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Sweetwater Cafe

3.8 (366 reviews)
Closed • 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Sweetwater Cafe Photos

Business Info

SWEETWATER CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Sweetwater Cafe

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Inside
Liz G.

We were ~desperate~ for food in the Charleston heat and every place had a long wait but we stumbled upon Sweetwater Cafe and they were very...empty. They have decent reviews so we thought we'd give it a try. The inside is interesting, very much diner vibes. Our server was friendly but very, very chaotic. I ordered a steak salad and it was great! The sweet tea was also very good. Everyone at my table enjoyed their meal. I feel like it may be more of a breakfast spot than lunch.

Chicken Tenders

So good! Service was great. Split the chicken tenders with fries, I have never tasted chicken like that it was really good. A very unique seasoning! The biscuit genuinely melts in your mouth it's so good. It's nothing fancy, but not a bad experience!

I had not had this soda before. It was smooth and not as carbonated as a regular soda.
Jamie R.

Visited 11/23/24 while exploring Charleston City Market. One of the nice vendors recommended this place so I figured it would be good. It's a short walk from the market area. They have the menu on the outside window with plenty of options. The place was small with booths lining the sides, tables in the middle which felt a bit cramped and some window seating as well. It was packed with patrons. I was greeted by a young man and a female at the front who did not provide her name. The female would be my server. She provided the basic service of her job with no inquiries as to my needs after bringing my food. The minimal interaction with her felt as if I was more of a bother or she just didn't want to deal with me, maybe she was having a rough day. Who knows as I tried not to take it personal. Other servers were checking on their customers multiple times. I did not receive that same type of service. I ordered the chicken strip meal. It was a decent amount of food. Both were crispy which was good as that's my preference and a decent amount. The cola was probably my highlight. The server brought ketchup to the table and didn't bother to ask if I'd like ranch or some sort of dipping sauce. She dropped it and quickly turned away before I could even think to ask for any. I would have preferred ranch or bbq sauce over dipping them in Ketchup but I know how to improvise. I read the room as other servers were busy tending to their customers and my server was not available. A little after bringing me my meal, she dropped the check as she quickly walked on by. I couldn't ask for much as I had a mouth full. I paid cash leaving it on the table and walked out without a word. I left just above the 18% tip; not for the service but because that's who I am! However, I will not be returning to this place as I get the feeling I may receive the same type of service as I didn't quite fit the typical customer profile.

Their local Diet Cola
Mattie E.

I may update this review later after I have eaten here a few times. This was our first time. The place is small but we were told to seat ourselves by the hostess. We chose a table by the front window. About five minutes after we sat down another couple sat down two tables over. Twenty minutes after being seated a single person sat down next to us when a couple left. Those two tables were served ahead of us as we had a different waitress and she was slow. I was upset by this. We waited forever to get our drink order in, they do not have coke or Pepsi products but use a local company. I did not like the diet cola so my husband drank it. He said it was good. It tasted like a regular soda with cinnamon. I don't like regular sugar soda. I ordered a sweet tea and we ended up having to pay for three drinks for two people. The Fried Okra was piping hot and crunchy but flavorless. They depend on the horseradish sauce that comes with it I guess. I don't like horseradish. My hubs ordered the catfish basket and I got a turkey wrap. Both were piping hot but keep in mind two tables that were seated after us were served and almost done eating before we even got our food. But it was hot. The Okra was almost a no go for me as the first one I ate was raw. It splintered in my mouth and was inedible. I spat it into a napkin. If you've ever eaten raw okra you know what I mean. I almost didn't try another one but I did and the rest were fine. I took a few bites of my wrap but couldn't eat it. It was soggy inside and crunchy outside and I hate hot tomatoes. The meat was so hot the tomatoes were hot and the lettuce watery from it. I'd prefer a cold sandwich over that. It did say on the menu it would be a hot turkey sandwich but I wasn't expecting that. I gave it to my son later at home. He said it was mediocre. My husband gave me his catfish to try and I didn't want to just by looking at it. So I can't judge it. He said it was good. My opinion is maybe I will stick to their speciality of breakfast and will probably rate it better. I'll try it again. The atmosphere was nice. It was very loud in there however with the music. They could turn that down a notch. All in all, food was crunchy, piping hot and just okay in flavor. Their house made ranch tasted like the bottled Hidden Valley Light Ranch and I know my Ranch. The service wasn't the best for us but other tables appeared to get great service depending on your waitress. There was no wait time to sit down and the place was busy. I'll go again to give it another shot. It was way over priced. 80 dollars with tip and taxes for two people. They charge extra for using a credit card. Not the best experience but not the worst either.

