Swiftwater Cafe

1940

1762

4101

1 year ago

**April 2025: Weekday Afternoon Visit** My friend and I were in the area and wanted a quick lunch before we hit the road again. With the high reviews we thought we'd check out Swiftwater Cafe. The restaurant is located on the first floor of a large building complex (maybe apartments?), and there were many locals dinning in. The space looked very homey and the tables were lined with green and white checkered tablecloths. There's a big chalk board with breakfast and lunch items and my friend and I decided on the following: Lunch -Italian Grilled Cheese $8.06 - This was a fantastic vegetarian sandwich. There was a lot of flavor and it the texture of all the ingredients worked together. I would get this again. -Tomato Basil Soup $4.16 and Chili $4.16: Standard soups -Pepperoni Roll $4.16 - I was told that this was West Virginia's state food so naturally we had to try it out. It was tasty and I'm glad that this restaurant put in cheese, but I kind of wished there were a little bit more. -Chef Salad $9.88: This salad had a good assortment of ingredients and gave me the much needed vegetables that I had been lacking on this roadtrip. Service The host was very quick and polite. Patrons would pick up their orders at the counter when it's ready. Summary It was a nice local joint and I enjoyed all the outdoor photos around the cafeteria. read more

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Siege T.

9 months ago

Service was great. Heidi the prep cook did an amazing job making my hot dogs. Didn't steam the buns but that's totally fine! The BBQ sandwich was good also! Love the inside too! Great place! read more

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Rodney H.

1 year ago

The food is always fresh and delicious. I was waited in by a beautiful young lady, Aerial I think is her name. Super courteous and made sure my food was correct read more

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Anne C.

1 year ago

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Sherry T.

101

619

145

6 years ago

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Tammy T.

2 years ago

BEST Coffee I desperately needed & refilled one Free to go. Delicious Bacon Egg Burrito & Biscuits & Gravy. Friendly staff, cozy & clean. Will def be back when we return from our Fla house to our Charleston house read more

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Charli B.

2 years ago

Cute little deli in downtown! The service was quick & food was good! I grabbed the special, which was a Turkey BLT! read more

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Renee I.

Elite 26 All-Star

132

650

1279

4 years ago

This was our lunch stop on a road trip through Louisville. We arrived ~30 before they closed so most lunch crowd had disappeared. We got our food super fast but then again how long does it take to make 2 sandwiches: hot ham and cheese and chicken pesto. Ham and Cheese was the better one. I didn't care for their pesto as it tasted like it was from a jar. And the bread seemed stale. But there was plenty of meat on sandwich. read more

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Shelia G.

4 years ago

If I could give more stars, I would. Teddy and his crew - Tristan, Arielle, Slim, Joe, Beverly, Ryan and the rest are amazing. Our company has had very important local clients and, clients from the United States Virgin Islands, in the office this week. Every morning for breakfast we ordered a variety of fresh pastries and fruit plus a bowl of their delicious yogurt and a carafe of fresh brewed coffee. Every single thing was to perfection - delicious and beautifully presented. Our home team is in walking distance of the Cafe' and the General Store, so at one time or another, we have eaten every single item on their menu, therefore making us official Swiftwater 'foodies'. ;) I absolutely love Teddy and his team and consider them 'family'. Shelia G. :) read more

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Janay S.

164

5 years ago

I tried their wv dogs and now I'm obsessed. Also tried their black bean burger and best thing ever. Will be going back soon. read more

Swiftwater Cafe - Black Bean Burger - Cafes Near Me - Charleston, West Virginia

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Jeremy W.

173

3 years ago

Swiftwater Cafe - Hot dogs with slaw. Skip the slaw - Cafes Near Me - Charleston, West Virginia

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Joe S.

149

3 years ago

Got in before it closed for the day. (2pm) I had the BLT and my wife had the Turkey Swiss on wheat that looked homemade. Her sandwich was plentiful with a lot of meat and cheese. My BLT was the opposite. The service was very good. read more

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Hayley S.

