10 Best Cheap Breakfasts in Charleston

Breakfast doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There’s a wealth of hidden gems along the roads of the Lowcountry. While many of these cafes may not have curb appeal, you’ll finding plenty of affordable items on the menus.

If you’re craving an egg sandwich, grits, or a bagel, this is your map. Here, we highlight dishes under $6 — remember, use your change to leave a nice tip.

Note: Not listed by rank.

Sunrise Bistro Kitchen has served the Johns Island area since 2009. Many folks driving out to Kiawah know to stop at this diner first for an affordable breakfast. The Jessica Ann open-faced omelette with basil, red onion, tomato, and feta, will only set you back $5.95. Or try the tomato melt with your choice of bagel, sliced tomato, scallion cream cheese, and cheddar for $4.50.

Slide into a booth at Early Bird Diner for two large biscuits piled with cream pepper gravy for only $5. The best part? Breakfast is served all day, so you can sleep in and still get this meal.

Irish-influenced Bluerose Cafe carries traditional breakfast items found in Ireland, like black and white pudding ($2.75) or rashers ($2.50), which you could cobble together with eggs for an affordable breakfast under $6. If you’d rather go for something more American, a stack of chocolate chip pancakes will cost you $5.95.

The views alone are worth at least $6 at Marina Variety Store, but since you’re there to eat while gawking at the boats lined up on the Ashley River, there are several affordable options. Grab a morning paper, nestle into a booth by the windows, and order owner Mike Altine’s double buttermilk biscuits and gravy for $4.99 or the “famous” breakfast sandwich for $3.50.

Cozy cafe PIE Bake Shoppe sells gigantic breakfast sandwiches starting at $3.99. Add bacon and avocado for just a dollar more. They have sidewalk seating if you’re in the mood for a peaceful outdoor morning on Warren Street.

Sliver of a shop Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits offers patrons a pair of flakey, buttery biscuits for $3. Choose from buttermilk, cheese and chive, or shortcake. If you have $4, splurge for the country ham, black pepper bacon, cinnamon, of blackberry jam versions.

Hannibal’s Soul Kitchen, an Eastside long-timer known as a breakfast seafood destination keeps all its morning offerings under $10. For under $6, you can try the salmon and grits, smothered liver and onions, or the East Bay breakfast sandwiches. Splurge an extra 50 cents and get the shrimp and grits. The kitchen starts serving Lowcountry classics at 7:00 a.m.

Huger Street newcomer North Central already has a reputation amongst New York/New Jersey expats as the most authentic northern-style deli in Charleston. In the mornings, order a Taylor pork roll with American cheese and scrambled egg for $5.50.

Reviews have knighted Charleston Bakery & Delicatessen as a spot to grab authentic Jewish fare in the Lowcountry. Order a bagel with lox and onions or pastrami or corned beef for $5.75. A bagel with a lox or smoked whitefish schmear will set you back $5.95.

Making the 600 biscuits a day is one of the first cooking tasks Page’s Okra Grill owner Ashleigh Page bangs out every morning. Why her buttermilk treats are so beloved? “They’re always fluffy.” The Southern-fried chicken version, topped with white pepper gravy, costs $4.