The Gourmet Shop
724 Saluda Ave, Columbia, SC, 29205
The Gourmet Shop Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Columbia for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbia for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbia for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
724 Saluda Ave
Columbia, SC, 29205 - Phone (803) 799-3705
- Website https://www.thegourmetshop.net
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 6:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Michael W.
Their chicken sald is the best!
(4)Jen S.
Wow! How have I never been here before?! Came around lunch time on a Saturday, so it was pretty busy bit it was worth dealing with a little crowd. Lunch was amazing! I went with the pick 3 option, so I could try a few different things. I opted for their "famous" chicken salad, pesto pasta salad, and hummus. Seriously. That chicken salad. I've been thinking about it since we left. It was AMAZING. I'm kind of picky about chicken salad and I have zero negative things to say about the chicken salad here. Simply delicious. The peat pasta salad didn't last long. I love pesto anything and this did not disappoint. The hummus was awesome, I wish I had been hungrier so I could ha e eaten every last bit. I will definitely be back!!
(5)Chad A.
4.7 stars This is a very comprehensive specialty foods market and restaurant. Their cheese selection rivals anything else I have seen in the area, and everyone is super friendly. I ordered the charcuterie board and my wife had a French sandwich, and I had the turkey panini. What kept me from giving 5 stars was that when served the charcuterie board the server had no idea what any of the meats were, and didn't offer to find someone in the know. Really, its a small issue for an awesome place and he must have been new. I'll go back again.
(4)Jill K.
Great breakfast, great atmosphere. When I asked about their Slate Chalk, telling her I have original slate, she gave me a piece to try on my slate. Kudos to The Gourmet Shop I'll most definitely be back
(4)Audria M.
Came yesterday with my hubby and I'm back again today (solo). I'm in Columbia for just two days (working). Yesterday I had the turkey pesto sandwich and a side of the tomato, pesto, feta pasta salad. The sandwich had lots of meat and was filling! Pasta salad was tasty. Brett got a panini, which was delicious. He loved the dill potato salad, but I preferred my side. Today, I got the famous chicken salad on a croissant with lettuce and tomato with a side of tomato bisque soup. Delicious! Even better than yesterday's! Lovely atmosphere inside and out. Highly recommend!
(4)Sherry C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Five Points to come for lunch. I love their chicken salad the best. It is served on a croissant and I got the dill potato salad as my side. It was delicious. The shop has a very large variety of teas, coffees, and wines. They also have some amazing cheeses to pick from. They have a lot of fun kitchen accessories, appliances, and pots and pans. Everything is good quality stuff. The chocolate selection is amazing. I do my best to stay away from it. I LOVE chocolate. I can't wait to return.
(4)Stephanie P.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in columbia. The food is phenomenal and the atmosphere is even better. However, I cannot avoid the fact that the service is slow. We wanted to sit outside, but with a group of five, they would not allow us to pull a chair up on the end of a table. Fine. But then to frustrate us even further, our twenty minute wait ended up being forty five minutes. Anyways, I love the food and will continue to come and eat here but it is quite annoying how poor the service was on this occasion.
(3)Ruby G.
The Gourmet Shop is a hidden gem in the wild and crazy college bar area of Columbia known as Five Points. The wait can get pretty hectic late morning through lunch so go with a little time to spare. We almost always sit outside if the weather permits. The tables on the sidewalk are first come first serve so you really have to stalk out your fellow diners. Find a group that looks their finishing up and try your best not to hover. Browse through the gift shop while you wait. The Gourmet Shop is full of culinary delights. From fun kitchen gadgets, the deli counter filled was most menu items, a whole area of delicacies, and a pretty large wine room anyone can find a corner to occupy their time. Ask for samples from the deli counter to pick your side item later on once you sit. The chicken salad at The GS is my absolute favorite! I don't know what it is, it full of chicken, it's creamy, its flavorful, it's the best. Period. I almost always order the chicken salad on a croissant and the tomato basil soup....Probably because we're only there after game day and I'm in desperate need of recovery food that's not going to put me out. I loved that a soup can be your side item with a full size sandwich.
(4)Adam B. J.
This is fine as it gets in Five Points. Love the European cafe feel. If you haven't heard about their Chicken Salad, and you are from Columbia you may want to get out more. It is the best ever. Their simple but delicious side item of tomato, basil,& feta pasta salad is also great. One of my favorite lunches in town is their tomato basil soup and grilled cheese panini. Great tuna salad as well. Bacon & Brie. Awesome! Mimosa kit (full bottle of sparkling wine & oj) $14. Nothing bad to say about this place. Great shopping as well. Get a great bottle of vino and a cigar for dinner after you've had a great lunch! A+++
(5)Susan D.
