Gigi's Cafe - Cedar Grove: Authentic Arepas, Empanadas & Specialty Coffee in NJ

Saw this place open up a few months ago and decided to give it a try 40 minutes before closing time. Ordered the tres golpes, a bacon, egg and cheese empanada and hot pistachio drink. The tres golpes was so delicious. It was served as a hot and hearty portion—no skimping here and BONUS! It comes with some avocado slices. The pistachio drink was delightful because the cup is lined with the pistachio cream. So, so good. The service was excellent, especially since I came here so close to closing time. I didn’t feel rushed and the staff was warm. Definitely coming back and trying something new soon!

Lily was a great host. Very attentive. We had our two pups with us and she was so kind to them! Now on to the food…AMAZING!!!! so flavorful and it just felt fresh. Not to mention the coffee!!! Highly recommend! I was sending the location to my friends as we ate!

To say this place is delicious is an understatement! From the warm service to the cozy ambiance and the incredible variety of dishes, everything just feels right. The arepas, tres golpes, and tres leches pancakes were out of this world — and don’t even get me started on their specialty lattes! I apologize in advance for not taking more pics, but the food looked so good I couldn’t help myself — I dug in before snapping a shot! I just left and already can’t wait to go back. A true gem!

I recently visited this fantastic spot specializing in Arepas, Empanadas, and lots of different coffee drinks, and I can confidently say I've found my new favorite neighborhood hangout. While the food is delicious—the empanadas were perfectly crispy and the coffee was rich and smooth—what truly sets this restaurant apart is its phenomenal atmosphere and world-class service. From the moment I stepped inside, the ambiance was immediately welcoming. It’s the perfect blend of cozy and vibrant, with comfortable seating and a low-key buzz that encourages you to relax and stay awhile. Whether you're looking for a quiet morning coffee or a lively lunch, the atmosphere here hits all the right notes. But the real highlight of my visit was the service. Every member of the staff was attentive, genuinely friendly, and seemed to take real pride in their work. They were quick to offer recommendations and checked in just enough to ensure everything was perfect without being intrusive. Great service makes a huge difference, and they exceeded all expectations. If you’re looking for a place that serves excellent Latin American comfort food and great coffee, but also provides a stellar dining experience wrapped up in a wonderful environment, this is it. I'll absolutely be returning soon and bringing friends! Highly recommended!

Come in and grab a seat. Server brought over the menus and then came back to take our order. We got the Toasted Marshmallow Mocha hot and iced. Both were aesthetically pleasing but also tasty. The tres golpes was a hit and loved the avocado with pepper sprinkled on it. Tres leches pancakes were so good and didn’t need syrup. Ordered two eggs and Taylor ham on the side. Everything was delicious and we will be back again. Plenty of seating and definitely can use as a remote work location. We found quick parking right in the front.

Had such a great breakfast here! Ordered one of their specialty lattes (cookie crumble) an egg and cheese on a croissant, and empanadas! Everything was out of this world. The aesthetic in here is awesome too. It’s very cozy-chic. Friendly service. Will definitely return.

Absolutely loved this Dominican-owned café! The atmosphere and vibe are so inviting, and they had live music that sets the mood. The food was delicious - so many options, the coffee was tasty, and the fact that it’s BYOB is a major plus. Perfect spot to relax, eat well, and enjoy great energy. Highly recommend! Coming back with my girls next time!

This cafe is truly a nicely designed cafe for coffee with a nice menu offering of breakfast and lunch items. They close at 3-4 pm so go early and enjoy all they offer from specialty coffees, teas to tacos, salads, burger, appetizer or a sweet treat. They have a really nice menu. A pleasure to sit and eat lunch here. The staff are all wonderful. Everything we ordered was very good. The soup of the day Chicken Tortilla was perfect, not too spicy and flavorful. The pork tacos were great. Everything is freshly made. So many things on the menu, so it is hard to choose. Whether you are looking for a meal, a snack or just great coffees, definitely put this on your place to visit. Parking in rear!