Best Chicago Food Tours: Top 10 Windy City Culinary Experiences (2024)

Top Selection of Food Tours in Chicago

1.Chicago in a Day – Food, History, Architecture Tour – Best for First-Time Visitors

The city of Chicago is well known for its amazing architecture and is also ranked as a top destination for food.

This 5-hour Chicago food, history, and architecture tour takes you to classic attractions and hidden gems on your way to taste some of the city’s most delicious foods.

Your guide will share interesting facts about the attractions and buildings, and you’ll understand why Chicago’s architecture is world-renowned.

Iconic foods like Chicago hot dogs, deep-dish pizza, Chicago sandwiches, and Italian beef will surprise you with their special flavors.

You will walk along the Chicago Riverwalk and admire iconic buildings like Marina Tower, the Willis Tower, and the Britannica Building.

Below ground, you’ll explore a maze of underground tunnels and bridges locals use to commute around the city.

Your Chicago adventure ends in the picturesque Millennium Park, from where you can enjoy the gorgeous lakefront or go shopping on the magnificent mile.

This culinary experience offers a comprehensive overview of the city and is best for first-time visitors.

What You’ll Love About This Chicago In A Day Food Tour

• Learning about Chicago’s history and the local architecture.
• Eating iconic dishes while admiring views of the Chicago River.
• Getting a deeper understanding of Chicago – past, present, and future.

2. Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food & Walking Tour – Best for Chicago Signature Foods

Chicago, or the “City of Big Shoulders”, is the nickname given to the hard-working laborers who made the city an industrial hub.

This 3-hour Chicago favorites food and walking tour introduces you to the city’s history and legendary foods.

In true Chicago fashion, you’ll savor Chicago pizza and locally crafted beer as you prepare your taste buds for your culinary tour. 

As you stroll through Chicago’s downtown and Michigan Avenue, you’ll stop for an iconic hotdog and discover why it is so good.

Walking along the Chicago Riverwalk, you will indulge in one of the best Italian beef sandwiches from a family-run business.

At Billy Goat Tavern, popularized by Saturday Night Live enjoy hot dogs and the Cheezborger, Cheezborger stories.

Ending at the elegant Palmer House Hotel, you’ll savor delectable chocolate chip brownies, an American sweet invented in Chicago.

What You’ll Love About This Chicago Favorites Tour

• Indulge in the most famous Chicago foods.
• Discover iconic Chicago restaurants and eateries.
• Learn about Chicago’s history while visiting important monuments.
• Get a free 2-hour bike or kayak rental to be used within 3 days of your tour.

3. Chicago Loop Secret Food Tour – Best for Chicago Iconic Sites

Taste the food and experience the culinary influences of the people who built Chicago. 

This 3-hour Chicago Loop Secret food tour covers the city’s historic enclaves, public art, and architecture in the Loop district.

You will learn about the city through the people and communities that have left a huge imprint on it. 

And at the same time, savor the cuisine and flavors of the immigrant heritage in Chicago food.

You’ll open up your taste buds with a slice of Chicago classic deep-dish pizza as you head to the bold Postmodern Harold Washington library.

You will be surprised to learn about and enjoy one of Oprah’s “favorite things”, gourmet popcorn.

The flavors of classic Chicago-style hot dogs, which are ketchup-free and sprinkled with toppings that define the city, will delight your taste buds.

A secret food will surprise you at the world’s former tallest building, the Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower.

This Chicago Secret food tour will leave you with a deep appreciation for the people and the city.

What You’ll Love About This Chicago Loop Secret Food Tour

• Learning about the city’s history through its people and landmarks.
• Delight in the cuisine of the immigrants who have shaped Chicago food.
• An informative and fun adventure in one of the most important US cities.

RELATED: 10 Famous Chicago Foods You Must Try While in The Windy City

4. Chicago’s Chinatown Food and Walking Tour – Best for Chinese Food Enthusiasts

Even though we’ve lived in Chicago for many years, taking a Chinatown food tour in Chicago remains one of our favorite experiences.

This 3-hour Chinatown food tour dives deep into Chicago’s Chinese community and their unique contributions to the city.

Taking place exclusively in Chinatown, you’ll make several stops sampling popular foods from five different Chinese regions.

Cantonese food will be the ice-breaker of the tour. Traditional Chinese dim sum will be demystified as you sample a selection of appetizers with tea. 

And Chinese pastries with unique ingredients will surprise you.

