Review Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe

Delaney Knight

My husband and I walked in less than 10 minutes before closing (something I absolutely hate doing) but the workers were so welcoming in letting us get desserts to go. We got the mixed berry cheesecake, coconut cream pie and a brownie. While the coconut cream pie and brownie were good, the mixed berry cheesecake was to die for!! Likely the best cheesecake I’ve ever had. I wish I had more time in Charleston just to go get another. 10/10 recommend. We had gone to Carmella’s the night before and if you only have time for one dessert stop, Kaminsky’s has it beat in both customer service and taste!!!

Kimberly Sarvis

The people were very nice. Of course their menu changes every day so it's hard to figure out what you really want. But other than that everything was delicious. I had a milkshake that desserts looked excellent, but the day that I went I was too early to be eaten desserts for me but I heard that they're delicious

Tonya Florence-Bell

This dessert bar was a great find. We were looking for sweets after walking around Charleston, and this place did not disappoint. Offering dessert cocktails, coffee drinks, and baked yumminess of all sorts. I had the Coconut Cream pie- so good. My husband ordered Key Lime and was very pleased. We ordered coffee cocktails too.

Ashley Brown Pollard

We took a walk over to Kaminsky's for dessert. There was a wait to be seated & to order carry out. We decided to wait in line outside for carrying out. When we made our way to the counter inside the staff was super informative and friendly. We ordered the red velvet layer cake, chocolate layer cake, & an ice cream Sundae & took them back to the courtyard where we were staying. The Sundae was yummy, with chocolate sauce & mini chocolate chips. We wouldn't have minded a little more frosting between the layers, but the layer cakes were moist and delicious! Overall, it's a yummy spot for dessert.

Jennalee Beck

Best cobbler I've ever had. We loved our so much we went twice on our vacation. Highly recommend! The sundaes were phenomenal as well.

Danielle Michael

Wow. The Samoa martini is absolutely DELICIOUS-to die for!!! Takes like the cookie but better! And the Dreamsicle milkshake was also soooo good. Hubby loved the espresso martini and the bananas foster Manhattan. Service was quick and Uber friendly-we will be back for sure!!

Betty Hunt

Fantastic cafe for dessert! So many choices, even 2 gluten free options. We had the GF Lemon Poppyseed Cake, which was a delectable delight! It's a good thing that I live 6 hours away, or I would be there frequently!

andrea garibay

Great cocktails! Even the espresso martini has a twist. My favorite was the Samoa cookie drink! Taste like one too. We also had a brownie sundae and that blend of warm brownie with ice cream was perfect. The place is a bit small so I could see this being hard to get a seat when busy. We went straight to the bar to with no wait time. Great bartender too! Everyone was friendly.

Kevin Martin

What a cool little place. We were looking for something to do after dinner and we found it. Coffee and cake were delicious, people were very friendly. Definitely will be back next time we're in town.

steve smith

Party of 8 on Saturday night, November 4th. Had to wait a few minutes but no big deal for us since accommodating a large party. We all ordered something different and everyone cleaned the plate! Bourbon pecan pie was awesome! You have to get dessert here.

Darnella G

One of my favorite places in Charleston!! I cannot say enough about how great the drinks were and the slices of cakes were huge and yummy. I got the key lime martini and hubby got apple pie. The cake we tried was caramel banana spice and it was amazing. We visited this place everyday. Loved it

Dennis Baum

It's my birthday, and I just drank down that Drunken Cookie "adult milkshake" faster than any milkshake in my life! That thing is EVIL! I'll be back next year for another one! If not sooner!!! Thank you!!! Happy birthday to me!!!!

Scott Kelly

We visited this afternoon 6/3/2023. The young lady working the bar was awesome and the young man getting the deserts was so helpful. The food was terrific.

Vacation Like A Local

This was a great place for desserts on Market street. It is conveniently located right next to the cruise ship Dock as well as the Charleston City Market. We got the mint chocolate chip milk shake (which contains plenty of extra chocolate chips) and the chocolate cake. Bother we’re to die for!

