Second State Coffee

A charming, authentic coffee shop in Charleston’s historic district. The coffee is of good quality. The design is very simple, but bright and clean. It’s a bit cramped, but the great coffee makes up for it. I recommend stopping by if you’re in the area.

I spent Easter weekend in Charleston with my family and came to this shop every morning. It was a quick walk from our hotel, but also very close to the shops and a short walk to Market. The location is great, quiet part of town, you will not find it by walking the tourist areas. The staff was super friendly and welcoming each morning, and they made some create coffee! I got a version of a vanilla flat white each morning. Will definitely be back!

Some of my fav coffee in the country - and I can say that, I travel full time. Bought 2 bags to take with us and want to go back to Charleston just to pick up some more. They were thorough with asking us how we wanted it ground, and the coffees we ordered there were delicious. Sorry my pics suck for this place, but the coffee is phenom.

One of the best coffee shops in the state! Had a delicious Colombian coffee with a very fruity taste as a pourover. The baristas are friendly as well.

First time trying this place and the coffee was so yummy I cannot wait to stop back in! Super cute & quaint little place only a small walk from the battery.

Great coffee! My wife and I saw their beans at another local coffee shop so we decided to give their coffee shop a try and we are glad we did! We enjoyed sitting here drinking our coffee and relaxing. We got some beans to take home for ourselves as well.

Sweet coffee shop just a few blocks away from the hustle and bustle of crowded tourist shops. The maple cardamom latte was divine.

Very cozy and peaceful atmosphere! No complaints of their coffee. I had a cup of Tanzania peaberry, it was okay. I am very picky with coffee, so please don’t take it too seriously as I said ‘coffee was OKAY’. Interior was very trendy, bright light and warm I really like it. Tables and water, cream station were maintained nice and clean. I had lemon custard cream scone and banana nutella turnover. They both were so delicious!! (Of course pastries are from Wild flour which is one of the best bakery in Charleston lol) Staff was very friendly and helpful. Parking spot is 1 min walking distance, very understandable since the coffee shop is in downtown.

I came across this cute coffee shop walking around downtown. Evelyn helped me and she was friendly and helpful! She made a delicious cortado for me and we chatted for a bit. Seems like a good place for quality coffee and to study or read.

With so many cute coffee spots in Charleston, I'm not sure if this one would be worth a second visit. The baristas were a bit rude and deep in conversation as we approached the counter. They continued talking while we stood there a bit awkwardly and then seemed annoyed that we had interrupted them. The coffee wasn't great either - the cold brew was especially bad. We had high hopes for this place based on the reviews and we left very disappointed.

We stopped in for 4 iced lattes on a warm day. Lattes were good, service was slower than I'm used to considering there was only one order ahead of ours but it wasn't a deal breaker. They only had one person working - the register and the espresso machine. I wouldn't come here if I were in a hurry but my honey iced oat latte was fine enough.

Friendly baristas and delicious drinks! Only rating 4 because it was pretty packed and not my complete ideal seating situation but would make another stop for a coffee break. I got a cold brew with the chocolate and hazelnut flavors.

The other location is my favorite coffee shop in all of Charleston. This location just does not have the same vibe, the coffee did not taste the same and the menu is different

Cute little coffee shop tucked away from what you'd consider "downtown" Charleston. It was clean, there are several tables and a bar for seating. There was only one person working when we stopped in, so he was busy, but he was working hard to make sure every order was taken care of in a timely manner. They do not have a giant menu, but they have a lot of the basic staple items for those that like hot or iced coffee, as well as several flavor options. They also had some seasonal flavor options which were interesting and unique. I'm not in the area often, but I would definitely stop by again.

I'm a recent college grad and have been coming to second state to do work since high school way back when it was Black Tap. Now I work remotely and still enjoy coming. The atmosphere is great with wonderful natural lighting and though it is busy, it's usually pretty quiet as there are often a few people there with laptops working. Staff is friendly. The barista even gave me a pastry last time I was there just to be nice! They sometimes have fun unique drink specials and the vegan vanilla coconut muffin is great. Love the coffee. My one qualm is that I noticed the WiFi has been pretty bad recently. It disconnects every few minutes so I've been using my hotspot. This could definitely just be my laptop though!! Weird. All in all, one of my favorite coffee shops in Charleston:)

Food, coffee and service is stellar. Parking is easy, which is always a plus. Baked goods a fresh and delicious too.

