Owlbear Cafe

Since we were nearby we decided to give this a try. Walking in we were unsure as to what the procedure was for dining in. The counter is cluttered with high objects and we could see a small open space at the end where there was a register but did not know if we should wait to be seated or what. No one looked up or greeted us as the gaggle of young ladies behind the counter were busy talking and giggling. I walked to the register and stood there watching them….and waited. Finally one glanced over and I said we’d never been there before, what was the procedure if we wanted to sit down. Okay then, menus hung on the wall to my right, order, given a number then pick a table. I explained that I’d never had a coffee with a design and was that possible? (I’d seen the pictures on Google with actual coffee cups and designs) Yes the young lady assured me she’d have them make me something special. Please see attached photo for what I received. Not an actual cup or design. I did see several other guests receive their lattes in regular coffee cups with nice designs…I must say the avocado toast was excellent.

Absolutely delightful! The food and coffee were excellent, staff were lovely, and the atmosphere was cozy and welcoming. The menu offers a range from standard cafe fare to some fun, unique options. We liked this place so much we had to stop by twice during our short trip to Charleston.

Update: I just wanted to provide an update for future customers. I was contacted regarding my recent experience, and he was very apologetic. He made a genuine effort to correct the issue, and I’m pleased to share that the online menu has now been updated to avoid any future confusion. As I mentioned before, I’m typically used to having a pleasant experience when I visit, and I hope this was just a one-off situation I’ve been a fan of Owlbear for a while, but after my most recent visit, I’m not sure I’ll be back. The food has always been delicious in the past, but this time was a huge disappointment. I made the mistake of ordering off the online menu instead of in-store, and the menu was updated. The bowl I received was lacking in both flavor and presentation, which was a stark contrast to what I had come to expect. The potatoes(it used to be sweet potatoes) were undercooked and crunchy and the sunny side eggs were overcooked. The kale, which appeared to be arugula due to stems, were more stems than greens and there was maybe 2 drops of chimichurri sauce. Everything was just lacking for a $15 breakfast bowl. When I returned to the restaurant to voice my concerns(to be fair, I only informed them of the potatoes and handed them the bowl), I was informed of the menu change, but that didn’t excuse the quality of the food. As a “fix,” they simply added more undercooked potatoes on top of my original bowl, which did little to improve the dish. To top it all off, when I went back to my car and came in to check on my order, I found my to-go box sitting open on a table by the door. It wasn’t even held behind the counter or sealed properly. It was just left unsupervised, which was an incredibly careless move. Overall, this last experience left a really bad impression. I had hoped for better, especially after several enjoyable visits, but this visit was a letdown in both food and service.

Small and quaint coffee shop; coffee was really good, but we couldn’t really taste the specific flavors/syrups we ordered (dragon something & rose/cardamom). They were both VERY good lattes, the syrups could just bd stronger. Chocolate croissant was average, breakfast sandwich was really good, and yogurt parfait was really good and fresh! We’d come back. Only complaint is it was a bit pricy for what we got. Almost $45 with tip for coffee & light breakfast.

This was truly the highlight of our visit in the area. The cafe is super cute, but their food is amazing. One of the best avocado toasts I had in awhile, and the breakfast burrito as well. The coffee is good, the food is good, the vibes are good! Still not sure about the whole owl/bear thing, but maybe it’s a reference I do not know about :D

What a lovely small cafe. Clean and cute, and the staff was super helpful and patient while I tried to figure out what I wanted. Lol. They have boats games in the back in case you want to entertain yourself. I had the avocado toast with prosciutto and egg on it. Very tasty, and beautifully done on the plate. They served me a delicious coffee and water with my meal, and didn’t use any plastic anything on the table. Real glass, mug, silverware….that is so refreshing and environmentally aware. Thank you.

Hot Chocolate was very good! Friends said coffee was very good! Wish I had an Owlcafe in my hometown!

My favorite cafe in Mt Pleasant! The food and beverages are delicious 😋 The ambiance is perfect for friends and family who want to hang out or play board games. It’s also a perfect spot to get some work done on your computer!

Stopped in on a Saturday morning to visit with some friends and play some games. The line was fairly long, but moved quickly. Staff seemed a little overwhelmed, so they weren't the friendliest I have encountered, but they weren't rude or anything. Limited menu, but with good variety. The space is small, so unless you sit outside, there is not much space for groups, just FYI. There is a large bookshelf/storage space toward the back that has a nice variety of different board and card games. We chose a few and took them outside to one of the tables in front of the restaurant. Grabbed an ice coffee and a grilled cheese. The grilled cheese was good and the coffee was a little sweet, but not too bad. Overall, a decent experience and and I would give it another visit.

