Ah, Chicago: The Windy City, the City of Big Shoulders, and most importantly, a foodie’s paradise! With over 8,000 restaurants to choose from, there’s a mouthwatering option around every corner. And beyond that, there’s even more unique dining experiences. We’re talking about dinner cruises, food tours, mystery picnics – just to name a few.
However, with so many tasty options, deciding on where to eat is easier said than done. That’s where we come in! In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover all the best eats in the Windy City – from iconic dishes to the best dining experiences in town. We’ve even included a list of our favorite Chicago activities, so you can work up an appetite while exploring the city!
What Food Is Chicago Known For?
Simply put, Chicago’s food is as legendary as its landmarks. Here’s just a few of their most famous bites:
1. Deep-Dish Pizza
Unlike its thinner-crust cousins, Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is thick, buttery, and brimming with layers of ooey-gooey goodness. The pizza dough is placed in a deep pan and pressed onto the sides, creating a basin for mozzarella cheese, chunky tomato sauce, and all your favorite toppings.
2. Chicago-Style Hot Dog
A true Windy City staple! It starts with an all-beef frank nestled in a soft poppy seed bun. The dog is then topped with yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, chopped onions, juicy tomato wedges, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and a sprinkle of celery salt.
3. Italian Beef Sandwich
Another Chicago classic, the Italian beef sandwich features thinly sliced roast beef that’s been slow cooked in a seasoned broth. It’s often topped with peppers or giardiniera, a tangy pickled vegetable mix, adding a spicy kick to the rich beefy goodness.
4. Jibarito Sandwich
Pronounced hee-bah-ree-toh, Jibarito sandwiches are a Chicago original that use fried green plantains instead of bread. They’re typically filled with thinly sliced steak, chicken, pork, or vegetables, along with lettuce, tomato, garlic-flavored mayonnaise, and cheese.
5. The Rainbow Cone
This iconic ice cream treat features layers of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio, and orange sherbet all stacked on a single waffle cone. It’s a colorful and flavorful way to cool off during the city’s hot summers!
Best Dining Experiences in Chicago
From guided food tours to breathtaking dinners on Lake Michigan, here are some of the best dining experiences you can’t miss in the Windy City:
1. Dinner With a View at Skydeck Chicago
What could be better than enjoying a 3-course meal from Giordano’s Pizza? Enjoying it from the top of Willis Tower, of course! During this VIP experience, you’ll indulge in an exclusive pizza dinner at Skydeck Chicago. With tables perched at an astounding 1,353 feet in the air, this experience redefines dinner with a view.
2. Chicago Pizza Tours
Speaking of pizza, there are plenty of other ways to find the perfect pie. On a guided pizza tour, you’ll explore Chicago one slice at a time. You’ll taste the best of both worlds – Chicago’s signature deep-dish and traditional thin crust. By the end, you’ll join the city’s greatest debate: which slice is best?
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3. Dinner With a Show
What do you get when you combine delicious food with world-class entertainment? An unforgettable dinner show, that’s what! While Chicago is home to several shows, here’s a couple of our all-time favorites:
- Teatro ZinZanni: From gravity-defying acrobats to hilarious comedy routines, this variety dinner show will keep you at the edge of your seat.
- Murder Mystery Dinner Show: Channel your inner detective! This interactive show is the perfect blend of comedy, espionage, and of course, tasty food!
4. Dining Cruises
Epic views, elegant atmosphere, fantastic food – you’ll experience all of that and more on a scenic dining cruise! Sailing from Navy Pier, these cruises are the perfect way to escape the city and enjoy some time on the water. There’s also variety of different mealtime options to choose from:
- Lunch: Enjoy daytime views of the Windy City while treating yourself to a mouthwatering buffet or 3-course plated meal. There’s also a live DJ and a cash bar on board.
- Brunch: Our personal favorite! That’s because these cruises offer a delicious blend of sweet and savory items. Plus, who could say no to a bubbly mimosa?
- Dinner: There’s nothing more magical than sailing past the Chicago skyline at night! Pair that with a delicious buffet or plated meal, and you’ve got yourself an unforgettable evening. There’s even a dinner cruise that includes a jaw-dropping fireworks show!
5. Food Tours
Food tours are a great way to try multiple restaurants and dishes, all in one day. Take your pick from a variety of cuisines and neighborhoods including:
- Chinatown: Explore one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Chicago while sampling dim sum, bubble tea, Chinese noodles, and more.
- River North: This lively district is buzzing with energy (and incredible food)! Here, you can indulge in Chicago classics and more innovative flavors.
- The Loop: The Chicago Loop District is home to a wide range of delicious restaurants as well as the city’s most famous public art and architecture. See and taste it all on this delectable tour!
- Donuts: Sweetooths, this one’s for you! On this tasty tour, you’ll get to sample expertly crafted donuts from four of the city’s best shops and bakeries.
6. Wine and Cheese at the Beautiful Rind
Nothing goes better together than cheese and wine! And during this guided tasting, you’ll sample ten different cheeses (across five courses) with an expert cheesemonger. Of course, you’ll also receive four half glasses of wine and a 1.5oz pour of a selected fortified/dessert wine. Now that’s a Chicago dining experience we’d happily raise a glass for!
7. Mystery Picnics
The perfect picnic spot awaits…you just have to find it first! On a Mystery Picnic, you’ll solve personally curated clues while exploring the city. Each clue will take you inside local shops where you’ll collect the perfect picnic spread, bit by bit. It’s a great way to sample regional flavors with a loved one!
8. Brewery Tours
What does all this Chicago food need? An ice-cold beer to wash it all down! And lucky for us, there’s no shortage of craft breweries in the Windy City. For one of the most unique beer experiences around, don’t miss this barrel bus tour. You’ll visit three iconic breweries while cruising through town in a Prohibition-era styled barrel bus.
9. Private Chef for a Night
A 5-star dinner at home? Sign us up! With these personal chef packages, you’ll enjoy the most exquisite dishes in town – without having to leave the comfort of home. Plus, your chef will handle everything from prep to clean up, allowing you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the best meal in Chicago.
Top Activities to Build up an Appetite
Beyond dining, Chicago is chock-full of fun things to do. Check out our top five Windy City activities, perfect for building up an appetite:
1. Kayaking
Kayaking along the Chicago River is not only a good workout, it’s also a super fun way to see the city. With every paddle stroke, you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views of the city’s skyscrapers, sculptures, parks, and more.
2. Escape Room
Put on your thinking caps! During these escape room challenges, you’ll need to work as a team to find clues and solve puzzles. Win or lose, you can recap together over a nice Chicago-style dinner.
3. Axe Throwing
Ready, aim, throw! Get your heart pumping and your adrenaline flowing with a session of axe throwing. This thrilling activity is great for groups and is an exciting way to work up an appetite. Who will take home the title of axe throwing champ?
4. Bike Tour
Whether you choose a guided tour or set off on your own, biking is an excellent way to explore while getting some exercise. There’s even a couple of Chicago bike tours that include food stops – could there be a better combination?
Summary
All this talk of food is making us hungry! After reading this Chicago dining guide, we hope you’ve found just the thing to satisfy your inner foodie. Whether it’s enjoying a Chicago hot dog in Millennium Park or dining on Lake Michigan, the Windy City has something for every taste and palette.
On the hunt for even more things to do in Chicago? Explore our full range of Chicago Experience Gifts & Things To Do, featuring over 150 fun activities.
