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    The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

    4.7 (251 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

    The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery Photos

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    THE HARBINGER CAFE & BAKERY ATMOSPHERE

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    Grasshopper avocado toast and coffee
    Mia C.

    I love this place! Good seating, art magazines to read while you sit. The people working are so nice. There is always parking close by. They have the best desserts and bites. I really enjoyed the grasshopper and coffee I had. So many good flavors and ambience. This is a favorite of mine ! Check it out .

    Outside
    Joan M.

    It's been quite a while since I made the effort to return to The Harbinger Café on Upper King and it reminded me instantly why this spot is such a Charleston favorite. The vibe is still effortlessly cozy and creative--flowers, greenery, unusual Christmas gifts, and those little bakery touches that make you want to linger over your latte. This time around, everything felt even better than I remembered. The staff were warm and welcoming, and the service had that relaxed but attentive feel. I tried a couple of their seasonal items, and once again the flavors were bright, fresh, and a little unexpected in the best way. Their baked goods are still the standout--beautifully made, not overly sweet & just delicious. It's the kind of place where you can sit with a book, catch up with a friend, or just enjoy a slow morning with coffee and something delicious. Consistently great atmosphere, consistently great food, and a place that really gets better with every visit. Why did it take so long to return. I've now placed it in the top of my list for a great coffee spot.

    Becca S.

    Harbinger was phenomenal. The latter was smooth, not too hot, and ready to drink. The pastries were not my favorite flavor combinations but I still ate every bite like it was my last because it was made so well and clearly made by experts. The yogurt bowl was also delicious. The granola was like candy. I'm don't live in Charleston, but harbinger is a must for anyone just stopping in to town.

    Harbinger Breakfast Sandwich and cold brew coffee
    Frank P.

    Really cute spot with a pastries galore. It looks a little crammed in the front (depending on when you go) but has a larger seating area in the back where some cafe goers hang and work. They go full force into their diverse pasty selection on display (they even have their own cookbook!) and a few savory breakfast-all-day dishes on the healthier side including the Harbinger Breakfast sandwich that didn't disappoint. However, I can't say their coffee selection was too exciting or flavorful, but that shouldn't discourage you from checking our their bakery which I think warrants a return visit.

    Latte
    Michael S.

    This place......wow!!!! I've been bouncing around from cafe/coffee shops for months and this one could be number one! It's a cozy little spot with a friendly staff. The latte was perfect.....creamy, exceptional express flavor with zero bitterness, and the perfect temperature. As for the food.....there are no leftovers. Everything was five star. If I had a second stomach I would had gone back and ordered more. Everyone should come to this cafe and bakery and order more than you think you can eat and drink because you won't regret eating and drinking it all!!!

    Christine C.

    This place was great! Soo cozy, perfect study vibes or chatting with friends. It does get a little crammed when it's at full. I got the harbinger breakfast sandwich which was AMAZING!! My mom got the grasshopper toast and loved it, cleaned the whole plate. The bread was delicious and it was so nicely seasoned and flavored. The hot chocolate was cute but kinda just tasted like milk. Overall, the staff was really friendly and we were so glad to come here!

    Grasshopper
    Nani W.

    Came in for breakfast, looks are very deceiving! From the outside, it looks very small, but there is plenty of seating inside and outside (kind of tight) but various seating options, some size inclusive. The pastries were our FAVORITE! The black & blue is like a pb & j with chocolate. The trifecta, like a chewy gooey brownie. The sandwiches were also decisions though. They are a lil more pricey, however they use quality ingredients & healthy options. Like dates for tahini, etc. Ladies that served us were nice as well. The drinks were one note unfortunately. There is also only one street parking, and you may have to walk a few blocks depending.

    Lavender blueberry muffin
    Allison T.

    Can not believe it's taken me this long to get by The Harbjnger. Delicious! Perfect coffee and a beautiful menu and bakery!

    Joseph S.

    The eclectic and low key ambiance was good. We sat outside on the back patio which could use a makeover. It just seemed tired out there as if an afterthought. The coffee and pastries were ok but nothing to write home about. The service was good though.

    Nick B.

    Man oh man my new favorite bakery on the planet. The Harbinger exceeded my expectations - quiant setup with great friendly staff coupled with unbelievable food & drink made me want more. The espresso tonic was possibly the best I've ever had - maybe the only place in CHS I've seen with them on the menu? The breakfast sandwich ( add Canadian bacon) was out of this planet. Ciabatta bread, white pimento cheese, frittata, & sauce made for an unreal bite.

