Explore Charleston, SC Series
This article is part of the Charleston, South Carolina series. Click the button to read more articles, itineraries, and travel guides in the series.
Salty air typically greets early morning visitors to
Charleston. But get within sight of a local coffee shop and the savory smell of
fresh brewed coffee permeates the air. With all the history, shopping, dining,
and scenic beauty my favorite way to start the day is with a local coffee.
There was a time before I drank coffee, but I don’t really
remember that much about it. I now start each day with a coffee before I even
greet the public. But once I’m out, I’m out to explore.
Here is my coffee lover’s guide to my favorite coffee shops in Charleston, South Carolina. This list is in no particular order. But if a coffee shop is on this list it is because I enjoyed the atmosphere, service, and quality of the coffee.
Note From Author | Since 2010, I’ve visited almost every coffee shop in Charleston. After all, coffee is part of this website’s name! Some coffee shops close and others open, so I try to visit the new ones when I visit Charleston again.
Map of Coffee Shops in Charleston
Note | Zoom the map out to see the first three coffee shops.
How to use this map | Click the icon in the top-left corner to open the Map Legend, then click on any of the legend items to display more information. If you have a Google account, click the (very faint) star at the end of the map’s name to save this map to your account, then access the map from your smartphone during your trip.
Charleston Coffee Exchange
A trip to Charleston is not complete without a drive into
West Ashley to visit the Charleston Coffee Exchange. What started as a simple
coffee shop has expanded to include on of the greatest selections of whole
beans in the region.
From drip coffee to iced coffee, every kind of espresso, and
lots of specialty options, the coffee menu is to die for. But don’t stop there;
they also have a selection of sandwiches and baked goods to go with your
coffee. Before leaving be sure to browse the retail shop for beans by the
pound, custom k-pods, or fresh ground coffee.
The Charleston Coffee Exchange is located at the end of Bees Ferry Road at Ashley River Road. It’s about a 15 minute drive from downtown Charleston. There is plenty of parking on site.
Highfalutin Coffee Roasters
Highfalutin Coffee Roasters is a newcomer to Charleston’s coffee scene. The coffee shop is a few minutes from downtown in the West Ashley neighborhood. There’s more outdoor seating than indoor, perfect for about six months of the year.
Order your favorite brew method for craft coffee and savor it in the artsy coffee shop. You can also shop for roasted beans and merchandise, like the funky Llama Tumbler. I am still trying to figure out the story behind the llama.
- Parking | Parking lot at the coffee shop
- Address | 27 Magnolia Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
- Phone | +18435017859
- Website | https://www.highfalutin.com/
Muddy Waters Coffee Bar
Muddy Waters Coffee Bar serves my favorite roasted beans – Counter Culture Coffee from North Carolina. That was the first good choice the owners of the small coffee shop made. The second was investing in a quality coffee machine – La Marzocco GB5.
It’s okay if you don’t know what that means. Just understand that it means a great-tasting coffee every time.
The small coffee shop is on James Island, about ten minutes from downtown. It looks like a typical brick commercial building on the outside. But inside, it’s a cozy place to savor your coffee at the bar in front of a picture window or tables spread throughout the shop.
Mercantile and Mash
Merc and Mash, as they locals call it, is more than just a
great place to grab a gourmet coffee. They also have a retail shop selling
coffee beans, wine, baked goods, and cookware. They have a full menu with
all-day breakfast items, burgers and tacos, and salads. The coffee menu
includes espresso, drip and ice coffee, and interestingly they make their own
flavored syrups!
Mercantile and Mash offers one amenity that is a rarity for coffee shops in Charleston: free parking. Located inside the recently renovated Cigar Factory along East Bay Street it’s about a five-minute drive from downtown.
- Favorite Coffee | Mocha Latte
- Parking | Parking lot at The Cigar Factory
- Address | 701 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC
- Phone | 843-793-2636
- Website | http://www.mercandmash.com
City Lights Coffee
This whole-in-the-wall locally owned coffee shop is the
perfect place to grab some caffeine without the large crowds. They’re a little
out of the way about halfway between the Charleston City Market and King
Street, which only makes them a gem waiting to be discovered.
They have a pretty robust menu of coffee but I’m particularly fond of the Counter Culture beans they use for their brews. The lattes, made with Counter Culture’s Big Trouble, was a wonderful pick-me-up on a lazy afternoon. There are a couple of bench seats, a single table, and a few seats at the bar to take the load off your feet while you sip the coffee.
The Daily
Fresh baked bread hang on a wall behind the counter at this
modern coffee shop and sister to Butcher & Bee. Food is cooked in an open
kitchen with comfortable seating surrounding on all sides. The gourmet coffee
includes Stumptown Coffee Roasters, a company based in Portland. Drip coffee is
a starter but they also have a pretty good selection of espresso drinks, fresh
juice, and wine.