I have tried many cold brews all around town, at chains and local places, but this is hands down the best cold brew I've had! It is such a good flavor and always consistent. The chocolate chip cookies and pastries are also very delicious and fresh. Highly recommend if you're downtown and need a coffee break, or near any of their locations!

I really enjoyed my BB vanilla latte. Great atmosphere and recommended by a friend back home. Strongly recommend checking out!

Super cute coffee spot! Grabbed an iced americano with oat milk and honey so good! Also got a blueberry muffin that was so moist! It was perfect! Great vibe and cute spot! The cashier was kind and patient with us!

Yes, this mocha with almond milk did taste as good as it looked! The place was very bright and modern (I'm more of a woodsy/tradish girlie, but loved the location it's in nonetheless). Next time I really want to try their vanilla latte! I've heard it's amazing.

Overall: A disappointing Second State visit. The good: We like the atmosphere of this location, and the muffins that we got tasted good (not great). We have visited other locations, so we know the potential of the drinks and staff. The not-so-good: Hopefully we just went on an off day, but the drinks we ordered were lukewarm at best and not flavorful (and not worth the price). The staff was unenthusiastic, and most of the baked treats were gone when we ordered in the afternoon. Not a ton of seating at this location either (outside wasn't open when we went). Food/drink: 6/10 Atmosphere: 6/10 Service: 6/10

Mediocre, run of the mill coffee shop. I was shocked it was so highly rated after going there. The fine drinks you see on their yelp (like the black julep) are no longer sold. The vanilla latte was good but nothing exceptional. The mocha was also fine. Their muffins (we tried the blueberry and the poppy seed one) were cold, tough, and cornbread/dense texture. I would certainly ask for them to warm the muffins (we didn't know that was an option at the time). The staff was not particularly friendly or helpful. We asked about some of the products they were selling and the staff didn't seem to know about any of the products. I would only recommend going here if it is convenient or fast. The surrounding neighborhood is cute to walk through.

This coffee spot on a Sunday morning was surprisingly empty. It's in a cute neighborhood in an old building. There are four steps up into the cafe with a few small tables and community seating at a large table. The coffee was OK, the pastries are not great. The lemon poppy seed muffin had ample poppy seeds, but no lemon flavor and was dry. Ask for the pastries to be heated. The clerk was clueless about the products. They sell coffee flower honey in jars. If became comical of how many customers asked the clerk about it and how many times the clerk said she had no idea of how it was. The only information gleaned from her was that it is not locally sourced.

Second State Coffee stands out for its excellent coffee and cozy ambiance, becoming a go-to for many coffee lovers. The quality of their brews and the warm, welcoming environment contribute to a great coffee-drinking experience. While the pricing is noted to be on the higher side, the overall quality and service make it a valued spot for those in search of premium coffee and a comfortable place to enjoy it.

Delicious coffee!!! I love whenever I see local coffee shops or restaurants serving second state so was ecstatic to check out the Mt Pleasant location. Large parking lot, and easy to find. Staff was friendly and of course my dirty chai was delicious

I keep coming back here ! They've got great service. I highly recommend their coffee beans if you make coffee at home--it's delicious. Their chai is pretty good. I've also tried their peach matcha, and the matcha was quite grainy. Their lattes are delicious, as well as the lemon poppyseed muffin! Good chill social spot. I love to sit outside.

The cold brew here was decent, I probably won't get it again just because it seems like they're known for other stuff on their menu. Their shakerito looked interesting and maybe worth a try. The vibes are nice in this place though.

Whenever I visit a new place it's a must that i find the best coffee. I believe SSC is it for Charleston. I'm not normally a syrup person but I really enjoyed the seasonal sweet potato syrup. SSC is definitely dog friendly. I checked their Instagram before I went and another pup came and went while I was there. I also had the morning glory muffin and sat at one their tables out front. The two guys working behind the bar were incredibly nice. And the first cappuccino was so good I got a second but without the syrup to take with me. I will definitely visit again before leaving. Claire is wonderful. She was very helpful. I found out they roast their own beans on my first visit. I wish I knew the guy's name that told me but he did tell me his roommate is the roaster. He and Claire were definitely a highlight of my visit.

