List of Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago

Alinea, a 3 Michelin-starred restaurant in Chicago

This article contains a complete list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago.

The Michelin Guides have been published by the French tire company Michelin since 1900. They were designed as a guide to tell drivers about eateries they recommended to visit and to subtly sponsor their tires, by encouraging drivers to use their cars more and therefore need to replace the tires as they wore out. Over time, the stars that were given out started to become more valuable. ^[1]

Multiple anonymous Michelin inspectors visit the restaurants several times. They rate the restaurants on five criteria: "quality of products", "mastery of flavor and cooking techniques", "the personality of the chef represented in the dining experience", "value for money", and "consistency between inspectors' visits". ^{[1] [2]} Inspectors have at least ten years of expertise and create a list of popular restaurants supported by media reports, reviews, and diner popularity. If they reach a consensus, Michelin awards restaurants from one to three stars based on its evaluation methodology: One star means "high-quality cooking, worth a stop", two stars signify "excellent cooking, worth a detour", and three stars denote "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey". ^[3] The stars are not permanent and restaurants are constantly being re-evaluated. If the criteria are not met, the restaurant will lose its stars. ^[1]

Chicago was the fifth US city to be chosen to have a dedicated Michelin Guide in 2011, after New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, although the Las Vegas guide was later discontinued. ^[4] Although earlier editions included restaurants from the suburbs, since 2013, all the restaurants have been located within the city proper. ^[5]

As of the 2024 guide, there are 19 restaurants in Chicago with a Michelin-star rating.

2021 – 2024 lists

Michelin-starred restaurants

Name	Cuisine	Location	2021	2022	2023	2024
Acadia	American	Chicago – South Loop		Closed [6]
Alinea	Creative	Chicago – Lincoln Park
Atelier	American	Chicago – Lincoln Square	—	—
Boka	American	Chicago – Lincoln Park
Cariño	Mexican	Chicago – Uptown	—	—	—
Claudia		Chicago – Bucktown	—		Closed [7]
EL Ideas	Contemporary	Chicago – Douglas Park
Elizabeth		Chicago – Ravenswood			Closed [8]
Elske	Nordic	Chicago – West Loop
Entente		Chicago – River North	Closed [9]
Esmé	Contemporary	Chicago – Lincoln Park	—
Ever	Creative	Chicago – West Loop
Everest	French	Chicago – Loop	Closed [10]
Galit	Middle Eastern	Chicago – Lincoln Park	—
Goosefoot	Contemporary	Chicago – Ravenswood			—	Closed [11]
Indienne	Indian	Chicago – River North	—	—
Kasama	Filipino	Chicago – West Town	—
Mako	Japanese	Chicago – West Loop
Moody Tongue	Brewery	Chicago – South Loop
Next	Contemporary	Chicago – West Loop
North Pond	American	Chicago – Lincoln Park			—	—
Omakase Yume	Japanese	Chicago – West Loop				—
Oriole	Contemporary	Chicago – West Loop
Parachute	Korean	Chicago – Avondale		—	—	—
Porto	Portuguese	Chicago – West Town				—
Schwa	Contemporary	Chicago – West Town
Sepia	American	Chicago – West Loop
Smyth	Contemporary	Chicago – West Loop
Spiaggia	Italian	Chicago – Magnificent Mile	Closed [12]
Temporis	Contemporary	Chicago – West Town				—
Topolobampo	Mexican	Chicago – River North
Yūgen	Japanese	Chicago – West Loop		Closed [13]
Reference			[14]	[15]	[16]	[17]

Key

	Indicates a restaurant with one Michelin star
	Indicates a restaurant with two Michelin stars
	Indicates a restaurant with three Michelin stars

