Smyth
Alan Chun · 369 Google reviewsSmyth — high-caliber american in Near West Side. Warm lighting and a soft pace throughout. The cocktail program is serious. Mariya Suprun: "Had an incredible dinner here — every dish felt like a work of art, and the flavors were just spot on" [$$$]
What 1,347 diners keep saying
What 1,347 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“After my disappointing experience at another two Michelin-star restaurant the night before, I honestly had some hesitation about coming to @smythchicago . I even considered cancelling, but with a non-refundable deposit, I decided to give it a chance — and I’m so glad I did. From the very first dish, Smyth completely changed my expectations. The entire evening was flawless. There wasn’t a single course that missed the mark, and instead of feeling overwhelmed by the tasting menu, I found myself wanting more and more with every dish. This is what a three Michelin-star experience should feel like. The techniques, ingredients, creativity, and execution were all at an exceptional level. Every detail showed the dedication and craftsmanship of the entire team. It’s not just fine dining — it’s a true expression of culinary artistry. One highlight was the trout fried fish skin — honestly the best I’ve had outside of Hong Kong. It is incredibly difficult to master the technique of achieving that perfect balance of crispness, lightness, and flavor, but Smyth executed it beautifully Beyond the food, what impressed me most was the consistency throughout the entire night. Every dish had purpose, every technique had meaning, and the whole experience felt carefully considered. Smyth is not just a restaurant I would recommend for a special occasion — it’s a place I would genuinely want to return to every month. A truly unforgettable dining experience.”
“Smyth delivered one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. The service was exceptional—warm, knowledgeable, and attentive without being intrusive. Every detail felt carefully considered, and the team’s hospitality elevated an already outstanding meal. The quail course was a standout, perfectly prepared and packed with flavor. And the Japanese milk bread was so incredible that my fiancée joked about sneaking an extra loaf home with us. Smyth fully deserves its three Michelin stars.”
“Great to visit a place that is receiving impressive accolades & lives up to the hype. The food and service here are both approaching perfection & the design of the space is perfect for those that appreciate the performance. Bravo! 👏”
“An amazing experience from start to finish. They have an open kitchen concept, minimalist design, no fuss- it was about the service and food. The service was impeccable. Everyone greeted us, knew every detail of the menu, and were just spectacular. When I got up to use the bathroom, the person opened the door for me, water was constantly refilled…Warm hand towels throughout, beautiful stemware and dishware and they were almost militant with who came; dishes that are coming out; food allergies- I mean everything was meticulous. I worked in the OR and they do a time out better than some hospitals! They hand signed a notecard for my friend’s birthday. Rich, decadent, crisp and fresh flavors. Venison, blood sausage, uni, lobster, quail, birch ice cream, rhubarb - all amazing flavors and textures - very thoughtful in culinary experience mixing the themes of spring into the menu. 10/10 to the end!”
“Smyth is an amazing celebration of American fine dining. They do a phenomenal job with seafood. It is quite a surprise since they are far away from the oceans. The best dishes are Dungeness crab and Maine sea urchin. Service is excellent. Wine list is great. Interior is beautiful and cozy. Update: just came back, and it is even better.”
“I will 1000% advocate this restaurant. My name is Gary and I've never written a review for anywhere. All my life, I've been seen as a picky eater. But not due to tastes, but due to textures. I came to this restaurant in hopes of conquering that. And everything I tried tasted phenomenal and it was an explosion of multiple different flavors. Even with dishes that had avocado and horseradish, which I'm not typically a fan of either, I thoroughly enjoyed. But what really put this place over the top, was the service I received. Unfortunately, due to the texture of some of the dishes, I couldn't keep it down. And that's purely on me. I felt really bad and they genuinely felt for me. They saw that I was trying my best because I genuinely wanted to experience the full experience and fight against my picky habits. But when I couldn't keep it down, first, they immediately offered to substitute it for something more palate friendly. They took our coats without question, got the doors, had constant service with a smile, interacted with multiple friendly engagements, and overall, it was truly an experience that I will never forget. Thank you so much to Smyth and all of the staff for being so accommodating and so understanding.”
“This wasn’t just dinner. This was a father and son memory that left an indelible impression. This was intention, patience, and serious craft, without the attitude. Two bites still live rent-free in my head. The quail bite A single, perfect portion, crisp on the outside, juicy and tender inside. The seasoning was dialed in just enough to let the bird speak for itself. Earthy, savory, and deeply comforting in a very refined way. It looked simple. It wasn’t. This was technique hiding in plain sight, the kind that only comes from restraint and confidence. The tomato course Cool, bright, and quietly stunning. It tasted like peak summer distilled into something elegant and clean. Sweetness, acidity, and freshness all in balance. One of those dishes where you stop trying to analyze it and just let it do its thing. Light on the palate, heavy on memory. Beyond the food, the team deserves real credit. Warm, calm, and completely locked in. No scripts. No ego. Just people who clearly care about what they’re putting in front of you and why it matters. Smyth doesn’t try to impress you. It earns it, bite by bite.”
“If you are looking for a place RICH in flavors, with top notch service, exquisite wines with quality, “over the top presentation”…dine at this restaurant. 3 Michelin stars and deserves every one of them. I was asked to compare it to the others I have been to in the city of Chicago, and I most certainly will not do that because this restaurant does not compare to anything my tastebuds have ever experienced. Its a must try, and don’t ask me how much we spent. When you are going to a restaurant like this, you don’t look at the bill. You just sign it.”
“Absolutely incredible. Not only was the food delicious, unique, beautiful, and steeped in story, but every single person on the team was wonderful. The staff were passionate, professional, and genuinely kind. We’ve made it our goal to visit Michelin-starred restaurants around the world especially the three-star ones and this one stands out above them all. There was a very real, positive energy in the room. The chefs, servers, and sommeliers felt completely in sync, yet still so humble and unpretentious...hard to pinpoint but it just felt magical -- truly good vibes. You could tell they truly love what they do, which is so rare these days. It ended up being one of the best fine-dining experiences we’ve ever had. The wine pairing was also phenomenal!!”
“Absolutely phenomenal from start to finish. This was our second visit to a three star restaurant and it did not disappoint. Loved the more open format kitchen and being able to both see and hear staff working. It really helps bring the entire experience together seeing the whole thing work like a well choreographed ballet. Dishes were well plated and constructed to the level I'd expect of a place like this and they were able to easily accommodate my tree nut allergy. Favorite dish was the avocado with cucumber slush, everything just came together so well and I wish I could have bigger bowl of it. None of the dishes were bad, though I think the quail egg and liver patte could have been a bit better. The patte ended up largely stuck to the plate and I felt like there was one flavor note that was missing but it's hard to pin down what could fill it. Overall Smyth is very worth the visit if you can fit it into your budget. You will not be disappointed.”
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