In Good Taste: South Carolina's Specialty Food Shops and What They Offer

Where to Find Specialty Foods Across South Carolina

In Good Taste is a specialty food retailer with locations in Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry that stocks imported goods, artisanal products, and hard-to-find ingredients you won't see in standard grocery stores. The shop carries European cheeses, cured meats, oils, vinegars, chocolates, and prepared foods—many sourced directly from small producers. If you're looking for a specific ingredient for a recipe, a gift box of regional products, or simply want to browse what local and international food makers are producing, this is where South Carolina's food-focused shoppers go.

The store's inventory changes with the seasons and with what's available from their network of suppliers. You'll find items that reflect both the Lowcountry's food culture and the broader specialty food world—think Calabrian chilis alongside local honey, French butter next to South Carolina-made preserves. Staff can point you toward what's new, what pairs well together, and what's worth trying if you're experimenting with a cuisine you haven't cooked before.

Key Takeaways

• In Good Taste stocks imported and artisanal foods including cheeses, cured meats, oils, vinegars, and chocolates from small producers across Europe and beyond.
• The shop has multiple locations in the Charleston area, so you can visit whichever is most convenient to your neighborhood or shopping route.
• Inventory rotates seasonally and based on what producers have available, so returning customers often find new items to discover.
• Staff can recommend pairings, suggest substitutions for hard-to-find ingredients, and help you put together gift boxes or entertaining platters.

What You'll Find in the Aisles

The cheese selection is substantial—wheels and wedges from dairies across Europe, plus some domestic producers. You'll see everything from soft-ripening varieties to aged hard cheeses, blues, and washed-rind types. The cured meat section includes prosciutto, speck, soppressata, and other charcuterie, many imported directly. These aren't the vacuum-packed versions from a supermarket deli; they're cut to order and stored properly so the flavor stays intact.

The oils and vinegars span multiple price points and flavor profiles. You might find a robust Tuscan olive oil, a delicate white truffle oil, aged balsamic from Modena, or sherry vinegar. The chocolate selection includes bars and truffles from makers known for single-origin cacao and small-batch production. Beyond those staples, the shop carries specialty flours, dried pastas from Italian producers, nuts, dried fruits, and prepared items like pâtés, terrines, and marinated vegetables.

What makes the inventory different from a regular grocery store isn't just the brands—it's the depth. Instead of two types of balsamic, there might be five, each with a different age and flavor. Instead of one source of Parmigiano-Reggiano, you might find wheels from different producers or different aging periods. That specificity is what draws people back.

Shopping for Entertaining and Gifts

In Good Taste is a natural stop if you're planning a charcuterie board, a cheese course, or a tasting menu at home. You can build a platter from scratch—choosing cheeses, meats, crackers, nuts, and accompaniments—or ask staff to assemble one for you. The shop also puts together gift boxes, which work well for people who cook, people who are hard to shop for, or anyone who appreciates good food. A box might contain a selection of cheeses, a bottle of good oil, some chocolate, and a specialty item or two.

Because the products are sourced from small makers, buying here also means your money goes to producers who care about their craft. That matters to a lot of people in the Lowcountry, where food culture and local sourcing are taken seriously. If you're hosting and want to serve something that reflects that value, In Good Taste is where you start.

How to Navigate Your First Visit

Walk in without a specific list and you'll spend time browsing—which is fine, and part of the experience. But if you have a particular ingredient in mind or a dish you're planning to cook, mention it to staff. They can point you toward what will work, suggest alternatives if something isn't in stock, and often recommend something you hadn't considered. The shop is organized by category, so cheeses are together, oils are together, and so on, making it easy to find what you're looking for once you know the layout.

Prices are higher than a supermarket, but that's because the products are different—smaller producers, better sourcing, fresher stock. A wedge of aged Gruyère or a tin of Spanish anchovies costs more here than at a chain grocery, but the quality difference is noticeable. Most people who shop here regularly think of it as a destination for specific items or occasions, not a weekly grocery run.

Seasonal and Special Items

The shop brings in seasonal products—fresh truffles in fall and winter, certain cheeses that are only made at certain times of year, holiday chocolates and gift items as the season approaches. If you're a regular, you learn when to check back for things you love. Staff can also tell you when something is coming in if you ask, so you don't miss it.

Special orders are sometimes possible if you're looking for something specific that isn't currently in stock. It's worth asking, especially if you're planning an event or want to source a particular ingredient for a recipe. Lead time varies depending on what you're after and where it comes from, but the shop's network of suppliers is broad enough that many requests can be filled.

Pairing In Good Taste with Other Lowcountry Food Experiences

A visit to In Good Taste fits naturally into a broader food-focused day in Charleston. You might stop here to pick up ingredients for a meal you're cooking, then visit a farmers market for produce, or pick up fresh bread from a local bakery. The shop's location in Charleston also means it's near restaurants, other food shops, and galleries—so you can make it part of a larger outing rather than a standalone errand.

If you're visiting from out of state and want to bring home something that represents South Carolina's food culture, In Good Taste has items that work better than typical souvenirs. Local honey, regional preserves, or a selection of Lowcountry-made products tell a real story about where you've been and what people here actually eat and make.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know what I'm looking for before I go?

No. You can browse and explore, and staff will help you discover things. But if you have a specific ingredient or dish in mind, mentioning it when you arrive means staff can point you toward what will work and suggest options you might not have considered on your own.

Can I order things online or by phone?

Contact the shop directly to ask about phone orders or special requests. Some items can be held or ordered, but availability and shipping options depend on what you're after and which location you're working with. Calling ahead is the best way to find out what's possible.

What's the difference between shopping here and buying specialty foods at a regular grocery store?

In Good Taste focuses on smaller producers, direct sourcing, and depth of selection. A supermarket might carry one type of aged balsamic; In Good Taste carries several. The staff also knows the products and producers personally, so they can tell you where something comes from and why it's worth trying.

Are there multiple locations?

Yes, In Good Taste has more than one location in the Charleston area. Check their website or call to confirm which location is nearest you and their current hours, as locations and hours can change seasonally.

What should I buy if I'm new to specialty foods?

Start with something you already like—a good olive oil if you cook with oil, a cheese similar to ones you know, or a chocolate bar from a maker you've heard of. Ask staff for a recommendation on something small and approachable. That way you get a sense of the quality difference without committing to something expensive or unfamiliar.