River North Food Walking Tour Chicago: 5 tastings in 3 hours

Five food stops without planning the route yourself

A 3-hour guided food walking tour of Chicago's River North neighborhood with tastings at five restaurants, including deep-dish pizza, Mexican cuisine from a Top Chef Masters winner, and a European-style café. Your local guide discusses the area's food scene and history. Vegetarian options are available at all stops, and the group stays under five people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Chicago River North Food Walking Tour

• Visit The Doughnut Vault
• Taste Chicago deep-dish pizza
• Enjoy Rick Bayless' Mexican cuisine
• Eat Northern Italian fare at historic tavern
• Sample sweets and coffee at European-style cafe
• Pass by the Wrigley Building
• Pass by the Merchandise Mart

The experience

Three hours covers five food stops in River North, starting with The Doughnut Vault (Food & Wine Magazine's pick for best doughnut in America), and moving through Rudy Malnati's deep-dish pizza (the restaurant that invented the style in 1971), Rick Bayless's Mexican restaurant, a third-generation Northern Italian tavern open since 1952, and a European-style café with sweets and wine. Your guide walks the route and talks through the neighborhood's food history and culture as you move between tastings.

The group maxes out at four people, so the pace stays manageable and the guide can answer questions without herding a crowd. You'll pass landmarks like the Wrigley Building and Merchandise Mart along the way. Wear comfortable shoes and bring your appetite. The tour handles the research and the routing, so you show up and taste.

Vegetarian options exist at every stop. Other dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase at some locations. The tour runs in all weather, so dress for the season.

What’s included

• Local English-speaking guide.
• tastings at five restaurants including deep-dish pizza, Mexican cuisine and Northern Italian fare.
• discussion of River North's food history and culture.
• vegetarian options at all stops.

Information

Lasts 3h, runs Friday to Sunday at 11:00, from US$ 89 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 14 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesFriday to SundayDeparts at 11:00Last departure this season: 29 NovAnother time? ›

GroupUp to 141 private ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sidewalk Food Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to taste Chicago's signature dishes without spending the day researching restaurants and navigating between them: the small group size and fixed route mean you eat and walk at a pace that lets you actually enjoy the neighborhood.

Traveler reviews

4.59★★★★★★★★★★

98 verified traveler reviews

5 ★75

4 ★13

3 ★5

2 ★3

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What exactly do I taste on the River North food walking tour?

The tour includes tastings at five restaurants: The Doughnut Vault, Rudy Malnati's deep-dish pizza, Rick Bayless's Mexican restaurant, a Northern Italian tavern, and a European-style café. Each stop represents a different cuisine and era of Chicago's food scene.

How long does the River North food walking tour take?

The tour runs 3 hours total, including the walk between stops and time to eat and listen to your guide's commentary on the neighborhood's history and food culture.

Can I do this tour if I'm vegetarian?

Yes, vegetarian options are available at all five food stops. If you have other dietary restrictions, contact the operator in advance and they'll arrange accommodations.

What is Rudy Malnati's known for?

Rudy Malnati is credited with inventing Chicago deep-dish pizza and has operated since 1971. The restaurant is one of the five tasting stops on the tour.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces along the route are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options in the neighborhood are also wheelchair accessible. Strollers and prams are welcome for infants and small children.

How many people are on the tour at once?

The maximum group size is four people per booking, keeping the experience intimate and allowing your guide to engage with everyone.