A Culinary Tour Through Chicago's Ethnic Food Scene

Don’t worry about stacking vacation days or blowing your money on plane tickets. When you’re in Chicago, you can let your taste buds do the traveling. The city has a rich ethnic food scene supported by its strong and traditional neighborhoods. Each one brings something different to the Chicago melting pot, and you can sample the best so long as you know where to go.

Italian – Little Italy

You can’t go wrong with Italian food in Chicago as the options are endless. But even though you can find a decent spot for pizza and pasta almost anywhere in the city, you have to head to Taylor Street in Little Italy for the best of the best. The history of the area and its people are enough to draw in tourists, but a treasure trove of incredible restaurants makes the neighborhood what it is. Try Pompei, The Rosebud, or Francesca’s.

Little Italy, Chicago, IL, USA

Mexican – Pilsen

Pilsen, Chicago, IL, USA

Indian – West Ridge

There’s no better place in Chicago for authentic Indian food than the stretch of Devon Avenue through West Ridge. It’s a far trek up north, but worth it for all the chicken tikka masala and curry you can eat. Try Ghareeb Nawaz, Uru Swati, or JK Kabab House for top-rated dishes, and remember that if you aren’t finding what you want, you only have to walk a few doors down for another delicious option.

West Ridge, Chicago, IL, USA

Greek – Greektown

Greektown may be small, but it’s mighty in terms of entertainment, nightlife, and cuisine. Greek restaurants are scattered throughout the city, but the best are clustered around Halsted Street on the West Side. It’s a short walk from the overrated and crowded Loop spots, making it the perfect weekend or after-work getaway. Whether you’re craving upscale Mediterranean seafood or all-night gyros, you’ll find your perfect fit. Try 9 Muses, Mr. Greek Gyros, Roditys, or Greek Islands.

Greektown, Chicago, IL, USA

Chinese – Chinatown

Chinatown might feel like an obvious option for Chinese food, but there’s a reason the ethnic neighborhoods in Chicago are such big tourist attractions and are so densely populated. The Windy City’s branch of Chinatown is one of the largest Chinese neighborhoods in the United States, so you know it’s as genuine as you can get. There are dozens of options throughout Armour Square, but Xi’an Cuisine, Phoenix Restaurant, and Lao Sze Chuan are excellent options.

Chinatown, Chicago, IL, USA

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.