    Strawberry Matcha + Harb Abroad Sandwich
    Amanda M.

    Tried Harbinger for the first time with a friend and it was a very cute little shop. I ordered a strawberry matcha latte and a harb abroad sandwich. I loved the egg on top of my sandwich. The matcha was very light in taste. I think I will try their coffee next time. I also ordered a dessert to go and it was tasty. If you're looking for a cozy and cute place to have a coffee and fresh baked bite, Harbinger is for you.

    Pastry selection

    Visiting from California and saw this cute place online! The pastry selection was great! My mom and I ordered two turmeric chai tea lattes (one with oat milk). Amazing! I would definitely recommend, you can taste the spices and warmth. We also got the season sweet potato cranberry cake, and the short&sweet coffee cake. Both tasty, I felt that the olive oil shortbread in the coffee cake could've best more moist-- but both great nonetheless. The front lobby area is warm and cozy, with a bar with creamers and silverware. There is some seating up front, but as you make your way through the cafe it opens up into a calming back patio. If you're looking for a great spot, I highly suggest this cafe.

    Avocado Toast
    Marlene K.

    I'd love to give them five stars because their service was beyond expectations. We were greeted warmly and the order taker was really friendly with great energy. They had a matcha latte with plant milks to choose from. Once my drink came it tasted like almond milk only, no matcha flavor at all. Usually I'd just grin and bear it, but we were waiting for some avocado toast, so I asked if they could put some more matcha in it, because I "like it strong" hoping that wouldn't cause it to taste like I'd chewed the flower garden. lol Even after that it had no taste of matcha, so I had a nice warmed almond milk. If I went back again, I'd help them figure out the right ratio, but we were trying to get on the road for the day. The avocado toast was pretty good and was a good start to the day for something to eat. I'd come back again & work with them on the matcha. I'm guessing they don't serve many of them.

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    3 months ago

    excellent pastries and great coffee, love the atmosphere and vibe. would definitely recommend!

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    Nice environment and the survive was good I thought it was alittle pricy but fine overall

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    La Pâtisserie

    La Pâtisserie

    4.4
    (265 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Best croissants I've had since Paris!!! Service is top notch, quick but exudes charm &…read morefriendliness. Located inside the Bennet Hotel with great luxurious aesthetics. Iced coffee was refreshing I came back the next morning for another round. It was flavorful yet not sugary. It definitely gave me a kick and got addicted to it, except I'm only in the area for 4 days. Staff and manager were friendly yet professional. Although I was charged twice, the manager assured me they would fix it once the line was manageable. Somehow I trusted her word for it, just the manner with which she handled it was text book! Indeed, saw the overcharged taken care of by the next day. A must stop in downtown historic Charleston for sure! Great awesome pastries, sandwiches Parisian style made and clean refreshing breakfast beverages. This is the best patisserie option which actually lives up to its name, unlike those wannabe k ones!!!

    Spent a lovely Sunday morning here! Despite the long line,…read morethe staff moved quickly and with a positive attitude to take orders and prepare coffees and food. The pastry case was full and beautiful with savory and sweet options. There's a fair amount of indoor seating and a few outdoor tables. I ordered a hazelnut latte which was bold and delicious. Despite saying I was dining in, it was served in a to go cup - I do wish I received it in a cup/mug. I also tried the almond croissant which was flaky and not overly sweet. The croque monsieur was indulgent and cheesy - although, I wish it was slightly hotter when served. The portion of everything matched the price.

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    Almond and chocolate croissant
    Almond and chocolate croissant
    Breve latte
    Breve latte
    Light and airy!

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    Light and airy!
    Sugar Bakeshop

    Sugar Bakeshop

    4.3
    (266 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $

    We've been going to Sugar for 14 years. And yes, the new owners have kept the classic cupcakes and…read morecookies. Go early, order ahead, and skip the weekend rush. Our go-to sweets are the chocolate chip cookie, double chocolate cookie, and the almond cupcake. All delicious.

