Top 11 Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Charleston
Top 11 Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina, is a food lover’s paradise, and its breakfast and brunch scene is no exception. Whether you’re craving classic Southern comfort food or a modern twist on morning favorites, this historic city offers an array of delightful options. From charming cafes serving freshly baked biscuits to trendy spots offering farm-to-table dishes, Charleston’s breakfast and brunch spots cater to every taste. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, starting your day with a delicious meal in this culinary haven is a must. Here are some of the best breakfast and brunch spots in Charleston to explore.
Popular Breakfast and Brunch Neighborhoods
Top Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Charleston
Local Favorites for a True Southern Experience
Budget-Friendly Breakfast and Brunch Options
Unique and Quirky Breakfast Spots
Tips for Enjoying Breakfast and Brunch in Charleston
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Popular Breakfast and Brunch Neighborhoods
Downtown Charleston – Historic charm and modern eateries.
Downtown Charleston is renowned for its vibrant brunch culture, offering a blend of historic charm and modern culinary innovation. Nestled among cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings, the brunch spots in downtown Charleston showcase the city’s rich Southern heritage with dishes like shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, and chicken and waffles, often elevated with contemporary twists.
Many restaurants emphasize farm-to-table ingredients, bringing freshness and authenticity to each plate. Whether enjoying brunch in a cozy bistro or a rooftop terrace overlooking the city’s iconic skyline, Charleston’s brunch scene provides a unique, leisurely dining experience that reflects both tradition and creativity.
Mount Pleasant – Waterfront views and local favorites.
Mount Pleasant, Charleston, is known for its vibrant brunch culture, blending Southern charm with coastal flavors to create a unique dining experience. Locals and visitors alike flock to this charming town for leisurely weekend brunches that often feature fresh seafood, traditional Southern dishes, and innovative twists on classic breakfast items.
Many brunch spots in Mount Pleasant offer stunning waterfront views, making it the perfect setting to enjoy dishes like shrimp and grits, crab cake benedicts, and buttermilk biscuits with pimento cheese. Whether you’re looking for a cozy café or a lively outdoor patio, the brunch scene in Mount Pleasant offers something for everyone, combining rich flavors with a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere.
West Ashley – Laid-back spots and hidden gems.
West Ashley, Charleston, has a growing brunch culture that combines the laid-back vibe of the suburbs with the rich culinary heritage of the Lowcountry. Known for its cozy, neighborhood cafés and local eateries, West Ashley offers a more relaxed brunch experience compared to the bustling downtown scene.
Here, you’ll find menus featuring Southern favorites like biscuits and gravy, sweet potato pancakes, and shrimp and grits, often made with locally sourced ingredients. Many brunch spots in West Ashley emphasize comfort food with a creative twist, making it a favorite destination for locals seeking a casual, delicious weekend meal in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Top Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Charleston
Poogan’s Porch – Traditional Southern brunch in a historic setting.
Tucked away on charming Queen Street, Poogan’s Porch is Charleston’s oldest independent culinary establishment, with a fresh approach to Lowcountry cuisine. Recognized by Martha Stewart Living, Southern Living and The Travel Channel among many others, this beautifully restored Victorian house is the perfect southern spot for daily brunch and dinner.
- Location: 72 Queen Street Charleston, SC 29401
- Opening Hours: Brunch: Monday – Sunday: 9am – 3pm, Dinner: Monday – Sunday: 4:30pm – 9:30pm
- Reservations: Yes
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit – Famous for their made-from-scratch biscuits.
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit serves a variety of piping hot award winning biscuits, pimento cheese sandwiches, and a range of other delicious and locally inspired breakfast, lunch, and late night treats.
Pop in and grab a signature biscuit bowl filled with slow cooked grits and a french press coffee. Shop the shelves filled with favorite pantry must-haves, or stock up on full range of frozen and refrigerated Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit products.
Made by Hand – all hot and buttered. Three Biscuits of any kind -$5. Take Home A Baker’s Dozen -13 for $19. They even offer a biscuit making class.
