Innovative dishes crafted with the finest ingredients, impeccable service, and an atmosphere designed to impress—all signs of a world-class restaurant. From a refined Indian destination to a modern Mexican hotspot, that’s exactly what you’ll find when you dine at the best MICHELIN Star restaurants in Chicago.
Contemporary American fare that’s been awarded a MICHELIN star many times over awaits in Lincoln Park. A cozy hygge-inspired stunner dishes up innovative American-Danish mashups in the West Loop. These celebrated spots in Chicago set the standard for culinary excellence.
Plan ahead for an unforgettable meal and reserve your spot at one of these top destinations on OpenTable.
Read on to discover 5 of the best MICHELIN Star restaurants in Chicago.
For seasonal, contemporary American fare in a timeless space — reserve a table at Boka (Lincoln Park)
Acclaimed chef Lee Wolen’s Boka has been serving up some of the city’s best contemporary American fare since 2003. Expect an approachable, refined menu starring hyperlocal ingredients—think black truffle tarajin and slow-roasted beef short rib. Enjoy your meal in the glam dining room dressed with greenery and round black banquettes or on the charming, tree-lined back patio.
For innovative Scandinavian-inspired cuisine in a cozy spot — check out Elske (West Loop)
Elske is a must-visit for innovative American cuisine with Danish influences from wife-and-husband team Anna and David Posey. This MICHELIN-Starred charmer boasts an inviting, minimalistic dining room with clean lines, brick walls, and gorgeous wooden tables, plus a fireplace-decked courtyard with an herb garden. Wherever you sit, prepare to dig into seasonal plates that could include rabbit and chestnut stew or meatballs with kabocha squash, plus pastry chef Anna’s top-tier desserts.
For one of the best MICHELIN Star restaurants in Chicago with Indian cuisine — grab a table at Indienne (River North)
River North favorite Indienne is a destination for romantic and celebratory meals. The MICHELIN-Starred restaurant is known for its refined, seasonal Indian dishes prepared with French techniques. Kolkata-born chef Sujan Sarkar’s elegant tasting menus—including vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options—could include dishes like avocado kebab and butternut manti. Enjoy it all in a restored 19th-century printing warehouse decked with abstract art and crisp white tablecloths.
For top-notch cuisine at a MICHELIN-starred brewery — snag a table at Moody Tongue Brewing Company (South Loop)
Come to Moody Tongue Brewing Company for craft beers paired with refined contemporary American cuisine. Enjoy standouts dishes like a Hokkaido scallop paired with elegant beers like an orange blossom Belgian blonde in an inviting dining room. Or head to the lively bar area with a roaring fireplace to dig into the a la carte menu. Either way, don’t miss the 12-layer German chocolate cake.
For award-winning contemporary American cuisine in a refined setting — ensure your table awaits at Sepia (West Loop)
Sepia is where you go for chef Andrew Zimmerman’s knockout seasonal American tasting menus, which have earned the restaurant consecutive MICHELIN Stars since 2011. Enjoy elegant dishes that could include barbecued sablefish and Rohan duck breast in a space that once housed a 19th-century print shop, complete with exposed brick walls and glittering chandeliers. If you’re drinking, go for the wine pairing—Sepia won Wine Spectator’s 2022 Best of Award of Excellence.
Thanks to its deep culinary heritage, diverse food culture, and innovative chefs, Chicago has a thriving MICHELIN-Starred dining scene. These top-notch restaurants push boundaries with creative tasting menus, hyper-local sourcing, and artistic plating.
Chicago’s best MICHELIN-Starred restaurants fill up quickly due to high demand, so reserve a table ASAP on OpenTable.
