This is a comparison post sharing some of the top rated Chicago food tours, and providing details about the types of meals you can expect to enjoy, prices, and when the outings are offered.
- Chicago Classics
- Chicago Pizza
- Neighborhood
- Drinks & Donuts
- Bikes, Buses, & Barrels
- Self-Guided Food Tours
TIP: Before booking a food tour, take a look at Groupon which offers many of these food tours at discounts as deep as a Chicago Pizza Pie!
CHICAGO CLASSIC FOOD TOURS
Many tour companies have complied stops that highlight some of Chicago’s most famous dishes.
During these tours, experience some of the best food in different parts of the city while learning why these foods are such a city staple.
Chicago Loop Food Tour by Secret Food Tours
This company is well-known for offering excellent food tours around the world, and their Chicago tour is an excellent way to discover some of the best dishes in the city.
Not only will you have the opportunity to try authentic deep dish pizza, but you'll also have the chance to eat an Italian beef sandwich.
As you explore Chicago and learn about its best dishes, you'll also learn about the city and see some of the more notable public art installations.
Currently, these tours are kept to a maximum of just 12 guests, making it a fairly small group outing.
- $84.53/Adults | $79.18/Youth (13-17) | $73.83/Children (3-12)
- Schedule: Monday - Saturday
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting Point: 521 S Dearborn St.
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food & Walking Tour by Bobby's Bike Hike
While strolling around the downtown area to see some of its most notable sites, you'll also try some of the most quintessential Chicago dishes.
As with most of their competitors, you can expect to try popular foods like deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, chocolate and even pastries.
The tour covers about 1.5 miles, which should give you enough time to walk off most of the calories you'll be eating.
You can also upgrade this tour to include a local craft beer!
- Standard: $74.99/Adults | $64.99/Youth (4-11) | $10.99/Toddler (0-3)
- With Beer: $94.99/Adults | $64.99/Youth (4-11) | $10.99/Toddler (0-3)
- Schedule: Daily
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting Point: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria | 410 N Michigan Ave
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
From Deep Roots to Deep Dish by WeVenture
Navigate through the downtown streets of Chicago and discover some of the best restaurants and foods in the entire city.
As you experience some of the best architecture in the country, you'll learn about all the different cultures who came to this city and contributed to its creative culinary history.
Along the way, you'll try a variety of popular local favorites such as a Chicago style hot dog, an Italian beef sandwich, and or course deep dish pizza.
- $69/Adults | $64/Children (2-12)
- Schedule: Daily
- Duration: 2 hours
- Meeting Point: 175 N State St.
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
CHICAGO PIZZA TOURS
Due to the unique way that Chicagoans enjoy their pizza, the windy city is a popular destination for fans of the delicious dish.
As such, there are a lot of great Chicago pizza tours you can take, and this section will cover some of the best options available.
Original Chicago Pizza Tour by Chicago Pizza Tours
Chicago might be known for its deep dish pizza, but there is so much more to the pizza scene here.
On this guided bus tour, you will explore four different neighborhoods, sampling five different styles of pizza!
Learn about the invention of deep dish pizza, the best ingredients, and pizza preparation. You will experience the city like a local through trying the best pizzerias that Chicago has to offer.
Chicago Pizza Tours has received positive feedback on TripAdvisor, and maintains an overall 5 star rating!
This tour was popular with friends and couples, but reviews suggested it would be perfect for the whole family.
Guests also said that the variety of neighborhoods and pizza styles never made it feel like they were eating the same exact thing.
Many also appreciated the opportunity to see other parts of the city, and learn about more than just pizza. Be sure to pace yourself with the food, because the pizza keeps coming!
- $75/Adult (13 and older) | $45/Child (6-12 years old)
- Schedule: Saturday and Sunday
- Time: 3.5 hours
- Meeting Point: Pizano's Pizza & Pasta | 61 E Madison St
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
NOTE: This company also offers a shorter tour specifically covering the best pizza in Downtown Chicago for just $49.
Pizza City USA Tours
If you're interested in trying several different types of Chicago style pizza as possible, this company offers some of the best pizza tours in the city.
Over the course of their 3-hour outings, you'll visit multiple neighborhoods and try a variety of different pizzas that are unique to Chicago.
