50 Best Coffee Shops in Charleston

“It’s nice to get a great coffee along with courteous service with a smile. The shop has a truly inclusive vibe to raise positive experiences with patrons. Go…you will love the coffee and heart warming authenticity from Katie, Ainsley, and others.”

“Don't get discouraged if you see a line; it's worth it. The line moves quickly. The food is fresh and delicious. There is plenty of space to eat in, although we took out. I had the Turmeric Chai Latte tea and the Black & Blue bakes good, which were amazing. Other items ordered by my family were iced Coffee, Apple of my Eye, Grasshopper Toast, and The Caterpillar. High quality and vegan friendly.”

“I’m a little embarrassed to say I visited here three times during my stay in Charleston, just for the waffles. It’s hard to find a good gluten free breakfast. These waffles are amazing and are prepared carefully for people with allergies or celiac. I had the peanut butter banana waffle twice and the blueberry lemon waffle once. Both were delicious.”

“Sightsee is our very favorite Charleston coffee shop. The service provided is above and beyond every single time. It's also my go-to spot downtown for grabbing a thank you card or when I'm low on Everyday Oil (I'm pretty obsessed).”

“Really great food and coffees and reasonable pricing (25$ for 2 drinks AWESOME avocado Toast and a healthy serving of delicious quiche) in the most ideal atmosphere I’ve ever seen for a coffee shop.Only downside is the service is lacking the folks behind the counter are pretty rude and dismissive.”

“We come to this side of town just to get these. Never disappointed. Maple Bacon is by far a favorite. I heard four different people echo the same while I was standing in the line to order. Tried other flavors today. Pumpkin Coffee Cake, Brain Bits, Coffee Cake. They're warm and soo aoft. Easy to eat an entire box by yourself and not feel stuffed ?”

“Pounce cafe is such a fun and unique experience. The atmosphere is comfy and cozy with cats just running around and playing. You can sit and sip on your favorite drink, grab a pasty and get all the loves from the cats! They’re not overcrowded with cats and they have plenty of space to roam, climb, play and sleep. I love the fact that you can adopt the cats straight from the cafe. They work with Charleston animal society which also helps limiting over crowding the shelter. All the staff was super friendly and you can tell they love their job!”

“Ordered cupcakes ahead of time for a birthday party. Everyone LOVED them! Multiple people said they aren’t typically dessert/cupcake people but went out of their way to compliment the cupcakes. They were funfetti flavor and mini cupcakes. Thank you! Highly recommend!”

“A hidden gem. Really fun, casual lounge upstairs. We enjoyed holiday cocktails and a game from the shelf, then the burger and fries was also great. Everyone was really nice and would definitely go back when in town. We parked on the street by the stadium a block over for free.”

“This place is nestled near downtown Charleston. There is a patio, diner seating on the inside and a few booths as well. For breakfast we ordered two lattes, the OG pancake and the spinach and mushroom hash.The service is cool too they were welcoming and provided insight on their menu.”

“Came right when they opened on a Saturday. Everyone was really friendly, the atmosphere is cozy, and it's great to be able to see the people in the back making the baked goods. Iced latte was good and I got an assortment of pastries (croissants, danishes, muffins) and everything was absolutely delicious!It's a bit pricey but good pastries always are since it's so hard to actually get them rightWe will certainly be back!”

“We tried a pastry creation called Madagascar and it was out of this world. Delicious orange and passionfruit flavors offset by the vanilla. We tried several local ice cream parlors on our visit but when we go back we will be coming here each night for dessert instead. Gorgeous location and sensational selection.”

“Great spot to get coffee downtown. I haven't had the pleasure of ordering food with Huriyali yet, but have heard great things. The only negative I have is they don't carry almond milk, which is a great dairy-free alternative to oat milk, which is an allergy for me.”

“Starbucks in Harris Teeter on Savannah Highway in West Ashley is a great place to stop and get a quick coffee and snack. I like being able to shop for groceries and get a coffee while I am shopping or one for the road to enjoy later. The drinks are always well prepared here and my order has been right every time. I like that there is a nice sitting area here and it is good to have a business meeting because there always seems to be an open seat regardless the time of day. This is a cool Starbucks.”

