5 Underrated Cafes in Downtown, Charleston WV Worth Trying
Updated 11 October 2026 · 13 cafes in Downtown, Charleston WV considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list features Downtown Charleston spots that are rated 4.4 or higher on Google but have fewer than 400 reviews. Places like these are easy to overlook when people choose by review volume alone. Thirteen qualifying businesses were considered, and the five listed here are presented in the order used for this guide. Each entry shows the address, opening hours, Google attributes and recurring themes from reviews, so you can judge whether a smaller spot fits what you need.
#1
Haystax
★ 5 (132 Google reviews)Restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Haystax is a restaurant at 700 Virginia St E with a 5.0 Google rating from 132 reviews. Google does not list a price range. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 7 pm and Friday from 7 am to 4 pm, with Saturday and Sunday closed. Google lists wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance and toilet. Reviewers mention build-your-own healthy bowls, a Greek bowl with chickpeas and tabbouleh, breakfast served in the morning, good vegetarian and vegan options, and fast, friendly service even at lunch.
Best for: Build-your-own healthy bowls
- Address
- 700 Virginia St E, Charleston, WV 25301, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–4 pm; Mon 7 am–7 pm; Sat Closed; Sun Closed; Thu 7 am–7 pm; Tue 7 am–7 pm; Wed 7 am–7 pm
#2
Caffe Romeo
★ 4.9 (326 Google reviews)Ice cream shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
Caffe Romeo is an ice cream shop at 908 Walnut Rd with a 4.9 Google rating from 326 reviews. Google does not list a price range. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 3 to 9 pm, and closed Sunday. Google lists a wheelchair-accessible entrance and toilet. Reviewers mention homemade gelato, stracciatella and waffle cups, samples offered before ordering, and a family-friendly welcome. Some note that the selection stays strong late in the day.
Best for: Gelato and waffle cups in the evening
- Address
- 908 Walnut Rd, Charleston, WV 25314, United States
- Hours
- Fri 3–9 pm; Mon 3–9 pm; Sat 3–9 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 3–9 pm; Tue 3–9 pm; Wed 3–9 pm
#3
Best of Crete Deli
★ 4.9 (303 Google reviews)Greek restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Best of Crete Deli is a Greek restaurant at 816 Beech Ave with a 4.9 Google rating from 303 reviews. Google lists a price range of $10-20. Hours run Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 6 pm, with Monday, Saturday and Sunday closed. Google lists dine-in, takeaway, delivery, outdoor seating, and a free parking lot. Reviewers mention a value-minded lunch, high-quality ingredients, gyros that stand out, and catering that the restaurant also offers.
Best for: Greek lunch and catering
- Address
- 816 Beech Ave, Charleston, WV 25302, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–6 pm; Mon Closed; Sat Closed; Sun Closed; Thu 11 am–6 pm; Tue 11 am–6 pm; Wed 11 am–6 pm
#4
Daily Dose Cafe
★ 4.9 (260 Google reviews)Coffee shop
Representative photo, not of this business.
Daily Dose Cafe is a coffee shop on MacCorkle Ave SE with a 4.9 Google rating from 260 reviews. Google does not list a price range. Hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 7 am to 3 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm, and Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm, with Monday and Tuesday closed. Google lists wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and toilet. Reviewers mention a gluten-free brownie checked with the owner, a bright decorated space, and a quick lunch with fantastic soup.
Best for: Soups and gluten-free options
- Address
- 5206, 1/2 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7 am–3 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 8 am–2 pm; Sun 9 am–2 pm; Thu 7 am–3 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 7 am–3 pm
#5
Cafe Appalachia
★ 4.8 (343 Google reviews)Restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Cafe Appalachia is a restaurant at 206 D St in South Charleston, rated 4.8 on Google from 343 reviews. Google lists a price range of $10-20. It serves breakfast, lunch and brunch from 7:30 am to 2 pm, Monday through Saturday, with Sunday closed. Google lists outdoor seating, counter service, great coffee, and vegetarian and vegan options. Reviewers mention an omelet, a waffle and a quiche, a quiet outdoor seating area, and a building that was once a church.
Best for: Breakfast with a quiet outdoor patio
- Address
- 206 D St, South Charleston, WV 25303, United States
- Hours
- Fri 7:30 am–2 pm; Mon 7:30 am–2 pm; Sat 7:30 am–2 pm; Sun Closed; Thu 7:30 am–2 pm; Tue 7:30 am–2 pm; Wed 7:30 am–2 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 13 cafes in Downtown, Charleston WV with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then rated 4.4 or higher on Google but with fewer than 400 reviews. 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
- For an early start, Haystax 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?
Haystax ranks first, with a Google rating of 5 from 132 reviews. Caffe Romeo is second at 4.9 from 326 reviews.
Which cafes in Downtown, Charleston WV are open late?
None of these stays open past midnight. The latest to close is Caffe Romeo, at 9 pm.
How much does it cost at these cafes?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Best of Crete Deli $10–20; Cafe Appalachia $10–20. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Best of Crete Deli and Cafe Appalachia.
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