Location: Charleston
Top Things to do in Charleston
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Things to do in Charleston, South Carolina (SC): The Best Food Tours
Historic Charleston is bursting with Southern charm and hospitality. The city feels a bit like it’s suspended in time, thanks to its antebellum architecture and surrounding plantation landscapes. Take in incredible views of the Battery and the French Quarter as you stroll the Waterfront Park, then become inspired by the cultivated beauty of the gardens at Middleton Place. At night, try a ghost tour for an introduction to the spooky side of the city.
Restaurants in Charleston
1. Charleston Chef's Kitchen Guided Walking Food Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Get a behind the scenes understanding of some of Charleston’s best chefs and their restaurants that have created the Lowcountry Cuisine Renaissance. On this 2½ hour walking tour, you will visit several great restaurants where you will explore the history of the restaurant, learn about the chef’s approach to culinary excellence, have the menus interpreted by a pro, and tour the kitchen for a close-up peek at just what it takes to produce those fabulous meals. The Charleston Kitchen Tour begins with coffee and artisan pastries.
Inclusions: Food tasting, Professional guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Patricia H
The history of the jail is very fascinating. But as far as a “haunted tour”, a bit lame. I wouldn’t recommend this tour.
2. Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 336 reviews
Charleston's only chef led historic walking tour, cooking demonstration and lunch! Our experience begins with a 90 minute food history walking tour in the historic district, followed by a cooking demonstration, lunch & paired wine tasting at the popular local's spot Bistro a Vin. It's led by Charleston's only South Carolina Chef Ambassador & Palmetto Guild Certified tour guide, Forrest Parker. Leading the teams at some of Charleston's most iconic restaurants, Parker has been called a "visionary who calls upon the culture, history & flavor traditions of South Carolina to create heritage-infused experiences." Parker was recognized by then Governor Nikki Haley as a S.C. Chef Ambassador in 2016, a capstone for a culinary career that began in 1995. Chef Forrest invites you to take the path less traveled; to see, touch, sip and taste the Undiscovered Charleston!
Inclusions: Chef Forrest will demonstrate how to prepare three of his recipes with heritage Lowcountry ingredients then serve you lunch with carefully curated wine pairings from Bistro a Vin., Cooking Demonstration by Chef Forrest Parker, Bistro Au Vin provides wine tasting pours paired with Chef Forrest's recipes. (Additional wine available for purchase on consumption.), For those who do not wish to have wine, Charleston sweet tea and filtered water will be available., Each guest will leave with copies of Chef Forrest's recipes., 90-minute walking tour of Charleston's historic district
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By 526sarahr
I can’t say enough about how awesome this tour is. If you love history and food, book it! Book way in advance. Chef Forrest is a gem. He is an amazing and knowledgeable chef. Best meal we had in Charleston was lunch on this tour. We refused to try shrimp and grits anywhere else because there is no way it could have surpassed his dish.
3. Downtown Charleston Culinary Walking Food Tour
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 542 reviews
This 2.5-hour Charleston food walking tour features the area surrounding the Charleston City Market in the historic downtown district. Learn about Charleston's history as you enjoy tastings of traditional favorites and contemporary innovations, all of which highlight the cuisine of locally-owned restaurants. With a city-certified guide providing narration, you'll visit four eateries that provide samples of Lowcountry dishes.
Inclusions: City-certified guide, 2.5-Hour Downtown Charleston Culinary Walking Food Tour, All pre-selected food tastings at 4 Charleston restaurants (meal for most), Water & fountain beverages
Exclusions: Alcoholic/speciality beverages (available for purchase at most locations), Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By jocelynd102
I have been on 11 Food Tours and never had to go out to dinner afterwards. We had four food stops. We informed our guide one month in advance we do not eat red meat. We were given potato salad and cold slaw fist stop. Second stop 1/4 cup lettuce and 1/4 cup cheese whiz. Third stop was the deluxe part, 1/8 cup shecrab soup, one hush puppie, and a teaspoon one grits with a shrimp. Fourth stop one praline in a bag. Come on. For $85. This was obscene And this was supposed to be Charleston prime dining
4. 3-Hour Secret Food Tour in Charleston w/ Private Tour Option
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 41 reviews
Grits, Fried oysters, Fried Green Tomatoes and so much more! As local Charlestonians, we are extremely passionate about our local food, our city and its history. As such, we love to share with you the best southern foods and the unique culture behind them. By booking Secret Food Tours Charleston, you'll get to try delicious food all around the beautiful historic district of Charleston. Plus, we'll show you how to find the best shops and restaurants, and many other great local tips to make your experience truly memorable.
