But First, Brunch - Downtown Charleston Edition
Below you will find the best, most up-to-date list of places to brunch in Charleston, SC. To create this list, our team consumed over two dozen eggs, 28 biscuits, 15 stacks of pancakes, and even a few unexpected mouthfuls of chickpea (spoiler alert: someone figured out how to make chickpeas mouthwatering, and we’ll never be the same). Pull out this list the next time someone asks you for a brunch recommendation (or don’t - more for us!), and ask if you can tag along. We’ve done all the legwork for you.
Lillian's Petite Market & Eatery - Conveniently located on Charleston’s Westside, Lillian’s feels like the kind of neighborhood spot you want to keep all to yourself. The brunch menu leans into seasonal Lowcountry ingredients with everything from house-made biscuits and Shrimp & Grits to a Dutch Baby topped with berries and Chantilly cream. It is equally suited for a casual coffee or a long brunch with friends when you have nowhere else to be. Come hungry and give yourself permission to linger over one more coffee. Is there really anything better than a slow Charleston morning done right?
Address: 247 Congress St., Charleston, SC 29403
Café Roca - Conveniently located along Ashley River Road in West Ashley, Café Roca has that easy neighborhood charm that makes you want to pop in often. The menu takes familiar breakfast favorites and gives them a little more personality, with hearty breakfast plates, sandwiches, avocado toast, pastries, and specialty coffee all making an appearance. It is casual without feeling forgettable, which is exactly what I want from a neighborhood brunch spot. The rotating pastry selection is especially hard to resist, so consider this your permission to order something sweet even if you came in “just for coffee.” It is the kind of place that could very easily become your Saturday morning ritual.
Address: 1303 Ashley River Rd., Charleston, SC 29407
Basic Kitchen - Instagram comes to life within the sunny walls of this sweet little restaurant, centrally located in the shopping district, yet tucked away from the throngs on a quiet side street. The menu at Basic reads like a list of the most au courant foodie buzzwords, with a variety of healthy bowls, vegan buffalo “wings”, and trendy grains such as quinoa and farro. Of course, no respectable ‘grammer would be caught dead without their own version of avocado toast, and Basic’s is on point: doused with black sesame gomasio atop a hearty slice of toasted sourdough, this option pairs particularly well with an in-house beet juice margarita.
Address: 82 Wentworth St., Charleston, SC 29401
Daps Breakfast & Imbibe - Run, do not walk, to try “The Chickpea” at Daps. If sorghum and black pepper mayo slathered atop of tender chickpea patty doesn’t sound appealing to you, we understand. However, we implore you to at least try it before you knock it. At $7, it’s a low risk move which just may forever alter your idea of what constitutes breakfast. While the kids may gravitate towards the classics, everyone will enjoy Fruity Pebble pancakes. Special props go to the beverage team for an extensive list of beers and wine specifically chosen for their compatibility with breakfast fare, and for recreating boozy brunch standards, like Bloody Marys, without the use of liquor.
Address: 280 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 29403
WildFlour Pastry - A longtime favorite for anyone who takes the pastry portion of brunch very seriously. The case is packed with buttery croissants, turnovers, coffee cakes, seasonal sweets, and plenty of freshly baked options that make deciding what to order its own little adventure. Their coffee pairs perfectly with something warm from the bakery, whether you are sitting down for breakfast or grabbing a treat for later. There is an old-school neighborhood charm here that feels comforting, familiar, and wonderfully unfussy. And yes, ordering something for the road is basically part of the experience.
Address: 1750 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407
Park & Grove- Conveniently located on Rutledge Avenue, Park & Grove brings a lively neighborhood energy to weekend brunch while still feeling polished enough for a special morning out. The menu is full of satisfying Southern-inspired favorites with plenty of variety, from crab cake Benedicts and Dutch Baby pancakes to huevos rancheros and fried chicken. It is a particularly good pick when your brunch crew cannot agree on what sounds good because there is something for practically every mood. The atmosphere is relaxed, the portions are generous, and the menu has just enough creativity to keep things interesting. Just make sure you leave room for something sweet because their cinnamon rolls have a way of becoming the table’s main event.
Address: 730 Rutledge Ave., Charleston, SC 29403
Little Line Kitchen & Provisions- Has the cozy neighborhood feel that makes Charleston’s food scene so easy to fall in love with. The menu is hearty, approachable, and full of breakfast favorites that pair perfectly with a good coffee and a slow morning. It also has that tucked-away quality I love in Charleston, where a place can feel like a local secret even when it is right in the middle of everything. The relaxed atmosphere makes it just as easy to settle in for brunch with friends as it is to grab something quick before heading out for the day. Sometimes the best neighborhood spots are the ones that do not need to try too hard to win you over.
Address: 176 Line St., Charleston, SC 29403