As of 2025, there are 19 Michelin star restaurants in Chicago. The list includes two elite three-star restaurants, three two-star restaurants, and 14 one-star establishments. This total reflects not only Chicago’s deep culinary tradition but also its modern evolution as one of the most dynamic food cities in the world.
Whether you're after fine dining experiences with multi-course tasting menus or culturally rich plates with global influence, Michelin star restaurants in Chicago cover nearly every culinary angle. From intimate omakase counters to trendsetting breweries and modern Indian tasting menus, Chicago's scene is unlike anywhere else in the U.S. outside of New York or California.
There are 19 Michelin star restaurants in Chicago, but not all stars are created equal. The Michelin Guide uses a three-tiered system, and each level comes with its own meaning and prestige.
Here’s the breakdown for 2025:
2 Restaurants with Three Stars
3 Restaurants with Two Stars
14 Restaurants with One Star
So, what do these stars actually mean?
One Star is awarded to restaurants offering “high-quality cooking, worth a stop.” These are places where the ingredients shine, the techniques are strong, and the menu shows consistency. You can expect a thoughtful presentation, great flavors, and an experience that feels elevated but still approachable. Many of the one-star Michelin star restaurants in Chicago are where rising chefs first get noticed.
Two Stars means “excellent cooking, worth a detour.” These restaurants often lean more toward precision and finesse. Multi-course tasting menus are common, with a higher level of detail, pacing, and creativity. The flavors are more layered, and the plating is tighter. Two-star spots like Ever and Moody Tongue operate at a high level of refinement without tipping all the way into ultra-formal.
Three Stars is the top. It’s reserved for restaurants delivering “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.” These are rare—only 14 restaurants in the entire U.S. hold three Michelin stars as of 2025. In Chicago, only Alinea and Smyth meet this mark. Here, every element—from service to storytelling to menu flow—is designed to be unforgettable. They’re not just restaurants; they’re destinations.
This tiered system helps diners understand what to expect and encourages chefs to keep innovating. And that’s part of what makes the range of Michelin star restaurants in Chicago so compelling—you’ve got access to all three levels in one city.
Earning three stars means a restaurant offers “exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.” In 2025, only two restaurants in the entire city hold that honor:
Alinea (Lincoln Park)
Chef Grant Achatz’s globally renowned flagship has held three stars since 2011. Alinea is famous for its avant-garde, multi-sensory tasting menus. Guests often describe the experience as part meal, part performance art. If you’re exploring Michelin star restaurants in Chicago, Alinea is the gold standard.
Smyth (West Loop)
Recently elevated to three stars, Smyth is led by chefs John and Karen Shields. It draws inspiration from the Midwestern landscape and farms, crafting inventive seasonal tasting menus. It’s a quieter powerhouse, often described as understated but deeply moving in execution.
A two-star rating indicates “excellent cooking, worth a detour,” and Chicago has three standout options in this category:
Ever (West Loop)
Chef Curtis Duffy’s vision at Ever is sleek, minimal, and high-tech. The space itself feels futuristic, and the food matches that energy with precision and elegance. It's a must for fans of molecular gastronomy.
Oriole (West Loop)
Oriole offers a more intimate experience with a soft-spoken approach to luxury. The multi-course menu is refined, inviting, and thoughtfully curated. Their use of global ingredients makes every dish feel deeply personal.
Moody Tongue (South Loop)
Yes, it’s a brewery. But it’s also the world’s first to earn two Michelin stars. Moody Tongue’s pairing of fine dining with craft beer challenges expectations and has quickly become one of the most talked-about Michelin star restaurants in Chicago.
This is where Chicago's diversity really shines. These restaurants are recognized for being “high-quality cooking, worth a stop.” From Filipino and Indian flavors to new American and sushi, the one-star tier is packed with variety.
Kasama (West Town) – The first Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant in the world.
Indienne (River North) – Modern Indian tasting menu with striking plating.
Elske (West Loop) – Danish-influenced dishes with a Midwest soul.
Porto (West Town) – Focused on Portuguese and Galician seafood.
Mako (West Loop) – A refined omakase experience in a minimalist setting.
Boka (Lincoln Park) – A Chicago mainstay with contemporary American plates.
Topolobampo (River North) – Chef Rick Bayless’ upscale take on Mexican fine dining.
Next (West Loop) – Known for its changing themed menus and immersive presentations.
Sepia (West Loop) – Elegant but approachable with seasonal American cuisine.
Omakase Yume (West Loop) – Intimate sushi counter with a precise tasting journey.
Atelier (Lincoln Square) – Newcomer with emphasis on local ingredients and technique.
Esmé (Lincoln Park) – Combines modern art and dining in one creative experience.
Schwa (West Town) – Loud, intimate, and unpredictable with an open kitchen format.
Galit (Lincoln Park) – Modern Middle Eastern with house-baked pita and bold flavors.
Each of these one-star destinations adds something unique to the tapestry of Michelin star restaurants in Chicago. Together, they reflect the city’s ability to support both established chefs and rising stars.
The Michelin Guide rates restaurants on the quality of ingredients, mastery of technique, harmony of flavors, consistency, and the chef's personality expressed through the food. For diners, that means you’re in for a meal that’s not just great—it’s purposeful.
Earning a Michelin star can transform a restaurant overnight. It drives new customers, attracts press, and opens up opportunities for chefs. For the city itself, a strong showing in the Guide helps cement its reputation as a serious global dining destination.
That’s why people continue to follow which Michelin-star restaurants in Chicago make a list each year—and which new ones might be next.
Chicago joined the Michelin Guide family in 2011, making it only the fifth U.S. city to be included at the time. That first year, 23 restaurants received stars. Since then, the landscape has evolved—some restaurants have closed, others have risen, and a few have maintained their stars year after year.
The longest-standing three-star restaurant, Alinea, has never dropped in rank. More recently, newcomers like Kasama and Indienne have shown the Guide's growing openness to different types of cuisines and formats. The rise of two-star Moody Tongue, a brewery, also reflects how unconventional concepts can now earn serious recognition.
The Michelin Guide’s presence in Chicago has encouraged restaurants to take bold chances, knowing the payoff could be a star—or three.
Right now there are 19 Michelin star restaurants in Chicago, each contributing to the city’s global reputation for food that’s thoughtful, daring, and rooted in excellence. Whether you're booking a table for an anniversary, out-of-town guests, or just because you're hungry for something special, the city offers no shortage of options.
As Chicago’s neighborhoods continue to evolve and its food culture gets even more layered, there’s no doubt the Michelin list will keep changing too. But for now, this group of star-studded restaurants is a reminder that Chicago is not just keeping up with the culinary world—it’s helping lead it.