The Daily is located in an interesting location right in the middle of the Septima Clark Parkway, also called the Crosstown Boulevard, on King Street. It takes about five minutes to drive there from downtown or, even better, it’s the first place you could visit after exiting Interstate 26 on the peninsula.
- Parking | Parking lot at the coffee shop
- Address | 652 B King Street, Charleston, SC
- Phone | 843-619-0151
- Website | https://shopthedaily.com
Sightsee
I was introduced to Sightsee when I spotted a 1974 Volkswagen Bus selling coffee on King Street. In 2019, Allyson Sutton and Joel Sadler founded a funky business melding retail and coffee. On the one hand, you’ll find quality local products and their proprietary lineup of goods. On the other, you can enjoy great craft coffee.
The flagship brick-and-mortar coffee shop is in the Elliotborough neighborhood, about five minutes from downtown Charleston. The address – 125 1/2 Line Street – is one of those quirky things in Charleston when only half a building serves a business or residence.
The only catch about this coffee shop is a need for more seating – indoor or outdoor. It’s coffee to go when you visit Sightsee.
- Parking | Limited 2-hour parking on Line Street
- Address | 125½, Line St, Charleston, SC 29403
- Phone | +18432126538
- Website | https://www.sightseeshop.com/
Island Provisions
Island Provisions opened its first location on Johns Island in 2020. The business is a cool mixture of craft coffee, food market, local beers, and wine. In 2022, the owners opened a second location in the Cannonborough neighborhood, about five minutes from downtown Charleston.
The coffee menu includes drip, cold brew, and espresso. It was the first time I’d tried a cortado – a Spanish-style coffee consisting of equal parts espresso and warm milk. It’s the perfect coffee if you don’t like the bitter taste inherent in the caffeinated beverage.
The downtown location is a stunning redevelopment of a residential building. Outdoor seating on the piazza wraps you in Charleston’s charm as you enjoy the savory coffee. Plenty of indoor seating is also available to escape those infamously hot summer days.
- Favorite Coffee | Cortado
- Parking | Limited 2-hour parking on St. Phillip Street
- Address | 221 St Philip St, Charleston, SC 29403
- Phone | +18437180812
- Website | http://www.islandprovisions.com/
Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer
Kudu is just about my favorite place to visit on the entire
Charleston peninsula; it’s the only coffee shop in town where I can get a great
latte and craft beer in the same place! They can make coffee almost any way you
like it from espresso to macchiato, including my favorite mocha latte they fill
to the brim of the glass mug every time. You can also grab an iced coffee,
bottled drink, bagels, muffins, and sandwiches. Sit inside at one of the small
tables beside the picture windows, or head outside to the reclusive
dog-friendly patio.
Another reason Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer is one of my favorites in Charleston is how easy it is to get to. It’s located just off King Street a block from Marion Square, putting it right in the middle of downtown (and near my favorite area of Upper King Street). If you’re driving into the city park at the Marion Square Garage just around the corner.
Inside Tip Upper King Street between Marion Square and Spring Street is the up-and-coming area of Charleston to explore. Local restaurants, shopping, and history just await your arrival. Take a coffee from Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer to go and enjoy the walk.
Mudhouse Specialty Coffee Roasters
John and Lynelle Lawrence are professionally accredited cuppers through the Coffee Quality Institute. The accreditation allows the childhood friends to find high-quality single origin coffees for their Charleston coffee shop.
Most of the owners’ locations are scattered throughout central and northern Virginia, where they started the business. The only location outside of Virginia is in Charleston. The King Street coffee shop is conveniently located near Marion Square in a gorgeous renovated retail building with giant bay windows for peaking inside.
Enjoy one of the savory craft coffees from a comfortable seat on eclectic furniture. Take advantage of the private courtyard behind the shop to enjoy coffee on comfortable days.
- Parking | Marion Square Parking Garage
- Address | 375 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
- Phone | +18435764661
- Website | http://www.mudhouse.com/
Pounce Cat Café
It was only a matter of time before someone came up with the
idea of placing adoptable cats in a café with coffee and wine. Pounce Cat Café
works with the Charleston Animal Society to provide furry feline companionship
while you enjoy your visit to the small shop on Meeting Street.
The coffee selection is bare minimum with only drip coffee
and iced coffee options, both from Riptide Coffee Company. The rest of the menu
includes sweet tea, craft beer, house wines, and muffins. But really, you know
you’ll go there because of the cats.
Located on Meeting Street about a block south of Marion Square, the Pounce Cat Café is smack dab in the middle of three public parking areas. Use the Marion Square Garage, Wentworth Street Garage, or Gaillard Garage.
Inside Tip I highly recommend making a reservation to visit Pounce Cat Cafe. Although not required, because they do accept walk-ins, the cafe limits the number of visitors at any one time to make it safe and comfortable for the cats.
Caviar & Bananas
Caviar & Bananas is one of Charleston’s best quasi-coffee shops. The cafe serves breakfast sandwiches, burritos, salads, and cold-cut sandwiches at lunch.