PLEASE come to Charlotte, actually Ballantyne specifically. OMG you would kill it here. Been there twice while we visiting our daughter. Superb sandwiches, perfect portion size, fast and good service. Had the margharita panini today-perfection. I know I mis-spelled that, oh well, it was yummy! Inside has amazing looking food and gifts. Pricey but very high end stuff. Wish I could afford to shop there but for now I will love just visiting my daughter and enjoying a great lunch.
(5)George K.
First time customer but certainly will not be the last. Had brunch; coffee was great and my bacon, egg croissant was even better. Service was above par. Can't wait to co back.
(5)Jason F.
Wish there was a 4.5 star. Very nice cafe with good selection of slightly different yet refined options. We had the goat cheese panini with pesto pasta, the pesto croissant, and a chocolate caramel pecan pie. The pasta did not have the normal strength pesto I am used to and the cafe mocha was a little "off" but everything else was excellent. In addition there is a large selection of chocolates, bread, wines, cutlery, cheeses etc. in the other section of the store. The cafe is priced medium but the retail side is high; however, the selection of products are of a higher quality or harder to find in any other store.
(4)Rachel C.
You may need some time to roam around in here, there's a lot to take in with all the food and kitchen supplies and who knows what else! One of those things I wouldn't have realized right away is that they also serve lunch! Good thing, because their deli counter looked delish! So tucked into the side is a cute little diner style restaurant. It was one of those menus that everything looked good, but I'm a big fan of salads (like in the pasta, chicken, egg style salads). So what won me over is the you pick three salad option. I had the veggie pasta, tomato and feta pasta and chicken salad. I hear they're known for their chicken salad, but my fave had to be the tomato and feta pasta. It was so flavorful and the right amount of pasta to tomato/feta ratio. They definitely give you a hearty portion too! I could have made two full sandwiches of that chicken salad. Plus, they give you bread. But.. I used all the bread to dip into the delicious red pepper and gouda soup. Oh man was that soup good. Like, I'd go and seek out that soup every day if I could! YUMM-O! Service was friendly and fast, so you don't have to worry about waiting if you have a short lunch. But this is the South, everything should be leisurely, right?!
(4)Kristen F.
Gourmet shop is one of the best restaurants in Columbia. I have eaten there 15+ times and I've liked everything I've ever ordered. The cheese board, the chicken salad, the tomato bisque and their coffee just to name a few favorites. If you're looking for a great place to go for brunch or lunch you've got to try gourmet!
(5)Danielle R.
A favorite! I love their spinach feta croissants and the tomato basil pasta.
(4)brad h.
Gourmet cooking equipment, wine shop, a smattering of good cheese, etc... Oh, and they serve food too. Brunch till 2:00. It's great food, served in an old diner atmosphere. You can pick up some really nice kitchenware, wine, cheese, etc.while you are there.
(4)Whitney S.
Not my favorite. Been here a few times for brunch and lunch. While the place looks good and the menu sounds good, the actual food isnt anything special. You can however, find some good stuff for your kitchen. Sometimes the food is really bland. We travel a lot and have eaten at a lot of wonderful places...The Gourmet shop is not somewhere I care to eat at unless Im stuck going due to someone elses choosing. I left something on the table once. Went back 15 minutes later to find out they "couldn't find it." Turns out, it was thrown away. Thanks.
(2)Julie R.
I love this place for brunch! They have an awesome mimosa kit that is great for sharing as they give you a whole bottle of sparkling wine with your orange juice. Favorites here include the hummus, chicken salad croissant, the prosciutto Blt and their paninis! After eating I always go inside and sample their awesome cheeses! Yum!
(5)Somer P.
Great place for lunch or brunch or breakfast or basically any meal between the hours of 8a-345p! Obviously get the chicken salad, I've never been brave enough to get anything else because I'm sure nothing could be a stellar as the chicken salad! This is my second favorite place in town! Very consistent! If it's the weekend be prepared to wait. Also bring change for parking.
(5)Roni R.
Fabulous food, service and products. We had the pastrami and chicken salad sandwich. Both delicious. When were back in the area, we'll be back!
(5)Stephanie H.
Such a cool place. The hummus is AMAZING. Good service and the food is so good. Plan to wait a little if you go during a busy time, but they have an efficient process and you won't wait too long. Besides, there is so much to look at while you wait!
(5)Rick T.
I come here sometimes for breakfast and sit outside and people watch when the Carolina sun is shining down on us. But I'm mostly in here getting a fine cigar and unique chocolate to have with my pint across the street. They have some really good wines and upscale food items.
(4)Nicole B.
