Some Columbia lunches come with a side of history.
Since 1979, The Gourmet Shop has been serving up the kind of food that turns first-time visitors into lifelong regulars. Tucked into Five Points, this beloved café and specialty food market brings together gourmet sandwiches, carefully selected cheeses, and plenty of Southern charm.
The cheese counter alone is worth the trip, with tempting selections from around the world waiting to be discovered.
Then there are the paninis, piled with premium meats, flavorful cheeses, and fresh ingredients that make an ordinary lunch feel like a very good decision.
Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite, shopping for something special, or building a show-stopping cheese board, The Gourmet Shop has a way of making food feel like an occasion.
This is the Columbia café locals keep coming back to—and visitors quickly understand why.
A Five Points Favorite Since 1979
For more than four decades, The Gourmet Shop has anchored Columbia’s Five Points district as a gathering place where food lovers meet exceptional ingredients. What started as a specialty shop has grown into something much larger—a café, cheese counter, and gourmet market rolled into one.
Walking into this establishment feels different from typical lunch spots. Shelves stocked with imported oils, artisan chocolates, and specialty vinegars surround café tables where diners enjoy handcrafted sandwiches.
The combination creates an experience that goes beyond grabbing a quick bite.
Locals have watched this business evolve while maintaining its commitment to quality. Families who visited as college students now bring their own children to sample cheeses and pick out gifts.
The longevity speaks to something rare in the restaurant world—a place that adapts without losing its soul.
Five Points itself has changed over the years, but The Gourmet Shop remains a constant. Its presence helped define the neighborhood’s identity as a destination for food, culture, and community gathering.
The Cheese Counter Is the Heart of the Experience
Step up to the cheese counter and you’re greeted by a carefully curated selection from America, Europe, and beyond. Creamy French Brie sits alongside aged Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano, while domestic favorites from Vermont and Wisconsin round out the collection.
Each cheese has been chosen for flavor, quality, and how it fits into the shop’s overall philosophy.
Sampling is encouraged here. Staff members offer tastes and explain the nuances between a mild cheddar and an aged reserve.
They answer questions about pairings, suggest wines that complement specific cheeses, and help customers find exactly what they need for dinner parties or casual snacking.
Many visitors come specifically for the cheese counter, treating it as their primary destination rather than an afterthought. Building a custom cheese board becomes an interactive experience where expertise meets enthusiasm.
The counter transforms shopping into education, turning curious browsers into confident cheese lovers.
This isn’t just retail—it’s relationship building through shared appreciation for excellent dairy products.
Sandwiches That Go Far Beyond the Ordinary Lunch
Forget everything you thought you knew about basic sandwiches. The café menu reads like a love letter to premium ingredients and thoughtful combinations.
Each sandwich starts with quality bread and builds from there with meats, cheeses, vegetables, and spreads that actually taste like something.
Classic deli options exist for traditionalists who want straightforward turkey or ham. But the menu also stretches into more adventurous territory with combinations that surprise without overwhelming.
Fresh vegetables get the same attention as proteins, and house-made spreads add layers of flavor you won’t find at chain restaurants.
The kitchen treats lunch as an opportunity rather than an obligation. Sandwiches arrive pressed and warm when appropriate, giving cheese that perfect melt and bread that satisfying crunch.
Even simple combinations benefit from the attention to detail that defines the entire operation.
Regular customers often have favorites they order repeatedly. First-timers might need a few visits to explore the full range of possibilities hiding in this deceptively extensive sandwich selection.
The Turkey Panini Brings Together Fresh, Creamy, and Savory Flavors
Thinly sliced turkey breast forms the foundation of this popular panini, but it’s the supporting ingredients that make it memorable. Fresh goat cheese adds tangy creaminess that melts slightly when the sandwich gets pressed.
Ripe tomatoes contribute acidity and moisture, while avocado brings smooth richness to every bite.
The combination might sound familiar at first—turkey, cheese, vegetables. But executing familiar ingredients at this level requires skill and quality sourcing.
The turkey tastes like actual roasted bird rather than processed deli meat. The goat cheese maintains its distinct flavor without getting lost among bolder ingredients.
Pressing the sandwich serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. Heat melds the components together while creating textural contrast between crispy exterior and tender interior.
Each ingredient maintains its identity while contributing to the whole.
This panini exemplifies the café’s approach to gourmet sandwiches. Taking recognizable elements and treating them with respect creates something that feels both comfortable and elevated—exactly what regulars appreciate about this place.
Prosciutto Proves That Simplicity Can Be the Whole Point
Sometimes the best sandwich is the one that gets out of its own way. The prosciutto panini demonstrates this philosophy perfectly by putting a premium ingredient front and center without burying it under layers of extras.
Paper-thin slices of cured Italian ham deliver concentrated flavor that doesn’t need much help.
Prosciutto’s delicate texture and complex taste come from months of careful aging. Adding too many competing flavors would defeat the purpose of using quality meat in the first place.
This sandwich respects the ingredient by keeping accompaniments minimal and complementary.
Fans of classic Italian combinations appreciate this straightforward approach. The panini works for lunch when you want something satisfying but not heavy, or as part of a larger meal shared among friends.
