98 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Gaulart & Maliclet, a quaint little French cafe, is the hidden gem of Charleston. Stop by for their fantastic lunch special in between exploring all the wonderful attractions in Charleston's historic district. The food is so good and the ambiance so charming. I am so glad that I came upon this restaurant randomly while strolling the historic district.
The best time to visit is during lunch hours to enjoy one of their fabulous specials. By far the best deal in Charleston, the lunch specials include an entree and a house wine, French press coffee, or tea for just 15 bucks.
Entree choices are diverse, ranging from a vegetarian pizza baguette, to an open faced brie melt on croissant, to Smoked Salmon and Chevre on Canadian rye bread. If you are in the mood for something light, go simple with the soup (always homemade) and house salad special (also includes a baguette and fresh fruit).
The O'Vegan featuring green olive tapenade, currants, & vegetables on toasted canadian rye, served with soup or tossed salad, is a wonderful choice. The Vegetarian Pizza croissant featuring broccoli, tomatoes, green peppers, mushrooms, mustard and melted cheese is another great light choice.
Update: The lunch special has changed a bit, but is still a great deal. They offer one daily special which includes wine for 15 bucks, plus a number of sandwich pairings and combination plates. Recent selections have included: Open Faced Brie Melt on Croissant, Open Faced Sandwich Provencal, and Open Faced Croque Monsieur.
Friday and Saturday nights they offer an interesting "Roam Around the World" special. For $28, you can enjoy an eclectic international entree, plus a soup or salad, bread, and a glass of house wine.
Service is great. We sat at the bar and received very attentive service.
The setting at Gaulart is quiet and cozy. This place feels more like a local gem than an overpriced tourist destination. It's a great place to enjoy a cozy, laid-back lunch minus the typical tourist congestion.
Gaulart & Maliclet is the place to go for an affordable, authentic, & delicious lunch in downtown Charleston. You really cannot go wrong with one of their delicious lunch specials. I love that they offer a number of vegetarian sandwiches and soups which isn't always the norm at French restaurants. The quiet location and charming ambiance add to the appeal.