- Location: 3 Locations
- 476 1/2 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
- 188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
- 1895 Ave F, North Charleston, SC 29405
- Opening Hours:
- King Street: everyday 8 am- 2pm
- Meeting street: everyday 8 am- 2pm
- Ave F: Monday – Friday 8 am – 4 pm, CLOSED Saturday & Sunday
Millers All Day – A modern twist on classic breakfast comfort food.
Celebrate everybody’s favorite meal by shining a spotlight on small batch grains, perfectly turned eggs, delicious proteins, craft cocktails, and gentle surprises designed to delight even the most hardboiled diner.
Grits newbies and lovers alike gravitate to the antique mill operating in the front window. The mill channels a history of local sourcing and agricultural magic, turning corn into the plated gold that makes Southerners smile. The 175-plus year-old machine is not the oldest thing around here: the building is about as old.
Keep an eye out for their food truck.
- Location:
- 120 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
- NEW: 1956 Maybank HWY Suite A, Charleston, SC 29412
- Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 3pm, Saturday – Sunday 8am – 4pm
- Reservations: no
Butcher & Bee – Known for its farm-to-table menu and eclectic dishes. PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Butcher & Bee opened their first location in Charleston in 2011 with the simple mission of serving sandwiches made with flavor combinations and food quality usually reserved for fine dining.
- Location: 1085 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
- Opening Hours: CLOSED
The Darling Oyster Bar – Seafood-focused brunch in a chic atmosphere.
Stylish spot with vintage appeal for creative seafood dishes, fry baskets & raw oysters. Housed in a lovingly restored, 115-year-old storefront, they strive for “instant classic” status. Grab a stool at the 14-seat raw bar fronting bustling King Street. Settle into a table full of deliciousness. Or perch beside the full-service bar.
- Location: 513 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
- Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 4pm -10pm, Friday – Saturday 4pm- 11pm , Sunday 11 am- 10pm
Local Favorites for a True Southern Experience
Page’s Okra Grill – Affordable and hearty Southern comfort food.
Generous portions of casual Southern-focused home cooking are served all day at this lively eatery. They have had the same owner and same head chef since 2006.
Try their award winning Page’s PBT (pimento, apple-wood smoked bacon and fried green tomato) sandwich for $12 with a side. Their shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles and more have also won their own accolades.
If you’re looking for a little taste of everything, try the sample platter for $17. It comes with 4 fried green tomatoes with jam, 2 redneck rolls (pulled bbq pork and pimento cheese) with honey mustard and pimento spread with pita.
They have outdoor and indoor seating. Dog friendly outside!
- Location: 302 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
- Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 7am- 9pm, Friday 7am- 10pm, Saturday 8 am- 10 pm, Sunday 8 am – 3pm
- Reservations: no
High Cotton – Elegant dining with Lowcountry-inspired breakfast dishes.
Fun fact- a childhood friend’s grandparents own High Cotton! The Hall family also owns and operates Slightly North of Broad, Rita’s Seaside Grille and Halls Signature Events. This higher end establishment is all about the low country hospitality.
- Location: 199 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
- Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 5:30 pm – 10 pm , Friday 5:30pm – 11pm , Saturday 10 am- 11pm , Sunday 10am – 10pm
- Reservations: Yes (recommended)
Fleet Landing – Coastal cuisine with waterfront views.
Charleston’s Best Waterfront Restaurant has a view that is a distinctive destination unto itself. Housed in a 1940s retired naval building on the east side of the Charleston peninsula, Fleet Landing Restaurant features classic and contemporary Southern seafood fare in a setting that celebrates the area’s waterfront heritage.
Preferred parking is in the flat lot to the left of our building, located in front of the Cruise Terminal at 196 Concord Street, and parking is $5 for guests dining at Fleet Landing (credit card only).
- Location: 186 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401
- Opening Hours: everyday 11am- 10pm , Sunday Brunch 11am- 3pm
- Reservations: yes (recommended, max 10 pp)
Budget-Friendly Breakfast and Brunch Options
Daps Breakfast & Imbibe – Creative breakfast dishes at great prices.
