Highest-rated dessert shops in the Charleston, South Carolina area by diners
Highest-rated dessert shops in the Charleston, South Carolina area by diners
There's no denying that Americans have a sweet tooth—nearly 41% say they enjoy a sweet treat at least once a day, according to a November 2024 YouGov survey.
One of the most popular desserts to dig into is ice cream. An International Dairy Foods Association survey from May 2024 found that just about all Americans (97%) love or like ice cream. The frozen confection has held a special place in the U.S. since the turn of the 19th century with the invention of insulated ice houses. By the mid-1800s, ice cream was manufactured and sold to the masses. Soon, old-fashioned soda fountains started selling sundaes, milkshakes, and ice cream sodas, becoming a gathering place for young people. Today, more than 150 years later, those dessert options not only remain perennial top choices but also evoke a sense of nostalgia and community.
Over the years, Americans' dessert tastes have led to some other tasty trends, from the cupcake craze of the early 2000s thanks to bakeries like Magnolia, Sprinkles, and Crumbs, to the self-serve frozen yogurt frenzy that followed in the early 2010s via Pinkberry, 16 Handles, and Red Mango. Most recently, the 2020s have seen cookies sweep the nation, with chains like Insomnia and Crumbl stoking childhood memories, launching TikTok trends, and growing exponentially.
Today's desserts also go far beyond ice cream, cupcakes, and cookies. Many modern dessert shops are redefining the experience by fusing timeless recipes with multicultural flavors, offering creative twists such as matcha-infused cupcakes, horchata ice cream, and Basque cheesecakes that celebrate both tradition and innovation.
To keep up with the ever-evolving dessert trends, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated dessert shops in the Charleston area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants tagged as "desserts" on Yelp within a 10-kilometer radius of Charleston were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may primarily serve other food items.
Whether indulging in a time-honored pie or exploring a fusion delight, the world of desserts remains as vibrant and diverse as the communities that enjoy them. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list or to find your next sweet treat!
#30. Olympik Restaurant & Bakery
- Rating: 3.6/5 (84 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1662 Savannah Hwy Unit 120 Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Mediterranean, Greek, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe
- Rating: 3.9/5 (1047 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 78 North Market St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Desserts, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Crumbl - Mt. Pleasant
- Rating: 3.9/5 (90 reviews)
- Address: 1485 North US Hwy 17 Ste B Mt Pleasant, South Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Bubbie's Cookies and Treats
- Rating: 4.1/5 (203 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 370 King St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Kilwins Ice Cream - Chocolate - Fudge
- Rating: 4.1/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 59 South Market St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Chocolatiers & Shops, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Thai Elephants Restaurant - James Island
- Rating: 4.1/5 (170 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 915 Unit Q Folly Road Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Thai, Desserts, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Turbo Cone
- Rating: 4.1/5 (68 reviews)
- Address: 828 St. Andrews Blvd. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Customized Merchandise
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Le Chambertin
- Rating: 4.2/5 (49 reviews)
- Address: 113 Church St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Bakeries, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Tinto Y Crema
- Rating: 4.2/5 (271 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6 Vendue Range Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Desserts, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Gala Cafe & Bakery
- Rating: 4.2/5 (170 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 123 Pitt St. Old Village Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Tapas Bars, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Benne's
- Rating: 4.2/5 (56 reviews)
- Address: 112 North Market St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Cafes, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Peace Pie
- Rating: 4.2/5 (346 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 223 Meeting St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#18. The Harlow
- Rating: 4.2/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1015 Harbor View Road Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Bars, American, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Carmella's
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1063 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 198 East Bay St. Ste 100 Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Wine Bars, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#16. The Ordinary
- Rating: 4.3/5 (851 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 544 King St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Seafood, Desserts, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Metto Coffee & Tea
- Rating: 4.3/5 (230 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 354 West Coleman Blvd. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, American, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Sorelle
- Rating: 4.4/5 (296 reviews)
- Address: 88 Broad St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Italian, New American, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Byrd's Famous Cookies - South Market
- Rating: 4.4/5 (55 reviews)
- Address: 71 South Market St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#12. The Dolly Llama Mount Pleasant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 1483 Hwy 17 Ste I Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Waffles, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Annie O Love's Cookie Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1901 Ashley River Road Ste 9 Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Cafes, Desserts, Gluten-Free
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Lola's Lumpia Food Truck
- Rating: 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 4831 Mixson Ave. Ste 101 North Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Filipino, Food Trucks, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#9. The Peacock
- Rating: 4.5/5 (163 reviews)
- Address: 213 East Bay St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Cocktail Bars, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Buzzed Bull Creamery
- Rating: 4.6/5 (40 reviews)
- Address: 595 King St. Suite 130 Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Wildflour Pastry
- Rating: 4.6/5 (126 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1750 Savannah Hwy Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
#6. AZUR
- Rating: 4.6/5 (85 reviews)
- Address: 159 Market St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Tapas/Small Plates, Desserts, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#5. El Molino Supermarket
- Rating: 4.6/5 (141 reviews)
- Address: 1610 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. Ste 301 Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: International Grocery, Desserts, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#4. My Three Sons of Charleston
- Rating: 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5237 Dorchester Road North Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Soul Food, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Rating: 4.7/5 (88 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1145 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mt Pleasant, South Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Cupcakes
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Weltons Tiny Bakeshop
- Rating: 4.8/5 (43 reviews)
- Address: 682 King St. Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Egy Dough
- Rating: 5.0/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 2578 Ashley River Road Ste I Charleston, South Carolina
- Categories: Egyptian, Desserts, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 241 metros.
