Top Illinois Dining Experiences

Set sail for a memorable experience on Lake Michigan with a Signature Chicago Brunch Cruise that is as scenic as it is delicious! You'll savor a chef-prepared buffet and bottomless mimosas while in our comfortable indoor areas. Marvel at unparalleled views of Chicago’s iconic landmarks, such as Willis Tower and Navy Pier from inside or enjoy fresh breezes on the open-air decks. This fun-filled brunch cruise experience for all ages is complete with lively DJ entertainment, dancing, games, and a fully stocked cash bar. Elevate your weekend plans with a one-of-a-kind brunch cruise on the water!

Step into Chicago’s coolest hidden bars on a mid-century cocktail adventure! Join a local guide to discover vintage lounges, secret speakeasies, and retro bars most tourists miss. Savor expertly crafted cocktails (own expense), hear untold stories of the city’s nightlife boom, and soak in stylish decor straight from the 1950s and 60s. This small-group tour is perfect for cocktail lovers, architecture buffs, and anyone seeking an off-the-beaten-path night out in the Windy City.

One of the most unique experiences in Chicago. Immerse yourself in the Roaring Twenties. Step back in time to Prohibition Chicago with da gangsters and da flappers, and your host, Vito Valentino. Great music, great food, great comedy, and a great time, not to mention Vito's bootleg hooch. Give da password at the door, but when you're in, you're in.

Get a fresher perspective on the Windy City—and a traffic-free one—with this Chicago River architecture cruise. As you pass by some of Chicago's most notable buildings, you'll dine on a 3-course lunch, listening to onboard narration about the city's architecture and history along the way. Unlike your standard walking tour, you can expect comfort, great food, and endless photo opportunities.

Take in the Chicago skyline from a vantage point most travelers miss on this brunch cruise. Gaze up at the Willis Tower, the Old Chicago Post Office, the Tribune Tower, and much more as you drift along the Chicago River while listening to light commentary and enjoying a curated menu of brunch favorites.

Sample some of the Windy City's tastiest donuts—and head to locals-loved dessert destinations that most visitors miss—on this one-of-a-kind walking tour. With your guide in the lead, head to a number of Chicago’s tastiest donut bakeries, all while exploring the city's vibrant downtown Loop neighborhood. All tastings are included in the tour cost, and vegan, gluten-, and nut-free options are also available upon request.

Step inside landmark building of Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in River North, once owned by infamous Chicago mobster Frank Nitti, and travel back in time for dinner and a show based on the real-life murder of Eddie O'Hare. This irreverent comedy features an ensemble cast of characters, many of whom walked the very halls of 33 W. Kinzie back when Nitti called it home. The immersive experience invites you to step into the role of partygoer at Frank Nitti's birthday, and delve into the unsolved murder of Edward J. "Easy Eddie" O'Hare -- Al Capone's lawyer and father of war hero Butch O'Hare for whom the airport is named. The crime was never solved, but suspects included Frank Nitti, his wife Annette, Al Capone and several others. Can you crack the case? The interactive show is filled with historical anecdotes, laughs, audience interaction and toe-tapping musical productions.

Chef Janet, a seasoned head chef, personal chef and culinary instructor, has served and educated countless food enthusiasts throughout her career. Let Chef Janet's expertise and charisma guide you in mastering the art of dumpling-making. This class takes place at a beautiful local venue known for its warm atmosphere and excellent craft beers. In this session, you'll start by preparing meat dumplings (vegetarian option available) using ingredients like carrots, cabbage, scallions, garlic, ginger and soy. You'll then create a tasty dipping sauce with soy and citrus. The class concludes with steaming or pan-frying your dumplings and enjoying your flavorful creations. What to Expect: - Step-by-step guidance from a talented chef who makes it make sense. - A fun, beginner-friendly class where no one judges your knife skills. - Tasting, laughing and leveling up your kitchen game. - Ideal for: a solo outing, date night, girls’ night or group fun.

Little Diners Crew invites young food enthusiasts aged 4-12 to embark on culinary adventures that expand their palates beyond mac-n-cheese and chicken fingers. Each month, kids explore different cuisines at Chicago's best restaurants while interacting with chefs, tasting and rating new dishes, and learning about food preparation and dining etiquette. Meals become memorable experiences as kids discover the world through food.

Enjoy a private and authentic cooking class and meal in a local Naperville home with your host Nancy. Nancy is one of those warm and wonderful people who make you feel at home as soon as you meet her! This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Your cooking class takes place in Nancy's open kitchen and lasts about 1.5 hours. Choose between Chicago-style deep dish pizza or fresh, handmade pasta for your main. Learn the tips and techniques of Italian American cooking before enjoying the meal you helped prepare with your warm and hospitable host. Come prepared for a morning or evening of food, laughter and, hopefully, new friendship.

