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 market.
Tip: Sit at the wood corner of the counter, closest to the rice cooker; the timing of the nigiri is sharpest there.
Address: 731 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661
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 and walls.
Tip: Sit at the chef's counter for the longer between-course explanations of the current theme.
Atelier in Chicago is the Michelin-starred tasting-menu room that moved to a 36-seat Lincoln Square space on Western Avenue in October 2025 under chef Bradyn Kawcak.
Tip: Book the early seating at 17:30. The pace is the most relaxed of the night and the chef visits each table.
Alinea in Chicago is Grant Achatz's three-Michelin-star Lincoln Park dining room, the original American modernist tasting menu since 2005 at 1723 N Halsted Street.
Tip: Salon is the shortest flow and the easiest to book; Kitchen Table is the deepest dive into the menu.
Smyth in Chicago is the two-Michelin-star West Loop tasting menu from John and Karen Shields, paired with The Loyalist downstairs and produce from their own farm.
Tip: Ask for the wine-pairing 'reserve' option if you have a long evening; the cellar lists a deep run of Burgundy.
Oriole in Chicago is Noah Sandoval's two-Michelin-star tasting menu room at 661 W Walnut Street, a 28-seat West Loop room with strong caviar service.
Tip: The wine pairings lean Germanic and Austrian. Ask by region, not by tier; the value is on the long-pour bottles.
Ever in Chicago is Curtis Duffy's two-Michelin-star Fulton Market tasting menu, opened in 2020 after he left Grace, with rigorous service and quiet plating.
Tip: Sit at the chef's counter if it is offered at booking; the view of the pass is the room's best seat.
