After walking the streets of Charleston and needing food, we stumbled upon Sweetwater cafe. When I tell you the Applewood BLT is LOADED with bacon...it is absolutely loaded! I think an entire pound of bacon was put in that sandwich! So good. The fries were salted just right and cooked to perfection. The ambiance is so sweet with a dark 50's kinda vibe. The service was prompt and when we mentioned we hadn't been to the cafe after paying our sweet waitress told us we could not leave without trying their grits! Apparently, they are known for them. I do not care for grits as the texture completely turns me off, but the flavor was great. Hubby said he enjoyed them. Also, the sweet tea is worth stopping just for that! It was a warm day and it absolutely hit the spot! read more

Sweetwater Cafe - Applewood Smoked Bacon BLT Sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Cute place, good food, good service, nice people, no bells and whistles, but good quality food. Will be back! read more

Sweetwater Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Went in for lunch. Took quite a while to get waited on after having been seated quickly. Waitress was not very congenial at all. She kid of threw out plates into the table when the food came. The fried green tomato on the BLT was fried in burned grease. Wasn't good at all. Bacon was over cooked as well. And no sprite. How do you run out of Sprite by lunch time? We won't go back. read more

We were ~desperate~ for food in the Charleston heat and every place had a long wait but we stumbled upon Sweetwater Cafe and they were very...empty. They have decent reviews so we thought we'd give it a try. The inside is interesting, very much diner vibes. Our server was friendly but very, very chaotic. I ordered a steak salad and it was great! The sweet tea was also very good. Everyone at my table enjoyed their meal. I feel like it may be more of a breakfast spot than lunch. read more

Sweetwater Cafe - Inside - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Visited 11/23/24 while exploring Charleston City Market. One of the nice vendors recommended this place so I figured it would be good. It's a short walk from the market area. They have the menu on the outside window with plenty of options. The place was small with booths lining the sides, tables in the middle which felt a bit cramped and some window seating as well. It was packed with patrons. I was greeted by a young man and a female at the front who did not provide her name. The female would be my server. She provided the basic service of her job with no inquiries as to my needs after bringing my food. The minimal interaction with her felt as if I was more of a bother or she just didn't want to deal with me, maybe she was having a rough day. Who knows as I tried not to take it personal. Other servers were checking on their customers multiple times. I did not receive that same type of service. I ordered the chicken strip meal. It was a decent amount of food. Both were crispy which was good as that's my preference and a decent amount. The cola was probably my highlight. The server brought ketchup to the table and didn't bother to ask if I'd like ranch or some sort of dipping sauce. She dropped it and quickly turned away before I could even think to ask for any. I would have preferred ranch or bbq sauce over dipping them in Ketchup but I know how to improvise. I read the room as other servers were busy tending to their customers and my server was not available. A little after bringing me my meal, she dropped the check as she quickly walked on by. I couldn't ask for much as I had a mouth full. I paid cash leaving it on the table and walked out without a word. I left just above the 18% tip; not for the service but because that's who I am! However, I will not be returning to this place as I get the feeling I may receive the same type of service as I didn't quite fit the typical customer profile. read more

