It probably comes as no surprise that I cherish little rituals that add delight to every day. The phrase “romanticize your life” is thrown around frequently on social media, but the heart of the sentiment rings true to me. There will always be tasks to check off, errands to run, and chores to do, but if I can pause in the midst of the whirlwind for a sliver of joy or beauty, every moment becomes so much richer. Of course, my first trick is to light one of our candles, but the ritual that comes in at a close second is treating myself to a drink from one of the best coffee shops in Charleston. 

The coffee scene in town is thriving, so there is no shortage of local coffee shop options. My favorite way to enjoy our Charleston coffee shops is meeting up with my sister for a leisurely catch-up, soaking up the ambiance of the space and treating ourselves to a few baked goods to sample alongside our drinks. That said, I’m usually picking up my coffee to-go and heading to the carpool line, our flagship, or a meeting…all of which are made sweeter with a mocha latte in hand. Read on for my list of the best coffee shops in Charleston—many of which inspired our Coffee on King candle.

When the baristas know you by name, there’s no doubt you’ve found your favorite coffee shop. That is Harken Cafe for me! No matter the hour—from early in the morning to a late lunchtime—Harken always hits the spot with the most delicious coffee, baked goods, and hearty green and grain bowls and sandwiches. I could (and often do!) spend hours in their perfectly curated space.

The sister café to Harken, Harbinger was our go-to when our studio shoppe was located on Upper King. In fact, it may have been my biggest source of inspiration when I was developing our Coffee on King candle. Whether you’re looking for a quality cup of coffee to take on the go, a healthy and locally sourced lunch, or a sweet treat fit for a celebration, they have a little something for everyone to enjoy.

Coffee connoisseurs enthusiastically proclaim Second State Coffee the best coffee in town. Along with being a multi-location cafe, they are also a roastery, sourcing beans worldwide and expertly roasting them in small batches, right here in Charleston. While I do love their coffee, here’s an insider tip: they bake the best blueberry muffins in town.

Not too far from our flagship, Bad Bunnies Coffee is a relatively new spot with a sweet story behind it. A husband and wife team completely renovated the space, drawing on their shared artistic backgrounds and passions, transforming it into an inviting, community-driven coffee shop. I love popping into their unique space for a pick-me-up on my way to work.

Tinto Cafe’s gorgeous new location on John Street offers house-roasted coffee, wine, gelato, milkshakes, a delectable food menu, and even a cheese and charcuterie bar. It is exactly the type of place you could return to multiple times in one day, enjoying a latte and Dutch pancakes in the morning and frosé and a scoop of gelato after dinner.

If you’re looking for the most beautiful coffee shop to enjoy (and snap a photo or two of), head to La Pâtisserie, the French café inside the elegant Hotel Bennett. But it’s not all about the aesthetics here—run by a renowned French pastry chef and James Beard Award nominee, the café’s pastries and desserts taste as exquisite as they look.

An all-in-one café and market located mere steps from our flagship, Island Provisions keeps us fueled throughout the week. While you’ll frequently find me sipping on their coffee, I also love their breakfast sandwich, The Boss, and their Pina Berry smoothie. Find them in our Cannonborough/Elliotborough Guide as one of my favorite places for breakfast in the neighborhood.

Another Cannonborough/Elliotborough favorite (as seen in our neighborhood guide), Babas is a staple for both our store team and my family. This European-inspired café serves a simple, but always delicious menu alongside great coffee and wine. On a beautiful Charleston fall day, there is nowhere I’d rather be than their patio, sipping a mocha latte with a slice of banana bread on the side.