Joshua Stewart

Best dessert ever, the berry cobbler is to die for , cozy atmosphere wonderful drinks and staff. Would recommend to everyone forever and ever amen

Brad Speers

Best dessert place in Charleston. Maybe best dessert place in the Southeast. You can’t go wrong with any of their cakes or pies when you go there.

Jalissa Ireland Kori

Such an amazing gem along Market street! Favorite spot in Charleston! Desserts are to die for and the dessert martinis are phenomenal! A must visit! Will definitely be back!

Christie Rainwater

The food is amazing! I highly recommend the Toll House Cookie Pie or the Berry Crisp... both ala mode, of course! The challenge you will face is the wait time. It’s always packed.

Krista Meyer Kreke

Mediocre at best. Was told there was a 5-10 minute wait for us (party of 2) but was really a 25+!minute wait until a 2 top opened up. Pretty frustrating when there are a bunch of empty tables in the cafe! Cakes were just ok...then again we are comparing against The Cake Bake shop in Indianapolis which is TOP NOTCH!!! Cappuccino was just ok. Won't be returning anytime soon.

Malia Tomlinson Wyatt

Had a huge piece of chocolate cake and a chocolate martini to wash it down! Delicious on both!! Lovely service and very much worth the small wait on a Saturday night. Be sure to stop in and taste all the yummy selections!

Chloe Schuler

Kaminsky's has been a go to dessert bar for me and my family the last 10 years at least. Great warm atmosphere, delicious sweets and tasty coffee drinks...its the perfect place to celebrate any occasion and has been a place of many great celebratory memories for me!!! ��

Paul

Restaurant was mostly full and we were told it would be a 20 min wait. We asked if we could get something to go. We were told we would still need to wait to get takeout. The restaurant next door serves their desserts, and was nearly empty. The hostess offered to seat us but told us we needed permission of kaminsky’s manager. The manager informed us we were not allowed to eat there and that we just needed to wait as it was “his restaurant “. We chose to eat elsewhere

Mandi Womble

The Snickerdoodle cake was one of the best cakes I've ever eaten! Their dessert martinis were fun and delicious and the ambiance is nice for an after-dinner dessert/drink treat! We went twice on our vacation because we wanted to eat the cake again!

Dawnry

Absolutely amazing! Had the berry cobbler and the chocolate layered heaven cake and it was delightful and moist. This will be a stop we bring all our out of town friends who visit us here in charleston :)

Crystal Ragland

We received this recommendation from a local and they steered us right! Bourbon pecan our and berry cobbler were delicious! They also had cheesecakes, 2 & 3 layer cakes and shakes and malts! Yum!

Ornila Rahman

Great place, awesome dessert martinis and decent cheesecake. Will definitely recommend for an after dinner hangout. Our waiter from dinner earned himself a nice tip with his little tip!

Jill M. Cullen

Incredible Desserts. This was our last stop on the Charleston Culinary Tour and it was the grand finale.. The desserts were so delicious. We had a sampling of Key Lime Pie and Tollhouse Pie. They make just about every dessert here and it is always changing as they are always baking new things. A great stop for coffee and a sweet or tea or milk and cookies, pie or cake..

K_pop5

Good but waaaay overpriced.... Wandered in here while shopping downtown one Saturday and overall, a nice find :) We ordered 2 coffees with liquor and sat by the window. The window seat was great as the restaurant was kind of cramped feeling. I enjoyed my coffee but was extremely surprised when the bill came. It was over $16 for 2 small coffees that may have had 1 shot of liquor each!!! A regular cup of coffee here cost about $4 which means that they charged about $4 more for the shot of liquor...ridiculous! And the coffee wasn't anything special... Probably won't go back for coffee but the dessert case looked very inviting ;)

GoodSouthernEats

Try the Coconut Cream Pie!. Okay, Kaminsky's tends to be cramped and a little pricey depending on what you get, but the coconut cream pie is unforgettable!!!