Along the way, you'll learn a lot about the culinary history of the city from your pizza-loving tour guide.
- $69 per person (9 and up)
- Schedule: Saturday
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting Point: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria | 1235 W Randolph St
- Includes lanyard/badge for tasting at Goose Island Brewery
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl
- $69 per person (9 and up)
- Schedule: Sunday
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting Point: My Pi Pizza | 2010 N Damen Ave
- Includes lanyard/badge for tasting at Goose Island Brewery
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Downtown Chicago Friday Pizza Walk
- $59 per person (9 and up)
- Schedule: Friday
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Meeting Point: Robert's Pizza & Dough Co. | 465 N McClurg Ct.
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
NOTE: This company also offers a pizza bus tour which we will cover later in this post.
FOOD TOURS BY NEIGHBORHOOD
Chicago has over 70 different neighborhoods, each with a unique character and flavor. Here are some of the best food tours that share the diverse food and history of the city beyond downtown.
River North Food Tour by Sidewalk Food Tours
Explore one the of city’s neighborhoods that claims to have the most restaurants and art galleries.
On this tour, you will have the opportunity to try five different local restaurants in River North.
By the end, you will have a full stomach, as well as a better understanding of the food scene in Chicago and history that has shaped the neighborhood.
Sidewalk Food Tours has a 4 1/2 star rating according to TripAdvisor.
Many guests complimented their experience, saying that the tour was well organized with informative and energetic guides.
Reviews stated that this was a great way to get to know the River North neighborhood and sample some amazing food!
A couple of good and average reviews mentioned that you cannot sample food inside of all of the restaurants. Overall, guests left this tour satisfied and better educated about the city!
- Schedule: Fridays & Saturdays at 11 am seasonally (Apr - Nov)
- Price: $75 per person
- Time: 3 hours
- Meeting Point: 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Wicker Park Food Tour by Sidewalk Food Tours
In addition to their tour covering the River North neighborhood, they also provide this outing in Wicker Park.
Guests can expect to sample a variety of dishes from 5 different restaurants including fried chicken, meatball sliders, pork tacos and more.
One of the locations you'll visit is actually home to some of former President Obama's favorite food in Chicago!
While walking through the the neighborhood, you'll learn about the history of the area and how its cultural influences shaped the types of cuisine offered in Wicker Park.
- $75 per person
- Schedule: Sundays at 11 am
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting Point: 1601 N Milwaukee Ave.
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Chicago's Chinatown Food & Walking Tour by Bobby's Bike Hike
In addition to their classic Chicago food tour, this company also provides a tour of Chinatown which covers some of the best cuisine in the neighborhood.
While traveling through this part of town, your tour guide will also explain how Chinese culture has influenced the windy city in a variety of interesting ways.
Some of the dishes you can expect to try include authentic dumplings, duck, and many other delicious meals. All food and drink tastings are included.
As with their other tours, you can also upgrade this outing to include alcoholic drinks that are unique to the area for just $20.
- $74.99/Adults | $64.99/Youth (4-11) | $10.99/Toddlers (0-3)
- Schedule: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:30 am and 4 pm
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting Point: Phoenix Restaurant | 2131 S Archer Ave.
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
DRINKS AND DONUTS TOURS
Chicago loves donuts. These tours complement that well and show locals and tourists some of Chicago’s best places for both, while educating guests on the history behind it.
Traditional Donut Tour by Underground Donut Tour
Chicago sure does love donuts, and has many original donut shops to prove it.
On the Traditional Donut Tour, your guide will bring you to four of the best donut shops in Chicago, all of which are located in close proximity to the Loop area.
At each stop you will be able to try exclusive samples of donuts.
You will also learn about the history of donuts, and get a great walking tour of the city itself.
While only reviewed a handful of times, Underground Donut Tour maintains a 5 star rating on TripAdvisor.
All reviews were excellent, as guest stated that these were some of the best donuts they have ever had, and they were able to sample a wide range of donuts.
The personable guide helped make the experience, while combining the history with the taste testing.
- Schedule: Tours offered Saturdays at 9:00am
- Price: $40 per person
- Time: 2 hours
- Meeting Point: The French Market
- Other Information: Groups of 12 or less, reserve by 9 am day of tour
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
BIKES, BUSES or BARREL FOOD TOUR
While many food tours escort guests via something on wheels, here are some of the most creative ways to cover more ground and experience food and drinks in different parts of the city.
