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A coffee shop counter.
Clerks Coffee Shop.
Clerks Coffee Shop

13 Essential Coffee Shops in Charleston

For all your caffeine needs

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Clerks Coffee Shop.
| Clerks Coffee Shop

Can't start the morning/afternoon/life without a large cup of caffeine? Try one of these local coffee purveyors for a fix. Whether it's free WiFi or a cozy atmosphere, there's a place for each need.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

The Orange Spot Coffeehouse

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A savior for the citizens of Park Circle, The Orange Spot Coffeehouse supplies caffeine to North Charleston. The setting recently expanded with a new address but maintains the same cozy atmosphere. Try the cha yen, a traditional Thai iced tea.

a cha yen
Orange Spot Coffee/Facebook

The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

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The Harbinger is a whimsical space full of plants, Instagram-worthy shelves full of treasures, and cozy seating. The coffee drinks are creative, like the maple latte or the Jack Rudy espresso tonic, but do not miss the baked goods — customers are instantly hooked on creations like a take on Rice Krispy Treats with puffed brown rice, tahini, and chocolate. Check out the sister cafe Harken when visiting the heart of downtown.

The Harbinger
The Harbinger

Mercantile and Mash

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In addition to expertly prepared espresso drinks, Mercantile offers free wifi, plentiful seating, and a full breakfast and lunch menu — what’s not to love. Oh, and parking. Sold.

Mercantile and Mash
Mercantile and Mash

Metto Coffee & Tea

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Metto Coffee is a bright cafe with comfortable seating in Mount Pleasant. Customers love the honey latte and made-from-scratch pastries.

The Daily

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Butcher & Bee sibling The Daily is the place to go for a morning Springbok coffee and a breakfast sandwich or an afternoon lunch to-go. The space is prime for browsing goods while waiting on a latte.

Sightsee Shop

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Sightsee is a fun, hip shop with a side of coffee bar. Tucked back on Live Street, the space offers coffee to go for those exploring the Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood. Try the unique iced cascara tea, which is brewed from the coffee cherry.

Vintage Coffee Cafe

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Vintage Coffee Cafe offers caffeine, eats, and wifi to the Mount Pleasant set. The kitchen puts out sophisticated breakfast items, like seasonal quiches, oven-roasted tomato tarts, acai bowls, and lox plates, among others.

Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer

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Kudu not only has a handsome outdoor patio, but an extensive coffee and craft beer program as well. It doesn't offer wifi, so this shop is for relaxation, not work.

The Rise

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Petite shop the Rise opened in 2018 without much fanfare, but with praise (and a few Instagrams) from Food Network celebrity Alton Brown. The coffee spot attracts those in search of a perfect cortado. The Rise also offers seasonal flavors like a summer citrus cold brew with hints of orange and basil or rosemary lattes in colder weather.

Clerks Coffee Company

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Since its located on the Market in the Emeline hotel, Clerks Coffee Company is always buzzing with visitors, but this shouldn’t deter locals. The seating area at Clerks makes for a handsome background to sip a latte and get some work done. After the laptops close, the coffee bar offers beer and wine in addition to slices of Detroit-style pizza and salads.

Second State Coffee

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Sunlight-filled caffeine emporium Second State Coffee (formerly Black Tap Coffee) is the spot to get creative lattes (try the brown sugar or lavender) and kick-ass pour-over brew. It is also the meeting spot for creatives and neighborhood friends to chat about the day or upcoming projects. Check out the Second State in Mount Pleasant for a full menu of hearty breakfast and lunch options.

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

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Entrepreneur Amy Wright has four children, and two, Bitty & Beau, were born with Down syndrome. Wright saw an opportunity to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable in finding steady jobs. Her coffee shops Betty & Beau are staffed with a very enthusiastic crew that live with issues like autism and cerebral palsy. Stop in for a cup of joy in the morning.

Muddy Waters Coffee Bar

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Located on James Island, Muddy Waters is a quirky little coffee bar full of art and plenty of caffeine. The wifi and parking are also plenty.

The Orange Spot Coffeehouse

A savior for the citizens of Park Circle, The Orange Spot Coffeehouse supplies caffeine to North Charleston. The setting recently expanded with a new address but maintains the same cozy atmosphere. Try the cha yen, a traditional Thai iced tea.

a cha yen
Orange Spot Coffee/Facebook

The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

The Harbinger is a whimsical space full of plants, Instagram-worthy shelves full of treasures, and cozy seating. The coffee drinks are creative, like the maple latte or the Jack Rudy espresso tonic, but do not miss the baked goods — customers are instantly hooked on creations like a take on Rice Krispy Treats with puffed brown rice, tahini, and chocolate. Check out the sister cafe Harken when visiting the heart of downtown.

The Harbinger
The Harbinger

Mercantile and Mash

In addition to expertly prepared espresso drinks, Mercantile offers free wifi, plentiful seating, and a full breakfast and lunch menu — what’s not to love. Oh, and parking. Sold.

Mercantile and Mash
Mercantile and Mash

Metto Coffee & Tea

Metto Coffee is a bright cafe with comfortable seating in Mount Pleasant. Customers love the honey latte and made-from-scratch pastries.

The Daily

Butcher & Bee sibling The Daily is the place to go for a morning Springbok coffee and a breakfast sandwich or an afternoon lunch to-go. The space is prime for browsing goods while waiting on a latte.

Sightsee Shop

Sightsee is a fun, hip shop with a side of coffee bar. Tucked back on Live Street, the space offers coffee to go for those exploring the Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood. Try the unique iced cascara tea, which is brewed from the coffee cherry.

Vintage Coffee Cafe

Vintage Coffee Cafe offers caffeine, eats, and wifi to the Mount Pleasant set. The kitchen puts out sophisticated breakfast items, like seasonal quiches, oven-roasted tomato tarts, acai bowls, and lox plates, among others.

Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer

Kudu not only has a handsome outdoor patio, but an extensive coffee and craft beer program as well. It doesn't offer wifi, so this shop is for relaxation, not work.

The Rise

Petite shop the Rise opened in 2018 without much fanfare, but with praise (and a few Instagrams) from Food Network celebrity Alton Brown. The coffee spot attracts those in search of a perfect cortado. The Rise also offers seasonal flavors like a summer citrus cold brew with hints of orange and basil or rosemary lattes in colder weather.

Clerks Coffee Company

Since its located on the Market in the Emeline hotel, Clerks Coffee Company is always buzzing with visitors, but this shouldn’t deter locals. The seating area at Clerks makes for a handsome background to sip a latte and get some work done. After the laptops close, the coffee bar offers beer and wine in addition to slices of Detroit-style pizza and salads.

Second State Coffee

Sunlight-filled caffeine emporium Second State Coffee (formerly Black Tap Coffee) is the spot to get creative lattes (try the brown sugar or lavender) and kick-ass pour-over brew. It is also the meeting spot for creatives and neighborhood friends to chat about the day or upcoming projects. Check out the Second State in Mount Pleasant for a full menu of hearty breakfast and lunch options.

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

Entrepreneur Amy Wright has four children, and two, Bitty & Beau, were born with Down syndrome. Wright saw an opportunity to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable in finding steady jobs. Her coffee shops Betty & Beau are staffed with a very enthusiastic crew that live with issues like autism and cerebral palsy. Stop in for a cup of joy in the morning.

Muddy Waters Coffee Bar

Located on James Island, Muddy Waters is a quirky little coffee bar full of art and plenty of caffeine. The wifi and parking are also plenty.

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