But it’s also a place to find great craft coffee.
The cafe uses beans locally roasted by Second State Coffee. You can order a drip coffee, cold brew, espresso, or frappe – my favorite coffee on the go. Enjoy the savory drink inside the giant shop on George Street near the College of Charleston.
The Rise Coffee Bar
The owners of The Rise Coffee Bar call coffee and tea
“sippable staples of civilized life.” They use fresh beans from Springbok
Coffee Roasters of Brooklyn. The menu includes drip coffee, espresso, latte,
and cold brew along with a small selection of tea and food.
Located inside The Restoration Boutique Hotel, The Rise Coffee Bar is pretty easy to get to just off King Street on Wentworth Street. The Wentworth Street Garage is conveniently located next door.
Second State Coffee
Second State Coffee is my favorite coffee shop in Charleston
for getting work done. The large windows and light-colored walls create a
bright and energized workspace. A long wooden table with bench seating in the
middle could be a great place for a working coffee break!
Their coffee menu is pretty simple: espresso, pour over,
iced. But they are very particular about where they get the beans and include
information to help you pick the perfect brew. If you’re not sure, ask; the
staff was pretty knowledgeable about counter culture.
Getting to Second State Coffee requires a little hike. The nearest parking is the Wentworth Street Garage about three blocks away. But it’s a beautiful walk through the Harleston Village neighborhood.
- Favorite Coffee | Mocha Latte
- Parking | Wentworth Street Parking Garage or Majestic Square Parking Garage
- Address | 70 ½ Beaufain Street, Charleston, SC
- Website | https://secondstatecoffee.com
Kaminsky’s Dessert Café
Although pushing the limit of what I consider locally owned,
Kaminsky’s Dessert Café is a wonderous amalgamation of coffee, dessert, and
alcohol, and not necessarily separately. The café uses King Bean Coffee, a
roaster “founded on the simple idea of bringing good coffee to the South.”
The coffee menu includes the standard fare of drip and iced
coffee, espresso, and even a Cuban coffee (double shot espresso, sugar in the
raw). What makes Kaminsky’s stand out is the expansive dessert menu including
milkshakes, floats, and sundaes. Add to that a menu including Irish coffee, key
lime pie martinis, and wine by the glass and you have a reason to stay all day.
Kaminsky’s Dessert Café is located on North Market Street beside the Charleston City Market. It’s a great location to take a break from shopping or touring, grab a coffee or dessert, and then continue on your way.
- Favorite Coffee | Irish Coffee
- Parking | Cumberland Street Parking Garage
- Address | 78 North Market Street, Charleston, SC
- Phone | 843-853-8270
- Website | https://www.kaminskys.com
Clerks Coffee Company
Clerks Coffee Company is an interesting place to get a great craft coffee, enjoy the open mic night, or test your knowledge during trivia night. There’s plenty of indoor seating in the coffee shop around the corner from Charleston’s City Market.
The menu includes a variety of coffee drinks like espresso and cortado, kombucha, chai tea, and a small selection of breakfast sandwiches.
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee has a fascinating and heart-warming
origin story. When Amy Wright’s two youngest children were born with Down
Syndrome she became a lifelong advocate for including people with developmental
disabilities in society. The core belief behind the Bitty and Beau’s franchise
is to create a place for people with those disabilities to find an exciting and
useful job.
Starting in Wilmington, NC, the Bitty and Beau’s Coffee
location on Church Street in Charleston was their second location. It’s just
around the corner from the Charleston City Market and directly beside the
Cumberland Street Garage.
The menu includes hot and cold brewed coffee, espresso, frappes, and smoothies. The mocha latte was one of the best I’ve ever had, and I think that’s because of the excited barista who made it for me.
- Favorite Coffee | Mocha Latte
- Parking | Cumberland Street Parking Garage
- Address | 159 Church Street, Charleston, SC
- Phone | 843-609-0455
- Website | https://www.bittyandbeauscoffee.com/
Inside Tip Grab a coffee to go from Bitty and Beau’s Coffee and go for a scenic walk down Church Street. Stop to explore the graves at the St. Phillips Episcopal Church graveyard, admire the wrought iron architecture at the Dock Street Theatre, and go for a tour of the Heyward Washington House.
Carmella’s Cafe & Dessert Bar
Brian Solari uses secret family recipes to make the savory pastries at Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar. The glass display case tempts visitors with cannolis, tiramisu, shortcakes, and cookies baked daily.
And then there’s the coffee.
The drink menu includes a variety of coffee like drip, espresso, Cubano, cortado, and nitro cold brew. The coffee shop uses locally roasted beans from Springbok Coffee Roasters.
- My Favorite Coffee | The Red Eye – 12 ounces of coffee with a double shot of espresso
- Parking | Concord and Cumberland Parking Garage
- Address | 198 E Bay St STE 100, Charleston, SC 29401
- Phone | +18437225893
- Website | http://carmellasdessertbar.com/
