Saffron Restaurant & Bakery

333 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States
$$$ Cafe
(1757 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Located in the heart of Charleston at 333 E Bay St, Saffron Restaurant & Bakery offers a delightful fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. With its charming ambiance and inviting decor, this cafe is the perfect spot for those seeking a culinary experience that tantalizes the senses.

The menu showcases a variety of hearty options, from the mouth-watering She Crab Soup that seamlessly combines the ocean’s essence with a creamy rich texture, to the beautifully presented Eggplant Mirza that features a melange of roasted eggplants perfectly balanced with garlic, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Each dish tells a story, with bold flavors and textures that transport diners straight to the Mediterranean.

On the salad front, options like the zesty Ginger Sesame Salad are a must-try. The vibrant mix of grilled shrimp or chicken atop crisp rice noodles paired with a sesame-ginger dressing delivers an explosion of flavor with every bite. For those craving hearty entrees, the Chicken Fesenjoon is a standout dish, featuring tender grilled chicken enveloped in a rich walnut and pomegranate reduction served alongside saffron rice and grilled vegetables.

The bakery side of Saffron is not to be overlooked. As noted in a customer's glowing review, their pastries are “the best palmier we ever had!” and the coconut pound cake has garnered praise for its delightful taste and reasonable pricing. The cafe also boasts a unique chocolate croissant that has earned a reputation for its generous size and exquisite taste.

Service at Saffron aims to enhance your dining experience as friendly staff promptly attend to your needs, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere. While some guests have pointed out occasional service hiccups, the overall feedback reflects a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, exemplified by the enthusiastic responses from regulars.

Whether you are stopping by for a casual bite or indulging in a full meal, Saffron Restaurant & Bakery guarantees a memorable experience enriched by flavorful fare and a cozy setting. Be sure to plan your visit and enjoy the delightful offerings this Charleston gem has to offer!

For reservations and inquiries, you can reach them at +1 843-722-5588.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves halal food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Quiet
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Popular with university students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Tuesday

7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Wednesday

7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Thursday

7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Friday

7:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

7:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

1757 Reviews
Amy Kang

06 Sep 2025

Very nice bakery in town. We just picked up some pastries to take on a boat ride so didn’t expect much. Wow!! Palmier was the best palmier we ever had! Typically it’s flat but this one was crispy outside but inside was soft and flaky. We went back on the way to the airport to pick up some of palmiers, cinnamon twist and 3 big cookies. Coconut pound cake was good. Pricing was reasonable. Definitely not to miss this place when you visit Charleston.

Zach Kamla

21 Aug 2025

So much heart! Wife had chicken salad on croissant and said it was like trying a croissant for the first time. Falafel had a warming spice and tasted so subtly delicious. Crispy fries with incredible spice. Going to take some baked goods home. Definitely recommend!

Sasan Maj

04 Aug 2025

Everything about the food was great. As an Iranian who makes kebabs at home, it’s not easy for me to praise restaurant kebabs — but this one was impressive! The portion size was right, and the texture and flavor of the meat were just spot on. The only downside was the lack of sumac, which I think is a pretty important part of the experience. After a long time, I had Doogh (yogurt drink) again — it was good, but not amazing. The atmosphere was very interesting, and you can also buy Iranian groceries from their store. Overall, it was a delicious and satisfying experience. I just wish they had sumac too!

Macy Hooper

24 Jul 2025

If you are looking for the largest chocolate croissant, Saffron Bakery is the place! Staff were incredibly friendly and efficient but we did not find the pastries or bread to be anything special. We ordered an Apple danish, a chocolate croissant, a pecan roll, an iced chai tea, and a ciabatta bread. The pecan roll was the best of our selection. While the pastries were satisfactory, we had higher expectations. While we did not get to try the cakes, they did look extraordinary! The parking lot also only has about 6 spots which were often full, however, we were able to utilize paid parking across the street.

James Smalls

07 Jul 2025

First off the server mumbled to the point of me barely hearing him. But he was courteous. Next the silverware looked like they just took it off a bussed table. The server while polite let my guest finish her meal and me likewise but never brought her tea. Lastly the coffee was by far harsher than I ever had in my 66 years of life. But otherwise it was palatable. But not like it was when I ate there regularly.

Chad Albertson

06 Jul 2025

On our last day in Charleston, we tried this place a half mile from our hotel in the French quarter. We had seen it earlier in the week on our way to the aquarium. Hands down some of the best Mediterranean food we have had in quite some time. The portions were huge. The ingredients were fresh. The three of us ate off two ordered meals and still had left overs. One server for the entire dining room, however he handled us and others quite fine. Never missed a beat. One star down on atmosphere as it’s a bit dated and could stand a fresh coat of paint per see. For a casual restaurant it could be a 5 star though. Just depends on how you want to grade it.

Ievgen Lauta

03 Jul 2025

It feels like we visited Saffron at the worst moment. Atmosphere: it feels like they are preparing for a renovation. Service: fast enough and polite. It felt as though they are a bit understaffed. Food: this one is the hardest. Small plates - very very good Crab & Avocado Stack - fresh and balanced! Shrimp and grits - I guess we simply didn't understand their variant of the recipe. No smoky flavor, no tomatoes, grey-ish gravy. Ate shrimps, left the rest. Shrimp Curry - delicious rice and curry with raw spiced veggies as if chef forgot to grill them at all. Coffee - good Americano. Deserts we had Pear Tart and mini amaretto cream bake. Pear Tart 3.5. amaretto cream bake very good, fresh and flavorful! And they had really good Raspberry Mimosa!!! That's gonna be my feedback. As honest as it can be.

Mohammad Tayyebi

28 May 2025

Parking can be a bit of a challenge, as it’s hard to find a spot nearby, so plan ahead if you're driving. The food overall was enjoyable, though the chicken was slightly overcooked and a bit burnt. On the other hand, the koobideh and chenjeh (grilled meat skewers) were flavorful and well-seasoned, with tender texture and a perfect balance of spices. The real highlight, however, was the dessert. Their selection was outstanding, especially the pistachio baklava, which was delicately infused with Damask rose and saffron. It was easily one of the best I’ve ever had, rich in flavor yet not overly sweet. Despite a few minor downsides, the dining experience was memorable, and I would definitely return for the desserts alone.

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