Plating details at Alinea
From Scandinavian-inspired fare to French bites, these tasting menus will surely delight. We have scoured Chicago to find the most next-level dining experiences for your next night out, complete with beverage pairings, innovative ingredients, artful plating and more.
See also: The Hottest New Restaurants In Chicago 2024
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1723 N. Halsted St. / Website
With co-owners chef Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas teaming up at one of the world’s best restaurants, there’s no telling what boundary-pushing dishes are ahead. Up the ante and book the Kitchen Table, which offers a front-row seat to all the chef action.
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1729 N. Halsted St. / Website
Boka is a can’t-miss icon helmed by chef Lee Wolen with a daily-evolving tasting menu, fresh seasonal ingredients and masterful presentations. Restaurant enthusiasts are in for a treat with the spot's eight-course dining experience, which can be paired alongside hand-picked wines, reserves or nonalcoholic offerings.
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1350 W. Randolph St. / Website
A sweet Scandinavian-inspired standout from husband-and-wife duo David and Anna Posey, Elske’s seasonal tasting menu deftly pairs farm-fresh produce and clever presentation with artistic verve and plenty of love to go around.
See Also: Every Michelin-Star Restaurant in Chicago
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2200 N. Clark St. / Website
Chef Jenner Tomaska has quickly turned Esme into a Lincoln Park staple. This artful venture reimagines fine dining with an emphasis on community connection. Enjoy a variety of culinary creations, including the Bubble Gum Pop made with fennel curry, squid, hearts of palm and spinach; and the Cloud Maker with chicken, dumplings, truffle, celery root and horseradish.
Ever's scallop, red pepper, hon-shimeji mushroom and ramp dish
1340 W. Fulton St. / Website
Built from the brilliant minds of Michelin-starred chef Curtis Duffy and partner Michael Muser, Ever turns any meal into an unforgettable experience. Diners feast on an eight to ten-course tasting menu, emphasizing proteins from land to sea, seasonal vegetables and more—all complemented by carefully curated wine pairings by the bottle and glass.
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2429 N. Lincoln Ave. / Website
This Middle Eastern restaurant, owned and operated by Andrés Clavero and chef Zachary Engel, is a four-course choose-your-own-adventure dining experience featuring a tasting menu of hummus, salatim, mezze and entrees served over coal, followed by dessert. For their main course, restaurant-goers can try favorites like the butter-poached and grilled lobster, the smoked turkey shawarma and the lamb basteeya.
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1460 W. Chicago Ave. / Website
With an intimate, elevated atmosphere, this West Town hub is known for its Korean-inspired tasting menu. Its offerings span Australian wagyu, seared scallops, beef broth mussels and sweet hi-chew made with makgeolli, honeycomb and mochi.
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177 N. Ada St. / Website
Husband-and-wife chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields have a ton of culinary experience between them, and it shows on every plate of their 10 or so courses on the tasting menu of this chic West Loop resto, which just scored its third Michelin star.
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445 N. Clark St. / Website
James Beard Award-winning chef Rick Bayless has been digging deep into the culinary landscape of Mexico for many years. At sophisticated Topolobampo, he goes even further, offering a tasting menu experience with award-winning wine pairings and reserve spirits.
Delicate plating by chef Noah Sandoval of Oriole
661 W. Walnut St. / Website
From the moment this intimate West Loop spot opened, its 15-course tasting menu earned many fans who can’t get enough of the beautifully crafted dishes of chef Noah Sandoval.
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63 W. Grand Ave. / Website
If you are looking for a next-level dining experience, this place is for you. The Omakase Room at Sushi-San is a 10-seat eatery offering an 18-course omakase experience. Enjoy the meal by master sushi chef Kaze Chan while taking in the impressive design of the space.
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217 W. Huron St. / Website
We called this contemporary Indian spot from chef Sujan Sarkar one of River North’s most exciting new restaurants—and Michelin clearly agreed, bestowing it with its first Michelin star in 2023 and in particular, calling out its tasting menu, “where Sarkar delivers an original, modern vision of Indian cuisine. His food may look like pieces of art but taste like familiar favorites pulled from across his vibrant homeland. At times showcasing a hint of French sensibility, pani puris, chats and curries arrive deftly spiced and elegantly presented. The kitchen is quick, and the overall effect is impressive refinement."
1742 W. Division St. / Website
One of the city’s finest tasting menus can be found at this hidden gem behind South Asian bar and resto Lilac Tiger (formerly Wazwan); chef/owner Zubair Mohajir crafts multiple Indian-inspired tasting menus plus wine/cocktail pairings.
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1466 N. Ashland Ave. / Website
Chef Michael Carlson ensnares the senses at Schwa, presenting a fluid menu of inventive American cuisine. Conversate in a warm, welcoming atmosphere while enjoying artistic dishes—think quail with plum, matsutake and fennel, and wagyu with black garlic, smoked onion and huckleberry. Best of all? It's BYOB.
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2610 N. Cannon Drive / Website
Chef César Murillo’s dedication to farmers means fresh ingredients at this cozy spot. Try the spectacular seasonal tasting menu featuring dishes such as wild-caught Busan crab and red cornmeal crepe with rutabaga variations, citrus beurre blanc, grapefruit segments and guajillo. Enjoy with wine pairings and an ambient view of a shimmering outdoor pond.
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651 S. Washington Blvd., Ste. 101 / Website
Michelin-starred restaurant Omakase Yume takes sushi to the next level. The chef’s omakase tasting experience serves 16 savory courses prepared by legendary chef SangTae Park and customized to each guest’s personal tastes.
See also: The 11 Most Anticipated Chicago Restaurant Openings Of 2024
Photography by: FROM TOP, PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THE ALINEA GROUP; BY MICHAEL MUSER; COURTESY OF ORIOLE; BY THOMAS GAVIN
