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La Fête du ChampagneCode: PEARL
Modern American Tasting Menu
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CuisineAmerican, Tasting Menu
Executive ChefJohn Shields
Price$200–300per person
ReservationsEssential
Dress CodeSmart Casual

3 Michelin Stars · World's 50 Best #1 · La Liste Top Restaurants

Our verdict

Smyth belongs to Chicago's highest-stakes tasting-menu tier, where progressive American cooking is judged by sourcing discipline as much as technical range. John Shields and Karen Urie Shields bring a farm-driven lineage shaped by Charlie Trotter's and rural Virginia, now backed by Michelin three-star recognition, La Liste scoring, Star Wine List recognition, and a 2026 OAD North America ranking.

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Smyth restaurant in Chicago, United States

The menu

What to order

  • Dungeness crab with foie gras and kani miso
  • Maine uni with peach gel and wasabi cream
  • Wagyu with truffle doughnut and marrow glaze
  • Beef tongue with brioche donuts
  • Oyster with apple granita
See the current menu on smythandtheloyalist.com →
About

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.

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Would Smyth be comfortable with kids?

Smyth is a $$$$ Chicago restaurant with dinner hours from Tuesday through Saturday, so diners should check directly with the restaurant for current suitability and any party-specific guidance.

What kind of setting is Smyth?

Smyth is a Chicago restaurant serving Progressive American, Contemporary cuisine. The verified listing identifies John Shields as chef/owner, lists the price category as $$$$, and gives the dress code as smart casual.

What's the cuisine at Smyth?

Smyth serves Progressive American, Contemporary cuisine.

Is Smyth expensive?

Pricing at Smyth is listed as $$$$.

What are Smyth's hours?

Hours at Smyth: Monday Closed; Tuesday 5–9 pm; Wednesday 5–9 pm; Thursday 5–9 pm; Friday 5–9 pm; Saturday 5–9 pm; Sunday Closed.

How It Stacks Up

Comparable venues by cuisine and price in the same metro.

The record

Recognition history

Dated appearances from independent guides and award organizations, with the underlying list record or original source where available.

  1. Michelin 3 Stars

    Michelin

  2. World's 50 Best North America's Best Restaurants #1

    World's 50 Best

  3. La Liste Top Restaurants

    La Liste

  4. Star Wine List

    Star Wine List

  5. Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #15

    Opinionated About Dining

Full recognition history (16 entries)
  1. AAA 5 Diamond

    AAA

  2. La Liste Top Restaurants

    La Liste

  3. Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #5

    Opinionated About Dining

  4. The Best Chef Two Knives

    The Best Chef

  5. We're Smart World 2 Radishes

    We're Smart World

  6. World's 50 Best North America's Best Restaurants #4

    World's 50 Best

  7. Michelin 3 Stars

    Michelin

  8. Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #6

    Opinionated About Dining

  9. World's 50 Best Restaurants #90

    World's 50 Best

  10. Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #6

    Opinionated About Dining

  11. Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century #18

    Robb Report

Smyth

The wine

Wine program
Curated wine list
  • Extensive wine list
  • Sommelier-led

More wine bars and bars in Chicago

Details
Vibe
  • Elegant
  • Modern
  • Sophisticated
  • Cozy
Best For
  • Date Night
  • Special Occasion
  • Celebration
Experience
  • Open Kitchen
  • Chefs Counter
Drink Program
  • Sommelier Led
  • Extensive Wine List
Sourcing
  • Farm To Table
  • Local Sourcing
Menu Format
  • Tasting Menu
  • Prix Fixe
Drinks Focus
  • Wine Pairings
Dietary
  • Allergy Accommodating
  • Vegetarian Friendly
Noise LevelLively
CapacitySmall
Service StyleUpscale Casual
Meal PacingExtended Experience
Wine ProgramCurated
Visit details

Current opening hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
5–9 PM
Thursday
5–9 PM
Friday
5–9 PM
Saturday
5–9 PM
Sunday
Closed

Hours can change for holidays and private events. Last verified .

Modern, warm, and casual dining room with open kitchen views; lounge styling with natural elements like wooden utensils; well-spaced tables creating an intimate yet lively atmosphere.