Must. Have. Coffee? In South Carolina, You're in Luck
Bob Gillespie
Bob is a former sports writer at Columbia's The State newspaper. He enjoys golf at South Carolina's 360-plus courses, and after a round, sampling craft beers from the Palmetto State's breweries.
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No matter where in South Carolina one travels, the universal desire for a good cup of coffee in the morning - or afternoon or evening - is never far from a satisfying fill-up. Venues dispensing your daily dose of joe may offer pastries, books, or in some cases craft beer on the side, but always, the coffee is the thing.
Below is an eclectic mix of fun, funky local options, sure to satisfy even the pickiest caffeine craving.
"All In" Coffee Shop
106 Earle St., Clemson; 864.372.4510
You'd expect to find a great coffee shop in a college town. In Clemson, it's All In. The name honors the favorite slogan of Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney, as well as its mission to make people from all countries feel welcome. This warm and friendly shop serves a wide variety of coffees and decadent cheesecakes.
The Booksmith
283 Market St., Seneca; 864.885.0872
Another Clemson-area establishment, The Booksmith started as - what else? - a book-selling business. Now it offers cafe beverages, gourmet chocolates, jewelry, books and magazines - oh, and coffee, too.
Coffee Underground
1 East Coffee St., Greenville; 864.298.0494
Right off Greenville's busy Main Street, this subterranean shop offers salads and sandwiches, appetizers, desserts, plus cocktails and coffee. Weekly live theater shows, improv, singers and poets make this a hipsters' favorite.
Collector's Cafe & Gallery
7740 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach; 843.449.9370
This eclectic establishment features fine dining, a large art gallery and coffee - what some fans would say are their own works of art. The management calls it "a triple threat." Beachgoers call it the place for a caffeine jolt.
Corner Perk
1297 May River Road, Bluffton; 843.816.5674
Located in the heart of Old Bluffton, Corner Perk is renowned for its brunch - offered all day - and its fresh-roasted coffee.
729 Saluda Ave., Columbia; 803.661.9545
There are two locations of Drip in Columbia (the other is at 1441 Main St.), but the original in Five Points has a ton of quirky character - not to mention sandwiches, breakfast baked goods, fruit and more. Try the homemade cakes, too.
Due South Coffee
1320 Hampton Ave., Ext. 4B, Greenville; 864.283.6680
This coffee shop's location in a reclaimed abandoned mill makes it popular with local hipsters. So, too does the digital piano on one end of the bar and the coffee-tasting station at the other end.
Immaculate Consumption
933 Main St.,Columbia; 803.799.9053
This is a must-go to coffee shop for caffeine-seeking University of South Carolina students, plus the occasional state legislator from the nearby State House. Besides plenty of coffee varieties, it offers an array of treats, from cakes to muffins to scones.
Indah Coffee
228 Sumter St., Columbia: 803.708.0275
Food & Wine magazine named Indah's offerings the best coffee in South Carolina as part of its 2018 list of "The Best Coffee in Every State." That alone would get it a spot in this ranking, but Indah Coffee is also the place to sample beers from neighboring CottonTown Brew Lab (around the corner on Franklin Street), which doesn't yet have an on-site tasting room. Talk about a win-win.
Java Burrito Co.
1000 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island; 843.842.5282
For most of the day, this is a Mexican restaurant, but the selection of coffee drinks makes it a popular go-to early morning stop. Local coffee drinks are served with pure cane sugar and organic milks.
Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer
4 Vanderhorst St., Charleston; 843.851.7186
Located off King Street in the heart of the College of Charleston campus, Kudu manages to feel cozy while offering plenty of space, including a courtyard and patio seating. The coffees, espressos, craft beers and desserts make you want to linger.
Little River Roasting
460 Marion Ave., Spartanburg; 864.582.7900
Little River takes pride in importing coffees from more than 20 countries, and its proprietors claim to have visited many of them to vet the product and ensure quality.
New Moon Cafe
116 Laurens St., Aiken; 803.643.7088
Downtown Aiken is already a cool place to hang out, and New Moon's online reviews call it a "hippie little place" that fits right in. Along with a variety of coffees, you'll find breakfast dishes, sandwiches and hot foods for the lunch crowd.
Rivertown Roasters on Main
337 Main St., Conway; 843.438.8049
Situated in the heart of historic Conway, this cozy place is a favorite of locals and tourists, too. Plenty to choose from, but the coffee is the star - as it should be.
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