2011 – 2020 lists

Michelin-starred restaurants

Name	Cuisine	Location	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
42 Grams	American	Chicago – Uptown	—	—	—	—				Closed [18]
Acadia	American	Chicago – South Loop	—	—
Alinea	Creative	Chicago – Lincoln Park
Avenues		Chicago – Magnificent Mile		Closed [19]
Band of Bohemia	Gastropub	Chicago – Ravenswood	—	—	—	—	—	—				Closed [20]
Blackbird	Contemporary	Chicago – West Loop										Closed [21]
Boka	American	Chicago – Lincoln Park
Bonsoirée	French	Chicago – Logan Square			Closed [22]
Charlie Trotter's	American	Chicago – Lincoln Park			Closed [23]
Crofton on Wells		Chicago – River North		—	Closed [24]
Courtright's		Cook County – Willow Springs	—		—	Closed [25]
Dusek's Board & Beer		Chicago – Pilsen	—	—	—	—	—					—
EL Ideas	Contemporary	Chicago – Douglas Park	—	—	—
Elizabeth		Chicago – Ravenswood	—	—	—
Elske	Nordic	Chicago – West Loop	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Entente		Chicago – River North	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Everest	French	Chicago – Loop
Goosefoot	Contemporary	Chicago – Ravenswood	—	—
Grace		Chicago – West Loop	—	—	—						Closed [26]
Graham Elliot	American	Chicago – River North					Closed [27]
GreenRiver		Chicago – Streeterville	—	—	—	—	—	—			Closed [28]
Kikko	Japanese	Chicago – West Loop	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
L2O	Seafood	Chicago – Lincoln Park						Closed [29]
Longman & Eagle		Chicago – Logan Square								—	—	—
Mako	Japanese	Chicago – West Loop	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Mexique	Mexican	Chicago - West Town	—	—			—	—	—	Closed [30]
Moody Tongue	Brewery	Chicago – South Loop	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Moto	Creative	Chicago - West Loop	—					Closed [31]
Naha	Mediterranean	Chicago – River North									Closed [32]
Next	Contemporary	Chicago – West Loop	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NoMI	American	Chicago – Magnificent Mile		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
North Pond	American	Chicago – Lincoln Park	—	—	—
Omakase Yume	Japanese	Chicago – West Loop	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Oriole	Contemporary	Chicago – West Loop	—	—	—	—	—	—
Parachute	Korean	Chicago – Avondale	—	—	—	—	—
RIA	French	Chicago – Gold Coast			Closed [33]
Roister	Contemporary	Chicago – West Loop	—	—	—	—	—	—				—
Schwa	Contemporary	Chicago – West Town
Seasons	Contemporary	Chicago – Magnificent Mile			Closed [34]
Senza	American	Chicago – Lake View	—	—			Closed [35]
Sepia	American	Chicago – West Loop
Sixteen	American	Chicago – River North		—							Closed [36]
Smyth	Contemporary	Chicago – West Loop	—	—	—	—	—	—
Spiaggia	Italian	Chicago – Magnificent Mile
Takashi	Japanese	Chicago – Bucktown						Closed [37]
Temporis	Contemporary	Chicago – West Town	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Topolobampo	Mexican	Chicago – River North
The Lobby	Contemporary	Chicago – Magnificent Mile	—	—	—		—	—	—	—	—	—
Tru	French	Chicago – Streeterville								Closed [38]
Vie	French	Cook County – Western Springs			—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Yūgen	Japanese	Chicago – West Loop	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Reference			[39]	[40]	[5]	[41]	[42]	[43]	[44]	[45]	[46]	[47]

Key

	Indicates a restaurant with one Michelin star
	Indicates a restaurant with two Michelin stars
	Indicates a restaurant with three Michelin stars

