ZipPicks Awards
Best American in West Loop
Best Fine Dining Restaurants in West Loop
Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in West Loop
Best Trendy Restaurants in West Loop
Best Michelin Star Restaurants in West Loop
Best Farm to Table Restaurants in West Loop
Best Tasting Menus in West Loop
Master Critic Review
Smyth
9.2
Smyth is a three-Michelin-star tasting menu restaurant in the West Loop where John Shields and Karen Urie Shields build seasonally driven courses around Midwestern farms. The intimate dining room and highly choreographed service make it one of Chicago’s most serious destination dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dungeness crab with kani miso and foie gras, Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with kelp marmite, Frozen tomato mousse dessert course
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 9.3
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 9.4
What makes it special: Three-Michelin-star tasting menu built around Midwestern farm relationships.
Who should go: Serious diners chasing Chicago’s most ambitious tasting menus.
When to visit: Prime weekend evenings for the full extended experience.
What to order: Chef’s full tasting menu, beverage pairing, dessert progression.
Insider tip: Book well ahead and note dietary needs early—the kitchen tailors courses thoughtfully.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the West Loop is limited; rideshare or nearby paid garages are most reliable.
Dress code: Elevated smart casual to formal; jackets and dresses feel appropriate but not required.
Noise level: Quiet to moderate — easy to carry on conversation throughout the meal.
Weekend wait: Reservations are required and typically book weeks to months in advance.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — tasting menus are served at dinner only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Accommodated with advance notice — the menu can be tailored thoughtfully.
Vegan options: Possible with advance communication, though more limited than vegetarian adjustments.
Gluten-free options: Commonly accommodated with substitutions; notify the team ahead of time.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — if you’re looking for a once-in-a-while, intimate fine-dining experience where the multi-course meal becomes the evening’s focus.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No — reservations are essential and should be booked well in advance.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children; the experience is long, quiet, and prix-fixe. Best suited for adults or teens who enjoy fine dining.
Best For
Better for: Deeply seasonal, expressive tasting menus with warm, highly personalized service at the very top tier of Chicago dining.
Skip if: You prefer à la carte ordering, casual atmospheres, or shorter meals without structured courses.
Hours
MondayClosed
Tuesday5pm - 9pm
Wednesday5pm - 9pm
Thursday5pm - 9pm
Friday5pm - 9pm
Saturday5pm - 9pm
SundayClosed