News

Cariño among Chicago's 19 Michelin-starred restaurants for 2024

The Latin American, fine dining concept is the lone Chicago addition to this year's Michelin Guide.

Jeffy Mai
Written by
Jeffy Mai
Editor, Time Out Chicago
Interior of carino
Photograph: Kelly SandosCariño
Advertising

The Michelin Awards ceremony was held last night in New York, and one new Chicago restaurant joined the ranks of the city’s best.

Cariño, the fine dining concept in Uptown, earned one Michelin star. Led by owner-chef Norman Fenton, the restaurant showcases the flavors of Latin America through both tasting menu and taco omakase experiences. 

“Chef Norman Fenton mines his history and his travels to celebrate Mexican cuisine in a distinct, ambitious manner,” the Michelin Guide writes. “Indeed, this tasting menu features boldness and creativity in spades.”

In a review for Time Out, restaurant critic Maggie Hennessy praised Cariño, writing it “might be the best dining experience in Chicago right now, and a redemption of the tasting menu.”

While no other local restaurant gained a star, four spots did lose one. South Loop brewery and restaurant Moody Tongue dropped down to a single star after previously holding two stars, and Omakase Yume, Porto and Temporis all lost theirs. The last two eateries also shuttered in 2024.

In total, Chicago is now home to 19 restaurants with either one, two or three Michelin stars, down from 21 in 2023.

On the Bib Gourmand front, an award given to the best value for money restaurants, there are 38 recipients. Contemporary Middle Eastern concept Sifr—one of our best restaurants in Chicago—is the lone addition. Nine places lost their Bib Gourmand designation, including Avec, Cabra, Ina Mae and Etta.

Check out all of the winners below.

Chicago’s 2024 Michelin-starred restaurants

Three stars

Alinea
Smyth

Two stars 

Ever
Oriole

One star

Atelier
Boka
Cariño
EL Ideas
Elske
Esmé
Galit
Indienne
Kasama
Mako
Moody Tongue
Next
Schwa
Sepia
Topolobampo

Chicago's 2024 Bib Gourmand restaurants

Birrieria Zaragoza
Boonie's
Cellar Door Provisions
Chef's Special
Chilam Balam
Ciccio Mio
Daisies
Dear Margaret
Duck Inn
Frontera Grill
Ghin Kao
Giant
Gilt Bar
Girl & the Goat
HaiSous
Kie-Gol-Lanee
Lardon
Longman & Eagle
Lula Cafe
Mama Delia
Mfk.
Mi Tocaya
Mott St.
Munno Pizzeria & Bistro
Perilla
Pleasant House Pub
Pompette
Proxi
Purple Pig
Sifr
Sochi
Sol de Mexico
Superkhana International
Table, Donkey and Stick
Tortello
Union
Virtue
Yao Yao

RECOMMENDED: Sign up for Time Out's newsletters and receive a voucher for $5 off food and drinks at Time Out Market Chicago on your next visit

You may also like
You may also like
Advertising