MICHELIN Stars Announced for 2018; 25 Chicago Establishments Make the List

The highly anticipated MICHELIN Guide Chicago goes on sale next Thursday, but the star selections were announced today. Twenty five restaurants have made the list, two of them of the highest distinction at 3 stars - longtime recipients Alinea and Grace. There is one newcomer among the four two-starred restaurants, Smyth, in the West Loop.

Nineteen places have been designated at one star with two of them new to the list, Elske and Entente. Read on for the full press release and list of Chicago recipients.


Smyth Earns Two Stars in New Selection MICHELIN Guide Chicago

CHICAGO, Oct. 20, 2017 – Michelin today announced its highly anticipated annual star selections for the eighth edition of the MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2018.

This year’s selection highlights 25 establishments that have been awarded one or more Michelin stars. Alinea and Grace, respectively led by chefs Grant Achatz and Curtis Duffy retain three stars, the highest recognition offered by the guide. 

The restaurant Smyth located in West Loop, earns two stars for 2018. Owned by the talented husband and wife John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, Smyth, which can be found upstairs from the dual concept Smyth & the Loyalist, offers a unique and inventive cuisine. 

“Chefs John and Karen Shields have remarkable resumes at the best restaurants across the country. But what they have built in their own kitchen is even more remarkable,” said Michael Ellis, international director of the MICHELIN Guide. “Anchored by quality produce from The Farm, dining at Smyth is a naturally delicious and beautiful experience.”

In total, there are four restaurants awarded two stars in the MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2018. Among them, Sixteen, located in River North, retains its two-star distinction after a change in the kitchen. The new Chef Nick Dostal has taken the menu in a new direction with influences of France, Italy and Asia.

Chicago is home to 19 one-starred restaurants, of which two are new: Elske and Entente.

Danish for “love,” Elske is the newly opened venture of husband-and-wife team chefs David and Anna Posey. Both have experience at Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago, and together they have created a unique and striking experience in the West Loop, mixing Scandinavian and contemporary American influences.

At Entente, which means “friendly understanding,” guests are invited to a service of high quality food and delectable cocktails. Chef Brian Fisher unites with pastry chef Mari Katsumura and owner Ty Fujimura for a creative yet classic menu that changes based on inspiration and input from the team.

The MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2018 goes on sale Oct. 26 at a suggested retail price of $18.99. 

Chicago MICHELIN Guide 2018 Starred Establishments

Three Stars

Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey

ESTABLISHMENT	AREA	CHEF
Alinea	Lincoln Park & Old Town	Grant Achatz
Grace	West Loop	Curtis Duffy

Two Stars

Excellent cuisine, worth a detour

ESTABLISHMENT	AREA	NEW
Acadia	Chinatown & South
Oriole	West Loop
Sixteen	River North
Smyth	West Loop	NEW

One Star

High quality cooking, worth a stop

ESTABLISHMENT	AREA	NEW
Band of Bohemia	Andersonville, Edgewater & Uptown
Blackbird	West Loop
Boka	Lincoln Park & Old Town
Dusek's (Board & Beer)	Pilsen, University Village & Bridgeport
EL Ideas	Pilsen, University Village & Bridgeport
Elizabeth	Andersonville, Edgewater & Uptown
Elske	West Loop	NEW
Entente	Lakeview & Wrigleyville	NEW
Everest	Loop
Goosefoot	Andersonville, Edgewater & Uptown
GreenRiver	Loop
NAHA	River North
North Pond	Lincoln Park & Old Town
Parachute	Humboldt Park & Logan Square
Roister	West Loop
Schwa	Bucktown & Wicker Park
Sepia	West Loop
Spiaggia	Gold Coast
Topolobampo	River North