Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour
Badge of Excellence
Charleston, USA
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
With cobblestone streets, steepled skylines, and pastel antebellum houses, it’s a wonder Charleston, South Carolina, is known for something else: its food. On this tour, you’ll experience Upper King Street, the heart of this culinary hotspot. Across four trailblazing restaurants, taste—and see—how this historic city has become one of the hottest dining spots in America.
- Easy meetup at the Charleston Visitor Center
- Your guide provides fresh insight on Charleston's New South cuisine
- Taste four restaurants across Cannonborough, Elliotborough, or Radcliffeborough
- With a maximum of 8 travelers, you'll get a more personalized foodie experience
What's Included
- City-certified guide
- LunchAll pre-selected food tastings (meal for most). Advance notice required to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Alcoholic/Specialty drinks (available for individual purchase at most locations)
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
Meet inside the Visitor Center (375 Meeting Street)
End point
- 569c King St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
End points vary from tour to tour. All tours end within a few blocks of starting point.
Operating hours.3:00 pm
Itinerary
1
Cannonborough Elliotborough
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
2
Radcliffeborough
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Please arrive 15-Minutes prior to departure.
- Vegan, dairy/lactose, & soy restrictions cannot be adequately accommodated. Guests with multiple allergies should contact Charleston Culinary Tours prior to booking to confirm accommodation.
- We cannot assume responsibility for those with severe allergies.
- Near public transportation
- We make every effort to provide a full meal for all guests, however, substitutions may not be 1-for-1 with regular tour offerings.
- We craft our tours to represent the unique aspects of each venue and neighborhood. Unfortunately, there isn’t always a “next best” option that also meets a special dietary need. Since we have your health, taste buds, and overall experience in mind, we truly appreciate your understanding on this issue.
- Infants must sit on laps
- We recommend weather-appropriate attire and comfortable walking shoes.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Tours operate rain or shine, hot or cold. In the rare cases of EXTREME weather (e.g. Hurricane!), we will notify all guests of cancellations in advance, as soon as a decision has been made.
- Not recommended for children under 8 years old.
- DIETARY RESTRICTIONS must be communicated directly to Charleston Culinary Tours at least *36 hours* before your scheduled tour or restrictions cannot be accommodated.
- Not recommended for travelers with severe dietary needs
- DIETARY RESTRICTIONS must be communicated in advance directly to Charleston Culinary Tours
- DIETARY RESTRICTIONS cannot be accommodated without advance notice (at least 24 hours prior to tour time)
- Vegan, dairy, or soy restrictions cannot be accommodated
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 200 reviews
Ernest_G, Nov 2025
It’s somewhat rushed. Not enough time at each restaurant. Guide was a local with tons of knowledge but not much time to share.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Ernest, thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you appreciated your guide’s local knowledge. We aim to balance tasting a variety of restaurants with enough time to enjoy each stop, and we’ll use your notes to refine the pacing on future tours.
Nancy_B, May 2025
We have done so many food tours and for us this one was just ok. The food and places we stopped could have been better. We would recommend the Lower Charleston Food Tour over this one. Save your money.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear this tour didn’t meet your expectations. We aim to share the history of the Upper King Street corridor through the restaurants that have come to define the area in modern times. We appreciate the comparison and will absolutely take your comments into consideration as we continue refining our experiences.
David_K, Dec 2023
This tour was awesome! Not only did we get feed more than I could eat but we had a great walking tour of a part of Charleston I never have been in before.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Discovering new places and savoring delicious food is the perfect combination! We're thrilled you enjoyed your walking tour. Thank you for choosing Charleston Culinary Tours!
