The Petrel Picks

Where to eat in Chicago

20 restaurants in Chicago, ranked. Compiled from Michelin, James Beard and World’s 50 Best. No sponsored placements, no affiliate links, and nobody paid to be on this list.

1. 1

   Smyth

   3 Michelin stars 2026 · North America's 50 Best #1 2025

   Seafood, American

   177 N Ada St, Chicago, IL 60607

2. 2

   Oriole

   James Beard winner 2025 · 2 Michelin stars 2026

   American

   The tasting menu the rest of the city gets measured against.

   661 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60661

3. 3

   Kasama

   James Beard semifinalist 2026 · 2 Michelin stars 2026

   American, Cafe & bakery, Asian fusion

   Filipino. A bakery counter by day, a tasting menu by night, and still a neighbourhood room.

   1001 N Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

4. 4

   Alinea

   2 Michelin stars 2026 · James Beard winner 2016

   French, American

   1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

5. 5

   Ever

   2 Michelin stars 2026

   American

   1340 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607

6. 6

   Feld

   James Beard winner 2026 · 1 Michelin star 2026

   American

   2018 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

7. 7

   Cariño

   James Beard finalist 2026 · 1 Michelin star 2026

   Mexican, Latin American, American

   4662 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640

8. 8

   Galit

   James Beard semifinalist 2026 · 1 Michelin star 2026

   Mediterranean, Bars & drinks, Vegetarian

   2429 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

9. 9

   EL Ideas

   James Beard semifinalist 2026 · 1 Michelin star 2026

   American

   2419 W 14th St, Chicago, IL 60608

10. 10

    Boka

    1 Michelin star 2026

    American

    1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

11. 11

    Elske

    1 Michelin star 2026

    American

    1350 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

12. 12

    Esmé

    1 Michelin star 2026

    American, Bars & drinks

    2200 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

13. 13

    Indienne

    1 Michelin star 2026

    Indian, American, Bars & drinks

    217 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654

14. 14

    Mako

    1 Michelin star 2026

    Japanese

    731 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661

15. 15

    Next Restaurant

    1 Michelin star 2026

    American

    953 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

16. 16

    Schwa

    1 Michelin star 2026

    American

    1466 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

17. 17

    Sepia

    1 Michelin star 2026

    American, Bars & drinks

    123 N Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661

18. 18

    Topolobampo

    1 Michelin star 2026

    Mexican, American

    445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

19. 19

    Moody Tongue

    1 Michelin star 2026

    Bars & drinks

    2515 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, USA

20. 20

    Kumiko

    James Beard winner 2025

    Japanese, Bars & drinks, Cafe & bakery

    630 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661

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Award data from Michelin, James Beard and World’s 50 Best. Ordering also considers public review data, which is not reproduced here. Last reviewed September 2026.