One of the best brunch/lunch places to go to in town. They serve illy coffee for all you caffeine lovers out there, and they have a "barista", along with wine by the glass or bottle (I would go to the seller and pick out a bottle for lunch vs the house wine by the bottle). Location is near plenty of parking also. They're open for breakfast and close at 3. Ultimately famous for their chicken salad, which is to die for. Be prepared if you're sitting outside it may take a tad bit longer for service as its first come bases where you seat yourself. And if they're busy, it may be a while. But hang tight, the food is going to be worth the wait. After lunch, check out the store front inside. It has an awesome wine cellar, cheese station, cooking gadgets, books, knives, etc. This is also where you can buy any of the deeeelish salads by the pound. Mmmm. Yumm.
(5)Donald L.
A nice cafe and store that serves an upscale lunch menu. I had the prosciutto panini with tomato bisque soup. It was as good as it sounds. While you are waiting go ahead and pick up that new Le Creuset french oven you have been admiring.
(4)Rob N.
I ordered a wine gift basket to be delivered to someone very special. They were the best! Super nice, prompt, great price and amazing customer service. Please use there services. People and companies like this must stay around. Thank you so much gourmet shop! You guys are amazing! Robert
(5)Rachel O.
Chicken salad. Period. End of story. It could be the end of the story. Once you have it there's no going back to any other kind. DELICIOUS! But other than the chicken salad... They have lots to choose from. My favorites are the tomato, basil and feta pasta salad, pesto pasta and the brie with bread. Oh... and did I mention the chicken salad? ;-) A good way to try some different things is to get the "One, One and One". It's a you pick three from a handful of their delicious dishes. They have some sandwich recommendations or you can build your own. I've never had anything bad there. Lunch at The Gourmet Shop is a good hour and a half. After eating at a leisurely pace be sure to peruse the shop area. The chocolate croissants are indeed delicious if you are early enough to snag one. There are a lot of specialty items, chocolates, cheeses and you can get some of the items you had at lunch to go. May I suggest a pint of the chicken salad? It's nice to sit outside with your pup if you have one. Try to get there a little early if you don't want to wait for a table. The wait is worth it though! The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is that the seating is pretty cramped. Be careful and don't let people at the next table nibble on your chicken salad!
(4)Tonya P.
One of the best places to get chicken salad and dessert. It has been a staple in our community for years and it lives up to every review.
(5)Emily E.
Nice variety of tasty sandwiches and sides! The croissants are great as is the Reuben. Deviled eggs were mediocre but enjoyed everything else! For a treat, visit the wide array of chocolates they have on your way out ..they have mint Ritter sport which is super hard to find! Also a cool kitchen shop!
(4)Grace M.
Amazing food! Their tomato bisque, pasta salad and bagel and lox (smoked salmon) are to die for! I recommend getting there early for brunch to beat the annoying crowd of 19 year olds that stick around way after they paid their bill. I prefer going there on the weekdays to avoid that crowd because of this. You can even bring your pet as long as you sit outside. I definitely recommend the mimosa pitcher if you're going to drink!
(4)Linda O.
I was there shopping on a Saturday. The prices were so astronomically high ($7 for two small non-homemade chocolate squares; $50 for a plastic mixing bowl set) and most of it could be ordered online or purchased at World Market for less. I decided to just get something to eat since I paid for 1 hour in the parking meter. While trying to get a look at their menu (both at the entrance and then at the counter), I was told I was in the way and to move twice by the wait staff. Because I couldn't look at the menu, we were going to get a coffee to go, but the staff didn't smile, make eye contact, and treated us like we were an inconvenience. I was so glad we went across the street for coffee instead which saved the day and made up for the experience here.
(1)Jessica D.
Absolutely love their pasta salads and fruit. Food is always good but I must say the service is Not good. The male hostess was very nice and got us seated promptly, however our waitress didn't notice she never brought our tea and she never would look at us or ask if something was needed. I'd come back for the food but geeze...dread the staff.
(4)Joy S.
I was visiting a friend in Columbia and he took me here for a Saturday brunch. It was packed so I figured they had to be doing something right. We were seated after about a 10 minute wait, which we filled by checking out all the cool artisan cheeses and kitchen gadgets. After having the hardest decision deciding if I wanted to go the lunch or breakfast route, I ended up ordering egg salad & roast beef on pumpernickel with horseradish sauce. Our server said that they were out of pumpernickel and urged me to get the croissant and add honey mustard in addition to the horseradish sauce. Apparently, this was the best possible combo. Sounded good to me so I went with it. There's a lesson to be learned here, kids. If your server says that something is one of their favorite things on the menu, go with it. I'm so glad I did because that sandwich was crazy delicious. And the side of pesto pasta (after adding a little salt and pepper) was also very good. My friend had the pimento cheese sandwich, which he raved about. The only downsides were that it was a little crowded and there was only one bathroom which was a one staller (that could've used a bit more cleaning). Yes, one bathroom in a place that doubles as a restaurant/wine store/deli/kitchen supply store. I couldn't get over that. But other than that, I really enjoyed my meal.
(4)Taylor H.
