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Secret Food Tours: Charleston
Over 21,000 Reviews
Also Recommended By
3 - 3½ hours
5 stops
12 people max
English
Local food and culture
Award winning
What you'll do
On our Secret Food Tour: Charleston, let our experienced guides take you on a foodie adventure through the picturesque and historic streets of the French Quarter.
Learn how pirates, pandemics, natural disasters, and war have all shaped our local food scene. At the end of the tour, you'll have sampled classic Carolina-style BBQ, lip-smacking Lowcountry favorites, and some homestyle Scots-Irish pub fare. Plus, our decadent Secret Dish might just make you leave singing a happy song!
Quality drinks will be served at some stops, however if you would like more, a thoughtfully curated Upgraded Drinks Package is available.
- We'll meet outside of the United States Custom House, one of the most striking buildings in Downtown Charleston.
- First up, you'll dig into some South Carolina BBQ, believed to be the oldest barbeque in the world.
- Next, you'll take a stroll through the Historic Charleston City Market and learn how the African slave trade introduced iconic ingredients such as benne seeds and collard greens to the local diet.
- Did you know that nobody down south ate fried green tomatoes until the movie came out? Well, we do now and, as you'll soon discover, they're quite delicious!
- Of course no visit to South Carolina would be complete without a visit to an authentic pub for homestyle bites lovingly prepared by the descendants of the Scots-Irish immigrants who used to account for nearly 50% of the local population.
- And finally, you'll indulge in our delicious Secret Dish, a beloved Southern sweet with ties to a legendary Broadway diva.
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When you purchase our Upgraded Drink Package, you'll enjoy the following on the tour:
- Mason-Dixon
- Smoke Show OR Queen of Hearts
- Local Craft Beer
*Please note: the itinerary and menu is subject to change, based on the locations' availability, weather, and other circumstances.
Book Your Tour
$99/ person
If you have any issues with payment, please email us at [email protected] with the city, date and time of tour, and how many adult and child's tickets you need so we can assist you.
If a tour is fully booked, or you are looking to book a *Group or Private Tour - please email us about Group & Private Tours options.
*Please note - Group & Private Tours are specifically organised for your group and therefore subject to a premium price.
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What is a
Secret Food Tour?
Photos of
Secret Food Tour: Charleston
What you'll taste
THE FOOD
- BBQ pulled pork slider
- Carolina smoked chicken
- Benne wafers
- Fried green tomatoes
- Collard greens
- Dublin rolls or Scotch eggs (depending on availabilities)
- Irish potato chowder or Carolina fries (depending on availabilities)
- Our delicious Secret Dish
DRINKS
- Water
- For more drinks see the Alcohol Upgrades above
Due to the nature of creating a well balanced and thoughtful gastronomy experience, many of our tours are unable to accommodate certain dietary restrictions. Please contact us prior to booking your tour to see if we are able to accommodate your dietary needs.
WHY THE FRENCH QUARTER?
Charleston was first founded in 1670 and walking around the French Quarter is like taking a step back in time. The city has a preservation society that goes to great lengths to make sure the charm of Charleston stays where it is. This preservation society has been hard at work since 1973. You'll see Charleston single houses, learn about the history of certain paint colors, and learn the fun facts that make Charleston unique.
Not only does the French Quarter have some of the most historic churches and buildings, but it's also filled with amazing restaurants and boutiques. The French Quarter is a fun mix of the history and the future of Charleston. While many people do come to Charleston and visit the French Quarter, it's also where locals live everyday lives.
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Health & Safety Standards
At Secret Food Tours we take your health and the health of our staff very seriously. To be sure that you can enjoy our tours with the maximum protection we have put in place some strict measures.
Meeting Spot
The meeting spot is outside the US Customs House, 200 East Bay Street. If you have any questions. Please email us.
Tues - Fri 11:00 a.m.
US Customs House
Your guide will be waiting with an orange umbrella so they are easy to spot.
If a tour is fully booked, or you are looking to book a *Group or Private Tour - please email us about Group & Private Tours options.
*Please note - Group & Private Tours are specifically organised for your group and therefore subject to a premium price.
WHY THE FRENCH QUARTER?
Charleston was first founded in 1670 and walking around the French Quarter is like taking a step back in time. The city has a preservation society that goes to great lengths to make sure the charm of Charleston stays where it is. This preservation society has been hard at work since 1973. You'll see Charleston single houses, learn about the history of certain paint colors, and learn the fun facts that make Charleston unique.
