Charleston food tours with diets, allergies and kids

What does each Charleston food tour say about diets and allergies?

From an outright no for vegans on the Downtown Charleston Food Tour to a welcome for vegans on Chef Forrest Parker's lunch, provided he knows in advance.

Can vegans or dairy-free eaters do the Downtown Charleston Food Tour?

No: the listing says vegan, dairy/lactose and soy restrictions cannot be adequately accommodated.

The operator FAQ says the same and adds that most other restrictions can be handled on most of its tours. Notice is the key. The Viator listing asks for at least 36 hours, by phone on 843-259-2966 or by email to [email protected], and the FAQ asks anyone who booked through a third-party site to contact the company directly. Substitutions may not be one-for-one with the regular tastings.

One discrepancy: the operator FAQ says restrictions must be communicated at least 24 hours in advance, while its tour page and the Viator listing say 36 hours. Call at least 36 hours ahead and you satisfy both.

Vegans and dairy-free guests are better off with Chef Forrest Parker, if they are 21 or over, or with a private tour after asking the operator first.

Are there food tours for vegetarians or gluten-free guests?

Yes, with notice: Chef Forrest Parker welcomes vegetarians and celiacs, and the Downtown Charleston Food Tour can handle most restrictions other than vegan, dairy and soy.

Chef Parker's listing is the most detailed: he regularly handles meat, shellfish, eggs, dairy, nuts and gluten, and says most common special diets can be accommodated if he knows in advance, because he is not a restaurant and will not be prepared otherwise. On Bulldog Tours, one vegetarian guest wrote of feeling totally included while still eating authentic Southern food.

Secret Food Tours asks you to get in touch in advance so it can cater for you. Name the diet in your message and wait for a yes before you pay.

What about shellfish and severe allergies?

Be careful: shrimp and crab are central to Charleston food, and Charleston Culinary Tours says it cannot assume responsibility for severe allergies.

Its listing asks guests with multiple allergies to call before booking. Bulldog's Upper King Street tour, sold separately, calls itself extremely seafood-heavy and not recommended for travelers with allergies. Swaps do happen: one Secret Food Tours guest wrote that a partner with a shrimp allergy was given sausage and grits instead. That is one guest's experience, not a policy, so tell the operator ahead.

Shellfish allergy in the group? Message Secret Food Tours in advance; one guest's partner got sausage and grits instead of shrimp.

★ 4.9 · 3 hours · from $89

Explore the Secret Food Tours French Quarter walk → Tour details

What are the minimum ages on Charleston food tours?

They range from no minimum with child tickets to 21 and over.

Which Charleston food tours suit children?

The sweet treats walk and Secret Food Tours, both with child tickets; the private tour if you want strollers and your own pace.

The sweet treats walk ($80) runs two hours of bakery and dessert stops, is stroller accessible and has a child band for ages 0 to 10. It asks that everyone can walk for two hours in any weather. Secret Food Tours books children from 3 and infants on laps. The private tour has child and youth tickets, and nobody outside your party joins.

Eight or older and a good eater? The Downtown Charleston Food Tour works, at full price. Off the food trail, the harbor cruise has a child band for ages 4 to 11. More on the main walk in the Downtown Charleston Food Tour review.

Kids in tow? Two hours of desserts, a City Market stop and a child price for ages 0 to 10.

★ 4.9 · 2 hours · from $80

Explore the sweet treats walk → Tour details

Can you bring a stroller or wheelchair?

A stroller, on several walks; a wheelchair, only on the private tour, the cooking class and the harbor cruise.

• Wheelchair accessible: the private tour, the Lowcountry cooking class, the Carolina Belle cruise.
• Stroller accessible: the private tour, Bulldog Tours, the Upper King Street walk, the sweet treats walk, Chef Forrest Parker.
• Not wheelchair accessible: the Downtown Charleston Food Tour, Secret Food Tours' French Quarter walk, Streets and Eats, History and Hops.

Charleston Culinary Tours asks you to mention strollers, wheelchairs and scooters when you book, since some restaurants have several steps and high tables. Infants sit on laps on most walks.

How do you book a food tour with a diet or a child?

Check the listing's age band, book, then send your diet needs in writing to the operator straight away.

1. Pick a tour whose wording covers your diet: a flat no means no.
2. Check the age band before choosing ticket types.
3. Book with free cancellation, so a refusal from the operator costs nothing.
4. Send the details: by phone or email for Charleston Culinary Tours (36 hours ahead), in the special requirements box for Bulldog, at booking for Streets and Eats.
5. Get a reply before the 24-hour cancellation window closes.

Frequently asked questions