Exploring West Ashley’s coffee shops, one cup at a time
This sweltering summer, my routine has included lifesaving and refreshing iced coffee breaks. I may be a puddle of sweat by the time I arrive, but I can walk to five coffee shops while others are on my regular routes.
I’m not alone. We meet up with friends and enjoy people-watching with our nibbles. Starbucks and Biggby stay busy with drive-through lanes, and I watch my neighbors traipsing home with cups in hand after their morning walk.
I put out a shout-out for feedback on social media, asking West Ashley neighbors for their favorite haunts, sent a query email to local coffee shops and cafes that offer sit-down seating, and compiled the feedback I received. Hopefully one of these is close to you.
Café Roca
1303 Ashley River Road
Café Roca is on my regular rotation. If I haven’t walked down, I scan for available pull-in parking spots on my way home from exercise class. Neighbors Lynn Clingman and Eric Eisenbud boasted, “We are Café Roca kinda people!”
“We are a cafe with a breakfast/lunch program to rival most sit-down restaurants in the area,” said General Manager Emily Lippes. “Our co-owner Joe (Walker) loves all things ’90s, music, and film. You can tuck away in the back corner and listen to music.”
According to Lippes, all syrups for the coffee program are made in-house, as well as the granola for the Hemp Granola Bowl. More than a coffeeshop, people are obsessed with Roca’s food as well.
Many of the baristas have been with Roca since the beginning and know the customers by name.
“We are a neighborhood café. We were recently a drop location for donations for people who lost so much in the nearby apartment fires,” says Lippes. “Our owner is here every day and has big plans for the rest of this little strip, with Bad Bambino opening soon and a reopening of the corner store with a brand-new vision.”
Café Charlotte
874 Orleans Road
Café Charlotte is a family-owned European-style café on Orleans Road, offering coffee and pastries alongside breakfast favorites, baguettes, strudel, and brunch, as well as catering. Social media brought happy shout-outs for Café Charlotte’s co-owners Tom and Rachel Eichhorn and staff. Follow them for fun social media updates.
“Most of all, we want Café Charlotte to feel warm, friendly, and personal— a place where you’re greeted by name, enjoy good food and coffee, and feel like part of the neighborhood,” said Rachel. “We’ve come to feel at home in West Ashley, and we love creating a place where our customers can feel at home too.”
WildFlour Bakery
1750 Savannah Hwy.
When the question of Best Cozy Coffee Shop comes up, Wildflour Bakery is frequently mentioned as a winner. Coffee, delicious baked goods, a kids’ play area, local art on the wall, and frozen goods to take home. I hike (6,000 steps to and from) up the West Ashley Bikeway to Wildflour, hoping to lose the calories I eat when I treat myself to their mini frittata or chocolate croissant.
“We are a local bakery focusing on scratch-made everything: pastries, pies, cakes, coffee, and more. We have a new and yummy savory menu including all-day brunch options, sandwiches, and sourdough pizzas. We pride ourselves on our cozy, community-focused atmosphere, including a special kid’s area,” said WildFlour owner Lauren Mitterer.
Debbie Dingler, Nursing Supervisor at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, commented, “That frittata from WildFlour is the best I’ve ever had. It’s like a savory custard. I’d eat one every day if I could.
Wildflour regular and fellow West Of columnist Donna Jacobs added, “Sticky Bun Sunday is a thing!”
Biggby Coffee
903 St Andrews Blvd Suite A
You might not think a franchise chain store would make the cut, but I give Biggby bonus points for a welcome greeting, knowing customers by name, offering specials and trinkets for kids.
Monday mornings I volunteer in the Lowcountry Food Bank kitchen. I’m hot, sweaty, and wearing a ball cap in lieu of a hair net. On my way home, I pop into Consign Charleston, rummage through the bins at Where Ya’ Bin, and pull into Biggby Coffee. I order my iced coffee and bagel with cream cheese and relax.