See also

• List of Michelin 3-star restaurants in the United States
• List of restaurants

References

1. Buchwald, Elisabeth (10 February 2024). "Michelin Guide history: How did a tire company become an elite restaurant rating guide?". CNN . Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
2. "How Restaurants Get Michelin Stars: A Brief History of the Michelin Guide". Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts . 9 February 2024. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
3. Dixon, Rachel (24 June 2008). "Q&A: Michelin stars". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
4. Davey, Monica (17 November 2010). "A Hurried Announcement for a New Michelin City". New York Times . Archived from the original on July 26, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
5. "2013 Michelin Guide Chicago Star Ratings Unleashed". Eater. 13 November 2012. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
6. Selvam, Ashok (October 22, 2021). "Michelin-Starred Acadia Officially Closes in Chicago's South Loop". Eater Chicago.
7. "Michelin-Starred Tasting Menu Claudia Closes After a Year and a Half". 7 June 2023.
8. "Elizabeth restaurant to close after 10 years of whimsical dining".
9. Selvam, Ashok (December 2, 2021). "Le Bouchon Owners Plan Modern French Restaurant to Replace Michelin-Starred Entente in River North". Eater Chicago.
10. Vettel, Phil (October 16, 2020). "After nearly 35 years on Chicago's fine-dining summit, Everest restaurant is closing".
11. "Owners of Goosefoot restaurant in Lincoln Square announce plans to relocate". Chicago Sun-Times. February 1, 2024.
12. Selvam, Ashok (July 9, 2021). "Spiaggia Closes After 37 Years, Marking the End for Chicago's Top Italian Restaurant". Eater Chicago.
13. "Michelin-starred restaurant Yugen has closed in West Loop". May 19, 2021.
14. Long, Zach (2021-04-29). "Here are Chicago's 2021 Michelin-starred restaurants". Timeout Chicago. Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
15. Waxman, Naomi (2022-04-05). "Chicago's Michelin Star List Adds Four New Restaurants for 2022". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
16. Selvam, Ashok (8 November 2023). "Here Are Chicago's Michelin Star and Bib Gourmand Winners for 2023". Eater Chicago. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
17. "Date set for 2024 MICHELIN Guide Ceremony in New York". Michelin Guide. Michelin North America. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
18. Selvam, Ashok (June 5, 2017). "Two Michelin-Starred 42 Grams Closes After 3 1⁄2 Years". Eater Chicago.
19. Pang, Kevin (September 2, 2011). "Avenues to close indefinitely after chef Curtis Duffy leaves Saturday".
20. Noel, Josh (October 21, 2020). "Band of Bohemia, the nation's only Michelin-starred brewpub, files for bankruptcy".
21. Selvam, Ashok (June 30, 2020). "Chicago's Beloved Blackbird Is the Latest to Fall to COVID-19". Eater Chicago.
22. "Review: Bonsoiree (closed)". August 31, 2012.
23. Bendersky, Ari (January 1, 2012). "Charlie Trotter to Close Iconic Restaurant After 25 Years". Eater Chicago.
24. Tribune, Chicago (April 12, 2012). "Crofton on Wells closes; Suzy Crofton hopes to reconcept".
25. Hickman, Brett (September 27, 2013). "Courtright's Closing After New Year's Eve Service". Eater Chicago.
26. Severson, Kim (December 21, 2017). "Grace, a Celebrated Chicago Restaurant, Closes After Its Founders Leave". New York Times. Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
27. Ndabane, Tšhegofatšo (April 12, 2023). "Here's Why Graham Elliot Closed All Of His Restaurants". Mashed.
28. Wong, Grace (January 8, 2018). "GreenRiver announces closure after two years in Streeterville".
29. "L2O Will Close at the End of the Year". Chicago Magazine.
30. Vettel, Phil (May 21, 2018). "Mexique closes; Carlos Gaytan promises to return".
31. Vettel, Phil (January 22, 2016). "Moto closing Feb. 14; business sold to Alinea Group".
32. Gerzina, Daniel (March 2, 2018). "Michelin-Starred Naha to Relocate After 18 Years in River North". Eater Chicago.
33. Vettel, Phil (July 9, 2012). "RIA restaurant to close in late July".
34. Dolinsky, Steve (November 11, 2011). "Four Seasons "Re-Concepting," Chicago's Fine Dining Landscape Continues To Evolve". Steve Dolinsky.
35. "Another Michelin-starred restaurant bites the dust". Crain's Chicago Business. December 11, 2014.
36. Selvam, Ashok (21 March 2018). "Trump Tower's Two-Michelin-Starred Chicago Restaurant Sixteen To Close". Eater Chicago. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
37. Pang, Kevin; Tribune, Chicago (November 13, 2014). "Takashi to close at year's end".
38. Hernandez, Joseph (September 5, 2017). "2-Michelin-starred Tru to close doors, re-concept".
39. "Chicago Michelin Guide Revealed: Alinea, L20 Get 3 Stars". Eater. 16 November 2010. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
40. "Alinea, Ria, Charlie Trotter's among Michelin-starred restaurants in 2012 Chicago guide". Chicago Tribune. 15 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2016-11-06. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
41. "2014 Michelin Guide Chicago Star Ratings Unleashed". Eater. 12 November 2013. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
42. "Full List Revealed: Chicago's Michelin Winners Are Grace (Three Stars!) and 42 Grams (Two Stars!)". Eater. 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on September 12, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
43. "The 2016 Chicago Michelin Guide's Big Winners Are Acadia, Parachute, Dusek's". Eater. 27 October 2015. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
44. "Grant Achatz Is Now Chicago's Most Michelin-Starred Chef". Eater. 2 November 2016. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
45. "Here Are Chicago's New Michelin-Starred Restaurants for 2018". Eater. 20 October 2017. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
46. "MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2019 Selection". MICHELIN Guide. Archived from the original on 2018-09-27. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
47. "MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2020 Selection". MICHELIN Guide. Archived from the original on 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2022-07-06.

Bibliography

• Michelin Guide Chicago 2011. Michelin Travel Publications. 2011. ISBN   978-2-06-715652-4.
• Michelin Guide Chicago 2012. Michelin Travel Publications. 2012. ISBN   978-2-06-716622-6.
• Michelin Guide Chicago 2013. Michelin Travel Publications. 2013. ISBN   978-2-06-717696-6.
• Michelin Guide Chicago 2014. Michelin Travel Publications. 2014. ISBN   978-2-06-718699-6.
• Michelin Guide Chicago 2015. Michelin Travel Publications. 2015. ISBN   978-2-06-719412-0.
• Michelin Guide Chicago 2016. Michelin Travel Publications. 2016. ISBN   978-2-06-720293-1.
• Michelin Guide Chicago 2017. Michelin Travel Publications. 2017. ISBN   978-2-06-721238-1.
• Michelin Guide Chicago 2018. Michelin Travel Publications. 2018. ISBN   978-2-06-722088-1.
• Michelin Guide Chicago 2019. Michelin Travel Publications. 2019. ISBN   978-2-06-723062-0.
• Michelin Guide Chicago 2020. Michelin Travel Publications. 2020. ISBN   978-2-06-723891-6.

External links

• Chicago at Michelin Guide