Smyth Chicago

Smyth sits at 177 N Ada St, a short drive from the United Center. The restaurant holds three stars in the 2025 Michelin Guide, ranks no. 89 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and holds no. 58 on La Liste.

The kitchen serves creative, contemporary food that feels more focused than the elaborate tasting menus found closer to the Art Institute of Chicago. While the room runs smart and elegant, it lacks the stifling formality that often accompanies three-star cooking in the city center. Choosing this table over its downtown rivals is a decision to prioritize ingredients over white-tablecloth pageantry; the kitchen relies on the intensity of its produce rather than the weight of its service. If the standard Chicago fine-dining experience often feels like a performance, this is the version that actually rewards your attention.