The strawberry shortcake was absolutely beautiful and tasted amazing!! The staff is very friendly too! :)

Their bakery selection is huge. I loved that you could see them making their pastries right through their window, you can tell they are making their items from scratch! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating! read more

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Server was very polite and attentive. Ruben and truffle fries were very good. However, I asked if flounder was fresh not Sysco and she said yes. AND it was obviously fresh but batter was very light and not very crispy. Fried and onion rings were basically straight outta Sysco food service. Just bland and nothing special. Back to Ruben. It had good quality meat and was prepared well. Fries had truffle basic treatment and were ok. Server made everything tolerable as she was sweet and polite. It's a maybe for my recommendation One more thing. Serving sizes were huge. If looking to fill the spot, it gets it done. read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - Ruben and truffle fries - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Stopped in because it said that it was a bakery, and it said saffron on the outside. Just believed it to be something of quality and wanted to give it a shot. I ended up getting a carrot cake, which I tried later on in the evening. Nice size! It didn't have the depth of flavor that I thought it would have. I'd have to give it a three out of five. I did end up getting a chocolate chip cookie, or maybe it was the chocolate chunk, but it was rich. It had more of a chocolate base to it, with the chocolate chips/chunks added to it. I'd give it a three out of five. The peanut butter cookie was nice and soft, really good size to it, but it wasn't very peanut butter-forward, if that makes sense. Not bland, but just not peanut butter-forward. I'd give it a three and a half out of five. To take it higher, it would just need more peanut butter flavor to it. The almond, I think, was like an almond chocolate chip cookie to the far left of the case. It was a little bit crisper on the outsides, but not a good crisp, if that makes sense. More dried out on the outside, it was super soft in the middle. It had good flavor to it. I'd also give it a three and a half out of five. The staff there was super nice and accommodating. The space was pretty large, with not a lot of people in there when we went in there. I come to Charleston at least once a year over the last couple of years, and I've never tried this place or seen it any times. I'll come back in the future for the peanut butter cookies and maybe to try some of the other ones and see what it's like in the future. read more

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I had high expectations for this bakery and was sorely disappointed. All the baked goods in the refrigerated cases looked amazing. I got the blueberry danish, and my husband got the cherry danish. I took one bite and the pastry was tough, undercooked in the center and not flaky at all. So sad. Pastry was tough and gummy on the inside, it did not taste fresh. It could possibly have been a day old and since they kept the pastry in a refrigerated unit, it made it soggy and cold. I did ask to have it heated up, but it didn't make much of a difference. I didn't even finish eating it. The service was great, though, and the barista made a really good latte. I might come back to give them a second chance and have breakfast. I'll keep you posted. The inside of the restaurant was cute with plenty of seating and outdoor seating as well. The restrooms were clean and well kept. read more

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The food is just not very good. My water was served jn a broke glass. We took 3 pieces of cake home and all three of us ended up tossing it because it was drying flavorless. I know people love this place, but I guess I'm missing something. read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - Shrimp & Grits - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Came here on a Wednesday afternoon for lunch. Their pastry selection looked amazing inside, and the restaurant itself is very home-y and inviting. The ratings of this place had me a bit worried but the more ratings you get, the higher number of negative reviews you'll have. I will say, service was the most people reviewed about this place and I will have to agree. Firstly, we were seated outside but it was a bit of an awkward interaction between us and the hostess upon walking in. Maybe the hostess was clocking in/out or about to go on break? Idk but when we walked in, she saw us and didn't say anything, she continued to grab her stuff from the hostess stand. A manager walked over and then the hostess spoke to us, "Someone will be with you shortly," and right after said something along the lines of, "I guess I'll do it." She wasn't rude, but it was an odd thing to say out loud in ear shot. I'd rate our server's service as a 6/10, she was okay, not bad but not the kind of service I'd offer if I was working here. She made my chai latte hot instead of iced and didn't offer any recommendations. Our food took a bit to come out despite the place being slow but it was worth the wait. Our food is was really made our experience good, our chicken and beef kabob plates were amazing and our side of fries was seasoned and fried perfectly, we'd come back just for the fries! We'd rate food 8.5/10. We'll need to come back to try their pastries/desserts, cuz they looked fantastic! This is a solid spot in downtown. read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - Beef kabob - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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So we've been to saffron in the past and it's always been pretty good. This time was basically the same. It was about average what you would expect not over the top but not bad. My danish was OK. It tasted like it was a little old and of course it was in a refrigerated unit so it was a little harder than the normal. My latte was OK wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't bad. I do like the ambience we always feel comfortable when we go in. They greeted us when we came in and service was good. It was just an OK trip so we're gonna have to try and give me another shot and do brunch. read more

