Chicago is best known for its iconic architecture, vibrant lakefront, exceptional food, and fascinating arts and culture scene. But Chicago is not a monolith. We locals know that, at its heart, Chicago is composed of many different experiences (and in some cases, actual physical neighborhoods) that take you around the world, allowing you to dip into different cultures and communities while walking down the block. In this article, I’ll take you along on a ride to explore Indian Culture on the streets of Chicago, from the neighborhood of Little India Chicago on Devon Avenue to the lakefront location of Navy Pier and the halls of the Chicago Cultural Center.
So, what are the ways to find Indian Culture in Chicago?
- Celebrate a festival with the Indian diaspora
- Marvel at ancient Indian sculptures at the Art Institute of Chicago
- Go grocery shopping at Patel Brothers
- Enjoy a performance by an Indian artist
- Watch an Indian movie in downtown
And more…
We’ll dive deeper into each of these. But first, let’s answer this important question.
Why trust me?
I’m an Indian who was born and raised in Mumbai, India, and lived there until the age of 22, before moving to the US for higher education. I moved to Chicago in 2011 after getting married and have lived here ever since. In between, I studied in Columbus, Ohio, for a couple of years and worked in Mumbai for a year and a half.
When I first moved to Chicago, I was immensely grateful for all the small and big ways in which I could still stay connected to my homeland in America. I missed the food from the streets of Mumbai, the celebrations during festivals and events by Indian artists. But, being here allowed me to access similar experiences that abated my homesickness without taking the 24-hour-long flight and spending on a 1000-dollar-plus plane ticket.
Chicago is one of the few American cities that has its own solid American spirit, but also incorporates experiences and flavors from around the world, including India. These are brought over by immigrants (like myself) over the decades who’ve made Chicago their new home.
I’ve already written about the ways one can experience Japanese culture in Chicago, from soufflé pancakes to ikebana, given my love for all things Japanese. So, it is only fitting that, as an Indian and a Chicago local, I tell you about ways you can enjoy a slice of India on the streets of Chicago.
Does Chicago have a Little India?
Yes, there is a neighborhood nicknamed Little India on Devon Ave, which has a lot of Indian (and in general South Asian) restaurants and stores. It is located in Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood, on Devon Avenue between Ravenswood and California Avenue streets.
While Little India Chicago is a great place to start exploring Indian culture, it is not the only place to do so. In fact, if you restrict yourself to just that neighborhood, you will miss out on many other Indian experiences and attractions.
My advice will include more than just wandering around and eating in the Little India neighborhood. Indian cultural experiences are sprinkled all over the city, and I’ve only seen them grow in the fifteen years I’ve been living here. So let’s get started.
1. Celebrate a festival with the Indian diaspora
If you’ve ever visited India, you know how much we Indians love and cherish festivals. We have an abundance of festivals that we celebrate with our families, friends, neighbors, and everyone in the community.
Nothing can connect you with the exuberance of India like celebrating a festival with the Indian diaspora in Chicago.
My favorite celebration in the city is the annual Holi event at Navy Pier, which falls in March. At this event, you can enjoy live music, dance, and interactive programs (where they get everyone on their feet and break down complex dances, so you’ll even be able to create your own Bollywood dance reel by the end of the show).
But the best part of this event is actually held outdoors in the Navy Pier Beer Garden, where a DJ belts out upbeat Indian music and attendees dance while throwing colored powder on their friends, family, and, frankly, everyone around.
Be sure to dress in casual clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. I know many people have concerns about applying colored powder on their skin. I have sensitive skin, and I can attest that the powder here is good quality. I’ve never experienced any breakouts or itching on my skin, and it washes off easily afterward (which is sometimes not the case when I’ve played Holi in India).
There are many more festivals like Diwali, Navratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid, etc, so be sure to check online if anything special falls during your visit to Chicago, and make plans to include them in your itinerary. And if you’re a local, celebrating a festival like this will make you fall in love with Chicago even more.
2. Marvel at ancient Indian sculptures at the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the premier art museums in the world. While the Impressionist paintings and Renaissance works get the most attention, the institute features a fantastic collection of artwork from around the world, including India, Japan, Egypt, and more.
I was awestruck and frankly a little emotional the first time I stepped into the South Asian Art section and saw the seated Buddha dating back to the Chola period from a coastal town in southern India, with his content smile in the center of the room. There’s the metal statue of the Hindu God Shiva in His iconic dance position, sculptures of Goddess Parvati, Lord Krishna, Ganesha, Kartikeya, and so much more in this section.