They have the best tomato bisque soup I've ever had. You can't go wrong pairing it with a turkey panini.
(5)David A.
Cool place in Five Points. My daughter and her friends love this place. I have been eating healthy and probably did not order the right thing. I had the spinach salad with grilled chicken. Just ordinary. My double expresso hit the spot! The girls had the panini with goat cheese and loved it. They order it every time. Great atmosphere and the shop is incredible with fresh prepared foods and an amazing wine shop.
(3)Katharine K.
The best lunch place in Columbia, in my opinion. The food is always amazing, with great coffee drinks, too. Definitely try the Arnold Palmer and the chicken salad croissant. Also, the deli and grocery sections offer foods and appliances you can't get anywhere else in Columbia. They also have an extensive collection of wine and cigars.
(5)Alex W.
I love the atmosphere and selection of the Gormet Shop, but some of the selection is a little bland. Service is always excellent, and I would recommend to anyone looking for a good lunch but not ready to get blown away by flavors.
(4)Alison L.
I came here straight from class on Halloween for a class project. So naturally, I had a bookbag. The owner thought I was stealing. Other than that incident, the food was great, and all the servers were dressed for the occasion.
(3)Brigette R.
I've always liked the outdoor seating area. We got lucky with parking, the metered parking can be annoying sometimes. Our food was served almost right away, even with the big lunch crowd. I thought the chicken salad on the croissant was ok. I enjoyed the fruit salad and pickle more. I wasn't that thrilled with the tomato/pasta soup, kind of tasted like it was straight from a can. The seating is what I enjoyed and just the view. Pretty casual spot, I've been here for breakfast before and recommend it for a quick lunch or brunch.
(3)Dora T.
Good sandwiches but the server was so out of it! She offered a side of jam which she never brought to the table. We asked for platic cup for our girl which she didn t bring, we asked for a side of pasta that comes with one of the sandwich that she didn t bring we asked for some milk for the coffee and she brought a big wine glass of milk and charged us $2.50 for it.... Kinda annoying.
(3)Mike O.
I like the neighborhood, and apparently this is the kind of place you take your parents if you're a college kid in town, but I wasn't blown away. It's kind of just a regular diner with slightly above average diner food and an adjoining shop where you can buy wine and knicknacks ala some sort of home decor store. I had the reuben, and it was pretty good. Like I said the food is above average here, but not waaaay above average. Hell, why am I being so hard on you, The Gourmet Shop? Maybe because my party didn't/couldn't sit outside on a fine Columbia autumn afternoon. Maybe next time that will bump you up to four stars. FYI stay away from here on USC "family weekends." Word on the street. Word. Street.
(3)ChristiAnn B.
CAFE: Had the P.L.T panini for Sunday lunch. Inside dining area was pretty loud. Service was slow. Food wasn't impressive. I will find somewhere else to eat next time. SHOP: Lot of artisan bread, cheeses, kitchen items, gourmet food, etc. Love the wine shop! Good selection of wines for all price ranges. Some of the wines are a tad overpriced. Limited selection of Sauternes (dessert wine) so I go down to Green's for that. Very knowledgeable staff. They wil help you find the perfect bottle. Brian is always very helpful.
(4)Susan G.
Everything I've ever eaten here has been fantastic. Their chicken salad is the best in town. Prices are reasonable. Service is fast and friendly. Great place!
(5)Denise K C.
Chicken Salad, Pimento Cheese, Deviled Eggs, Pasta Salad, French Bread. Never been to Europe but I think this is what a cafe in Paris would be like, except these servers like Americans. And you can bring your dog, sit outside and they'll bring your dog a water bowl.
(5)Annie D.
This place was buzzing with people all day on a Saturday. Inside it's a gourmet shop (hence, the name) and deli, with a lot of imported dry goods, cheeses, wine, kitchen wares and artisan chocolates (including the Minneapolis-based BT McElrath #shoutout). While I liked the shop component of The Gourmet Shop, I can't recommend it for lunch because I never got a chance to eat there. I waited until the lunch crowd had died down a bit (I had been across the street having coffee at Drip). It was a gorgeous day in December, so I asked one of the servers if I could sit on the patio. She said that anywhere was fine so I took a seat. Then I waited for about 15 minutes with no service... I watched the servers do plenty of things, including clearing the table next to mine and getting drinks for a table that sat down well after I did. No eye contact. No "I'll be right back." Nothing. I ended up just leaving and going somewhere else. Did something get lost in a shift change? I don't know, but what really irked me is that the same server who told me to sit anywhere saw me leaving and just went about her business without a word. Not a great impression.
(3)Simon T.
Mediocre taste, Impossibly overpriced. Why's the wait so long?
(2)Shelly H.
Love this place! Everything is yummy! I frequently eat either lunch or brunch here with my family. When friends are in town we always have to go here! I also recommend take out pastas and salads for tailgating or luncheons.