The prices are wild but the food looks good so I was planning to try it another day. HOWEVER, I was working next door and decided to go in for a fountain drink and was surprised by the price ($4.55) for a very small cup. THEN, when I went to get a refill they started typing on the register and said a refill was $2.25 read more

Came for a sweet treat while in port in Charleston. We just stumbled on to this bakery and decided we o take a peek inside. It was a quick 5-7 minute walk from the port area. When we entered, we were first met with a large glass window to the side which gave a great open view into the baking area where a worker was churning out giant chocolate chip cookies ready for sale. Saffron has a variety of bakery items: homemade breads, assorted pastries, decadent cakes and pies, and of course cookies among other things. They also had a limited food menu as well with plenty of seating available. The ambiance was filled with the scent of fresh baked goodness, perfect as a cozy spot to grab a seat and indulge in a sweet treat. After perusing the extensive pastry windows, I settled on a mini carrot cake. I packed that cake right up to take with me back onboard the ship. The carrot cake was SO moist with flavors of carrot, spices and pineapple topped off with slivered almonds used to decorate the sides. I love a good carrot cake and this was one of the best I have had in a long time. All in all, a great local bakery to visit and grab a sweet treat when visiting the Charleston area. read more

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Croissants are very good. Purchased a Dutch apple pie and it was horrible. Seemed as if it was previously frozen. So wet and very over spiced. Don't recommend. read more

Being taken to brunch by my former broke bestie, my oldest daughter, is always a 10 out of 10! We were looking for a close spot for brunch since one of my youngest daughters had to work and Saffron was the closest. There is outdoor seating that's really cute. I've been a few times and try to look away from the pasties and other baked goodies but they ALWAYS draw me in. I had a burger, no bun, so good! They had pancakes and our brunch sponsor ie my oldest daughter had shrimp and grits AND a breakfast sandwich ( she's the tiniest thing but eats like a big back ) My only complaint was the wait, the restaurant wasn't packed in the least but we waited for more than 20 minutes before our server came, she apologized. read more

I have been to Saffron before and have not had perfect experiences, but my experiences have been far superior to today's. We were a group of 5 and all placed our orders. After 40 minutes, we realized that at least 5 tables who ordered after us had already been served. We tracked the server down and she said it was almost done. We then requested our food to go. There was no apology and no explanation for why our food took so long. I ordered the Southern avocado toast and it was disappointing. It was basically 2 pieces of white bread (supposedly sourdough) with a small amount of avocado on one side and a small amount of feta. This meal was not worth $17 and I would not order it again. After having this experience, coupled with mediocre food, I have no desire to return to Saffron. read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - Southern Avocado Toast - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

My girlfriend and I had a late lunch at Saffron. It is a beautiful place. Very spacious with lots of indoor and outdoor seating available. They offer food, delicious pastries and have a full bar. I had the turkey club sandwich. It was served on freshly made sour dough bread. There was thick turkey breast and lots of bacon. Sandwiches are served with your choice of a side dish. I had the garden salad. The food was very fresh and delicious. The service was very good. The prices are consistent with other restaurants in the downtown area. I highly recommend. read more

We only enjoyed a latte and decaf here with a large slice of their gluten free daily offering. So first and foremost- that pear almond gluten free tart was perfection. Cravavable and servable to everyone- not just the gluten free peep who have lowered our standards. Chai Latte was standard make w Tazo mix. Wanted a decaf espresso but they were out- decaf wasn't hot. Next time I'd try the samovar tea onsite maybe! Looked cool. Service was quick and friendly. Parking and patio both available. read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - To go Chai Tea Latte and Pear Torte (gluten free!) - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Had lunch outside. Service was very good. Food was also very good. My wife had the Mediterranean salad with salmon and I ordered the turkey club with fries. We also visited the bakery, but had a difficult time getting a definitive answer on what was dairy free. We visited the next evening and I purchased a piece of New York style cheesecake. It wasn't as thick and heavy as I would have hoped. I would get something else if I went back. Overall a good experience and I would recommend it. read more

