5 Bakeries with Outdoor Seating in Downtown, Charleston SC
Updated 11 October 2026 · 5 bakeries in Downtown, Charleston SC considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list covers bakeries and cafes in the Downtown Charleston SC area that list outdoor seating on their Google profile. Five qualifying businesses were considered, and they were ranked by Google rating, weighted by the number of reviews. The list is useful for anyone who wants to eat or drink outside, whether for a quick coffee, a dessert, or a relaxed lunch. Hours, price ranges, and listed attributes come from each Google profile, while the review notes describe what past customers have said about their visits.
#1
Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar
★ 4.7 (2,857 Google reviews)Dessert restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar on East Bay Street has a 4.7 Google rating from 2,857 reviews. It is open daily from 8 am to midnight. Listed features include outdoor seating, takeaway, dine-in, and late-night food, with beer and cocktails on the menu. Reviewers mention cakes, gelato, and a focaccia-style pizza, and they describe the atmosphere as cozy with Old-World charm. Google lists a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and toilet. The listed price range is $10 to $20.
Best for: Late-night dessert with outdoor seating
- Address
- 198 E Bay St Ste 100, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
- Hours
- daily 8 am–12 am
#2
Harken Cafe
★ 4.6 (889 Google reviews)Cafe$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Harken Cafe on Queen Street holds a 4.6 Google rating from 889 reviews and a listed price range of $10 to $20. Hours are 7 am to 3 pm on weekdays, 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday, and 8 am to 1 pm on Sunday. Outdoor seating is listed, though reviewers note that seating is limited and lines form at peak times. Reviewers mention matcha and spiced vanilla lattes and a quiche with a side salad. Options include vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Best for: Lattes and quiche in a small space
- Address
- 62 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–3 pm; Mon 7 am–3 pm; Sat 8 am–3 pm; Sun 8 am–1 pm; Thu 7 am–3 pm; Tue 7 am–3 pm; Wed 7 am–3 pm
#3
Mercantile & Mash
★ 4.5 (866 Google reviews)Coffee shop$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Mercantile and Mash on East Bay Street has a 4.5 Google rating from 866 reviews and a listed price range of $10 to $20. It is open weekdays from 7 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm, and Sunday from 8 am to 3 pm. Listed features include outdoor seating, live music, a good wine list, and space for working on a laptop. Reviewers describe a restored historic building, an iced maple salted latte, and a cherry almond iced latte, and they say there is plenty of varied seating.
Best for: Iced lattes and a laptop-friendly room
- Address
- 701 E Bay St Ste 100-1, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–5:30 pm; Mon 7 am–5:30 pm; Sat 8 am–4 pm; Sun 8 am–3 pm; Thu 7 am–5:30 pm; Tue 7 am–5:30 pm; Wed 7 am–5:30 pm
#4
Saffron Bakery & Restaurant
★ 4.2 (2,068 Google reviews)Espresso bar$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Saffron Bakery and Restaurant on East Bay Street has a 4.2 Google rating from 2,068 reviews and a listed price range of $20 to $30. Hours run 7 am to 7 pm Monday through Thursday and Sunday, 7 am to 9 pm on Friday, and 8:30 am to 9 pm on Saturday. Listed features include outdoor and rooftop seating, delivery, and dinner service. Reviewers mention pistachio baklava, koobideh kabob, a crab and avocado stack, and pecan pie, though one reports a croissant that came out cold.
Best for: Baklava, kabobs, and rooftop seating
- Address
- 333 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–9 pm; Mon 7 am–7 pm; Sat 8:30 am–9 pm; Sun 7 am–7 pm; Thu 7 am–7 pm; Tue 7 am–7 pm; Wed 7 am–7 pm
#5
Benne’s by Peninsula Grill
★ 4.2 (245 Google reviews)Cafe$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Benne's by Peninsula Grill on North Market Street has a 4.2 Google rating from 245 reviews and a listed price range of $10 to $20. Hours are 7:30 am to 9 pm on most days, with Friday and Saturday open until 10 pm. Listed features include outdoor seating, takeaway, and a good space for working on a laptop. Reviewers mention oat milk chai, a spinach and feta egg bite, a sausage and egg biscuit, and large bagels with cream cheese. Several find it affordable for the area.
Best for: Affordable breakfast and bagels
- Address
- 112 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7:30 am–10 pm; Mon 7:30 am–9 pm; Sat 7:30 am–10 pm; Sun 7:30 am–9 pm; Thu 7:30 am–9 pm; Tue 7:30 am–9 pm; Wed 7:30 am–9 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 5 bakeries in Downtown, Charleston SC with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Outdoor seating”, then by rating. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Saffron Bakery & Restaurant takes reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, Harken Cafe opens at 7 am.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated bakery on this list?
Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 2,857 reviews. Harken Cafe is second at 4.6 from 889 reviews.
Which bakeries in Downtown, Charleston SC are open late?
Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar stays open until 12 am.
How much does it cost at these bakeries?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar $10–20; Harken Cafe $10–20; Mercantile & Mash $10–20; Saffron Bakery & Restaurant $20–30; Benne’s by Peninsula Grill $10–20.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Mercantile & Mash, Saffron Bakery & Restaurant and Benne’s by Peninsula Grill.
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