Top Illinois Food & Drink Classes

While there are lots of spots across the city where you can try some Chicago deep dish pizza, not many culinary experiences teach you how to make authentic pizzas for yourself before tucking in and enjoying your creations. In this private cooking class, head to a working kitchen where instruction is available in English and Spanish, and get equipped with everything you need to create your perfect pizza.

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.

I am the only person in the US, and possibly the world, that offers this experience. It is both a demonstration and an interactive opportunity where you'll have tons of fun learning about the history of cheese magic and getting to try it yourself. And then you get to eat your fortune!

Discover authentic Italian cooking in Chicago during this pasta-making class hosted through Cozymeal. Limited to just 8 guests, this immersive workshop showcases the art of crafting fresh pasta dough and creating a full three-course menu. The menu you will prepare includes: - Starter: Bruschetta with ripe tomatoes and basil on crisp bread - Main course: Handcrafted gnocchi with tomato-basil sauce - Dessert: Classic tiramisù with mascarpone and espresso-soaked ladyfingers With personalized instruction from your pasta chef, this small-group class combines hands-on practice with flavorful dining. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy with their freshly made meal.

Transform your gatherings into memorable culinary celebrations with Chicago Mama’s Kitchen. Specializing in Puerto Rican cuisine, we offer immersive mixology and cooking workshops tailored to any occasion, from intimate dinners to corporate events. Delight in crafting hand-made empanadas and refreshing cocktails with expert guidance, ensuring a fun and flavorful experience for all. Perfect for birthdays, team-building, or just a fun night in, your workshops can accommodate groups of up to 50. Bring the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rico to your home or office and savor an unforgettable culinary journey. At Chicago Mama’s Kitchen, guests dive into hands-on culinary and mixology experiences that celebrate Latin flavors with a Chicago twist. Led by Chef Inez Melendez, each class blends culture, creativity, and community—teaching authentic recipes, craft cocktails, and heartfelt hospitality in a warm, communal kitchen setting.

Tapas, paella and flan – this hands-on Spanish cooking class in Chicago, hosted through Cozymeal, which connects you with top-rated local chefs, takes you through three pillars of coastal Spanish cuisine in one vibrant, skill-building experience. Your hands-on cooking experience features: - Gambas al Ajillo with shrimp, garlic, lemon, chile flakes and sourdough - Seafood Paella with mussels, shrimp, saffron, bomba rice and chistorra - Mango Flan with eggs, milk, condensed milk, evaporated milk and mango purée You will leave with the skills to make authentic Spanish paella and tapas at home. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy throughout the experience.

Fresh, vibrant and built on ingredients you can find anywhere – this Mediterranean cooking class in Chicago, hosted through Cozymeal, which connects you with top-rated local chefs, teaches three crowd-pleasing dishes that bring the coast straight to your kitchen. Your hands-on cooking experience features: - Hummus with chickpeas, lemon, cumin and olive oil - Greek Chicken With Lemon and Feta with chicken breast, Feta, thyme, lemon and white wine - Balsamic Berries With Greek Yogurt with Greek yogurt, honey, balsamic vinegar and mixed berries You will leave ready to recreate a full Mediterranean spread at home – from hummus to dessert. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy throughout the experience.

Enjoy a unique creative outlet—and learn the ins and outs of graffiti and street art—during this hands-on urban art workshop. Learn different styles and techniques from your instructors (including guest artists), try out stenciling and spray-painting, and create your own work of art on canvas to bring home at the end of class.

Immerse yourself in one of Chicago's most vibrant neighborhoods—and head off the tourist trail to discover sights and bites many visitors miss—on this small-group Chinatown food and walking tour. With your guide in the lead, learn about the cuisine of different regions of China, and discover the history of Chicago's Chinatown. Along the way, enjoy a generous array of tastings, from dim sum to Sichuan cuisine and beyond.

Enjoy a unique sushi-making experience at a local distillery in Chicago with Chef Janet! In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to craft fresh, restaurant-quality sushi while sipping on expertly distilled spirits available for purchase. Start by steaming and seasoning the perfect sushi rice, then prep fresh ingredients for two signature rolls. You’ll assemble a vibrant veggie roll with sweet mango, creamy avocado, and crisp cucumber, followed by a classic California roll featuring surimi, avocado, and cucumber. With Chef Janet’s expert guidance, you’ll master the techniques of rolling sushi and slicing it into picture-perfect pieces. Whether you're looking for a fun night out, a unique date idea, or a new culinary skill to impress friends and family, this class offers the perfect blend of great food, hands-on learning, and a relaxed distillery setting. Book your spot today for a sushi and spirits experience like no other in Chicago!