Watery She crab soupj

Food. Soso. This was how my she crab soup was served. I myself did not spill a drop of the soup. Server was nice. Just lacked finesse see pic Ambiance very casual. From my observation some of the other servers were very professional I rated this place a "C". I'd go back to eat again but different dishes. Maybe breakfast menu

Partial view of diner
Kathleen L.

Most of the tables were full but we were able to get a comfortable booth. The cafe was cute and appeared to be well-maintained. Our server was friendly, accommodating and attentive. The food was ready quickly and served hot. My guy loved his Double Deal (pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs) especially his sausage and pancakes. Based on other reviews, I ordered &Grits. It was described as "brown gravy with onions, tomatoes and peppers served over the best stone grits in town, topped with your choice of seafood." I chose the shrimp. It was disappointing to say the very least. The plate was literally drowned in the gravy (minuscule amount, if any, of the vegetables). The grits were ruined in all of that gravy. I found 5-6 shrimp buried (they were good). For a city known for the shrimp & grits I wasted $18. The biscuit was lacking also. The &Grits should not have left the kitchen. This review has 3 stars due to the Double Deal breakfast.

Shrimp and grits

Stumbled upon this gem. The fried green tomatoes are to die for and the grits were outstanding. The portion sizes are generous so you won't leave hungry. The staff is attentive and friendly. Definitely adding this to the list. Is was so good we went back again today and it was even better. The shrimp and grits are the best I've ever had. The southern breakfast with the sausage gravy was to die for....like lick your plate good.

Eggs and bacon

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4 months ago

Great food and service. We will come back on return trips We had great service and were not disappointed.

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1 year ago

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5 months ago

Nice breakfast menu. Reasonably priced. Service was attentive and on point. Food was as advertised and good. Nice clean place.

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7 months ago

Great place to eat breakfast. The service was good and the place has a great vibe. Would definitely recommend.

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7 months ago

The most reliable breakfast and lunch place in town. Soups are great. Grits are perfect. I like the tuna melt

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The Peacock - Fried Chicken Sandwich

The Peacock

4.5(221 reviews)
0.3 mi•French Quarter
•$$$

Excellent food. Killer cocktails. And an awesome staff that is always courteous, attentive, and…read morefun. If you're getting food, definitely try the blistered green beans, poutine, and the farmer's salad (which is like a Cobb salad/bowl, it's amazing) *but* my all-time fave is the fried chicken sandwich - it's honestly one of the best l've ever had in Charleston. Also, this place is huge so they were able to accommodate my friend's post-wedding party (about 20 people) at the last minute and we had a blast. Everywhere else we tried to go either didn't have the space for us or were closing so it totally made our night! We just made sure to call ahead to check and they were more than happy to have us - the bride was happy so you know it was good :) Bottom line, the Peacock is a local gem hidden in plain sight on East Bay and, as a local, it's become one of my top go-to's in Charleston. You can't beat the prices (seriously), ambience, quality, and awesome staff. They also have live music every week so they know how to keep it classy and lively at the same time. I highly recommend checking it out!

A huge shout-out to The Peacock for once again taking such wonderful care of our friend and us on…read moreher 50th Birthday! The staff went above and beyond, and the entire evening went off without a hitch. The bartenders were fantastic -- attentive, friendly, and made sure everyone's glasses were never empty (water included!). We also ordered one of our favorite dishes, the Farmer's Salad with Chicken, and it was absolutely delicious -- so good, in fact, that we dove right in and forgot to take a photo first! The food at the surrounding tables looked equally incredible; I'd especially recommend the cheese plate and the tuna. As a bonus, there's a nightclub on the second floor that gets lively on weekends, so the fun doesn't have to stop after dinner. If you haven't been to The Peacock yet, do yourself a favor and stop by -- great food, great drinks, and a wonderful atmosphere. We'll definitely be back!

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The Peacock - Downstairs bar

Downstairs bar

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Frannie & The Fox - Italian Pimento BLT on Roman

Frannie & The Fox

4.3(593 reviews)
0.2 mi•Ansonborough
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Frannie and The Fox was one of the highlights of our stay. The pizza was absolutely delicious, and…read moresitting out in the courtyard made the experience even better. There was something so charming about the atmosphere, hearing conversations nearby, seeing families enjoying one another, and simply taking in the energy of the space. It felt lively in a natural, inviting way, not forced, just genuinely enjoyable. The setting, the food, and the overall experience made it memorable. I would gladly return and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful and relaxed dining experience. We ordered the pepperoni pizza and it was delicious and refreshing.

