Summer may be (unofficially) over but festival season still has some life left in it. Chicagoans love to dine, as evidenced by the many amazing restaurants in the city, and this week will see plenty of food and beverage events taking place. You can slurp oysters, enjoy a variety of dumplings from around the world, attend free cooking classes and sip on local craft beers. Oh, and did we mention the Taste of Chicago is also making its return (albeit at a later date than usual)? So check out all the delicious happenings going on this week below.
Green City Market Chef BBQ (September 7)
The Green City Market Chef BBQ brings together more than 100 Chicago restaurants for an evening of food and drinks that benefits Green City's year-round markets and community programs. Taking place on the south end of Lincoln Park (near 1817 N Clark Street), this year's lineup features Avec, Daisies, Eden, El Che, Elske, Esmè, Galit, Longman & Eagle, KOVAL Distillery and a long list of other amazing local eateries.
Taste of Iceland (September 7-9)
Local businesses will bring the land of fire and ice to Chicago from September 7-9, presenting a free cultural festival that celebrates the best of Icelandic food, drinks, music, film, literature, wellness and adventure. Featured events will be hosted at Bistronomic, After-Words Bookstore, Martyrs, Brooklyn Boulders, The Exchange, The Logan Theatre and Yogaview. Check the Taste of Iceland website for a full schedule and tickets.
Taste of Chicago (September 8-10)
The Taste of Chicago returns this year—but at a later date than usual. The annual food and music festival is now being held in September instead of its usual first weekend of July. The three-day event will feature more than 35 vendors and 15 food trucks, plus musical performances by singer-songwriter Lupita Infante, mariachi group Mariachi Sirenas and the Masters of the Mic: Hip Hop 50 tour. Attendees can also check out a craft brews fest, take dance lessons courtesy of Chicago SummerDance and show off their vocals in a karaoke competition.
Chicago Oyster Fest (September 9)
Love oysters? River West bar The Dandy Crown is hosting an oyster fest, where guests can slurp all the freshly shucked bivalves they want plus enjoy beers, bourbon samplings and music.
World Dumpling Fest (September 9)
Celebrate the glory of the dumpling in its many forms—baos, empanadas, pierogi and more—at World Dumpling Fest. Plus enjoy cultural dance performances like Filipino tinikling and Puerto Rican bomba. Admission to the event is free, but you'll need to purchase tickets if you want to eat dumplings—$25 for five servings or $45 for 10.
Chicago Brew Fest (September 9)
The Irish-American Heritage Center plays host to the third annual Chicago Brew Fest, featuring pours of the city’s best beers and ciders. When you need something to help soak up all the alcohol, grab some mouthwatering barbecue from Soul & Smoke.
Beer Fest at Time Out Market Chicago (September 9)
Beer lovers, unite! Time Out Market Chicago is gathering some of its favorite local breweries together for an epic beer fest. You’ll get to sample 16 tasting pours from eight different spots, including Dovetail, Moors, Off Color, Haymarket, Lagunitas, Eris, Half Acre and Revolution. DJ Firm will be spinning the beats plus there will be giveaways and more.
Eataly Pop-Up at Pioneer Court (September 9-10)
Italian emporium Eataly kicks off its 10th anniversary celebration with an outdoor marketplace at Pioneer Court. Chefs and experts will offer complimentary cooking classes to the public, with rotating demonstrations highlighting housemade mozzarella and rigatoni al cacio e pepe. Guests can watch the demos and taste samples of the two dishes, plus purchase retail products to take home.