Whether you need an afternoon pick-me-up after a busy day of sightseeing or you simply want to relax with a morning latte in the heart of downtown Charleston, there are plenty of great choices. The Charleston area has some delicious local coffee shops that make a mean mocha and serve up locally made pastries, muffins and breakfast sandwiches. Here are a few of our favorite picks:
Charleston
Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer, 4 Vanderhorst St., roasts its own specialty coffee plus espresso beverages. Order up pastries and sandwiches made by local bakeries Wild Flour Pastry, Normandy Farm Artisan Bakery and Saffron Bakery. There’s no Wi-Fi at this coffee shop but there’s a great outdoor patio where you can enjoy coffee with friends or get caffeinated before heading out for a day of touring Charleston.
Saint Alban All Day, 710 King St. – This all-day café serves up lattes, mochas and drip coffee plus breakfast, lunch and cocktails. Bonus: free parking behind the coffee shop.
Second State Coffee, 70 ½ Beaufain St. — This cozy coffeehouse is in Charleston’s historic Harleston Village and outfitted with custom-built tables made from heart pine wood used in the construction of some of Charleston’s oldest buildings and a stand-up bar with wrought iron stools. Enjoy a selection of coffees from around the world.
Babas on Cannon, 11 Cannon St. — Babas bills itself as “an old-world cafe serving espresso and apero,” and it’s grabbing some major well-deserved attention. Tucked into the Cannonborough neighborhood, Babas serves up a wide range of coffee beverages and small bites. It’s perfect if you’re on the go and need something quick and delicious.
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, 159 Church St. — This coffee shop is a feel good stop! The shop is run by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who provide a truly unique customer service experience.
Other coffee shops around town:
Mount Pleasant
Collective Coffee, 766 S. Shelmore Lane — A favorite among locals, baristas here use the single-pour method, so each cup is prepared singularly using seasonal Intelligentsia coffees and teas.
Metto Coffee & Tea, 354 W. Coleman Blvd. — A great stop for a cup of morning joe while doing a little work or meeting with friends or colleagues. Enjoy specialty coffee and made-from-scratch pastries and paninis.
Vintage Coffee Café, 219 Simmons St. — Vintage transformed an old quaint Mount Pleasant house into the coffee shop of your dreams. They put extra time and care into each menu item and every cup of coffee is high quality. Plus, don’t miss the gourmet toast bar. There’s a large outdoor area for kids to play while you enjoy some morning quiet time.
Tidal Grounds Coffee, 1039 Highway 41 — This cozy neighborhood coffee shop is perfect for an afternoon coffee stop to recharge and refuel. Tidal Grounds brews coffee roasted locally by Springbok Roasters and serves up pastries and desserts made locally.
James Island
Muddy Waters Coffee Bar, 1739 Maybank Highway — Muddy Waters brews Counter Culture Coffee from Durham, N.C., plus a selection of teas. The walls are filled with exquisite art and the corners are coffee shop cozy with chairs and tables for relaxing or catching up on some work.
West Ashley
Classic Coffee Roasters, 27 Magnolia Road —
Located in the Avondale neighborhood, this spacious spot has plenty of indoor seating and an outdoor courtyard. Stop by for a tasty vanilla latte, shot of espresso or a pastry from WildFlour Pastry or Normandy Farm Artisan Bakery.
North Charleston
Orange Spot Coffeehouse, 1011 E. Montague Ave. — This coffee shop is located in the heart of North Charleston’s popular Park Circle with plenty of restaurants and shopping. Stop by for an afternoon Cha Yen (Thai iced tea) or start your day with freshly roasted coffee from Thirty-Thirty Coffee Co. or one of the house-made seasonal creations.
Summerville
Coastal Coffee Roasters, 108 E. 3rd North St. — Located in downtown Summerville, Coastal Coffee Roasters has been micro-roasting specialty coffees since 2010. Stop by for a specialty coffee or to grab breakfast or lunch. Check the event calendar for yoga classes and live music.