Chicago’s dining scene is unbelievably diverse — we have world-famous burgers, our own signature style of hot dogs, Michelin-starred fine dining, international cuisine from all over the world, one-of-a-kind pizza styles…the list goes on. It’s more than anyone could eat in a lifetime, but you can try your best on a food tour of the city.
These Chicago food tours can help you get a true taste of the local dining scene, whether you want to hit all the fine-dining hot spots, or try every deep dish pizza the city has to offer. Experience the city’s diverse cuisine on one of these epicurean adventures.
Bobby’s Bike Hike
Work up an appetite with a biking food tour. Cruise through different Chicago neighborhoods on a Bikes, Bites & Brews Tour from Bobby’s Bike Hike, recently named one of the best food and culinary experiences in the world by TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Awards.
This tour covers a variety of Chicago’s signature dishes, including deep dish pizza, hot dogs, brownies (invented here), and local beers. You’ll learn some history, see unique neighborhoods, and get plenty of tasty bites. Check out other food tours from Bobby’s Bike Hike, including walking tours, Chinatown food tours, holiday sampling tours, and family-friendly options.
Underground Donut Tour
Explore Chicago’s bustling downtown while indulging in some of the city’s best donuts. Underground Donut Tours, the highly rated food tour first established in 2015, takes guests on a two-mile walk through the heart of River North and The Magnificent Mile while sampling sweet treats at four unique donut shops along the way.
Chicago Pizza Tours
Savor the city one slice at a time with Chicago Pizza Tours. These bus and walking tours visit culturally significant and locally owned pizzerias in Chicago’s downtown and neighborhoods. You’ll learn a little about the history and the tricks of the pizza trade — and try different pizzas from off-the-beaten-path spots. Make sure to book ahead of time, since the popular weekend tours sell out fast.
Pizza City USA Tours
Embark on the city’s ultimate pizza tour with a James Beard Award-winning host. Food writer and local celebrity Steve Dolinsky created these Chicago pizza tours that showcase everything from deep dish to tavern style to artisanal Neapolitan pies. Choose from Pizza City USA Tours covering different areas of the city and their unique pizza options, including downtown, the West Loop, or Wicker Park/Bucktown.
Chicago Food Tours
Chicago Food Tours gives you a sense of the melting pot that is Chicago’s restaurant scene. Get a taste for the classics on their Iconic Foods of Chicago Tour, which lets you sample the city’s most well-known eats (pizza, hot dog, Italian beef, popcorn, and brownies) in less than three hours — plus you get to skip the lines. They also offer food tours of foodie-favorite neighborhoods, like Pilsen, the West Loop, and Chinatown, along with the new Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear-Inspired Food Tour that follows in the footsteps of the hit show The Bear.
Chicago Beer Experience
Want more pub than grub? Check out Chicago Beer Experience, which celebrates one of the world’s most beloved beverages in the craft beer capital of the country. Choose from three neighborhood routes that are guided by certified beer experts, like the Sin & Suds tour that explores Al Capone’s old stomping grounds. The tours include tastings of locally made brews, and a dose of local history as well.
Spice of Life Tours
Explore Chicago’s “Little India” in the West Ridge neighborhood with Spice of Life Tours. Devon Avenue is the center of a thriving Indian/Pakistani community, with plenty of authentic, locally owned restaurants and specialty food shops. Your expert guide will lead you on a relaxed but in-depth tour where you’ll sample flavorful South Asian cuisine, stop by a spice market, visit a temple, and try out cultural activities like henna tattoos.
Chicago Foodways Tours
Go “deeper than deep dish” with Chicago Foodways Tours. Get your fill of Chicago’s culinary history and diversity from a seasoned local and trained chef. These food and culture walking tours guide you through the past and present of the city’s immigrant neighborhoods, like their Saigon to Stockholm Tour that takes you into Chicago’s Vietnamese and Swedish enclaves.
Please note: some of the above tours are available seasonally and are weather dependent. Please check with each tour company for availability.