Andy

Great place- try the coconut cream pie- you will never forget it. It's been 2 months and I still dream about it!

Bkostoff

Great desserts. Stopped for dessert after dinner. There was a wait, so we ordered a piece of 3 layer chocolate cake to go and it was delicious. It was very moist. Employees were pleasant and efficient. I will be returning to try their other desserts that also looked very good.

Shawna Moore

My husband and I were in Charleston on business and stopped in for coffee and dessert. I had a mochachino and it was delicious,and an Oreo cheesecake. Easily the best cheesecake I have ever had. The atmosphere was great and we loved the music!

Top Chef Wannabe

Must Visit. I've traveled a good amount in the U.S., and never found a place like this. It had a legitimate dessert cocktail menu, not just some crappy martinis with Godiva liqueur in them. The actual desserts are all homemade, and delicious. The waitstaff are also very knowledgeable and friendly. This is a place everyone should visit; you won't find another like it elsewhere.

Lori

A MUST GO!. My husband and I can't get enough of Kaminsky's! We went twice while on vacation this weekend! Cheesecake is the best! You really can't go wrong with any! Portions are huge, Def a good idea to split! Yum!

Broken Halo

We all enjoyed it. Good lattes & desserts. Between the hummingbird cake, peach pie & mixed berry cobbler the cobbler was my top pick.

Silas

I see management responds to positive reviews, but I wonder if they will address a problem when they happen. When we tried to look at the dessert case a young girl working there told us to wait. After 15 mins without her telling us we could go in and look, I asked her if it was ok to go in yet. There wasn't anybody standing at the case at this moment. She again stated that I had to wait. I clarified I did not want a table but to order a dessert from the case, just to be sure there was no confusion. Another 20 mins, and after 15 or so people walking straight up the steps and into the cafe, I asked the girl if I was ever going to be allowed in. I understand people must give her a hard time and she must have felt defensive because she made it clear I was not coming in regardless. Can management clear this up for me?

Itanni Betancourt

No peanut butter???. Ordered a milkshake. Was hoping for a peanut butter milkshake but they do not have peanut butter. Weird. They have every other shake under the sun! Anyways, I asked for something resembling a peanut butter shake, and I got a vanilla shake with peanut butter candy pieces and nuts throughout. Not what I wanted. I also ordered a pecan pie and it was overloaded with pecans and had little butter filling. The pie ratio was off. My order was not terrible. But not great either. Price was decent at around $4.50 each.

Anna C.

The drinks make up for their desserts. The cheesecake is really waxy and tastes bland. Thank goodness for those delicious cocktails!

EDH

THE best. The staff is always helpful, organized, and kind no matter how busy they are, and the desserts are flat out amazing. My roommate and I recently walked through downtown at 11:45 at night in sweatpants just because we were craving a milkshake to-go. The line was out the door but we were walking home happy campers in under 10 minutes. Exceeds my expectations on every level each time I go!

MP

Large party. We went here after our rehearsal dinner. We didn't make a reservation (assuming one can) because originally just the girls were going to break-off and have dessert here, but everyone decided to join us. This is a very popular place and hard to get into on a weekend night, much less as a giant group, but eventually we got in. We ordered off the menu and between all of us, we probably tried everything. HUGE portions, probably better idea is to split. Everyone seemed happy with their dessert and full when we left.

Brian Walford

Awesome desserts and coffee as always. A must to feed your sugar fix.

Nicki Luttrell

Coconut cream pie...do it or die.

Carolinas1986

I had the Boston Creme pie and a cappuccino and they were both delicious. Our server, Christina, was so nice and her happy attitude added to the lovely experience. My husband and I will definitely be back for another date night!

Jake Tucker

BEST BARTENDER IN TOWN. I am a high school senior who goes to kaminsky's like three times a month or more. The best time to go is after midnight. The bartender (just look for the guy with the cool tie and vest) is always there and I always talk to him. I don't know what I would do without him there. They food is to die for and drinks are even better. The prices are so awesome, even I can afford them (and that's saying something). The location is perfect and the atmosphere is the best in charleston!