My husband and I recently dined at Franny and the Fox, and the experience was outstanding from the…read moremoment we walked in. The ambience immediately stood out. Warm, stylish, and lively without feeling crowded. It set the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable evening. Our waitress was delightful. Attentive, professional, and genuinely pleasant. She made thoughtful recommendations and checked in at the right times without hovering. The food matched the service. Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. Every dish we had was satisfying and well executed. If you're looking for a place in Charleston that delivers great service, great food, and a memorable atmosphere, this is it. We will definitely return.

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Frannie & The Fox - Christmas Decor

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Magnolias - Fried Green Tomatoes

Magnolias

4.4(3.4k reviews)
0.3 mi•French Quarter
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First off the food was amazing. We had the fried tomatoes and they were great. My wife and I had…read moreboth specials the Tuna Ahi and the Cajun Mahi Mahi. Both were the best! To top everything off, the waitress Leah, I couldn't say enough of what a great employee she is. I have wrote maybe two reviews in my life but this place deserved a review.

We came here on a Friday night and were overall impressed with this place. We ordered the Mac and…read morecheese bites, the vegetarian plate, and the low country bouillabaisse. Although some dishes are seasonal, these happen to be entrees that are served year-round according to our server Both were quite delicious. The vegetarian plate had a wide variety of veggies -- from mashed potatoes, to wilted spinach, asparagus, green beans, and fried tomato's. There were only two medium pieces of fried tomato so I do wish they put more in the plate but oh well. My partner loved his bouillabaisse and apparently it's the southern rendition of a French dish that is one of their most popular dishes. It has lots of seafood in it. The meal also came with complimentary warm bread, which was nice. The pecan pie was very good, but the crust was kind of hard and there were fewer pecans than I'm used to and more caramel. The ambiance is more formal but people were dressed mostly casual (and chic if I might add). Dim lighting and if you don't want as much noise to carry I would ask for seating in the back because it's noticeably louder in the front. Overall the food is very good and prices are not as expensive for the quality. Our server was great!

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Magnolias - O'Keefe on the walls?

O'Keefe on the walls?

Magnolias - Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast

Magnolias - Entrance

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Entrance

Anson - Fried green tomatoes

Anson

4.3(494 reviews)
0.2 mi•Ansonborough
•$$$

One of the best meals I've had in Charleston if not the best. Classy and classic Charleston vibe…read more Restaurant is in an old mansion, all the rooms are unique and beautiful. The drinks were great. Grilled oysters were perfect. Wifey got the waygu shortrib gnocchi and I had a bone in tomahawk style pork chop that was one of the specials. Both were incredible. Finished with the pecan pie topped with ice cream and it was the best either of us had ever had. It's expensive but worth it!

What an incredible dinner experience at Anson! I came for my birthday and it absolutely did not…read moredisappoint. First of all, the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous and the service is top notch. They have an extensive wine list for whatever your taste is, as well as a variety of beer and cocktails. Everything we had was excellent and portion sizes were impressive for a high dollar restaurant. We ordered the smoked trout dip and fried green tomatoes to start. The dip was super yummy and the homemade crackers were excellent. The fried green tomatoes were perfect and came with so much bacon jam that we had some leftover and honestly just ate it with a spoon. My husband and I split the grouper and the gnocchi. Both were super tasty and the amount of grouper was great. The gnocchi was cooked to perfection and the wagu was a great addition. We also split duck fat potatoes which were great, but the Brussels sprouts stole the show! We ended with the apple streusel, which was ginormous, but we were practically licking the bowl after- it was soooo good. I can't believe this is my first time trying this charleston staple, but it definitely won't be my last. Excellent stop for a nice dinner!

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Anson - A lot of atmosphere!

A lot of atmosphere!

Anson - Shrimp & Grits.  Superb.