Katie_N, Oct 2023
I wanted to love this because it is a great concept and we paid a lot. $95 a person so I had high expectations. I read mixed reviews before booking it and took a risk. Unless they change the restaurants, food items, and portion sizes, I would NOT recommend. You would be way better off going to your own choices, ordering what you want, and even with tipping, I think it would be less than the cost of this. The guide was interesting so no shame to her. But the food - dried up mussels, French fries, Brussel sprouts at one place, tiny piece of chicken and waffle and tiny bite of shrimp po boy at one place, unique decent size ravioli at one place, then boiled peanuts, fried Oreo and banana pudding at a bowling alley. All the portions were small and food was basic. And I already knew this in advance but alcoholic beverages are NOT included. We just expected a lot more for Charleston, SC and for the price we paid. And I hate writing bad reviews. I’m sorry :( but it’s the truth. I just want someone else to save their money.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for sharing your honest feedback. We completely understand that the value of a food tour can feel different from a traditional meal. Our Charleston Culinary Tours experience is not just a $95 meal — it’s a professionally guided food journey thoughtfully curated to showcase the rich variety of Upper King Street’s culinary scene, from upscale bites to casual favorites.
We research and arrange each stop to offer guests not only delicious tastes but also stories, history, and a deeper connection to Charleston’s vibrant food culture. We’re sorry this didn’t fully meet your expectations, but truly appreciate you highlighting the guide’s engaging presence. Your insights help us continue improving the balance between food, storytelling, and overall experience.
Amanda_B, Aug 2023
Mimi was the best guide! She was so knowledgeable of the history, and the restaurants knew exactly who she was, and treated us like royalty as we tasted all the wonderful food and drinks. We returned to two of the restaurants we visited for more because it was so tasty. Mimi should be a national treasure❤️
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Amanda, thank you for this glowing praise! Mimi truly shines at making guests feel like Charleston royalty. It’s fantastic to hear you loved the food so much you went back for seconds—that’s the kind of experience we aim to create. Mimi is a national treasure in our book! ❤️
HILARY_S, Jul 2023
This was a fabulous tour! We went on a downtown food tour last year with a different company and this one was FAR better!!!!
Mimi was an amazing guide. Highlight of the trip was The Rarebit!!!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
How fabulous! Thanks so much Hilary! We know there are many options for food tour companies in town and we are honored that you chose Charleston Culinary Tours to explore Upper King Street. We look forward to hosting you again!
Lisa_F, Jun 2023
Summer was an awesome tour leader! She really knows her Charleston history to include food history too! Food stops were delicious! Great way to get a little taste of a lot of places! Was enough to feel like you had a meal by time it was done.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Great to hear! So glad you enjoyed your time with Sommer and our local food scene. Thank you for joining, Lisa!
Fiona_C, May 2023
This tour was very well done - visited 4 really great places to eat. Lots of great food so come hungry. Charley the tour guide very friendly and knowledgeable about food and the city history
Response from Host, May 2023
Thanks so much, Fiona! It was great meeting y'all!
Brooke_W, Feb 2023
The food was great, but learning the history of Charleston was even better. Summer was very knowledgeable and made the tour so interesting.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Brooke, we’re thrilled you enjoyed both the food and the history! Sommer does a fantastic job weaving Charleston’s stories into each stop. We love hearing when guests leave full of both flavor and knowledge!
Trina_M, Feb 2023
My daughter and I recently enjoyed this tour. We were lucky enough to spend time with a great group of people and our guide, Mimi, was very knowledgeable about the history of Charleston. We cannot say enough about establishments that visited. The bites and beverages were fantastic and certainly exceeded our expectations. We are already planning a return visit.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hi Trina, we’re delighted you and your daughter joined our Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour! Mimi’s deep knowledge of Charleston’s history and food scene makes her a guest favorite, and we’re thrilled the bites and beverages exceeded your expectations. Upper King is one of the city’s most exciting culinary districts, with everything from upscale flavors to hidden local gems, and it sounds like you enjoyed the full range. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another delicious and history-rich Charleston food adventure!
Kallie_C, Sep 2022
I loved the food. But our guide was 10 minutes late and honestly I just wasn’t a fan of her tour guide style. She was less focused on food and more focused on BLM. I would book another food tour but not with that particular guide.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience on the Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour. We’re glad you enjoyed the food stops and appreciated the variety of local flavors. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the guide and timing—it helps us continue improving the tour experience. We’d love the chance to welcome you back on a future Charleston food tour with a guide that better matches your expectations.
