Dining
Whether you're in the mood for a light snack, full meal, sweet treat,or tasty beverage, you'll find it at our snack stands and restaurants. Please note: all food locations and carts offer cotton candy, pretzel & cheese, and popcorn. Hours of operation at each food location may vary.
Bites & Brews Carts
Located in various spots
All your festive favorites are here, including beer, pretzels with cheese, popcorn, and cotton candy. You'll find them at 31st Street Walkway, BZ Red Hots Plaza*, North Gate, South Gate, Living Coast* and Wild Burger Plaza*.
*Offering Vienna Beef Hot Dogs for sale.
BZ Red Hots
Located near Seven Seas, map location E13
Choose from a variety of summer foods including Pizza, Cheeseburgers, Hot Dogs, Tuscan Chicken Sandwich, Italian Sub and seasonal salads.
Café del Sol
Located near Living Coast, map location H5
Emerge from the Living Coast exhibit, hit the splash pad, and then feast on vegetarian bowls, falafel burgers, hot dogs, burgers and more.
Cup & Cone-North Gate
Located near North Gate
Enjoy some sweet treats with your favorite ice cream and ICEE flavors as well as custom-made coffee drinks and cold brew.
Cup & Cone-South Gate
Located near South Gate, map location G10
Enjoy some sweet treats with your favorite ice cream and ICEE flavors as well as custom-made coffee drinks and cold brew
Dippin' Dots Carts
Located in various spots.
Look for the ultimate ice cream treat at one of the many Dippin' Dots carts located around the zoo. You'll find them at Habitat Africa, BZ Red Hots Plaza, Carousel, Living Coast Plaza, Tropic World exit, Wild Burger Plaza and Wild Burger playground.
Food Trucks
Located on East Mall, map location E11.
The Coop Truck offers hand-breaded chicken sandwiches in a delicious choice of Classic, Jerk Fried & Nashville Hot.
The Taco Caja Truck offers corn tortillas with onion, cilantro, crumbled queso fresco and the options of carnitas, barbacoa, smoked chicken and vegetarian. And for a sweet treat, there are churros!
FRO-Zen: Wild Encounters
Located near Wild Encounters, map location G12
Get your soft-serve ice cream and ICEE fix right here!
FRO-Zen: Pachyderm House
Located near Pachyderm House, map location D8
Get your soft-serve ice cream and ICEE fix right here!
ICEE Corner
Located near Bison Yard, map location F6
Get your soft-serve ice cream and ICEE fix right here!
Leinie’s Lodge
Located near Carousel Plaza, map location C9
Cool your heels and quench your thirst with a cold beer. This one-stop shop also offers bottled water, Gatorade, popcorn, and pretzels.
Outpost Grill
Located on East Mall, map location E11
When it's time to grab lunch, or just fill up along your way around the zoo, Outpost Grill has you covered. You'll find hamburgers, bean burgers, French fries, and a great selection of beverages.
Watering Hole
Located on East Mall, map location E11
Choose from a selection of ICEEs, non-alcoholic beverages, beers and frozen cocktails while also enjoying a wide variety of food options from nearby food stands.
Wild Burger
Located near Great Bear Wilderness, map location F5
Trekking through Great Bear Wilderness can sure make you hungry. From all beef hot dogs, burgers, and loaded tater tots, you are sure to satisfy the hunger of your entire group. Choose from fountain drinks, water, juice, Gatorade, and a selection of beers.
Wild Onion Brewery
Located near Bison Yard, map location F6
Here you'll find some very unique beer varities, including Hair of the Frog, a blonde ale made in collaboration with Brookfield Zoo where 10% of all sales go to the zoo. You'll also be able to grab some popcorn, pretzels with cheese, and cotton candy for the rest of your walk.
Parents and young explorers can experience serious fun at one of our Family Play Classes!
Teachers can choose from a wide variety of unique courses for continuing education credit at Brookfield Zoo.
Free Admission for Military Personnel
To show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the men and women in the United States Armed Forces, the Chicago Zoological Society is offering free admission to Brookfield Zoo to all active, reservist, and retired members of the military. Qualified personnel who present a valid ID at one of the zoo's admission booths will be admitted free of charge.