With dozens of award-winning restaurants and a diverse array of cultures, Chicago’s world-class food scene is not to be skipped. What better way to immerse oneself in the city’s culinary landscape than by taking a food tour? Not only do you get to sample a variety of foods within just a few hours, but food tours often blend in the city’s rich history with the origins of the fare.
Below are our recommendations for the best Chicago food tours. You’ll leave these excursions feeling full and satisfied from tasting your way through this magnificent city.
Table Of Contents
Chicago Favorites Walking & Food Tour
Chicago River Dinner Cruise
Bikes, Bites & Views: Chicago’s Signature Dishes Bike Tour
Chicago Prohibition Tours
Chicago Downtown Delicious Donut Tour
Westside Foodie Ride Bike Tour
Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear-Inspired Food Tour
Chinatown Food & Culture Walking Tour
Food Tour Do’s and Don’ts
Chicago Food Tour FAQs
1. Chicago Favorites Walking & Food Tour
As the name implies, the Chicago Favorites Walking & Food Tour explores the city’s favorites, from its top downtown sites to its staple foods. Within 3 hours you get to learn about the history of the Second City (and the true meaning behind that nickname) through the lens of its most culturally relevant cuisines and attractions. Be sure to arrive hungry because you’ll be feasting on deep dish pizza, a Chicago-style hot dog, and an Italian beef sandwich along with desserts like Garret’s Popcorn.
This tour is #1 on our list because it has been highly rated by global publications and brands, including:
- “Top 10 Food Tours in America” by USA TODAY
- “Top 20 Food Tour in World” by TripAdvisor
- “Top 15 Vacation Experiences in America” by Entrepreneur Magazine
The total walking distance is about 1.5 to 2 miles, but the lunch and dinner tours follow different routes, so you’ll see different sites depending on the time of day*:
Day/Lunch Tours:
- Magnificent Mile & the Wrigley Building
- Chicago River
- Chicago Theater
- Millennium Park & The Bean
- Palmer House Hotel
Evening/Dinner Tours:
- Gino’s East pizza
- Chicago’s historic Water Tower
- Holy Name Cathedral
- Merchandise Mart
- Chicago River
*Routes and sites are subject to change. Tours run daily, but starting times vary based on the season and day of the week. Check online for accurate times.
2. Chicago River Dinner Cruise
If you’re looking for an elegant food tour, hop on board a dinner cruise with City Cruises. This 2.5-hour ride provides an exquisite look at Chicago’s riverfront architecture while serving a locally-inspired, three-course plated dinner in an enclosed glass vessel. See iconic landmarks like the Willis (Sears) Tower, the Old Chicago Post Office, and the massive Merchandise Mart while enjoying live entertainment. Cocktail attire is required to ensure a classy experience.
Tours run Monday through Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m.
3. Bikes, Bites & Views – Chicago’s Signature Dishes Bike Tour
Starting at Bobby’s Bike Hike’s world headquarters, the Bikes, Bites & Views Tour treats you to Chicago’s staple foods while exploring the city by bike. Like the Chicago Favorites tour, the lunch and dinner routes are different.
The 11:30 a.m. tour heads to Chicago’s northside neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville (home of Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs), while the 5:30 p.m. tour highlights the city’s downtown attractions such as the river, Millennium Park, and Buckingham Fountain. On either tour you will receive a slice of deep dish pizza, a Chicago-style hot dog, and an Italian beef sandwich, and you’ll have an opportunity to bike alongside the beautiful blue shores of Lake Michigan.
Morning tours begin at 11:30 a.m. and evening tours begin at 5:30 p.m., however tours do not run every day. Check online for available dates.
4. Chicago Prohibition Tours
While this isn’t necessarily a food tour, you’ll dive into historic bars that tie back to Chicago’s prohibition era. The company provides both a walking and a bus tour, so you can choose how you’d like to explore. You’ll visit 3-4 speakeasies, and your guide will provide insight on what drinks to order to fully immerse yourself in the 1920s prohibition atmosphere. Drinks and food are not included in the tour price, but you are welcome to order fare at each of the stops.
Dates and times vary. See online for available tours.
5. Chicago Downtown Delicious Donut Tour
Do you have a sweet tooth? This is the ultimate tour for you. Sample delicious donuts from 4 of Chicago’s very own donut shops in the heart of the city. While you enjoy your treats, you’ll also learn about the city’s storied past and diverse food culture.