Daps Breakfast and Imbibe is a casual neighborhood breakfast shop and gathering place. Daps has a comfortable neighborhood atmosphere with a selection of fine breakfast foods, canned Mimosas, libations and a full coffee program. Try some of their delicious unique treats such as Cheesecake French toast ($12), cinnamon toast crunch sticky bun ($10.50) or the fruity pebble pancake ($6). We also recommend the bacon, egg and cheese sandwich with a side of hash and cheese sauce!
- Location: 280 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
- Opening Hours: every day (except Tuesday) 8am- 2pm
- Reservations: no
Toast! All Day – Popular spot known for generous portions and budget-friendly options.
Food is fresh, Southern, and homemade goodness. Whether you are looking for their deluxe Stuffed French Toast, or you want to try creamy homemade grits with generous helpings of shrimp, you are sure to find something to please your taste buds.
Try their Peach-stuffed French Toast for a real southern treat. Whether it’s a Toast! Classic Breakfast with Carolina stone-ground grits or a comfort food like the Southern Fried Pork Chops, they’ve got something for every appetite.
- Location: There are many locations (listed below)
- Opening Hours: Sunday – Thursday 7 am – 3pm , Friday – Saturday 7am – 10pm
Unique and Quirky Breakfast Spots
Offbeat and Instagram-worthy places to check out:
The Daily – Hip café offering gourmet coffee and creative breakfast bowls.
The Daily is more than a coffee shop. It’s an experience in quality and convenience. Our aim is to create world-class food, smoothies, and coffee sourced and served with responsibility and pride.
- Location: 652 B King St, Charleston, SC 29403
- Opening Hours: everyday 7am- 3pm
Three Little Birds Café – Laid-back and quirky eatery with a bohemian vibe.
Wonderful little breakfast spot tucked away across the Ashley River from Downtown Charleston. They have decor from local artist.
- Location: 65 Windermere Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407
- Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30am- 2pm, Saturday- Sunday 8am- 2pm
Tips for Enjoying Breakfast and Brunch in Charleston
Best times to visit to avoid crowds.
The best times to avoid crowds for brunch in Charleston are typically during weekdays and early weekend mornings. While weekends are the most popular time for brunch, arriving before 10 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday can help you beat the rush. On weekdays, late morning or early afternoon is ideal for a more relaxed experience, as most locals are at work and tourists tend to focus on sightseeing. Additionally, avoiding holidays and peak tourist seasons, like spring and summer, can help you find a quieter brunch spot, allowing you to enjoy Charleston’s vibrant food scene without long waits or crowded dining rooms.
Reservation tips for popular spots.
When dining at popular spots in Charleston, making a reservation is highly recommended, especially for sought-after restaurants in downtown or during busy tourist seasons like spring and summer.
Many top brunch and dinner spots offer online reservations through platforms like OpenTable or directly on their websites, making it easy to secure your spot ahead of time.
For weekends, it’s best to book at least a week in advance, especially for high-demand places. If you’re visiting during holidays or special events, consider booking even earlier.
For last-minute plans, calling the restaurant directly can sometimes result in finding an available table, especially if you’re flexible with your timing.
Seasonal brunch specials to look out for.
Charleston’s brunch scene comes alive with seasonal specials that reflect the region’s fresh, local ingredients and culinary creativity.
In the spring, many restaurants incorporate locally sourced vegetables like asparagus and heirloom tomatoes, while summer brings dishes featuring peaches, watermelon, and blue crab.
During fall, expect to see pumpkin pancakes, sweet potato biscuits, and apple-infused cocktails as staples on brunch menus.
In the winter months, hearty options like braised meats, oyster stews, and warm spiced pastries become popular. Restaurants across Charleston, from cozy neighborhood spots to upscale eateries, offer rotating seasonal specials, giving brunch-goers a chance to enjoy the freshest flavors of the Lowcountry year-round.
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