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:) read more

Second State Coffee - Latté - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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!) read more

Second State Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Love love love their dirty chai! I have gone to different locations based on my proximity to get one. Nice staff and cute shops!

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 read more

Second State Coffee - a hand holding a cup of coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Amazing coffee! Really quick and has good vibes. Service was ok - not the friendliest but friendly enough.

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

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 read more

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

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! read more

Second State Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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

Second State Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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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. read more

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. read more

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.

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). read more

Second State Coffee - a cup of coffee on a table - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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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. read more

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 read more

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. read more

Nice place to sit all day and work or have a coffee date. There are magazines under the water, sugar table to read. Lots of natural light. Cappuccino was good. read more

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! read more

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. read more

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! read more

Second State Coffee - Iced Mocha Latte, Outside patio - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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. read more

Nice and bright little coffee shop. In one of the quieter neighborhoods of Charleston. Loved their lavender latte. Got another one immediately after finishing my first (yes I liked it that much). The pour over was great as well! Good service. Would go there again if I could. read more

Second State Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

My gold standard for judging third wave coffee shops and roasters is fairly simple. A single origin cortado and a basic baked good like a scone or muffin. I also look at textures, like reclaimed wooden tables, vintage metal chairs, well loved leather couches, clean, big windows, white walls, exposed brick, and the like. Then I check things like WiFi access, bathrooms, signage, espresso machines, pourover setups, coffee grinders, and bagged beans for purchase. Having refillable glass growlers for stocking up on cold brew coffee is a bonus. Second State hits all the marks, It is the Mary Lou Retton of Charleston area roasters. It is small but mighty and packs a very big, if compact, punch. It earns a perfect 10 from the Russian judges. It deserves a gold medal for its cortado service and blueberry muffin add on. A true breakfast of champions! If you are all about finding and riding the next big Third Coffee Wave, you should stop here for a visit. It reminded me of Verve Coffee in Santa Cruz when it was just a single store, or Blue Bottle in Oakland before it got bought and sold by the powers that be. It is that good! Hope it stays that way until I can return for another visit! read more

Second State Coffee - Wildflour Pastry blueberry muffin. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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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! read more

Second State Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Speaking as a non-coffee drinker, you make me want more coffee in my life. Not out of necessity but out of desire. I'll never be the guy jonesing for joe in the AM to start my day. Typically a coffee for me meant I had a meeting at a coffee shop and felt like I should get something but, Black Tap is a place that makes you want to go out of your way for a cup of black gold. Coffee was always just... coffee. Nothing ever peaked my interest to discover what made one cup better than another. Similar to how I never thought much of red wine until a friend offered me good red wine. My senses perked up for this perfect pour over leading me into an undiscovered land. On my next stop, I had to try one of the latte's. My first instinct, as with most newbs, was to stick with what I know. I was planning on going for the mocha when I was informed, by Trip, while the mocha latte was tasty, if I wanted to be a little more adventurous, then I should point my eyes in the direction of the lavender latte. He could tell by the initial look on my face that I was skeptical but, he reassured me that it wasn't soapy or floraly. I trusted his expertise in the matter and committed to the lavender latte. What an amazing suggestion... I was impressed by the lightly sweet taste offering such an unexpectedly unique aroma making it extra delicious. I would definitely recommend giving it a try as you might not find it many other places. read more

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Why 5 stars? Because I need Black Tap in my life on a regular basis! --- --- --- How could I come here and not order a Black Julep? That would be stupid. So, of course I did, and of course it was wonderful. As a matter of fact, it was so wonderful that I wanted even more, once I was done! But because this would be possibly my only trip ever to Black Tap, I wanted to also try a brown sugar latte. As soon as I finished my Black Julep, I hopped right up and did just that. Both were wondrus creations, that successfully caffeinated me enough to eventually walk several miles through downtown Charleston that morning/afternoon. The people working here were very polite, and the anti-rude hipster types that do tend to work at coffee shops like this. And I very much enjoyed my time sipping (read: chugging) my drinks and reading the paper (read: the paper on my iPhone.) It looks like a house from the outside, and feels like the comfort of someone's home on the inside. read more

Second State Coffee - Black Julep - non-alcoholic coffee cocktail - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Great neighborhood coffee spot! My Yelp Bud, the connoisseur of fine desserts Atif, mentioned Black Tap Coffee has a lavender latte that's at the rock star level. I'm driving back to NYC. I leave I95 and take the highway to Charleston. All I can think about is Black Tap coffee and the Lavender Latte. I mean, I can easily get a latte anywhere in NYC. Can I get a latte made with homemade syrup infused with lavender?? I think not so my primary mission is to drive into town and get coffee. I find a parking spot on a pretty tree lined street. (What a nice looking town, hmm I think I'll stay and have lunch) I walk into a beautiful space and I zero in on the Ferrari of espresso machines as well as a sampling of baked goods. I ask the barista about the Lavender latte. He tells me the homemade syrup infused with lavender and made in-house. I order a cup to stay as well as a $1 shortbread cookie. Very very naught. wowza! The lavender isn't overpowering, it's subtile. Charleston, SC? Enjoy something very unique, I'm a fan read more