In addition, there is ancient jewellery, daggers, portraits, and watercolor paintings that depict significant scenes and tell countless stories. You’ll walk away much more knowledgeable about India by simply reading the plaques and soaking in the brilliance of these works.
3. Go grocery shopping at Patel Brothers
Did you know that the very first Patel Brothers in all of North America opened right here in Chicago in 1974? Patel Brothers is the major store that most desis like me flock to for recreating the recipes of our Moms and elders back in India.
Head over to the Little India neighborhood on Devon Avenue to explore the aisles of the present-day version of this flagship store. The store is not in the same spot, but it is in the very same neighborhood where it first opened. You can read more about the cool story behind the founding and subsequent growth of this place on their website.
Visiting a grocery store is one of my favorite ways to learn about a new place and culture. Among the aisles, you not only find food but habits and stories about a community.
Now, I know an Indian grocery store can feel intimidating, especially if you haven’t set foot in one before. I’d start with the snacks aisle. Patel Brothers has an entire section of freshly made savory snacks, like banana chips, chaklis, and chivda. They also have the packaged versions of these made in India and imported here. It also has a baked goods section where you can find delights like puff pastry filled with paneer, Indian style pastries, and even freshly made rotis (It’s interesting and therapeutic to watch these perfect circles coming out of the large machine).
Those who love cooking would greatly benefit from grabbing some of the premade dry spice mixes. There’s one for every Indian dish imaginable, and it can help you recreate your favorite Indian dishes at home. There’s biryani masala, meat korma, chicken curry, fish fry, kitchen king (a catch-all for everything, especially vegetarian), and many more. You can also grab some pickles like mango or lime, while you’re here.
Next up, there are entire aisles filled with lentils and legumes of so many different kinds. You can see why it is so much easier to be a vegetarian in India than in many other parts of the world.
Lastly, don’t forget to check the frozen aisle. If you enjoy the frozen Indian foods at Trader Joe’s, you will absolutely love the variety of offerings from samosas to dosas over here.
Preparing an Indian meal at home (or your vacation rental) with your newly acquired treasures will be a great way to dive deeper into the flavors of India.
4. Enjoy a performance by an Indian artist
The great thing about being in Chicago is that so many Indian artists stop here on their US tours. This includes established artists and upcoming talents.
These events may not always be available on Ticketmaster or Stubhub, although these days many of them are. Your best bet is to check out the website Sulekha to find upcoming events by Indian artists.
There are musicians, singers, actors, and dancers who travel to the United States regularly these days on multi-city tours. The musical genius A. R. Rehman has visited Chicago, and recently the popular comedian Zakir Khan had two shows in the Chicago Theatre. There are even plays that can now be enjoyed right here in Chicago, like Shabana Azmi’s latest play, Broken Images (which was in English).
So, you are bound to find some artist or event that appeals to your interests. While music can be enjoyed across languages, when it comes to plays and stand-up comedy, be sure to check if they are performed in English.
Keep in mind that quite a few of these events tend to be in the suburbs (just because that’s where a large part of the Indian diaspora resides). Therefore, you will need a car or a rideshare app to get there, unless the event is conveniently located near a Metra station and the schedule works for you.
If you’re visiting Chicago in the fall (late September), you absolutely must attend Ragamala. It is an all-night classical music journey at the Chicago Cultural Center, offered as part of the World Music Festival. It features various classical music styles like Hindustani and Carnatic and incorporates myriad instruments like tabla, mridangam, and sitar. Check the chicago.gov website for the latest details and detailed programming. You don’t need to stay the entire night; you can stay for as long as you’d like.
Chicago Humanities is a great way to find Indian-origin authors like Arundhati Roy and Salman Rushdie when they are in town promoting new books.
5. Watch an Indian movie in downtown
Movies are one of the first things that people connect with Indians over. I’ve heard school girls in Egypt gush over Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor and sing a Hindi song from a Bollywood movie even though they didn’t know the Hindi language.
What’s a better way to join in this fun over popcorn than by watching an Indian movie while you’re in Chicago? I won’t limit myself to just Bollywood, since that only refers to the Hindi film industry. India has so many wonderful movies coming out in different languages like Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, Punjabi, and Telugu, which you can watch here with subtitles.
The AMC River East theatre in downtown Chicago screens several Indian movies year-round. My husband and I have regularly enjoyed the latest Indian commercial releases here. Gene Siskel Film Center also screens delightful independent movies from around the globe, including India, where I recently watched All We Imagine as Light.
