Illinois is a Midwestern US state best known for its largest city, Chicago — a global hub of architecture, culture, food, and commerce. From the iconic skyline and world-class museums to Lincoln's historic home in Springfield and the rugged beauty of Shawnee National Forest, Illinois offers an incredibly diverse travel experience.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Illinois through its food.
Chicago Pizza Tours — Deep Dish Deep Dive
The definitive Chicago pizza tour, visiting 3–4 of Chicago's best pizza establishments to taste deep dish, stuffed pizza, and thin crust styles. Tour covers the history of Chicago pizza and the ongoing 'deep dish vs. thin crust' debate. Includes pizza at Lou Malnati's, Giordano's, and Pequod's-style locations.
Chicago Food Planet Tours — Wicker Park Neighborhood
An excellent walking food tour through Wicker Park and Bucktown, one of Chicago's most vibrant neighborhoods for independent restaurants, cafes, and food shops. Tastings at 6–8 spots covering tacos, artisan cheese, craft cocktails, pastries, and unique local specialties.
Chicago Food Tour — Fulton Market Gourmet
Explore Chicago's hottest restaurant district with tastings at 5–6 Fulton Market and West Loop restaurants and specialty food shops. Covers some of Chicago's most acclaimed chefs and innovative cuisine styles.
Chicago Hot Dog and Italian Beef Tour
A fun tour of Chicago's most iconic street foods, visiting legendary hot dog stands and Italian beef joints. Covers the history of Vienna Beef, the anatomy of a perfect Chicago dog, and the Al's Beef vs. Mr. Beef debate. Tastings at Portillo's, Gold Coast Dogs, and Mr. Beef.
Chicago Neighborhood Food Tour — Pilsen (Mexican)
Dive into Chicago's vibrant Mexican-American community in Pilsen, exploring authentic taquerias, Mexican bakeries (panaderías), National Museum of Mexican Art, and street murals. Tastings include tamales, enchiladas, agua frescas, and pan dulce.
Chinatown Food Walking Tour
Explore one of the Midwest's most vibrant and authentic Chinatowns with tastings at dim sum restaurants, bakeries, tea shops, and Asian grocery stores. Covers both Cantonese dim sum and newer Sichuan restaurant scene in Chicago.
Chicago Architecture and Food Tour Combo
A hybrid walking tour combining Chicago's legendary architecture highlights in the Loop and River North with carefully selected restaurant stops reflecting Chicago's culinary heritage. Led by a licensed Chicago Architecture Center guide with deep food knowledge.
Andersonville Swedish and International Food Tour
Explore Andersonville's unique blend of Swedish heritage and LGBTQ+ community culture through food. Tastings at Swedish bakeries, Korean restaurants, Middle Eastern delis, and the neighborhood's excellent cocktail bars.
Cooking Class at The Chopping Block
Chicago's premier independent culinary school offers hands-on cooking classes in state-of-the-art teaching kitchens. Classes cover Italian pasta, French techniques, deep dish pizza making, Asian cuisine, and more. Eat what you cook with paired wines.
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Making Class
Learn the secrets of Chicago's most famous dish — the deep dish pizza — in an interactive cooking class. Make the buttery crust from scratch, prepare the fillings, and layer the pizza in the correct sequence (cheese first, then toppings, then chunky tomato sauce on top). Eat your creations with house salad and drinks.
Chicago Blues and Food Tour
Combine Chicago's blues heritage with its soulful food traditions on this evening tour of South Side blues venues. Visit the Chess Records building (where Muddy Waters and Chuck Berry recorded), enjoy soul food at a legendary South Side restaurant, and end with live blues at Buddy Guy's Legends or a South Side club.
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Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Book tours and cooking classes at least a few days in advance — small-group experiences sell out quickly.
Come hungry — most food tours include 5-8 tastings.
Bring cash for unscheduled stops the guide may recommend.