Top 3 Locally Owned Coffee Shops in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, S.C. is known for sparkling beaches, lush golf courses, historic downtown architecture and some of America's finest food and drink. This charming South Carolina city presents culinary options ranging from 5-star fine dining to funky little local coffee shops.

The independently owned coffee shops in Charleston offer more than just a morning cup of java. Some of the best local coffee houses also serve as art galleries, virtual offices, book swaps and intimate venues for poetry readings and neighborhood band jams.

Locals take pride in their coffee drinks and strongly support the independent shops. In Charleston, there are plenty of fine places to get your caffeine fix, whether you want coffee, espresso, cappuccino or a coffee-house special. If you live in Charleston or you're just passing through, be sure to visit one or all of these locally owned coffee shops.

Muddy Waters Coffee Bar

1739 Maybank Highway, James Island, phone: 843.795.0848
1331 Ashley River Road, West Ashley, phone: 843.225.3683

Muddy Waters is a great destination coffee shop in Charleston, South Carolina. The atmosphere is coffee-house casual with comfortable chairs, leather sofas and small tables. A pleasant vibe, the walls showcase local artists with all manner of mixed-media pieces.
This independent coffee shop brews delicious Counter Culture Coffee, which is produced by farmers from around the world who are dedicated to fair coffee growing practices and sustainable agriculture. The menu has a standard selection of coffee drinks, blended drinks and a few non-coffee specialty drinks.

The baristas at this Charleston classic are a friendly and talented group that can pull a proper short espresso. Some of the baristas at Muddy Waters even serve lattes with fun icons inscribed in the foam.

In addition to brewing great coffee, Muddy Waters has become an important element of the local artistic community - and plays host to the popular Palmetto Acoustic series. Every other Thursday independent artists and music lovers assemble at Muddy Waters Coffee Bar for a free concert series. People gather to enjoy artists perform original acoustic music while sipping coffee, beer or wine. Designed to showcase local singers and songwriters, the Palmetto Acoustic series is a must for live music fans.

For more information, visit the Muddy Waters Coffee Bar Website.

Kronic Coffee

827 Folly Road, James Island, phone: 843.225.7574

Kronic Coffee is another outstanding locally owned coffee shop. Along with delicious organic/fair trade coffees and loose leaf teas, Kronic serves hearty sandwiches with loads of fresh local and organic produce. Soups, salads and quiche are available or you can enjoy a specialty coffee with a giant slice of homemade cake or a brownie in a casual atmosphere.

Relaxed and cozy, Kronic Coffee is known among locals as an affordable luxury coffee house. Warm yellow walls, comfortable overstuffed chairs and wood-topped tables adorn the place. The ambiance invites you to relax and mingle with other coffee loving patrons. It is a frequent stop for students and work-from-home locals since Kronic Coffee offer free Wi-Fi and an environment suitable for studying and working.

A coffee house with a conscious, Kronic uses local organic ingredients and eco-friendly cups and packaging. The coffee is from Charleston Coffee Roasters and the honey and much of the produce is from Johns Island, S.C. As an added bonus, Kronic Coffee is across the street from the best organic vegetarian restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina: The Daily Dose Café. (Click here to read about The Daily Dose).

For more information, visit the Kronic Coffee Website.

Kudu Coffee

4 Vanderhorst Street, Downtown Charleston, phone: 843.853.7186

Kudu Coffee is a unique, African-themed coffee shop in downtown Charleston. The name - Kudu - refers to a woodland antelope native to eastern and southern Africa. The horn of the Kudu is used to gather people together, so the name Kudu is appropriate (and clever) because this coffee shop is a delightful local gathering place.

Kudu brews shade-grown fair trade African coffees; some are distinctive blends and others are single origin. They have a nice array of specialty drinks or you can have a straight up java, an espresso, cappuccino, latte or a macchiato. They offer a variety of teas and have delicious fresh fruit smoothies for the non-caffeine drinkers.

There's a hip vibe to the place and Kudu makes a concerted effort to be eco-friendly. Planet Earth plays on a big screen as coffee lovers relax and mingle or take advantage of the free Wi-Fi. The music is a cool mix of soul and rhythm and blues with a bit of African folk music sprinkled in. The sound fits the coffee shop perfectly.

Kudu hosts a monthly open-mike night and occasionally live acoustic acts perform there.

A bonus, Kudu Coffee has outdoor seating and the patio is dog-friendly.

For more information, visit the Kudu Coffee Website.

Sources:

Personal experience
Charleston City Paper
Wikipedia