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Chicago food tours introduce you to the best local food scene and the iconic flavors that have received worldwide acclaim.
As Chicago locals, we are proud of our city and the diverse culinary gems found all throughout.
Chicago has been named one of the top cities for food in America with deep-dish pizza and Chicago hotdogs at the helm.
Beyond these signature foods, you’ll find amazing food, outstanding architecture, and neighborhoods known for unique specialties.
This list of the 10 best food tours in Chicago includes some of our favorite experiences and neighborhoods for iconic foods.
Comparison Table of The Best Food Tours in Chicago
| Chicago Food Tours | Price ($ USD) | Group Size | Start Time | Duration (hours) | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Food Favorite | $79.99 | Max 16 | 11:30 am | 3h | Downtown Chicago | Chicago Signature foods |
| Chicago in a Day | $97.27 | Max 12 | 10:00 am or 1:00 pm | 5h | Chicago | First time Chicago visitors |
| Chicago’s Chinatown Food Tour | $79.99 | Max 15 | 11:30 am and 4:00 pm | 3h | Chicago Chinatown | Chinese Food Enthusiasts |
| Loop Secret Food Tour | $87.87 | Max 12 | 11:30 am | 3h | Chicago Loop | Chicago Iconic Sites |
| River North Food Tour | $89 | Max 14 | 11:00 am | 3h | River North | River North Culinary specialties |
| Underground Donut Tour | $55 | Max 20 | 9:00 am or 12:00 pm | 2h | Downtown Chicago | Families |
| Chicago Premiere Dinner Cruise | $188.48 | Max 19 | 7:00 pm or 7:30 pm | 2.5h -3h | Lake Michigan | Cruise Lovers |
| Chicago West Side Food Tour | $89.99 | Max 14 | 12:00 pm | 4h | Chicago’s West Side | Ethnic Food Lovers |
| Chicago Pizza Tour | $75 | Max 20 | 11:00 am | 3.5h | Downtown, Lincoln Park, Wrigley | Pizza Lovers |
| West Loop Food Tour | $79 | Max 12 | 1:00 pm | 3h | West Loop | Trendy restaurant scene |
Please note that prices might vary slightly when you book your tour. The availability of some Chicago food tours may differ based on season and time of year.
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Top Selection of Food Tours in Chicago
1. Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food & Walking Tour
Feast on Chicago’s legendary foods on this 3-hour food and walking tour.
In true Chicago fashion, this tour begins at a pizza restaurant where you’ll be introduced to the city’s history.
You’ll savor Chicago pizza along with locally crafted beer as you prepare your taste buds for your culinary tour.
As you stroll through downtown Chicago and Michigan Avenue, you’ll stop at an iconic hotdog and discover why it is so good.
Along the way, you will make a stop in the Chicago Riverwalk, to admire the majestic architecture and downtown skyline.
While you are here, 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.
This Chicago walking tour continues to Millennium Park where you’ll marvel at the works of art, including Cloud Gate, or “the Bean”.
An American sweet favorite ends your ultimate Chicago food and walking tour. At the elegant Palmer House Hotel, you’ll sit down to chocolate chip brownies, invented in Chicago.
For a downtown walking tour featuring favorite foods, this is one of the best Chicago food tours to take.
Cost: About $79.99 per person
Time and Length of Tour: Approximately 3 hours. Tours start at 11:30 am
Group Style: Group tour of a maximum of 16 people
2. Chicago in a Day – Food, History and Architectural Walking Tour
The city of Chicago is well known for its amazing architecture and it has also been 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 take a walk along the Chicago Riverwalk and admire iconic buildings like Marina Tower, the Willis Tower, and the Britannica Building.
And below ground, you’ll explore a maze of underground tunnels and bridges used by locals 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 tour offers a comprehensive overview of the city and is best for first time visitors. Be sure to wear comfortable as you will do a lot of walking.
Cost: $92.27 per person
Time and Length of Tour: Approximately 5 hours. Tour starts at 10:00 am
Group Style: Group tour of a maximum of 12 people
3. Chicago’s Chinatown Food and Walking Tour
Even though we’ve lived in Chicago for many years, taking a Chinatown food tour Chicago remains one of our favorite experiences.
This Chinatown food tour is a 3-hour immersive food tour you into Chinese culture and their unique contributions to Chicago.
Focusing exclusively on 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.
More than a food tour, this Chinatown food tour is also a cultural experience. As you walk through the neighborhood, you’ll learn about iconic Chinese landmarks and attractions.
As the best is always saved for last, your final stop will be at a famous local restaurant. Here, you will taste, what it’s 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 tours for exploring a specific neighborhood and community.
Cost: About $79.99 per person
Time and Length of Tour: Approximately 3 hours. Tour starts at 11:30 am and 4:00 pm
Group Style: Group tour of a maximum of 15 people
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
4. Chicago Loop Secret Food Tour (with Private Tour Option)
Taste the food and experience the culinary influences from the people who build 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 on Chicago food.
You’ll open up the 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 and enjoy one of Oprah’s “favorite things”, gourmet popcorn.
The flavors of classic Chicago-style hot dog, which is 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.
Your last stop along Michigan Avenue South is for a much-loved Chicago invention. Enjoy delicious brownies while learning about their history and creation.
This Chicago walking food tour in the Loop will leave you with a deep appreciation for the heartbeat of Chicago.
Cost: $87.87 per person
Time and Length of Tour: Approximately 3 hours. Tour starts at 11:30 am
Group Style: Group tour of a maximum of 12 people
RELATED: Guide To Ethnic Food in Chicago: Top 12 Restaurants You’ll Want to Try
5. Chicago River North Walking Food Tour
Enjoy the splendor of the Magnificent Mile and Gold Coast on this Chicago River North walking tour.
