Smyth
In Residence
Christopher Gerber
Managing Director
- 01CuisineModern American Tasting Menu
- 02CityChicago, United States
- 03RecognitionThree Michelin Stars
From the people index
Recommended by
5 trusted voices point here.
- 3 Michelin Stars · Michelin Guide
- World's 50 Best · #1 · World's 50 Best Restaurants
- La Liste Top Restaurants: 95pts · 2026
- Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #15 · 2026
- World's 50 Best North America's Best Restaurants #1 · 2026
- Star Wine List · 2026
- We're Smart World 2 Radishes · 2025
- World's 50 Best North America's Best Restaurants #4 · 2025
- The Best Chef Two Knives · 2025
- La Liste Top Restaurants: 95.5pts · 2025
- Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #5 · 2025
- AAA 5 Diamond · 2025
- Michelin 3 Stars · 2025
- Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #6 · 2024
Smyth is a Chicago restaurant serving Progressive American, Contemporary cuisine. The verified listing identifies John Shields as chef/owner, places the restaurant in the $$$$ price category, and describes its approach as inventive dining with a progressive farm-to-table point of view.
Within Chicago's higher-end contemporary dining landscape, Smyth can be considered alongside Oriole, Schwa, Ever, Elske, and Swift & Sons, though each restaurant offers a different expression of dining in the city. Smyth's verified identity is centered on Progressive American, Contemporary cooking rather than a broader or more specific unverified format.
Farm-to-table cooking after the slogan wore out
The strongest verified description of Smyth is its inventive, progressive farm-to-table approach. That gives the restaurant a clear place within American contemporary dining without requiring unsupported claims about particular farms, dishes, service formats, beverage programs, or menu structure.
John Shields is the verified chef/owner. Beyond that, the available verified data does not establish additional named kitchen leadership, founding details, seating counts, specific menu items, pairing options, or a particular dining-room format. The safest way to read Smyth is as a high-end Chicago restaurant defined by Progressive American, Contemporary cuisine and a farm-to-table sensibility.
The restaurant's $$$$ price category also matters. Smyth sits in a luxury bracket, so it is best approached as a planned dinner rather than a casual stop. Its verified hours are dinner hours only: Tuesday through Saturday from 5–9 pm, with Monday and Sunday closed.
Dress code is listed as smart casual. Diners should plan for a polished Chicago dinner setting while avoiding assumptions about any more specific formality requirements not included in the verified listing.
Where Smyth fits in Chicago's high-end dining landscape
Chicago has a deep field of ambitious restaurants, and Smyth belongs in the conversation for diners seeking a contemporary, high-end expression of American cooking. Its verified cuisine labels are Progressive American and Contemporary, and its verified description emphasizes invention and a progressive farm-to-table approach.
Comparison helps, but only at a broad level. Elske, Ever, Oriole, Schwa, Swift & Sons, and Smyth all serve diners looking for serious Chicago restaurant experiences, yet they should not be treated as interchangeable. Smyth's distinguishing verified features are its cuisine category, its $$$$ price level, John Shields' role as chef/owner, and its farm-to-table recognition.
Because no verified data here confirms a specific menu format, course count, wine program, room layout, or service style, the most accurate framing is deliberately restrained. Smyth is a high-end Chicago restaurant for Progressive American, Contemporary cooking, not a page that should rest on unverified details.
For diners choosing among Chicago restaurants, the practical facts are direct: Smyth is in Chicago, serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5–9 pm, is closed Sunday and Monday, carries a $$$$ price category, and lists smart casual dress.
How to think about the meal before choosing it
Smyth is well suited to diners seeking an expensive, contemporary Chicago dinner built around Progressive American cooking. The verified record supports a farm-to-table emphasis and an inventive approach, but it does not confirm specific dishes, beverage pairings, tasting-menu length, allergy accommodations, takeout, delivery, or lunch service.
That distinction is important. If you are comparing Smyth with another Chicago option such as Oriole, Schwa, Ever, Elske, or Swift & Sons, the decision should be based on the kind of evening you want and the information the restaurant currently makes available, not on unsupported assumptions about format or accolades.
The hours also shape planning. Smyth is listed as open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5–9 pm, and closed Monday and Sunday. No verified lunch hours are listed.
For attire, smart casual is the verified guidance. For price expectations, $$$$ is the verified category. For cuisine, the verified labels are Progressive American and Contemporary.
In short, Smyth's grounded appeal is clear without embellishment: a Chicago restaurant led by John Shields, positioned at the high end of the market, and recognized for inventive dining with a progressive farm-to-table approach.
Questions
Frequently asked
What recognition does Smyth hold?
Smyth holds 3 Michelin stars and a place on the World's 50 Best list at number 1.
Who works at Smyth?
Made By profiles Christopher Gerber (Director of Operations and Partner), John Shields (Co-Owner and Co-Founder) and Karen Urie Shields (Executive Pastry Chef) at Smyth.
How expensive is Smyth?
Smyth is listed at a price level of $$$$.
Where is Smyth and what does it serve?
Smyth is in West Loop, Chicago, serving Modern American Tasting Menu.
The field
How it compares
| Place | Awards | Cuisine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smyth | Michelin 3 Stars, World's 50 Best #1 | Modern American Tasting Menu | West Loop, $$$$ |
| Alinea | Michelin 3 Stars, World's 50 Best | Avant-Garde Molecular Gastronomy | Chicago |
| Asador Bastian | · | Basque-Inspired Steakhouse | Chicago |
| Ever | Michelin 2 Stars | Modern American Fine Dining | Chicago |
| Kasama | Michelin 2 Stars, World's 50 Best | Modern Filipino | Chicago |
| Kumiko | · | Japanese Dining Bar | Chicago |
| Oriole | Michelin 2 Stars | Modern French-Japanese Tasting Menu | Chicago |
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