Kathryn_C, Sep 2022
While there was nothing wrong with this food tour, it definitely felt like a tour of restaurants that happened to partner with this company rather than a true reflection of the Charleston food scene. Our guide was nice, but I left without a single restaurant that I would go back to so for that reason I would not recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience on the Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour. We’re glad you enjoyed your guide’s hospitality, and we appreciate your feedback regarding the restaurant selections. Our tours aim to highlight a mix of Charleston flavors, and your comments help us refine future experiences. We hope another visit might give you a food tour that better matches your expectations and showcases more of Charleston’s culinary gems.
Nichole_S, Aug 2022
Summer was a great guide and the food was delicious. I have a shellfish allergy and great substitutions where made where needed. I would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We’re so glad Sommer made your Upper King Street Food Tour both safe and delicious! It’s important to us that all guests can enjoy Charleston’s flavors, and we’re happy the substitutions worked perfectly. Thank you for recommending the tour—we’d love to welcome you back for more culinary discoveries!
Fronia_W, Aug 2022
The guide, the history and the food were excellent! Almost a complete vacation in one stop. I would love to bring a loved one and do it again.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We’re thrilled you enjoyed your solo adventure on the Upper King Street Food Tour! Combining history, local cuisine, and engaging storytelling is exactly what makes the experience so special. We’d love to welcome you—and a loved one—back for another delicious Charleston outing!
Renee_M, Aug 2022
The Culinary tour was a great experience. Summer was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Charleston. Each restaurant was amazing! Thank you so much for the experience!!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We’re so glad you enjoyed the Upper King Street Food Tour! Sommer does a wonderful job sharing Charleston’s rich history alongside delicious local flavors. It’s great to hear the restaurants and overall experience left such a positive impression. Thank you for sharing your feedback!
Courtney_Z, Jul 2022
The food was delicious!!! Our tour guide was great and so knowledgeable! We enjoyed learning about the history of the city while trying different food and places!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
So glad you enjoyed the Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour! Experiencing the city’s history alongside its delicious local cuisine is exactly what we aim for. Thanks for highlighting the food and the knowledge our guide shared—glad it made your tour memorable!
suzanne_b, Jul 2022
Fabulous tour !!! Food was great and guide was very knowledgeable A must do in Charleston !! Will do again
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for joining our Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the food and found your guide so knowledgeable. It means a lot to hear you’d do it again—definitely a must-do for anyone visiting Charleston!
Debbie_D, Jun 2022
New to us restaurants, great food, new friends and a amazing time. Our guide was a born and raised local girl sharing her Charleston. It was great. We would do it again
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you, Debbie! We’re so glad you loved the Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour. That tour is designed to highlight a wide range of local restaurants—many that visitors might not discover on their own—so it’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed both the food and the company. Having a guide who’s Charleston born-and-raised adds such a special layer of authenticity, blending local stories with culinary traditions. Making new friends while tasting Southern classics is exactly the kind of experience we hope every guest has. We’d love to welcome you back for another Charleston food tour anytime!
Linda_L, Jun 2022
Our tour guide, Sommer was excellent and all the restaurants were terrific. We were very full when finished!! Had a great time.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you, Linda! We’re so glad you enjoyed the Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour. Sommer is a fantastic guide, and we’re delighted you found both the food and the experience so memorable. This tour is a great way to explore one of Charleston’s most vibrant dining districts while learning about local history and culture. For anyone searching for unique things to do in Charleston, Charleston walking tours, or foodie experiences in Charleston, this is truly a must-do. We love hearing you left full and happy—that’s exactly what a Charleston food tour should be!
Penny_C, Jun 2022
This was a wonderful tour! Had amazing delicious food and learned many this about the history of Charleston.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you, Penny! We’re so glad you enjoyed your Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour. Exploring Charleston’s culinary history while tasting local favorites is exactly what we love to share with our guests. For anyone looking for Charleston food tours or historic dining experiences in Charleston, this tour is a perfect way to combine history, culture, and delicious food!
Paul_S, Apr 2022
We had a blast with a group of three. As someone allergic to shellfish, I was a little worried. They had alternatives because I mentioned this when I booked the tour. Great time. Minimal walking. Lots of eating and drinking.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
So glad you had a blast on the Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour! We always aim to make sure dietary needs are accommodated when provided advance notice, and it’s great to hear the shellfish alternatives worked well for you. Minimal walking, maximum tasting—this tour is all about enjoying Charleston’s incredible local cuisine and drinks while connecting with new friends. We’d love to have you back for another delicious adventure soon!