Simplicity requires confidence—you can’t hide mediocre ingredients behind elaborate preparations.
Ordering this sandwich signals understanding of how good prosciutto should taste. It’s a choice for diners who value ingredient quality over kitchen theatrics, letting the cured ham speak for itself.
The Black Forest Ham and Cheese Panini Adds a European Touch
Black Forest ham brings a different character than standard deli varieties. The German-style meat offers subtle smokiness and deeper flavor that pairs beautifully with Dutch Parrano cheese.
Together they create a sandwich that nods toward European café culture while fitting perfectly into a South Carolina lunch routine.
Parrano cheese might be less familiar than cheddar or Swiss, but it deserves wider recognition. Firm yet creamy, it melts smoothly while maintaining enough structure to avoid turning into a puddle.
The slightly sweet, nutty flavor complements the ham without competing for attention.
This combination elevates the standard ham-and-cheese concept beyond what most people expect from that description. The quality of both main ingredients transforms a familiar lunch into something worth ordering repeatedly.
Pressing the panini amplifies the melding effect, creating unified bites rather than separate components.
Regulars who want comfort food with a twist often gravitate toward this option. It feels familiar enough to be approachable while tasting distinct enough to justify the trip to a specialty café.
Pimento Cheese and House-Made Salads Keep the Menu Rooted in the South
Among all the imported cheeses and European-inspired paninis, you’ll find thoroughly Southern options that connect the gourmet shop to its South Carolina roots. House-made pimento cheese delivers sharp, creamy comfort that locals have loved for generations.
The chicken salad follows suit with familiar flavors executed at a higher level than typical grocery store versions.
Roasted shrimp salad adds coastal influence to the prepared foods case. These aren’t afterthoughts or menu fillers—they’re thoughtfully crafted items that deserve equal billing with fancier offerings.
Making them in-house ensures freshness and allows for seasoning adjustments that set them apart from mass-produced alternatives.
Grabbing a container of chicken salad for dinner at home or building a sandwich around pimento cheese keeps regular customers connected to regional food traditions. The café honors these classics while maintaining the quality standards that define everything else.
This balance between gourmet aspirations and Southern comfort food makes the shop accessible to different audiences. You can appreciate artisan cheese while still enjoying properly made pimento cheese.
Build-Your-Own Sandwiches Let Regulars Create Their Perfect Bite
Not everyone wants the same sandwich every time, and the build-your-own option acknowledges that reality. Starting with bread selection alone opens up possibilities—rye, pumpernickel, multigrain, ciabatta, baguette, croissant, and more provide different textures and flavors as foundations.
Each choice changes the final result significantly.
After choosing bread, customers select from premium meats, artisanal cheeses, fresh vegetables, and house-made condiments. The customization transforms lunch into a creative process rather than a transaction.
First-time visitors might stick with safe combinations, while regulars experiment with new pairings based on what looks good that day.
This flexibility helps explain the café’s longevity. People with specific preferences or dietary needs can construct exactly what works for them.
Seasonal vegetables rotate through, keeping regular customers interested in trying different combinations even when ordering the same basic components.
The build-your-own option serves practical purposes too—accommodating picky eaters, avoiding allergens, or creating lighter meals. It’s the menu item that adapts to whatever someone needs rather than forcing them to adapt to predetermined combinations.
Cheese, Charcuterie, Wine, and Gourmet Provisions Make It More Than a Café
Calling this place a café tells only part of the story. Walk past the sandwich counter and you’ll discover a full specialty food shop stocked with items you won’t find at regular grocery stores.
Imported oils, aged balsamic vinegars, artisan chocolates, premium coffee beans, and carefully selected wines fill the shelves.
The shop functions as a destination for serious home cooks seeking specific ingredients or tools. Browsing the offerings feels like exploring a food lover’s treasure hunt, with new discoveries waiting around each corner.
Custom cheese and charcuterie boards transform shopping into event planning, whether for intimate dinners or large gatherings.
Cookware and kitchen tools occupy their own section, chosen for quality rather than trendy branding. The selection reflects actual cooking needs—items that perform well and last rather than gadgets that collect dust.
Staff knowledge extends beyond the cheese counter to help customers choose products that match their cooking styles.
This dual identity as café and specialty shop creates synergy. Lunch visitors become grocery shoppers, and shoppers discover the café while picking up ingredients.
Visitor Info and Tips for Visiting The Gourmet Shop
Located at 724 Saluda Avenue in Columbia’s Five Points neighborhood, The Gourmet Shop maintains convenient hours for both retail browsing and café dining. The retail store welcomes customers Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with Sunday hours running 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Café service operates daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Arriving earlier in the café’s service window ensures the fullest menu availability and more relaxed seating options. Lunch crowds pick up as noon approaches, so planning accordingly helps avoid peak wait times.
Allow extra time beyond just eating—the cheese counter and specialty food selection deserve proper browsing.
Anyone ordering custom cheese boards or charcuterie platters should call ahead at +1 803-799-3705 to discuss options and timing. The same applies to catering needs for events or gatherings.
The full menu and additional details are available at thegourmetshop.net.
First-time visitors often underestimate how much there is to explore beyond the café. Budget time for wandering the shop, sampling cheeses, and discovering provisions worth taking home.