Best 10 Celebrity Chef Restaurants in Chicago

Celebrity Chef Restaurants Chicago: 3 Key Takeaways

• Alinea tops Chicago’s dining scene with 3 Michelin stars and meals reaching up to $500 per person.
• Frontera Grill proves world-class dining doesn’t have to break the bank, with dishes starting around $50.
• All 10 restaurants are helmed by celebrity Chefs delivering unforgettable meals across cuisines and budgets.

Celebrity Chef Restaurants Chicago offer more than just fine dining - they’re culinary destinations led by world-famous Chefs redefining the city’s food scene. 

From avant-garde plates at Alinea to soulful Southern dishes at Virtue, these 10 hotspots deliver unforgettable flavors at every price point.

1. Alinea by Grant Achatz

Chef Grant Achatz’s Alinea, famed for its theatrical presentations, is Chicago’s premier dining experience, boasting three Michelin stars. 

Expect innovative dishes like Edible Balloons and Black Truffle Explosion.

A meal typically costs $350 to $500 per person.

Reservations: Alinea

2. Girl & the Goat by Stephanie Izard

Chef Stephanie Izard’s Girl & the Goat combines bold flavors and eclectic dishes in a lively atmosphere. 

Favorites include Wood Oven Roasted Pig Face and Goat Empanadas.

Expect to spend $75 to $120 per guest.

Reservations: Girl & the Goat

3. RPM Steak by Doug Psaltis, Bill and Giuliana Rancic

RPM Steak, co-owned by Doug Psaltis and the Rancics, is a modern steakhouse serving prime cuts like Wagyu Beef and innovative sides.

Dining typically costs around $100 to $200 per person.

Reservations: RPM Steak

4. Monteverde by Sarah Grueneberg

Chef Sarah Grueneberg’s Monteverde celebrates modern Italian cuisine, featuring handmade pastas and dishes like Ragu Alla Napoletana.

Meals average between $80 to $140 per guest.

Reservations: Monteverde

5. Frontera Grill by Rick Bayless

Chef Rick Bayless’s iconic Frontera Grill delivers vibrant Mexican flavors with dishes like Carne Asada and Mole Poblano.

Expect to spend around $50 to $100 per person.

Reservations: Frontera Grill

6. The Purple Pig by Jimmy Bannos Jr.

Chef Jimmy Bannos Jr.'s The Purple Pig brings Mediterranean-inspired dishes to life, offering creative small plates like Milk Braised Pork Shoulder.

Average dining cost is between $60 to $120 per person.

Reservations: The Purple Pig

7. Smyth by John Shields

Chef John Shields’s Smyth delivers seasonal tasting menus highlighting ingredients from local farms, featuring dishes like Oyster with Sea Lettuce.

Expect to pay $225 to $350 per guest.

Reservations: Smyth

8. Avec by Paul Kahan

Avec, led by acclaimed chef Paul Kahan, blends Mediterranean and Midwestern flavors. 

Diners enjoy dishes such as Chorizo-Stuffed Medjool Dates and Whole Roasted Fish.

Meals typically range from $50 to $100 per person.

Reservations: Avec

9. The Publican by Paul Kahan

Another standout by chef Paul Kahan, The Publican focuses on pork, oysters, and beer. 

Notable dishes include Farm Chicken with Summer Sausage and Whole Roasted Pig.

Dining costs range from $70 to $120 per guest.

Reservations: The Publican

10. Virtue by Erick Williams

Chef Erick Williams’s Virtue celebrates Southern American cooking, showcasing dishes like Shrimp and Grits and Fried Green Tomatoes.

Expect to spend $60 to $120 per person.

Reservations: Virtue