7 BEST Food Tours In Charleston For An Incredible Day

Are you looking for the best food tours in Charleston? You’ve landed in the perfect spot.

I’ve visited Charleston, South Carolina, many times, and I can confidently say the food scene is exceptional. From fresh seafood to comforting Southern dishes, the city offers a range of classics that will please your taste buds. 

Instead of wandering and guessing where to eat, the best way to experience it is to take a food tour. This lets you sample the best spots while gaining insights from a local expert.

The Best Food Tours In Charleston, South Carolina

Here are the top food tours in Charleston, promising a memorable vacation filled with delicious dishes you’ll crave for years.

1. Charleston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 3 Hours

Secret Food Tours is known for offering top-notch food tours worldwide, and its Charleston Walking Food Tour is no exception. With tours in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, they know how to deliver an exceptional experience.

On this 3-hour tour, you can try famous dishes like Benne wafers, chicken bog, and she-crab soup. You’ll also see iconic landmarks like the United States Custom House and Charleston City Market while learning about Charleston’s history and how the city’s past has impacted its food scene.

What I love about this tour is that it includes classic Charleston dishes and a secret dish. It goes the extra mile with thoughtful surprises that set it apart from other tours.

2. Downtown Charleston Food Tour

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 2.5 hours

Another excellent option for food tours throughout the city is this Downtown Charleston Food Tour. I appreciate that the tour is set in downtown Charleston, known for its vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, bars, and rich history.

During this 2.5-hour food tour, you’ll visit four different restaurants, spending about 30 minutes at each to sample their signature dishes. The tour also includes a chance to enjoy some dessert at the end. Over the course of the tour, you’ll explore Charleston’s historic French Quarter, learn about some of the area’s famous buildings, and get the chance to enjoy the low-country cuisine, making it an all-around great choice.

3. Undiscovered Charleston: Half-Day Food, Wine & History Tour With Cooking Class

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• 4 hours

If you’re anything like me, this Undiscovered Charleston Tour is perfect with its blend of food, wine, and history—what more could you ask for? I love that this half-day food tour combines Charleston history, wine tastings, and the best local food. 

You’ll begin with the elements of a historical tour, with your knowledgeable tour guide giving you the lowdown on the history of Charleston and how the city’s past has influenced its cuisine. From there, you’ll enjoy a cooking demonstration by a famous local chef, Forrest Parker. Afterward, you’ll enjoy lunch paired with some wine. It’s an informative yet fun way to enjoy a few different aspects of the city rolled up into one four-hour tour. 

4. Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 2.5 hours

Upper King Street Historic District is one of the most popular areas in Charleston, known for its divine restaurants. This awesome 2.5-hour tour will guide you to four different restaurants and allow you to savor an array of Charleston staples. 

A few standout features of this tour are its focus on one area in Charleston, giving you insider tips and a deep dive into the Upper King Street district’s history. You will also sample some of the city’s best restaurants. Plus, I love that the tour is limited to a maximum of 8 people, making it a more intimate experience.

5. Charleston Private Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 3.5 hours

You already know that I love tours run by Secret Food Tours. What sets this one apart is that it’s a private tour. You can book for one person or up to a group of twelve. This is a great option for families or large groups who want a more catered experience between themselves and the guide. 

Throughout the three-hour and 30-minute tour, you’ll be able to savor and learn about dishes like grits, fried green tomatoes, and much more. It’s the perfect experience for those wanting a personalized experience while still gaining insights from a local expert on one of the best foodie cities in the United States.

6. Charleston Walking Brunch Tour With Secret Food Tours

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 3 hours

I don’t brunch often, but when I do, I love to go all out. The Charleston Walking Brunch Tour is perfect for such occasions. On this three-hour tour, you’ll explore Upper King Street and the best places to enjoy quiches, pancakes, sweet tea, and more sample tastings of the best brunch food in Charleston.

This unique tour focuses on brunch instead of the typical lunch and dinner. It’s great for those who want delicious food and a different experience. If you love brunch, you can’t miss learning about Charleston’s classic dishes and top brunch spots.

7. Savor The Flavors Of Charleston Walking Food Tour

• ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• 2.5 hours

The Savor The Flavors Of Charleston Walking Food Tour is another excellent choice for those wanting to discover South Carolina classics. This 2.5-hour tour lets you taste Southern staples like collard greens, Southern pralines, barbecue, and more. It’s a concise tour that offers a taste of the state’s renowned dishes while providing insights into Charleston’s food scene and origins. 

Since it’s shorter than some other tours on this list, it focuses on tasting the food and learning about its history rather than exploring the city’s history and landmarks. This makes it a great option for a short, food-centric experience.

Food Tours In Charleston FAQs:

Keep diving in below as I answer several questions about Charleston’s culinary scene. 

What is Charleston best known for food?

Charleston’s best-known foods are biscuits, she-crab soup, oysters, shrimp and grits, and okra. 

What food should you not miss in Charleston SC?

You should not miss Southern classics and seafood in Charleston, SC. Some of the best include biscuits, shrimp and grits, fried okra, cornbread, oysters, she-crab soup, and crab cakes.

What dessert is Charleston, SC known for?

Charleston, SC, is known for its delicious pecan pie and carrot cake desserts. 

Final Thoughts On The Best Food Tours In Charleston, South Carolina

One of the best ways to learn about Charleston’s cuisine is to enjoy a food tour. This allows you to visit the top spots, try the most well-known dishes, and learn from a local expert along the way. 

While this list offers several options, I recommend the Charleston Walking Food Tour with Secret Food Tours if you still can’t decide which to choose. They do an excellent job showcasing the food scene, teaching you about top sights, and adding some delightful surprises. 

I hope this article helps you book your next Charleston tour!