Food is one of the greatest sources of pride in Chicago. We have strong opinions about our deep dish pizza and our hot dogs, but the city can also start a conversation about fine dining. For 2019, the city has 22 restaurants with Michelin stars. Some of these restaurants are the only Michelin star holders in their neighborhoods. For example, Temporis—a 20-seat restaurant and the only new spot to receive a Michelin star this year—is the only starred restaurant in West Town. Likewise, the South Loop (Acadia), Pilsen (Dusek’s), Wicker Park (Schwa), Douglas Park (EL Ideas), Avondale (Parachute), and Ravenswood (Band of Bohemia) have just one Michelin-starred restaurant each. If you looking for a profusion of stars, check out these three neighborhoods. 

Lincoln Park

Alinea photo courtesy of Edsel Little

Lincoln Park has three 2019 Michelin-starred restaurants: Alinea, Boka, and North Pond. Alinea alone makes the neighborhood noteworthy for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience. The restaurant is the only one in the city with three Michelin stars (denoting “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”). The restaurant offers three different dining experiences, each one taking guests through multiple courses that emphasize presentation and culinary experimentation. Boka and North Pond (both with one Michelin star each) are more casual by comparison but hardly your typical eateries. Boka, focused on seasonal American dishes, has more than just Michelin stars to its name. The restaurant has also racked up accolades like the Jean Banchet Awards “Pastry Chef of the Year” and James Beard nominations. North Pond’s menu is all about local and seasonal ingredients. As a bonus, this restaurant has a beautiful waterfront and skyline view.

West Loop

Oriole photo courtesy of Lou Stejskal 

The West Loop takes the cake with six Michelin-starred restaurants—no surprise given the neighborhood’s reputation as a foodie haven. Oriole and Smyth are two of the city’s three restaurants with two Michelin stars, while Blackbird, Elske, Roister, and Sepia each have one Michelin star. Oriole is a small spot with a touch of exclusivity (the restaurant only seats 28 people). The tasting menu is prepared by the restaurant’s owner and executive chef Noah Sandoval. Smyth’s three dining experiences are created by chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields by using local food grown at a farm an hour outside of the city. Blackbird, located on the highly trafficked Randolph Street, serves Midwestern cuisine from a menu built by executive chef Paul Kahan and chef de cuisine Ryan Pfeiffer. Elske, Danish for “love,” has a tasting menu and aesthetic with clear Scandinavian influence. Roister, a restaurant that comes from the Alinea group, melds its kitchen and dining space into one. Diners can watch the menu’s hearty dishes being prepared. Like the name suggests, Sepia draws on the past. The restaurant is in print shop that dates back to the late 1800s and features quite a few vintage touches. Yet, the food still has contemporary flavor. The seasonal lunch and dinner menus have a varied selection of appetizers and entrees that arrange traditional ingredients in creative ways.

Lincoln Square

Elizabeth photo courtesy of Edsel Little

Not all Michelin stars are crowded in and near downtown Chicago. North Side neighborhood Lincoln Square has two restaurants with one Michelin star each: Elizabeth and Goosefoot. Elizabeth’s dishes pay homage to chef Iliana Regan’s farming and foraging upbringing. The food is largely created with seasonal fruits and vegetables, though you’ll still find meat dishes on the menu. Goosefoot, unlike many of the other restaurants that made the Michelin star cut, does not take its inspiration from the Midwest. Instead, this restaurant serves dishes influenced by French cuisine. The multi-course menu includes dishes like scallops, pumpkin soup, and angus beef.