The service was nice, but the food did not feel fresh. The rice was hard and chewy, and the meat didnt taste like it was made in the same day. read more

Brilliant. Indian and dessert. We have gone to Saffron Bakery for keto baked goods, cakes, for many years. They are one if a kind. Their Indian foods are equally great. 9.5 read more

This place is such a hidden gem! All goods are baked on site which includes croissants and pastries but also a full sit down savory menu. The saffron omelet was to die for. The sourdough toast is baked in house. There is a full barista bar for all coffee needs. The service was also top notch-Dana was our server and she was wonderful!!! We will definitely be back! read more

I had the buttermilk pancakes and hash browns , the food was nice and large portions However, this spring she took us there for lunch , i had a philly cheesesteak , the meat was dry and unsalted , and the hostess had to be our waitress , and i had breakfast there again getting the same thing , they were good , but the menu advertised 3 and i only got 2 , their deserts are all amazing , coffee cheesecake , lemon cake , to die for , dont get a meal here , but deserts absolutely , i rank the deserts 5 out of five read more

For authentic Persian cuisine it's a huge NO. The rice was inedible. It was old, hard, oily, and not a hint of real saffron. A true embarrassment for Persian rice. Persians take great pride in their rice and he is Iranian born and bred and neither of us could get over how bad it was. The chicken kabob was bland. Tasted almost metallic. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't good either. Not a hint of authentic Persian in that either. Neither of us would consider trying any of the Persian dishes. The coconuts cream cake was a bit gritty. He said it tasted ok but the cake itself consistency was odd. Staff is very friendly. Parking is small lot and limited spaces. I got a spoon that wasn't clean. Totally sticky was food affixed. The interior itself wasn't bad. Very causal atmosphere. We were hoping for authentic Persian and French pastries and both were a miss. Don't get me wrong, it's not terrible (except the rice) but not in any way shape or form persian or middle eastern. If that's what you're after, Saffron isn't the place. read more

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We recently look home a box of pastries and sweets to try and most of it was pretty great. I know already I love their croissants because they supply Lodi and I order them often. The croissants are massive and one could fed a small family. We had the chocolate which is a favorite and also tried the strawberry which I really enjoyed. For the desserts, there were a couple I wasn't a huge fan of and mostly because they were drier than expected. Those were the triple chocolate cake with shavings on top and the eclair. As a chocolate lover, I expected the cake to be my favorite, but we both agreed it was dry and definitely a miss. The brownie with frosting and the cream puff were both very tasty, but the stars of the show ere the chocolate cheesecake and the strawberry shortcake. Combining chocolate and cheesecake is always a win for me, but we were shocked by how good the strawberry short cake was. Especially after not enjoying the chocolate cake, the strawberry one was moist and delicious. We'll definitely be getting those two items next time. read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

My groups meets at Saffron's each Thursday morning and we have been delighted with the food and the service. Our waitress Dana is especially attentive and frequently has our beverages ready when we arrive. Galena greets us as well so we feel pretty special though are in no way VIPs! read more