Inclusions: 3 to 3 and a half hours guided food tour, A passionate and experienced local guide, Small groups, no more than 10 people, Languid and relaxed, Charleston is like liquid velvet where you slow down and enjoy., Lunch
Exclusions: Hotel pick - up
Reviewed By Jp248039
First of all, I have to mention that this tour was perfectly crafted by my guide Devon McIntosh. Hands down, she was AMAZING and sooo good at her job! I booked this tour for 2 reasons 1. To learn about Charleston’s historic facts (I just moved here) 2. To try the food that helped create Charleston’s southern charm. Both expectations were met and then some. I got to try food I wouldn’t try if I went to a restaurant alone (I’m a creature of habit and don’t really venture out on new foods) I was given fried oysters with crab Okra, fried green tomatoes, grits, she crab soup and more! I learned so many amazing facts about the city during the walking phase. Yes there is waking! Don’t be afraid though bc the walking comes when you are traveling from restaurant to restaurant. During the walking phase my tour guide Devon was a an endless book of CHS facts! She was sweet, warm and had tons of knowledge about the city and how the food we ate became a staple in town. I had a blast learning about the civil war, building structures and the stories hidden behind this beautiful city. On top of that I got to eat southern style food which was very good! Especially the she crab Soup! The story behind it was remarkable!!!! Also, grits always sounded unappealing to me. After this tour I’m pretty mad iv gone for so long pushing it aside. Grits are amazing!!! I added some photos but got so into the stories I forgot to continue to dish photographs. I posted a few. Thank you Secret Food Tours CHS !!! Thank you DEVON!!! I highly recommend this tour and will def visit again when my family comes to town! -JP
5. Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
See what the Upper King Street fuss is all about with this relatively new tour featuring bites from the trendy neighborhood’s most delicious spots. Experience the unique Savor the Flavors food tour in the famous Upper King Street district. Sample mouth-watering dishes of Lowcountry cuisine from the popular culinary innovators in this ever-evolving restaurant district. Come join Charleston’s original food tour company as we enjoy what Charleston’s best Upper King Street restaurants are bringing to the table.
Inclusions: 2.5-hour Upper King Street Walking Food Tour, Professional/Local Guide, 5 or 6 Food Tastings Included, such as Fried Green Tomatoes or Southern Mac-N-Cheese, Experience the famous Upper King Street district
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Patricia H
The history of the jail is very fascinating. But as far as a “haunted tour”, a bit lame. I wouldn’t recommend this tour.
6. Charleston's Upper King Street Culinary Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
This 2.5-hour tour offers insight into Charleston's Upper King Street neighborhood (named as one of the top 10 food neighborhoods in America), showcasing four of Charleston's culinary innovators who exemplify cooking in the New South. The Upper King Street district has emerged as an area with tremendous energy; showcasing culinary innovation, experimental design, and boutique shopping. The restaurants featured on the tour are trailblazers in Charleston's culinary scene; edgy and innovative, with tremendous passion for their craft. This tour is designed to show off some of the best that Charleston has to offer and provide insight into Charleston's ever-changing culinary scene.
Inclusions: City-certified guide, All pre-selected food tastings (meal for most). Advance notice required to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Exclusions: Alcoholic/Specialty drinks (available for individual purchase at most locations), Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By jocelynd102
I have been on 11 Food Tours and never had to go out to dinner afterwards. We had four food stops. We informed our guide one month in advance we do not eat red meat. We were given potato salad and cold slaw fist stop. Second stop 1/4 cup lettuce and 1/4 cup cheese whiz. Third stop was the deluxe part, 1/8 cup shecrab soup, one hush puppie, and a teaspoon one grits with a shrimp. Fourth stop one praline in a bag. Come on. For $85. This was obscene And this was supposed to be Charleston prime dining
7. Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour
Overall Ratings
4.4 based on 271 reviews
Walk, talk and taste your way through historic Charleston South Carolina. This small-group 2.5-hour tour will immerse you in the history and culture of the Lowcountry and allow you experience a remarkable culinary scene in downtown Charleston. Stops along the way will include many of the city’s leading restaurants through out the city. Typical tastings include: stone ground grits, Southern mac-n-cheese, Southern pralines, sweet tea, collard greens, Lowcountry barbeque, and fried green tomatoes. ***PLEASE NOTE: If you have a food allergy, please call us in advance of booking. We may not be able to accommodate all allergies.
Inclusions: Bottled water, Local Professional guide, Food Tastings
Exclusions: Gratuities, Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Reviewed By Patricia H
The history of the jail is very fascinating. But as far as a “haunted tour”, a bit lame. I wouldn’t recommend this tour.
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