Cute little coffee shop that offers pricey food options. I met a girlfriend for lunch and ordered the Heirloom Tomato Salad. What I got was a nibble, no kidding, a nibble. And I'm a light eater. It amounted to 1/3 cup of greens, maybe a fourth of a tomato, and a fourth of a peach. Nothing else. I left hungry - after spending $15 plus a prompt for a tip - and I had to clear my table. Maybe just a good coffee shop? Skip the food.... $$

Cute cafe Food was good ordinary brunch food. We tried their breakfast sandwich and avocado toast. They hit it hard with lemon. Okay portions sizes but good if you want a light breakfast. Nice relaxing ambiance. Walk up counter. Apparently it's also a board game cafe? Will have to come back sometime. Oh ya WiFi was broken lol

We visited the Owlbear café and a recent vacation to South Carolina. This cute little shop is in a strip mall that was about a mile from where we were staying. It has seating inside, and a pretty extensive coffee menu. I ordered a golden dragon latte, which was absolutely delicious. I had to buy one of the frosted cinnamon rolls that were near the register because it also looked really good. The frosting on top tasted like a buttercream frosting! They have an extensive game selection so you can sit, have your coffee and play board games. I really enjoyed this little café. It had friendly staff, good energy, and delicious coffee drinks! I would definitely go back here if we are ever in the area.

Great little coffee spot in Mt. Pleasant. Super nice and friendly staff. Has a homey-vibe to it but coffee is of excellent quality too. Great if you're looking for something quick to grab and go to Isle of Palms. There's also a nice area to sit and walk outside. Definitely recommend!

Came in here for a snack and a drink with some friends. The service was great, all of the staff were really nice and our food came out quickly. My husband had a grilled cheese which was delicious and I had a cookie which was pretty good. I had an iced chai latte as well which was a little disappointing. I think maybe it needed more chai in it but it kind of tasted like it had too much milk. I like my chai to be a little spicy. Overall we would come back again. I would just probably choose to order a different drink next time.

We stopped by Owlbear around 8:30 am on a Saturday. There was only one party ahead of us in line, with a few others already seated, so it was lively but not super busy at that time of day. Such a cute place with a huge collection of board games! We got a rose cardamom oatmeal latte and a seasonal peach iced latte. We loved both! The rose was not too strong, it brought out the floral notes of the cardamom, but it wasn't perfume-y. The mug the hot latte came in an adorable mug. For food, we got the breakfast sandwich and the loaded avocado bowl. The breakfast sandwich was good -- the ciabatta was fluffy on the inside and crispy on the edges. The honey-dijon aioli is on the stronger side of mustard, so heads up if that's not your thing. The fried egg was cooked perfectly, and the cheddar, and arugula were nice. It felt less hefty than other breakfast sandwiches, which could be a bonus if you don't want to walk away feeling heavy or stuffed. The chimichurri sauce on the loaded avocado bowl was so flavorful! I didn't find it very spicy, but I also have a high spice tolerance, so do with that what you will. The toasted sourdough added the perfect deep, smoky note. It's definitely a bigger plate (reflected in the $4 difference between it and the sandwich). I'm not sure if I liked that the avocado was like a spread rather than whole, but everything was delicious. Overall, I would definitely come back again if I'm over in Mt P, and it would be fun to go for board games sometime! The games all looked really well-cared-for (at least the boxes, we didn't get a chance to play any this time).

It was kind of befuddling. The premise is a cafe for people who play Dungeons and Dragons and various other nerdy types of games. The games are there, the maps of Faerun and Khorvaire are on the wall. And yet, this is in a fairly high-end shopping center, and it's a small cafe with a relatively conventional menu. It's just bizarre watching the effete Charlestonian crowd taking in their avocado toast in a cafe with owl, bear, and owlbear memorabilia all over; these are not people who are wiping Dorito crumbs out of their neckbears. Some people were actively using some board games. I am a bit skeptical that the communal space would really work for a more involved roleplaying game that involves a lot of talking among several people, but maybe I'm underestimating them. As a cafe, it was quite pricey. My matcha was suitably unsweetened and bitter, but they didn't quite get all the matcha powder to blend in. My salad was sweet and heavy on the cream; a very Southern creation where I could tell what they were going for even if it isn't quite how I would have designed such a salad. This blend of gaming and cafe culture is relatively new in my experience, but I've seen several such places around the country so perhaps it will catch on.

