Open Tuesday through Sunday, Guadalupe specializes in a fusion of Caribbean, southern & tropical cuisines, captured in signature dishes like our goat curry, mango pork tacos & blackened plantain.
We also offer modern twists on old favorites like our locally sourced burgers (bison, beef, & goat), an extensive taqueria menu, weekend brunch classics like pancakes, shrimp & grits and huevos rancheros, an easygoing kids menu, delightfully fresh salads, house made organic sweets, locally-roasted organic Tribal Grounds coffees, local craft beers & delicious wines.
We also offer modern twists on old favorites like our locally sourced burgers (bison, beef, & goat), an extensive taqueria menu, weekend brunch classics like pancakes, shrimp & grits and huevos rancheros, an easygoing kids menu, delightfully fresh salads, house made organic sweets, locally-roasted organic Tribal Grounds coffees, local craft beers & delicious wines.
Services
Located in the Sylva-famous Hooper Building, a converted 1920s drugstore/soda shop, Guadalupe Cafe opened up -sans signage- in the spring of 2004, filling a pocket-sized niche in Sylva for highly quirky, often spicy, creative cuisine paired with delicious craft beers and un-pronounceable wines.
I chose the name Guadalupe for two reasons: i wanted folks to get the idea the food might be a bit latin-inspired, and I cherish the resilient, beautiful fusion of traditions Our Lady Guadalupe represents.Our weird little dinosaur logo is just something i dreamt up. Back in the olden days, Guadalupe was as much a music venue as a restaurant.
I chose the name Guadalupe for two reasons: i wanted folks to get the idea the food might be a bit latin-inspired, and I cherish the resilient, beautiful fusion of traditions Our Lady Guadalupe represents.Our weird little dinosaur logo is just something i dreamt up. Back in the olden days, Guadalupe was as much a music venue as a restaurant.
We strongly suggest calling ahead to reserve a table if you would like to dine with us, especially at peak hours. As of August '21 we are once again asking all guests to mask up upon entering, and kindly beseech our unvaccinated guests to choose outdoor dining or takeout. Salsa Salad salad greens & your choice of 1 salsa.
Due to current high demand, cake orders are fairly limited; Please fill out the box below, and we will be in contact if we can fulfill your order. All of our desserts are prepared in-house using local farm eggs and organic/fair trade: dairy, cocoa, flours, sugar & spice. All of our regular cakes & cobblers can be ordered whole in 5.5" or regular 9" sizes.
Reviews (26)
Duana Cisney
Dec 01, 2021
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Great food although if you're not into "melt your face off" hot, be careful what you order. Staff was really friendly and accommodating. I loved the atmosphere and the food was good and obviously fresh and made to order. I did think $7 for about 12 french fries is a bit steep and portions could be a bit larger, but it was also late so maybe they were low on product. Overall a good experience.
M. L.
Nov 30, 2021
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Fusion food doesn't usually excite me much, but this place gets it right. The dishes are healthy, and fresh tasting. Prices are quite reasonable for what you get. I ordered a couple of main courses (medium size was plenty) and appetizers and was very impressed. To top it off, the service was great too: very accommodating (FYI their soup of the day wasn't vegan, but the waitress made sure to ask the chef if he could prepare something that was...easily the best tomato bisque I've ever had) without trying too hard. I was impressed to say the least.
Thom Howard
Nov 05, 2021
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Gina R.
Oct 25, 2021
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After driving through the Smokey Mtns, we happened upon the Guadalupe Cafe in Sylva NC. We tried the salsa sampler which was very delicious with the guacamole being my favorite. I had a quesadilla with jalapeno's and was very satisfied. My partner in crime had the beans and rice with several additions and was also very happy. We walked out stuffed and got our spicy lunch at the same time.