(5)Server C.
This place is just wonderful! My boyfriend and I go probably once a week and order the same thing every time. Bacon and Brie croissant. It is to die for! They usually always have incredible service, today was a slight exception. Service was mediocre and the croissant was hard :((. But all 5 stars are deserving, everyone has a bad day.
(5)Jia K.
I love the chicken salad!!! it's the best so far around here. The wait staff was horrible on couple of occasions and made me not want to go but living downtown you don't have many options. wait staff is 2-3 stars and the food is 4.
(4)Cathy H.
Met husband for lunch - noon on a Friday. Out of grilled chicken - really? How do you let that happen?? There is nothing special about their lunch. It is JUST a sandwich shop, and not that great or imaginative. I got the smoked salmon/cream cheese bagel. At $10.50, I think it was the most expensive sandwich on the menu - and the only one that didn't come with a side. It was just ok - rather bland with the most tasteless capers ever. The tomato, basil, feta penne pasta side sounded too good to pass. Well turns out I should have passed. Small spots of red were the only indication of tomatoes. I thought they had forgotten the feta until I found a small piece, not even the size of a pea. It was creamy - with none of the pungent, saltiness that feta should have. And the basil? I found maybe 3 small, dry, flavorless pieces. I barely ate any and if I had been asked how my lunch was, I would have told them. The only positive thing I could say was that the pasta wasn't overcooked - - well, at least not by much. Honestly - probably one of the most disappointing lunches I've had - especially for the price. Will not be back and with some many other options to try, why would I?
(1)Jordan R.
Without a doubt the hottest spot in 5 Points for lunch and weekend brunch. The Gourmet Shop is a dressed-up soup & sandwich place that offers pleasant outdoor seating (crucial to people-watching or enjoying a nice day outside). However, if its too cold outside and its busy, be prepared for a lengthy wait. As I mentioned, soups + sandwiches with deli-style sides are the order of the day. There are baguette sandwiches, paninis, croissants, salads, etc. You can choose from the menu's ample selection or make your own. People will tell you that the chicken salad is the star of the menu but it may not be to the tastes of some. Its heavy on the mayonnaise with little else added for texture but its always consistent, well cared for, and very, very fresh. Sides are pesto pasta, tomato + feta pasta, various potato salads, all of which are at least decent. Quality can potentially vary depending on the day, however. For a European cafe style set-up, there are an awful lot of American or even Southern comfort items (pimento cheese, deviled eggs, tuna salad, the aforementioned chicken salad). However, if you want to order a cheese plate, I highly recommend it. The attached store has the best selection of artisan cheeses in the city and the cafe is always running cheese specials based on the store's selection. Also, just like the cheese selection, the wine selection is always worth a look as the connected store specializes in a wide selections of wine. You can even buy a bottle from the store for your table if you're planning on sitting for a while. As for other, more traditionally European menu items, the ham + brie croissant is delicious and an effective hangover killer. Also, the P.L.T. panini (pancetta/lettuce/tomato) is robust and flavorful. The coffee (Illy) is always consistent here as well. In summary, the Gourmet Shop does solid deli staples with either slightly Southern or European twists. Basically, don't be fooled by the uppity pretense of this place and be prepared to wait depending on your timing and you should leave a happy customer.
(3)Swetha G.
Lovely place for lunch! I've been meaning to go here for ages and am happy to say that I finally got around to it today, and it did NOT disappoint! My friend and I split a plate of french bread and melted brie cheese. They serve a small cup of jam with it. I've never had hot brie and even more so, have never thought to mix it with jam! What an excellent combination! All the flavors blended together perfectly and instantly dissolve in your mouth. I was tempted to ask for another plate but since we already ordered our entrees, I didn't want to OD on the app, but the bread and cheese were REALLY REALLY good! As for the entree, I had the veggie choice with a side of fruit. The sandwich is just as it's described: you get fresh light goat cheese with avocado, tomato, sprouts and sunflower seeds. The only thing I would add is that the sourdough baguette is quite sizeable, so unless you're really hungry, you will do well with just half. You could even just get one sandwich and share amongst two people if you have the same taste in food. I almost finished mine though I was full. It was very tasty, I just couldn't stop chewing! The atmosphere is very quaint - lots of natural light and country decor. Service is also very friendly. I will be glad to hit the Gourmet Shop again and look forward to getting a cheese platter next time!
(4)Katie R.
CHICKEN SALAD. You must order it. You'll want to take it home. Also a must-order, the Chocolate Croissants, but you'll have to get there early if you really want one because they're gone in a few hours. The sweet tea is good, and the only drawback is you pay by the drink if you're drinking soda.
(5)Maile M.
