The Michelin Guide has released its official Chicago Bib Gourmand awards for 2023.
Home to one, two and three-star Michelin-approved restaurants, Chicago offers something delectable whatever part of town you’re in—but you don’t have to spend hundreds just to get a good bite in the Windy City.
Michelin’s Bib Gourmand program honors eateries that deliver top-grade flavors at convenient price points, and the go-to food guide just welcomed five new Chicago stops to its list of local Bib Gourmands.
From the Filipino flavors of Boonie’s to American fare at Union, the new school of cool destinations has something to please every palate. Below, get to know each of the new Michelin Bib Gourmands in Chicago.
View this post on Instagram
4337 N. Western Ave. / Website
A smash hit since its debut in Revival Food Hall, this Filipino home-cooking favorite has hit its stride since opening its own brick-and-mortar location in North Center. Says Michelin, “To begin, the crispy pork belly hash is an impressive starter that could very well double as an entrée. Pork, in fact, is all over this small menu, arriving as crispy belly or marinated with herbs and spices or presented as sausage. Tender filets of steelhead trout swimming in a burnt tomato and tamarind broth offer a delicate reprieve from the meat. Dessert is a must: A creamy plantain comes wrapped as a spring roll, dusted in brown sugar and deep fried. It’s as close as you’ll ever get to a handheld crème brûlée.”
View this post on Instagram
3025 W. Diversey Ave. / Website
This no-nonsense, no-reservations wine bar and eatery has been gaining accolades since it opened nearly 10 years ago—so it’s no big surprise that it’s among the city’s latest crop of Michelin honorees. Says Michelin, “This is an honest restaurant with unfussy, no-nonsense cooking where the plates are warm, the seasoning is spot-on and the flavors are clear. No tweezers, no fancy wine glasses, no military-grade kitchen brigade— just good eats, found in a plate of tender runner beans with garlic confit or a smooth scoop of duck liver mousse paired with just-warmed country bread. You could come here on a quiet date or wander in off the street and snag a counter seat. You’ll be happily greeted either way.”
View this post on Instagram
1960 N. Damen Ave. / Website
This Bucktown spot’s name means “a little tipsy” in French, and it's fitting—a casual, convivial, whimsical vibe suffuses the place and makes it one of the neighborhood's most inviting new spots. Says Michelin, “It’s the kind of place you could come all day, every day, and never tire of the selection. Why? The menu, for starters. It’s seasonal with an ever-changing rotation of signature dishes. Come early for some of the flakiest and buttery croissants around, then return at lunch for a slice of quiche. Feeling peckish? Snack on a satisfying charcuterie board with meats, such as feather-thin, 18-month prosciutto di Parma, and a variety of cheeses and housemade pickles. Of course, nothing completes the picture quite like a chocolate pot de crème with whipped coconut cream and a shortbread cookie.”
View this post on Instagram
2202 N. California Ave. / Website
Sibling spots Lardon and The Meadowlark have garnered the lion's share of attention, but this cozy, beer-centric pub has quietly gained a serious foodie following. According to Michelin, "Edison bulbs cast a warm glow across the dark wood, long high tops and cozy booths, and regulars are likely to hold court at the bar. The menu, meanwhile, balances comfort with creativity. The spicy baby gem is peak salad satisfaction, built on a creamy tarragon dressing and finished with buttery breadcrumbs. Fried cheese curds and lamb meatballs are easy crowd-pleasers, and every table has at least one cheeseburger. More substantial appetites should swing for the shawarma spiced chicken served with grilled flatbread. There’s plenty to drink, and craft beer fiends will dig the thoughtful, locally sourced selection.”
View this post on Instagram
230 W. Cermak Road / Website
"We're making fresh pickled fish every day,” announces the website for this Chinatown hot spot, and indeed, Says Michelin, "Fiery and potent, this plate delivers a one-two punch with a funky seafood quality and the sharp tang of sour greens. Choose the “two flavored pickled” for a taste of Yao Yao pickled fish and boiled beef in a spicy Szechuan sauce. There is also a slew of sides, ranging from celtuce and dry bean curd skin to seaweed knot and konjac noodles to round out the meal."
Learn more about the new Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants via guide.michelin.com.
Photography by: instants/istock
