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Muslim business traveller's guide
Chicago, United States
Muslim Traveller Guide
Halal Chicago
Chicago has one of the largest and most established Muslim communities in the United States, so halal food is easy to find — from Devon Avenue to the southwest suburbs — and there are many mosques plus prayer/meditation rooms at both airports. The CTA "L" trains and buses, on a single Ventra card, make getting around the city straightforward.
USDUS Central Time — UTC-5 in summer (CDT), UTC-6 in winter (CST).
5 halal places to visit
Mosques & sights in Chicago
The mosques and Islamic-heritage landmarks worth your time around the expo.
Mosque Foundation
Bridgeview
One of the largest and busiest mosques in the United States, serving a community of over 50,000 Muslims.
Al-Sadiq Mosque
Bronzeville
Built in 1922, it is one of the oldest standing mosques in the United States.
Muslim Community Center
Mayfair (Elston Avenue)
5 places to eat
Where to eat — top halal spots
Real, well-loved halal restaurants across Chicago, from cheap local legends to special-occasion dining.
Ghareeb Nawaz
Pakistani / Indian · Devon Avenue (West Ridge)$
A Devon Avenue institution serving large halal biryani and curry plates at very low prices, open late.
Sabri Nihari
Pakistani / North Indian · Devon Avenue (West Ridge)$$
Long-running halal spot famous for its slow-cooked beef nihari and goat karahi.
Usmania Fine Dining
Pakistani / Indian · Devon Avenue (West Ridge)$$
A more polished sit-down option serving zabiha halal Pakistani-Indian dishes.
Where to stay
Hotels for every budget
Hand-picked places to stay, near the action.
Luxury
The Langham, Chicago
River North (Downtown)
Five-star riverside hotel with large rooms and a spa, about a 30-minute drive from Devon Avenue.
JW Marriott Chicago
The Loop (Downtown)
Upscale downtown hotel in a landmark building with a pool and full amenities.
Mid-range
Know before you go
The essentials
Everything a Muslim traveller needs to land in Chicago with confidence.
Getting in
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
• CTA Blue Line — ~45 min to the Loop
• Taxi / Uber / Lyft — 30-60 min
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
• CTA Orange Line — ~25-30 min to the Loop
• Taxi / rideshare — 20-40 min
Getting around
The CTA runs the "L" rapid-transit trains and an extensive bus network across the city; Metra serves the suburbs.
Taxis and rideshare are plentiful downtown; a car helps for the southwest-suburb halal hubs.
Visa & entry
Travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA before flying; others require a B-1/B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate. Apply well ahead via the official US government sites.
Getting here
Travelling from a major halal market?
Most halal-expo buyers and exhibitors fly in from the world's main halal hubs. Here's how to reach Chicago from each — entry rules vary by nationality, so check the Visa & entry note.
Sources: https://www.choosechicago.com · https://www.transitchicago.com · https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
Other halal expo cities
Nearby and frequently-paired destinations, with the same Muslim-traveller guide.