3 years ago

I'm in from out of town for an interview and stumbled across this cafe on Yelp! I was searching for a delicious local sandwich for lunch and Swiftwater didn't disappoint! The Italian grilled cheese and potato salad were delicious and the service was fantastic! I'd definitely come back and would recommend Swiftwater to anybody :) read more

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Rebecca R.

2 years ago

I've relied on Swiftwater for lunch many a workday downtown for more than 10 years!Everyone who works there is nice and the food is consistently good. The fruit is always fresh. Even the background music is good. read more

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Teresa T.

2 years ago

Ordered lunch delivery. Usually pretty good. Failed to include my Italian Grilled Cheese. Cracked Pepper Turkey Sandwich was on stale bread. Tomato Bisque Soup was luke warm and awful. More like tomato soup made with water only. read more

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Sarah G.

153

3 years ago

Best breakfast biscuit in town, hands down. You can tell they are made with loving care (and the perfect amount of salt:)

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Scott B.

310

360

7 years ago

Great, easy breakfast place. Brunchers shouldn't get crazy - this isn't really for you. It is perfect for downtowners and travelers who want a good, well done set of home cooked breakfast dishes ... almost fast-food iced, but ready for sitting too. The breakfast burrito was light and fluffy in the egg department, and it owned the perfect amount of sausage, cheese, and veggies. Well done. My mate's egg sandwich was highly regarded. Service is easy, it's a walk up counter to order, then eat and enjoy. read more

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B C.

154

271

8 years ago

Simple, no nonsense in and out breakfast. Fast, friendly service with some pretty incredible photography artwork on the walls. Seriously but the time I was finished dictating just the above text, my sandwich was cooked, Dan, and packaged up in the to go box. Highly recommended. read more

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Keith F.

3 years ago

$11 for a ham & cheese sandwich and a small fountain drink. Service was quick and friendly. The sandwich was okay, but for $11, I expected more. read more

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Daniel M.

108

319

102

9 years ago

A great, fast, lunch stop in downtown Charleston. Simple but quality sandwiches, I got the special, pork tenderloin on brioche, with the potato salad. It is a small hole in the wall, but the food is good. I'll be back for sure! read more

Business owner information

Teddy Q.

Thanks for the review! See ya next time!

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James H.

185

415

7 years ago

Stopped by this cute little cafe while my team and I were in town filming a documentary. We met the owner and he gave us details about different nature areas to film. All the staff was super friendly and made us feel so welcomed. The sandwiches were great. I went with the chicken salad and everything else the rest of the crew got looked good too. I would definitely recommend this spot to locals and folks who're traveling. They'll make you feel right at home. read more

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Teddy Q.

Thanks, we appreciate that!

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Jill K.

5 years ago

Great little cafe in Charleston! My husband had the WV Hot Dog special & loved it. At least 3-4 times he said "Oh Wow!!!" because it was so delicious and made right. My Pesto Turkey sandwich was also good. We'll be back! read more

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Teddy Q.

Thank you for the great review! We are very proud of our hotdogs!!

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Eric B.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

646

528

9 years ago

I dropped in for and early lunch around 11:30 and SO glad I was early today... the line was long by the time I finished eating... I ordered the Italian Grilled cheese and a Drink for lunch just under $8 DAMN this is one the best grilled cheese sandwiches that I have ever tasted. Perfectly grilled sandwich with Tomato, basil pesto, melted provolone cheese glazed with balsamic reduction between nicely toasted Semolina bread OMG... I am definitely coming back to the Swiftwater Cafe!!! read more

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Darrell D.

171

169

200

5 years ago

Had a great lunch in this place tucked into downtown Charleston. Soup was obviously canned but the sandwiches were hearty and tasted great. Service was very friendly read more

Business owner information

Teddy Q.

Thanks for the great review and we make all of our soups homemade,…

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Patricia R.

140

4 years ago

Great place. Delicious real food. Delightful real people. There is a sense of community.Not slick and corporate. We will go back!

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Jerry T.

7 years ago

Great food, great atmosphere, friendly staff. Recommended place to get lunch. I had the chicken salad sandwich and will definitely get it again once I explore the rest of the menu. read more

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Nera O.

