While it’s not as well-known as Fulton Market, Greektown, or Chinatown, Little India, Chicago, is a thriving neighborhood in West Ridge. Located along Devon Avenue, the neighborhood stretches across 15 blocks, nestled amongst the bustle of Chicago.
Filled with packed restaurants, delicious Indian food, shop windows advertising saris, and a quaint park, Little India has been a Chicago staple since the 1970s and is known by locals as a multiethnic corridor. Here are the best things to do in Little India, Chicago:
1. Immerse yourself in the culture
First, you should stop by the Sikh temple and learn more about the vibrant area as you walk around. Embrace your need for endless home decor at Reshma’s Home Decor, a meditation and spirituality store filled with traditional Indian textiles and clothes, home decor items, and artifacts from all over India.
2. Make a pit stop for delicious Indian food
Next, we guarantee you’ll be able to satiate your appetite with all the delicious restaurants Little India offers. Hema’s Kitchen, Ghareeb Nawaz Restaurant, Udupi Palace, Khan BBQ, food counters like Kamdar Plaza. Whatever you’re craving, from Choosa Tikka Masala and Garlic Nan to Kebabs and Tandoori Fish, you’ll be able to find it here.
3. Stroll Indian Boundary Park
Take in the scenery in Little India. One of Chicago’s beautiful parks, Indian Boundary, is tucked away in the West Ridge community and is 13.22 acres. This community treasure is beyond the quaint Tudor-style field house. Visitors can discover a beautifully restored nature area, a duck-filled lagoon, a children’s spray pool, four tennis courts, and more.
During the summer, they play free movies in the park
4. Stock up on some groceries
Before you leave, make sure to stock up on authentic Indian groceries at Patel Brothers, the largest Indian grocery store in America. Patel Brothers has been in business since 1991, providing authentic foods and ingredients to the community. With locations all over the U.S., the Patel Brothers retail chain specializes in spices, flavors, and foods from the Indian sub-continent and the Middle East.
Essential ingredients such as dals, lentils, and rice are nutritional cornerstones of Indian cuisine, and you can find the perfect ones for your Indian dinner here.
This is just a small part of Devon Avenue – there’s so much to do in Little India, Chicago. You could easily spend an entire day exploring the shops, enjoying delicious food, and much more.