Among my fellow regulars, I noticed a lady and gentleman who sit at the same table, are addressed respectfully by name, and are clearly long-term friends. I know this because this column gives me the authority to butt into people’s business. So I asked. Former co-workers from years ago, they get together every week to solve the world’s problems.
Normandy Farms
32 Windermere Blvd.
Normandy Farms is my destination after walking down the West Ashley Greenway. They are primarily a bakery in South Windermere, offering coffee, baked goods, quiche, and savory sandwiches, with indoor and patio seating, plenty of nearby parking, and access to the Greenway.
Normandy Farms strives for radicalness in artisan breads, pastries, and roasting coffee. If you are in search of the perfect loaf, they “wake and bake so you don’t have to!”
Highfalutin Coffee Roasters
27 Magnolia Road
Highfalutin in Avondale is within my marching range and where I am sure to bump into neighbors. It is my destination when my car is visiting Firestone Auto and we both get refilled.
Highfalutin wins my award for best and busiest patio. They exclusively source top tiered coffee, offering a selection that is highly curated and concise. Their delicious, giant slice of banana bread could feed a family of three, or me, and offer parking behind the shops.
Charleston Coffee Exchange
2875 Ashley River Road, Suite 1
Charleston Coffee Exchange is in the plaza at Bees Ferry and can be accessed from either Bees Ferry or Ashley River Road. It’s a convenient stop after my frequent Audubon Swamp trail hikes. They offer whole-bean and ground coffee by the pound, as well as a subscription Coffee Club. It is a popular sit-down cafe with a friendly, welcoming staff.
Elizabeth Ann on West Ashley Connects forum commented: “Best tasting coffee ever. I never thought I was a coffee aficionado until I went to the Charleston Coffee Exchange.”
Christophe Artisan Chocolatier
1901 Ashley River Road #2A
Christophe’s is famous for chocolates but also offers a sit-down café in partnership with the Charleston Coffee Exchange. After my recent visit and almond croissant, my friend Betina assured me I’m not eating calories, but doing scientific research. I’m also tempted by their chocolate and macaron-making weekend classes.
Paula Caffey on Facebook responded: “It’s a jewel of a place, with a downtown location as well. I love this place, maybe a little too much,” said Jane Barcott. “Christophes! French press coffee and I dream about their almond croissants.”
“Christophe’s is a Gourmet French cafe specializing in Toulouse-style artisan chocolates, as well as macarons & an assortment of pastries tweaked to the European palette. Some of our most popular pastries are our #1 Almond croissant & #2 French donuts, as well as the French classics, like the Tarte Normande and Canele,” said general manager Lady Lauderdale. We partner with Charleston Coffee Exchange to bring a local Charleston cafe experience.”
Second State
1630 Ashley Hall Road
I hadn’t been to Second State Coffee for a while but had their specialty savory waffles on my mind before a recent visit – for good reason. It was delicious. They have inside seating as well as a small outside patio.
“Charleston’s most established specialty coffee roaster. The West Ashley shop is a perfect stop for every coffee nerd. This shop features our own locally roasted specialty coffee, plus house-made gluten-free waffles, and artisan toasts,” said Second State owner Ross Jett. “Expect expertly-brewed espresso from our Synesso MVP Hydra, single-origin pour-overs from highly skilled baristas, the best cold brew, house-made syrups, seasonal specialty drinks, insanely good matcha, loose-leaf Rishi teas, and a rotating selection of tasty pastries.”
BKedSHop
555 Shadowmoss Pkwy.
BKdedSHop is a welcome, relatively new shop that already has enthusiastic social media support for cute decor, amazing donuts, and easy parking.
Not to be forgotten – Baguette Magic on Wappoo Road sells coffee to go and baked goods, the Rambler Coffee Trailer is at 624 DuPont Road, Ruby’s Bagels is on Ashley River Road near Sam Rittenburg offering New York style bagels and drinks, Bagel Nation is on Magwood Road and Biscuit Bros is on Orangegrove Road and of course, Starbucks at multiple locations.
Stay healthy my friends and wave at me as I wander. Send ideas to: westashleywanderer@gmail.com.