3 years ago

Went there earlier this morning, the food was amazing! But I heard shouting coming from the catering which made me feel uneasy. It was definitely too early to hear yelling. read more

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Andrea P.

7 years ago

Such a delicious breakfast!! Hearty, and filling. First time here and was not disappointed. read more

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Victoria N.

Elite 18

442

101

151

8 years ago

The food here is so-so. I would only come here for something quick, cheap, and convenient. Also, I love to support local restaurants! This cafe is a little hole in the wall that you likely missed and walked past a handful of times already. I tried out the pesto turkey sandwich and it was just okay. It's not anything special but it gets the job done. I wanted to try out the vegetarian burger, but they told me the patties were store bought, so I didn't feel like it was worth it. If you're in a hurry, they have pre-made sandwiches, salads, pasta salads, and desserts ready-to-go in the fridge. The workers are friendly and there's plenty of seating for everyone. Overall it was okay, but I definitely don't see myself craving any of their items. read more

Business owner information

Teddy Q.

Thanks for the feedback. It’s very helpful! Ask for the owner,…

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Renee K.

101

8 years ago

Awesome little cafe! Excellent BBQ and WV hotdogs! Great selection of grab and go salads and wraps if you are in a hurry. read more

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Bevin O.

8 years ago

I have always enjoyed this cozy little lunch spot. The food at the Swiftwater Cafe is always fresh. Today we had the Carb buster salad which was fresh and uninspired and the turkey bacon wrap which was also fresh and tasty. read more

Business owner information

Teddy Q.

Thanks for the great review, check out the general store too for a…

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Alyson J.

572

6 years ago

Such a friendly staff! The breakfast bagel sandwich is awesome, and my friends loved their breakfast burrito! Big fan, it made my last morning in Charleston a great one. read more

Business owner information

Teddy Q.

Thanks! Our burritos are always a hit, grilling both sides really…

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Brooke B.

8 years ago

Amazing breakfast!! We had the Big Breakfast Platter it was awesome! Their breakfast potatoes are so good and their biscuits were some of the best I've ever had! They are super quick and friendly. I highly recommend checking this place out for a casual, tasty, quick breakfast. read more

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George T.

7 years ago

On Columbus Day, not much going on. For that matter, Sunday Charleston shut down. Swiftwater is local in an old hotel and is awesome. Portions were good as was taste. Eggs fluffy, sausage not greasy. Order at window and pick up. It's for you. read more

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Tara D.

9 years ago

Loved Swiftwater Cafe! We were on a trip from VA to IN and needed lunch. We stopped at two other places that looked really greasy and unhealthy. We held out and went to Swiftwater and we are so glad we did! The owner was super nice and accommodating. Everyone was friendly and the food came out pretty fast. I had a pesto cracked pepper turkey sandwich and my husband had the pork bbq with slaw. Both were delicious but didn't feel heavy or unhealthy. It's a cute little stop with character, as seen by this wall of fish and photos of fish the family caught. Great food that was reasonably priced, and awesome atmosphere. A must stop if you're in Charleston, WV! read more

Business owner information

Teddy Q.

Thanks for stopping by and the great review!

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Susan A.

Elite 25

286

461

9 years ago

Hubby and I made easy stop off the highway while traveling through the area. We found the Swiftwater Cafe a good place to get a quick and satisfying lunch. No off-street parking, so that was a little tricky. Ended up parking about a half block away. The Swiftwater is a small place. We chose to split a Cajun wrap and Cobb salad from their grab and go cooler. Hubby also ordered chili. We found all to be fresh and tasty. The wrap was filled with a variety of ingredients and crispy lettuce. It came with a mildly spicy dipping sauce. The Cobb salad had chunks of real chicken, egg, crumbled real bacon, cheese, cucumber, tomato, and a couple of avocado slices. All was fresh and of reasonable portions. My husband said the chili was very good....seemed to be made from scratch with chunks of bell pepper and beef. The grab and go case was a good option for those who are wanting to save time. However, if you want food made-to-order, we found that ordering from the main menu is the way to do that. Restrooms were tiny, but clean. Both gender toilet rooms shared a sink in a little vestibule area, which was right off the kitchen door/dining area and the paper towels and trash can were a couple steps away. That was a little weird, but they were working with a tight space. A good lunch. Nourishing, satisfying. Better than average, not quite over the top quite yet. read more

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Karlo P.

