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Must. Have. Coffee? In South Carolina, You’re in Luck

Bob Gillespie Bob Gillespie
Bob is a former sports writer at Columbia’s The State newspaper. He enjoys golf at South Carolina’s 350-plus courses, and after a round, sampling craft beers from the Palmetto State’s breweries.
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cream being poured into cup of coffee
Find the perfect pick-me-up at South Carolina's best coffee shops.

No matter where in South Carolina one travels, the universal desire for a good cup of coffee in the morning - or afternoon or evening - is never far from a satisfying fill-up. Venues dispensing your daily dose of joe may offer pastries, books, or in some cases craft beer on the side, but always, the coffee is the thing.

Below is an eclectic mix of fun, funky local options sure to satisfy even the pickiest caffeine craving.

Colorful coffee drinks amid flowers
All-organic is the name of the game at Bean Bar in Florence.

"All In" Coffee Shop

106 Earle St., Clemson; 864.372.4510

You'd expect to find a great coffee shop in a college town. In Clemson, it's All In. The name honors the favorite slogan of Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney, as well as its mission to make people from all countries feel welcome. With a commitment to serving ethically traded coffee, this warm and friendly shop offers a variety of blends and decadent cheesecakes.

Bean Bar

2511 W Palmetto St., Florence; 843.407.6394

Whatever you order at Bean Bar, you are getting 100% organic products. They even prepare their own simple syrups as well as chocolate for mochas and other drinks. This shop serves Counter Culture Coffee, which operates a training center in Charleston and is known for its sustainable, single-origin beans. Drinks come in one-size and deliver the perfect ratio of espresso, milk, simple syrup or chocolate. Bean Bar also strives to be environmentally conscious and sustainable, so every to-go cup is 100% compostable.

Coffee Underground

1 East Coffee St., Greenville; 864.298.0494

Right off Greenville's busy Main Street, this subterranean shop roasts beans in-house for a delectable cuppa joe. They also offer salads and sandwiches, appetizers, desserts, plus cocktails. Weekly live theater shows, improv, singers and poets make this a hipster favorite.

Drip Coffee Cottontown location in Columbia
For cakes, sandwiches and great coffee, visit a Drip location in Columbia.

Corner Perk

1297 May River Road, Bluffton; 843.816.5674

Located in the heart of Old Bluffton, Corner Perk is renowned for its brunch - offered all day - and plenty of fresh-roasted coffee to wash it down with. They are expanding, too, with locations now open in Port Royal and Hilton Head with more to come.

Drip

729 Saluda Ave., Columbia; 803.661.9545

Drip in Columbia keeps the Five Points coffee crowd happy with its excellent pour-over coffees and quirky character. There are also tantalizing sandwiches, breakfast baked goods, fruit and luscious homemade cakes.

Due South Coffee

1320 Hampton Ave., Ext. 4B, Greenville; 864.283.6680

This coffee shop's location in a reclaimed abandoned mill makes it popular with local hipsters. So, too does the digital piano on one end of the bar and the coffee-tasting station at the other end. But expert bean roasting and fabulous specialty coffee is the main draw.

Coffee bar at Immaculate Consumption
Columbia’s Immaculate Consumption is a bright, airy place for coffee.

Immaculate Consumption

933 Main St., Columbia; 803.799.9053

This is a must-go-to coffee shop for caffeine-seeking University of South Carolina students with a penchant for fresh, in-house roasted java. It's proximity to the State House means it is also patronized by the occasional state legislator needing a lift. Besides plenty of coffee varieties, it offers an array of treats, from cakes to muffins to scones.

Indah Coffee

228 Sumter St., Columbia; 803.708.0275

Food & Wine magazine named Indah's offerings the best coffee in South Carolina as part of its 2018 list of "The Best Coffee in Every State."  A location recently opened on Main Street. A long-time regular at the Soda City Market, show up and enjoy Saturday-morning sips as you shop. 


Java Burrito Co.

1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island; 843.842.5282

Coffee. Burritos. If these are two of your favorite things, Java Burrito is your jam. A burrito cafe with a heady selection of local, organic, in-house roasted coffees makes it a popular go-to spot any time of day. Coffee drinks are served with pure cane sugar and organic milks.

Menu of coffee beans from Little River Roasting
Pick your coffee pleasure when you order a cup or bag of beans at Little River Roasting.

Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer

4 Vanderhorst St., Charleston; 843.851.7186

Located off King Street in the heart of the College of Charleston campus, Kudu manages to feel cozy while offering plenty of space, including a courtyard and patio seating. The coffees, espressos, craft beers and desserts make you want to linger.

Little River Roasting

460 Marion Ave., Spartanburg; 864.582.7900

Little River takes pride in importing coffees from more than 20 countries, and its proprietors claim to have visited many of them to vet the product and ensure quality. If variety is the spice of a coffee-drinking life, this place is for you.

New Moon Cafe

116 Laurens St., Aiken; 803.643.7088

Downtown Aiken is already a cool place to hang out, but New Moon's "hippie little place" reputation elevates the vibe. Their small-batch, in-house roasted coffees contribute to that. Along with a variety of coffees, you'll find breakfast dishes, sandwiches and hot foods for the lunch crowd.

Bob Gillespie
Bob is a former sports writer at Columbia’s The State newspaper. He enjoys golf at South Carolina’s 350-plus courses, and after a round, sampling craft beers from the Palmetto State’s breweries.