What is a food tour?

A food tour is a fun and exciting walking tour in which you get to learn about the city, it's history, culture, as well as visit 5-7 locally owned restaurants that serve fresh cuisine. Come Experience Columbia, One Bite at a Time. It is a must for anyone visiting Columbia and for locals, alike!

 

Where does the tour begin?

For our Main Street tour we will meet at 1:30pm (unless notified otherwise) on the steps of The State House on the Gervais Street side for the Main Street tour (1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC, 29201). Please do your best to be early or on time. We will be starting the tour no later than 1:45pm.. Unfortunately, since we are on a tight schedule, we are not able to wait for latecomers. Please plan enough time for parking and walking to the meeting point.

 

How often do your tours run?

Depending on the month, we will have 1 tour per day, with 2-5 tours each month, on Saturdays starting at 1:45pm. We chose this time so that we would not interfere with our restaurants' busy lunch crowd. A schedule of our tours are located on our "Purchase Tickets" page.

 

Where should I park?

You can park at an available parking meter (meter maids do not work on Saturdays) near the State House for the Main Street tour. You could also park in a parking garage as most parking meters in the city only allow 2 hours of parking. There is a parking garage near our downtown tour located on the corner of Lady Street and Assembly Street. 

 

Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?

Tickets must be purchased in advanced and can be purchased from our website (from the "Purchase Tickets" page). We may sell out quickly so please make sure to reserve your spot so that you don't miss out! Ticket sales end 27 hours before the tour begins (which is the day before the tour runs).

 

How much food is served on the tour?

After visiting all the restaurants (5-7) on the food tour, most participants should be more than satisfied (view our TripAdvisor reviews to see how others have answered this question!); it is equivalent to a meal.

 

How much walking is involved and is it fast paced?

Tours generally last between 2.5 and 3 hours. We walk at a moderate pace and we will probably walk no more than 1.8 miles on the Main Street tour.

 

Does the tour guide accept gratuity?

Gratuities are greatly appreciated, although not mandatory.

 

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Unfortunately, each restaurant has discretion on what is served and we are unable to accommodate those with dietary restrictions at this time.

 

When is the best time to take the tour?

We recommend taking our food tour at the beginning of your trip to allow plenty of time to revisit any of the restaurants you may want to dine at after tasting their delicious food.

 

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children 2 years old and older are required to purchase a ticket; however, our tour is recommended for children 13 years of age and older.

 

Are there beverages served on the tour?

There will at least be water available. Some restaurants may have other beverages for purchase; some restaurants may have adult beverages for our guests 21 years old and older.

 

What if there is bad weather?

The tours are held rain or shine so please dress accordingly.

 

Are bathrooms available during the tour?

Yes, bathrooms are available during the tour at most of the restaurants we visit.

 

Are cameras allowed on the tour?

Yes! Take as many photos as you would like! Capture the delicious memories!

 

Columbia is known for its heat. Will tours run in the summer?

Yes! We plan to run tours throughout the summer. The walk between each restaurant isn't more than 15 minutes and then we will be in the air conditioning again. However, if you are sensitive to the heat, please attend our tour in the fall.

 

How do I redeem a gift certificate?

If your gift certificate has a code on it, just go to our "Purchase Tickets" page and select the tour you would like to go on and add the tickets to your cart. Enter your code into the Promo/Gift Certificate box and it will deduct the price from your cart. If you have a gift certificate without a code, please email us at info@columbiafoodtours.com.

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Would locals enjoy this tour?

Absolutely! If you are looking for something fun to do, our food tour is an excellent way to find out the history, culture, and sample some restaurants you may or may not have been to.

 

What is your cancellation policy?

Once your tickets have been purchased, it is non-refundable.

 

What else should I know?

Try to eat a light lunch (or none at all) to save room for all the delicious samples the day of the tour! Wear comfortable shoes and clothing and we look forward to guiding you on the walking food tour; Experience Columbia, One Bite at a Time!

 

Columbia Food Tours, LLC acts only as an agent for the companies that supply food and beverages on the tours and cannot be held responsible for losses, delays, accidents, injuries, and delays caused by persons engaged in carrying out the services provided by the tour. Photos and/or video may be taken on the tour…please let us know if you would prefer not to be photographed or filmed.