113

7 years ago

Checked the Yelp reviews. Did not disappoint!! Came in before lunch rush crowd. The line moves quickly and food come out fast. Took us quite a bit of time to choose what to order. Settled on Cracked Pepper Turkey sub, 2 hot dogs combo, and tomato basil soup. read more

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Deidre E.

7 years ago

Was good for breakfast. Excellent coffee and decent service. It would have been perfect if I didn't have to keep asking for milk for my coffee. They brought a minuscule dish of milk about a tablespoon. They had the prepackaged oily coffee creamer but it is terrible tasting and terrible for you. All chemicals but restaurants love the cheap price and ease of not refrigerating. I prefer real milk products especially when paying for coffee out in a restaurant read more

Business owner information

Teddy Q.

Thanks for the review, we keep real half and half out now, great…

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Kelly D.

Elite 14

13 years ago

I was excited to visit this place, and as I stood in line to place my order I noticed signs all around the restaurant with awards Swiftwater had won for its hot dogs. I turned to the people behind me. "Have you been here before?" They nodded. "How are the hot dogs?" "Well," the lady said in her West Virginia drawl, "Do ya get heartburn easy?" That was a good sign. I ordered the hot dog with everything, which was mustard, chili, onions, and slaw. (Don't you dare visit West Virginia without getting a slaw dog from SOMEWHERE.) The chili was a bit spicy but was overwhelmed by the coleslaw. The buns were a big soggy, perhaps from the hot dogs or perhaps from the mustard. These hot dogs were okay. I have very refined hot dog tasters so my standards may admittedly be too high. I enjoyed these slaw dogs but I have had better. The restaurant itself was really cute, it was located in a great spot in downtown Charleston, the people were friendly, and the service was quick. But the hot dogs, which were why I visited here, were not quite as I had expected. read more

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More info about Swiftwater Cafe

405 Capitol St
Ste 105
Charleston, WV 25301
Directions
(304) 342-2443
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://www.swiftwatercafe.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Swiftwater Cafe open?

Swiftwater Cafe opens at 7:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

What time does Swiftwater Cafe close?

Swiftwater Cafe closes at 2:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Swiftwater Cafe is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Fri 7:00 AM - 2:00 PMSat-Sun Closed

Payment methods

Does Swiftwater Cafe take Bitcoin?

No, Swiftwater Cafe does not take Bitcoin.

Does Swiftwater Cafe take credit cards?

Yes, Swiftwater Cafe takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Swiftwater Cafe have catering options?

Yes, Swiftwater Cafe does have catering options.

Does Swiftwater Cafe have a happy hour?

No, Swiftwater Cafe does not have a happy hour.

Does Swiftwater Cafe serve alcohol?

No, Swiftwater Cafe does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Swiftwater Cafe allow dogs?

No, Swiftwater Cafe does not allow dogs.

Does Swiftwater Cafe have TVs?

Yes, Swiftwater Cafe has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Swiftwater Cafe have bike parking?

No, Swiftwater Cafe does not have bike parking.

Does Swiftwater Cafe have outdoor seating?

Yes, Swiftwater Cafe has outdoor seating options.

Does Swiftwater Cafe have parking?

Yes, Swiftwater Cafe has parking options. Garage Parking, Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Swiftwater Cafe wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Swiftwater Cafe is wheelchair accessible.

Does Swiftwater Cafe have free WiFi?

Yes, Swiftwater Cafe has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Fast casual dining, Great Locally roasted coffee, Homemade soups, sandwiches, assorted wraps and salads, fresh fruit, hot dogs, BBQ, and more. We also specialize in corporate breakfast and lunch catering. Fresh, friendly and delicous

History

Established in 2003.

Moved back home in 2003 to meet a need for a locally owned cafe downtown. Allows us to give back to our community and keep us close to the best white water in the USA. The love for the beautiful rivers in our state shows in our many river pics and big fish pics on the walls. The love for superior customer service shows in our effort to please. Our love for quality fresh food is clear when you leave. We look forward to many more great years to come.

