12 editor picks in Charleston.
12 cafe places in Charleston we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Charleston | Cafe across every city.
Cafe culture in Charleston spans coffee bars, neighborhood delis and market eateries that double as all-day rooms. Downtown holds Kudu Coffee and Craft Beer on Vanderhorst Street, Second State Coffee on Beaufain Street and Caviar & Bananas on George Street, while Upper King carries Babas on Cannon, The Daily and Brown Dog Deli. Across the harbor, Vintage Coffee Cafe pours on Simmons Street in Mount Pleasant.
Vintage Coffee Cafe in Mount Pleasant runs an all-day breakfast and brunch menu from a 1930s cottage on Simmons Street since 2014. Priced at $$.
OrderA breakfast biscuit and a flat white in the courtyard.
TipOpen 07:00-16:00 daily. The courtyard has a kids' truck and shade.
Lillian's Petite Market & Eatery in Charleston runs an all-day cafe and market from the old Harold's Cabin space on Congress Street since 2025.
OrderThe breakfast plate with potatoes and the daily pasta at dinner.
TipOpen 07:15-22:00 daily. Walk-in; small market shelves at the front.
Babas on Cannon in Charleston runs European-style coffee, wine and breakfast plates from a Cannon Street corner since 2019. Daytime to evening service.
TipWalk-in. The corner stools open onto Cannon Street; the back tables are quieter for work.
Kudu Coffee in Charleston runs coffee, craft beer and pastries from a Vanderhorst Street courtyard cafe since 2003. Order the cortado, local draught beer.
TipCourtyard seats are the prize. Open daily; arrive early on weekends for a table outside.
The Daily on King Street in Charleston runs third-wave coffee, juices, salads and grab-and-go since 2014. Order the pour-over coffee, fresh juices.
TipWalk-up counter. Lines from 08:00; faster after 10:30. Open 07:00-15:00 daily.
Second State Coffee in Charleston roasts single-origin beans and serves pour-over and espresso from the Beaufain Street flagship since 2012.
TipCounter ordering. The Beaufain space is small; weekday mornings are quieter than weekends.
Caviar & Bananas in Charleston runs a gourmet market-cafe on George Street with prepared salads, sandwiches and coffee since 2008. Located in Downtown.
TipCounter ordering and a market. Salads and grain bowls turn over fast at lunch; arrive before noon.
Vintage Coffee Cafe in Mount Pleasant runs all-day coffee and breakfast from a 1930s Simmons Street cottage since 2014. Order the drip coffee, flat white.
TipOpen 07:00-16:00 daily. Courtyard seats fill at weekend brunch; the back patio is quieter.
Lillian's Petite Market & Eatery in Charleston runs all-day cafe and market plates from a Congress Street corner since 2025. Located in Upper Peninsula.
TipOpen 07:15-22:00 daily. The corner booths are workable; full menu turns over by hour.
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit on King Street in Charleston bakes scratch buttermilk biscuits with country ham, sausage and pimento cheese since 2014.
TipWalk-up counter; lines from 08:00 daily. Closes at 14:00; arrive early for the cinnamon biscuit.
Sugar Bakeshop in Charleston runs small-batch cupcakes, cookies and custom cakes from a Cannon Street counter since 2007. Located in Upper King.
TipCounter ordering. Specials sell out by mid-afternoon; arrive before 14:00 for the cupcake of the day.
Brown Dog Deli on Calhoun Street is a quick-service Charleston sandwich shop that has fed MUSC students and downtown lunch crowds for years.
OrderPhilly Collins cheesesteak, Folly Beach Crunch Wrap, sandwich plates
TipOrder at the counter for grab-and-go or sit-down. Sidewinder Fries and the Buffalo Chicken Crunch are the most-ordered items.
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