Tours run daily with various starting times between 9 a.m. and noon.
6. Westside Foodie Ride Bike Tour
For those interested in sampling foods from Chicago’s smaller eateries rather than its standard downtown classics, the Westside Foodie Ride is the best way to explore a handful of the city’s 77 neighborhoods. On this tour you’ll bike through distinct communities, each with their own culture, architecture, and vibe. Instead of navigating the busy weekend crowds downtown, you’ll bike along quiet residential streets. To fully immerse yourself in these areas, you’ll get to try:
- Roman-style pizza in Fulton Market
- Polish pierogies in Ukrainian Village
- A unique take on a classic taco in Wicker Park
- Parisian lemon tart in Lincoln Park
- Artisan chocolate in Old Town
This tour runs during the summer on Fridays through Sundays starting at noon and lasts about 4 hours.
7. Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear-Inspired Food Tour
If you’re a fan of the award-winning TV show The Bear, this bus tour takes you to a few of the actual restaurants the series was filmed at. Within 3.5 hours you’ll sample renowned restaurants throughout the city’s neighborhoods, including the real Italian beef shop that inspired the show.
Tour dates and times vary week-by-week. Check online for an accurate schedule.
8. Chinatown Food & Culture Walking Tour
Located just south of downtown, Chicago’s Chinatown is filled to the brim with restaurants that encompass a wide swath of regional Chinese cuisines. This tour explores the historical and regional differences between Cantonese dim sum, spicy Szechuan, and the Middle Eastern-influenced cuisine in Xi’an. Through the combination of traditional and fusion flavors, you’ll learn about ancient China and the cultural diversity of contemporary Chicago. This walking food tour lasts about 2.5 hours and is open to all ages.
Tours run every day at 4 p.m., with additional tours at 11:30 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
Food Tour Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to mitigate delays due to traffic or unforeseen circumstances.
- Bring a bottle of water. Most tours try to provide water at every stop, but it’s not always guaranteed.
- Come with an open mind. Some foods might not sound up your alley, but you might be pleasantly surprised when you taste them! Restaurants and food options are also subject to change due to closures or reroutes.
- Arrive hungry!
Don’t:
- Ask about dietary restrictions last minute. Guides want to make sure they can accommodate your needs ahead of time so you can eat!
- Be afraid to voice your concerns. A guide’s main priorities are to ensure your food tour experience is seamless, comfortable, and safe.
- Order extra food (unless encouraged to). Tours are on timed schedules, and ordering extra items can delay the entire group. Please be considerate of your fellow guests!
Final Thoughts
No matter which Chicago food tour you choose, the best ones go beyond simply grabbing a bite. They help you experience the city’s neighborhoods, history, culture, and iconic dishes in a more memorable way. Whether you want a classic deep-dish pizza stop, a guided neighborhood walk, or a bike tour that lets you taste more of the city in less time, Chicago has no shortage of delicious ways to explore.
Chicago Food Tour FAQs
The best time to take a food tour depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Evening and weekend tours through downtown are typically much busier and livelier than morning and weekday tours due to the dinner rush. Though, always expect crowds on weekends and holidays. For the most comfortable experience, mornings and early afternoons on weekdays are your best bet.
Most food tours do their best to accommodate common allergies and dietary restrictions, however accommodations can never be guaranteed. Contact tour companies ahead of time to ask about specific restrictions prior to booking.
Thanks to Chicago’s vast food scene, food tours throughout the city are plentiful. If you’re a first-time visitor to the Second City, consider choosing a tour that highlights the downtown attractions and staple foods, like the Chicago Walking & Food Tour. If you want to venture outside of the commonly visited areas, hop on a tour that explores different neighborhoods, like the Chinatown Food & Culture Walking Tour or Westside Foodie Ride.
When in doubt, Bobby’s Bike Hike provides a wide variety of food tours for all types of interests, including excursions that focus on Chicago’s staples or localized eats, and tours that range from adventurous to slow-paced. Whichever you choose, you’re sure to find some culinary delights.
Most Chicago food tours last about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the route, number of tasting stops, and whether it is a walking, biking, or bus-style tour.
Popular foods to try on a Chicago food tour include deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, local sweets, and craft beer.
The best Chicago food tour for first-time visitors includes iconic dishes, neighborhood history, and local sightseeing. Look for a guided tour with classics like deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, and local favorites.
