Smyth
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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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
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.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SmythThis venue (the venue you are viewing) | Modern American Tasting Menu | $200–300 | 3 Michelin Stars · World's 50 Best #1 | Not listed |
| Elske | Nordic-Inspired Modern American | $100–150 | 1 Michelin Star · James Beard Award Semi Finalist | New American, Contemporary |
| Ever | Modern American Fine Dining | $300–500 | 2 Michelin Stars · La Liste Top Restaurants | Creative, Modernist Fine Dining |
| Swift & Sons | Modern Steakhouse | $100–150 | Michelin Plate · Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence | Steakhouse |
| Oriole | Modern French-Japanese Tasting Menu | Not listed | 2 Michelin Stars · La Liste Top Restaurants | Progressive American, Contemporary |
| Schwa | Inventive New American Tasting Menu | $200–300 | 1 Michelin Star | Progressive American, Contemporary |
Recognition history
Dated appearances from independent guides and award organizations, with the underlying list record or original source where available.
Michelin 3 Stars
Michelin
World's 50 Best North America's Best Restaurants #1
World's 50 Best
La Liste Top Restaurants
La Liste
Star Wine List
Star Wine List
Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #15
Opinionated About Dining
Full recognition history (16 entries)
AAA 5 Diamond
AAA
La Liste Top Restaurants
La Liste
Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #5
Opinionated About Dining
The Best Chef Two Knives
The Best Chef
We're Smart World 2 Radishes
We're Smart World
World's 50 Best North America's Best Restaurants #4
World's 50 Best
Michelin 3 Stars
Michelin
Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #6
Opinionated About Dining
World's 50 Best Restaurants #90
World's 50 Best
Opinionated About Dining Top Restaurants in North America Ranked #6
Opinionated About Dining
Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century #18
Robb Report
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The wine
- Wine program
- Curated wine list
- Extensive wine list
- Sommelier-led
Details
- Elegant
- Modern
- Sophisticated
- Cozy
- Date Night
- Special Occasion
- Celebration
- Open Kitchen
- Chefs Counter
- Sommelier Led
- Extensive Wine List
- Farm To Table
- Local Sourcing
- Tasting Menu
- Prix Fixe
- Wine Pairings
- Allergy Accommodating
- Vegetarian Friendly
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.






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