Sweetwater Cafe - I had not had this soda before. It was smooth and not as carbonated as a regular soda. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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I may update this review later after I have eaten here a few times. This was our first time. The place is small but we were told to seat ourselves by the hostess. We chose a table by the front window. About five minutes after we sat down another couple sat down two tables over. Twenty minutes after being seated a single person sat down next to us when a couple left. Those two tables were served ahead of us as we had a different waitress and she was slow. I was upset by this. We waited forever to get our drink order in, they do not have coke or Pepsi products but use a local company. I did not like the diet cola so my husband drank it. He said it was good. It tasted like a regular soda with cinnamon. I don't like regular sugar soda. I ordered a sweet tea and we ended up having to pay for three drinks for two people. The Fried Okra was piping hot and crunchy but flavorless. They depend on the horseradish sauce that comes with it I guess. I don't like horseradish. My hubs ordered the catfish basket and I got a turkey wrap. Both were piping hot but keep in mind two tables that were seated after us were served and almost done eating before we even got our food. But it was hot. The Okra was almost a no go for me as the first one I ate was raw. It splintered in my mouth and was inedible. I spat it into a napkin. If you've ever eaten raw okra you know what I mean. I almost didn't try another one but I did and the rest were fine. I took a few bites of my wrap but couldn't eat it. It was soggy inside and crunchy outside and I hate hot tomatoes. The meat was so hot the tomatoes were hot and the lettuce watery from it. I'd prefer a cold sandwich over that. It did say on the menu it would be a hot turkey sandwich but I wasn't expecting that. I gave it to my son later at home. He said it was mediocre. My husband gave me his catfish to try and I didn't want to just by looking at it. So I can't judge it. He said it was good. My opinion is maybe I will stick to their speciality of breakfast and will probably rate it better. I'll try it again. The atmosphere was nice. It was very loud in there however with the music. They could turn that down a notch. All in all, food was crunchy, piping hot and just okay in flavor. Their house made ranch tasted like the bottled Hidden Valley Light Ranch and I know my Ranch. The service wasn't the best for us but other tables appeared to get great service depending on your waitress. There was no wait time to sit down and the place was busy. I'll go again to give it another shot. It was way over priced. 80 dollars with tip and taxes for two people. They charge extra for using a credit card. Not the best experience but not the worst either. read more

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So good! Service was great. Split the chicken tenders with fries, I have never tasted chicken like that it was really good. A very unique seasoning! The biscuit genuinely melts in your mouth it's so good. It's nothing fancy, but not a bad experience! read more

Sweetwater Cafe - Chicken Tenders - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

What a treat. Had the play on eggs Benedict. With sausage gravy. What an amazing meal with a side of cheese grits. Super hospitable coffee was good too. read more

Food. Soso. This was how my she crab soup was served. I myself did not spill a drop of the soup. Server was nice. Just lacked finesse see pic Ambiance very casual. From my observation some of the other servers were very professional I rated this place a "C". I'd go back to eat again but different dishes. Maybe breakfast menu read more

Sweetwater Cafe - Watery She crab soupj - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Most of the tables were full but we were able to get a comfortable booth. The cafe was cute and appeared to be well-maintained. Our server was friendly, accommodating and attentive. The food was ready quickly and served hot. My guy loved his Double Deal (pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs) especially his sausage and pancakes. Based on other reviews, I ordered &Grits. It was described as "brown gravy with onions, tomatoes and peppers served over the best stone grits in town, topped with your choice of seafood." I chose the shrimp. It was disappointing to say the very least. The plate was literally drowned in the gravy (minuscule amount, if any, of the vegetables). The grits were ruined in all of that gravy. I found 5-6 shrimp buried (they were good). For a city known for the shrimp & grits I wasted $18. The biscuit was lacking also. The &Grits should not have left the kitchen. This review has 3 stars due to the Double Deal breakfast. read more

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Service was awful. Waited forever to be greated at our table, never came back to check to see if we needed a refill, and noted to hostess, she made excuses. If you are in a service industry then provide service. read more

My husband and I are vacationing, stopped in for lunch and each had the same salad since it sounded so tasty- a delicious one with fried chicken, bacon, cheese, tomato, cucumbers and honey mustard dressing. It was filling, super tasty and fresh. Service was friendly and efficient and the music playing was fantastic! (some great 80s songs that we were singing along to; so the vibe was great). This is a great spot for lunch and I would have loved to try more on the menu since many options sounded so delicious read more

Stumbled upon this place this morning before my shift to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. Let me tell you, I'm a Texan transplanted to the Charleston area after 32 years in the Marine Corps and they had the best darn corned beef hash breakfast I've had in a very, very long time! Sweet Tea was on point and the wife absolutely loved her breakfast sandwich. Not gonna lie... don't come downtown often, but now, when I do - THIS WILL BE A STOP!! read more

Food was cold. I took two bites and couldn't continue. I didn't send it back but wish I had because breakfast for two came to $50. They brought us bacon that was cooked to death. She suggested swapping for a new plate of bacon before we even asked so clearly she knew something was off. Then she brought us a new plate of over cooked bacon. Weird experience to say the least. This is a foodie town and that was an expensive and bad breakfast. read more