I stopped in last night for their monthly DND session. It was an amazing time lots of laughter and fun, but most importantly, the food and drinks were top-notch. I just had coffee but they have a great selection of beer as well. All if the good and bakery items slap. The shop itself can be a little small, so be ready to sit close next to your neighbor if they have an event going on. If you're there for a casual hang during its off-peak hours it's a blast. They have a huge amount of board games that you can sample. It makes for an excellent hang or a great date night.

My hubby and I popped into this coffee shop this morning on our way to Boone hall plantation. The shopping center was adorable and very clean. Parking was easy right outside the shop. There was a small line, but it moved quickly. I ordered an iced americano and the avocado toast with a fried egg, and my husband got the egg sandwich. The avocado toast was fair, not my favorite ever but it did the job in satisfying my hunger. My husband didn't love his egg sandwich, he said it was worse than a sandwich he would have gotten at a typical bagel shop?! The coffee was also fair. Not great which was a bummer. I gave 4 stars for the friendly service, and the environment. Many tables were filled with happy patrons playing games. Towards the back of the store there are shelves filled with games which I absolutely loved. That's exactly how a coffee shop should be

My husband has been drying to try the food here. Thus far we have only had the coffee. Which is good. Tried the avocado bowl (pictured) and got my son the egg and cheese Sammy. Both were tasty. I loved the chimichurri sauce. Omg - I want their recipe. Perfect balance of tang, spice, salt. Oh so good. The combination was really nice and the spiced sweet potatoes went very well with the acidic and spicy sauce on the eggs and avocado. My son said his sandwich was very tasty and appreciated the crispy yet soft bread and the melty cheese. We ate outside in small tables covered just enough to keep us out of the rain we did not enjoy the interior as our dog was with us. Would definitely recommend

This place is phenomenal. I head home to Charleston every couple of months and since finding this place, I stop here as soon as I hit Mt. P. I have not eaten in house, but whenI order take out or curbside, the food has always been a+++. Favorite is the avocado bowl (avocado something..) with pickled onions, sweet potatoes, over easy egg, so much goodness. I've had a number of items in my multiple visits, including the coffee, and its always goooood. Also, this place isn't unreasonably priced considering the location. That is saying something! I imagine this place is slammed during the summer, so I am will going to enjoy the in the cooler months. Highly recommend.

I'm making it my mission to try new cafes this summer. Owlbear is one that has been on my list and today was finally the day I check it out! The store is small and cute but it does have outside and inside options to sit! There's also a giant wall of board games in case you want to come with a group and hang! After researching pictures on Instagram, I decided to order the Owlbear Elixir. It's a shaken espresso with agave nectar, oat milk foam & cinnamon. The barista told me they were out of oat milk and suggested I go with a different milk alternative. I was pleased to find out they have macadamia milk, as most coffee shops do not carry it. Luckily, they had enough oat milk to make the oat foam & filled the rest of my drink with macadamia! The little cinnamon bear on top is the biggest reason I got this drink. Cute drinks just bring so much joy! It tasted delicious too! I also decided to get an avocado toast for my brunch item. Normally, I don't like avocado but I liked that this was mashed and had harissa, tarragon oil, sesame seeds & sea salt added to it. They also use Evo bread, which is a yummy local bakery in Park Circle! I added a fried egg on top & it was delicious! I def want to come back again and try something new. I would recommend for cute vibes and good coffee/food!

Cute little coffee shop/cafe! We loved the lattes, which were made with care and expertise. We shared a lemon scone to start, and I ordered the avocado bowl, which was delicious. We didn't play any board games but maybe when we come back we will! Loved the atmosphere.

I had a delicious pour over and a really fresh and delicious breakfast bagel. If you're in the Isle of Palms area, give it a shot! I also love the board game selection and general vibe of the place. If I lived nearby, I'd be a regular here.

Stopped by here while visiting family, so glad we did! It's the cutest lil' spot. The food was absolutely delicious! They definitely nailed it and are very skilled in their recipe and ambiance delivery. They have games to play while there, and I'm talkin' LOTS of games, something for everyone. Prices are great, the atmosphere is cozy and the service was fantastic. We'll be back!

