Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Michelin Guide ceremony in New York City on Dec. 9, 2024, saw Chicago add one Michelin starred restaurant to its repertoire. Uptown’s Cariño earned a single star within a year of opening. The guide characterizes Cariño as a Mexican and contemporary restaurant, where Chef Norman Fenton’s team offers a tasting menu of tacos with a modernist approach. “Overall, I just feel relieved, and very happy for the team and how hard they worked and what efforts they put into it,” Fenton said.

 

Restaurants with one-star status this year include Atelier, Boka, Cariño, EL Ideas, Elske, Esmé, Galit, Indienne, Kasama, Mako, Moody Tongue, Next, Schwa, Sepia and Topolobampo. Two-star restaurants Oriole and Ever retained their status. Fourteen restaurants in the country have the three-star distinction, including Chicago’s Smyth, which received the three-star designation last year, and long-time Michelin guide darling Alinea. Logan Square’s Daisies again received a Green Star for its sustainable practices.

 

The aguachile is Fenton's most dramatic dish, served with a dry ice chile vapor at the Cariño in Chicago, Aug. 29, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
The aguachile is Fenton's most dramatic dish, served with a dry ice chile vapor at the Cariño in Chicago, Aug. 29, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

 

The suadero taco is soft chunks of beef, cooked in its own fat, atop a radiant supple tortilla, house-made with yellow tuxpeño corn from Chiapas at Cariño, Aug. 29, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
The suadero taco is soft chunks of beef, cooked in its own fat, atop a radiant supple tortilla, house-made with yellow tuxpeño corn from Chiapas at Cariño, Aug. 29, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

 

Diners eat at the chef's counter at Cariño, 4662 N. Broadway in Chicago, on Aug. 29, 2024. The chef gives diners information about ingredients and techniques related to each dish. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
Diners eat at the chef’s counter at Cariño, 4662 N. Broadway in Chicago, on Aug. 29, 2024. The chef gives diners information about ingredients and techniques related to each dish. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
1 star: Atelier
One Michelin star: Chef Christian Hunter at Atelier, 4835 N. Western Ave., on Dec. 6, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: Chef Christian Hunter at Atelier, 4835 N. Western Ave., on Dec. 6, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

 

Fra diavolo pasta with a Sungold Soda cocktail at Atelier on Dec. 6, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Fra diavolo pasta with a Sungold Soda cocktail at Atelier on Dec. 6, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

 

Three Michelin stars: Alinea's co-owners chef Grant Achatz, left, and Nick Kokonas, on April 23, 2015. (Abel Uribe/baiduhai)
Three Michelin stars: Alinea's co-owners chef Grant Achatz, left, and Nick Kokonas, on April 23, 2015. (Abel Uribe/baiduhai)

 

Chicken with Palo Santo, Pineapple and Mezcal at Alinea on July 14, 2016, in Chicago. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai).
Chicken with Palo Santo, Pineapple and Mezcal at Alinea on July 14, 2016, in Chicago. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai).

 

One Michelin star: Chef Lee Wolen at Boka in Chicago in 2020. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: Chef Lee Wolen at Boka in Chicago in 2020. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

 

The crudo at Boka in Chicago in 2020. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
The crudo at Boka in Chicago in 2020. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

 

One Michelin star: Chef Phillip Foss prepares the peas with buttermilk, coppa and lavender at EL Ideas in 2013. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: Chef Phillip Foss prepares the peas with buttermilk, coppa and lavender at EL Ideas in 2013. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

 

Celery root, hazelnut and licorice sweetbreads at EL Ideas in 2013. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
Celery root, hazelnut and licorice sweetbreads at EL Ideas in 2013. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

 

David and Anna Posey at their restaurant Elske on Jan. 18, 2017. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: David and Anna Posey at their restaurant Elske on Jan. 18, 2017. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

 

The sweetbreads at Elske in 2017. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
The sweetbreads at Elske in 2017. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

 

One Michelin star: Jenner Tomaska, seated, and his wife and business partner Katrina Bravo are seen at their Chicago restaurant Esme on Sept. 17, 2021. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: Jenner Tomaska, seated, and his wife and business partner Katrina Bravo are seen at their Chicago restaurant Esme on Sept. 17, 2021. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
The Bean Bowl is featured on the menu at the Chicago restaurant Esme. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
The Bean Bowl is featured on the menu at the Chicago restaurant Esme. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
2 stars: Ever
Two Michelin stars: Chef/owner Curtis Duffy at Ever on Aug. 27, 2020, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
John J. Kim/baiduhai
Two Michelin stars: Chef/owner Curtis Duffy at Ever on Aug. 27, 2020, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

 

Ever chef/owner Curtis Duffy pours a glaze onto a dish called Lamb, with coffee, fennel and yarrow. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Ever chef/owner Curtis Duffy pours a glaze onto a dish called Lamb, with coffee, fennel and yarrow. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

 

One Michelin star: Chef Zach Engel, left, and general manager Andres Clavero on June 12, 2019, at Galit. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
Chef Zach Engel, left, and general manager Andres Clavero on June 12, 2019, at Galit. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
The carrots with cumin-orange glaze, Bulgarian feta and hazelnut duqqa at Galit in 2019. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
The carrots with cumin-orange glaze, Bulgarian feta and hazelnut duqqa at Galit in 2019. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