Not only does the French Quarter have some of the most historic churches and buildings, but it's also filled with amazing restaurants and boutiques. The French Quarter is a fun mix of the history and the future of Charleston. While many people do come to Charleston and visit the French Quarter, it's also where locals live everyday lives.
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See Our Other Secret Tours
in Charleston
Help Center
Frequently asked Questions
Health & Safety Standards
Health & Safety Standards
At Secret Food Tours we take your health and the health of our staff very seriously. To be sure that you can enjoy our tours with the maximum protection we have put in place some strict measures.
- We have been certified by We're Good To Go
- We make sure that all our partners and our own places are disinfected after each tour
- All our guide have been trained on health and safety measures
- Masks and hand sanitizers should be used on all our tours by our guides
- Guests must bring their own mask
- We keep our group small and we offer private tours
How do I order?
It's easy! Simply head to our "Book Now" page, where we detail our tours. Select your tour and the time of your tour and book it! Are you looking for something special or organising an event? Just email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to arrange something that suits you. After your booking is made, we will send you an email confirmation. If you have any questions before booking, feel free to contact us via email
*Please note if you are using a special promo code then enter it in the "Voucher Code" section before you select the amount of tickets you would like to purchase*
What is included in the food tour?
All the delicious food and drinks mentioned above, but if you want more alcohol (and who doesn't?) We offer a upgraded drinks package that gives you 2 drinks (tax and tip included).
Where is the meeting spot?
You can find the meeting spot here and if it's not clear you can always contact us.
The meeting spot is outside the US Customs House, 200 East Bay Street. Your guide will be there with an orange umbrella and a big smile!
»»CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS««
»»CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS««
Where the tour will end?
Charleston tour will end on either Market Street (one block over from where we began the tour), or on King Street, near Marion Square.
Is your food tour suitable for a vegetarian or someone with other dietary requirements?
Due to the nature of creating a well balanced and thoughtful gastronomy experience, many of our tours are unable to accommodate certain dietary restrictions. Please contact us at [email protected] prior to booking your tour to see if we are able to accommodate your dietary needs.
I am traveling with my family, is the tour ok for infants/children?
Children are more than welcome to our tour and it's free for any child 2 years or under! We have had many families attend from all over the world and everyone enjoyed the tour.
I don't drink alcohol. Can I book your tour?
This is not a problem. Just inform our guide before the tour starts.
Is there enough food during your tour?
We give enough food to all our customers. Trust us: you will not need to go to the restaurant after the food tour!
Where do I add my discount voucher?
I would like to take your tour but it is already fully booked. Is there a way I can do the tour?
Our tours often sell out very quickly. If the date you requested is not available, please do not hesitate to email us and we can see if there is anything we can do. We cannot promise, but we will try our best to sort something for you.
Is there a lot of walking?
To join our food tour, you must wear comfortable shoes. There will be around 1 hour walking but it's not too difficult and there are no hills or stairs. If you walk slowly, then our guide will walk slowly as well.
How many people max are on this tour?
We take 10 people maximum. If you are more than 10 people, please do not hesitate to email us and we will try to see if we can accommodate.
I cannot find a way to print the confirmation. Is it OK if I have it on my phone?
You do not have to print your voucher. A confirmation on your phone will be fine!
If I purchase a voucher as a gift, or am given a voucher how long is it valid for?
All of our vouchers expire one year from the date of purchase.
Where does your food come from?
We work with small shops in the Charleston area. The food and drink we buy is top-quality, fresh and local!
What if it rains or I change my plans?
Unfortunately, the weather is unpredictable in Charleston. We do not issue refunds as per our terms and conditions. We also inform you that we never cancel a booking even if we have only 2 people! However we do reserve the right to cancel the tour if we feel the weather is extreme, and we cannot run the tour due to this for more info see our Terms and Conditions: https://www.secretfoodtours.com/terms-and-conditions/
Can I pay the tour in cash?
You must book directly on our website. We do not accept cash payments. Our online payment is safe, secured and SSL protected.
Why do we need to pay for booking fee?
The booking fee that you have to pay is up to our ticket provider and we can't change it. All our clients need to pay for it upon booking. The booking fee charged contributes to the cost of the ticketing system to provide an excellent service to our customers.
Foreign Transaction Fees
A few banks have charged their customer an extra fee while booking with us (this isn't the booking fee but another fee added by the bank). We think this is unfair, if this happens let us know by showing us in your bank statement and we will refund this fee as a gesture of good will.