As the best is always saved for last, your final stop will be at a famous local restaurant. Here, you will taste what is said to be the “best noodles in all of Chicago.”

This Chinatown food Chicago tour goes beyond the food and combines history and culture.

It is one of the best Chicago food and walking tours for exploring a specific neighborhood and community.

What You’ll Love About This Chicago Chinatown Food Tour

• Exploring the rich history of Chicago Chinatown.
• Discovering amazing regional Chinese dishes.
• A wonderful blend of history, culture, and sightseeing. 

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you are considering taking a Chinatown Chicago food tour, read our in-depth review of the fabulous experience Chicago Chinatown Food Tour- How to Taste the Best of Chinatown

5. Bites, Bikes, Brews – Chicago Signature Bike Tours – Best for Chicago Bike Tour

Chicago, sometimes referred to as a “City in Garden” accurately describes its parks, gardens, and impressive lakefront. 

This 4-hour Chicago bites, brews, and bike tour takes you on a 13-mile moderately paced bike ride through different neighborhoods.

As you enjoy the guided bike tour learning about the different neighborhoods, you’ll savor local signature bites and brews.

Two tours are offered covering different parts of the city. The morning tour, offered year-round includes neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Old Town, Wrigleyville, and Gold Coast. 

Evening tours, available in the summer months, take you to Chicago’s Riverwalk, Gold Coast, Buckingham Fountain, Millennium Park, and Chicago’s lakefront trail.

Regardless of which tour you choose, you’ll eat and drink well. Plan for stops at two breweries, a hot dog stand, a pizza shop, and a cupcake bakery for iconic sweet treats.

You’ll discover how Chicago deep-dish pizza was created and learn the difference between a regular hot dog and a Chicago one.

Those who want to combine outdoor activity with delicious cuisine will love this biking food tour.

What You’ll Love About This Bites, Bikes, Brews – Chicago Signature Bike Tours

• Touring Chicago by bike.
• Visiting popular neighborhoods and the lakefront trail.
• Keeping active while enjoying delicious Chicago foods.

6. Chicago Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan – Best for Gourmet Cruise Dinner

As one of the great lakes in North America, Chicago’s Lake Michigan offers beautiful skyline views throughout the year.

While not technically a walking food tour, this exclusive 2.5h to 3h dinner cruise on Lake Michigan allows you to enjoy the city’s striking architecture while enjoying a gourmet dinner.

You will pass by the Willis Tower, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, and more as you see the city from a different perspective.

On board the luxury yacht, you’ll indulge in a 3-course dinner with menus prepared by local celebrity chefs.

Everything you’ll eat is cooked on board with fresh ingredients. Your meal starts with a choice of fresh salad or soup. 

The main course includes your choice of seafood, steak, poultry, and vegetarian options. And, plan to finish with decadent mouthwatering desserts.

Dancing and music on board will turn this cruise into an evening to remember. A live DJ will ensure the fun never stops.

If you are looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply want to experience Chicago from the water, consider this luxurious dinner cruise.

What You’ll Love About This Chicago Dinner Cruise

• Admiring Chicago’s stunning skyline from the water.
• Savoring a 3-course gourmet dinner prepared by local chefs.
• Have fun dancing the night away.

7. Underground Donut Tour:  Chicago’s First Donut Tour – Best for Families

Walk about 2 miles through the heart of Chicago and see parts of the River North neighborhood near Michigan Avenue. 

This 2-hour underground donut tour takes you to some of the best donut shops in the Windy City.

We took this donut tour and had much more fun than we expected. The first stop at Doughnut Vault, a former bank vault offers some of the best hand-crafted doughnuts.

The second, third, and final donut stops are steeped in tradition with donuts made with family recipes.

Expect to sample a variety of donut flavors like Boston Creme, Banana Creme, Tahitian Vanilla, and more.

The shapes will surprise you. From traditional donuts to holes, pockets, and more, the unusual shapes are big on flavor. 

Vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free options are available so that anyone can enjoy this Chicago donut tour.

What You’ll Love About This Donut Tour

• Being on the origins and only donut-themed tour in Chicago.
• Opportunity to indulge your sweet tooth with Chicago’s best donuts
• A fun and family-friendly tour for multi-generational groups.

8. Chicago Pizza Tour – Best for Pizza Lovers

This pizza tour is one of the most comprehensive food tours dedicated to Chicago’s most famous food.