 

More Top Picks Best Dehumidifiers For Basement

1 star: Indienne
One Michelin star: Chef Sujan Sarkar at his restaurant Indienne on West Huron Street in Chicago on Jan. 12, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhai
One Michelin star: Chef Sujan Sarkar at his restaurant Indienne on West Huron Street in Chicago on Jan. 12, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

 

The lamb dish at Indienne in Chicago on Jan. 12, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
The lamb dish at Indienne in Chicago on Jan. 12, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

 

One Michelin star: Tim Flores, left, and Genie Kwon of Kasama walk the red carpet while attending the James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 5, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: Tim Flores, left, and Genie Kwon of Kasama walk the red carpet while attending the James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 5, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

 

The caviar at Kasama on Dec. 9, 2021. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
The caviar at Kasama on Dec. 9, 2021. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

 

One Michelin star: Chef B.K. Park prepares eel in the open kitchen at Mako on Nov. 21, 2019, in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: Chef B.K. Park prepares eel in the open kitchen at Mako on Nov. 21, 2019, in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

 

The sashimi at Mako includes kinmedai, shima aji, manakatsuo and chutoro on Nov. 21, 2019. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
The sashimi at Mako includes kinmedai, shima aji, manakatsuo and chutoro on Nov. 21, 2019. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

 

One Michelin star: Chef Jared Wentworth, left, and brewmaster Jared Rouben at Moody Tongue on April 28, 2021, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: Chef Jared Wentworth, left, and brewmaster Jared Rouben at Moody Tongue on April 28, 2021, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

 

Maine lobster, paired with pressed Asian pear saison, at Moody Tongue in Chicago on Jan. 28, 2020. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Maine lobster, paired with pressed Asian pear saison, at Moody Tongue in Chicago on Jan. 28, 2020. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

 

One Michelin star: At Next restaurant in 2016, owner and chef Grant Achatz, center, is flanked by then executive chef Jenner Tomaska, left, and then chef de cuisine, Ed Tinoco, chef de cuisine, right, as they work together in the kitchen. (Chris Walker/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: At Next restaurant in 2016, owner and chef Grant Achatz, center, is flanked by then executive chef Jenner Tomaska, left, and then chef de cuisine, Ed Tinoco, chef de cuisine, right, as they work together in the kitchen. (Chris Walker/baiduhai)

 

The Hollywood menu at Next restaurant featured "Gone with the Caviar" movie themed food in 2017. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)
The Hollywood menu at Next restaurant featured "Gone with the Caviar" movie themed food in 2017. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)
Two Michelin stars: Oriole general manager Cara Sandoval, left, and chef Noah Sandoval in the private dining room at Oriole on June 9, 2021, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Two Michelin stars: Oriole general manager Cara Sandoval, left, and chef Noah Sandoval in the private dining room at Oriole on June 9, 2021, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

 

Max Fisher, left, and Riley Brown work together to tie fish into a tube for steaming at Oriole on June 9, 2021. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Max Fisher, left, and Riley Brown work together to tie fish into a tube for steaming at Oriole on June 9, 2021. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

 

One Michelin star: A dish with beets at Schwa on Ashland Avenue in 2006. (Alex Garcia/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: A dish with beets at Schwa on Ashland Avenue in 2006. (Alex Garcia/baiduhai)

 

One Michelin star: Sepia's chef Andrew Zimmerman, left, and members of Sepia restaurant walk the red carpet at the James Beard Awards at on June 5, 2023, in Chicago. Alex Ring, of Sepia, won Michelin's Sommelier Award for 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: Sepia's chef Andrew Zimmerman, left, and members of Sepia restaurant walk the red carpet at the James Beard Awards at on June 5, 2023, in Chicago. Alex Ring, of Sepia, won Michelin's Sommelier Award for 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

 

Halibut, morels, white asparagus, spring onions and brioche at Sepia on June 20, 2018. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/baiduhai)
Halibut, morels, white asparagus, spring onions and brioche at Sepia on June 20, 2018. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/baiduhai)

 

Three Michelin stars: Chefs and owners John Shields and Karen Urie Shields at Smyth and The Loyalist at 177 N. Ada St. in Chicago in 2016. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)
Three Michelin stars: Chefs and owners John Shields and Karen Urie Shields at Smyth and The Loyalist at 177 N. Ada St. in Chicago in 2016. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)

 

Charred octopus with shishito and shelling beans at Smyth and The Loyalist in 2016. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)
Charred octopus with shishito and shelling beans at Smyth and The Loyalist in 2016. (Zbigniew Bzdak/baiduhai)

 

One Michelin star: Chef Rick Bayless, owner of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, on Nov. 25, 2020, in Chicago. (Abel Uribe/baiduhai)
One Michelin star: Chef Rick Bayless, owner of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, on Nov. 25, 2020, in Chicago. (Abel Uribe/baiduhai)

 

"Wonder, All's Right" is the fourth dish of a seven course art menu inspired by painter Filemon Santiago at Topolobampo, June 17, 2015. (Abel Uribe/baiduhai)
"Wonder, All's Right" is the fourth dish of a seven course art menu inspired by painter Filemon Santiago at Topolobampo, June 17, 2015. (Abel Uribe/baiduhai)