Chow-Down Charleston › Desserts › Ice Cream
When locals and tourists want a truly indulgent dessert in the heart of the Holy City, one spot on King Street keeps coming up: Sweet Palm Coffee & Food. Their creative, over-the-top ice cream sundaes have made waves from Cannonborough-Elliotborough to the French Quarter.
A go-to dessert destination for Charleston residents from Radcliffeborough to South of Broad.
Every sundae is built with quality toppings and flavor-forward combinations you won't find at a chain.
Right in the heart of downtown Charleston — easy walk from most neighborhoods and major attractions.
The Lineup
Eight indulgent creations served fresh at Sweet Palm Coffee & Food. Pick your favorite — or work your way through all eight.
Velvety chocolate ice cream loaded with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a dusting of rich cocoa. A timeless sundae that never goes out of style on King Street.
All-Time FavoriteButtery caramel ice cream drizzled with house-made salted caramel sauce and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes. Sweet and savory perfection for the Upper King crowd.
Best SellerBright berry ice cream swirled with a mixed-berry compote, topped with fresh fruit and a cloud of whipped cream. A refreshing treat perfect for warm Charleston afternoons.
Fruity & FreshCreamy banana-flavored ice cream layered with vanilla wafer crumbles and topped with a rich pudding drizzle. A Southern-inspired comfort sundae the Harleston Village crowd adores.
Southern ClassicClassic strawberry ice cream crowned with fresh strawberry sauce and whipped cream. Simple, bright, and endlessly satisfying — great for anyone strolling down from the French Quarter.
Light & ClassicEspresso-infused ice cream dusted with cocoa powder and layered with a hint of mascarpone richness. Sweet Palm's coffee expertise shines in this dessert hybrid beloved by Cannonborough locals.
Coffee Lover's PickVelvety Biscoff cookie butter ice cream drizzled with warm speculoos sauce and crowned with crushed Biscoff cookie crumble. A cult-favorite among Elliotborough dessert hunters.
Cult FavoriteEarthy ceremonial-grade matcha ice cream paired with a tangy strawberry swirl. A bold, Instagram-worthy sundae that's as beautiful as it is delicious — a Wagener Terrace trendsetter's top pick.
Most InstagrammedWhere to Find It
Whether you live in the heart of the Peninsula or you're visiting for the weekend, Sweet Palm Coffee & Food at 471 King Street is an easy trip from virtually every downtown Charleston neighborhood. Here's how close it is to you:
Order Online for PickupJust steps away — residents here can walk to Sweet Palm in minutes. The go-to post-dinner dessert spot for the neighborhood's food-obsessed locals.
A quick Uber or pleasant stroll across the Charleston Peninsula brings you straight to one of the most creative sundae menus in the Lowcountry.
Just a short drive or bike ride down King Street. Locals heading toward downtown already pass Sweet Palm — the perfect excuse to stop in.
Heading up King Street for dinner or shopping? Wrap up the evening with a sundae at Sweet Palm — it's a worthy detour from the historic district's Battery walks and gallery openings.
King Street is one of Charleston's most-walked corridors. If you're shopping, sightseeing, or exploring the local food scene, Sweet Palm's sundaes are a must-stop dessert experience at 471 King.
From the Chow-Down Charleston Desk
Charleston's dessert scene is no stranger to great options — from bakeries on Meeting Street to gelato near the City Market — but when it comes to ice cream sundaes with personality, Sweet Palm Coffee & Food has carved out a very specific niche. They started as a specialty coffee shop, and that DNA shows in their dessert creativity. Flavors like Tiramisu and Strawberry Matcha aren't accidents — they're the result of a team that genuinely understands flavor pairing.
Located at 471 King Street, Sweet Palm sits in one of the Peninsula's most vibrant dining corridors. The stretch of Upper King from Cannon Street north has transformed over the past decade into a foodie destination, and Sweet Palm has grown right alongside it. Their ice cream sundae program launched as a natural extension of their beloved menu — and it immediately resonated with both downtown Charleston residents and tourists looking for something more interesting than a standard scoop shop.
What sets their sundaes apart is the craft approach. Each creation is built deliberately, not just scooped and drizzled. The Biscoff sundae, for example, uses a genuine speculoos sauce that coats every bite. The Banana Pudding leans into Southern tradition with real vanilla wafer crumble — a nod to the Lowcountry comfort food culture that Charlestonians love. Even their classic Chocolate sundae avoids the ordinary by using a deep, rich fudge that feels like an upgrade on the nostalgic original.
If you're planning a visit to downtown Charleston and building your dessert itinerary, we recommend checking out Sweet Palm's ice cream sundae page before you arrive so you know what you're ordering. They also offer online ordering for pickup through Toast — ideal for visitors who want to grab and go between gallery stops on King Street.
Don't Wait
Stop by Sweet Palm Coffee & Food at 471 King Street in downtown Charleston, or order online for easy pickup. Open daily, freshly made, and already a local legend.