We will be meeting outside in front of the main entrance to the Merchandise Mart. You will see the Chicago River and large statues that resemble pez dispensers to know you are in the right location.
On our 3 hour food walking tour of Chicago, you will taste delectable foods from 5 different delicious places. Tease your tastebuds as you savor foods from Chicago's best deep dish pizza restaurant, Rick Bayless' amazing Mexican fare and more.
In addition to all the delicious food, your guide will discuss the history, culture and food scene of the neighborhood. We have vegetarian options at all the food stops and can accommodate other dietary restrictions with advance notice.
Join us on a culinary adventure of Chicago's River North neighborhood. We've done all the delicious research to showcase the best eats in Chicago. Wear your comfy shoes, bring your appetite and we'll take care of the rest...
Tour Options
River North Food Walking Tour
Itinerary
Admission included15 min
The Doughnut Vault: Food & Wine Magazine named it the best doughnut in America.
Admission included20 min
Rudy Malnati is generally considered to be the inventor of Chicago deep-dish pizza. (est. 1971)
Admission included15 min
Top Chef Masters winner Rick Bayless is one of the best known chefs for Mexican cuisine in America.
Admission included15 min
Delicious, authentic Northern Italian fare made with love by third generation owners in this “Real Chicago” historic tavern since 1952.
Admission included15 min
European-style cafe featuring exquisite sweets, savory bites, rich coffee, and a curated selection of wines.
Pass by
The Wrigley Building is a skyscraper located at 400–410 North Michigan Avenue on Chicago's Near North Side
Pass by
Large shopping center includes diverse wholesale shops with apparel, home goods, accessories & more.
Highlights
Local guide
Professional guide
Lunch
Food tasting
What's included
Included
Local guide
Professional guide
Lunch
Food tasting
Not included
Gratuities
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Hotel pickup
Hotel drop-off
Traveller Ratings
4.6
96 reviews
5
73
4
13
3
5
2
3
1
2
Important Information
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A maximum of 4 people per booking
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Frequently asked questions
How long does River North Food Walking Tour take?
River North Food Walking Tour lasts about 3 hours. The itinerary has 7 stops.
How much does River North Food Walking Tour cost?
Prices start at $89 per person for this Chicago experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel River North Food Walking Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is We will be meeting outside in front of the main entrance to the Merchandise Mart. You will see the Chicago River and large statues that resemble pez dispensers to know you are in the right location.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is River North Food Walking Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 14 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Specialized infant seats are available
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Reviews(96)
K
Keith_W
August 17, 2026
Excellent
Engaging, knowledgeable tour guide. A mix of architecture and food history. One of the 6 stops was not available, the one one we were looking forward too.
Operator response
Hi Keith,
Thank you for joining us and for sharing your feedback! We’re so glad you enjoyed the mix of architecture, food history, and your guide’s knowledge and enthusiasm. We’re sorry that one of the six stops wasn’t available during your tour, especially knowing it was the one you were most looking forward to. We truly appreciate your understanding and hope to see your on another tour!
A
A6231ELsandrac
August 2, 2026
Great Guide and Food
Jake was a fantastic guide. Food was great but Portillo didn’t prepare the food on time which made the tour run late.
Operator response
Hi there!
Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re so glad to hear that Jake was a fantastic guide and that you enjoyed the food along the way. We’re sorry for the delay at Portillo’s and the impact it had on the timing of your tour. We appreciate your patience and understanding!
1
192vickig
June 8, 2026
Overall very fun.
Jake was a great tour guide. The donuts were awesome and I loved the “vault” story. Also liked the tacos and gelato. I wasn’t a fan of the Italian beef sandwich. The meat didn’t have that much flavor and the jardinière was way too spicy.
Overall we enjoyed it and learning about Chicago history and architecture.
Operator response
Hi Vicki,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad to hear Jake made a great impression and that you enjoyed the donuts, tacos, and gelato!
We also appreciate your honest feedback on the Italian beef sandwich and understand that tastes and spice levels can vary from person to person.
It’s great to know you enjoyed exploring Chicago’s history and architecture along the way. Thanks for joining us!
U
ursulasN496MD
June 2, 2026
Not that nice for the price.
Let me start by saying the guide was lovely!
Overall it was disappointing for the price point. I would have loved a more informative and educational tour and again for the price, the options were rather limited.
U
Ursula_S
June 2, 2026
Let me start by saying the guide was lovely!
Let me start by saying the guide was lovely! Overall it was disappointing for the price point. I would have loved a more informative and educational tour and again for the price, the options were rather limited.
T
tanishafelder
May 31, 2026
Tasty Tour and Great Sights
Beautiful and tasty way to see the city. It was great neighborhood, good food, and fun guide. Would have loved to hear more history of the food we tasted. The Italian Beef was the least popular with the group. And the stops were pretty close together. It would be nice to have more walking space between stops so you don’t get so full. The portions are generous and truly there is no need to eat before you tour. Loved it!!
Operator response
Hi Tanisha,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We're so happy you enjoyed not only the tastings, but also the guide and exploring the River North neighborhood!
We also appreciate your thoughtful notes on pacing and the balance between stops, as well as the interest in hearing even more about the history behind the dishes. Feedback like this is incredibly helpful as we continue refining the experience!
Thanks for joining us and sharing your recommendation! We’re glad you loved it!
T
Teresa_D
May 23, 2026
Great food
Jenny was friendly and knowledgeable. The food was amazing. I wish there was more information about the buildings that we were passing but the ones that she did stop out she was very knowledgeable and I had an incredible time.
Operator response
Hi Teresa,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour and that Jenny’s friendliness and knowledge helped make it such a memorable time.
It’s great to hear the food stood out and that you had an incredible overall experience. We also appreciate your note about wanting more information on the buildings along the route, and we’re happy to hear the moments she did share were especially engaging.
Thank you again for joining us and for the thoughtful feedback!
S
Stephanie_T
April 19, 2026
Birthday Trip
This was a great tour. A little longer walks but the destinations were worth it. Would have liked a hot dog but we made that happen
Operator response
Hi Stephanie,
We offer a few different tours in Chicago to try our different eats! We're happy you enjoyed your experience!
1
125shannonb
September 15, 2025
Great taste of Chicago
I really enjoyed the food tour. There was a wide variety of food. The pace was great. Our guide Adelina made it a 10/10 experience. She made everyone feed heard. For me the highlight was the donut. We also had pizza, hot dog, tacos and gelato. All excellent choices. I loved seeing this part of Chicago.
Operator response
Thank you so much! River North is a fantastic neighborhood and exploring with our guide gives you a unique perspective. We appreciate your kind review!
R
Richard_M
September 8, 2025
Find another one
This needs two ratings. Our guide Ben G gets 4.5 for his friendliness and engagement and resident knowledge. Supremely nice guy. The "food" component for the price? 2 stars. The 5 food stops did not merit the elevated price. I expect food tours to be more $$ but this was NOT worth the money.