    I learned about this gem on my last day of visiting Charleston and I'm so glad I stopped in. We got…read morethere as they were opening right at 10 o'clock and we were the first customers. The shop is super cute inside. And it smelled absolutely delicious. I love the way that they had everything laid out for you to see. And the ladies that worked there were very sweet and answered any questions that we had. I like that when you start to tell them what you want they have a cake plate that they put your items on and then they'll box it up at the end. It just had a really special feel to the service of how they treat you there. Now let's get into the sweet treats. I bought a chocolate chip cookie, a oatmeal raisin cookie and a ginger molasses cookie. They were all delicious, but that oatmeal raisin cookie was amazing. I also got too many cupcakes. I did the vanilla blueberry and the honey. Both were very good. And I got a pecan brownie. I loved the pecan brownie! My only problem with the brownie is that it's so small. I would love for them to make them bigger for the price, but absolutely delicious. I love that none of the sweets tasted too sweet. They were perfectly balanced. I recommend checking out the spot. It will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth.

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    Sweet treat
    Sweet treat
    Packaging
    Packaging
    Sugar Bakeshop

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    Weltons Tiny Bakeshop

    Weltons Tiny Bakeshop

    4.6
    (98 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    Weltons Tiny Bakeshop finished in the top five for a James Beard award for best bakery in the U.S…read more The name fits as it is in a truly small building however the staff are friendly and the line moves quickly. They do not rush you and help describe the various goodies on display. We were like kids in a candy shop wanting one of everything. While you wait in line, they offer free samples to get you excited about the wonderfulness within. Now I am sharing a lot of photos, but I did not try everything. We were visiting my mother-in-law in the hospital, so we shared with her and visiting family, I will talk about the ones I did try. The chocolate croissant was textbook with a shine on the pastry itself and loads of thin crispy layers and just the right amount of dark chocolate. The Weltons Honey Pie was one of their signature items that they traveled to South America to learn how to make. It reminded me of a light honey flavored cheesecake but denser. The dark chocolate chip cookie will live on in my dreams! Plenty of dark chocolate chips in a thick lightly chewy cookie and sprinkle with sea salt. Oh my! I could eat a dozen easy! Switching to savory we tried the Hot Honey croissant with Soppressata , ricotta and hot honey. Like all their croissants it was super crispy and flaky and reminded me of an Italian sandwich. A great choice if you aren't wanting sweet. But for my wife and I our favorite was the blueberry kolache. Loaded with blueberries and a brown sugar cornmeal crumb it simple melted in our mouths. I have been told their coffee is amazing and the other pictured goodies got rave reviews from my family members. If you have a Charleston food bucket list add this place immediately!

    Popular little bakery with friendly staff and delicious baked goods. Favorites include the Toasted…read moreCroissant Milk Latte, Chicken Salad Sandwich, and Blueberry Kolache. There is limited indoor seating, but a decent amount of tables and chairs outside. Parking is on the street. We enjoyed our visit and recommend it to anyone in the area!

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    Focaccia
    Focaccia
    Interior
    Interior
    Weltons Tiny Bakeshop

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    Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe

    Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe

    3.9
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    My husband, his parents, and I went to Kaminsky's at around 8:30ish on a weeknight for a sweet…read moretreat. It's a super small establishment with a few tables and some bar seating. Luckily, we were able to be seated immediately but it was very close quarters with surrounding tables. The menu is vast with different dessert options. If you want to know what cakes are available, you should check out the display stand right when you enter. Since we were there 2.5 hours before closing, there didn't seem to be a lot of cake options available, but my husband and I decided to share a slice of the s'mores cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to make it à la mode. The s'mores cake was a chocolate cake with mini marshmallows, chocolate fudge, graham crackers, and more marshmallows. The cake was good and had everything I could ever want in it, but it was a little dry. I think this also had to do with it being the end of the night. The ice cream complemented the flavor well. It would have been better with a second scoop of ice cream though. Service was great! It took about 10 minutes from when we ordered to get our dessert. I would probably come back here again, but not so late at night so there would be fresher cake with more options available.

    We gave Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe a second try, but unfortunately they couldn't redeem themselves. On…read moreboth visits, service was lacking. We waited about 5 to 10 minutes to be acknowledged while two employees stood nearby. The two layer chocolate caramel pecan cake, which our waitress initially could not find, was dry and tasted stale. I would not order it again. The Tollhouse pie was a bit better, but the presentation and the whipped cream were the standouts, and the whipped cream wasn't even homemade! That's the best thing I could say about our experience. The food, pricing, service, and ambiance all fell below average. When you are located downtown with so many great dessert options around, you really need to step up your game. We will not be returning.

