Charleston Donut Tour FAQ

Charleston's take on our walking food tour is the Historic City Market & Sweet Treats Tour, a stroll through historic downtown tasting desserts shaped by the many cultures of the city, from French-style beignets and Southern pralines to Turkish sweets, buttery biscuits and Dutch pancakes.

Our Charleston Historic City Market & Sweet Treats Tour is a sweet treats tour, celebrating the many cultures that shaped the city's desserts. You'll taste French-style beignets, Turkish sweets, Southern pralines, benne wafers with West African roots, buttery biscuits and Dutch pancakes, all on one stroll through historic downtown.

Our tour visits some of Charleston's most-loved sweet spots: Toast! All Day, Ephesus Mediterranean Delights, River Street Sweets, Callie's Hot Little Biscuit and Tinto y Crema. Along the way you'll explore the Historic City Market, the French Quarter and Philadelphia Alley, and finish at Waterfront Park with views of Charleston Harbor.

Every stop has its fans, and every tour brings out new favorites. Guests love the warm beignets at Toast! All Day, the baklava and Turkish treats at Ephesus, the pralines and chocolate pecan clusters at River Street Sweets, the sweet biscuits at Callie's Hot Little Biscuit, and the Dutch pancakes at Tinto y Crema.

See our guide, Best Donut Shops & Bakeries in Charleston, for local shops worth a visit beyond the tour. Our Charleston tour is all about sweet treats, starting with warm beignets at Toast! All Day and continuing to Ephesus Mediterranean Delights, River Street Sweets, Callie's Hot Little Biscuit and Tinto y Crema. Lineup may vary by day and season.

Your guide hand-picks a lineup that shows off the best of each stop, so you get to try treats you might not have ordered on your own. Many guests discover a brand-new favorite this way.

Plenty! You'll enjoy tastings at around half a dozen stops, with portions designed to leave you happy and satisfied without feeling too full. If you'd like to save something for later, just ask your guide.

The tour starts at Toast! All Day on Meeting Street and ends at the iconic Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park, right by the water. It's the perfect spot for a group photo and a great place to keep exploring after your tour.

Starting at Toast! All Day on Meeting Street, the tour explores the Historic City Market, the French Quarter and Philadelphia Alley, and finishes at the Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park overlooking Charleston Harbor.

About two hours of walking, tasting and Charleston history.

Our guides know how to beat the Lowcountry heat, with air-conditioned stops and water breaks along the way. We recommend bringing water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes.

Yes, we run all year. On cool or drizzly days, bring a jacket or umbrella, and our guides will make the most of the cozy indoor stops along the route. If the weather ever becomes unsafe, we'll reach out to help you find a new date.

The Underground Donut Tour in Charleston does its best to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences whenever possible.

This route has limited gluten-free availability, so please let us know when you book. With advance notice, our guides can arrange gluten-free swaps, like fresh fruit and a gluten-free biscuit with cinnamon butter and jam.

Please tell us about any allergies when you book, and we'll work with our partners to find the best options for you. For guests with nut allergies, for example, our guides can swap in a different treat. Since our partners prepare their treats in shared kitchens, we can't guarantee against cross-contact.

Absolutely. Kids love this tour, and families join us all the time. Our guides are happy to help little ones find a treat they'll enjoy at every stop.

The route is a relaxed stroll through historic downtown, with some narrow sidewalks. We've welcomed guests using walkers and knee scooters, and our guides are happy to adjust the pace for your group. Contact us with any questions before you book.

Definitely! Local guests tell us they discover spots they've never tried and learn new stories about their city. It's also a great way to show visiting friends and family around downtown.

Sweet treat lovers from all over join us in Charleston, from cruise passengers and weekend visitors to new residents and longtime locals. Many guests have taken our tours in other cities, like Chicago and New York, and add Charleston to their list.

Yes! Birthdays, anniversaries, bachelorette parties and mother-daughter trips are some of our favorite tours to lead. Let us know you're celebrating when you book, and your guide will help make it extra special.

Yes. Private group tours are available in Charleston for birthdays, corporate outings, student groups, and celebrations.