Can't believe I've lived in Charleston my entire life without having really eaten here! I've popped into the Bakery to pick up a cake (which was very reasonably priced for the quality and size) and noticed that they have a deli grab section and a counter with nice bread options (not GF) but didn't even fathom what I was missing. I have even passed by this restaurant for years never knowing that they also serve dinner. That being said this little GEM didn't disappoint on the price point being downtown nor the portion size... Not to mention the flavor sensations of the Middle Eastern flare. The ambiance is that of a welcoming deli-cum dining establishment with some various art prints along the wall and ample seating inside and out back on their patio. The service was relatively quick considering we had a show right next door at the Gailkard and were able to order, eat, grab a drink and make it to the concert prior to downbeat! I'd definitely try the food at least once even if you think that ME eats aren't for you! I know I'll be back for sure. The dolmados were tender and flavorful and the tatziki was a welcomed touch stop a bed of lettuce served with a lemon. The Chicken Fehsenjoon was served as 2l3 boneless chicken thighs atop a generous portion of basmati rice prepared with saffron, carrots, dried cherries, chickpeas (a slightly sweet flavor to it) and the chargeilled veggies were a nice touch (though I found it interesting that the onions were both flash charred yet not quite cooked enough for me at the same time). The Chicken and shrimp kabob skewers were another hit at the table as well. All in all the menu is fairly extensive and I can't wait to go back and try more! Also, free parking in their front lot (AND back lot after 6)! read more

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This shop on the edge of Charleston's downtown has a casual vibe. I got takeout; there wasn't much in the way of free parking in the immediate vicinity but I snuck in and out quickly. The place clearly emphasizes desserts, and my block of chocolate-y goodness was about as indulgent as it looks. On the other hand, this place offers a vegan menu, and I picked up a falafel wrap, which I ended up eating later. It had an appealing flavor mix, but with a bit too much salt. It wasn't a big wrap for the price, but a vegan searching for food in this area may find it worthwhile. The first time I tried ordering online from here, the app broke for some reason. read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - Chocolate Marquis - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Saffron Restaurant and Bakery is located downtown Charleston across the street from the Gaillard Center. The food is tasty, served freshly cooked and hot. They have a large range of bake goods which is displayed nicely for customers to see. They have a nice variety of choice in bake goods and menu items from breakfast, lunch and dinner. The potion sizes are large and worth the price. They offer indoor and outdoor covered seat areas. The staff is friendly and helpful. I enjoy eating at Saffrons. Always leave satisfied read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - Ham and Cheese Omelette with a bagel and hashbrowns - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We went to Saffron to pick up some pastries & coffee before heading back home. When we got inside, there was a line to order at the front. We waited for a bit, but they were so busy. It looked like there was a conference going on and the whole conference chose to eat there lol. Servers were going back and forth from the tables through the line we were waiting in to get to the kitchen. Service was timely and the person at the cashier was nice. I just ordered the Strawberry Croissant and Cheese Croissant. Both pastries were fantastic. Both were flaky and not too sweet. The filling in the strawberry croissant was great. Once I started, I finished them quick lol. My friend got some of the day old pastries too and those still tasted great. I was impressed at what we got and if I'm ever in the area again, I'd come back. read more

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Food was okay although the server didn't listen to us (or the kitchen didn't pay attention to the order). Order was wrong and it also took a long time for the complete order to arrive - even though there was a lite crowd at the time we dined for (an early) lunch. It had been recommended - and we cannot do the same - ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN. It was clean and the folks were friendly enough - and seemed somewhat distracted enough that they forgot our table and were late with food (not all delivered together - some parties finished before other members of the party got their food). read more

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When the cook tells the server, "That's the way I cook it!" I have an issue. What brings this up is that I prefer to have my sausage cooked on the griddle, and not deep fried. I mean, isn't there enough grease in sausage as it is? The chef said, "That's how we do it." I asked for bacon instead. See the pic. The chef didn't bother to warm it up. No surprise. My understanding is that this is the attitude of the chef. It's his way or no way. So, everyone, when you eat here, be sure to ask that your sausage be grilled and not deep fried. Then be sure to lodge your complaint over your servers head. read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

It's a cool enough spot with a lot of options. Unfortunately, the coffee and the lattes were terrible. Visiting about a dozen awesome places around the area, I will not get coffee here again. The pastries look really good though. read more