If you’re in Chicago during September, you should also check out the Chicago South Asian Film Festival. They usually have a couple of venues in the city, and since this year, they’ve also expanded to the suburbs.
6. Renew and recenter with a yoga class
A cultural offering from India that has grown in popularity across the world is Yoga. Yoga is not just exercise; it is an ancient Indian practice that combines the physical, mental, and spiritual self in every human.
There are so many different types of yoga, like Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Bikram Yoga, each following a different rhythm, pace, and focusing on a different aspect of the mind, body, and spirit connection.
Chicago has several great yoga studios like Yoga Now, Sat Nam Yoga, Chi Yoga Shack, and Namaskar Yoga Studio. Attending a yoga session in the morning before you head out for a day of sightseeing is a great way to start your day in Chicago. If you’ve never tried yoga before, try a beginner’s easy and gentle class before moving on to more intensive postures.
7. Eat a wholesome Indian meal
Indian cuisine is one of my favorite cuisines in the entire world, and I admit I’m biased here. There’s really something for everyone in this cuisine. Whether you’re a meat lover, a pescatarian, or a pure vegetarian, Indian cuisine will fill your heart and your belly.
This list would be incomplete without recommending that you try the incredible Indian restaurant food offerings, like the kadala curry (black chickpea) at Thattu, the quick and easy wraps of Bombay Eats, or the delightful lunch thali and Indian-inspired cocktails at Bar Goa. In fact, I have so much to say on this topic that I’ve curated an entire list of the best Indian restaurants in Chicago.
But this isn’t the only way to get your hands on Indian food. There is another lesser-known way to find homemade Indian food while you’re in Chicago. You can find several home cooks of Indian origin on Shef and order unique regional flavors that might not even be available in restaurants. Feel free to use this link with a referral code for a discount on your first two orders.
8. Visit a local temple
Religion has a special and sacred place in Indian culture. A temple is not just a place of worship but a place of gathering while connecting with a higher power and the community.
To observe and learn more about this aspect of Indian culture, head over to Shree Ganesh Temple of Chicago, Devon Gurudwara Sahib of Chicago (both located conveniently on Devon Ave), or ISKCON of Illinois, further ahead in the same neighborhood.
You can pause in the peaceful interiors of these places, join the langar (Sunday afternoon meal) served at the Gurudwara, or listen to the kirtans and banis (prayers) which take place at designated times.
These places of worship are very welcoming, but please try to dress modestly, remove your footwear at the entrance, and be mindful of the space when a prayer service is in progress.
9. Meditate with Brahma Kumaris
Life’s daily stressors at work, family responsibilities, or the ever-increasing presence of technology can often leave us breathless and exhausted. It is why so many of us are increasingly turning towards meditation and journaling to calm our monkey minds and enjoy this one beautiful, flawed life.
What better way to find this inner peace than to stop by the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center in East Lakeview for a Raja Yoga meditation session? Whether you’ve been living in Chicago forever or just visiting for a few days, we could all use a little more stillness and connection with oneself in our lives.
You can stop by the center for a 30-minute midday meditation at noon or an evening meditation at 7 on weekdays. They also offer longer meditation courses, some in-person and others online, that you can enrol in if you wish to continue the practice.
10. Buy a new outfit in Little India Chicago
Traditional Indian outfits like sarees, chaniya cholis, lehengas, salwaar kameez, and kurtas always elevate and brighten any desi wedding or festival gathering. While in Chicago, you can buy an outfit for attending your next Diwali party or a friend’s wedding, or just a cotton tunic and loose harem pants to lounge around at home, without having to fly all the way to India.
The Indian clothing stores in the city are mostly clustered on Devon Avenue, so you can easily club this retail therapy with your Indian meal or grocery shopping.
My friend recently shopped for her wedding dress from Manyavar Mohey and really loved the customer experience and selection at the store. Then there’s Uma Sarees, Chandni Exclusive, and several clothing stores along the same road. In the summers, some of them have a few racks outside so you can just browse around and see if something catches your fancy.
And that’s a wrap! I know that was a lot of information, but I hope you try at least a few things on this list on your next visit to Chicago. This article is not just directed towards visitors but even Chicago locals. I know we sometimes take our city for granted and are guilty of not exploring our own backyards as much as we explore the rest of the world.
I hope these ways of experiencing Indian culture in Chicago, from the streets of Little India to the hidden gem restaurants and the events at Navy Pier, spark your curiosity and offer a glimpse into the Indian spirit.
Feel free to share your own favorite ways of experiencing Indian culture in the comments below!