While it’s not as well-known as Fulton Market, Greektown, or Chinatown, Little India is a thriving neighborhood in West Ridge, Chicago.
The captivating neighborhood, situated along Devon Avenue, spans 15 blocks and is often regarded as a hidden gem.
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:
Immerse yourself in the culture
First, stop by the Sikh temple to 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.
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, and 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.
Stroll Indian Boundary Park
Take in the scenery in Little India. One of Chicago’s beautiful parks, Indian Boundary, is located in the West Ridge community and spans 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.
Browse the local grocery store
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 throughout the U.S., the Patel Brothers retail chain specializes in spices, flavors, and foods from the Indian subcontinent 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.