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Tasting $135 (à la carte)MexicanChef Rick Bayless
Topolobampo in Chicago is Rick Bayless's Michelin-starred Mexican fine-dining room at 445 N Clark Street, with menus that rotate every six weeks by region.
Book60 days ahead
TipFriday slots open 60 days out and disappear inside an hour. Set a 09:00 alarm for the exact 60-day mark.
Boka 1 ★ ★ 4.1
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Tasting $135-185New AmericanChef Lee Wolen
Boka in Chicago is Lee Wolen's Michelin-starred dining room beside Alinea on Halsted, with a quiet garden courtyard and a brined whole-roast chicken for two.
Book21 days ahead
TipBook the garden room in summer. It is one of the prettiest outdoor dining rooms in the city.
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Tasting $110-145NordicChef David and Anna Posey
Elske in Chicago is David and Anna Posey's Michelin-starred Randolph Street dining room with Danish influences, restrained plating, and a small front-yard.
Book14 days ahead
TipThe Aquavit pairings are the room's secret weapon. Ask Anna for the by-the-glass walk.
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Tasting $185-285Tasting menuChef Grant Achatz, Dave Beran (alumnus)
Next in Chicago is the Achatz-Kokonas Fulton Market tasting menu that changes theme every season, from Childhood to Sicily to Vegan to Trio.
Book60 days ahead
TipTickets, not reservations: you buy by season on Tock, and they sell out the morning they drop.
Mako 1 ★ ★ 4.2
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Tasting $185Japanese sushiChef B.K. Park
Mako in Chicago is B.K. Park's Michelin-starred 22-seat omakase counter at 731 W Lake Street in the West Loop, with fish flown twice weekly from Toyosu.
Book21 days ahead
TipSit at the wood corner of the counter, closest to the rice cooker; the timing of the nigiri is sharpest there.
Esmé 1 ★ ★ 4.1
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Tasting $185Tasting menuChef Jenner Tomaska
Esmé in Chicago is Jenner Tomaska's Michelin-starred Lincoln Park tasting menu, themed seasonally around a guest artist whose work runs on the plates.
Book30 days ahead
TipSit at the chef's counter for the longer between-course explanations of the current theme.