Come here every now and then. Usually get an egg salad sandwich. Today it wasn't as good as others, but everything my family got was excellent. The tomato bisque was amazing as usual. I really enjoy the atmosphere here and the location. I recommend it for any visitors.
(4)Hana M.
I came here for a bite to eat during a visit to Columbia, after reading the reviews on yelp. Before making my way to the cafe part, I did a little window shopping. You should go a reserve a table for lunch before that though... we had a 20 minute wait for a table. The service was slow, so you're starving by the time your food finally gets there. In the grocery end, there are teas, chocolates, cheeses, wines, elegant kitchen ware ect. This is where you go when you are a cheese enthusiast! I regret not getting the cheese board, I got the vegetable lasagna instead which I really did not like. It had way too much thyme which is not my favorite spice. I switched though with my friend who had a simple egg and cheese on croissant - simple is sometimes best.
(4)Brigid S.
I had the salad, which was tame. It was bland and had very few vegetables. I would say that you should have a sandwich if you go here because I think that is what they are known for. The wine was good and I liked walking around the store before and after lunch. The grocery part of the store was super nice. There are a lot of kitchen appliances, wine, chocolate, and etc.
(3)Elizabeth F.
I enjoyed the food here. I enjoyed the shop here. I felt that is was more of a place that you sit and grab some wine and a sandwich. The shop was AMAZING and great place to get lost in. Parking was an issue. Plus even though we were seated right away....seating was an issue for others while we ate.
(4)Jonathan Z.
To start with, my review is more focused on the retail part of this shop as the brunch is mediocre from my 2 experiences. Precooked eggs don't get me excited so if you are eating brunch stick with something simple. They serve Illy Coffee which is a fantastic Italian roast. The retail store is a fantastic find for any home cook, chock full of hard to find cheeses, Spanish and local aged hams, marcona almonds, Quality olive oils, sauces, fresh pimento and jalapeño cheeses, desserts, a great wine shop, etc. As an avid home cook, I could not be more pleased that Columbia has a serious place I can find fresh pastas, quality jarred sauces, Anson Mills grits, great chocolates, and all of the fine things that a home cook needs. They even have 2 varieties of preserved lemons!! Make a stop at the All-Local Farmers Market on Saturday, get your staples, and then come here to get olive oils and vinegars to make your dressing, fresh spices for your meat and vegetables, and a nice dessert for dinner. Get some of the Iberian ham and Manchego cheese with some marcona almonds and fruit to start, a couple bottles of wine, and you are off for a great night Woo-hoo! If you love cooking and food as much as I do, this is a must stop.
(5)M A.
Man, that was a mean bacon, tomato, and lettuce croissant! Flakey, messy, and greasy - just the way I love it! I thought the price was steep upon first glance of the menu, but the sandwich presented to me was quite the beast and well worth the asking price. I didn't wander too much around the shop outside of the restaurant area, but it seemed like it had a decent variety of higher-end foods to purchase. That cheese case did look amazing...
(4)Hardy E.
The chicken salad on field greens! Yum! This place is clean and fast. Long wait time because so many ppl love his place too.
(5)Lindsey V.
A must for the Columbia area. I always bring my family and friends here. If you have to order only one thing on the menu, CHICKEN SALAD. This chicken salad is so good there is always the possibility they will run out! And they do so make sure you get there early to get your fill. Every time I go I want to get something new but, I cannot tear away from my original of chicken salad on French bread with tomato and lettuce. Of course they have plenty of other scrumptious menu opinions if you are not keen on the chix salad. Can't go wrong with any of their sandwiches. Brunch is top notch as well. Their sides are great, my personal favorites being the pesto pasta salad and the tomato bisque (if it is served that day). The shop next to the cafe is stocked with neat knick knacks for the kitchen as well as foods/sauces/spices and a small section for dinnerware. The shop includes a wine section that is pretty fantabulous with a great selection of wines from different regions and countries.
(5)Chloe G.
We went here for breakfast on a Saturday morning. Loved the outside seating area....other than that...I wasn't impressed. The food was just so-so.
(2)Martin V.
If you want good home made food with quality ingredients, if you like cheeses and wine, and if you love desserts, you will definitely appreciate this place. There is a large shop attached to the restaurant, full of great gifts / cooking supplies / food. They have a HUGE wine selection with a sommelier to help you out, and they also play host to a very good assortment of cheeses. Check this place out. Period.
(5)Mandy M.
The Gourmet shop is not to be missed. I drive from Washington Georgia to Columbia (1 hour 15 mins) just to have lunch here. The brie and bacon on a croissant is wonderful. They have a wonderful array of pasta salads, green salads, sandwiches and baked goods. The portions are huge and the food is always fresh. I happen to be a kitchen gadget fanatic so the adjoining kitchen store is an added bonus. Here you will find higher end kitchen wares from Emile Henry to Le Cruset and more. They have gourmet chocolates and salted caramels, teas and coffees. There's even a refrigerated section with offerings of cheeses and various cold items. It gets really busy here during the lunch hour and especially on Sundays after church. There is seating outside as well. Go to the Gourmet shop, you won't be sorry.