John R. Ogilvie
Sep 21, 2021
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Cameron Adams
Sep 05, 2021
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Jessica M. Hayden
Aug 27, 2021
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Excellent food and spectacular service. The goat entree surpassed expectations, and the last time I had good goat was in West Africa. A surprisingly global menu with locally sourced food. Even got local cheese to take home and enjoy. Was more expensive than I was expecting having only had Guadalupe's lunch menu catered for work at Western, but absolutely worth every penny to get the adventurous and delicious dinner entrees.
Amy Podrasky
Aug 14, 2021
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Stumbled upon this farm-to-table cafe in Downtown Sylva. The food is exceptional! Amazing combinations of flavors and cuisines. The staff is very sweet and caring and wants each person to be delighted with their meal. They take the time to make sure the meal is exactly right for you! Highly recommend!
Marlisa Smith
Aug 03, 2021
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Excellent food! The salsas and guacamole were amazing and SO FRESH!!!! The chips cooked in coconut oil!!! Delish!!! The plantains were perfectly cooked and the tamarind(I think) ketchup was delicious!! We just had some apps but will definitely be back when in Sylva for some more!!! Oh! How could I forget our INCREDIBLE waitress! So impressed when someone can take your order and not write anything down and get everything 100% correct!
Kelly Mosenfelder
Jul 08, 2021
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Extremely rude and unprofessional. The waitress who only had 2 tables couldn't get to me and bring me water before 30 minutes. Is irritated when I asked her questions about her extensive menu. Had a dog with me… hes a service dog I showed him her paperwork she denied me to use the restroom and bring my dog in the store even though that's illegal. The people next to me were talking about how she was extremely rude to them and they would never even come back to the town of Sylva because of how rude she was. Look at the reviews on Yelp and look at the reviews on See that a lot of people have
Shaylei Smith Little Blue
Jul 05, 2021
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A. Woman
Jul 03, 2021
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Creative dishes. Great service. This restaurant offers Caribbean/Mexican fusion dishes that are well presented, and the service is great. However, the food needs some work. My pork was a bit overcooked and thus, dry. So were the beans and plantains. The mango/pork tacos are great. Reasonable price point and a nice ambiance. Would definitely go back, but would try other items on the menu.
Lisa Cole Clark
Jun 28, 2021
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T. R.
May 31, 2021
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Shane D.
May 09, 2021
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I don't understand the negative reviews. Possibly a bad day? Let's not forget people are human!
As far as the "over priced" comments. If you are looking for a chain restaurant with pre made, frozen food, keep walking. This gem is all about QUALITY over QUANTITY! My daughter and I spent about $50, and left full and extremely happy. Everything is made fresh and the staff were fantastic. We had 2 apps, which may be the reason for the "small portions" comments, but that's what an appetizer is. They left our mouths watering for more. The meals were larger with generous
As far as the "over priced" comments. If you are looking for a chain restaurant with pre made, frozen food, keep walking. This gem is all about QUALITY over QUANTITY! My daughter and I spent about $50, and left full and extremely happy. Everything is made fresh and the staff were fantastic. We had 2 apps, which may be the reason for the "small portions" comments, but that's what an appetizer is. They left our mouths watering for more. The meals were larger with generous
Chip W.
Apr 05, 2021
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Charles S.
Mar 18, 2021
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Erin McCully
Feb 21, 2021
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Our favorite downtown restaurant! Food is consistently awesome and the service is stellar! Of all the restaurants in Sylva, we will be the saddest if Guad’s doesn’t make it through the pandemic. Do your part, locals, and help keep them afloat (and get some great food in the process). My favorite is the curry bowl but they have tacos at a super reasonable price. And the chili sauce is addictive. Thank you for being awesome, Guadalupe’s, we love you!
Kristen H.
Nov 04, 2020
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Abbe B.
Sep 13, 2020
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I can't say enough good things! It's all local delicious ingredients, the owner makes all the cakes,& it's cute chic atmosphere. The burger was perfectly cooked! My husband is really picky on burgers so it's exciting to find a great burger place in town. We got the beef burger not the bison, really loved the chips and salsa it came with. Reasonable prices. I would recommend anything here.
