proof!). Seriously, my mouth's watering a little bit just remembering the experience and I'm not even hungry right now. After prolonged Mmm-mmm-mmming, we made our way into the bakery. It was near close and they were picked over, but you could see that their selection is exemplary and authentically German. I'm talkin' "echt Deutsch," y'all. Seriously, I can't wait to go back. I'd love to sit outside some warm afternoon. Also, they take reservations via their website. We didn't do that, but it's good to know it's an option.

    (5)

  • Kristin S.

    The good was really good! Really big portions! Had the Schnitzel and the housemade sausages. Can really recommend them! Wish they had a little more German food on their menu. The fresh bread from the bakery is really worth it. Wish I would have been there earlier in the day to have more choice but I'll def come back.

    (4)

  • Jay L.

    We came to this restaurant because of all the great reviews on Yelp. However, we were pretty disappointed with the results. We ordered sandwiches and the flavor was pretty bland. Nothing spectacular! If you are looking for a place to sit back and have a quick bite, this would be an ideal location. But if you are looking for some savory, delicious food, we are sure you can do better.

    (3)

  • Adri T.

    Wow, wow, wow! So freakin' happy we read the previous reviews of Guglhupf and put it on my "bookmark" list. We arrived around 1pm and illegally parked in a spot that said we'd be towed if we parked there and were not a customer of the bead store, but we didn't care - we wanted brunch! The line was out the door, and there was no where to sit so we'd have to sit outside (in Feb. when snow was on the ground), but we didn't care - we wanted brunch! I stood in the line to place our order while hubby scored us an outdoor seat in a patch of sun. I placed our order and was handed our cappuccinos and my danish. I was given a number for the rest of our food and went to hop a squat outside while we waited for our orders. There were plenty of other people enjoying their Valentine's Day brunch outdoors today, so we had lots of company while we enjoyed our capps and waited for our number to be called. Within about 15 minutes we had our meat plate and farmer's omelet delivered. The plates were attractive and we could not wait to dive in. We shared all of the dishes and loved everything we tried. However, we both were in love with the meat plate and the vanilla fruit danish. Yum, yum, yum! We're putting this on our "repeats" list so we can make sure we go back and try more things off their wonderful menu!

    (5)

  • Anna C.

    I would gladly give this gem 6 or even 7 stars if I could. Fantastic atmosphere with outstanding food and fantastic service. Will be coming here many times during my temporary stay in Durham.

    (5)

  • Mari H.

    There's a reason this once tiny bakery is the phenomenon that it now is. It's really just the best food, at amazing prices, complete with amazing interior and exterior design. You might actually feel like you're in Europe for a minute. My favs., since yes, it's highly acclaimed: Raspberry linzers cookies Mini-veggie quiche! Fresh local eggs, cheese, honey. the tuna nicoise salad, occasionally done with scallops. YUM! volkorn bread coffees. Guglhupf is one of those places that you just can't find ANYWHERE for sure. The combination of their bakery and the light fare is a pleasure to have in the area.

    (5)

  • Teresa P.

    Ok, I have had lots of their pastries, and always thought that they were over-priced and over-rated. I lived with it, because they were pretty much the only game in town. Not any more though, and I will happily forgo a Guglhupf pastry for anything from Scratch, Blakemere and even Monuts. However, this review is really about an experience that was had over the weekend. My husband went in to the cafe as I was at the bead store. It was a very rainy day and at one point the rain was coming down pretty fast and heavy. He ordered a pastry and a soda. They asked if it was to go, and he said no. They gave him the pastry on a ceramic plate, then told him he would have to eat it outside on the uncovered patio in the rain!! What kind of jerk takes an order to eat in a cafe, takes someone's money, then tells them that they have to eat it outside in the rain. We will not be returning here or ever ordering their over-priced over-rated pastries.

    (1)

  • Keely P.

    I would like to give this place a 3.5. Here's why. I'm a big fan of their coffee, teas, and the pastries I've had have been more than satisfactory. I highly highly recommend their panna cotta I have some problems with the ordering counter. It seems as they do not have enough room for medium to large volume at their ordering station, and it kind of annoys me when I have to stand in the door and get glares. Sitting outside is usually a big plus for me as well as the upstairs seating, but their ground floor is too crowded and I never can seem to find a comfortable place. Oh, and don't get me even started on the parking mess.... I love this place when its not crowded, but that doesn't seem to be often enough.

    (4)

  • Larry B.

    Wonderbar! Very good food, excellent environment, and definitely recommend going there for lunch or dinner. The bakery also offers excellent patisserie! Definitely challenging to get in on the weekends. Not the biggest menu of foods, but what they do, they do very well. And, definitely enjoy a dessert.

