Three Charleston Restaurants For Breakfast--From The Simple To The Sublime

At the furthest point on the Lower Peninsula, White Point Garden is an ideal place to catch the sweeping brush strokes of the sun's first rays of the morning as they artfully spill over the tall, rooftop silhouettes of Sullivan's Island unto the watery canvas of Charleston Harbor and ascend the railed walls of East Battery Street painting its waterfront homes with a soft, amber hue. With nothing more than the warmth and peacefulness of the moment to contemplate, it is a spiritually uplifting way to nourish your soul and kick-start a new day. Before long, the silent streets will be awakened by the flood of sight-seeing visitors and the clip-clop of horse's hooves pulling carriages loaded with tourists seeking to soak up the charm and history Charleston is renowned for. A suitable time to pocket your ponderings and depart the park to physically nourish your soul at one of the many unique restaurants and cafes located throughout the Historic Downtown District, from the simple to the sublime.

A short walk from the Battery on picturesque Broad Street is a street-side French cafe called Gaulart and Maliclet--also known by locals as Fast and French. Established by artists Gwylene Gallimard and Jean-Marie Mauclet 25 years ago, the restaurant's vision is summarized by their proclamation, "Where there is art, there is community--Where there is community, there is art." Their mission is to provide fresh, affordable, healthy, global cuisine with a French flair in a social environment. The seating in the cafe comes with close quarters. Great for friends who are interested in coming together to catch up on what's been happening around town and personally. Breakfast is served all day beginning at 8am. At Fast and French, emphasis is on simple but results are elegant. French press coffee made to order accompanies all breakfast specials. A variety of filled croissants, baked baguettes, fruit salad and yogurts are all fresh and reasonably priced. Open everyday except Sunday.
98 Broad Street, Charleston, SC
843-577-9797

Turning left off of Broad Street and traveling up East Bay Street just beyond the busy Old Market, the Saffron Cafe and Bakery has been serving Charleston locals since 1986. In a recent remodel, the cafe added an outdoor patio, a game court and a wood-burning oven. It produces freshly baked goods which are delivered daily to hotels, restaurants and coffee shops throughout Charleston. For the exotic shoppers, International goods like pickles imported from Jerusalem, grape leaves from Lebanon, lamb from Australia, dates from California and the Middle East, and Harrisa sauce from Algeria to name a few can be bought here. It has been named the best place for Hummus, She-Crab Soup, and Red Velvet Cake. For your early morning forage, try the French Toast for $7.50--a thick-cut housemade brioche soaked in egg and cinnamon, grilled with cinnamon sugar or Shrimp and Grits for $8.50--shrimp sauteed in brown gravy, over grits with toast or biscuits. Open at 7am everyday.
333 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC
843-722-5588

Back to the Old Market to Meeting Street brings your to the doors of Charleston Place and the main floor of the Belmond. Step through the doors of this sophisticated cafe and you will be greeted by an interior that screams prodigious. The Palmetto Cafe offers its early morning patrons an open, tranquil ambiance crowned by a high ceiling with expansive louvered windows, live green walls, and rich mahogany furniture all overlooking a lush courtyard complete with circular bronze fountain and impeccably kept gardens--perfect for enjoying Charleston's ideal morning weather. Recognized as the only 4 diamond breakfast and lunch restaurant in the city, its menu screams incredible, merging the very best of American Lowcountry cuisine with the freshest ingredients. Breakfast creations include a Peaches and Cream French Toast combining cream cheese stuffed raisin bread with a Georgia peach compote for $18 or a Palmetto Omelet with fresh lump crabmeat, lobster knuckles, mozzarella cheese, and spring onions for $19. The service is impeccably Southern fine. Open Monday to Friday 6:30am to 10:30am, Saturday and Sunday at 9am for Brunch.
205 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
843-722-4900