Frequently Asked Questions
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Guests can cancel for a full refund or alter their tour reservation for any reason up to 24 hours in advance of their scheduled tour.
We cannot alter, rebook, or provide any form of refund or credit with less than 24 hours notice of cancellation for any reason. This includes, but is not limited to travel delays, flight cancellations, illness, rain, etc. Please plan itineraries accordingly.
Add TripProtection to your booking to cancel or reschedule at any time.
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Absolutely!
Our guides do accept tips, and they are greatly appreciated. Tipping is left up to the individual, but as a general practice, 15% – 20% of the trip cost is the common gratuity in Charleston.
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Our routes rotate on a daily basis, with final decisions made the morning of. Routes will vary depending on seasonal changes, restaurant availability, group size, weather, dietary needs, etc.
Check out our list of current Restaurant Partners to see who may show up on any given tour.
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Our Downtown & Upper King Street Culinary Tours combine a historic tour with a culinary experience. Over 2.5 hours, guests explore a section of the Charleston peninsula, learn about the local cuisine (past and present), and visit area restaurants where they will feast upon a variety of dishes. Tours are fully narrated by your guide and generally include opportunities to interact with the chefs, mixologists, proprietors and/or other restaurant staff at each stop.
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We cannot accommodate vegan, dairy, or soy restrictions.
However, we can accommodate most other common singular dietary restrictions on most of our tours. If you have a combination of dietary needs or other concerns, please contact us in advance to discuss your restrictions and whether or not substitutions can be made within the context of our tours.
Dietary restrictions must be communicated at least 24 hours in advance or we will be unable to accommodate.
If booking through a 3rd party (e.g. TripAdvisor/Viator, Cloud9, Groupon, etc.), you must contact Charleston Culinary Tours separately about dietary restrictions in order to be accommodated.
We cannot assume responsibility for those with severe allergies, particularly if cross-contact is a factor. Guests assume the same risks as eating out at a restaurant.
We make every effort to provide a full meal for all guests, however, substitutions may not be 1-for-1 with all regular tour offerings.
We craft our tours to represent the best and most 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.
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Yes, tickets must be purchased in advance. Tours quickly sell out ahead of time, so please plan accordingly.
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Book online or give us a call!
843-259-2966
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Tours are held rain or shine.
While tours are conducted mostly indoors, we do travel outside from one stop to the next. Check the forecast and come prepared – we do not provide umbrellas.
Tours may be rescheduled based on SEVERE conditions, such as a hurricane! Guests will be notified in advance if we decide to cancel or reschedule a particular tour.
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No, but we’d be happy to add you to the waitlist!
Guests’ plans change all the time, so if the tour you are looking for is full, give us a call and we can add you to the waitlist with no obligations. We will then give you a call as soon as space becomes available.
843-259-2966
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Yes, everyone who requires a seat requires a ticket.
We do not recommend children under 8 years old on the tours.
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Charleston Culinary Tours are walking tours. Historic Charleston is extremely pedestrian-friendly and walking is the best way to enjoy the charm of our beautiful, hidden city.
Most of our routes cover a total of 1 mile or less, with restaurant stops in-between that are generally 20-25 minutes. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Please communicate strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters when booking. Some restaurants require the navigation of several steps and sitting at high tables.
If walking is a concern, we recommend our seated experiences: Historic Supper Club or Dessert with Death.
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Yes, everyone who travels with the tour must purchase a ticket regardless of how much they do or do not consume.
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The specific menus change on a day-to-day basis depending on which restaurants are visited that particular day. Each Culinary Tour will include several different courses including appetizers/small plates, entrees, and desserts.
In general, the Downtown Culinary Tour features mostly traditional Charleston fare (e.g. shrimp & grits, pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, etc.).
Food on the Upper King Culinary Tour reflects the more modern and eclectic side of Charleston’s food scene.
Most importantly, it is all delicious!
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There is enough food on our Downtown & Upper King Street Culinary Tours to make a meal for most. We recommend a light lunch or no lunch prior to your tour and late dinner reservations.
The Farm to Table Experience provides a large lunch, consisting of 5+ courses.
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Water will be available throughout the tour. Alcoholic & speciality drinks can be purchased separately for an additional charge at most locations.
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Yes. Bathrooms are available at most restaurant stops.
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No animals are allowed on tour.
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Yes! Cameras are welcome and encouraged. Your tour guide will help identify particularly photogenic spots (and serve as amateur photographer on request).
Furthermore, we welcome you to share your memories with us on social media! Tag us @charlestonculinarytours
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All tours end within a few blocks of their starting location.
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We ask that, in deference to other tour participants, you wait until after the tour to shop so that we can stay on schedule and ensure an enjoyable experience by all. After the tour, please feel free to shop at any of the venues included on the tour and explore Charleston further!
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Yes.