Try These 8 Charleston Coffee Shops

From its southern charm to its rich history, nothing beats the romanticism of Downtown Charleston. Voted Travel + Leisure’s “Best City in the U.S. to Visit '' for the 10th consecutive year, there’s no place quite like Charleston, South Carolina. Whether you are visiting Fort Sumter or shopping on King Street, there are so many things to do in Charleston. Yet, one of the best parts about Charleston is just exploring the area.

There’s something quite magical about wandering through the city’s cobblestone streets or marveling at the Old Village luxury homes in Mount Pleasant. Once you have finished exploring the city, nothing beats a heavenly cup of coffee in one of the many coffee shops. Check out some of Charleston's best places to grab a cup of coffee.

Location: 75 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC 

 

Stylish yet understated, The Rise Coffee Bar is one of Charleston’s most popular coffee shops. Located in The Restoration Hotel on Wentworth Street near iconic King Street, The Rise Coffee Bar is so much more than a hotel coffee shop – it’s a coffee shop darling within the Holy City. Dubbed by some to have the “Most Instagram-able Coffee” in the Lowcountry, The Rise Coffee Bar has a variety of different artisanal coffees brewed by locally-sourced Springbok Coffee Roasters. For an authentic coffee shop experience, order an espresso and one of The Rise Coffee Bar’s in-house desserts, and grab a seat in The Restoration Hotel’s beautiful Courtyard. The Rise Coffee Bar is also great on the go.

Location: 198 East Bay St., Charleston, SC

 

 

Contemporary flair with Old World charm? It sounds like the makings of a hip bar – or one of Charleton’s coolest coffee shops. Located just steps from Charleston’s best shops and tourist attractions, Carmella’s Cafe & Dessert Bar is a modern take on a classic coffee shop. Established by husband-and-wife, Brian and Tiffany Solari, the couple designed their coffee shop after an Italian Piazza, a gathering place where friends and family can gather together and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee, an excellent meal, or even a glass of wine. This stylish cafe and dessert bar features an excellent array of organic coffees, desserts, sandwiches, wine, beer, and spirits.

Location: 766 S. Shelmore Blvd Ste 202, Mount Pleasant, SC

 

 

Creative meets understated in this laidback coffee shop. Second State Coffee is the place for self-proclaimed coffee nerds. Whether you want sweet or bitter coffee, Second State Coffee has some of the most unique flavor profiles of any coffee shop in the Lowcountry, with ethically-sourced coffee beans from Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya, and Brazil. State Coffee’s laid-back ambiance and aromatic flavors make this one of the coziest coffee shops in Charleston. Visit any of their four locations for a truly unique cafe experience.

Location: 307 Simmons Street, Mount Pleasant, SC

 

 

Could this possibly be the best coffee shop in Mt. Pleasant? It’s certainly in the running. Brown Fox is the quintessential Lowcountry coffee shop, with specialty coffees and drinks, blossoming trees, and a charming little shop right in the heart of Mt. Pleasant. Brown Fox features a variety of different coffees and blends, including traditional coffee, espresso, and blended drinks. Try some of their in-house specialty beverages, including the Foxy Chai Latte, the Bug, or the Raspberry White Mocha. Sit out on the outdoor patio for an authentic Carolina coffee experience.

Location: 1107 King Street, Charleston, SC

 

The only thing better than a coffee shop? How about a world-class brunch destination right in the heart of Charleston? With locally-sourced breakfast and lunch fares, fragrant coffee blends, specialty desserts, and an inviting atmosphere, there’s so much to love about The Harbinger Cafe. Located on King Street, The Harbinger Cafe is a brunch staple in the Holy City, offering some of the best brunch and coffee. They even have a variety of gluten-free, plant-based desserts for the health-conscious. For an elevated cafe experience, try one of their signature macchiatos with their famous Go Ahead, Chai Me scone.

Location: 51 George Street, Charleston, SC

 

 

Whether you are on the go or have all the time in the world, there is no better place to savor a fresh cup of coffee than Caviar & Bananas, one of Charleston’s trendiest coffee shops. Caviar & Bananas has nearly every type of hot drink under the sun, from their sweet brews to their hearty teas. But why stop at a cup of coffee when you can have a full-blown Parisian experience right in the heart of the Lowcountry? Caviar & Bananas offers an array of pastries, desserts, sandwiches, and salads, plus charcuterie with cheese. It’s even available at Charleston Airport!

Location: 4 Vanderhorst St, Charleston, SC

 

For a fresh cup of coffee in one of Charleston’s best courtyard patios, look no further than Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer. While Kudu is best known for its over 20 varieties of craft beer, it’s considered by many to be one of Charleston's best coffee shops. Originally named for the African antelope, Kudu was initially known for its rich blend of fruity African coffee blends. Today, Kudu serves from its own roaster, also located in Charleston, so they are locally sourced. You can occasionally hear live music when you visit. Coffee and live music on the patio? It doesn’t get any more Charleston than that.

Location: 404 King St, Charleston, SC

 

Are you searching for a classic Parisian cafe? Look no further than La Patisserie, one of Charleston’s most beautiful coffee shops. Located in the Hotel Bennett, La Patisserie has all of the offerings of the finest European-inspired cafes: freshly-brewed coffee, artisanal sandwiches, decadent pastries and desserts, and a chic ambiance that can’t be beat. And just steps from Charleston’s cobblestone streets, La Patisserie offers Parisian romanticism right in your hometown.

From chic Parisian-style cafes to quaint Lowcountry shops, Charleston has nearly every type of coffee shop imaginable. Whether you are searching for homes in Downtown Charleston or Old Mount Pleasant real estate, Charleston real estate has it all.

Are you ready to find your luxury home here? Whether you’re buying or selling, Katherine Cox is one of the area’s premier realtors. Contact Katherine today to begin your real estate journey in Charleston.