“We had a splendid evening and a wonderful dining experience at The Ordinary!! The pleasant ambiance, the eye-appealing food presentation (and of course, the taste and flavors!), the introduction to a Slovenian bubbly, and the top-notch service by Rachel (and her colleague - sorry, we do not recall his name). We have raved to other travelers we've met while here in Charleston about The Ordinary!”

“While my wife and I were cruising back to our Airbnb one afternoon while visiting the Charleston area, we decided to stop by here and grab some coffee. First off, they don't do frappes (BOOO!!!)!!! I had the Cinnamon Vanilla Iced Latte...it was really good, but not mind blowing. My wife had the Mocha Iced Coffee, which she liked (I had a sip, it was pretty good). The service was good, the place was clean, and has a nice ambience.”

“Beyond amazing. We are travelling from Australia and stayed in Charleston for three nights, & each afternoon we came back here for the amazing food & donuts! The service was fantastic & the guy at the counter remembered our orders!!I highly highly recommend coming here ”

“Love this place! The bartender is very friendly and they have a great selection of drinks. Great atmosphere outside in the yard. We go to trivia every Tuesday because we think Nick is the best in the biz! The food trucks alternate and we’ve really liked a lot of them!”

“I always enjoy coming to Kudu. Their bagels are delicious, however, I am very partial to their bacon and cheddar biscuits! They are the right amount of crumbly and it blends so well together. The atmosphere is very nice to read, do work, or just enjoy. I never usually utilize their outside space but it is nice to have as an option! It's also never terribly loud inside, even when it is busy. For coffee, I highly recommend their cappuccinos. I have had cappuccinos all over Charleston and Kudu continues to make my favorite one. The employees are all very nice and friendly and engage in conversation from time to time which I find as a wonderful personal touch. Will always come back!”

“The friendly barista is alive and well in Charleston. It's right down the road from Grand Oaks and Shadowmoss! I love the variety of beans they have available and the descriptions of where they are farmed from. Makes you feel a lot better about the selections. I love the Red Eye, lots of drink with lots of strength! There are a few seats for you to relax and enjoy your coffee with a warm interior that's is very laid back! Would recommend!”

“Cafecito’s “Cuban breakfast sandwich” with bacon and avocado…… no words can describe it. I’m not a big coffee drinker, so I don’t know about their coffee, but I do know a thing or two about sandwiches, and it’s the best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had. 1000% recommend.”

“So glad I found this place on Yelp because it is hands down, the cutest coffee shop I've visited here!! I wish I lived closer but this is a great spot to hangout and do work or chat with friends. The vibes are chill. Food was delicious and very big sized portions, the coffee was amazing! Truly cannot go wrong.OH one tidbit to know, you must order at the to-go looking bar area and then can go sit wherever you'd like..”

“Whipped Feta Toast was insanely good. I've never had anything like it before, I'm inspired to make this for breakfast at home! The chai tea latte was alright, I just need to learn to not ask for cinnamon on top bc I think it ruins it even though a lot of places do that. We got our food in like a matter of a minute after we had sat down it was so quick! I sat outside with a friend for hours, it's such a good place to meet with people and cozy sitting inside or outside!”

“Highly highly recommend!!! I’m very picky and have high regards when it comes to coffee. The espresso was perfectly dialed in and I had one of the best cappuccinos ever. They even make their own syrups here. The barista is passionate and the owners are the best. If I lived in Charleston, I’d go here everyday.”

“Ingredients are locally sourced, and the ice creams were all delicious! My favourite was definitely the cookies and cream - they mix the Oreo bits twice, once in the ice cream base itself, and also got chunks through it. The vanilla was amazing as well. You can see the bits / dots of vanilla through it. The chocolate wasn’t too sweet. Espresso was good. They do all their basic flavors extremely well. Tried a few of their funkier ones too.”

“I was heading out to the Angel Oak tree with my family. And we decided to stop and check out Muddy Waters Coffee Bar. This warm and inviting place has very friendly service. I ordered a black Americano, which was perfectly made. My family enjoyed their drinks as well. There is a spacious patio when the weather is good. I highly recommend Muddy Waters Coffee Bar!”