I have been here several times and it is pretty reliable. Today was less good. I like more crema and a little more effort on presentation:)

It's like having coffee in a library--very quiet. Their product was good, but staff was rude. They were not friendly at all. And I asked for whip crème but they don't carry it

I always use Yelp to help me find local coffee shops when I'm traveling. I then have to call the shops to make sure they make in-house syrups, and they do! I also noticed their coffee at a few shops around a Charleston, but I went for the latte, of course. Picked up an iced lavender latte on my stroll to the Waterfront Park in Charleston. @secondstatecoffee they make all of their syrups in house and wow so refreshing and delicious! Highly recommend! And very safe with covid restrictions in place. very photogenic spot, cute area to walk around with your latte and head to King Street for some shopping. Check out coffee shops on IG: @MI_Mug

Usually good but today 9:45am 15/17/22 was served two ice lattes with coddled milk. All you could taste was sour milk. We did not say anything to save everyone in there the embarrassment. Had to go to miller's after to get an actual iced latte.

Second State is one of my favorite coffee shops in the Charleston area. It's downtown, but tucked away from the chaos! Every time I go, I am greeted by a friendly barista and the coffee is fresh and delicious! They have free wifi and places to sit with your laptop, which is more difficult to find in Charleston than you would think. This is definitely my go-to spot!

The coffee is good but the service is pretty tough -- the almost entirely blasé and emotionless staff (who are always deep in conversation with each other if there's more than one person working) makes it an awkward experience every time. There are a couple of personable and polite employees that don't seem to be there as often, but overall employees don't bother to engage, some don't look you in the eye, most make you stand there awkwardly while they chat amongst themselves, and most seem slightly annoyed that you're there in the first place. The price is also different almost every time even though I always have the same order. After realizing I always left feeling awkward, I stopped going even though I love the coffee. Switched to Harken for my daily coffee run, which has a friendlier feel most days. Finding "always friendly" businesses in Charleston used to be the norm and now it's extremely hard to find. It's shocking how rude so many employees are all around charleston now ... everyone wants to live and own businesses in what's known as the most gracious city, but very few want to continue the traditions of graciousness and hospitality. This is why so many long time locals are moving out to find greener pastures and leaving this absolute gem of a place to the newbies who don't place much importance on what always made this city so great. Bummer experiences abound in so many businesses now. Pretty old houses will never make up for a loss of graciousness and kindness -- it's a shame what's happened here. It's just coffee so sorry to take it so deep, but it's also common courtesy and appreciation for the customer which stems from being gracious. What a shame because the owner really does roast some fabulous coffee. The coffee gets a 5 and the service gets a 1 so I left a 2.

I love trying out new coffee shops and Second State is high on my list! So cute from the outside and feels bright/airy on the inside. Felt like a great spot to do some work! It was fairly easy to find street parking on a Friday morning. There wasn't a long line and my coffee came out pretty quick! I ordered a non fat latte and it was delicious. The staff are so friendly and the prices are affordable. They have great decor and plenty of places to sit and enjoy a drink. I also saw they have some pastry options if you're looking for food too. Wish I lived closer so I could go here more often.

Tasty and unique flavor combinations and reliable for standard orders. Can get a little crowded at peak times, but staff is expedient. Dog friendly, which is nice. Best coffee I've ever had? No. Solid go-to if you're in the neighborhood? Definitely.

the BEST coffee in charleston! i've tried other places but always come back here because they never disappoint. from the beans they use to the perfect balance of espresso and milk--AMAZING!

I have been to the store in downtown Charleston and in Mt. Pleasant several times each. I am always disappointed in their drip coffee which they vary day to day between the beans they carry. All are usually on the bitter or sour side and all are lighter roasts. Maybe I just don't get the light roast, very expensive, single source coffee trand. The coffee is not smooth balanced and mellow like say Estuary on Johns Island. I'm also partial to Central and South American beans and medium roasts. Second State is more about African roasts which are fruity tasting to me.

We were in Charleston for the weekend for a Bachelorette party and the coffee shop was just a few steps from our Airbnb, so needless to say we were all there every morning. A cute little place to sit and relax while recovering from the night before. I had the large cold brew ($3.50) and tried their croissants and blueberry scones. Everything was delicious.

Pretty decent coffee in a cute location! I like the vibes here, and have used this spot to work a handful of times. Street parking only, so be prepared to hunt for a spot. Coffee is pretty good, but service can be off sometimes. Overall, a great neighborhood hangout place.

