
Next Restaurant
RESTAURANT SUMMARY

Where theatrical innovation meets gastronomic mastery, Next Restaurant Chicago stands as the world's most audacious fine dining concept, completely reinventing itself every three months under the visionary direction of James Beard Award-winning chef Grant Achatz. This isn't merely a restaurant—it's a culinary time machine that transports diners through history, geography, and imagination.
Since opening in 2011 in Chicago's vibrant Fulton Market district, Next has revolutionized the fine dining landscape with its unprecedented commitment to total transformation. Each season brings an entirely new identity: Ancient Rome's imperial feasts, Paris 1906's belle époque elegance, or homages to legendary establishments like el Bulli. Chef Achatz, the mastermind behind three-Michelin-starred Alinea, uses Next as his creative laboratory, earning the restaurant the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in 2012. The Alinea Group's ambitious venture has become the gold standard for themed tasting menus, with each iteration representing months of meticulous research and development.
The cuisine at Next defies categorization, as each themed menu presents a completely different culinary philosophy. During a French classical period, guests might encounter Achatz's interpretation of Escoffier's Coq au Vin, featuring heritage breed chicken with foraged mushrooms and pearl onions in rich red wine reduction. A Mediterranean theme could showcase reimagined Bouillabaisse, brimming with pristine seafood and saffron-infused broth alongside rouille-crowned crostini. The kitchen's technical prowess shines through dishes like sous vide Wagyu beef accompanied by heirloom vegetables and complex demi-glace. Desserts match the menu's ambition, from deconstructed Black Forest cake enhanced with kirsch to avant-garde Tarte Tatin presentations. Each multi-course tasting menu operates at ultra-premium pricing, reflecting the extraordinary effort behind every themed transformation.
Next's minimalist dining room serves as a blank canvas, allowing each theme's custom tableware, décor, and uniforms to create complete immersion. The partially open kitchen emphasizes the theatrical nature of each meal, while multiple seating options include the coveted Kitchen Table for six diners and intimate private dining spaces. Service operates with choreographed precision, with staff embodying each theme's character. The beverage program offers four pairing levels, from standard wine selections to ultra-rare vintage pairings, plus innovative non-alcoholic progressions crafted daily from seasonal ingredients.
Reservations at Next operate on a dynamic pricing model reflecting demand, with themes often selling out months in advance. The restaurant's commitment to reinvention means no two visits are alike, making each reservation a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For discerning diners seeking Chicago's most innovative fine dining adventure, Next represents the ultimate intersection of culinary artistry and theatrical storytelling.
CHEF
Masamitsu Hisano
ACCOLADES

(2025) Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence
