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    Saffron

    3.5 (444 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order Saffron Takeout or Delivery

    Saffron Photos

    Business Info

    SAFFRON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Saffron

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    Reviews With Photos

    Hanaa K.

    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.

    Southern Avocado Toast
    Julia R.

    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.

    To go Chai Tea Latte and Pear Torte (gluten free!)
    Teresa F.

    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.

    Scotty C.

    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.

    Chicken Fahsenjoon - pomegranate reduction with Basmati rice and grilled veggies
    Kris G.

    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)!

    Chocolate Marquis
    John B.

    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.

    Ham and Cheese Omelette with a bagel and hashbrowns
    Nancy P.

    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

    Nadchen A.

    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.

    Strawberry Short Cake
    Shavonne B.

    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!!

    Daniel S.

    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.

    Erick W.

    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).

    Southern Avocado toast

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    6 months ago

    Wonderful cuisine and excellent service. Great, convenient location with an open, welcoming feel. Wait until you see the deserts!

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    6 months ago

    We always get an amazing meal at Saffron. If you can get out without tasting their desserts, you are a super hero. They are so tempting.

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - Saffron

    Do they have their Sunday Buffet back? It went away after Covid and we haven't been there in a long while. Would love to introduce my hubby to their buffet!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    The Archive

    The Archive

    4.8(22 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $$

    Such a cute bookstore! Although there are so many amazing things to look at (a café with plenty of…read moreoptions, cute seating area, tree decor, bookish gifts, and of course the books themselves), what stood out to me most and would most likely stand out to all book lovers most was the gorgeous ladder connected to the bookcase, usable for all bookaholics. This store is so cute and relaxing to be in! There's a café/bar with a wide variety that isn't obnoxiously expensive and plenty of great books to choose from (and thankfully no Booktok section or ugly stickers covering gorgeous covers). There's a comfy seating area to read your book of choice and enjoy a delicious beverage. There's also plenty of unique and creative bookish gifts to get for your loved ones. Kind staff, clean place (including the bathrooms) and a great selection to choose from. 100% recommend!

    I love it every time I go here!!! I've gone several times…read more I've gone to get an afternoon pick me up of coffee and get some work done. They have inside and outside seating, which is nice for when it's a nice day! I've gone for one of their evening events of trivia and that was super fun!!! I've also gone just to hang with friends while we drink some coffee and yap and look at books. I love that they have a few different specials each month. Everyone that works there is so sweet! It's definitely one of my rotating places for coffee and a work day.

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    Gorgeous bookcases with a ladder bookaholics can use

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    Babas on Cannon - maple cream puff

    Babas on Cannon

    4.5(249 reviews)
    0.7 miCannonborough

    My favorite spot by far on our Charleston itinerary; my only regret is that our trip was so short…read morethat we did not have time for a second visit. Their banana bread had been recommended to me as a must-try but after a quick glance at the menu, I wanted to try at least five other things. First things first: the banana bread. 10/10. If you leave here without getting a slice warmed up with butter, you're doing yourself a serious disservice. It didn't even taste like banana bread but had the texture of a soft eggy French toast. I was so entranced with it that I managed to squirrel away half for the next day. Also got their jammy eggs because I'm an egg fiend. They were delicious, topped with chives and some chili crisp, but $7 for two eggs in this economy was a little hard to swallow. Next time I'm here, I'd want to try the quiche and the pickled shrimp toast. And they also have peanut milk?? Tucked away on a side street off the much busier King, Babas can be easy to miss but wow - talk about treasures coming in tiny sizes. There's some indoor seating and outdoor tables but don't bank on getting a table right away if you're coming on a weekend morning. The line moves quickly so we didn't mind waiting.

    I don't even know how to rate Babas on Cannon. Just WOW! 11/10 for creative drinks. My husband got…read morea macchiato espresso, which is just a basic drink, but he loved it. I ordered the peanut drink because I had never heard of anything close to it. Usually when I order a special or flavored coffee, I don't like them and only drink about half before throwing it out. This blew my mind. It was like a Reese's in a coffee. Think sipping chocolate, but Reese's style. That drink isn't just good, it's unforgettable. I didn't order any food, but I looked around and it looked really good as well. I highly recommend making a point to stop here in Charleston.

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    Babas on Cannon - Inside

    Inside

    Babas on Cannon - Whipped honey espresso with oat milk

    Whipped honey espresso with oat milk

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    The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery - Spice girl

    The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery

    4.7(250 reviews)
    1.8 miNorth Central
    $$

    It's been quite a while since I made the effort to return to The Harbinger Café on Upper King and…read moreit reminded me instantly why this spot is such a Charleston favorite. The vibe is still effortlessly cozy and creative--flowers, greenery, unusual Christmas gifts, and those little bakery touches that make you want to linger over your latte. This time around, everything felt even better than I remembered. The staff were warm and welcoming, and the service had that relaxed but attentive feel. I tried a couple of their seasonal items, and once again the flavors were bright, fresh, and a little unexpected in the best way. Their baked goods are still the standout--beautifully made, not overly sweet & just delicious. It's the kind of place where you can sit with a book, catch up with a friend, or just enjoy a slow morning with coffee and something delicious. Consistently great atmosphere, consistently great food, and a place that really gets better with every visit. Why did it take so long to return. I've now placed it in the top of my list for a great coffee spot.

    Cute place that has a good amount of seating in the back. We got:…read more Grasshopper toast/avocado toast- This was probably our favorite thing and would definitely recommend. It was unique with the different flavors and textures on top that came together really nicely. Almond frangipane scone- I'm not the biggest fan of dried fruit in baked goods, but otherwise thought this was tasty and would want to get a scone/biscuit without dried fruit next time. Would recommend. Cinnamon twist- Tasty! Not mind blowing, but we enjoyed and would get again. Best friend/chocolate chip cookie- Loved that it was crispy on the outside and chewy in the center part and that it used a darker chocolate. Jam sesh- This was not our favorite and we wouldn't get it again. We just didn't think all the flavors worked together. Short + Sweet- The coffee cake was maybe a little overbaked. My friend liked it more than I did, but I didn't feel like I needed to have it again. Overall it's a good place to go with a few people and try a bunch of things and hang out!

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    The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery
    The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery - Early Bird Granola Bowl ~ one of the best in town

    Early Bird Granola Bowl ~ one of the best in town

    The Harbinger Cafe & Bakery - Dine in back

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    Dine in back

    Saffron - bakeries - Updated May 2026

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