Upon entering the smell was amazing. Very cute place. The coffee was delicious! I mentioned it was my first time to the establishment, after having read about it in the City Paper. The barista seemed annoyed that I didn't realize there was only one size. He just seemed like he wanted me to go away. Love to try local shops, but probably won't return here.

Disovered via yelp app. Had a little work thAng, thAng recently in Charleston, was staying about a mile away at the Homewood suites... on my way to my daily gig I would stop here and pick up a cup... because the house coffee at the Homewood... well, that's house coffee at the Homewood... simply N.G... (I also tried out the Kudu Kudu one morning too, to mix it up... but this was more better) The coffee is really good. The cup a little small for my taste, would prefer a larger cup... But its definitely good. Not world class blow your doors off, but it is solid all around. Would recco.. and would return if in the yay area again.... yay area!?!!!! like that, tell the people that forty water is back!

One of my favorite coffee places in Charleston! Cute quaint coffee shop. I love that as soon as you walk in, you can smell the fresh coffee grinds! I ordered a vanilla ice latte and it did not disappoint.

I've come here a handful of times and really enjoy this cafe. I love their iced vanilla latte. They also have a great, strong cold brew.

The matcha tea has a variety of different spices of which I cannot name. I know there was cinnamon and perhaps cardamom and rosemary but I don't remember what else. It was made with whole milk and the froth was rich and beautiful. The coffee was also good and not burnt like at many shops.

Amazing location and environment! Anytime you serve your coffee in a real glass, I'm in. And the iced americano I had was smooth and vibrant. The barista knew what she was doing. There is definitely preferred seating in this place. I could tell because when certain people left, other people would jump up and move to the vaseat. Overall, the rustic feel, the live flowers on the tables, and the ample window space with natural light makes this a cozy and quaint little coffee shop where one can easily find themselves lost on a good book or intently focused on college paper. It's in a quiet neighborhood area. It's a nice walk from downtown.

Quiet area for a cup of coffee. However my latte wasn't stirred and I wasn't given a straw. A bit awkward. I also had their scone which the texture tastes nothing like a fluffy crumbly scone, it's more like biscuit bread.

If I lived in Charleston, this coffee shop would most likely be my "go to" for a few key reasons: 1.) plentiful natural light pouring in from the large floor to ceiling windows in the front of the shop 2.) a tremendously tasty lavender cappuccino 3.) complimentary water and glasses on hand 4.) clean bathrooms 5.) easy and free parking on the surrounding streets (however, keep an eye out for the "residential only" parking signs!) 6.) a variety of seating styles with beautiful old wood used to create the tables 7.) prices that you'd expect for drinks like a lavender cappuccino and breve latte 8.) they roast their own beans and have beautiful branding/packaging (bravo!)

This spot is one of my absolute favorite coffee spots in downtown Charleston. When I first go to a new coffee place, I always get a black coffee to judge how good their coffee is, and Second State's pour over coffee has been consistently great over the years. I've only been to their downtown location, which has some indoor seating with a modern, clean, uncomplicated vibe. I can see why people like to work here. The windows are massive, but decor distractions are minimal so you can really focus. I usually order my coffee to go and then walk to Waterfront Park to drink it by the water. If you're looking for a solid, uncomplicated cup of coffee, this is a great option. They also have some cool, unique seasonal flavors that would be fun to try (I believe they make their own syrups).

Very clean, urban hip cafe that's not too far from the busy streets of Charleston. Nice people with good skills. I ordered my usual double espresso macchiato, which was a bit too sour and bright for my taste. But I am so glad I took a small cappuccino out as it was superb. Almost sweet, very clean flavor, and not too sour at all! Their butter croissant was also very good. I don't know where they get it from, but definitely much better than what you'd get in many coffee shops and chains. I liked it better than the other coffee shops in Charleston (Kudu, for example), and it's very cute. Slightly pricey (as everything in Charleston is..). Will visit again for sure!

My favorite of the coffee spots I tried in Charleston! I ordered the lavender latte, which was absolutely perfect. Subtle taste of lavender, but still allows you to taste the coffee as well. The spot had a cool vibe and was pretty packed (but everyone was great about maintaining their distance). There was only one person working (taking orders and making the coffee), which caused the line to get a little backed up, but no biggie!