Brewery Tours by The Barrel Run
Ride in style from brewery to brewery in this barrel bus inspired by the years of prohibition.
This barrel will transport you to three different breweries for samples and a brewing production facility tour.
Along the way, your guides will share with you Chicago's history starting in the 1800’s as it relates to beer, and how that effected the politics and the city as a whole.
Sample craft beers at each brewery, and be educated on the brewing process.
The handful of reviews on TripAdvisor only have good things to say about this tour and company as a whole, giving it an overall 5 star rating.
Guests really enjoyed this unique brewery experience, full great beer and information. The barrel bus itself was a highlight for many, with comfortable seats and an enjoyable ride between stops full of history and trivia led by accommodating guides.
Groups of friends really enjoyed their time on the Barrel Bus, and would recommend it for other groups and as a great idea for a birthday or bachelor party.
- Schedule: Tours offered various weekend days and times, look at their calendar.
- for specific dates or book a private tour
- Price: $99.60 per person
- Time: 3.5-4 hours
- Pickup/Drop-off: 600 N. Clark St.
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Bikes, Bites, & Brews Tour by Bobby’s Bike Hike
Work off your lunch by biking through the city streets!
Sample some of Chicago’s favorite food as you cruise around five different neighborhoods on the north side.
Pizza, hot dogs, cupcakes, and beer provide a filling and well deserved lunch as your guides safely take you around the city, educating you on the history and the food.
Bobby’s Bike Hike Chicago is the #1 rated food and drink experience in Chicago on TripAdvisor, with a 5 star rating!
With over 2,000 guests raving about it, this is one you won’t want to miss as you explore the city. This flat, 13 mile bike ride is broken up nicely with food stops, and brings riders through neighborhoods that they normally wouldn’t venture out to.
Guests said the guides put them at easy with clear safety instructions as bikers made their way through city traffic.
Couples and friends alike are complimenting the food quality, and highly recommending this tour. This comprehensive tours takes half the day, but seems well worth it!
- Schedule: Tours offered daily at 11:30am during the warmer months.
- Price (when purchased online): $89.99 per person
- Price includes bike/helmet
- Level: somewhat easy/moderate
- Time: 4 hours
- Distance: 13 miles
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
TIP: If you are looking for a regular bike tour without food or a good price on a bike rental see out detailed post on Chicago Bike Tours and Rentals.
Chicago's West Side Foodie Ride by Bobby's Bike Hike
If you're looking for a bike tour that explores a different part of town, this company also offers an outing on the west side of Chicago which covers some of the best food in the neighborhood.
Although it's not explicitly about the brews, you can upgrade your tour package for $20 to include free craft beer samples in addition to all the different dishes you'll try along the way.
From Mexican torta to Polish pierogis, you'll sample plenty of different items that aren't typically included with other Chicago food tours on this outing.
This tour also includes a ride along the new 606 elevated trail, as well as a ride along the lakefront trail.
- $89.99 per person
- Schedule: Friday and Saturday at 12 pm
- Duration: 4 hours
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Chicago Pizza History & Tastings Bus Tour by Pizza City USA
In addition to all their neighborhood tours, this company also offers a bus tour which provides the transportation needed to visit all the best pizza restaurants in the city!
While on the tour, you'll learn about all 10 different varieties of Chicago pizza and sample 4 of the best-known and most beloved examples.
You'll also receive vouchers for discounts on food and drinks at some of the restaurants visited that you can use after the tour is over.
This tour also includes a free lanyard/badge that allows you to get a free beer at the Goose Island Brewery.
- $89 per person
- Schedule: Saturday at 11 am
- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Meeting Point: Labriola Chicago, 535 N Michigan Ave.
- Purchase tickets or learn more.
Self-Guided Chicago Food Tours
If you'd rather explore the city at your own pace, you can always take one of the following self-guided tours. The best thing about these guides is that they are free and you can choose how much to spend on food!
- Chinatown Food and History Tour
- Mexican Pilsen Food Tour
- Andersonville Food Tour
- Little Italy Food Tour
NOTE: Don't forget that you can also rent a bike to make the trip even easier!
