Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour: 4 Tastings

Four restaurants, one neighborhood, one afternoon: Upper King Street is where Charleston's culinary innovators work.

A 2.5-hour food tour through Charleston's Upper King Street neighborhood with a city-certified guide, featuring four tastings at culinary innovators who define the New South. The guide speaks English and leads the group through the district on foot. Dietary restrictions require 36 hours' advance notice and some cannot be accommodated. Not recommended for children under 8 or travelers with severe allergies.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Upper King Street culinary scene

• Begin 2.5-hour food tour
• Visit four innovative restaurants
• Discover Upper King Street district
• Learn about Charleston's culinary innovation

The experience

You arrive on Upper King Street with a few free hours and a hunger for what Charleston's food scene actually tastes like right now. The tour runs 2.5 hours, moving on foot through the historic district to four pre-selected restaurants: each one a trailblazer in the neighborhood's edgy, experimental approach to cooking. The guide is city-certified and speaks English throughout, walking the group and explaining how each venue fits into Charleston's ever-changing culinary landscape. You taste as you go, moving from one innovator to the next without having to decide where to eat or what to order.

The restaurants featured are chosen to show off the modern and eclectic side of the Lowcountry, not the tourist version, but the neighborhood's actual energy. The tastings add up to a meal for most guests, though substitutions may not be one-for-one with what regular diners get. If you have dietary restrictions, you need to contact Charleston Culinary Tours at least 36 hours before the tour. Vegan, dairy, and soy restrictions cannot be accommodated, and guests with multiple allergies should confirm in advance. Alcoholic or specialty drinks are available for individual purchase at most locations. Arrive five minutes early, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring weather-appropriate clothes: the tour runs rain or shine.

What’s included

• City-certified guide speaking English.
• all four pre-selected food tastings at each restaurant (amounting to a meal for most guests).
• access to the Upper King Street neighborhood's culinary innovators without arranging reservations yourself.

Information

Lasts 2h 30m, runs Saturday at 15:00, from US$ 110 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 15:00Another day? ›

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to4h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Charleston Culinary Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the commentary and the neighborhood's story without translation. Choose this tour if you want to taste what Charleston's most experimental restaurants are actually cooking right now, led by someone who knows the scene.

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Top questions

What neighborhoods does the Charleston food tour cover?

The tour focuses on Upper King Street, a historic district named one of the top 10 food neighborhoods in America. The route stays within this single neighborhood, moving between four restaurants on foot.

How many tastings do I get on this tour?

You visit four restaurants and taste at each one. The tastings add up to a meal for most guests, though the exact portions and dishes vary by venue.

Can I bring my 6-year-old on the Upper King Street food tour?

The tour is not recommended for children under 8 years old. Infants can sit on an adult's lap if needed, but the walking pace and restaurant environment are designed for older children and adults.

What if I'm vegan or have food allergies?

Vegan, dairy, and soy restrictions cannot be accommodated on this tour. If you have multiple allergies, contact Charleston Culinary Tours before booking to confirm whether your needs can be met. Any dietary restrictions must be communicated at least 36 hours before the tour.

Is the guide included, or do I pay separately?

The city-certified guide and all pre-selected food tastings are included in the tour price. Alcoholic or specialty drinks are available for individual purchase at most locations if you want them.

How much walking is involved?

The tour moves on foot through the Upper King Street historic district over 2.5 hours. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and you should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.