Stumbled upon this gem. The fried green tomatoes are to die for and the grits were outstanding. The portion sizes are generous so you won't leave hungry. The staff is attentive and friendly. Definitely adding this to the list. Is was so good we went back again today and it was even better. The shrimp and grits are the best I've ever had. The southern breakfast with the sausage gravy was to die for....like lick your plate good. read more

Sweetwater Cafe - Shrimp and grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Classic old style diner. We thought it was closed but the restaurant is super dark and don't turn on any of its lights. We stopped by for breakfast and was pleasantly surprised. Both egg dishes were delicious! And they even made me a side order of spinach. Super good! Loved this meal and service was quick. read more

Sweetwater Cafe - Eggs and bacon - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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If you are looking for something quick and good, this is it. We stopped here as it was in a super convenient location to our hotel. We both ordered their chicken salad, one grilled and one crispy. I know people might say that it is hard to screw up a salad, but trust me, you can. Sweetwater Cafe did NOT. Every ingredient was fresh, lettuce was cold and crispy, dressing was good. Service was even better. read more

Location/ease: 5 stars Service: 4, but only because waitress was the only one serving 10 tables. Otherwise it'd be a 3 for what you'd normally expect-quick ordering, check ins Food: 3. We got what we ordered and half of us thought it was good-not great. For prices. Feels like it should have been a little better and more flavorful. I got a pecan chicken salad. Note. This is not chicken salad with pecans in it. It is a salad with grilled chicken and candied pecans on a salad. The salad was fresh and very good. The pecans (candied) were good but way too sweet for my tastes. The chicken. Oh boy. The chicken. It is breaded chicken that they try to fry on a grill. Anyone who cooks knows that breading and seasoning on a super hot grill are going to burn and that's what happened-2x. First one I asked for a replacement as the underside was burned and black and tasted like it. It tasted like what might be left on a grill, not what is supposed to be eaten. Second one was only slightly better. I'd just avoid this dish. My son had a burger and pancakes -he liked both Maybe this is better as a breakfast place. That's my guess. Overall it was fine. I just wanted to leave a little more balanced review as we used the reviews to select the restaurant and I don't think any of us would return read more

Yes their grits should be famous! Excellent meal here. 6 people, we ordered shrimp & grits, a BLT, an Omelet, another BLT and something else. Everyone was satisfied. Best meal of our trip. Simple but excellent. Service was good. All in all, great restaurant. read more

Great food and service. We will come back on return trips We had great service and were not disappointed.

Great service and delicious food! If you're looking for a quick in and out breakfast/lunch place with delicious sandwiches- THIS IS IT! Try it read more

Nice breakfast menu. Reasonably priced. Service was attentive and on point. Food was as advertised and good. Nice clean place.

My wife and I had breakfast here and the food and service was really good. My wife's omelet was over filled with meat so it sure was not lacking there. I had a normal 2 eggs and bacon. The grits are different I think they put milk or cream in them that we are not use to. read more

How do you burn pancakes??? If there was a gold medal for burning pancakes and serving salty food, this place would have first and second place locked up! Passssssssd it up read more

Great place to eat breakfast. The service was good and the place has a great vibe. Would definitely recommend.

Great diner cafe, friendly staff, fantastic fresh menu options, large portions & good pricing. We had the veggie omelette with side of cheese grits & an order of pancakes read more

Place looked like an old diner. Had hopes but that fell fast. Went for breakfast. Waitress looked like she was there all day. I asked for eggs, tea(only Lipton available she said) and avocados on the side. Tea, water was hot enough to steep the tea bag, eggs were fine, not runny or overcooked but the avocados! They were brown and mushy. I called her back to show her the avocados that said I can't eat that. She agreed and went to get more. Came back with almost the same and said all are like that and to eat the green parts. OMG, just tell me you don't have good ones. Sorry do not recommend. Maybe the other patrons had a better experience. read more

The most reliable breakfast and lunch place in town. Soups are great. Grits are perfect. I like the tuna melt