“Our stay at the Emeline was fantastic! It starts with valet parking and easy check in with a welcoming and friendly staff. Our suite was beautifully decorated and very spacious. We could see the cruise ships in port, the City Market and Carriage rides from our windows. The location was great and convenient to everything. The bed was very comfy with amazing sheets and pillows. We enjoyed the water station on our floor with a complimentary fruit selection. We had dinner and breakfast at Frannie & the Fox and the food was delicious. It was too warm during our stay to enjoy the beautiful open-air courtyard. We would have liked sitting on the couches and savoring a cocktail by the fireplace. Complimentary happy hour from 3:00 to 4:00 was a very nice touch. The Emeline is a first-class hotel with great attention to detail. I would highly recommend staying here to enjoy Charleston.”

“We can’t say more about the caring and attentive service we received at Saveurs du Monde. The manager was incredibly friendly, helpful and accommodating. The food and wine were delicious -and so were the pastries we had for dessert! We will definitely return the next time we sail to Charleston.”

“I AM A DONUT FAN AND THESE ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD. The quality of the donuts is absolutely amazing- perfect rise and tenderness. The chocolate is so rich and chocolatey. We also loved the fresh raspberry glaze. I would consider moving 13 hours away to SC just to eat these all the time. I wish they had a location near me!!”

“Starbucks at Ashley Landing is probably their most convenient location in Charleston. It’s very centrally located with easy access and even has a drive-thru. The building is beautiful inside and out and meticulously clean. It’s by far my most favorite of all of their area locations. Baristas are all friendly and helpful and service is excellent. Definitely 5-stars! Always good fresh coffee and pastries as well. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”

“One of my favorite spots when I’m in town!! Taylor is my absolute favorite. She’s always so kind and patient as I don’t frequent Charleston, so I can’t ever remember what I ordered last time. She’s the friendliest I’ve met on the team. The experience wouldn’t be what it is without her!”

“This is my feel good place. Just walking in the door makes me feel better. Jen is so friendly & welcoming. So much positivity. I love it.The protein shakes are delicious and filling. I’m a fan. The mega tea, try it if you want a little extra pep. The caramel explosion coffee, oh so good.One of my faves. And I can’t forget the espresso fat burner, yummy.”

“The owner/staff were so friendly and knowledgeable. The drinks were huge and expensive. Mine watermelon cucumber would have been amazing but it was so sweet tasting I couldn’t drink it. It’s a great concept… wish prices were a little more reasonable $11 per drink are steep and the add ins make it crazy lol. We def want to go back and support local but possibly see if we can lessen the sweetness of the drinks.”

“My favorite place to stop in. On top of the delicious food, the service is always 12/10. I'm so happy you are in my neighborhood now as I used to visit the JI location all the time when I lived there. Wish there were tables and seats but I'll take what I can get!”

“It was my first time visiting Charleston and I’m glad that my friend introduced me this cafe. The iced vanilla latte was amazing. Chiquita, FuFu, and Akaria providing amazing service. If I ever come back to Charleston, I’m coming back here for an iced latte!”

“Came here on a cold Saturday morning with the family. The building is as vibrant and eye-catching as the downtown location. The outdoor heaters made us comfortable in the cold. We ordered many things from the menu, both to eat in the restaurant and the rest to take home for lunch. Service was fast and efficient.We ordered the following:* The breakfast sandwich x 2- Both me and my daughter ordered this. I got it with an extra fried egg on the sandwich. The chipotle aioli is amazing. It was delicious and is now my new favorite sandwich at Huriyali* OG acai bowl and Dragonfruit bowl - Can never go wrong with bowls at a Huriyali location with their fresh toppings* Dragon berry Smoothie - Our favorite smoothie here* Farrah's Green Grits - Wife really enjoyed this* Turkey Panini - This is my goto lunch sandwich at Huriyali. It is always reliably delicious* 2 Lattes and 1 London Sea Latte - Perfectly brewed and served, my daughter enjoyed the london sea latteHuriyali (both locations) remains our goto stop for both breakfast and lunch whenever we visit Charleston.”

