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Restaurant Gaï

African restaurant

104 1st Ave, Coralville, IA 52241, United States

Menu and hours last checked

Restaurant Gaï

About Restaurant Gaï

Restaurant Gaï is one of those places you hear about from a friend and immediately want to try. Sitting at 104 1st Ave in Coralville, Iowa, it brings an African restaurant vibe that feels both welcoming and a little adventurous, especially if you love discovering new flavors. From the moment you walk in, or even when you browse the menu online, it’s clear that Restaurant Gaï is built around comfort, warmth, and food that tells a story.

I usually describe Restaurant Gaï as the kind of spot that fits into real life easily. Some days you want to sit down and enjoy a relaxed dine-in meal, and other days you just want something great to take home. This place makes that simple with options like kerbside pickup, takeaway, delivery, and even no-contact delivery, which is perfect when your schedule is packed but your cravings are serious.

What really stands out to me is how thoughtful the menu feels. The focus on comfort food is obvious, yet it never feels heavy or boring. There’s a strong appreciation for organic dishes, and the salad bar adds a fresh, colorful balance that keeps things light when you want it. If you follow a plant-forward lifestyle, you’ll appreciate the solid range of vegan and vegetarian options that don’t feel like afterthoughts. Everything feels intentional, from the ingredients to the way the dishes are put together.

Restaurant Gaï also works well for groups with different tastes. You can bring friends who love hearty flavors and others who prefer lighter, veggie-focused meals, and everyone finds something that works. That flexibility is part of what makes it easy to recommend. Whether you’re new to African-inspired cuisine or already a fan, Restaurant Gaï offers an approachable way to enjoy bold flavors without any pressure, making it a comfortable choice for regular meals, casual meetups, or low-key food explorations.

Where this information comes from

Prices and dish names are transcribed from the restaurant's printed menu, photographed in August 2026 and reproduced on the menu page. Hours, address and service options come from the restaurant's public business profile. An editor confirmed the restaurant was trading on 4 September 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

Photos

Business info

From the business

  • Identifies as Black-owned
  • Identifies as women-owned

Service options

  • Kerbside pickup
  • No-contact delivery
  • Delivery
  • Takeaway
  • Dine-in

Highlights

  • Sport

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Offerings

  • Comfort food
  • Organic dishes
  • Salad bar
  • Vegan options
  • Vegetarian options

Dining options

  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Counter service
  • Dessert
  • Seating

Amenities

  • Toilet
  • Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi

Crowd

  • Family friendly
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Transgender safe space

Planning

  • Accepts reservations

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
  • Credit cards

Children

  • Good for kids
  • High chairs

Parking

  • Free of charge street parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Parking

Location

104 1st Ave, Coralville, IA 52241, United States

Diner notes

4.7 4.7 out of 5 · 126 notes
  • 5 stars 114
  • 4 stars 5
  • 3 stars 1
  • 2 stars 4
  • 1 stars 5
5 out of 5
This is an unassuming place. It was EXCELLENT!! SUPER CLEAN!! First time trying African food. We ordered a variety like tripe soup, yam stew with lamb, grilled goat with salad, fufu. It was all so good!! It did take time as there was only 1 person working but it was worth it!! The hibiscus juice was divine!
VH Victoria Hinderliter Ate here , 16:24 am
5 out of 5
Try this restaurant a few years back and it was delicious and staff was very nice it's nice to try food from other cultures
VS Verlyn Severson Ate here , 16:24 am
4 out of 5
My husband, best friend and I decided to visit this lovely African restaurant. The food was very tasty and the portions were large. We started with a plantain appetizer, then we ordered the fried rice with chicken, the chobo (the lamb was absolutely delicious and hit all the right spots), and the okra soup with fufu. The hibiscus juice was very good, the restaurant was clean with a lovely ambience, and customer service was great. The only reason I'm not giving this place 5 stars is because of the over one hour wait before we were served. Unfortunately, we arrived hungry and were pretty much starving by the time our food arrived an hour later (yes, I timed it). I don't know if it was because we visited on a Sunday and there was only one person in the kitchen, but I hope the wait isn't always this long as we hope to visit again!
M Maureen Ate here , 16:24 am

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