Great place for a quick bite to eat. Our server was friendly and our orders were accurate. We never had an empty water glass. Restaurant is bright and clean. Food was tasty! read more

Went here for lunch, got the chicken sandwich and the 3 cheese grilled cheese. The grilled cheese wasn't melted all the way through and had ham on it which we didn't want. After getting our food we never saw our waiter again, and had to go up to the front to get our ticket. Also had something floating around in the water. The chicken sandwich was alright and the fries were good but a little greasy. read more

Nice Cafe setting w booths and tables. Varied menu to please a wider audience. Family friendly. Food was well prepared and service was attentive. Good value in expensive Downtown Charleston. read more

The food and service was mediocre. I probably would have rated them lower but the prices were reasonable considering it's in a busy tourist area. read more

Went here for breakfast/brunch while visiting Charleston. First, the coffee! So delicious! Second, the bacon and crab omelette! Enough food for two people. Third, my husband enjoyed the corn beef hash with large pieces of actual corn beef, not the kind from a can. Our waitress was friendly and recognized us the next morning as we returned for more coffee. read more

Wonderful little cafe to have breakfast and lunch! Went there twice. Wife absolutely loved her Garden Patch omelette, so much that she had it both times. I had the Double Deal breakfast the first day, good pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs. Second day I had the fried green tomato BLT--tasty! Even had horseradish which gave it a great flavor. Service was excellent! Will definitely go back next time we're in Charleston. Hats off to the cooks! read more

The ambiance is of an old time diner. However, I found the food lacking. My son ordered the low country eggs Benedict and I ordered a melt. Both entrees were served cold and not on purpose. The gravy on the eggs Benedict was overly smoking and not very appetizing. For the price and for the food, I would say find somewhere else. Low Country Eggs Benny Big Bopper Melt read more

Sweetwater Cafe - Big Bopper Melt - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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A typical diner style breakfast and brunch place located in a relatively quite corner of museum and gallery district of Charleston. Inside lighting was a bit dark and the contrast with a very sunny outside could be a bit uncomfortable. Service: friendly and attentive. Drinks: had a coffee. Tasted standard. Food: Farmer's omelette---omelette with veggies, muchroom, onions, and sausage. Cheesy, generous portions of stuffing. Standard. Fried potatoes/hashbrown---burnt and crispy, tasted a bit bitter due to char. She Crab Bisque---more like a cream of crab soup, and the kitchen really went generous on the spices, but it somehow elevated the taste of the soup. Overall: 3-3.5 stars. Standard breakfast and brunch place. Convenient place for a quick bite if you are nearby. read more

Sweetwater Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Fabulous! Service was shaky. However we thoroughly enjoyed it! Shrimp and grits and Benedict were fabulous! Shrimp could have used a little bit more foo or but the roux was amazing. The grits were perfect. Yum yum! Once we got the coffee it was good! read more

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Close to our hotel = 5 stars Temp in the restaurant = 2 stars (was freezing) Waitresses = 5 stars Food presentation = 1 Food taste = 3. My initial order, the pancakes were hard, cold, and insanely shaped as if it was made by a kid. Then I ordered French Toast and it was tasty. Moral of the story, stay away from the smashed and over cooked pancakes. read more

Everything about this place is great. Corned beef omelette was the best omelette I have ever had, every omelette from now on has a higher bar to achieve. Everything was done well. Don't pass this gem of a spot while in town. read more

Our waitress, Jasmine, was great. Unfortunately, she had to spend a lot of time apologizing for my breakfast. I ordered the California Croissant, which consists of tomato, avocado, two eggs and mornay sauce over a croissant. First time it was served to me (mornay sauce on the side), the avocado was rotten and the tomato was on the verge. Sent it back, and... it was the same issue the second time except the eggs were overcooked. The cook watched me look at it. i glanced over and HE gave ME a dirty look! I took the tomato and most of the avocado off and tried to eat it. The mornay sauce (I only used a tiny bit) was grainy and did not taste fresh. Jasmine took it off our bill, but overall it was an unfortunate breakfast. I would NOT recommend this restaurant. I gave it two stars instead of one because of Jasmine. read more