(5)Jazz B.
Even though they sell cigars, it is not cigar friendly. Could not really enjoy our wine and cigar at outside tables. I understand that cigars are strong but if you sell something at your shop, I expect not to be snubed by wait staff. Other than that, food and atmosphere is great.
(4)Jared G.
Great place! Took home a few deserts and a baguette - so good.
(5)April W.
OMG! My only regret was not ordering a plate of cheeses as an appetizer! I had the bagel and locks sandwich and it was SOOOO YUMMY!! They sure weren't stingy with the smoked salmon or cream cheese!! The bagel was toasted to buttery perfection and the capers added just enough of a salty bite! Yum, yum, yum! It's a bit noisy inside due to cafe being inside a specialty shop, and there's not much room for larger parties, but they do offer outside seating. I would love to come back there again just to sample the cheeses and wines! By the way...the cafe offers it's menu to go!
(4)Mandy K.
Good service, kid friendly, good coffee, laid back. Will visit again. Great kitchen store with all the latest and high end items. Great location.
(5)Carlton L.
I was in Columbia with my boyfriend while he was on business and we popped into the gourmet shop for a quick lunch. The food was delish! Service was great! Really enjoyed the miso salad :)
(5)Neal T.
Good local food at good prices. Fun atmosphere. Relatively small servings. Tight quarters, too (as in, smaller tables with very little room to move between them). Also, only one bathroom. Period. Back in the back. But the restaurant's in a good area with shops all around. Definitely recommended.
(4)Meghan M.
My friend got food poisoning from the chicken salad here. The ambience in this little shop is great but be careful what you order. I had the brie and bread and it was great. Brie was warm and creamy and homemade jam they served with it was very tasty. That still didn't up the rating the factor to the sickness my friend experienced from eating here.
(2)Patrick D.
The ONLY reason I gave 3 stars is because they don't have highchairs. My wife and I ate brunch there recently but couldn't enjoy it because we were wrestling with our 10-month-old the entire time. Love the food. Also love that you can buy a bottle of wine with no corkage fee or restaurant-style markup. Bought a bottle for $11! Invest in a few highchairs and you get 2 more stars from me!
(3)Ted N.
Probably best place in COLA to purchase good cheese. Wine not as much. I go to eat brunch and people watch. The belgian waffle is quite good. They brew drinks with Illy coffee which if you have not had before is quite intense flavor, it may not be for everyone. Breakfast bowl is also a good choice. This place can and will get busy if the weather is nice.
(4)Lellina M.
Absolutely delicious lunch and brunch! Quite possibly the best chicken salad ever and you can't go wrong with any of the sides. Yes, it is expensive for a "sandwich place", which is the only thing keeping it from a 5 star rating in my book. However, order something slightly fancier than a plain turkey sandwich and you will not be disappointed!
(4)David C.
THis is a cafe/restaurant supply shop/deli/wine/cigar shop. Ok, so I wrote this review before and it was much longer but yelp had a maintenance issue and it wiped out 99% of my review. Here are the high points: Cafe: Several tasty sandwiches, most featuring interesting cheeses. The BLT looked AMAZING. Steak and potato soup du jour was inspired and creamy. Store: If you want to buy a colander that looks like a 57 Chevy, this is your store. It looks like most of the pots and pans are about 10% over retail. They have interesting cutlery, Shun's Ken Onion line, Viking knives, which I have never seen in the South before today. Deli: Gourmet in all the right places! They pack a lot into a small area. Prosciutto off the shank! Sadly no non-cured Italian favorites like Mortadella. Cheese, cheese and more cheese! Humidor: It's dominated by Gurkha and CAO. To be honest they have the best Gurkha selection I have seen in the city. The selection is nice considering how little room they have. If you want bulk cigars, go across the river to Modern Age because this place is a little pricey but if you are just buying a couple sticks, this place is just fine. Wine: Nice selection, again, they pack a lot into a little bit of space. They have a few nice Chotes du Rhone labels that I remembered from when I was a poor student living in France. ***Note: They have outdoor seating, which is covered for shade and to protect you from light rain. Also, this place is freakin clean. I mean, you don't smell the deli in the cafe. The place is immaculate.
(4)Lindsey B.
Good atmosphere (for a casual eat-in deli) and reasonably good service. Food is generally outstanding. Try the shrimp inside a half canelope, I love it. Take outs are good there, some on street side-walk cafe type tables. Good overall experience there. Certainly hard to top this for a lite and gourmet lunch in the 'deli' style.
(5)Debby J.
My favorite chicken salad in town. The cantaloupe half stuffed with chicken salad is to die for.