The BEST latte I've had in Charleston!! The vanilla latte was so smooth and creamy, not a single bitter note!! It was seriously amazing!!! My biggest complaint, I wish the coffee was triple in size. It was that good I could have drank 3 cups easy!! We will definitely visit again!!

My favorite coffee shop in Charleston, I literally crave it the moment I get here. The iced coffees are my favorite with the brown sugar flavoring. Service is quick and they have a variety of pastries in addition to beverages. It is a smaller venue but they have a handful of tables to post up at both indoor and outdoor. Highly recommend when you're looking for a caffeine fix!

Great coffee shop. Very friendly service and delicious pour overs. Nice selection of teas and delicious small bites. My favorite coffee in Charleston

Simply the best coffee around. Do you like latte art? Avocado? Matcha anything? Want major home decor envy/inspo? If you're used to paying premium for this caffeine fuel, the hipster paradise won't give you sticker shock either. Have never had an unfriendly interaction when getting a booster here. The atmosphere is so great and inviting for friends catching up, business meetings, and solo diners grabbing something quick, the purchase part kind of falls away. For me, this is ideal. My go- to's are the chai latte, batch coffee, and the black julep. The chai hits all the right notes, and it's so well done that I can taste the spices individually when sipped. It's always the perfect temperature. Will grab a picture next time. It usually goes down before I can remember, and that says a LOT!

I love a really good coffee shop. So whenever I travel, I have to check at least a few out. I decided to stop in before heading home from Charleston. The shop is pretty small. Very minimal and clean. There is a small area in the front for seating but it was extremely packed especially for a Thursday morning. The barista was super friendly, welcoming and helpful. I ordered an iced lavender almond milk latte. The espresso is so smooth! And the lavender isn't overly sweet which I really appreciated! Delish! Prices are reasonable. Parking is a limited. Fortunately, I was able to scoop up front street parking!

I grabbed coffee here with some colleagues in the morning on a weekday. I got there around 7:15 and was one of only two people. By 7:45, there was a lot more activity in the cafe, but it was still serene! I really love the aesthetic of Second State; the rustic wood and plants with clean lines makes it feel warm yet modern. There's a decent amount of seating for a smaller space but without making the cafe feel crowded. For coffee, I got an oatmilk latte with vanilla. First of all, I was so excited that they had oatmilk to begin with! It is still difficult to find in a lot of coffee shops these days, but more places are starting to offer it. Secondly, the vanilla was the right amount. It was not too sweet at all (a real feat), just enough to give the vanilla flavor without much added sweetness. The barista was friendly and helpful, and he did a great latte art heart on my latte. I definitely would come again!

Am I a sucker for the eclectic? You know, the kind of place that's smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood with no former parking so you find a spot down the street and walk past homes and a playground on your way to their front door? Yeah, that kind of place. One where the menu is minimal, but not simple and the font is soft as if you're reading a love letter from an old flame? Yep, same place. I found myself here on a Sunday afternoon, needing a pinch of caffeine for the drive back to Augusta. It was breezy and cool, but not frigid. Per my usual, I was making the rounds of coffee shops yet to be visited. And Second State was on the list. I wondered if GPS had gone array as I veered off downtown streets and into a neighborhood. A community park appeared in my peripheral and then, there it was. The faded sky blue paint and the structure resembling a general store, it was not loud or proud. It simply stood there on the street corner, awaiting my arrival. I decided to seek out street parking and found a space a few blocks away. This allowed me to soak in the ambiance of the setting and for my anticipation to brew (see what I did there?). Stepping in was the entrance I hoped for; stairs leading to the main area, window front seating, a mix of industrial and woodsy decor. And of course the aroma. Sweet notes from lattes and cappuccinos, potent whiffs of espresso, and the overarching smell of coffee (being grown and brewed). Thankful I have a first visit standard else I might have left with one of everything. Soon I exited with an Americano and a latte, enjoying my walk back to the car (though carefully so as not to drop anything). For Americano lovers, you know some use a medium roast so as not to saturate the drink with intensity. I believe this is what they did. The beauty of such is also in the balance of water so as not to leave it tasting diluted, but instead open it (much as a splash of water in a quality bourbon). I wish I lived in this neighborhood. I have no need for a community playground and historical housing is often expensive. I just want to live within walking distance of this coffee shop. Until then, I'll just have to plan accordingly while visiting Charleston.