Swank Desserts
Swank Desserts
Eater sends you here for the cakes, macaron and caramel.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 110 A S Cedar St, Summerville, SC 29483
Local finds · City guide no. 23
Charlestonlocal finds
Where Charleston shops for bread, sweets, meat, pantry goods and coffee to take home — 66 spots, each named by a critic or food writer, with the source linked.
- 66local finds
- 4named sources
- 12neighborhoods & towns
- 0ship nationwide
The icons
Four Charleston stops to start with
If you only try four: Swank Desserts, Bked Shop, The Orange Spot Coffeehouse and The Daily.
Bked Shop
Bked Shop
Per Eater, the move is the doughnut, fritters and chocolate.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 99 Westedge St Suit 1950, Charleston, SC 29403
The Orange Spot Coffeehouse
The Orange Spot Coffeehouse
Eater's pick for tea to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1011 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
01 · 16 finds
Bread & bakery
Loaves, pastry and bagels worth the line in the Lowcountry.
The Daily
The Daily
Go for the sausage, jam and biscuit — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 652 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Daddy's Girls Bakery
Daddy's Girls Bakery
Per Eater, the move is the pie, cheesecake and cookies.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 2021B Reynolds Ave Suite 102, North Charleston, SC 29405
Vicious Biscuit
Vicious Biscuit
Eater singles out the biscuit, sandwiches and chicken; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 409 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Welton's Tiny Bakeshop
Welton's Tiny Bakeshop
Go for the sandwiches, croissants and honey — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 682 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Macaroon Boutique
Macaroon Boutique
Go for the macarons, chocolate and cookies — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 45 John St, Charleston, SC 29403
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
Callie's Hot Little Biscuit
Eater's pick for biscuit to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 476 1/2 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
WildFlour Pastry
WildFlour Pastry
Eater singles out the muffins, chocolate and sticky bun; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1750 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
Sugar Bakeshop
Sugar Bakeshop
Eater sends you here for the cupcakes, tarts and cookies.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 59 1/2 Cannon St, Charleston, SC, 29403
Handy + Hot
Handy + Hot
Go for the biscuits and cheese — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 68 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401
Baguette Magic
Baguette Magic
Go for the baguette, croissants and danish — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 792 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
Girl Nextdough
Girl Nextdough
Go for the bagel, sandwiches and doughnuts — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1230 Camp Rd, Charleston, SC 29412
Brandon’s Bread
Brandon’s Bread
Long-fermented sourdough from Carolina-grown grains: benne loaves, Carolina Gold rice bread and baguettes at local markets.
Picked by Becky Lacey (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: Sea Island Farmers Market, Charleston, SC
Grit Bakery
Grit Bakery
Baguettes and sourdough daily, and croissant dough turned into danishes and bread pudding; try the lemon-grit cookie.
Picked by Becky Lacey (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: 601 Meeting St., Charleston, SC
Butter Half Bakery
Butter Half Bakery
A cottage bakery whose ube cinnamon rolls and Filipino-fusion snacks sell out at pop-ups.
Picked by Becky Lacey (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: Ladson, SC
Ruby’s Bagels
Ruby’s Bagels
Readers' pick for best bagels in 2026.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: Charleston, SC
Bagel Nation
Bagel Nation
Runner-up for best bagels in the 2026 readers' poll.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: Charleston, SC
02 · 16 finds
Sweets & ice cream
Doughnuts, cakes, pints and treats to carry home.
