This is a guest blog post from our friends over at Rove Post. Their blog is a trove of amazing information on things to do while you travel. They’re going to be launching some products that will radically improve travel, so be sure to sign up for their email list to stay in the loop.
Charleston, SC is known for its rich history, but it might not be long before it’s also known for its coffee. We first became aware of just how good Charleston’s coffee had gotten when we stumbled upon the Charleston Coffee Fest. The event attracts coffee enthusiasts from all over the southeastern US. When we first attended, we also learned that Charleston has some local importers of green coffee beans, like Balzac Brothers.
It’s no wonder that Charleston’s burgeoning coffee scenes is one of the best we’ve come across in the US. We’ve highlighted out favorite coffee shops and roasters below.
Second State Coffee
Second State Coffee, originally called Black Tap coffee, is one of the best coffee shops we’ve been to in Charleston. Their downtown location on the Charleston peninsula is in an ancient building that’s cozy, but well-lit. It’s a great place to grab a coffee and a pastry, but be sure to show up early on the weekend. It’s very close to College of Charleston and a favorite place to study for local students. Their cappuccino is to die for but we also love their espresso; they’ve perfected their extraction!
Brown Fox Coffee
Located in Mount Pleasant, this tiny coffee shop is a great place to grab a coffee and relax on their outdoor patio before heading to the nearby Sullivan’s Island or Isle of Palms beaches. You order at a carry-out window and there is no indoor seating, so you’ll want to check the weather ahead of time. While their menu is simple, it has a few delicious house coffee beverages as well as the classics. One of our favorites is the Mexican Fox Mocha.
The Rise Coffee Bar
The Rise is a wonderful little coffee shop on the peninsula in downtown Charleston. It’s part of the Restoration Hotel, so guests of the coffee shop can sip their beautifully decorated lobby adjacent to the coffee bar. There is also a patio next to the coffee shop that is perfect for a conversation over coffee during the warmer spring or autumn months. The coffee shop is located right off of King Street, so it’s the perfect place to pop in for an iced coffee to take away as you stroll down the shopping lane.
Highfalutin Coffee Roasters
Highfalutin Coffee Roasters is a coffee shop and roaster in West Ashley, a short drive from downtown Charleston. The coffee shop shares a really quaint patio with other tenants in the shopping area. We love sitting out there and working on a beautiful Charleston spring day. The shop doesn’t have many tables inside though, so it’s not the best place to sit and work when the weather is gross. Their whole bean coffee is a bit pricey, but well worth it in our opinion.
Orange Spot Coffee
Orange Spot Coffee is easily one of our favorite coffee shops in North Charleston. The store used to be a bit further away from Park Circle, but they relocated a few years ago and are just 2-3 blocks off the main drag. Orange Spot has a chill vibe and plenty of space to plant yourself and work. The coffee they serve is exceptional, but their amazing craft doesn’t stop there. The quiche they offer is out of this world. We recommend giving them a try next time you’re in the area.
Bonus: Counter Culture – Charleston Training Center
While not technically a coffee shop, Counter Culture Coffee (of North Carolina) has a regional training center in Charleston. Every week, they offer a community cupping where people from the community can head down to the training center to learn how to cup and taste coffee. It’s a fun activity whether you’re by yourself or with a group. Check out their website for more information on their community events.
Don’t see your favorite Charleston, SC coffee shop on the list? Drop us a comment and we’d be happy to go try it out and consider adding it to this article.