For 3.5 hours, this Chicago pizza tour takes you around the city to four of the best Chicago pizzerias. 

This guided tour takes you by bus to different neighborhoods to taste different interpretations of one of the city’s iconic foods.

You’ll start at a famous downtown pizzeria and then board the bus to popular neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Wrigleyville, and others. 

Along the way, you’ll hear stories about the different neighborhoods and learn about the pizza culture in each one.

Besides being well-fed, your savvy tour guide will share insights about the techniques, processes, and history of the different pizzas. 

From tavern-style to coal-fired or deep-dish pizza, you’ll be sure to learn about and taste them all.

What You’ll Love About This Chicago Pizza Tour

• A pizza-centered tour for pizza lovers.
• Discovering four different Chicago neighborhoods through the lens of pizza.
• Learning about Chicago pizza and what makes it unique and world-famous.

9. Chicago Gangster and Food Walking Tour – Crime History Lovers

Chicago has a long and storied mobster and gangster history. This 2-hour Chicago gangster and food walking tour explores this chapter of Chicago’s history.

This unique walking food tour combines the prohibition era with Chicago’s most famous foods.

You’ll explore the River North neighborhood, the most gangster-populated area during the prohibition.

You’ll hear stories about secret mobster hideouts and an old gangster’s mansion turned into a restaurant. 

And at the same time, you’ll savor Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and the famous “Chicago Dawg.”

Your tour guide will share stories about the city’s attractions. For example, you’ll stop at the Holy Name Cathedral, where you will see the bullet holes from a 1920’s gangster shooting.

What You’ll Love About This Chicago Gangster And Food Walking Tour

• Learning about Chicago’s mafia history from your guide.
• Visiting two historic neighborhoods within the city.
• The combination of iconic local dishes and prohibition-era culture.

10. Chicago Buffet Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan – Best for Cruise Enthusiasts

A cruise on Chicago’s Lake Michigan offers a spectacular way to experience the city.

This 2-hour buffet lunch cruise on Lake Michigan allows you to experience the city from the water.

A food experience perfect for families and groups, you’ll enjoy cruising the lake, taking city skyline photos, and enjoying the beauty of the windy city.

On the cruise, you’ll have a buffet-style lunch with entrees, salads, sides, and desserts freshly prepared on board. 

As you eat, you’ll pass by various landmarks like Soldier Field, Navy Pier, and Shedd Aquarium.

The Spirit of Chicago cruise boat provides plenty of entertaining activities for everybody to enjoy. From live DJ music to games, there are fun activities for everyone in your group.

What You’ll Love About This Chicago Buffet Lunch Cruise

• Opportunity to cruise on Lake Michigan, one of the largest lakes in the world.
• Laid-back food and cruise tour appropriate for families and groups.
• A tasty buffet-style lunch and a lively atmosphere.

RELATED: Guide To Ethnic Food in Chicago: Top 12 Restaurants You’ll Want to Try

What to Consider When Choosing a Food Tour in Chicago

While the Chicago food tours share some similar characteristics the experiences vary, from one tour to another. 

Some offer experiences by bike, foot, and even yacht cruises. They are all great culinary adventures showcasing the best restaurants and delicious treats.

As you consider booking your Chicago food tour, here are some things to consider.

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Make your culinary travels worry-free! With the right travel insurance, you’ll enjoy a delicious experience. From medical emergencies, flight cancellations, car rental protection, or tour cancellations, a good travel insurance has got you covered. Check out our travel insurance review for food lovers to get started.

What Kind of Chicago Food Tour Experience Do You Want

Start by asking yourself what kind of experience you would like.

Do you want to walk around the city, navigate by bike or bus, or take a cruise instead?

Do you want to see or dive into a specific neighborhood? Or do you prefer a broad view of the neighborhoods? 

What are your food preferences? Do you want to focus on famous Chicago foods, or are you willing to explore Chinese and other ethnic flavors?

With these considerations in mind, simply select the Chicago food tours that fit your preferences and travel plans.

What Is Your Budget for Your Chicago Food Tours

Chicago food tours vary in price depending on the length, experience, and number of stops.

The best Chicago food tours range in price from $55 to $131.94 USD.

However, depending on the size of your group, you may be able to negotiate discounted rates.

On a positive note, all these tours allow free booking cancellation up to 24 to 72 hours before the event.

Have you ever taken any of these best food tours in Chicago? Please let us know in the comments below which tours you’ve taken or would like to take.

Savor the Adventure!

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