    Photos
    Chocolate Brownie
    Chocolate Brownie
    Butterfinger cheese cake
    Butterfinger cheese cake
    Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe

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    Annie O Love’s Cookie Cafe

    Annie O Love’s Cookie Cafe

    4.5
    (121 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    I had to run an errand in West Ashley today, but I stopped by for a few cookies after finding this…read moreplace on Yelp! It was absolutely adorable inside, and the team members helping me were so friendly! I have a bit of an obsession with cookies, and I left with about 6 of them to try. My absolute favorite was the PB&J cookie I tried...I had to eat it all in one sitting. It didn't stand a chance! My husband and toddler loved the chocolate chip cookie as well. The shop has an adorable little loft upstairs where you can play card games or Jenga and just relax while you snack. I didn't try anything but cookies today, but I'd come back again! Thank you for a great experience!

    I had wanted to check out Annie O Love Cafe of Sweet Abundance in West Ashley for a while. We…read moremanaged to do that yesterday. They have ample parking outside, cool vibe decor inside with lots of wall art. The staff were very helpful considering it was our first time & I didn't realize it was also a Vegan cafe along with being Gluten Free. I was kinda lost with the rather large menu. We settled on a coffee with Oat milk & a Tofu based spicy sandwich with avocado. It was good and I'm glad I gave this style of food a try. However it's not for me. In saying that what a fabulous restaurant for people who are vegan and or gluten free. You have tons of options here and should definitely check it out.

    Photos
    Annie O Love’s Cookie Cafe
    The Red Queen $9.75
    The Red Queen $9.75
    Annie O Love’s Cookie Cafe

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    Millers All Day

    Millers All Day

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    A review posted in honor of the experience one of my friends had this past week -…read more My husband and I came to Charleston specifically for the food, and out of all the amazing meals we had, Miller's All Day was hands down our favorite. We came for breakfast and started with the banana bread with Nutella cream cheese -- absolutely incredible. We also split the cornmeal pancakes, which were so good we came back the next morning just to have them again. I ordered the B.E.C. with the home fries, and I can honestly say they may have been the best potatoes I've ever had in any form. Perfectly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and they practically melted in my mouth. My husband had the turkey club and said it was fantastic as well. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and memorable. We loved it so much we went back the very next day. 10/10 -- highly recommend if you're visiting Charleston!

    We came here on a weekday afternoon and there was already a 15-minute wait to be seated…read more We ordered the chicken and waffle salad, the grits, the pimento cheese and crackers and the avocado toast. Everything was pretty standard and there was not something that we absolutely loved. The grits were a heavier dish while the avocado on the toast was more like a spread. The chicken and waffle salad had waffle "croutons" but it kind of just tasted like an older waffle dried up. The chicken in the salad was a little thicker than it should have been. The pimento cheese and crackers were very tasty. The ambiance is fast casual and it is very hush there. Our server Hamilton was very kind and helpful.

    Photos
    Coffee bar
    Coffee bar
    Club Sandwich
    Club Sandwich
    Cinnamon Roll

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    Cinnamon Roll
    Wildflour Pastry

    Wildflour Pastry

    4.6
    (147 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    Selection of sweet and savory treats here are phenomenal. TEXAS JALAPEÑO KOLACHE is very tasty. The…read moresausage is not overly salty. The jalapeño vibe pops but is not too overwhelming. The pastry was a bit underdone. Looks like it may have been popped in the oven too fast and too furiously. Otherwise, amazing job SoCarolina! The TOMATO BACON PIMENTO CHEESE PIE is an homage to all the Southern Mommas. It is simply divine in all its cheesy tomatoey glory. Edited to add: the SWEET POTATO AND CARAMELIZED COFFEE CAKE is heaven! It's light and pillowy. Not too sweet, not too crumbly. Whoever concocted the idea for this creation has to know this is the potential masterpiece of everyone's morning. I was just missing the coffee with it, ha! The GINGER COOKIE is iced and sprinkled with sugar for texture. Also amazingly baked. I just wished it had some crystallized ginger pieces for more spice!

    I haven't been here for a while and this bakery is a great choice!…read moreThe service was good, the person that took my order was friendly, and everyone there seems pretty happy. I was craving chocolate croissant and warm coffee in this winter weather and decided to stop by wildflour pastry. I ended up order the chocolate croissant, cortado with oat milk, and 4" quiche (sausage, red pepper, and goat cheese). They all so good and the chocolate croissant is one of the best I have ever eat! If you haven't been to this place then you definitely need to get the croissant and other bakery from this place.

    Photos
    Wildflour Pastry
    Chocolate croissant
    Chocolate croissant
    Wildflour Pastry

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    The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery - coffee - Updated June 2026

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