Chicago Summer Dining Events

As summer continues, Chicago’s restaurants and bars are full of activity, welcoming the bright days with refreshing drinks and delicious barbecues. Experience the excitement at various dining events this July, featuring unique and diverse cuisines from different neighborhoods.

Dining Events in July

Discover a spicy margarita competition or enjoy sipping rosé on Miru’s terrace. Restaurants like Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba invite you to indulge in mouthwatering offerings, such as a whole roasted pig.

Paulie Gee’s Logan Square 10-Year Anniversary

Celebrate with a two-hour event offering unlimited pizza, draft beer, and other drinks. Participants receive an additional drink after the initial package. The restaurant will also feature $10 pizzas, cocktails, and free Costco birthday cake from 5 to 7 p.m. on July 9 at 2451 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets are available at $60 at pauliegee.com.

“New School Barbecue” Book Signing

Evan Leroy will offer his smoked and seared L&L Burger from LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue based in Austin, Texas. He will also sign copies of his new cookbook at Bub City, 435 N. Clark St., from 10:30 a.m. on July 10. Tickets cost $30 and can be purchased at bub-city.com/chicago/happenings.

World’s Best Spicy Marg Cocktail Competition

Bartenders from six locations such as The Radicle, Moneygun, and Trivoli Tavern will present their versions of spicy margaritas. Guests can taste and vote for their favorites from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 12 at TRUCE, 1935 N. Damen Ave. A welcome cocktail is included, and additional food and drinks are available for purchase. Tickets cost $61, available at eventbrite.com.

Fire and Flavor

South Asia Institute is hosting a series featuring discussion about live-fire cooking in South Asia with culinary historian Colleen Taylor Sen and Basant Modern Indian chef Jeet Singh. Enjoy a tasting menu of regional barbecue dishes such as paneer tikka, chicken sliders, and mushroom kabab from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on July 14 at Basant Modern Indian, 1939 W. Byron St. Tickets are priced at $120 at saichicago.org/calendar/gather.

French Bistro Classic Wine Dinner

Bastille Day celebrations feature food from France’s northern coast, such as baked scallops and cider-brined chicken with wild mushroom cream sauce, paired with wines. The event occurs at 6 p.m. on July 14 at Le Sud, 2301 W. Roscoe St. Tickets are available for $99 at lesudchicago.com.

Rogers Park Taco Crawl

The Rogers Park Taco Crawl includes tacos, tamales, churros, and ice cream across the neighborhood. Margaritas and palomas are offered along the crawl routes from 3 to 7 p.m. on July 16 at 6950 N. Clark St. Tickets are $25, accessible at rpba.org/2026/06/taco-crawl-2026.

Cat Bite Club Pop-up

Jesse Vida, co-founder of Singapore’s Cat Bite Club, will present four cocktails featuring agave and rice spirits at Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club, 51 W. Hubbard St., from 6 to 8 p.m. on July 20. Tickets are priced at $75 at kittyscosmopolitandclub.com.

Rosé Soirée

Enjoy views of the Chicago River, Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan on the St. Regis Terrace while sipping over 20 wine varieties alongside Japanese-inspired small bites and sweets. The event occurs from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on July 25 at Miru, 401 E. Wacker Drive. Tickets are available for $89 at mirurestaurant.com/events/rose-soiree.

Taste of Bronzeville

The third annual Taste of Bronzeville offers delicious food from local vendors, accompanied by yoga, dance lessons, and music. Participating vendors include Caseras, Versie’s Cookie & Bake Shop, The Good Root Grove Co., and Two Brothers that Cook. The event occurs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 25 at 37th Street and King Drive. Admission is free, tickets available at tasteofbronzeville.com.

Basque Pig Roast

Chefs Eric Jorgensen from Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! and David Koehn from Mon Ami Gabi team up to cook a whole pig from Slagel Family Farms, accompanied by tapas, pintxos, salads, and beverage pairings. The event takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. on July 29 at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, 2024 N. Halsted St. Tickets cost $95, available at cafebabareeba.com/events/basque-pig-roast.

Chicago offers diverse dining experiences this summer, showcasing local flavors and creativity.