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8 Great Cheap Breakfasts in Charleston

Everything under $6.

by Erin Perkins Updated
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by Erin Perkins Updated
1 comment / new

Breakfast doesn't have to cost a fortune. There's a wealth of hidden gems along the roads of the Lowcountry. While many of these cafes may not have curb appeal, you'll finding plenty of affordable items on the menus.

If you're craving an egg sandwich, grits, or a bagel, this is your map. Here, we highlight dishes under $6 — remember, use your change to leave a nice tip.

Note: Map points are listed in geographical order and are not ranked. Did we miss your favorite spot? Show it some love in the comments, send us an email, or start a forum thread in its honor.

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Sunrise Bistro

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Sunrise Bistro Kitchen has served the Johns Island area since 2009. Many folks driving out to Kiawah know to stop at this diner first for an affordable breakfast. The Jessica Ann open-faced omelette with basil, red onion, tomato, and feta, will only set you back $5.95. Or try the tomato melt with your choice of bagel, sliced tomato, scallion cream cheese, and cheddar for $4.50.
1797 Main Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 718-1858
(843) 718-1858
Sunrise

Early Bird Diner

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Slide into a booth at Early Bird Diner for two large biscuits piled with cream pepper gravy for only $5. The best part? Breakfast is served all day, so you can sleep in and still get this meal.
1644 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 277-2353
(843) 277-2353

Bluerose Cafe

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Irish-influenced Bluerose Cafe carries traditional breakfast items found in Ireland, like black and white pudding ($2.75) or rashers ($2.50), which you could cobble together with eggs for an affordable breakfast under $6. If you'd rather go for something more American, a stack of chocolate chip pancakes will cost you $5.95.
652 Saint Andrews Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 225-2583
(843) 225-2583
TripAdvisor

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit

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Sliver of a shop Callie's Hot Little Biscuits offers patrons a pair of flakey, buttery biscuits for $3. Choose from buttermilk, cheese and chive, or shortcake. If you have $4, splurge for the country ham, black pepper bacon, cinnamon, of blackberry jam versions.
476 1/2 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 737-5159
(843) 737-5159

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North Central Delicatessen

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Huger Street newcomer North Central already has a reputation amongst New York/New Jersey expats as the most authentic northern-style deli in Charleston. In the mornings, order a Taylor pork roll with American cheese and scrambled egg for $5.50.
396 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403

Marina Variety Store Restaurant

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The views alone are worth at least $6 at Marina Variety Store, but since you're there to eat while gawking at the boats lined up on the Ashley River, there are several affordable options. Grab a morning paper, nestle into a booth by the windows, and order owner Mike Altine's double buttermilk biscuits and gravy for $4.99 or the "famous" breakfast sandwich for $3.50.
17 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-6325
(843) 723-6325

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Hannibal's Kitchen

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Hannibal’s Soul Kitchen, an Eastside long-timer known as a breakfast seafood destination keeps all its morning offerings under $10. For under $6, you can try the salmon and grits, smothered liver and onions, or the East Bay breakfast sandwiches. Splurge an extra 50 cents and get the shrimp and grits. The kitchen starts serving Lowcountry classics at 7:00 a.m.
16 Drake St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2256
(843) 722-2256

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Johnny's Hot Dogs

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Johnny's isn't just about hot dogs. This Mount Pleasant food stall also sells one of the cheapest breakfast options around. Sausage biscuits are only $2.25, and the signature egg, cheese, and bacon on raisin bread is a mere $3.25.
883 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-5485
(843) 849-5485

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Sunrise Bistro

1797 Main Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455
Sunrise Bistro Kitchen has served the Johns Island area since 2009. Many folks driving out to Kiawah know to stop at this diner first for an affordable breakfast. The Jessica Ann open-faced omelette with basil, red onion, tomato, and feta, will only set you back $5.95. Or try the tomato melt with your choice of bagel, sliced tomato, scallion cream cheese, and cheddar for $4.50.
1797 Main Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 718-1858
(843) 718-1858
Sunrise

Early Bird Diner

1644 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
Slide into a booth at Early Bird Diner for two large biscuits piled with cream pepper gravy for only $5. The best part? Breakfast is served all day, so you can sleep in and still get this meal.
1644 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 277-2353
(843) 277-2353

Bluerose Cafe

652 Saint Andrews Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
Irish-influenced Bluerose Cafe carries traditional breakfast items found in Ireland, like black and white pudding ($2.75) or rashers ($2.50), which you could cobble together with eggs for an affordable breakfast under $6. If you'd rather go for something more American, a stack of chocolate chip pancakes will cost you $5.95.
652 Saint Andrews Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 225-2583
(843) 225-2583
TripAdvisor

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit

476 1/2 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Sliver of a shop Callie's Hot Little Biscuits offers patrons a pair of flakey, buttery biscuits for $3. Choose from buttermilk, cheese and chive, or shortcake. If you have $4, splurge for the country ham, black pepper bacon, cinnamon, of blackberry jam versions.
476 1/2 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 737-5159
(843) 737-5159

North Central Delicatessen

396 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403
Huger Street newcomer North Central already has a reputation amongst New York/New Jersey expats as the most authentic northern-style deli in Charleston. In the mornings, order a Taylor pork roll with American cheese and scrambled egg for $5.50.
396 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403

Marina Variety Store Restaurant

17 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29401
The views alone are worth at least $6 at Marina Variety Store, but since you're there to eat while gawking at the boats lined up on the Ashley River, there are several affordable options. Grab a morning paper, nestle into a booth by the windows, and order owner Mike Altine's double buttermilk biscuits and gravy for $4.99 or the "famous" breakfast sandwich for $3.50.
17 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-6325
(843) 723-6325

Hannibal's Kitchen

16 Drake St, Charleston, SC 29403
Hannibal’s Soul Kitchen, an Eastside long-timer known as a breakfast seafood destination keeps all its morning offerings under $10. For under $6, you can try the salmon and grits, smothered liver and onions, or the East Bay breakfast sandwiches. Splurge an extra 50 cents and get the shrimp and grits. The kitchen starts serving Lowcountry classics at 7:00 a.m.
16 Drake St, Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2256
(843) 722-2256

Johnny's Hot Dogs

883 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Johnny's isn't just about hot dogs. This Mount Pleasant food stall also sells one of the cheapest breakfast options around. Sausage biscuits are only $2.25, and the signature egg, cheese, and bacon on raisin bread is a mere $3.25.
883 Ben Sawyer Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-5485
(843) 849-5485

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