Whether you're planning a trip to Charleston, or you've already arrived in "The Holy City," there's no doubt that you're ready to explore Charleston's historic streets, beautiful beaches and buzz-worthy restaurant and bar scene.
It's no surprise. Over the past decade, Charleston has steadily gained momentum in the national and world press for its growing culinary landscape and inventive hometown chefs. With so many dining options on the peninsula, choosing tonight's restaurant could be the biggest challenge of your visit!
Charleston Culinary Tours takes visitors to HoM Burger Boutique and beyond for a true city sampling — Photo courtesy of Chase Greiser
What if you could sample some of Charleston's best restaurants and bars and get an intimate introduction to the city all by way of a historical walking tour? Charleston Culinary Tours offers just such an opportunity, with five historical Charleston walking tours to help visitors explore the best neighborhoods and restaurant options in town: the Historic Downtown Culinary Tour, Upper King Street Culinary Tour, Chef's Showcase at the Farmers Market, Chef's Kitchen Tour and Charleston Mixology Tour.
Combo package tours are also available, in which the standard culinary tour is combined with a historical walking tour by Lowcountry Walking Tours or a horse-drawn carriage experience by Palmetto Carriage Works. Tours are held Monday through Saturday every week, with each culinary tour including appetizer, entree and dessert courses across several restaurant location stops.
All available culinary tours, tour combination packages, tour calendars, restaurant partners and tour guide bios are listed on the Charleston Culinary Tours website, along with a comprehensive FAQs section to answer all of your pre-tour questions.
Upper King Street Culinary Tour's stopover at Prohibition restaurant — Photo courtesy of Chase Greiser
Each tour runs about two and a half hours, with meeting locations and restaurant tour stops varying by tour and from week to week. Charleston Culinary Tours are walking tours, so come prepared with comfortable shoes, as well as an umbrella or rain jacket if the weather forecast calls for an afternoon thunderstorm (common to Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry).
All Charleston Culinary Tours are guided by local Charleston food enthusiasts who introduce each restaurant location and chef, while also sharing historical background and insider knowledge throughout the entire tour route. Cameras aren't just welcome on Charleston Culinary Tours; they are encouraged!
Tour guides are happy to step in as group photographer as needed, and they'll even suggest photo opportunities for photogenic dishes throughout your culinary tour.
Peach Cocktails a highlight of the Charleston Mixology Tour — Photo courtesy of Charleston Culinary Tours
Having trouble deciding which tour option to choose? Feel free to call the Charleston Culinary Tours offices for advice on which tour is recommended for your family or group. While the Historic Downtown and Upper King Street Culinary Tours sample dishes from restaurants in those Charleston neighborhoods, the combination walking and carriage tour packages cover a larger area of the city.
Note that the culinary tours do not include alcohol, though drinks are available for purchase at each restaurant location. Mixology Tours do not include food with the cocktails served.
Chef's Showcase at the Charleston Farmers Market — Photo courtesy of Charleston Culinary Tours
Looking for a unique way to start your weekend in Charleston? Schedule a Chef's Showcase at the Farmers Market Tour on a Saturday morning, where you'll explore the Charleston Farmers Market with a local chef who will then prepare lunch with the local produce and ingredients your group has chosen!
No matter which Charleston Culinary Tour you choose, expect to meet new people and experience Charleston's best food and drink, all while learning our historic beginnings between bites.
Charleston Culinary Tour tickets must be purchased in advance, as tours frequently sell out. Tickets are available for purchase online via the Charleston Culinary Tours website.
Mepkin Abbey Mushrooms on the Upper King Street culinary tour — Photo courtesy of Chase Greiser