Izzy's Scoops & Sweets
Izzy's Scoops & Sweets
Eater counts it among Charleston's best ice cream.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1960 Riviera Dr suite e, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Park Circle Creamery
Park Circle Creamery
Eater singles out the cheesecake here.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1069 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC, 29405
Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts
Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts
Eater singles out the doughnuts and bacon; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 481 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Turbo Cone
Turbo Cone
Eater singles out the ice cream, soft serve and chocolate; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 828 Saint Andrews Blvd, Charleston, SC, 29407
Kaminsky’s
Kaminsky’s
Eater singles out the cakes and chocolate; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 78 North Market Street, SC 29401
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Eater's pick for ice cream to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 501 King St Ste A, Charleston, SC 29403
Carmella’s
Carmella’s
Per Eater, the move is the cakes and chocolate.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 198 E Bay St, Charleston, SC, 29401
Brown's Court Bakery
Brown's Court Bakery
Eater sends you here for the cookies and doughnuts.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 199 St Philip St, Charleston, SC 29403
Off Track Ice Cream
Off Track Ice Cream
Eater sends you here for the ice cream, cookie and sandwiches.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 6 Beaufain St, Charleston, SC 29401
Mercantile and Mash
Mercantile and Mash
Per Eater, the move is the doughnut and caramel.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 701 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403
Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream and Sandwich Cafe
Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream and Sandwich Cafe
One of Eater's picks for the best ice cream in Charleston.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 474 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery
The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery
Go for the cookies and doughnuts — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1107 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Beardcat's
Beardcat's
Go for the gelato and espresso — Eater's top reasons to stop.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 2063 Middle St, Sullivans Island, SC 29482
Joey Bag A Donuts
Joey Bag A Donuts
Eater singles out the doughnut and cake; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1118 Park W Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466
Christophe Artisan Chocolatier-Patissier
Christophe Artisan Chocolatier-Patissier
Readers' choice for best chocolatier in 2026.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: 90 Society St., Charleston, SC
Bebop Donut Shop
Bebop Donut Shop
Voted best sweets food truck in 2026.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: Charleston, SC
03 · 14 finds
Coffee, beans & bottles
Roasters and shops to stock up on beans and bottles.
The Harbinger
The Harbinger
Eater counts it among Charleston's best coffee.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1107 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Owlbear Cafe
Owlbear Cafe
Per Eater, the move is the cold brew, caramel and bagel.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1964 Riviera Dr J, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Blūm
Blūm
Per Eater, the wine is the reason to go.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 511 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
Babas on Cannon
Babas on Cannon
Eater singles out the espresso, wine and cheese; grab some to take home.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 11 Cannon St, Charleston, SC, 29403
Bad Bunnies Coffee
Bad Bunnies Coffee
Eater counts it among Charleston's best coffee.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 116 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403
Vintage Coffee Cafe
Vintage Coffee Cafe
Per Eater, the tarts is the reason to go.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 219 Simmons St, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Brown Fox Coffee
Brown Fox Coffee
Eater sends you here for the latte and cold brew.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 307 Simmons St, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer
Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer
Eater counts it among Charleston's best coffee.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 4 Vanderhorst St, Charleston, SC 29403
Highfalutin Coffee Roasters
Highfalutin Coffee Roasters
Per Eater, the move is the beans and latte.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 27 Magnolia Rd, Charleston, SC 29407
Clerks Coffee Company
Clerks Coffee Company
Eater sends you here for the latte and wine.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 181 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401
Second State Coffee
Second State Coffee
Per Eater, the lattes is the reason to go.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 70.5 Beaufain St, Charleston, SC 29401
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee
Bitty and Beau’s Coffee
Eater counts it among Charleston's best coffee.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 159 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401
Muddy Waters Coffee Bar
Muddy Waters Coffee Bar
Eater sends you here for the latte and macaron.
Picked by Eater editors (Eater) Eater (opens source)
Where: 1739 Maybank Hwy, Charleston, SC 29412
Prophet Coffee Roaster
Prophet Coffee Roaster
Runner-up for best coffee roaster in 2026.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: Charleston, SC
04 · 12 finds
Butcher & meat
Butcher counters, sausage makers and fishmongers in Charleston.
Abundant Seafood
Abundant Seafood
Buy fisherman Mark Marhefka's fresh catch straight from his Mount Pleasant market.
Picked by Parker Milner (The Post and Courier) The Post and Courier (opens source)
Where: 102 Haddrell St., Mount Pleasant, SC
Blue Boat Seafood Market
Blue Boat Seafood Market
A polished Summerville market for crab legs, shrimp and whiting, plus pantry items for cooking seafood.
