Surfside Beach’s go-to carb castle is cranking out the goods, and we’re here for it
It’s not every day you stumble into a place that feels like your neighbor’s kitchen but bakes enough loaves to supply half of Surfside Beach. Yet here we are—welcome to Benjamin’s Bakery & Café, a family-run staple just off 3rd Ave S, where ovens have been working overtime for more than three decades. What started as a small bagel shop back in 1994 is now both a beloved local haunt and a behind-the-scenes hero for over 100 Grand Strand businesses. Call it the unsung MVP of Surfside Beach—except the locals are definitely singing.
Carb Heaven
Let’s talk inventory. If it can be kneaded, proofed, or crusted to golden perfection, it’s probably coming out of Benjamin’s ovens right now. The bread situation here is serious: rustic artisan loaves, crusty baguettes, fluffy brioche rolls, focaccia that could moonlight as pizza crust, and buns—lots of buns. It’s all made on-site, no par-baked nonsense. Add to that a bagel lineup with 16+ varieties (looking at you, Jalapeño Cheddar and Sunflower Nine Grain) and you’ve got a carb playground. Pro tip: locals swear by the “Austin’s Choice” sandwich—egg, sausage, provolone, roasted red peppers, and jalapeño roasted red pepper mayo all piled onto an everything bagel. Brunch goals? Achieved.
Pastries You’ll Pretend You’re “Just Browsing”
If the bread counter is the main act, the pastry case is the mic-drop encore. Sticky buns that require two napkins minimum, danishes with just the right fruit-to-cream cheese ratio, and dossants (yes, donut-croissant hybrids) that might just convert you to early mornings. There are apple fritters the size of your palm, biscotti built for dunking into Benjamin’s in-house roasted coffee, and seasonal pies that have a cult following. Spoiler alert: the blueberry pie is a local legend.
The Dough that Started It All
Behind every irresistible bagel and golden loaf is a team who understands their dough like it’s a trusted family recipe—because in many cases, it is. Benjamin’s crafts everything from scratch, daily, with a devotion to texture and flavor you can taste in every bite. Their artisan breads get an extra flair with add-ins like rosemary, sun-dried tomato, garlic herb, and cracked wheat. Oh, and don’t forget the toppings. You want sesame seeds? They’ve got ‘em. Cinnamon sugar? Of course. An everything mix so good it could double as seasoning for, well, everything? Say no more.
More Than a Bakery—It’s a Vibe
Sure, you’ll show up for the carbs, but you’ll stay for the café menu and cozy surf-town charm. Breakfast is served all day (as it should be), with sandwiches like the “Surfside Beach” stacking turkey, avocado, spinach, bacon, and basil pesto mayo onto a baguette that crunches just right. Lunchtime brings standouts like “Lily’s Philly,” where shaved sirloin, provolone, grilled onions, and roasted red peppers get a satisfying kick from jalapeños. Pair it all with their small-batch, house-roasted coffee for the full Surfside Beach experience.
The Locals Know
Benjamin’s isn’t just about food—it’s about community. Regulars have been rolling through since the early ‘90s, while vacationers stumble upon it and wonder why no one back home makes bagels quite like this. It’s the kind of place where you can overhear stories about how someone’s parents brought them here as a kid—and now they’re bringing their own kids. Add in the fact that Benjamin’s supports local events and caters everything from bagel trays to dessert spreads, and you’ve got more than a bakery. You’ve got a neighborhood institution.