Stacy Cumbie

Awesome find!. Cake, coffee, AND booze! Seriously cool place. And, it was all really good. My only complaint is that it's sort of pricey. But, the service was awesome. And, the food was awesome. This is the kind of place to take a date or celebrate something special. Try to beat the crowd, though. If not, you'll be waiting. xD If you're in Charleston, you definitely need to give this place a try!

Yoshi22481

Not impressed!. Long, long wait to be seated, but also made 1 person in our party wait to just walk in to the dessert case for a to-go order. This could be solved if they had a menu on the outside of the restaurant. Also, should put a walk up window on the outside to alleviate some congestion. What do I know though...

Sara Marshall

Overpriced and doesn't live up to all the hype! Mosaic in mt p has way better cakes! So does pages okra grill.

Nikki Arc

Their banana cream cheese cake was to die for. I also got a hot chocolate w banana flavoring in it called the 'chocolate monkey steamer' all awesome & served by the nicest staff.

Chris R

Very overrated! We went at 9pm to get dessert and ice cream. Waited 45 minutes. Once seated we were then told they were out of ice cream! Couldn't the hostess have told us that when we got there?? Desser we did have were average. Not worth the wait!!

Kungfoodie

Kaminsky's = nothing special. My complaint about Kaminsky's is that they don't have a specialty dessert or something that makes you want to go back. Who doesn't like chocolate cake and coffee? But the reality is that the chocolate cake tasted like a box chocolate cake that I can easily make myself. If I decide to splurge on dessert it better rock my world! When I looked at the desserts behind the case I thought they all looked OK, but I wasn't really excited about any of them. I also tried the specialty coffee 'Nutty Irish.' It reminded me of the desserts. No complaints exactly, but it wasn't great. When I left I was not upset with what I got, but I wouldn't consider going back either.

Abbey

Best desserts in Charleston!! Amazing dessert martinis, sundaes and cakes! An absolute must!

Kathy Calvert

The desserts were wonderful! Great service. A++

Corinn45

MOST EXCELLENT!. Finally made it here on my last trip to Charleston and this place is awesome! We got the cookie sundae and it was delicious! Two huge, soft, chocolatey cookies with vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate syrup - sinfully delicious! Also tried peppermint hot chocolate which was yummy. Even though we were pleasantly devouring our sundae, we drooled over the cakes and pies in the display case too! HUGE slices of wonderful-looking cakes on display! Must go back again sometime to try those!

Eric W. Ramsey

Nice laid back atmosphere, good coffee, great service! Had the mixed berry cobbler... Great stuff! I'll be back...

Mark Miller

Don't waste your time or money. I travel to Charleston a couple of times a year. I used to enjoy going here, but no longer. The past several times the service was absolutely terrible. This time we walked out after sitting at the table for quite a while. The server never bothered to come to the table. When we walked out, the manager did not even apologize. He simply said that he just had one server working and that is the best they could do. There are so many fantastic places in Charleston, don't waste your time or money going here.

Fred The Head

This is one of my "must do" locations every time I'm in Charleston. Whether it's a root beer float on a hot July afternoon or a wonderful coffee drink in December, it's always worth the stop. Sometimes there is a line but other times you can walk right in. The desserts are awesome and change, so be sure to peruse the case as you come in. Honestly, I don't think you can make a bad choice.

Culinary Queen

Anything chocolate will always be my fav...but too many good choices...their coffees are super and I love a chocolate shake when in town. A must drop in place when in Charleston; equally popular with the locals and tourists. You may want to "share" as portions are large...but then again...maybe not. Great place.

Apicius

Decadent. The mixed-berry cobbler (with ice cream, of course) at Kaminski's was fantastic. I would recommend you bring help though, because the portions are huge. I barely managed to finish it by myself, and certainly wouldn't have succeeded if I had eaten anything for dinner that night!