    (5)

  • Kelley S.

    Love the outdoor eating space. Portions are adequate for the price. Great flavors in all the dishes. Beer is tasty. Breads and pastries are authentic German style. Wish they had more menu choices for dinner.

    (4)

  • N. O.

    Ehh. Food was gross. Could have been good, I got the chicken and it was bland and dry. Wouldn't eat here again. Also had a signature cocktail and wasn't impressed.

    (2)

  • Timothy L.

    Based on the reviews here and word of mouth, I went with very high expectations. Perhaps too high. Glancing back through the reviews, most are about lunches, which are apparently more satisfying than the brunch I had. The atmosphere is great. Hustle and bustle, lots of people, a little music, and overcrowded parking. Be careful because the police will come and tow if you park on the street (as a couple sitting next to us discovered first hand). Our table was next to one of the dish stations on the second floor, and the server who would dump dirty dishes in a bin, was not aware of how irritating loud clanking dishes are when you're trying to eat. The overall flavor was great. The deserts were tasty and my wife enjoyed her hot cocoa. The disappointment (and reason for 3 stars) was the portions. I ordered the breakfast omelet and expected a nice size omelet that would cover 1/2 the plate or so. What I got was the omelet "lite". It covered about a quarter of the plate and was the same size as my palm. My friend who ordered the crepe "special" didn't know until we got our food, that special was code for e-special-ly small. In the end, I'll probably go back, but next time it'll be for lunch and I'll ask for the weight of the entree before I pay.

    (3)

  • Caroline S.

    I'm a coffee shop snob. I love a good chai tea latte and any place that makes a drink to my liking and has a good, laid back vibe, is a place I'm a fan of. Guglhupf does just that. It's a really cool space, two stories, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The food is delicious and the wait staff friendly and upbeat. Only reason it gets 4 stars is because I hate when cafes are closed on Mondays, AND because Saturdays and Sundays you cant park at a table with your laptop, it's reserved for brunch-diners only.

    (4)

  • Corey S.

    I've eaten breakfast here too many times to count. It is a very nice German bakery with top notch coffee and simple, fresh food. I recently had dinner here and am kicking myself for not having done that earlier. As you read here, breakfast is not French or even American. You order eggs, you get eggs and everything comes with fresh small pieces of fruit, which are quite tasty. I prefer my eggs with salsa, and the one time I was able to finagle it, it was because the kitchen staff made it for themselves, absolutely divine. You can't normally get salsa, but they should think about asking the cooks to make it a staple. The dinner is also pretty simple, but delicious. Deserts are well-thought out. The bakery is one of the best. Parking can be a challenge, but usually you can find a spot or drop your folks off and park off the street. Another nice quality, is the architecture is unique, and the outdoor area is fun.

    (5)

  • Mia C.

    Bakery - 5 stars Restaurant - 3 stars. It pains me to give a place I love so a meager 3 stars, but damn. Over the years, I've had their Eggs Arnold probably 7 times or so, and this last time a few weeks ago, they were so abysmal I'm re-thinking ever coming back for brunch. It was a busy Sunday brunch hour. When the expo brought my eggs over, I could tell from the looks of them this wasn't going to go well. They looked like they'd been sitting out for a good 45+minutes, and they tasted that way, too. There was absolutely nothing spectacular going on in my mouth with this dish, and it was a chore to get through. I'm wondering if they've started pre-plating popular brunch dishes thinking the turnover on tables is so fast it won't matter. Au contraire, cocky Guglhupf, au contraire. And as much as I hate the baked goods at Foster's, I had their brunch the week before, and it blew my head gasket, so wtf. And come to think of it, the one time I came here for dinner, it wasn't that great, especially for the price, so I guess that settles it: Guglhupf for baked goods; Foster's for knife-and-forky food food. That said, my god, that bakery is to die for. Good enough to make a creme puff fan out of the most creme puff-hatin mofo around, I'll tell you what! Brunch at your own risk.

    (3)

  • Trudy L.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE. Even when it's packed & chaotic on a late Saturday morning, it somehow manages to stay intimate & cozy. There's no better place to meet up with friends for a late brunch of good food & good conversation. And can I just say a word about the chocolate croissant -- toasty, crispy outer shell, countless light, buttery flakes of dough, with a firm, bittersweet dark chocolate center. Order this with a mug of their hot coffee. You can thank me later.

    (5)

  • Angela S.

    best bretzel (pretzel) subs in NC.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Accepts Bitcoin : No
    Good For : Brunch
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Guglhupf Bakery & Patisserie

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