Important Update:The City Guide web experience will be sunsetting on April 28, 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more.Saffron Cafe & Bakery
Bakery, Mediterranean Restaurant, and Café$$$$
Downtown Charleston, Charleston
"Classic shrimp and grits with brown gravy was good."(3 Tips)
"Delicious desserts!"(7 Tips)
"The ham and Swiss croissants from the pastry case are amazing!"(4 Tips)
"... but I always get good service when I come. Their new pizza is awesome...."(2 Tips)
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41 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- good service
- desserts
- cake
- breakfast food
- great value
- (15 more)
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JuneBug JenkinsMarch 8, 2019Classic shrimp and grits with brown gravy was good. Loved the eggs, sausage links, and the consistency of the grits.Upvote3Downvote
AbApril 27, 2015Large selection of eye candy that never tastes quite as good as it looks. Thankfully, their goods look great. Have their baklava warmed (or one of their cookies).Upvote1Downvote- Rossie ColterAugust 26, 2014Shrimp and Grits is a meal of its own, but you have to try any of the desserts. Get a loaf of bread to take home with you, too!Upvote1Downvote
Eli PitcockJuly 5, 2017a little short on staff, so we had to wait for a pretty long time. other than that, food is great! loved the grilled cheese and if you have the option definitely try the lentil soup.UpvoteDownvote
Sammantha JenkinsOctober 25, 2013Great location, ample parking. Beautiful yet simple decor. Tip= Be prepared to relax with an array of people in downtown Charleston.UpvoteDownvote
Robin BensingerNovember 8, 2015The she-crab soup is When Harry Met Sally good. Tabouli also amazing. Bread outstanding. Friendly, prompt waitress. :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) A+++UpvoteDownvote- The ham and Swiss croissants from the pastry case are amazing! They tend to sell out by the afternoon so get there early.UpvoteDownvote
- Lots of hate on this place, but I always get good service when I come. Their new pizza is awesome. Try the Istanbul. (And ask if it used to be the Constantinople...)Upvote3Downvote
Jeremy StrongAugust 17, 2013Croissant sandwich was amazing. Loved the blueberry pancakes and the sausage was great. Thumbs up from an out-of-towner!Upvote1Downvote- Caroline B.February 18, 2013Delicious desserts! Awesome atmosphere as well :) but parking is limited so watch out for that! Walk if you can!Upvote1Downvote
Hannah CMarch 15, 2013I love Saffron's!! Their Red velvet cake and strawberry shortcake are the best!UpvoteDownvote
Marguerite AveryNovember 28, 2015A delightful hybrid bt middle eastern tea cafe and bakery.UpvoteDownvote- Dina LamdanyMarch 19, 2014Make sure to try the yogurt soda. It's an undeniable masterpieceUpvoteDownvote
Rick StenderDecember 11, 2011Service is better and love the modifications to the out and interiors... When in doubt get the pizza it's delishUpvote2Downvote- Carsten NohrdenJune 22, 2019Slow service but the fettuccine was good and comes with so much food!UpvoteDownvote
Valentina Ginger347 DegtyarApril 27, 2013Actually I would not recommend this place for talking a good lunch; the local soups do not have any taste. They are just an oil liquid. But for taking some tea , it is OK.UpvoteDownvote
As a bonus you can get hair in your grits too smh
UpvoteDownvote
Leah KoppermanAugust 22, 2010Good vegetarian options. Very good baked goods. Iced tea very good. Service is hit or miss.Upvote2Downvote
Sunday afternoon is very busy and service is slow!UpvoteDownvote
Derrick EspinosaAugust 7, 2011Pretty mediocre dessert lineup..whatever you do, DO NOT pick up a bottle of Yogurt Milk in the freezer. Also avoid the pistachio cupcake, the icing is very sour and just overtakes the overall flavorUpvoteDownvote- Make sure u check your food before you eat it... my grits had hair in them this morning! Not to mention this is my 1st time giving them another try after I found a hair in my croissant this summer!UpvoteDownvote
- AmberAugust 26, 2013Went there a few days ago. Food was fantastic but our server was horrible. She was rude and had a snobby attitude. I think her name was Sarah or Tara. I believe her name is SarahUpvoteDownvote
Fitz BaileyJuly 31, 2011Wasn't seated 2 mins when our server brought us drinks, awesomeUpvote1Downvote
- Food is VERY GREASY most times! I only eat there when Corey is cooking in the kitchen!UpvoteDownvote
Nina MorenoApril 7, 2013Terribly slow service. Then, our waitress didn't enter our order in the computer, so...after waiting for over 1.5 hrs, we got our food. Would've tasted so much better an hour earlier!UpvoteDownvote
- Found a piece of paper in my seafood carbonara... I use to love this place but now I HATE IT! DON'T EAT THERE!!!!
Upvote1Downvote 
Trae FSeptember 6, 2014This place has gone down hill dramatically. The entire restaurant isn't very clean and the service was terribly slow. What a disappointment.UpvoteDownvote
Carrie CarterNovember 25, 2012Service was very slow for a big party and the food was served at three different times. Would not recommend.UpvoteDownvote
JT HooperJune 12, 2011Been sitting here for 30 minutes and haven't gotten our drinks yet. Terrible service.UpvoteDownvote
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Saffron Cafe & Bakery
333 E Bay St (btwn George & Calhoun St.)
Charleston, SC 29401
United States
Charleston, SC 29401
United States
Open until 10:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sat
- 7:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Sun
- 7:00 AM–9:00 PM
(843) 722-5588
Features
Reservations
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Drinks
Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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Megan D - 8.2
"Unreal bagels, cream cheese and staff! Definitely the right place to stop in for a quick bite!"
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Mary Catherine James - 8.0
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