It’s the day chefs have been losing sleep over for weeks: Today, the preeminent national restaurant tastemaking and tire-manufacturing outlet released its 2018 guide to Chicago’s dining scene.
Michelin uses a star designation—doling out up to three to each restaurant. While last year’s list teemed with newbies, this year’s features but two: Elske and Entente. Also of note: after two years in business, Smyth made the unlikely climb from one star to two. And, as we found out last week, Logan Square stalwart Longman and Eagle was downgraded from one star to the Bib Gourmand list. Here’s the full rundown.
Three stars
Alinea
It closed to reinvent itself last year. It came back (and remains) better than ever.
Grace
We concur, Michelin Man. Grace gets our highest star rating, too.
Two stars
Acadia
The menu at Ryan McCaskey’s South Loop spot emphasizes seafood, but seriously, have you tried the duck?
Oriole
An admirably ungimmicky prix fixe menu, killer desserts—and Chicago’s favorite new restaurant this year.
Sixteen
Thomas Lents is out, but the Trump Tower’s fine-dining spot is still in. Props to the new chef.
Smyth
Searching for the ballsiest prix fixe menu in Chicago? You’ll find it here. That kind of risk-taking earned Smyth an upgrade from its one-star rating last year.
One star
Band of Bohemia
A brewpub so nice we honored it twice: on 2016’s best new restaurants list and this year’s best bars roster.
Blackbird
One Off Hospitality (Avec, Publican) goes haute here, but also shakes an excellent cocktail.
Boka
Great room, even better food thanks to Lee Wolen’s wizardry. Just watch him slow-poach an egg.
Dusek’s Board & Beer
Casual, beer-focused–and Chicago’s favorite new restaurant in 2014.
EL Ideas
Sure, it’s a BYO on a dreary stretch of 14th Street. But Phillip Foss will make it worth your while with inventive, beautiful dishes.
Elizabeth Restaurant
Iliana Regan really puts some heart into this intimate Lincoln Square spot.
Elske
David and Anna Posey’s first restaurant hit the ground running this year. Our advice: bypass the tasting menu in favor of à la carte options.
Entente
It's an Arami/Schwa dream team at this Lake View fine-dining spot.
Everest
Jean Joho: serving up sophistication for 30 years and counting.
Goosefoot
Forgot to bring a bottle to accompany your tasting-menu dinner? No sweat.
GreenRiver
Michelin’s GreenRiver love continues to flow, even after visionary bartender Julia Momose’s exit.
Naha
Honestly, who can turn squab, chanterelles, and foie gras into a masterpiece? Carrie Nahabedian.
North Pond
Pro tip: Don’t sleep on brunch at this special-occasion Lincoln Park hideaway.
Parachute
Johnny Clark and Beverly Kim know their way around Korean-American fare. Curious about what the husband-wife duo eats at home?
Roister
Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas go casual for one of our favorite recent openings.
Schwa
Still totally eccentric, still excellent after 12 years.
Sepia
It’s been a big year for this West Loop wine temple—its baby sister, Proxi, was born.
Spiaggia
Tony Mantuano knows how to pull together some serious Italian food, and we got him to divulge a recipe.
Topolobampo
Rick Bayless’s most formal approach to Mexican cuisine underwent a reinvention a little while back, and it was absolutely for the better.