“I was disappointed that there were not any gluten free options - I ended up ordering the quiche and not eating the crust. The quiche was delicious and I enjoyed my matcha. They have a fabulous shared outdoor area with lots of tables/seating. Quiet and relaxing environment that serves as a great spot to relax, read or even get some work done”

“I go to this lovely place almost every day for some boba, and I’ve always had a positive experience there! The staff are all very nice, welcoming, and friendly. The red guava, lychee, green apple, blueberry, and strawberry boba are all amazing! 10/10 recommend to anyone looking for a great place with a great atmosphere. They also have some food items that I can’t wait to try very soon!”

“my weekly go to spot! Absolutely love the drinks & food options. My favs right now are the fig toast & variety of homemade energy drinks! They always have something new added to the menu. Online ordering is easy & fast. Great spot to study, meet with friends, or go for happy hour ?”

“What an amazing experience we had here on 8-31. We sat at the bar and visited with the manager and the sassy girl behind the bar and had the most wonderful adult shakes. So great we went back 9-1. Wonderful job, can't wait to see the new swag for sale that we talked about!”

“Who cares if their online ordering is still in the works for this location when they take the time to take your future order via phone for a meeting of 7 people!OUTSTANDING service, delish coffees and sweets, and impeccable hospitality!Hand written notes on the coffees were a hit!Stay local and support this amazing business.”

“Blum is the best for meetings, social gatherings and their planned events. A true small business, and locally owned. Love to visit for a coffee or end my evening with a glass of wine.Great parking, and always a seat at the bar with the most reasonable prices in Charleston.They are also dog friendly, a win all around.The wine menu keeps things interesting, and I am so glad to have them in Charleston.”

“East Bay Meeting House is hands down my new favorite place to eat. What a delightful and incredible experience. The staff were dressed up beautifully. Fancy dresses, hair curled, lipstick, and scarves in the hair. Totally set the atmosphere. Truly a step back in time. They were each so kind and efficient. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, peaceful, clean and charming. The food was so so incredible. The quiche was the best I have ever had at any restaurant. The watermelon was cut in the shape of hearts. The prices are very reasonable. I am so happy we found this gem in Charleston! I cannot wait to go back, making this a tradition.”

“Bagel was good- Reuben also good. Lady at counter was super friendly! The only negative I have is....while we were trying to have a conversation, they were doing cleanup. Sweeping and SCRAPING the chairs across the floor so loudly. Tip-LIFT and move chairs to sweep.”

“I was super impressed by this coffee shop! My favorite thing about their cold brew is that they use coffee ice cubes, so even in the Charleston heat your drink stays fresh. I love that they offer unique flavors and cold foams. Service is 10/10 and location is great - right by the visitors center. Definitely check this place out! Great spot to work (free wifi and ample seating).”

“My brother and I stumbled upon this little gem by accident. The pastries are very good, the Baguette with Ham and Cheese so yummy. They also have a good selection of wine and champagne, so indulge on the terrace and enjoy a little french charm in downtown ”

“Visiting Charleston for a week and stopped by for a taste of the local coffee scene. Grabbed a blueberry muffin and asked for a recommendation from the barista working. Ended up with a delicious brown sugar cappuccino. The espresso roast was low acidity with a robust flavor. And the sweetness level was perfect. The muffin was soft and tasted homemade. Definitely worth a stop!”

“This place is so expensive for what it is. I've gotten their Gramercy Salad a couple times and absolutely love it but can't get it frequently because of the price. I also got their Hibiscus Berry herbal tea - it wasn't as sharp as I usually like my hibiscus tea so I won't get it again.”

“I love Mudhouse, they have great coffee, great service, and wonderful baked good. They make you feel welcomed and even though I come in infrequently they still remember my face, which is refreshing. They just opened their outdoor patio and it is gorgeous, plenty of seating, beautiful greenery, and a nice atmosphere all around! I hope they have great success on King and stay awhile!”

“Grabbed a couple of bites for lunch. It was tasty and just enough off beat to really make it enjoyable. It was not super expensive for what you got, but it was not cheap either. Looks like a great place for a fast bite for breakfast. I would definitely try again when I am in town.”