35 Best Cafes in Charleston

“Walked here on recommendation of a local & it did not disappoint. Great coffee, solid baristas & insane food. The butter me up sandwich... wish i had it in my life daily. Grabbing some pastries to bring home to the family too. If you are in Charleston, Harken is a must. It's a top 3 coffee shop in the area.“

“This neighborhood gem is one of my favorite places in Charleston. Do yourself a favor and stop in today for insanely good coffee, grab a bite to eat and meet the loveliest people.“

“The Grasshopper Toast was an amazing blend of flavors!“

“I had a wonderful time escaping the midday heat in this coffee shop on a birthday stroll! 🥳 the barista was so sweet and made me a delicious cinnamon latte that I will never forget! She was able to answer questions and make recommendations, which is always appreciated. Thank you for making my birthday special!“

“New favorite acai bowl cafe. The bowl, first of all, was amazing. Reasonably priced with a ton of toppings. They don’t have GF granola which is a bummer but literally don’t care. Second of all, they have combos where you can do a bowl and a latte or coffee. So awesome.“

“Found Baba’s through an Instagram story and was intrigued by their peanut milk lattes.

My brother and I both got a latte and they were very delicious, not too sweet! We ordered the pickled shrimp toast and the baguette with ham and butter to snack on, both were incredible! For the two small drinks and two menu items, plus tip, it was a little over $50 which seemed a bit pricey for the portion size, but would definitely go again.

The atmosphere was very cozy, a little crowded but worth the wait!“

“One of our fave places! They arguably have the best orange spritzes in the world! We're obsessed with the pickled shrimp toast and ham and butter sandwich! Oh and you must try the peanut drink. It's DELICIOUS! The staff is also always so friendly and consistent. 😍“

“Got the peach tea with strawberry popping boba. Sooooooo good!!!! one of the best i've had. Friendly & fast service. Will definitely be back!“

“I went to Broad Street Cafe the other day for breakfast. They had excellent bagel sandwiches - I opted for the standard egg and cheese on a Jalapeno Bagel toasted. It was delicious! The staff were super friend and I would definitely go back“

“This place is a great addition to West Ashley! The sandwiches are so good! I recommend the Turkey sandwich. Staff is really friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming. There’s comfy spots in the back, several tables and window bar seats to work/eat at as well.“

“Love the place you just have to go check it out. Definitely get some food while you’re there. It’ll keep you going back.“

“Super cute spot! It really is a nook. Just got a strawberry matcha and iced latte. The espresso was very smooth and match was not overly sweet and tasted authentic, like grass. The girl thar helped us was very personable and actually had a conversation with us. Very small sitting area. Street parking.“

“What do I recommend about Carmella’s? EVERYTHING and EVERYONE! We found this gem last year on our post Christmas visit. And Mandy is simply the best. Love this place!“

“I discovered this place this week while here for a visit, and I have eaten here two mornings in a row. It has such a cozy vibe, and the food and service are both great. I wish I had known about this place when I lived here until last year. I Would have definitely been a regular.“

“I asked my fiancé to find a nice coffee shop that also sells beer in Charleston. After her google search, she asked our friends at The Lucky Luchador and they also recommended your establishment. I was definitely impressed with the atmosphere and selection of beer that was available. I will be coming back soon and will be your ugliest ambassador!!! 😊“

“We had the best time visiting PCC last Sunday making lots of kitty friends! 🐈🐈‍⬛ I wanted to take them all with me back to Richmond! One in particular, Lucas was so sweet and loving! I'm going to miss him.!💜“

“Food is fairly priced, healthy options and looks great.“

“Great place to WFH. The atmosphere is so lovely. Currently sitting here and the baristas are laughing and enjoying their work, they have upbeat music playing in the background, the coffee shop is bright while keeping the AC at a great temp. It has truly been a lovely space to spend my afternoon and I feel very thankful a place like this is located so close to my home. Thank you Point break for your lovely shop!“

“Lovely atmosphere, convenient location, friendly staff.“

“Great fresh food attractively prepared. Super gluten free selection. Quick, friendly and helpful service. Love the sauce on the side for those with high blood pressure or other special needs. We look forward to coming back! Recommend💯%“

“Such great food!! The selection and service is wonderful. There were cooking burgers on the smoker/grill out back I smelled it from a block away and just had to check them out. I ended up getting the pulled pork panini let me so WOW it was so good their BBQ sauce is soooo good! I'm definitely glad i stopped in!“

“Always fantastic. The owner and staff are always so nice and friendly. :)“

“I had a breakfast burrito. It was more than what I can eat, but it was so tasty.“

“Outstanding! When I booked this experience we were looking for a fabulous backdrop as we explored the city. What a hidden gem! The location, service and facilities made our experience memorable! The staff was very attentive to our party and we had to wait for nothing. The menu is top notch and offers different items than nearby establishments. Do yourself a huge favor and taste the grit bowls for starters. The crispness puts the fresh in their fresh fruit. We shall definitely return!“

“Best vegan desserts I’ve had“

“Amazing coconut cake, thank you!“

“This is a store we found when we went to watch the yacht, it looks like a small store, but there is a lot of food inside, with a lot of choices“

“5.0 the best to go breakfast I've ever had. Locally sourced and organic. Amazing staff too.“

“Such a fun and cozy place to be with the best coffee and pastries! Will definitely be back! I highly recommend😁“

“Crunchy Thai chicken wrap 10/10. Literally every single bite was crisp and fresh. Ginger dressing was definitely a bonus on top of the wrap but was not needed with every bite. Extra thanks to the GM Carla who suggested the lavender lemonade which was a pleasant quenching to my taste buds. My next solo brunch will definitely be held here. I will probably try a smoothie bowl next....“

“$45 to park legally for 4 hours is money I would've spent at the market. Somebody's making a killing on the parking. Love Charleston but will not be returning as much anymore.“

“Awesome location and vibe-- coffee and espresso is excellent!Btw, they have espresso martinis on tap!!! Great coffee place inside the Wyndham Hotel!“

“I stopped into Petit Merci yesterday morning to see what they had to offer, and I was absolutely delighted. It’s a charming little French-style market in downtown Charleston, beautifully curated with an amazing selection of fresh breads, cheeses, meats, and other gourmet treats. The focaccia was perfectly soft with just the right amount of chew, the baguette had that crisp, golden crust you’d expect from a true French bakery, and the aged salami paired wonderfully with the fresh cheese I picked up. The roasted chicken sandwich was packed with flavor and felt like something straight out of a Parisian café. And the sea salt chocolate chip cookies? Simply divine—chewy, rich, and with the perfect touch of salt to balance the sweetness.

The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable, happy to offer recommendations. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, a special treat, or ingredients for a beautiful charcuterie board, this is the place to go. I’ll definitely be returning for more!“

“Delicious! We enjoyed the Toll House, pecan pie, & cheesecake. These were all solids! We didn't love the red velvet as much, it was much drier than we prefer (and honestly I'm a little snobby about red velvet). It's the one place we didn't make a reservation for and at 8pm on a Thursday- we absolutely should have 😂. We ended up taking it to go. Loved the atmosphere too! Side note- m-th it doesn't open until 2. Should we ever visit the area again, this and Frannie and Fox (just around the corner from here) are MUSTS!“