Need a special restaurant for a celebration or work event in Chicago, but have to be mindful of a budget? We look at the city’s 2015 Michelin-starred restaurants and rank them by price based on average à la carte dinner entrée price, or by lowest prix fixe dinner price if à la carte is not an option. Note that these costs are accurate at the time of writing; many of these restaurants offer ever-changing menus based on the season or even the day. Prix fixe amounts are per person. Any special reservation, attire and BYOB guidelines are indicated.
Longman & Eagle (regional American, 1 star, brunch and dinner daily)
2657 N. Kedzie Avenue (Logan Square)
773.276.7110 (reservations not accepted)
À la carte:
– Brunch entrées: $8 to $17
– Dinner appetizers: $8 to $19
– Dinner entrées: $15 to $34
Prix fixe:
– None
Acadia (contemporary American, 1 star, dinner only Wednesday-Sunday)
1639 S. Wabash Avenue (South Loop)
312.360.9500 (reservations recommended)
À la carte:
– Appetizers: $12 to $20
– Entrées: $28 to $38
Prix fixe:
– $150 for 8-course chef’s tasting menu
Sepia (contemporary American, 1 star, lunch weekdays, dinner daily)
123 N. Jefferson Street (River West)
312.441.1920 (reservations recommended)
À la carte:
– Lunch appetizers: $9 to $15
– Lunch entrées: $15 to $27
– Dinner appetizers: $13 to $17
– Dinner entrées: $28 to $38
Prix fixe:
– None
Boka (contemporary American, 1 star, dinner only daily)
1729 N. Halsted Street (Lincoln Park)
312.337.6070 (reservations recommended)
À la carte:
– Appetizers: $10 to $17
– Entrées: $22 to $41
Prix fixe:
– None
The Lobby (contemporary American, 1 star, breakfast daily, brunch Sunday, lunch Monday-Saturday, afternoon tea and dinner daily)
The Peninsula Chicago, 108 E. Superior Street (River North)
312.573.6695 (reservations recommended)
Attire: smart casual
À la carte:
– Breakfast entrées: $11 to $28
– Lunch appetizers: $12 to $35
– Lunch entrées: $13 to $37
– Dinner appetizers: $11 to $31
– Dinner entrées: $22 to $48
Prix fixe:
– $24 to $44 for various breakfast menus
North Pond (contemporary American, 1 star, dinner Wednesday-Sunday, brunch Sunday)
2610 N. Cannon Drive (Lincoln Park)
773.477.5845 (reservations recommended)
Attire: business casual
À la carte:
– Dinner appetizers: $13 to $18
– Dinner entrées: $36 to $40
Prix fixe:
– $34 for 3-course brunch
– $90 for 5-course tasting menu
Blackbird (Midwestern/American, 1 star, lunch weekdays, dinner daily)
619 W. Randolph Street (River West)
312.715.0708 (reservations recommended)
À la carte:
– Lunch appetizers: $7 to $14
– Lunch entrées: $13 to $17
– Dinner appetizers: $14 to $26
– Dinner entrées: $30 to $44
Prix fixe:
– $25 for 3-course lunch menu
– $120 for 8-course dinner tasting menu
NAHA (American/Mediterranean, 1 star, lunch weekdays, dinner Monday-Saturday)
500 N. Clark Street (River North)
312.321.6242 (reservations recommended)
À la carte:
– Dinner appetizers: $12 to $27
– Dinner entrées: $35 to $55
Prix fixe:
– $25 for 3-course lunch menu
– $135 for approx. 7-course tasting menu (+$60 for wine pairings)
Spiaggia (Italian, 1 star, dinner only daily)
980 N. Michigan Avenue, 2nd floor (Gold Coast)
312.280.2750 (reservations recommended)
À la carte:
– Appetizers: $22 to $25
– Entrées: $25 to $68
Prix fixe:
– $165 for 6-course tasting menu (+70 for black truffles served with each course)
Topolobampo (Mexican, 1 star, lunch Tuesday-Friday, dinner Tuesday-Saturday)
445 N. Clark Street (River North)
312.661.1434 (reservations recommended 8-10 weeks in advance)
À la carte:
– Lunch appetizers: $9.75 to $44
– Lunch entrées: $17 to $29.50