Marmy14

Absolutely sensational!. My boyfriend and I stopped in while we were vacationing in Charleston for some coffee and dessert. We were greeted by warm smiling faces. The only bad thing I can say about this place is trying to decide what to choose for dessert. There was a case FULL of many different choices: Tiramisu, Mixed Berry Cobbler, Chocolate Pies, Cake varieties, etc. The desserts are fresh made and once something runs out, it is replaced with something totally different. I chose the mixed berry cobbler. OH MY!! The topping was perfect, fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, the inside was mixed blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries and was just to die for! Worth a try!

Steve Sanderson

What a delightful gem right on the Market. Went there first night of vacation and returned every night thereafter. Great prices and great service. Bourbon Pecan Pie with ice cream...Devine!

Cory H

EXCELLENT!!!!!!. If you can deal with the line and wait to get in, then you will love your choice for a late-night dessert. My wife, children, and I had dessert here on Saturday night (Jan. 14th). The wait was horrible outside in the cold, but it was warm and delicious after our 35 minute wait. My wife and split a huge slab of chocolate cake and our children had chocolate shakes. Service was excellent as always!!!!!

Dixie

A sweet tooth's paradise!. Everytime I walk down Market Street I simply must pop into Kaminsky's to drool over their dessert case. It is a sweet tooth's paradise! They have some of the prettiest tall cakes, pies, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies, and cobblers you will ever see. On a recent visit I had a slice of tollhouse pie........ridiculous. Quality chocolate, real butter, and fresh pecans all warm and gooey and of course it was served a la mode. I am not a coffee drinker but my husband always enjoys a freshly brewed cup at Kaminsky's. It can get crowded at night, but is worth the wait, and the staff knows how to handle the room.

Yankeepoodle

Great waiter, great drinks. My husband got a mocha raspberry hot coffee and I got a specialty milkshake - chocolate, coffee and Baileys. Both were SOOOOOOOOOOOO good, I wished I could have 2 more. The desserts were very good, however mine was much too rich. I got a piece of cookie dough pie but it didn't taste like cookie dough, just chocolate. That was a bummer so I would have to try something else next time. Our waiter Damon was delightful. A wonderful person. Only other issue is that there is no printed dessert menu, so you have to stand at the counter looking at the unlabeled cakes/pies and it can be hard to ask questions about items when you're fighting for attention amongst the walk-ins buying something to go. Not very organized.

We LOVE To Eat

Need to try!!! I know there is always a line...but you won't be disappointed

CatCS

Fabulous dessert and the menu is always changing. The chai tea and coffee are also some of the best I've ever had.

Hernan C

OMG!!!!! this place rocks! Outstanding coffee drinks and some of the most excellent desert choices I have ever encountered. Great service and a sweet place to relax before or after a ghost tour or any kind of tour. I would say this is a "must visit" while in CLT. If your on a diet...forget about it. You will enjoy this place and they were playing nice modern music which is not too loud and adds to the atmosphere. We will definitely come here again!

WillIambl

Busy but good. People that say kaminsky's service is bad are stupid. it's a very very small touristy busy cafe on one of the busiest streets foot-traffic wise in Charleston; they have locally made pies and cakes and their coffee is fairly good. i recommend the toll house pie warmed up first with scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

G. T. C.

This place has become one of those places we go every year its amazing try a cuban missile crisis and a piece of the snickerdoodle cake so so so good

Sash

Friendly Cool place. We went late at night and were greeted by a friendly host. We waited for about 15 minutes for a table. The space was busy and a bit warm. There was a cool local feel and swarms of cheerful conversation. Our waitress was wonderful. We loved the menu of many choices to cure our java withdrawals. The coffee was good and our cake was yummy. We will return.

