5 Cafes in Downtown, Charleston SC for Great Desserts
Updated 11 October 2026 · 5 cafes in Downtown, Charleston SC considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list covers Downtown Charleston, SC cafes and restaurants that Google lists with a great dessert attribute. Five qualifying businesses were considered, and the five below are ordered by Google rating. Each entry includes the listed hours, address, price range and rating, along with a summary of what reviewers say about desserts and the wider menu. Hours and menus differ widely across these places, so check current listings before you plan a visit around something sweet.
#1
Iron Rose
★ 4.8 (2,646 Google reviews)Southern restaurant (US)$20–70 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Iron Rose at 115 Meeting St #174 is a Southern restaurant with a listed price range of $20 to $70 and a Google attribute for great dessert. It is open daily, with dinner service most evenings and late hours on Friday and Saturday. It has 4.8 stars from 2,646 reviews. Reviewers mention banana pudding as a standout dessert, a crab appetizer, a mocktail with pear puree and a fresh catch of the day. Some found the chicken less flavorful.
Best for: Banana pudding after a full dinner
- Address
- 115 Meeting St #174, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7:30–10:30 am, 11:30 am–1 am; Mon 7:30–10:30 am, 11:30 am–11 pm; Sat 8 am–1 am; Sun 8 am–11 pm; Thu 7:30–10:30 am, 11:30 am–11 pm; Tue 7:30–10:30 am, 11:30 am–11 pm; Wed 7:30–10:30 am, 11:30 am–11 pm
#2
The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery
★ 4.7 (557 Google reviews)Cafe$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery at 1107 King St is a cafe and bakery with a $10 to $20 price range and 4.7 stars from 557 reviews. It is open daily from 7 am to 3 pm, with Saturday starting at 8 am and Sunday closing at 1 pm. Google lists outdoor seating, takeaway, great dessert, vegetarian options and small plates. Reviewers mention a vegan sweet potato oat bar, focaccia, a turmeric chai latte and trailing plants that give the room a warm feel.
Best for: Bakery desserts and a working lunch
- Address
- 1107 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, 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 & Mash is a coffee shop at 701 E Bay St Suite 100-1, with a $10 to $20 price range and 4.5 stars from 866 reviews. It is open Monday to Friday from 7 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm and Sunday from 8 am to 3 pm. Google lists great dessert, beer and wine, live music, outdoor seating, breakfast and lunch. Reviewers mention an iced latte with maple and salt, a cherry almond latte with oat milk and a restored historic building with plenty of seating.
Best for: Lattes and desserts in a historic building
- 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
Church and Union Charleston
★ 4.4 (4,516 Google reviews)Restaurant$20–70 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Church and Union Charleston is a restaurant at 32B N Market St with a $20 to $70 price range and 4.4 stars from 4,516 reviews. It closes at midnight on most days and at 2 am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Google lists great dessert, cocktails, live music and happy-hour food. Reviewers mention the historic former church building, a lamb burger with a gluten-free bun and a 5 percent kitchen charge that one found unnecessary.
Best for: Late dessert in a converted church
- Address
- 32B N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
- Hours
- Fri 9 am–2 am; Mon 10 am–12 am; Sat 9 am–2 am; Sun 9 am–12 am; Thu 10 am–2 am; Tue 10 am–12 am; Wed 10 am–12 am
#5
Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc.
★ 4.4 (1,299 Google reviews)Restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc. is at 98 Broad St, open daily from 8 am to 9 pm, with a $10 to $20 price range and 4.4 stars from 1,299 reviews. Google lists it as LGBTQ+ owned, with outdoor seating, kerbside pickup, breakfast, lunch, dinner and great dessert. Reviewers mention garlic butter shrimp over grits, a ham and cheese baguette with pickled apples and a hibiscus punch. Reviewers also enjoy the outdoor seats for people watching.
Best for: French-style breakfast and people watching
- Address
- 98 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
- Hours
- daily 8 am–9 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 5 cafes in Downtown, Charleston SC with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then listed on Google as “Great dessert”, 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
- Iron Rose, Church and Union Charleston and Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc. take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- For an early start, The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery 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 cafe on this list?
Iron Rose ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.8 from 2,646 reviews. The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery is second at 4.7 from 557 reviews.
Which cafes in Downtown, Charleston SC are open late?
Iron Rose stays open until 1 am; Church and Union Charleston stays open until 2 am.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Iron Rose $20–70; The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery $10–20; Mercantile & Mash $10–20; Church and Union Charleston $20–70; Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French Inc. $10–20.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery, Mercantile & Mash and Church and Union Charleston.
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