Top Chicago activities
Top Chicago landmarks
Beyond Chicago
Chicago trip ideas

Chicago Food and Culture Walking Tour

17 Reviews 4.59 out of 5 stars Based on 17 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 94% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Chicago, USA

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Start your immersive walking tour at a Chicago icon: the Centennial Fountain at River Esplanade Park. From here, your guide will take you on a culinary and cultural adventure.

Our first stop is the famous Billy Goat Tavern, where we recommend trying their signature "cheezborger." Next, we'll visit Pizzeria Uno, birthplace of Chicago’s legendary deep-dish pies. Then see where locals go for their hot beef fix: Al’s Beef, a favorite since 1938.

Along the way, you’ll hear about the friendly rivalry with New York's pizza scene, Chicago's meatpacking roots, 1920s speakeasies, gangsters, and more. We recommend you bring around $30 for optional food purchases throughout the tour. Your guide will have tips on what to try at each stop.

Our tour ends with a sweet finish at Firecakes, serving up doughnuts made from a secret recipe dating to the 1930s. It’s a sweet finish to our fabulous Chicago food tour!

What's Included

  • Visits to historic restaurants like Billy Goat Tavern, Pizzeria Uno, and Firecakes
  • 2-hour walking tour
  • Professional local Chicago guide
  • Cost of food (choice to purchase food at recommended stops or not - total spend approximately 30USD)
  • Gratuities
See 2 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

401 East River Drive
Chicago, IL 60611, USA

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

68 West Hubbard Street
Chicago, IL 60654, USA

This tour ends at Firecakes Donuts.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

River Esplanade Park

Admire the beauty of this scenic riverside park as you learn about its history and famous fountain.
Read more

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Billy Goat Tavern (The Original)

This old-school Chicago joint is known for its excellent meat, but it’s also been featured on Saturday Night Live.
Read more

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Pizzeria Uno

Coined as the original inventor of deep dish, this storefront has served deep dish since 1943.
Read more

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Al's #1 Italian Beef

Mr. Beef draws tourists, but locals know Al’s Beef nearby can satisfy their hot beef cravings and serve up food fast. Try a sandwich at this local favorite and see if you agree with their claim to being Chicago’s No. 1 Italian beef since 1938. It’s that good.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Firecakes Donuts

A roster of artisanal donuts and coffee drinks is available at this quaint, counter-serve spot. This small location is the first storefront and dates back to the early 20th century.
Read more

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Show 4 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • This tour isn’t accessible for wheelchairs. However, guests can bring collapsible strollers that can be carried when we take stairs.
  • This tour covers about a mile and a half at a leisurely pace.
  • Note that some venues may change their opening hours, and may not be open on all tour departure dates - in these scenarios, our expert guides will ensure a great alternative is provided

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Chicago Food and Culture Walking Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CDT). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5250P62

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.59
17 reviews

Average 4.59 out of 5 stars based on 17 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
12
4 stars
4
3 stars
0
2 stars
1
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 26 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Chicago

Experience the perfect pairing of fresh pasta and craft spirits in this hands-on cooking class with a talented chef, hosted at a local distillery in...

2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hours • Free Cancellation
5.0 (1)
from
$80

Yucatan Delights by a Michelin Star-Trained Chef in Chicago
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Each dish is crafted with the freshest ingredients and a focus on traditional cooking techniques, resulting in a dining experience that is both authentic and...

2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hours • Free Cancellation
5.0 (1)
from
$215.27

Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
Special Offer
Special Offer

Discover Chicago at your own pace with Big Bus. Travel aboard an open-top, double-decker bus and enjoy panoramic views of the city's most famous landmarks,...

2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hoursFree Cancellation
2 hours • Free Cancellation
4.1 (2,063)
$51
$50

4 Hours of Chicago City Tour Sedan

Luxury vehicles Professional chauffeurs Updated fleet Licensed chauffeurs Knowledge about navigating in the city...

4 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
4 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
4 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
from
$650

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Be inspired by the captivating, visual art that is Chicago’s legendary architecture, and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing, dynamic legacy for all to...

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.8 (10,121)
$47
$46

Chicago Lake and River Architecture Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

An authentic Chicago tradition since 1935, this is the tour that started it all. This unique excursion tells the story of more than 200 years...

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation
1 hour 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.8 (2,285)
$47
$46

Chicago River 45-Minute Architecture Tour from Magnificent Mile
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Experience Chicago's legendary architecture and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing legacy for all to admire. This family-friendly introduction to the Windy City's rich...

45 minutesFree Cancellation
45 minutesFree Cancellation
45 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.8 (3,159)
$30
$29

Chicago Crime and Mob Bus Tour
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Escape into Chicago's underworld on a crime and mob tour with stops on-and-off the luxury, climate-controlled bus. Explore historic crime scenes with great photo opportunities....

90 to 120 minutesFree Cancellation
90 to 120 minutesFree Cancellation
90 to 120 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.6 (3,333)
$51
$50

What's Included

Activity name

  • Visits to historic restaurants like Billy Goat Tavern, Pizzeria Uno, and Firecakes
  • 2-hour walking tour
  • Professional local Chicago guide
  • Cost of food (choice to purchase food at recommended stops or not - total spend approximately 30USD)
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Your ticket covers the walking tour portion of this experience. We recommend bringing about $30 for food, but it's up to you if you want to purchase what your guide suggests at each stop.
  • This tour is great for families. Pizzeria Uno and The Green Door Tavern also offer kids menus.
  • This tour isn’t accessible for wheelchairs. However, guests can bring collapsible strollers that can be carried when we take stairs.
  • This tour covers about a mile and a half at a leisurely pace.
  • Note that some venues may change their opening hours, and may not be open on all tour departure dates - in these scenarios, our expert guides will ensure a great alternative is provided
  • Some venues may have queues during busy seasons, so please expect a wait for food at some venues.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • Operated by a business

Protecting you

Activity name

For your protection and stress-free bookings, use our secure platform to pay for bookings. ExperienceFirst

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CDT).

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool Destinations wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool Destinations over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

Choose an option

Activity name

or

Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

Activity name

Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

Miscellaneous

  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
  • We reserve the right to modify these Cool Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time, with or without notice, including the rules for earning and redeeming rewards. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions.
  • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.