Charleston is know for great food, with its own unique cuisine and classics like Shrimp and Grits you’ll find all over the city. Charleston’s breakfast joints offer a wide variety of experiences. Many offer Southern classics, like breakfast biscuits, as well as sweet treats like muffins, cinnamon rolls, and other pastries.
Here are some of the best breakfast restaurants in the Charleston area, including a few of my personal favorites.
Ruby’s Bagels
I have to start with my favorite bagel spot, Ruby’s Bagels, which is perfect for a quick breakfast. Ruby’s offers fresh New York style bagels that taste about as close to the real deal that you can get.
I’m pretty basic and love a classic sesame with cream cheese, but I also love the French toast or chocolate chip sea salt bagels when I want something a little more sweet.
I’m too obsessed with just a simple bagel, so I’ve never tried anything else, but they also have breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches, wraps, avocado toast, and tons of coffee and latte offerings.
There’s sitting, so you can easily eat there or take your bagel on the go if you have a busy day.
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
Don’t be fooled by this tiny little shop on King Street. Callie’s serves delicious biscuits and has been featured on the Today Show, Southern Living, The New York Times, and The Oprah Magazine.
Their menu is mostly limited to biscuit sandwiches and grits, but that’s what makes this small shop so simple and charming. Their biscuits have a big following and are sold in grocery stores as well, so you can get your fix of Callie’s even if you can’t make it to their eatery.
Recommended: Best Coffee Shops in Charleston
Glazed Gourmet Doughnuts
One of my favorite Charleston spots, since I was a teenager, is Glazed Donuts. The donuts are homemade from scratch and have rotating flavors, but you can’t go wrong with any donut!
The basic glazed is amazing, and I also love the raspberry donut. Those are usually always there, along with a chocolate sprinkle donut. But it’s fun to see what other unique combinations are available and see if any of those sound like a flavor I’d like to try!
They also have a gluten free and vegan flavor that’s usually offered for anyone with dietary restrictions.
Poogan’s Porch
A classic Charleston restaurant is Poogan’s Porch. Full of charm, the restaurant is in an old Victorian house and serves traditional Southern food.
Find all your Southern favorites on their brunch menu, like fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese fritters. The brunch menu also has a few good breakfast entrees as well, with eggs and meat for a classic breakfast meal.
The Junction Kitchen
The Junction is a fun local spot in Park Circle. Their breakfast menu puts a fun spin on breakfast food, with choices like coffee rubbed bacon, croissant French toast, and fried sweet tea chicken and French toast. They still have some classic breakfast choices though if you’re not feeling too adventurous.
Breakfast is served all day on Tuesday through Friday, so no need to rush to make a breakfast menu cut off. Check out their brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays if you miss their all day breakfast during the week.
Marina Variety Store Restaurant
Located right on the water is Marina Variety Store Restaurant. Serving seafood dishes and Southern style breakfast, it has a fun waterside diner feel. Their breakfast menu is extensive, with classics like eggs benedict and omelets, sweeter choices, and breakfast sandwiches.
Seafood is also incorporated into the menu with seafood platters, plates, and of course, shrimp and grits. The restaurant has been around since 1963, so you’re sure to enjoy a delicious breakfast here!
Three Little Birds Cafe
Three Little Birds is a cute little cafe and the perfect spot for all day breakfast and lunch. Their breakfast menu is huge, with all kinds of choices. Everyone will be able to find something that stands out to them.
They have a good variety of pancakes and French toast, tons of egg choices including breakfast burritos and omelets, and other options like oatmeal and fruit and granola. Enjoy a fresh squeeze juice or homemade smoothie as well.
I haven’t been here yet, but just looking at the menu is making my mouth water. It’s definitely one of my top choices to visit, and I know I’m going to have a hard time deciding because everything sounds so good.
Park and Grove
Park and Grove is a fantastic spot for weekend brunch! Take a walk in Hampton Park and then scoot over here on Saturdays and Sundays between 9 to 2:30 to take advantage of their brunch menu.
The menu has a good mix of breakfast and lunch favorites, along with some fun brunch offerings. As far as cocktails go, choose from a Bloody Mary or mimosa. The vibe is minimalist with some plants, which can make for a nice calming atmosphere for starting off your day.
Big Bad Breakfast
A great breakfast spot, located both downtown Charleston and in Mt. Pleasant is Big Bad Breakfast. Like the name suggests, the menu is big. This is a great place to go with a group of people, as there will be something for everyone with all the options.
It’s a lot of food, too. I just had a pancake and a side and was plenty stuffed at the end of the meal. Make sure you come here hungry and ready to eat!
Vicious Biscuit
Another favorite of mine is Vicious Biscuit, right across the bridge in Mt. Pleasant. I’ll be honest, I’m not a big fan of biscuits. But I will happily eat a biscuit at Vicious Biscuit. In fact, I only ever order a single buttermilk or sweet potato biscuit because these things are massive.
The restaurant has a little buffet of all kinds of butter and jams to put on your biscuit to enhance the flavor (I love the honey butter). The menu is more than just single biscuits. If you’re feeling adventurous and have a big appetite, try their variety of biscuit sandwiches.
And if you’re not a biscuit lover, fear not. The menu has a few options that don’t include biscuits but, I promise, these biscuits are worth a try.
Miller’s All Day
Miller’s is the spot for all day breakfast. There are some lunch options as well, in case you’re not in the mood for breakfast food. But the breakfast menu is definitely worth looking at, no matter how late in the day it is.
Miller’s has the classic breakfast offerings like waffles, pancakes, eggs, and biscuits. But they also have some mouthwatering bakery items and shareable snacks, like cinnamon rolls and French toast sticks.
Page’s Okra Grill
A true spot for Southern cuisine, Page’s Okra Grill is another great breakfast place. You’ll get a lot of food here. There are plenty of Southern favorites here, along with omelets and benedicts, biscuits and sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, and French toast. The menu is pretty big here, with tons of mouthwatering choices!
Mozzo Deli
Mozzo Deli is a nice easy spot for breakfast. They have a lot of egg sandwich and omelet options, along with a breakfast burrito, challah French toast, bagels, croissants, muffins, and cinnamon rolls.
Though their menu isn’t as intensive as some other breakfast spots, it’s still delicious and a great place to grab breakfast!
The Bottom Line
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it should be enjoyed! You can’t go wrong with any of these breakfast spots in Charleston for a delicious meal. Enjoy finding your new favorite Charleston breakfast restaurant!
