The wait is over—the Michelin Guide has announced which Chicago restaurants have earned the coveted stars this year.
Alinea is no longer the only three-star restaurant in Chicago as Smyth has joined the prestigious group. The West Loop restaurant from John and Karen Urie Shields—located above casual sibling The Loyalist—had previously held two stars.
“The inspectors have been carefully monitoring the progress at Smyth, especially since it earned two Michelin Stars in 2017,” said Gwendal Poullennec, the International Director of the Michelin Guides, in a release. “They unanimously decided that now is the time to reward the restaurant, Chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, and their staff for delivering peak creativity, precision and teamwork. This is an elite restaurant.”
Also receiving one star each are Atelier and Indienne. Atelier opened in Lincoln Square in early 2023, replacing Elizabeth, a former Michelin-starred restaurant. It’s led by chef Christian Hunter, who was a James Beard Award finalist this year for Best Chef: Northeast.
“In full view of the dining room, Chef Christian Hunter and his team chart new waters, ever determined to make their own mark on this intimate space. Working quietly and seamlessly, the kitchen delivers a carefully calibrated tasting menu supported by nearby farms and packed with flavor and originality,” wrote Michelin inspectors.
Indienne is the city’s first Indian restaurant to be awarded a star. Using modern techniques, chef Sujan Sarkar delivers an upscale take on traditional Southeast Asian flavors.
“In a city where kitchens break molds and defy expectations, Chef Sujan Sarkar makes a splash of his own on this quiet strip of River North. À la carte is available, but first timers should start with the tasting menu, where Sarkar delivers an original, modern vision of Indian cuisine,” Michelin inspectors proclaimed.
After moving into a larger space this year, Logan Square’s Daisies took home a Michelin Green Star for its commitment to sustainability. In addition to the stars and Bib Gourmand recipients—which were revealed last week—four special awards were also handed out. Monica Casillas-Rios of Elske received the Exceptional Cocktails Award; Sepia’s Alex Ring earned the Sommelier Award; Josh Perlman of Giant was recognized for Outstanding Service; and Hunter won the Michelin Young Chef Award.
Unlike past years, the awards for Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. were all revealed at a ceremony in New York hosted by Adam Richman. In total, Chicago now has 21 restaurants with at least one star, 47 Bib Gourmands and 86 recommended spots. You can see the full list of the city’s Michelin-starred restaurants below.