Foodie Fan

I don't get all the hype. My husband raved for weeks before we came to town but I was sorely disappointed. We had to wait 20 mins and then got lack luster service. When I went to the case to pick my dessert, the staff couldn't be bothered to identify anything for me. My husband ordered a brownie sundae that was dry and bland. I make better brownies at home. To top it off, I sprained my ankle because they have the lights down low and a wooden floor that drops off with no warning. Not even worth giving them my money again for take out

Connoisseur Of The Mundane

A nightcap at its most evolved.. Okay, the city is an accomplice, but a late night stroll to Kaminsky's for a cocktail and one of the fabulous desserts is the perfect adornment to any evening in Charleston.

Umami Kathy

Split the deserts. They are delicious but my sister and I almost died of a sugar coma.

Ellen

Most amazing!. My husband & I went here the other night for dessert. It was our last night in Charelston and knew we had to go. We even opted to eat dessert instead of dinner since we weren't that hungry. What a great idea! We had a HUGE piece of S'mores cake with ice cream. I am 7 months pregnant and all I can say is WOW! It's probably a good thing I don't live near by or else this place would be dangerous! Such a cozy place that I really wish Orlando had something comparable.

Spoonie C

Most Excellent

Breane Fillman

Best Dessert 13 years in a row!. Kaminsky's is the place I take all my out of town friends to. It's the best dessert you will eat in Charleston! And the environment is amazing. If you go there on a Saturday night, be prepared for a long wait. And more of the 'drinker scene'.

Pantherfan89

Gigantic desserts in the case made deciding what to order really difficult, but i finally decided on the tollhouse pie on this visit. It was delicious as expected. They also have excellent milkshakes, but after looking at those cakes it's hard to commit to a shake. anyone with a sweet tooth will enjoy this place.

Kellye

My boyfriend and I thought this was the neatest place we actually went back to different nights. Our favorite through the course of the weekend was the jimini milkshake and the milkshake made with coffee vodka and cocca. The berry cobbler was also really good. In all we really liked the place and wished we had one in our town! It's a neat little place

Lisa

The pecan pie was too sweet - like it was made from high frutose corn syrpur rather than maple syrup

Shinny

The service is horrendous. The desserts are just average... Similar cakes can be bought at publix

Howie Is Hungry

Desserts are fabulous. I have only eating dessert here...it's been a favorite pick-me-up while running errands downtown. The peanutbutter pie is to die for!!

Good Tipper

Tollhouse Pie. Yummmm. Bout as decadent as dessert can get and oh so good! And I must give kudos to the waitress who was very patient with my stoned friend who took 15 minutes to order. Think she had to explain the cakes 5 different times! And she didn't blink an eye!! Good job!

Joe

Really great after dinner place. I got my beer, she got wr dessert.

Frannybnanny

Most Excellent? Try most stale.... Kaminsky's has all the allure of a box of Duncan Hines cake mix, but you will pay a premium. Actually, I think I prefer a box of Duncan Hines, because it isn't as stale as the cake they serve here. The only dessert I have ever liked here is the tollhouse pie. My recommendation is to skip the desserts and get drinks! The key lime pie martini is out of this world, and the white monk is my favorite drink on a chilly day.

D From SC

A must stop for dessert while in the Charleston area!

BryanieC

The Fruited Buttercream is my #1 most excellent choice at this most excellent café. The last few times I've been in, it has not been available. Alas! The Mt. Pleasant location always called it the "Fruit Torte'" or something like that, so it was confusing to the wait staff when I'd ask for "Fruited Buttercream" as they call it in town. Whatever they call it, it is a delicious moist white cake layered with buttercream and strawberries, iced with the same really nice buttercream, and topped with an assortment of seasonal fruit. (My favorite time is when blackberries are in season!)

Lisa Rote Caplinger

If you are looking for a night cap or a way to start the night off right, stop by Kaminsky's for coffee, dessert, wine, even beer. They also take special orders for cakes and desserts. Can't wait for my birthday cake this year!!

The Fork You Five

The interior ambiance is romantic and intimate. A large bar stretches across one side of the space. Brick walls, dark woods and low-lighting complete the stage. It’s a small space, holding about a dozen tables. We were seated immediately when we arrived b

Review Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe - Charleston