We came to Saffron Bakery for dessert and were lucky to grab a parking spot in the front. I came here on my roommate's recommendation for their cakes and I was blown away by their pastry selection! They have rows and rows of so many different cakes, cheesecakes, tarts, cookies - SO MANY GOODIES! The hardest part of my day was trying to figure out which dessert to get while waiting in line. The service was friendly and quick. I ended up getting their tiramisu and chocolate praline cheesecake. The tiramisu was pretty big with the cream layer being a bit too much for me, but the dessert itself is so light and fluffy that it doesn't feel heavy. It has the perfect amount of coffee flavor and isn't too sweet - great for a dessert after a heavy meal. The chocolate praline cheesecake on the other hand, is so decadent and delicious! Thick, creamy, chocolatey - perfect for a treat-yourself sweet treat. Both of these huge slices of cake were under $12!!! In this day, that price was crazy to me - a great deal for the amount of dessert we got. The best place to grab dessert with friends. There is so much variety that you will all definitely leave very happy and satisfied! I can't wait to come back to try their red velvet cheesecake. read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Came here to get a quick bite to eat while on the way to the African American museum. Inside is very relaxed, there are tables if you want to sit and eat and also little bar chairs for if you want to just order at the register. I got there around 1130am and they let me know that breakfast ended at 11am, so I ended up getting them ham and cheese croissant and the strawberry shortcake from the case. For the ham and cheese croissant I asked the lady at the register to warm it up, and she warmed it up for me but it was hot in some places and freezing cold in others. When I requested for her to warm it up again she said that she wouldn't recommend it because it would get really greasy...so I just ate the croissant the way it was. It was okay, not really sure how it's the most popular item here though. The star of the show was the strawberry shortcake! The strawberries were so fresh, the icing and cake were both so light and fluffy!!! I should've gotten one to go!! If you're in the area definitely go grab that!! read more

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This may be the best place I have ever been! I waked in without knowing what it was and was greeted by amazing customer service, and a wonderful space to eat some cake! I got some red velvet cake which was great, and my wife got baklava! Both were absolutely amazing! read more

4 star food - Easily some of the best pastries in Charleston. I always love coming here and grabbing a sweet treat but the coffee isn't my favorite. 3 star service - Generally speaking the counter service is always great but on a recent visit I had table service. No one spoke to me for a couple of minutes while I waited to be sat, once I was seated I was told the server would be right over, but it took a really long time and people who were sat after me had gotten service first so I was a bit frustrated by the interaction, then it took awhile for my server to acknowledge me and finally come take my order. Once that happened the service improved but while I was waiting a man did get up and ask for his food to be boxed up because it was taking so long. It could have been an off day but since it was my first experience sitting down I was very turned off. read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - Croissant Sandwich - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I came here one night by accident because we were about to see a show at the symphony and the fire alarm went off! We were glad because we were starving anyway. I got the best vanilla latte of my life, which got me through the show (mom life). I had to let the cute barista know that it was amazing! My husband ordered some kebobs and rice and it was delicious. Very similar to Rumi's in DC (iykyk). We were really pleased the fire alarm brough us here and would love to come back whenever we are in town. read more

EVERYTHING is AMAZING! We came here every morning for breakfast on our vacation. Servers were fun and friendly. The food is exceptional! AND the bakery is out of this world delicious! Looking forward to coming bac read more

Saffron Cafe & Bakery - Southern Avocado toast - Bakeries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

The food at this place is pretty terrible. Server recommended the shrimp and grits- awful! Frozen bag shrimp with tomato soup poured over it! Menu said it had bacon- no bacon tried to say it didn't come with bacon then they brought out three strips When weIt was near disgusting. Tried to overcharge for the carafe of mimosas. read more

The food was good, service was good. For me the downside is the ambience. I realize it's not a fine dining restaurant but it seemed dark and in need of some artwork or something to make it more appealing. I would probably go back because of the delicious bakery items! read more

As excited as I was to try this place, as disappointing it ended up! 1st of all, cleanliness is a concern! Bathrooms are literally filthy! Add to that, no soap! Think about employees using the bathroom with no soap (both men and women's stalls!). The waiter is not friendly! No smiles, not engaged etc.. above all, this place needs a serious cleaning read more

When I visit my aunt in Charleston, she likes to come here for lunch. It is always a great experience. Yesterday, I had a Caprese sandwich, while she and her friend had salads. The friend took 3 desserts home; I had a cookie croissant. My sandwich was very fresh, with lots of mozzarella. The croissant, which I took home, was huge; fresh and flaky. I should have eaten it where I could enjoy it with a cup of coffee. read more