Nothing captures the spirit and history of a place like its food. In the charming streets of idyllic Charleston, flavors of the past mix with innovations of the future and embody the unique niche this charming small-town-USA city holds in the pantheon of American cuisine. The vibrant spices and savory flavors of West Africa, brought over by slaves in the 18th century, combined with the techniques and elegance of France introduced by the exiled French Huguenots, lend a distinct flavor to Lowcountry cuisine.
A National Destination
The culinary scene in Charleston is booming! The area is considered one of the BEST food and beverage destinations in the country thanks to delicious restaurants, world-class chefs, and abundant media exposure on such outlets as Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown and Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmer. With so many options, it can be hard to know where to eat first. We think the best way to experience the many unique flavors of this historic city is by taking a Charleston Culinary Tour and trying them all.
A Tapestry of Flavor
Charleston Culinary Tours offers a wide selection of food and beverage-themed excursions throughout the Charleston peninsula. These short walking tours (~1 mile & ~2.5 hours) indulge all of your senses. They are great for foodies as well as families that just love to eat. Experience the history of the city with educated and licensed guides, meet the chefs and mixologists at some of the best restaurants and bars in the city, and sample the incredible diversity of cuisine that Charleston has to offer.
Tasty Tours
Charleston Culinary Tours, the city's #1 Food Tour operator, offers a variety of guided tasting experiences for every palate. With mixology tours starting at $40 and full tasting tours at $60, this is both the best and the most affordable way to sample the deliciousness of the city's culinary greats. From Rue De Jean to R Kitchen to Lowcountry Bistro, you will get to sample the best the city has to offer. Tours include the Downtown Culinary Tour, which explores the restaurants and traditional flavors of the historic French Quarter and City Market; the Upper King Street Culinary Tour, which tours the shopping-district-turned-culinary-hotspot that represents the new and vibrant side of Charleston food culture; the Chef's Kitchen Tour which takes you "behind-the-scenes" to meet the chefs and see the kitchens of some of the hottest spots in town; the Oyster Tour, which lets you sample a wide variety of East Coast oysters and preparations; or the Mixology Tour, which offers up creative concoctions from some of the nation's best mixologists. For an even more sumptuous experience, try the Farm-to-Table Tour. A meet-and-greet with the day's chef begins this unique tour, then onto the Charleston Farmers' Market where the group hand-picks ingredients from the numerous local vendors. As your chef prepares a custom lunch from the group's selections, you will explore the city with your guide before settling in for a genuine farm-to-table lunch. Tours run at various times throughout the day, and no two tours are the same. Due to their popularity, advance reservations are required (ages 8 and up welcome). Tours operate Monday thru Saturday, rain or shine. They are the perfect introduction to our city and its incredible cuisine, or a wonderful way to get reacquainted. Call Charleston Culinary Tours today (843-259-2966) to pick out the perfect tour for you and your group. Book your next vacation rental today!