Overall: Great local cafe for a drink, breakfast, or lunch. The good: Service was fantasic - everyone was very friendly, helpful and quick to respond. The menu covers the bases yet has some variation, and the food was delicious. The waffle was sweet and hearty, and it almost tasted like an angel food cake (in a good way). The Tavern Brawler had airy-yet-crunchy bread, fluffy eggs, and a delicious sauce. The coffee was top notch as well. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and they also have tons of games to play (Catan and the like) if that interests you. The not-so-good: The prices are a little higher than we would've expected, but the quality is there. Food/drink: 9/10 Atmosphere: 9.5/10 Service: 10/10

This cafe is super delightful for a Sunday brunch. The atmosphere is darling, they have outdoor seating, indoor seating, as well as a huge stock or board games, card games, and puzzles for all ages. I really enjoyed the cute coffee cups that are in line with the theme of the cafe. The coffee is good, not burnt in a way that some places are. The menu is diverse and they do have specials depending on what is in season. The chef is very involved, delivering all food items to the customers which I thought was a unique and thoughtful touch. We both had lattes and the loaded avocado bowl. The ingredients in the avocado bowl were fresh and I especially liked the bread and pickled onions. This is a perfect place for an afternoon with a friend or to bring a book and relax outdoors while sipping coffee. A charming, delightful place that I hope is here to stay for a long time.

Owl Bear has stolen my heart and become my go to spot for a delightful coffee and food experience! This sweet little cafe exudes a natural and welcoming vibe that makes you feel at home. There's an outdoor seating area as well. From the moment you walk in the door the people at the counter are warm and friendly. The coffee drinks at owl bear are simply divine. The menu offers a delectable array of options pastries to savory sandwiches and much more. In summary, owl bear is a treasure in every way.

A year later, I came back to my favorite little coffee shop on IOP and... was greatly disappointed. My wife's vanilla latte tasted like a burnt marshmallow. My drink - their namesake espresso drink - was pretty good but not remarkable, and I was let down by the fact it took 15 minutes to get a breakfast sandwich - a burnt bagel and burnt bacon. Like... the bacon was char. Solid black. The staff also didn't seem like they cared - they were visibly stressed or frustrated about something. Such a shame. I took my business elsewhere this trip.

Cute place with some really good coffee and light breakfast options. And, if you've got some time to spend, they have a ton of boardgames too. Will go back just for the food and drinks, but may have to carve out some time for games too. Friendly staff and reasonable prices even for the Mt. P area.

Best avacado toast ever. It's so delicious. Definitely add the egg. Coffee is delish.

Lovely surprise. Needed to find somewhere with outdoor seating as we had our puppy. We just grabbed a grilled cheese sandwich and a caprese sandwich. I love that there is Cannonborough sodas from NY and quality potato chips. Service was delightful and everything was really good. Even the iced americano was amazing. Great find. Thanks Yelp!!

love the coffee and food here. can't beat it in Mt. Pleasant!! Plus, everyone is so kind and helpful

Love it! So many games and friendly service. Good food and drink menu. Clean restrooms. We needed a game cafe! All games were in great condition.

I am always so happy to find, yet another awesome coffee shop, located just a few doors up from Crave and across from Woodyard Tavern. A perfect location with street parking. They have quite a few seating options on the sidewalk with tables and chairs. The coffee is great. Hits the spot. The place is pretty busy with people having lunch and also playing board games. It's so cute in here. They are a family run enterprise with the focus on coffee, board games, beer & wine. They offer lunch also. Definitely go check it out for morning coffee & a treat with family & friends. A fun spot.

Came in late on a Saturday morning after waiting 30 minutes (and quitting) in line at a different place. My order was taken right away and was ready within 15 minutes! The breakfast sandwich filled me up until dinner and my cold brew was delicious! Will be coming back in the future when I need breakfast and don't want to wait forever!

Second time I have been there with incredibly SLOW service. We were the first ones in there. Took 25 -30 minutes to get my breakfast sandwich on a croissant, which COSTS MORE. Brought it out on a bagel. I said, "You can just put it on a croissant." That took another five minutes. Disappointing as I was looking forward to a breakfast date with my husband as we are both extremely busy.

Owlbear Cafe on Riviera Drive in Mount Pleasant is a great place to go for delicious food and much more in a cool and relaxed atmosphere. The staff here is very friendly and accommodating to make sure that you have everything that you need. Good experience every time I have been here.

