The Michelin Guide to Chicago 2021

The Michelin Guide has published its 2021 edition for Chicago, with a grand total of 24 restaurants gaining stars, including two new two-star restaurants – Ever and Moody Tongue.

Despite most restaurants remaining closed for the year because of the pandemic, the Michelin Guide has decided to press ahead with its review and awarding of stars, and while some stars in Chicago have fallen from the sky due to permanent closure as a result of the pandemic (including Blackbird, Everest and Band of Bohemia), the addition of a new one-star and two new two-star restaurants is an indication of the wealth of culinary talent at work in the Windy City.

Of course, Grant Achatz’s Alinea remains on top of the food chain as the city’s only three-star establishment. The second tier welcomes Ever - the latest concept from chef Curtis Duffy, formerly of legendary three-star Chicago restaurant Grace - which closed in 2017, and Moody Tongue, a 28-seat restaurant overseen by Jared Wentworth.