One of the reasons we love summer is the abundance of places to try new food. It feels exhilarating to go out in the warm weather—sipping drinks on the patio, devouring on the rooftops, and walking to different spots, because there is just so much to explore.
However, it can get quite overwhelming.
That’s why there is a festival every year in Chicago that packs all our favorite restaurants into small bites over four days—try all the places you’ve been dreaming about in one sitting.
Taste of Chicago 2026 is officially here
The Taste of Chicago is officially returning to Grant Park tomorrow, showcasing samples from some of the city’s top restaurants.
Dozens of food vendors, including the Billy Goat Tavern, Connie’s Pizza, Eli’s Cheesecake, Lou Malnati’s, and more, will return to the festival, along with pop-up food vendors.
In addition to the food, there will be musical performances by Beach Bunny, Original Koffee, Common, Babyface, and Julieta Venegas, as well as live music and free SummerDance programming. The festival will also feature karaoke, Chicago trivia, expanded family programming, and a Ferris wheel.
New this year, The Chef’s Stage will make its debut at the Taste of Chicago, featuring:
Friday, July 10 (In partnership with Let’s Talk Womxn)
- Maya-Camille Broussard (Justice of the Pies)
- Carrie Nahabedian (Brindille)
Saturday, July 11
- Diana Dávila (Mi Tocaya Antojería)
Sunday, July 12 (In partnership with The Banchet Awards)
- John Manion (Brasero and El Che)
- Javauneeka Jacobs (Frontera Grill)
Admission to the festival in Grant Park is free, and all food vendors accept only credit cards. It runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.