Picked by Parker Milner (The Post and Courier) The Post and Courier (opens source)
Where: 1314-A College Park Road, Summerville, SC
Crosby’s Fish & Shrimp Co.
Crosby’s Fish & Shrimp Co.
A James Island fish house since 1973 selling everything from halibut to tilefish and black sea bass.
Picked by Parker Milner (The Post and Courier) The Post and Courier (opens source)
Where: 2223 Folly Road, James Island, SC
CudaCo.
CudaCo.
Locally sourced fish butchered in-house most days, from grouper cheeks to swordfish bacon.
Picked by Parker Milner (The Post and Courier) The Post and Courier (opens source)
Where: 765 Folly Road, James Island, SC
H&J Seafood
H&J Seafood
Crabs and head-on shrimp are the specialty, with porgy and shark steak too.
Picked by Parker Milner (The Post and Courier) The Post and Courier (opens source)
Where: 129 St James Ave., Goose Creek, SC
H&L Seafood
H&L Seafood
A windowless one-stop shop for king crab, whole porgy, red snapper and frozen oysters.
Picked by Parker Milner (The Post and Courier) The Post and Courier (opens source)
Where: 3803 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston, SC
Mount Pleasant Seafood
Mount Pleasant Seafood
A 75-plus-year market, now fourth-generation, that posts what's fresh online.
Picked by Parker Milner (The Post and Courier) The Post and Courier (opens source)
Where: 1402 Shrimp Boat Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC
Simmons Seafood
Simmons Seafood
Since 1947: wahoo, grouper and snapper, plus fish stew and shrimp dip to take home.
Picked by Parker Milner (The Post and Courier) The Post and Courier (opens source)
Where: 1400 Palm Blvd Suite A, Isle of Palms, SC
Tarvin Seafood
Tarvin Seafood
The shrimpers chefs rely on also sell retail, sometimes with local oysters.
Picked by Parker Milner (The Post and Courier) The Post and Courier (opens source)
Where: 102 Haddrell St., Mount Pleasant, SC
Welch’s Seafood
Welch’s Seafood
Flounder, scallops and head-on shrimp, with a freezer of frog legs and alligator tails for the adventurous.
Picked by Parker Milner (The Post and Courier) The Post and Courier (opens source)
Where: 4916A Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC
Burbage Meats
Burbage Meats
Readers' pick for best butcher shop in 2026.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: 1033 Wappoo Road, Suite A, West Ashley, SC
Ted’s Butcherblock
Ted’s Butcherblock
Runner-up for best butcher shop in the 2026 readers' poll.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: Downtown Charleston, SC
05 · 5 finds
Markets & pantry
Specialty grocers, cheese counters and pantry shops in Charleston.
Avondale Wine & Cheese
Avondale Wine & Cheese
Voted best charcuterie in 2026; a cheese and wine shop for hard-to-find cheeses.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: 813 Savannah Highway, West Ashley, SC
goat.sheep.cow.
goat.sheep.cow.
Runner-up for best charcuterie in the 2026 readers' poll.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: Charleston, SC
Rio Bertolini’s Fresh Pasta
Rio Bertolini’s Fresh Pasta
Voted best local artisanal food product in 2026.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: Charleston, SC
Lowcountry Lumpia
Lowcountry Lumpia
Runner-up for best local artisanal food product in 2026.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: Charleston, SC
Charleston Bloody Mary Mix
Charleston Bloody Mary Mix
Readers' pick for best local cocktail mixer.
Picked by City Paper readers' poll (Charleston City Paper) Charleston City Paper (opens source)
Where: Charleston, SC
How this list works
Every find is made in, or was born in, the Lowcountry, and every one links to a named, unpaid recommendation: a chef, a restaurant critic, a food writer or a cookbook author. This is a curated city list, not a ranking. When a local product also earns a spot in our national rankings, the card says so and pulls its cites straight from there. We left out anything we couldn’t source, and anything sold by the outlet that recommended it. How we pick · Disclosure