(5)Chip O.
The chicken salad on croissant with avacado and bree is great! Also, if you can order a cheese plate. It's better to go in the afternoon because they get busy during lunch. After you eat, take a gander through their store, they have a decent selections of cheeses and wines although with other kitchen items.
(4)Greg W.
Overall, a very cool shop and neat experience. There is a moderate selection of higher-end cooking equipment but you'd probably find better prices elsewhere (especially since they were trying to sell pepper mills for $50-150...). The deli counter in the center of the store had lots of great looking salads but I passed on those out of concern they'd spoil in the car before we ever got home. There were some baked goods and I got a raspberry blackberry bar that was very very tastey! Prices on the food and coffees looked decent. Gorgous looking cheese selection! Seating was limited, though; 6 or 8 outdoor tables were all I saw.
(4)Spencer S.
Famous for the Chicken salad and rightfully so. Never had anything else there, no reason to. Can get crowded and the staff can get stressed (it seems) with too many tables and poor layout. Parking is horrible during lunch hour in 5 points. But, the chicken salad makes it all worth it! And one thing to remember, you pay up at the front register where they don't ask you about a tip, so either leave cash on the table or mention that you wanted to put it on the bill (I didn't realize my first time and felt bad afterwards).
(4)Ind R.
Don't be intimidated by the name! The Gourmet Shop is the place to go for a quick sandwich in a casual, cafe-like atmosphere. You're welcome to design your sandwich from a selection of ingredients, cheeses and breads, or choose from a few entrees. Outdoor seating! After your meal, browse the shop for obscure kitchen gadgets, international ingredients, and chocolates you haven't seen since that trip to Europe.
(4)Kath M.
I've shopped at The Gourmet Shop for wine and cheese several times but hadn't eaten there until this past weekend. I had the usual good experience shopping. The folks that work in their wine section and at the cheese counter are great. The cheesemongers in particular know their products well and are enthusiastic about sharing them. I picked up a wedge of cheese and the pinot that was recommended to go with it. Here is where I hit the only major downside to the place... the cashiers. I went through the registers three times that day (first, a glass for the wine samples, then wine and cheese, then lunch) and each time the cashiers were either rude or off in their own worlds. One stared off into space while she applied lip balm before ringing up my items, and she never said a word to me other than giving me the total charge. I'm surprised by how consistently I've had bad experiences with their cashiers and that the store doesn't seem to notice or care. This is the only reason I didn't give five stars. From there, I decided to grab lunch. I seated myself outside, and the servers seemed to be confused about who was supposed to wait on me. A waiter quickly brought me water and a menu, but I waited for almost 10 minutes before another came to take my order. I was relaxed and happy from the wine samples, though, and there are worse places for people watching than Five Points. After that initial hiccup, all was well. They checked on me regularly and unobtrusively for the rest of time there. I ordered the Caprese salad, and the waiter adroitly asked if I had a back-up choice. He said the Caprese is popular, and they frequently run out of mozzarella - I'd much rather be informed upfront than to be disappointed later. I picked the goat cheese and sundried tomato pesto panini with a side salad. He came back to refill my water shortly after taking the order and let me know that I'd be getting the back-up. Looking back, I'm glad for it because the sandwich was fantastic - great flavors, perfect proportion of bread to filling, and cooked perfectly. The salad was simple and good - baby greens with a little tomato, served with a great viniagrette. There was also a small dish of chopped roasted red peppers with olives and capers. It was probably meant to be a condiment for the sandwich, but it went *really* well on the salad. You could eat there for less than $10 a person if you stick with just water. The Arnold Palmer (iced tea and lemonade) was worth pushing it to the 'moderate' range. Overall great place, and I look forward to many more visits there.
(4)R M.
Met for breakfast at this great Five Points spot. Had the breakfast bowl, with grits, cheese, sausage and eggs. Layered together into a great start to the day. Tasted Fantastic. Coffee and service were both excellent as well, I will definitely return.
(5)jane s.
The Gourmet Shop has a wide assortment of wines and cigars, cheeses and coffees along with little goodies from around the world. Some items - especially small appliances and kitchen gear - can get pretty pricey, but over all it's a great little shop. There is a very small cafe attached to the shop. Seating always seems hard to come by as there are only a handful of tables.
(4)Melanie C.
The chicken salad is awesome!! There is nothing better than sitting outside on a beautiful day with a glass of wine and the chicken salad on croissant with a side of the pesto salad. The service isn't that great (sucks actually), but the food is!
(4)Paul M.
Relaxed and informal sandwich shop. All menu items are delicious and well presented. Coffee is excellent. Beer & wine available. Service is friendly and efficient. Hours 9A to 3:30P except 10A on Sunday. Sunday brunch. One of our favorite places. Located in the Five Points area of Columbia.
(5)