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 2016 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 $18
– Dinner appetizers: $8 to $28
– Dinner entrées: $16 to $50
Prix fixe:
– None
Dusek’s (American, 1 star, lunch weekdays, brunch weekends, dinner and late night daily)
1227 W. 18th Street (Pilsen)
312.526.3851
À la carte:
– Brunch entrées: $9 to $17
– Lunch entrées: $9 to $15
– Dinner appetizers: $6 to $25
– Dinner entrées: $15 to $55
Prix fixe:
– None
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 $17
– Lunch entrées: $15 to $20
– Dinner appetizers: $12 to $17
– Dinner entrées: $24 to $39
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: $12 to $19
– Entrées: $22 to $39
Prix fixe:
– $115 for 7-course tasting menu
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: $17 to $28
– Brunch appetizers: $12 to $26
– Brunch entrées: $15 to $28
– Lunch appetizers: $12 to $19
– Lunch entrées: $13 to $30
– Dinner appetizers: $12 to $26
– Dinner entrées: $22 to $54
Prix fixe:
– $24 to $45 for various breakfast menus
– $30 for 2-course lunch menu
Spiaggia (Italian, 1 star, dinner only daily)
980 N. Michigan Avenue, 2nd floor (Gold Coast)
312.280.2750 (reservations recommended)
À la carte:
– Appetizers: $19 to $50
– Entrées: $25 to $135
Prix fixe:
– $100 for 5-course tasting menu
– $165 for 8-course tasting menu
North Pond (contemporary American, 1 star, dinner Tuesday-Sunday, brunch Sunday)
2610 N. Cannon Drive (Lincoln Park)
773.477.5845 (reservations recommended)
Attire: business casual
À la carte:
– Dinner appetizers: $15 to $18
– Dinner entrées: $37 to $43
Prix fixe:
– $35 for 3-course brunch
– $95 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 $22
– Dinner appetizers: $12 to $19
– Dinner entrées: $32 to $42
Prix fixe:
– $25 for 3-course lunch menu
– $120 for multi-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:
– Lunch appetizers: $3 to $25
– Lunch entrées: $12 to $21
– Dinner appetizers: $5 to $34
– Dinner entrées: $25 to $59
Prix fixe:
– $18 for 2-course lunch menu
Parachute (Korean/American, 1 star, dinner only Tuesday-Saturday)
3500 N. Elston Avenue (Avondale)
773.654.1460
À la carte:
– Appetizers: $2.75 to $7
– Shared plates: $10 to $23
Prix fixe:
– $65 for chef’s menu (only for parties of 5-6)
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 build-your-own 5-course dinner menu
– $120 for 7-course dinner tasting menu
Elizabeth (New Gatherer, 1 star, dinner only Tuesday-Sunday, brunch select Sundays)
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:
– $35 for Casual Sunday dinner menu
– $45 for brunch menu
– $75 to $195 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
Acadia (contemporary American, 2 stars, dinner only Wednesday-Sunday)
1639 S. Wabash Avenue (South Loop)
312.360.9500 (reservations recommended)
À la carte:
– Available at bar only; dishes range from $14 to $75
Prix fixe:
– $100 to $125 for 5-course tasting menu
– $150 to $185 for 8-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 6-course tasting menu
– $158 for 8-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:
– $130 for 11-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:
– $155 to $175 for 13-15-course tasting menu
Sixteen (contemporary American, 2 stars, breakfast daily, lunch Monday-Saturday, brunch Sunday, dinner Tuesday-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: $21 to $46
– Lunch items available à la carte
Prix fixe:
– $44 for 2-course lunch
– $56 for 3-course lunch
– $78 for 6-course lunch tasting menu
– $70 for Sunday brunch ($25 for children 8 and younger)
– $160 for 3-course dinner menu
– $175 for 4-course dinner menu
– $245 for chef’s selection dinner 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:
– $166 for multi-course chef’s tasting menu (mandatory $33.20 service charge to be added per guest)
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:
– $195 for multi-course tasting menu (additional 20% service fee to be added per person)
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:
– $175 to $225 for 10-14 course tasting menu
– $295 to $345 for 16-18-course tasting menu (depending on time and day)
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:
– $235 for 8-12-course tasting menu
*Moto was awarded 1 Michelin star for 2016, but it has since closed
Banner photo: Alaskan king crab with kalamansi, cucumber and lemon mint from Grace.
Credit: Anthony Tahlier.