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Anson - Shrimp de Johnge (6)

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Slightly North of Broad - Apple Pie

Slightly North of Broad

4.4(2k reviews)
0.3 mi•French Quarter
•$$$

We were in Charleston at the end of March for the Charleston Open and a birthday get away. Our…read morelunch at SNOB was our first meal of several excellent meals we had in Charleston. We were staying at the Meeting House Inn so were able to easily and leisurely walk to lunch and dinner. Service was excellent, true Southern hospitality, and the restaurant is adorable. Food was amazing, each of the four of us loved our dish and tasted each others as well: - shrimp and grits - 5/5, plentiful and plump shrimp with a flavorful sauce over creamy grits. This was not my dish so I only got a taste and next time we go back I'm going to get this for myself! - grilled salmon sald - 5*5, arugula, couscous, dried fruit, pine nuts, feta, lemon shallot vinaigrette (this dressing is so delicoius! I want the recipe!), two of us ordered this one and again, i got a bite and want to order this for myself next time (see the problem here?) The combination of flavors and textures was amazing. Rave reviews from all. - scallops or was it special flounder - 4/5, I can't even remember what I ordered and the fact that I cannot quite remember it but distinctly remember my friends' lunches means I did not order the right dish! It was solid but not something to write home about (or on Yelp about) - corn muffins - 5*5, i'm pretty sure the corn muffins came as the "bread" for the table and they were so yummy! Our server heard me rave about the not too sweet, moist yet with a nice crumb muffins, and asked if I wanted the recipe, to which I said Yes! I look forward to going back next time I'm in Charleston!

We went for my husband's birthday with a group of five and didn't have a reservation since we…read moreweren't sure when everyone would arrive. We got there just before 6 PM, and although the restaurant was pretty full, they told us they'd try to seat us outside due to our party size. That worked perfectly since they had heaters going. They quoted us a 45-minute wait, but it ended up being closer to 15 minutes -- a great surprise. The service was seriously outstanding. I have zero complaints. Everyone was so personable and attentive. For appetizers, the beef carpaccio was my favorite. For entrées, we ordered the pork chop, tuna, duck, and lamb -- and we all shared bites. Everything was delicious. My pork chop did come out a little dry, but when I mentioned it, our waitress didn't hesitate at all. She immediately took it back and insisted on bringing a new one, making me feel completely comfortable about saying something. While I waited, she brought me a complimentary soup, which was such a thoughtful touch, and the replacement came out quickly. The manager personally brought out the new dish and waited while I cut into it to make sure it was perfect. She even came back later to check again. That level of attention to detail really stood out. To top it off, they brought out dessert and a round of champagne for the table. I wasn't drinking, and they noticed -- so they brought me a mocktail without me even asking. That kind of attentiveness is rare. The inside looked beautiful, and I'd love to sit inside next time to experience the full vibe, but outside was perfect -- not too cold, not windy, and overall just a great atmosphere. Overall, one of the best service experiences I've had in a long time. Highly recommend.

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Slightly North of Broad - Cool lights

Cool lights

Slightly North of Broad - PAN SEARED NEW BEDFORD SCALLOPS: carolina gold rice, curly kale, corn, red miso, toasted benne seed

PAN SEARED NEW BEDFORD SCALLOPS: carolina gold rice, curly kale, corn, red miso, toasted benne seed

Slightly North of Broad - NEW ZEALAND LAMB RACK: muhammara, marinated feta potatoes, rosemary reduction

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Charleston Crab House - Alaskan crab legs

Charleston Crab House

4.0(1.3k reviews)
0.3 mi•French Quarter
•$$

Stopped in here for dinner after doing a little bar hopping and checking out downtown Charleston…read more After looking over the menu and the recommendations of our server, I settled on the Carolina Platter. The platter consist of steamed snow crab legs, a crab cake, grilled shrimp with collard greens and grits. The seafood on the platter was all correctly prepared and delicious. The collards and grits were good but otherwise unremarkable. The service was outstanding and our server was pleasant, knowledgeable and accommodating. Overall, I would recommend the Charleston Crab House and I would return when visiting the area.

I was originally going to give this 3 stars but after I began writing, 2 stars seems more fitting…read more This place is the poster child of "just OK." The food is somewhat bland (out of 4 of us, one actually liked their meal while the rest of us were underwhelmed). Pros: location, easy to get seated, prices are decent (for DT Charleston) wait staff was good, drinks were good. Cons: primarily the food was bland. The host station was not running at its best either. We had a reservation and they told us they were "working on our table," and we should wait "under the stairs." Apparently "under the stairs" is also where they store napkins and supplies. We looked to our right and saw 3 empty and clean tables. After about 5 minutes of standing under the stairs, they sat us at one of those tables, which had not required any extra "getting ready." Just didn't sit well ( or stand well) with me.

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Charleston Crab House - Downstairs seating

Downstairs seating

Charleston Crab House - Alaskan crab legs

Alaskan crab legs

Charleston Crab House - Carolina Platter

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Carolina Platter

Sweetwater Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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