Eat Well at Every Michelin-Starred Restaurant in Chicago

Oriole
Caviar at Oriole | Courtesy of Oriole
Caviar at Oriole | Courtesy of Oriole

If you're wanting the ultimate mark of excellence for a restaurant in your city, look no further than the Michelin Guide. Recently Michelin announced its star selections for 2017, and 26 Chicago spots were awarded at least one Michelin star. Both Grace and Alinea retained their three star status, while the number of restaurants awarded two stars increased from three to five. A total of 19 restaurants (including four new spots) were awarded one Michelin star, the largest number of restaurants to date in Chicago. These should be your splurge-worthy spots to target over the next year.

Alinea

Lincoln Park

Grant Achatz’s Alinea keeps its three-star rating, even after reconcepting and remodeling this year. Alinea has been awarded three Michelin stars every year since 2011.

Grace Restaurant
Grace Restaurant

Grace

West Loop

Curtis Duffy’s Grace retained its three star rating for the third year in a row. Grace remains one of only two three-Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago.

acadia
Anthony Tahlier

Acadia

South Loop

After receiving a boost to two stars in 2016, Chef Ryan McCaskey’s Acadia retained its two star rating in 2017. The South Loop restaurant focuses on Northeastern American-inspired fare.

42 Grams

Uptown

42 Grams in Uptown held onto its two star status for the third year in a row. The BYOB policy helps make a dining experience here more feasible than other award-winning restaurants.

Oriole
Courtesy of Oriole

Oriole

West Loop

Oriole skyrocketed to two stars this year after being open less than one year. Executive Chef and Owner Noah Sandoval’s 16-course tasting menu clearly impressed Michelin inspectors in the 28-seat restaurant.

Sixteen
Courtesy of Sixteen

Sixteen

River North

Sixteen, located inside the Trump Hotel, retained its two star status for another year. Each menu crafted by Executive Chef Thomas Lents follows a theme that changes on an annual basis.

Tru
Courtesy of Tru

Tru

Streeterville

This year, Lettuce Entertain You’s Tru received an additional star, bringing it to two stars overall. Tru has held one Michelin star every year since 2011 when the first Michelin Guide Chicago was published.

Band of Bohemia

Ravenswood

New to the 2017 list is restaurant and brewery, Band of Bohemia. It is the first Michelin-starred brewpub and is one of four new restaurants awarded one Michelin star this year.

blackbird
Chloe List

Blackbird

West Loop

Chef Paul Kahan’s Blackbird in the West Loop retains its one star for another year. The sleek restaurant from One Off Hospitality Group is a minimalist Midwest-loving masterpiece.

boka
Galdones Photography

Boka

Lincoln Park

Boka has remained a Michelin-starred restaurant every year since 2011. A Chicago classic, Boka continues to thrive under Chef Lee Wolen and Pastry Chef Meg Galus.

Dusek’s Board & Beer
Courtesy of Dusek’s Board & Beer

Dusek's Board & Beer

Pilsen

2016 marked the first year Dusek’s Board & Beer received a Michelin star. The Pilsen gastropub renew its star with its meaty, beer-infused menu.

EL Ideas
Courtesy of EL Ideas

EL Ideas

Douglas Park

The Douglas Park BYOB restaurant keeps its one star for the fourth year in a row. Chef Phillip Foss’ tasting menus are some of the most affordable (and innovative) among Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago.

Elizabeth

Lincoln Square

Iliana Regan’s Elizabeth Restaurant keeps its one star rating again. The foraging-focused spot in Lincoln Square has been awarded one star every year since 2014.

Everest
Courtesy of Everest

Everest

Loop

A Lettuce Entertain You Classic, Everest consistently holds onto its one star rating. The restaurant is celebrating its 30 year anniversary this year.

Goosefoot
Courtesy of Goosefoot

Goosefoot

Lincoln Square

Chefs and Owners Chris and Nina Nugent’s 16-seat Lincoln Square restaurant keeps its one star rating for an additional year. The BYOB spot features modern French cuisine that changes frequently.

greenriver
Galdones Photography

GreenRiver

Streeterville

Another new addition to the 2017 Michelin star list is GreenRiver. The restaurant’s patio, 18 floors above Streeterville, is a prime spot for excellent cocktails and Chef Aaron Lirette’s American dishes.

Longman & Eagle

Logan Square

The flagship Logan Square restaurant has been a pleasantly affordable staple on the Michelin list since 2011. There's soul favorites for brunch, wild boar sloppy Joes for dinner, and more than 400 whiskeys in house.

Naha
Courtesy of Naha

Naha

River North

Another Chicago classic, Naha, keeps its one star. The River North restaurant was awarded one star every year since 2011 for its inventive American and Mediterranean cuisine.

North Pond

Lincoln Park

The Lincoln Park restaurant with picturesque views of the Chicago skyline was again awarded one Michelin star. Chef Bruce Sherman gets creative with his plating and incorporates the freshest local and seasonal ingredients in each dish.

parachute
Corey Dewald

Parachute

Avondale

Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark received one Michelin star after making their Michelin debut in the 2016 Guide. Korean-American dishes include bi bim bop and their famous baked potato bing bread.

Roister
Roister

Roister

West Loop

The Alinea Group’s Roister makes its debut on this year’s list with one Michelin star. Its whole chicken and chamomile is arguably the most talked about dish in Chicago.

Schwa
Courtesy of Schwa

Schwa

Wicker Park

Michelin favorite, Schwa, remains on the one star list. The unassuming dining room on Ashland Ave continues to offer patrons a unique, albeit loud, dining experience.

sepia
Sean Henderson

Sepia

West Loop

The West Loop’s Sepia keeps its one Michelin star under Chef Andrew Zimmerman. The warm space, a former print shop, is a great setting for enjoying seasonal entrees and Sepia’s extensive wine program.

smyth
Galdones Photography

Smyth

West Loop

New to the 2017 list is Smyth, one half of Smyth + the Loyalist in the West Loop. Husband-and-wife Chefs John and Karen Shields earned one star for their multi-course restaurant open since August.

spiaggia
Haas + Haas

Spiaggia

Streeterville

Spiaggia is a Chicago classic that consistently lands on Michelin’s one star list. Chef and Partner Tony Mantuano’s Italian dishes are easily enjoyed in Spiaggia’s beautiful dining room on Michigan Ave.

Topolobampo

River North

Chef Rick Bayless’s Topolobampo has been operating since 1989, long before Michelin’s Chicago Guide arrived in 2011. Since that first issue, the contemporary Mexican restaurant has sustained a one star Michelin rating.

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Amanda Topper is a contributing writer for Thrillist Chicago, foodservice industry analyst, and food blogger for TheGhostGuest.com. Donuts are her favorite food group. Follow her at @AmandaTopper.