11 South Carolina Brunch Cafés Everyone Loves Visiting (And It’s No Wonder Why)
South Carolina knows how to do brunch right, and trust me, I’ve eaten my way through enough mimosas and biscuits to prove it.
From coastal Charleston to the Upstate, you’ll find cozy cafés serving up everything from fluffy pancakes to shrimp and grits that’ll make you forget your diet ever existed.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, these beloved brunch spots have earned their reputation for a reason: incredible food, warm vibes, and that Southern hospitality we all crave.
1. Millers All Day
Millers All Day lives up to its name by serving breakfast favorites from morning until night, which honestly saved me during a particularly rough Monday when I needed pancakes at 3 PM. Their menu celebrates Southern comfort with a modern twist, featuring everything from crispy fried chicken to fluffy buttermilk biscuits that practically melt in your mouth.
Located in Charleston, this spot has become a neighborhood staple where locals gather for hearty portions and friendly service. The vibe feels casual yet polished, making it perfect whether you’re rolling in wearing yoga pants or date-night attire. Their shrimp and grits deserve a standing ovation, loaded with flavor that’ll transport your taste buds straight to Lowcountry heaven.
2. Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
Biscuits are serious business in the South, and Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit treats them like edible gold wrapped in flaky, buttery layers. Started by Callie White and her daughter Carrie Morey, this Charleston gem has perfected the art of the humble biscuit, turning it into something extraordinary.
I once watched someone bite into their first Callie’s biscuit and literally close their eyes in pure bliss—that’s the kind of magic we’re talking about here. The biscuits arrive hot and fresh, with that perfect balance of crispy exterior and pillowy soft inside that makes you want to order three more immediately.
3. Poogan’s Porch
Named after a neighborhood dog who once greeted guests on the porch, Poogan’s has been serving Lowcountry cuisine since 1976 in a beautifully restored Victorian house. Walking through the door feels like visiting your favorite aunt’s place—if your aunt happened to be an incredible chef with impeccable taste in décor.
Their brunch menu showcases Southern classics executed with care and creativity, from chicken and waffles to she-crab soup that warms you from the inside out. The atmosphere drips with Charleston charm, complete with creaky wooden floors and antique furnishings that tell stories of decades past.
While many locals share ghost stories about the house, the “haunted” reputation is based on folklore rather than verified history.
4. Page’s Okra Grill
Page’s Okra Grill in Mount Pleasant dishes out no-nonsense Southern breakfast that’ll stick to your ribs in the best possible way. Owner Page Jennings created a space where everyone feels welcome, from construction workers grabbing a quick bite to families celebrating weekend mornings together.
The menu reads like a love letter to traditional Lowcountry cooking, featuring generous portions of eggs, grits, bacon, and biscuits that won’t break the bank. I appreciate that they don’t try to reinvent the wheel here—sometimes you just want perfectly cooked eggs and crispy hash browns without any fuss.
Their sweet potato pancakes are a popular choice, and after trying them myself, I totally understand why people drive across town specifically for those fluffy orange stacks of deliciousness.
5. Daps Breakfast & Imbibe
Daps Breakfast & Imbibe brings a playful, upbeat energy to the Charleston brunch scene with a menu that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Their creative approach to morning meals includes wild combinations like Fruity Pebbles French toast and bourbon bacon jam that sound crazy but somehow work perfectly together.
I visited on a Sunday morning and watched the place fill up with happy beachgoers fueling up before hitting the sand. The staff radiates genuine enthusiasm, making you feel like you’re brunching with friends rather than just grabbing a meal at some random restaurant.
6. Early Bird Diner
Early Bird Diner captures that classic American diner aesthetic while serving up seriously good breakfast food in Charleston’s Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood. The retro vibe transports you back to simpler times when diners were community gathering spots and coffee refills came without asking.
Their menu covers all the traditional bases—omelets, pancakes, French toast—but executed with quality ingredients and attention to detail that elevates them above typical diner fare. I’m particularly fond of their hash, which arrives crispy and golden with perfectly runny eggs on top. The portions are generous without being ridiculous, and the prices remain refreshingly reasonable for Charleston. Plus, they actually open early, which seems obvious given the name but is surprisingly rare among brunch spots these days.
7. Café Strudel
Café Strudel whisks you away to a European coffeehouse without requiring a passport or dealing with jet lag. Located in West Columbia, this charming spot specializes in authentic German strudel alongside a menu of continental breakfast favorites that feel both sophisticated and comforting.
The apple strudel alone is worth the trip—flaky pastry wrapped around spiced apples that taste like autumn in dessert form. Beyond the namesake pastry, you’ll find excellent coffee, fresh-baked croissants, and savory options like quiche that pair beautifully with a leisurely morning. I love that they’ve created a space where you can linger over breakfast without feeling rushed, reading the paper or chatting with friends while savoring every bite. The Old World charm mixed with Southern hospitality creates something truly special.
8. The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli
Sometimes you need a cinnamon roll the size of your head, and The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli in Columbia delivers exactly that experience. These aren’t your mall food court cinnamon rolls—we’re talking massive spirals of dough swirled with cinnamon sugar and smothered in cream cheese frosting that could easily feed two people.
Beyond their signature rolls, the deli serves up solid breakfast sandwiches and lunch options, but honestly, most people come for the main attraction. I made the rookie mistake of ordering a whole roll to myself once and ended up in a sugar coma by noon. The smell alone when you walk through the door is enough to make your mouth water and your willpower crumble faster than their buttery pastry.
9. Tandem Crêperie & Coffeehouse
Tandem Crêperie & Coffeehouse brings French-inspired breakfast to Travelers Rest, a charming mountain town in the Upstate that’s become a destination for outdoor enthusiasts and foodies alike. Their crêpes are delicate, perfectly thin, and filled with both sweet and savory combinations that showcase seasonal ingredients.
I’m particularly smitten with their savory ham and cheese crêpe, which manages to feel both indulgent and somehow lighter than a traditional American breakfast. The coffee program is equally impressive, featuring carefully sourced beans and skilled baristas who actually know what they’re doing.
The rustic-chic atmosphere invites you to settle in with a good book or catch up with friends over leisurely brunch. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to move to a small town and become a regular.
10. Blackstone’s Café
Blackstone’s Café has been a Beaufort institution for years, serving straightforward Southern breakfast in a laid-back environment where everyone feels at home. This neighborhood spot doesn’t rely on gimmicks or trendy décor—just consistently good food and service that keeps people coming back week after week.
Their breakfast burrito has achieved legendary status among locals, stuffed full of eggs, cheese, and your choice of breakfast meats wrapped in a tortilla that somehow holds everything together. The outdoor patio is perfect for people-watching while enjoying your meal, especially on those beautiful South Carolina mornings when the weather is absolutely perfect.
Prices remain reasonable despite the prime location, making it accessible for regular breakfast outings rather than just special occasions.
11. 82 Queen
82 Queen elevates brunch to an art form in a stunning historic Charleston setting complete with a romantic courtyard that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a Southern fairy tale. This upscale spot showcases Lowcountry cuisine with refined presentations that look almost too pretty to eat—almost, but not quite.
Their She-Crab Soup is legendary, rich and creamy with just the right amount of sherry to make it sing. The brunch menu balances traditional Southern favorites with more contemporary dishes, all executed with the precision you’d expect from a fine dining establishment. I took my mother here for her birthday, and she still talks about those crab cakes months later.
Yes, it’s pricier than your average brunch spot, but the experience—from the impeccable service to the gorgeous surroundings—justifies every penny.