Meet the Business Owner: Teddy Q.

Love to feed the people, run the whitewater rivers in our state, and be the best husband and father possible.

Ask the Community - Swiftwater Cafe

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Veggie quiche after a big bite!

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Paige R.

8 years ago

We reached out to Teddy to place a catering order for a lunch business meeting we had in WV (our Company is from NH). During the ordering process, he was very accommodating to our requests and very responsive when we needed to get a hold of him. He showed up with his Son to deliver our catering order and our team thought they were amazing! They delivered the food to the building and were right on time. We got great feedback from everyone at the meeting that the food was phenomenal and we wanted to make sure we gave them a great review. Very professional and delicious food! If we ever do business in the area again, we will be sure to order from here! read more

Dolly P.

7 years ago

This is my first time in Charleston, WV. My husband and I checked out Swiftwater Cafe from a recommendation on Yelp. It was a quaint little cafe with a good selection of deli, sandwiches, soups & salads. The sign said Best In Town for the Hotdogs and got curious. They were amazing! The slaw texture was great and worked well with the chili. Everything on that Hotdog complemented each other. I also tried the Cracked Pepper Turkey Sandwich and it did not disappoint. Service is also quick and though the line keeps getting long, the crew is prepared and can keep up. read more

Kirsten S.

214

7 years ago

We didn't look at reviews before we came, only the menu, and it didn't disappoint! Great cafe atmosphere, super friendly people! We are just passing through the area and wanted a good breakfast and we got it! The Breakfast Dog and Grilles Breakfast Burrito were delicious! Maybe next time we pass through Charleston we will stop for lunch! read more

Elizabeth B.

7 years ago

This place rocks. They called me to let me know the BBQ sauce had trace amounts of wheat (I am gluten free), but I ordered it anyway. The BBQ was hot, with a little bit of spice, but very delicious. The coleslaw was also delicious. read more

Ryan F.

9 years ago

Cozy breakfast spot with a great home cooked menu. Staff is always friendly l, as are the regulars. Get the big breakfast platter and enjoy a few moments reminiscing about Saturday morning breakfasts from your childhood. read more

Andrea S.

9 years ago

Stopped by on our way through West Virginia! The breakfast sandwich I got was really good (reminded me of home-cooked meals at my mom's)! Friendly staff and very reasonable prices. It's a cute area in town, too! read more

Kristi P.

9 years ago

The best little cafe to eat at in Charleston. Fresh food everyday! Everyone is so nice and polite. Very nice atmosphere! Even the boss came out and shook my hand. Best place to eat I will be going back. read more

Dolores A.

8 years ago

Worked in the Diamond building on Capital Street, ate at Swiftwater somedays breakfast and lunch. Love the food and the shop was always clean, also loved Teddy! 08/05/18. Dolores Anderson read more

Jessica O.

133

12 years ago

Wonderful atmosphere at cafe, you will always find something for everyone on the menu. Kind and friendly staff. Highly recommend!!!!!

Tommy M.

8 years ago

Very nice and clean inside, the gentleman taking orders was really nice and repeated are order!! And this food was amazing

Carsen S.

4 months ago

GASSSS!!! i love this place! i had to stop in WV on my drive and my boyfriend found this place and it was amazing

Skylar H.

9 years ago

Great food and great service! The owner was very nice and welcomed us as soon as we walked in! Highly recommend!!

Space P.

8 years ago

I loved this place, it had awesome service, they had a fairly nice variety of foods, I will be going here again.

Dan A.

8 years ago

Good food... quaint little breakfast location in the heart of the business district... good prices.

Bret F.

9 years ago

Just had the Hickory Pulled Pork and Roasted Potato salad. Delicious Quick and fast service.

Matt S.

7 years ago

Great breakfast and lunch spot. The food is great and the employees are super friendly.

Michele B.

7 years ago

Had the pizza grilled cheese! Very yummy!! Everything I have had here has been good.

Swiftwater Cafe - cafes - Updated October 2026

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