If there's one thing Chicago knows for sure, it's great music and good food, and the folks over at the Michelin Guide have shown serious respect to some of the Windy City's finest eateries.
Whether you're in the mood for three-star contemporary or something mind-blowingly modern, Chicago chefs are pushing the boundaries of technique without sacrificing an ounce of time-honored flavor. In fact, three of the 24 restaurants on this list are noted for their modern cuisine, two for their creative fare and two more for being uniquely innovative.
Interested in some exotic beers? Try two-star culinary brewery Moody Tongue. Looking for Southside stars, check Acadia, and if you're ready to see what a three-star experience is made of, head to the three-tiered dining experience at Alinea.
Of course, not everything in town has to be a cutting-edge experience. There's upscale BBQ at El Idea, and delicious Portuguese seafood at Porto. From American favorites to Korean delights, regional Mexican cuisine and Japanese traditions, there's truly a taste for every palate.
Ready to go on a sensory adventure? These are the Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago that every high-end foodie just has to try.
See also: Every Michelin-Star Restaurant in NYC: 2021
Alinea - Contemporary, Creative
Ever - Contemporary, Modern Cuisine
Smyth - Contemporary, Modern Cuisine
Oriole - Contemporary, American Contemporary
Moody Tongue - Contemporary, American Contemporary
See also: Every Michelin-Star Restaurant In Los Angeles: 2021
Goosefoot - Contemporary, French Contemporary
Elizabeth - Contemporary, American Contemporary
Schwa - Contemporary, Innovative
Porto - Portuguese, Seafood
Temporis - Contemporary, Modern Cuisine
Next - Contemporary, Innovative
Boka - Contemporary, Mediterranean Cuisine
Mako - Japanese, Sushi
Omakase Yume - Japanese, Sushi
Sepia - American, American Contemporary
Topolobampo - Mexican, Regional Cuisine
North Pond - Contemporary, American
Elske - Contemporary, American Contemporary
El Ideas - Contemporary, Creative
Galit - Middle Eastern, Mediterranean Cuisine
Claudia - Contemporary, Creative
Esmé - Contemporary, Creative
Kasama - Filipino, Contemporary
Photography by: Lightscape / Unsplash