The perfect cafe! The food is delicious, hot coffees are served in adorable mugs, and there are a ton of great board games to play. They make their own syrups - I highly suggest the lavender honey latte and the avocado bowl or avocado toast. Although, you'll be happy with anything you get here! Seating is indoor or outdoor and everyone is always super nice!! Be sure to join the rewards program - I often get free coffees which is an awesome bonus! It's definitely my favorite spot in Mt Pleasant!

This place is so good we came back the next day! The food tastes amazing and the prices are great :) the service was impeccable, as per usual I had no clue what I wanted and the girl at the register helped me pick what to get and it was a vanilla and macadamia latte with macadamia milk! And the games are such a big plus! We had never played the game we ended up playing before and it was such a fun way to try a new game! Will definitely return if I'm in the area!!

We came in because we liked the name owlbear and wanted to try a new place. Now it's our favorite coffee place!! (: worth the drive off of isle of palms for the delicious cold brew. Kind and happy staff also!

Stopped here on one of our last days in mount pleasant and loved it. The avocado toast was so good and the waffle didn't need any syrup. Definitely give it a try.

I've been to Owlbear at least 5 times, and the drinks are always fantastic. The best and most unique I've had so far are the "golden dragon" with turmeric and rosemary orange. Wow! There are so many distinct but subtle (and not overly sweet) flavors that work so well together. The coffee beans are high quality: light/medium and not oily. Owlbear also offers a nice variety of sandwiches. The space is comfortable, especially outside.

Food was so good! They were so nice and friendly. It was very cute and clean inside. So many games to play if you are interested! The waffle was amazing, sweet and fluffy. The fresh fruit was a nice touch. The avacado bowl was full of protein and exactly what we needed for an amazing start to our day!!

This place is so delicious!! I got the Apple Brie panini and strawberry basil gazpacho, with iced chai. It was a phenomenal lunch-my kids ate avocado toast with an egg and loved it. We've also tried the whipped ricotta waffle and it was excellent.

Great food, great people.. try the lox and bagel it is wonderful. Highly recommend

Great coffee, nice atmosphere (and lots of games to play) outlets at a few tables for laptops and really nice staff. It's my new spot!

Great food and fun atmosphere for breakfast. We loved our breakfast and coffees, friendly service and such a fun place with a ton of family friendly games for everyone to enjoy.

It's just nothing special. Overcrowded because we could really use some good cafes but it's just disappointing. Would not recommend it. Did not like my latte and the avo toast was so boring

Quite literally my favorite café, I go almost every weekend! The drinks are amazing and the food is absolutely delicious, I especially love the grilled cheese and the acai bowl

Hands down the best avocado toast I've ever eaten - and I consider myself a connoisseur of avo toast!!!

Loved, loved, loved this spot!!!! The coffee was fabulous. The service was fast, warm, and friendly. They are dog friendly, so we got to pet some doggos while we were there. They have an extensive collection of games to play. We were able to play a quick game while enjoying our coffee, taking a break from the hustle and bustle of our vacation. Cannot wait to go back!

Awesome coffee and really neat coffee shop/café! Owlbear very quickly became a favorite spot for us.

It's easy to get a five star rating when everything goes well for your customers. It's much harder when your waffle maker decides to die on you in the middle of fixing a hungry customer's order. Especially when your a small, family run cafe. Marshall and his wife Sarah most gracious offered their apologies for the lack of waffle and made no excuses. People refunded the cost other no questions asked and offered us the most blueberry muffin on the house as a substitute. That's how you run a business and keep your customers loyal and happy. Next time through town we will definitely try to drop by again and taste that waffle.

This place is just a bike ride away from my in-law's and I was there every morning during our last trip. The coffee is stellar, I had the drip, espresso, and cold brew; the atmosphere is relaxing & welcoming; and the staff is super friendly! The cold brew is highly caffeinated (as it should be!) and I asked them to water it down for me each time and they didn't bat an eye at the strange request. Did I mention how cool the gear is? I bought a sweatshirt and it's been my go-to for weeks now. On our last day, my husband and I split the prosciutto toast and it was incredibly delicious--a salty, smooth, and satisfying start to the day. We look forward to getting back here on our next trip and highly recommend all around!

Super cute place and great food! We got the avocado toast and everything bagel. 10/10 recommend. The environment is calm and cute! Workers are super kind as well.

Great spot for coffee, breakfast, lunch and beer & wine!! Welcome to Mt. Pleasant. We have already been twice and the food is GREAT.

Stopped in for breakfast during our honeymoon and the food was delicious and the Honey Latte was perfect for a rainy day at the beach