Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour

Charleston’s Historic Downtown Food Tour offers a delectable adventure through the city’s rich culinary heritage. This guided journey takes visitors on a 2.5-hour exploration of the vibrant food scene, where they’ll sample iconic southern dishes and enjoy skip-the-line access to renowned restaurants. With an expert guide leading the way, food lovers and history enthusiasts alike can discover the flavors that make Charleston’s downtown so distinctive. What hidden gems and stories await those who embark on this culinary adventure?

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Key Points

This 2.5-hour food tour explores the southern cuisine of historic downtown Charleston, featuring iconic dishes like shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and carrot cake.
Guests can skip the line at four local restaurants and sample dishes while learning about Charleston’s culinary heritage from an expert guide.
The tour covers approximately one mile of walking, allowing participants to also see Charleston’s historic landmarks while enjoying the food experience.
Children ages 0-6 do not receive food samples, but the tour still provides an opportunity to explore Charleston’s food scene and landmarks.
The tour runs rain or shine, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the guided experience.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour is a 2.5-hour experience that allows visitors to sample southern dishes from world-class restaurants in the heart of Charleston.

Explore the flavors of Charleston’s world-class restaurants on this 2.5-hour food tour through the historic downtown.

Priced from $109 per person, the tour includes skip-the-line access to four restaurants and a live, English-speaking guide with extensive knowledge of local cuisine and history.

Participants will walk approximately one mile, learning about Charleston landmarks between food stops. The tour runs rain or shine, and children ages 0-6 don’t receive food samples.

Guests must arrive 10 minutes early and can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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Cuisine Highlights

As the highlight of the Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour, guests can expect to sample a variety of distinctive southern dishes.

The tour showcases local specialties like hushpuppies, she-crab soup, and shrimp & grits. Guests will also get to try carrot cake, a southern staple, and fresh local oysters.

The tour provides a unique opportunity to skip the lines at popular restaurants and sample these signature dishes.

With a knowledgeable guide leading the way, visitors gain insight into the culinary traditions that make Charleston’s food scene so renowned.

Restaurant Stops

On the Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour, guests visit four world-class restaurants, sampling signature dishes at each stop.

They’ll skip the lines and gain access to coveted local favorites.

At the first stop, they’ll savor the classic Southern delicacy of she-crab soup.

Next, they’ll dive into the iconic shrimp and grits.

Sweet tooths delight at the third stop with a slice of rich carrot cake.

The final stop features a sampling of fresh, briny oysters and crispy hushpuppies.

Throughout the tour, the knowledgeable guide shares insights into Charleston’s culinary heritage and history.

Guided Experience

Knowledgeable local guides lead the Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour, sharing insights into the city’s rich culinary heritage and history throughout the 2.5-hour experience.

With extensive knowledge of local cuisine and Charleston landmarks, the guides provide commentary as the group walks between food stops. Guests skip the lines at popular restaurants, sampling signature southern dishes like hushpuppies, she-crab soup, and shrimp and grits.

The guided tour covers about 1 mile of walking, offering an immersive experience exploring Charleston’s historic downtown and its celebrated food scene.

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Walking Distance

The Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour covers approximately 1 mile of walking throughout the 2.5-hour experience.

Guests will move between four local restaurants, with the guide providing insights into Charleston’s landmarks and history as they walk.

The walking distance allows visitors to work up an appetite while getting a feel for the city’s charming streets and historic architecture.

Comfortable shoes are recommended, as the tour runs rain or shine.

This combination of food sampling and sightseeing provides an engaging and immersive way to experience the local cuisine and culture of Charleston.

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Child Tickets

Children aged 0-6 years don’t include food on the Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour. This means younger children won’t receive any food samples during the tour.

The tour focuses on sampling southern cuisine at four local restaurants, so the price for children in this age range is lower as they won’t be partaking in the food portion.

Parents with young children can still enjoy the walking tour and learn about Charleston’s landmarks, but should plan to either pack snacks for their little ones or have them share bites with an adult ticket holder.

What to Bring

Comfortable shoes and clothes are a must for the Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour. The tour involves approximately 1 mile of walking throughout downtown Charleston, so proper footwear is essential for your comfort.

Plus, consider bringing:

A small bag or purse to carry any personal items.
Sunscreen and a hat if you’re visiting during sunny weather.
An umbrella or light jacket in case of inclement weather, as the tour runs rain or shine.
A camera to capture the historic landmarks and delicious dishes along the way.

Customer Reviews

How do the customer reviews for the Charleston: Historic Downtown Food Tour stack up? Based on 60 reviews, the tour has earned an impressive overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Customers praise the tour’s knowledgeable guides, who share extensive insights into the local cuisine and history. Reviewers highlight the quality of the food, with specific mentions of the delicious she-crab soup.

Value for money is also noted as a strength, with a 4.7 out of 5 rating in this category. The Charleston food tour appears to be a hit with customers, offering a satisfying gastronomic and educational experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Dietary Restrictions Accommodated on the Tour?

The tour can accommodate dietary restrictions if guests notify the operator in advance. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs can typically be catered to with prior notice.

Do We Get to Interact With the Restaurant Chefs?

Unfortunately, the tour does not provide opportunities to directly interact with the restaurant chefs. The focus is on sampling the signature dishes and learning about the local cuisine and history from the knowledgeable tour guide.

How Much Time Is Spent at Each Food Stop?

The tour stops at 4 restaurants, with visitors getting quick access to sample dishes at each location. The time spent at each food stop is not specified, but the overall tour duration is 2.5 hours.

Is There an Option to Purchase Additional Food or Drinks?

The tour doesn’t offer an option to purchase additional food or drinks during the stops. The price covers a sampling of signature dishes at each restaurant. Participants can’t order extra items beyond what’s provided on the tour.

Can I Bring My Own Camera or Recording Device?

Yes, guests are welcome to bring their own cameras or recording devices on the tour. Capturing photos and videos of the historic landmarks and culinary experiences is encouraged to document the memorable journey.

The Sum Up

The Historic Downtown Food Tour in Charleston offers a delightful culinary journey through the city’s rich food scene. Guests can savor iconic southern dishes at renowned restaurants while exploring the area’s historic landmarks with an expert guide. This engaging tour combines mouthwatering tastings and insightful commentary, making it a must-do experience for food lovers and history enthusiasts alike.