Second State Coffee - The lavender latte. Sounds kookie but its so right I don't want to be wrong... - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

The minimalist coffee house just outside the hustle and bustle of King Street has a comfortable atmosphere, perfect for hiding away from the real world. White walls have simplistic drawings and/or photographs. The beautiful wooden tables are a nice touch. The coffee is very good. My cappuccino was properly made and warmed me up on a brisk morning. The espresso didn't pack that extra punch I look for in my first cup of the day. Regardless, this isn't your mom's cup o' Joe. There's only one shared bathroom, so be prepared to wait a while. I do love their poster board in the restroom of local events happening around Charleston. Service was extremely pleasant, too. Black Tap, you are just delightful. read more

Second State Coffee - Cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Awesome coffee shop in a different area than I expected. It was filled with students and professionals working. The staff was friendly and welcoming as well. I am staying right next door so it's super convenient to have a location off the downtown craziness. It's super chill and low key. My almond milk cortado was pretty good as well. I'd suggest checking them out for sure! read more

Second State Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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. read more

Matcha: 5 stars Quiche: 5 stars Ham and cheese croissant: 5 stars Cappuccino: 4 stars Great spot! The quiche and matcha stole the show. They were both the best I've EVER had. read more

Second State Coffee - Clockwise from top: cappuccino, the most amazing matcha latte, and the best quiche ever - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

On a recent trip to SC, Second State become a quick favorite for my sister and I. We stopped here a few times throughout the week for a coffee or a tea, and even spent some time resting in the cafe. The staff was extremely sweet and were great at suggesting beverages to try out. There is a good amount of seating for such a small cafe, but we mostly took ours to go! Just like every other cafe in Charleston, there are so many cute buildings to take pictures of or in front of. We loved a pink one that was right next door to the cafe. If I had to recommend one drink it would be the iced lavender latte. It's perfect for a hot day, but I bet it's great on cold days too.  My sis recommends the hibiscus berry - she's not a coffee or matcha drinker! read more

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Great little coffee shop in west Ashley! I got the candied ginger late with oat milk today and americano. Coffee was hot and strong perfect for an afternoon break! Will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu! read more

Second State Coffee - Candied ginger latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Amazing coffee, nice shop, plethora of options - recommend to anyone visiting or living in Charleston. It was recommended to me by our the concierge at the Dewberry as it's his favorite shop. It's a farther walk than other coffee places by the Dewberry but I found it to be worth the walk. I'd be a regular at this establishment. If I come back to Charleston, I hope to get another cup of coffee from here. read more

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! read more

Second State Coffee - Lavender Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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! read more

I've been coming to Black Tap for years. It's just consistently good coffee, espresso drinks, and tea. My favorites are the cappuccino and brown sugar latte. They are known for their lavender latte, which is subtly sweet but not soapy or overpowering. Not a lot of food options, but often some pastries from WildFlour. Street parking is easy to find. The only downfall is that everyone seems to know how good they are, so it can get really crowded and hot in there. read more

Second State Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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While in Charleston I wanted to find a good espresso/coffee place, so I searched downtown and found Black Tap. The reviews were good, and it was in a more popular area for the college crowd, so I checked it out. The shop is one corner in a neighborhood, you wouldn't even notice it apart from the regular houses nearby. When you enter its very sparse, not cozy in the least bit, rather more sophisticated and modern. There are spaced pieces of art on the walls and small uncomfortable seats to make sure you don't camp out there all day with your laptop or book. The most comfortable piece of furniture in here is the random picnic table in the middle of the room. In the reviews a lot of people praised the flavored lattes, such as the brown sugar, chai, and lavender lattes. I ordered a LAVENDER latte. Somehow it was smoky and floral, perhaps the lavender was scorched when they made the lavender simple syrup? I still liked it. Smelled best on the nose. I found the most friendly thing about this place was the barista who smiles and makes your coffee solo. I'd like to come back here to try the regular latte or another flavor. It was very busy, so perhaps coming here on an off-time would be more favorable. read more

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I really like this local coffee shop however lately I've noticed a few concerning things (1) the tables aren't being wiped down/ cleaned after guests leave. Currently one of the outside table has been empty, yet still has cups/ glasses on it from the last guests for 75 minutes. (2) A guest showed up in a wheelchair and could not navigate the stairs - another guest got up to get the workers to assist him as they were just chit-chatting behind the counter. With two employees here - they should be solvable. (3) The WiFi is out and has been for several weeks - employees could careless. read more