Admire some of the Windy City's most iconic views—and enjoy a time-saving, relaxing way to sightsee—aboard this pet-friendly Chicago River architecture boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including dozens of notable buildings, like the Wrigley Building and the John Hancock Building. In just one tour, you cover multiple branches of the Chicago River and learn insider facts and stories you'd otherwise miss.

Eat your way through downtown Chicago on a walking food tour. Visit Millennium Park, the Palmer House Hotel, and other city landmarks and taste quintessential Chicago foods such as deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, and chocolate brownies. All food tastings are included, and the tour covers an easy 1.5 miles (2.4 km) suitable for most fitness levels. A bike or kayak rental is also included in the tour cost.

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.

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.

Explore Chicago's buzzing food scene—and see some of its best-known landmarks on the way—on this two-in-one walking tour. The small group size offers are more intimate experience as you stroll around the vibrant Loop area, spotting highlights from the Willis Tower to the Rookery building. Indulge in a variety of famous Chicago foods, from deep-dish pizza to the world-famous dipped Italian beef sandwiches.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Mexico with a hands-on cooking class at Su Casa Mexican Restaurant. Guided by experienced chefs, participants will learn the art of crafting authentic tamales and tacos from scratch. This class is tailored for all skill levels, making it an ideal setting for food enthusiasts eager to enhance their culinary repertoire. As you knead, roll, and fill your creations, anticipate the rewarding moment of tasting your delicious handiwork, complemented by chips, salsa, and a refreshing drink.

Discover the fundamentals of sushi-making in Chicago during this immersive class hosted through Cozymeal. Limited to 8 guests, the workshop showcases the precision and artistry of Japanese cuisine. The menu you will prepare includes: - Sushi: Spicy ahi-tuna roll with avocado, cucumber and aioli - Sushi: Shrimp tempura roll with jalapeño, cucumber and miso aioli - Dessert: Tropical fruit with tōgarashi and honey With step-by-step guidance from your local sushi chef, you’ll gain confidence in rolling techniques and flavor pairing. Guests are welcome to bring wine or beer to complement the meal, making the evening both educational and enjoyable.

Experience Chicago like a true insider on this top-rated walking tour that blends the city’s most iconic food, awe-inspiring architecture, and rich history — all in one unforgettable day. From deep-dish pizza to legendary skyscrapers, you’ll taste, see, and learn what makes the Windy City a world-class destination. Led by expert local guides and limited to just 12 guests, this immersive, small-group tour is the perfect way to discover the real Chicago — not just the tourist spots.

Chicago dogs, deep-dish pizza, brownies, and craft beer are all sampled on this half-day bike tour through the Windy City. Cover about 13 miles (21 km), following your guide at a moderate pace through Chicago neighborhoods. On the day tour, ride through Wrigleyville, Old Town, Lincoln Park, and Gold Coast. On the night tour, visit Chicago’s Riverwalk, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Lakefront Trail. As you go, stop for generous food and beer tasters.

Outside of Italy, few places in the world are as famous for their pizza as Chicago. Eat like a local as you travel off the beaten path to savor the city's best pizza, traveling by bus so you can cover more food hot spots in less time. Discover the science behind ingredient selection and baking as you sample slices from historic pizzerias, and take away plenty of tips to enhance your eating in Chicago.

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.

Save time and energy with an at-home cooking class, and perfect the techniques to create a Chicago classic—deep dish pizza. From the comfort of your own kitchen, enjoy one-to-one tuition from a private, online teacher (and Chicago native). With a recipe and ingredient list emailed to you ahead of your chosen start time, crafting your own delicious pizza couldn't be easier.

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 Chicago! Learn the time-honored techniques of pasta-making as you mix, knead, roll, and cut your own pasta from scratch using just eggs, flour, and olive oil. Then, prepare a rich marinara sauce with onions, garlic and tomatoes, with the option to add beef for a meaty variation. Enjoy the lively atmosphere of the distillery, where you can sip on expertly crafted spirits while perfecting your culinary skills. Whether you’re a pasta lover, a food enthusiast, or just looking for a fun and interactive night out, this class is the perfect way to learn, sip, and savor. Book your spot today for an unforgettable pasta-making experience in the heart of Chicago!