Honestly, the Chicago food scene is kind of a moving target right now. If you've been following the news, you know the Chicago Michelin star restaurants 2024 list just dropped, and it’s a weird mix of "of course they did" and "wait, really?"
People love to obsess over the stars. They treat the guide like it's the gospel of fine dining. But here's the thing: Chicago isn't just about white tablecloths anymore. We’re seeing a massive shift toward restaurants that actually have a personality—places where the chef might be wearing a t-shirt and the music is actually loud.
The 2024 selection features 19 starred restaurants in total. That’s actually down from 21 last year. It’s a bit of a pruning, if you will. But the quality? Still insane.
The Big Winners: Two Kings and the New Guard
You can't talk about Chicago dining without mentioning Alinea. It’s the permanent resident of the three-star club. Grant Achatz is basically the wizard of Lincoln Park at this point. If you want the "balloon made of sugar" experience, that’s your spot. But the big news for the top tier is Smyth.
Smyth, led by John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, held onto those elusive three stars. It’s a West Loop powerhouse. What makes them different from Alinea is the vibe. It feels a bit more grounded, despite the fact that you're eating world-class, farm-to-table New American food that probably cost more than your monthly car payment.
The Two-Star Standouts
- Ever: Curtis Duffy is back at the top of his game here. It’s precise. It’s architectural. It’s very "The Bear" (minus the screaming, hopefully).
- Oriole: Noah Sandoval is doing things with flavor profiles that honestly shouldn't work but do. It’s hidden in an alley in the West Loop, which adds to the "if you know, you know" energy.
The Biggest Surprise of 2024: Cariño
If there’s one name you need to remember from the 2024 announcement, it’s Cariño.
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Located in Uptown, this place is doing something wildly different. Chef Norman Fenton is running a "taco omakase." Yeah, you heard that right. It’s a Latin-inspired tasting menu that’s ambitious as hell. Think huitlacoche ravioli and lamb tartare tostadas. Michelin gave them their first star this year, and it was the only new star added to the 2024 list.
Most people think Michelin only cares about French techniques or quiet dining rooms. Cariño proves that's a total myth. It’s energetic. It’s in a neighborhood that isn't the West Loop. It’s exactly what Chicago needs.
Why Some Favorites Slipped
It wasn't all celebrations this year. Two big names actually lost a star. Moody Tongue and Omakase Yume both moved from two stars down to one.
Does that mean the food got worse? Probably not. Michelin is notoriously fickle. Sometimes a change in the kitchen staff or just a few "off" nights when an inspector visits can cause a demotion.
Moody Tongue is still a fascinating place—it’s a brewery with a Michelin star, which is a very Chicago thing to happen. Even with one star, it remains a premier destination for people who want to see how high-end beer can actually pair with elite-level food.
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The One-Star Staples You Can Actually Get Into (Maybe)
Chicago has 15 one-star restaurants right now. These are the workhorses of the fine dining scene.
Kasama is the one everyone talks about. Tim Flores and Genie Kwon are the first Filipino restaurant to ever get a star. During the day, it’s a bakery where people wait in line for hours for an ube huckleberry basque cake. At night, it’s a refined tasting menu. They actually won the 2024 Service Award from Michelin, too.
Then you have Indienne. Chef Sujan Sarkar is doing "Progressive Indian" food in River North. It’s colorful, it’s bold, and it’s a refreshing break from the usual New American tasting menus that dominate the guide.
The Rest of the One-Star Crew:
- Galit: Middle Eastern magic in Lincoln Park. Their sommelier, Scott Stroemer, actually won the 2024 Sommelier Award.
- Boka: The OG. It’s been around for over 20 years and still holds its star. That’s impressive longevity in this industry.
- Elske: Scandinavian vibes with a lot of soul.
- Sepia: Located in an old print shop. Very cool, very West Loop.
Don't Sleep on the Bib Gourmands
If you don't want to drop $300 on a dinner, the Bib Gourmand list is where the real value is. These are the "good quality, good value" spots. There are 33 of them in Chicago for 2024.
Daisies in Logan Square is a huge standout here. They also have a "Green Star" for sustainability. Their pasta is legendary. If you see the onion dip on the menu, just order it. Don't think about it.
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Lula Cafe finally getting recognized in recent years was a huge win for the city. It’s the heartbeat of Logan Square. You can go there for brunch or a full-on dinner and it always hits.
How to Actually Navigate This List
Look, checking off Chicago Michelin star restaurants 2024 is a fun hobby if you have the budget, but don't let the stars intimidate you.
- Book early: For places like Alinea or Smyth, you're looking at months in advance. Set alerts on Tock or Resy.
- Try the bar: Some of these spots, like Boka or Sepia, have a la carte menus or bar seating where you can get a taste of the excellence without the four-hour commitment.
- Go for lunch: A few of the Bib Gourmand spots have incredible lunch deals that feel like a steal.
Chicago's dining scene is becoming more diverse and less "stuffy." Whether it's a taco omakase in Uptown or a legendary tasting menu in Lincoln Park, the 2024 guide shows that the city is still one of the best places in the world to eat.
To start your own Chicago food tour, pick one "splurge" restaurant from the starred list—maybe Cariño for something new—and pair it with a visit to a neighborhood staple like Daisies. Make sure to download the Tock and Resy apps, as almost all these high-end spots use them for reservations rather than traditional phone calls. Check for "cancellation" spots on weekdays, which is often the easiest way to snag a table at short notice.