Saffron Cafe and Bakery on East Bay Street in Charleston is a Mediterranean and Persian-influenced cafe and patisserie since 1986, with marked halal entrees and pastries.
Tip: Not all meat is halal; ask the counter for the certified items. Strongest at lunch and pastry; the kebab and shawarma plates are the halal anchors.
Address: 333 East Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Malika in Mt Pleasant is the certified-halal Pakistani and Indian street-food kitchen in Mt Pleasant Towne Centre, with biryani, karahi and tandoor-cooked kebabs.
Tip: All meats certified halal. Closed Mondays; the lamb karahi and chicken biryani are the strongest plates. Cash and card both accepted.
Annie O Love's Cafe in Charleston is the West Ashley vegan and gluten-free room, an entirely plant-based kitchen with cookies, granola, sandwiches and waffles, mostly soy-free.
Tip: Menu is fully vegan and gluten-free; many items also soy-free and refined-sugar free. Small West Ashley room; check social for daily-changing baked items.
Verde in Charleston is a King Street salad and wrap counter, a fast-casual lunch room with strong vegan and vegetarian options, build-your-own bases and house-made dressings.
Tip: Many signature salads are vegan as-is; the chopped Cobb on King and the Mesa Verde are the strongest plates. Vegan pizza on a gluten-free crust available.
Beech on King Street in Charleston runs an acai, poke, juice and toast counter with vegetarian and vegan-friendly bowls, plus gluten-free options across the menu.
Tip: Build-your-own poke bowl is the strongest format for vegetarians (tofu, edamame, avocado). Multiple Charleston locations; the King Street room is the original downtown spot.
Five Loaves Cafe in Mt Pleasant is the long-running healthy-casual room serving gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups and daily specials with strong vegetarian and vegan options.
Tip: Daily rotating specials; ask the counter for the vegetarian and vegan board. Also a Summerville location at 214 N Cedar Street for the suburbs.
Annie O Love's Cafe in Charleston is a dedicated gluten-free and vegan kitchen, the safest celiac-friendly option in the West Ashley area, listed by the National Celiac Association.
Tip: 100 percent gluten-free, no shared equipment. Cookies, granola, waffles and lunch sandwiches; the cafe is small so call ahead for larger orders.