Prix fixe:
– $25 for 3-course lunch
– $55 for 3-course dinner
– $90 for 5-course build your own dinner menu
– $120 for 7-course dinner tasting menu
Elizabeth (New Gatherer, 1 star, dinner only Tuesday-Saturday)
4835 N. Western Avenue, Unit D (Lincoln Square)
773.681.0651 (reservations required and must be purchased online in advance)
À la carte:
– None
Prix fixe:
– $85 to $150 for multi-course tasting menu (number of courses and cost vary depending on the day)
Everest (French, 1 star, dinner only Tuesday-Saturday)
440 S. LaSalle Street, 40th floor (The Loop)
312.663.8920
À la carte:
– None
Prix fixe:
– $94 for 3-course menu
– $120 for 4-course menu
– $120 for 7-course vegetarian tasting menu
– $165 for 7-course tasting menu
Schwa (contemporary American, 1 star, dinner only Tuesday-Saturday)
1466 N. Ashland Avenue (Wicker Park)
773.252.1466 (reservations required)
BYOB
À la carte:
– None
Prix fixe:
– $110 for 9-course menu
Moto (Asian, 1 star, dinner only Tuesday-Saturday)
945 W. Fulton Market (West Loop)
312.491.0088 (reservations required)
À la carte:
– None
Prix fixe:
– $125 for 8-course tasting menu (only available Tuesday-Thursday)
– $175 for 16-course tasting menu
Tru (French, 1 star, dinner only Tuesday-Saturday)
676 N. St. Clair Street (River North)
312.202.0001 (reservations recommended)
Attire: jackets required for men (ties optional)
À la carte:
– None
Prix fixe:
– $125 for 7-course tasting menu
– $158 for 9-course tasting menu
Goosefoot (contemporary American, 1 star, dinner only Wednesday-Saturday)
2656 W. Lawrence Avenue (Lincoln Square)
773.942.7547 (reservations required)
BYOB ($10 per person corkage fee)
À la carte:
– None
Prix fixe:
– $135 for 9-course tasting menu
EL Ideas (contemporary American, 1 star, dinner only Tuesday-Saturday)
2419 W. 14th Street (Douglas Park)
312.226.8144 (reservations required and must be purchased in advance; contact reservations@elideas.com)
BYOB
À la carte:
– None
Prix fixe:
– $145 for approx. 13-course tasting menu
42 grams (contemporary American, 2 stars, dinner only Wednesday-Sunday)
4662 N. Broadway Street (Uptown)
info@42gramschicago.com (reservations required and must be purchased online in advance)
BYOB
À la carte:
– None
Prix fixe:
– $185 for approx. 11-course tasting menu
Sixteen (contemporary American, 2 stars, breakfast and dinner daily, lunch Monday-Saturday, brunch Sunday)
Chicago Trump International Hotel & Tower, 401 N. Wabash Avenue (River North)
312.588.8030 (reservations recommended)
Attire: business casual
À la carte:
– Breakfast entrées: $14 to $36
– Lunch appetizers: $18 to $20
– Lunch entrées: $30 to $37
Prix fixe:
– $44 for 2-course lunch
– $56 for 3-course lunch
– $78 for 6-course lunch tasting menu
– $70 for Sunday brunch ($35 for children 8 and younger)
– $190 for 4-course dinner menu
Grace (progressive American, 3 stars, dinner only Tuesday-Saturday)
652 W. Randolph Street (West Loop)
312.234.9494 (reservations recommended and accepted up to 2 months in advance)
Attire: business casual
À la carte:
– None
Prix fixe:
– $205 for 8-12-course tasting menu
Alinea (molecular gastronomy, 3 stars, dinner only Wednesday-Sunday)
1723 N. Halsted Street (Lincoln Park)
312.867.0110 (reservations required and must be purchased online up to 2 months in advance)
À la carte:
– None
Prix fixe:
– $210 to $275 for 14-20-course tasting menu (depending on time and day)
*L2O, Senza and Takashi were awarded Michelin stars for 2015, but have since permanently closed.
Banner photo: Alaskan king crab with kalamansi, cucumber and lemon mint from Grace.
Credit: Anthony Tahlier.