Neal Wilkinson
Jul 16, 2020
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Order inside. There is seating outside as well as a station for bussing your table. Restrooms inside.
Locally sourced. Try the goat. The staff was friendly and helpful. We were staying in the area and though we almost never go anywhere twice, we had to go back a couple of days later. They have a homemade hot sauce that was really flavorful (and not that hot). The kicker here is that the guacamole has sliced almonds in it and I will never be the same. :)
Locally sourced. Try the goat. The staff was friendly and helpful. We were staying in the area and though we almost never go anywhere twice, we had to go back a couple of days later. They have a homemade hot sauce that was really flavorful (and not that hot). The kicker here is that the guacamole has sliced almonds in it and I will never be the same. :)
Extremefoodie F.
Jun 29, 2019
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This place blew my mind. I am writing this more than a year late- which tells you how much this experience stayed with me. We were headed to the restaurant next door but it happened to be closed, so we tried Guadeloupe cafe instead. The best way to describe the experience for me was soul food through and through - everything was delicious, and I could tell that the two guys in the kitchen (Who were making everything for the whole restaurant) we're putting their hearts into the finished product. The server was the only one working that night and she was killing it! I felt attended to but not
Kevin H.
Jun 01, 2019
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Well this place is different. Stopped in without any idea of what to expect. The restaurant is in an old building and it retains a little bite of the old smell so don't be put off by that. The food is locally sourced so everything we had was very fresh. I had a hamburger and it was very good. We also had a salad and it was delicious. I would certainly stop in again . The beer and wine list looked interesting so maybe when I have more time I'll try some of the craft beer they have. Overall very friendly staff. Give this place a try.
Heidi S.
May 19, 2019
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This sweet little gem in the walkable downtown area of Sylva is just lovely. Locally sourced, seasonal food done in a variety of styles--from a Southeast Asian flair to South American, they really like food, cooking, and curating.
Our table ordered the Masala mix fries, bonnet pepper salsa with chips, beef taco, a couple of good old burgers, the mariposa salad, and some locally sourced sodas.
Everything was delicious, the salsa was not especially spicy, but I think the burger folks were most happy.
Service was a bit on the slow side, but very cheerful and kind (maybe short staffed?) but all
Our table ordered the Masala mix fries, bonnet pepper salsa with chips, beef taco, a couple of good old burgers, the mariposa salad, and some locally sourced sodas.
Everything was delicious, the salsa was not especially spicy, but I think the burger folks were most happy.
Service was a bit on the slow side, but very cheerful and kind (maybe short staffed?) but all
Toby D.
Jan 23, 2019
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I took the family here since we were in town. Nice enough local restaurant with an old time vibe. It looks like it was an old pharmacy with the long bar. The service was very friendly and welcoming. The food was the issue. I ordered the buffalo/bison burger. I know my meat and this meat was ground WAY to lean. It was extremely dry and lacked that typical extra meaty flavor that is expected from bison. Have your butcher put some more fat in the meat, please! Your burgers will be much juicier and flavorful.
My girlfriend ordered a stuffed avocado and a taco. The avocado was just an avocado halved
My girlfriend ordered a stuffed avocado and a taco. The avocado was just an avocado halved
Dan M.
Jun 16, 2017
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Passing through town and I called ahead for some takeout for the drive back home. I didn't want to read the menu while I was driving so I just asked the friendly lady if she could make a vegan burrito and an unsweetened tea. At some places, I would have to explain vegan or reinforce the no cheese idea but she was obviously familiar with the concept.
Food was ready when I arrived, no problem.
Burrito wasn't quite as good as I hoped. The coconut flavored rice was nice and the fact that they use a fresh tortilla was cool. They also pressed the burro (similar to a panini) which gave it
Food was ready when I arrived, no problem.
Burrito wasn't quite as good as I hoped. The coconut flavored rice was nice and the fact that they use a fresh tortilla was cool. They also pressed the burro (similar to a panini) which gave it
