The Best Coffee Shops in Charleston

Author: 
Betsey Geier
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Here's what the title should actually read: The Completely Biased and Unofficial List of the Best Coffee Shops in Charleston

So, here they are, in no particular order.


Last week, I asked our Instagram followers to tag their favorite coffee shop in Charleston. You answered with some great suggestions.

The Nominations

Vintage Coffee – This cute house is a Mount Pleasant dream. Pop in here for a coffee and breakfast. Then, come back for dinner and stop in Coastal Crust right behind the shop.

Harbinger Café – Head up king street and settle in with your neighbors for breakfast or lunch at Harbinger Café. Sip on a honey latte while you catch up with friends, old and new.

Collective Coffee Co. – Right around the corner from our office is Collective Coffee. It’s getting more and more crowded – especially in the mornings – so you might want to stake out a space at the tall community table before all the stools get snagged.

Orange Spot Coffee – Park Circle is quickly becoming a hip spot, and Orange Spot Coffee is leading the charge. They have some unique beverages to try like the Cha Yen, a Thai iced tea.

Java Java – While it’s a bit of a drive, if you find yourself on Kiawah and in need of a pick-me-up, head over to Freshfields Village. This local coffee shop has seating, great coffee, and free wifi. It’s the perfect place to recharge before heading back into town.

Mercantile and Mash – Mercantile serves up way more than your daily caffeine fix. If you find yourself in need of a good, strong coffee, this is the perfect place to be. For something simple, try their full-bodied drip coffee.

A Few More for Good Measure

Metto Coffee & Tea – I’m not sure how this one didn’t make our crowdsourcing list since I’m currently drinking a Mocha Freeze from Metto as I write this post, but the best part is that I can get my fix through the drive-thru window when I’m running late for work. 

The Daily – Now with two locations, you can get a cold brew no matter what side of the peninsula you are on.

Tricera Coffee – A quaint coffee shop near the College of Charleston.

City Lights – This place saved my life. Years before I officially made the move to Charleston, my mom and I were wandering around Charleston, looking for our car, in 100+ degree heat. In a delirious state, we wandered into City Lights Coffee for an iced pick-me-up. Completely refreshed, we remembered where we parked and made our way back to the breezy beach.

Kudu – Another favorite near the College of Charleston’s campus. It’s a great place to chat with friends since it doesn’t have wifi.

The Rise – New to King Street, the coffee shop in the Restoration Hotel is a contemporary delight.

Second State Coffee (formerly Black Tap) – Although it has a new look, Second State Coffee is the same team, same coffee and same great location.