If you've ever wondered how sushi chefs make every roll look so effortless, this is your chance to try it yourself. You'll learn the essentials of sushi making from the ground up, starting with properly seasoned sushi rice before assembling fresh ingredients inside sheets of nori. Then you'll practice rolling with a bamboo mat, shaping tight rolls and slicing them into neat, bite-sized pieces that look as good as they taste. Along the way, you'll pick up practical kitchen skills, improve your knife confidence and learn simple techniques you can recreate at home without feeling overwhelmed. The atmosphere stays fun, social and welcoming, making it easy to relax, laugh and enjoy the process. Homemade sushi has a way of becoming your new favorite dinner plan.

This beginner-friendly chocolate class turns a classic confection into an approachable, rewarding skill. Led by Chef Janet, the experience focuses on teaching essential techniques while keeping the atmosphere relaxed and fun. You’ll learn how to temper chocolate correctly, experiment with popular fillings and use molds to create beautifully shaped treats. Chef Janet breaks everything down step by step, making the process easy to follow even if you’ve never worked with chocolate before. With plenty of tasting, hands-on practice and a supportive environment, this Chicago class is ideal for dessert lovers, curious home cooks or anyone looking for a creative night out that ends on a sweet note.

Begin by crafting creamy guacamole and a vibrant, zesty salsa that will elevate your taco game. Next, master the skill of making masa and pressing your own corn tortillas to create the perfect foundation for your tacos. Then, cook up a perfectly seasoned taco filling and assemble each taco with a medley of fresh toppings to achieve the ideal harmony of crunch, color, and flavor. Throughout the session, you'll hone your skills in tortilla-making, knife work, seasoning, and assembly techniques that will make recreating taco night at home surprisingly effortless. The atmosphere remains light and convivial, and the conversation flows naturally as you savor each bite and discover why homemade tacos are truly worth the extra few minutes of effort.

Forget complicated pasta projects — this is your excuse to make ridiculously cozy gnocchi from scratch. At a relaxed Chicago whiskey distillery, you’ll mix ricotta, flour and egg into a tender dough, then roll and cut it before shaping each piece by hand. You’ll pick up practical techniques for working with soft dough without overthinking every little move. Once your gnocchi is ready, you’ll cook it and make a rich sage butter sauce with Parmesan, fresh herbs and seasonal garnishes. You’ll learn how to combine the ingredients into a balanced, savory finish, then sit down to enjoy your freshly prepared meal. The atmosphere stays casual and social, making it easy to chat, laugh and enjoy the process. Your potatoes can take the night off — ricotta is handling gnocchi duty.

Head to one of Chicago’s top neighborhoods for food lovers—and try donuts from four of the Windy City’s top specialty bakeries—on this indulgent walking tour. Meet your guide at the Chicago French Market in the morning, and come hungry: you’ll enjoy four different donuts, each representing different culinary styles and traditions. As you go, wander the West Loop and Restaurant Row, and learn more about Chicago’s dining scene.

Learn the secrets of making one of Mexico’s most celebrated dishes during this beginner-friendly, local-hosted cooking class. Meet your Michelin-trained chef guide at her home, enjoy a refreshing hibiscus agua fresca upon arrival, and roll up your sleeves. Your guide will break down the steps to make an authentic mole sauce, and share tips as you go. Finally, sit down to enjoy your tasty and traditional meal.

In the heart of Chicago, near Wrigley Field, a culinary adventure awaits. Led by Rakhi, a professionally trained chef and Le Cordon Bleu graduate with experience working with Bobby Flay, this private cooking class immerses you in the rich flavors of Italian-American cuisine. Over 2.5 hours, you'll learn to prepare iconic dishes such as Chicken Vesuvio, hot fried chicken, and homemade desserts, all while enjoying a relaxed and interactive atmosphere. With the chance to tailor your menu, every class becomes a unique experience that celebrates Chicago's vibrant food culture. Gather your friends or family for a memorable evening of cooking and dining together.

Savor the flavors of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, right in Chicago—and feel like a local when you dine in your host’s own home—during this small-group dinner experience. Be sure to come hungry: alongside a small group of diners, you’ll savor a multi-course menu of Yucatan classics, from a tropical starter to pibil tacos and beyond. In between, enjoy cocktails and the chance to converse with your host and fellow guests.