In 2024, several celebrity chefs continue to have restaurants in Chicago, offering a variety of dining experiences:
- Rick Bayless – Known for his Mexican cuisine, Rick Bayless operates several popular spots in Chicago. His Frontera Grill and Topolobampo are located in River North, serving high-end Mexican fare. He also runs Xoco, a more casual spot for tortas and street food
( - Grant Achatz – One of the most celebrated chefs in Chicago, Achatz’s restaurants include the famed Alinea, offering avant-garde fine dining, and Roister, a more casual but inventive spot in Fulton Market
( - Fabio Viviani – A popular Italian chef, Fabio’s Siena Tavern in River North offers hearty Italian dishes like massive meatballs. He also owns Bar Siena, a more casual spot focused on pizza and pasta
( - Sarah Grueneberg – Monteverde, located in the West Loop, is Sarah’s Italian-inspired restaurant where she focuses on handmade pastas and modern Italian cuisine
( - Stephanie Izard – Another Chicago-based star, Izard is behind Girl & the Goat, Little Goat, and Duck Duck Goat, all located in the West Loop, where she blends bold flavors and eclectic international influences
( - Paul Kahan – Known for shaping Chicago’s dining scene, Kahan operates restaurants like The Publican, Avec, and Big Star, offering everything from upscale dining to casual tacos
( - Giuseppe Tentori – His seafood-focused restaurant, GT Fish & Oyster, continues to thrive in the River North area, offering creative seafood dishes
( - John Shields & Karen Urie Shields – Their dual-concept restaurant Smyth and The Loyalist in the West Loop offers fine dining upstairs and a more casual gastropub experience downstairs
( - Chris Jacobson – A “Top Chef” alum, Jacobson runs Ema, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant featuring light, fresh dishes in River North
( - Rick Tramonto – Known for his role at RPM Seafood, Tramonto continues to be a prominent name in Chicago’s fine dining scene
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These restaurants represent just a fraction of the vibrant celebrity chef scene in Chicago, where innovation meets classic culinary traditions.
Here are 10 more celebrity chef restaurants in Chicago that are open in 2024:
- Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless (O’Hare International Airport) – Known for its tortas and Mexican street food, this is a must-stop for travelers at O’Hare
( - The Purple Pig by Jimmy Bannos Jr. (River North) – A Mediterranean wine bar offering innovative dishes centered around pork, cheese, and wine
( - Le Select by Daniel Rose (River North) – A modern French brasserie from Michelin-starred chef Daniel Rose
( - GT Fish & Oyster by Giuseppe Tentori (River North) – A seafood-focused restaurant with inventive dishes, part of the Boka Group
( - Split-Rail by Zoe Schor (West Town) – Known for its playful take on American comfort food, this spot continues to impress
( - Siena Tavern by Fabio Viviani (River North) – Italian food featuring standout dishes like giant wagyu meatballs
( - Roister by Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas (West Loop) – A casual yet inventive dining experience that adds to Achatz’s famous culinary portfolio
( - Bar Siena by Fabio Viviani (West Loop) – A more casual counterpart to Siena Tavern, focusing on pizza and pasta
( - Leña Brava by Rick Bayless (West Loop) – A Baja-inspired seafood restaurant with a robust mezcal collection
( - Pretty Cool Ice Cream by Dana Cree (Logan Square) – A delightful ice cream shop from the renowned pastry chef, offering artisan ice cream in various unique flavors
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These restaurants contribute to Chicago’s vibrant dining scene and showcase the talents of some of the most celebrated chefs in the culinary world.