This historically affluent neighborhood offers amazing food, regional specialties, and wonderful restaurants.
On this Chicago River North food tour, you’ll spend about 3-hours exploring the best eats at 5 unique eateries.
Mexican food by the famed chef Rick Bayless is one of the stops. As well as deep dish pizza, traditional Chicago sandwiches, and desserts will also be covered.
As you explore River North, you’ll get cultural and historical insights about the neighborhood from your local guide.
For those who have already visited Chicago and want to explore a notable downtown neighborhood, this is one of the best Chicago food tours to take.
Cost: $89 per person
Time and Length of Tour: Approximately 3 hours. Tour starts at 11:00 am
Group Style: Group tour of a maximum of 14 people
6. Ultimate Chicago Food Tour – West Loop Neighborhood
The West Loop in Chicago is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city. This vibrant neighborhood is known for its thriving restaurant scene and culinary excellence.
This Chicago West Loop tour takes you to some of the lesser-known gems in the neighborhood where acclaimed chefs hone their skills.
You’ll spend about 3 hours eating your way through 5 delicious spots in the neighborhood.
On this walking tour, your local guide will take you to some of the best restaurants to sample iconic and modern Chicago foods.
The West Loop wasn’t always a trendy neighborhood. It’s an area with a storied history and was once home to the Oprah Winfrey Studios.
In between your culinary stops, your tour guide will fill you in on the background of the area and Chicago as a whole.
You’ll sample everything from Chicago deep-dish pizza to delightful pastries from Michelin-trained chefs.
We’ve spent many months living in the West Loop and it is a delicious neighborhood to explore.
This West Loop food tour is one of the best food tours to explore the city’s emerging food scene.
Cost: About $79.00 per person
Time and Length of Tour: Approximately 3 hours. Tour starts at 1:00 pm
Group Style: Group tour of a maximum of 12 people
7. Underground Donut Tour – Chicago’s First Donut Tour
Walk about 2 miles through the heart of Chicago and see parts of the River North neighborhood, near Michigan Avenue.
This tour is the city’s only donut-themed tour and it is family-friendly perfect for those traveling with children and elderly adults.
This 2-hour underground donut tour takes you to some of the best donut shops in the Windy City.
As it is a walking tour, you’ll also learn about the city’s history at iconic landmarks in the different neighborhoods you’ll pass through.
We took this 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.
This underground donut tour ends near Michigan and Erie Avenue, allowing you to continue your exploration of local attractions and Chicago neighborhoods.
Cost: About $55 per person
Time and Length of Tour: Approximately 2 hours. Tours start at 9:00 am or 12:00 pm
Group Style: Group tour of a maximum of 20 people
8. Chicago Premiere Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan
As one of the great lakes in North America, Chicago’s Lake Michigan offers beautiful skyline views enjoyable any season of the year.
While not technically a walking food tour, this exclusive 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 angle.
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 out 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 is there to ensure the fun never stops.
If you are lucky enough to book this tour during the Summer fireworks period, you’ll be in for a spectacular treat.
From our personal experience, there’s nothing like seeing Chicago fireworks from the water.
If you are looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply want to experience Chicago from the water, consider this Chicago food tour.
Cost: About $188.48 per person
Time and Length of Tour: Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Tour start at 7:00 pm
Group Style: Group tour of a maximum of 19 people
9. Chicago Pizza Tour
This Chicago pizza tours 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 on a small 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.
For pizza enthusiasts and those that love dough, this Chicago pizza tours is designed especially for you.
Cost: About $75 per person
Time and Length of Tour: Approximately 3.5 hours. Tour starts at 11:00 am
Group Style: Group tour of a maximum of 20 people
10. Chicago’s West Side Foodies Ride Bike Tour
Sample cuisine from around the world on this ride-bike tour on Chicago’s West Side.
This West Side foodies ride bike tour, for 4- hours, takes you to different neighborhoods exploring Chicago’s immigrant history through food.
After getting set up and equipped with cycling safety gear, you’ll head to Fulton Market, a former meatpacking district for burgers and beer.
Back on your bike, you’ll ride to Ukranian Village for some of the best Polish pierogis. Enjoy Mexican authentic tacos on your way to the hip and artistic Wicker Park.
In Bucktown, the adjacent neighborhood, you’ll enjoy riding through streets lined with old homes and modern mansions.
Your delicious culinary experience takes you to the historic Old Town for a chocolate tasting at one of Chicago’s finest chocolatiers.
Offering a taste of ethnic cuisine, this biking food tour offers a wide range of flavors from the city’s local food scene. One of the best Chicago food tours for a diversity of cuisines.
Cost: About $89.99 per person
Time and Length of Tour: Approximately 4 hours. Tours start at 12:00 pm
Group Style: Group tour of a maximum of 14 people
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, bus rides, 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.
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 dinner 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 $54 to $188.48 USD.
However, depending on the size of your group, you may be able to negotiate discounted rates.
All tours featured continue to adhere to Covid safety guidelines. However, if you prefer some offer personalized tours that you can enjoy at your own pace.
On a positive note, all these tours allow free booking cancellation up to 24 to 72 hours before the event.
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Rosemary is the editor-in-chief and strategist at Authentic Food Quest.
Traveling slow since 2015 with her partner, Claire, she has explored the cuisine in 45 countries and more than 240+ culinary cities.
Her writing about local food specialties has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post.
As a food and travel writer, Rosemary has co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
Rosemary is an avid runner when she’s not eating and exploring new destinations. She has run ten marathons and counting.
Before Authentic Food Quest, Rosemary held senior-level strategy positions in advertising.
Find out more about Authentic Food Quest