Meghan_K, Apr 2022
Tour was great. The wine bar was a bust. Could have skipped that entirely for a different place. And the whole waffle would have been the best end to the tour, not just a taste
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We’re thrilled you enjoyed the Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour! While we appreciate your feedback about the wine bar and waffle tasting, it sounds like the full culinary experience—including multiple stops featuring classic Lowcountry dishes and local flavors—made the tour memorable. Our Upper King Street tours are designed to showcase Charleston’s rich history, Southern cuisine, and unique restaurant scene, giving guests a true taste of the city in one walking tour.
Darian_M, Jan 2022
Mimi gave us historical context for the food we were eating and showed how the history of Charleston came through in each dish. Interesting and delicious!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We’re thrilled you enjoyed the Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour! Mimi loves highlighting how Charleston’s history and culture influence its modern cuisine, so it’s wonderful to hear that came through in each dish. Glad the food was as interesting as it was delicious!
Joseph_G, Dec 2021
Satisfying amount of food.
Great discussions. Learned a lot about history of the South. Charleston in recovery.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We’re so glad you enjoyed the Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour! It’s wonderful to hear that the combination of flavorful dishes and engaging history made for a satisfying experience. Exploring Charleston’s culinary scene while learning about its Southern history is exactly what we aim for—thanks for sharing your feedback!
Jeff_C, Oct 2021
Great tour! History about the area and the different influences on and evolution of the restaurants and area food in general. Loved it!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you, Jeff! We’re thrilled you enjoyed the Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour. It’s fantastic to hear that you appreciated the history of King Street and how its culinary scene has evolved over time. We love showing guests the unique local flavors, historic spots, and restaurant influences that make Charleston such a special food city. Hope to see you back on another tour soon!
Betsy_L, Sep 2021
Our guide Susan was pleasant, informative and engaging. The food at Poogan’s Smokehouse was really good, 5 Church was a beautiful space and the food delicious. The program needs to find an alternative to The Oyster House as the food wasn’t good, the wait staff was not good and the place smells.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Betsy, we’re so glad you enjoyed your Charleston Downtown Food Tour with Susan! It’s wonderful to hear that Poogan’s Smokehouse and 5 Church hit the mark—both spots really showcase the flavors and character of the Lowcountry. We also appreciate your honest feedback about The Oyster House; guest experiences like yours help us refine our tour and ensure every stop meets our standards. Thank you for exploring Charleston’s food scene with us and sharing your thoughts—it means so much!
Susan_B, Aug 2021
Mimi is an awesome guide with a deep knowledge of Charleston. Food was great and we hope to do more tours soon.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We’re so glad you enjoyed your Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour, Susan! Mimi loves sharing Charleston’s history and the rich flavors of the Lowcountry, and it’s wonderful to hear the food and her storytelling made your tour memorable. We’d be thrilled to welcome you back for more tours and culinary adventures in Charleston soon!
AMBER_C, Aug 2021
This tour is definitely worth every bit of what you pay. The tour guide is fantastic, the small group makes conversation fun, and you definitely will not leave hungry! Fantastic food, great variety and fun to try!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We’re thrilled you enjoyed your Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour, Amber! Our guides love creating a fun, engaging experience that blends Charleston’s history with the rich flavors of the Lowcountry. It’s wonderful to hear the small group, variety of food, and lively conversation made your tour so memorable. Thank you for joining us—we’d love to welcome you back for another taste of Charleston soon!
John_P, Jun 2021
Vacation time is always limited so we all want to maximize it. This culinary walking tour is worthy of your consideration when visiting Charleston. Our guide was Summer. She was very knowledgeable but wasn’t overbearing. The restaurants were all solid and the food samples were nice. See definitely visited a few places that weren’t on our restaurant radar.
Lisa_T, Mar 2021
Our guide, Mimi, was very knowledgeable and shared stories about Charleston. We visited some restaurants that my group had not been to. Very good food, drinks and company. We had a very fun group.
From $110.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour
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