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Located in Chicago’s West Loop, Smyth journeys to the corners of the country to elevate the farmers, fisherman, purveyors and makers in food today who operate at the peak of their craft. With a joy for discovery, the restaurant from chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields offers an ever changing menu of pristine products presented at the height of its season — sometimes new and many times comfortingly familiar — so that every exceptional experience feels like a first. With its multi-course tasting menus, three MICHELIN-starred Smyth offers a unique take on fine dining to nudge diners out of their comfort zones through interesting ingredients and intriguing pairings. 3 MICHELIN Stars 2023-2025 No. 4 – North America’s 50 Best Restaurants
Rustic-chic venue offering tasting menus of inventive, high-end New American fare & wine pairings.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 177 N Ada St #101, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: (773) 913-3773
Website: https://www.smythandtheloyalist.com/
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Order and Reservations
Reservations: tripleseat.com
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Related Web Results
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Reviews
Gary Edwards
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.
… moreMichael Damato
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.
… moreLoved 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.
Brysen Kawamura
I took my partner here for a birthday experience and left confused and slightly regretful. We paid for the chefs menu and honestly I don’t know if it was worth the additional charge. The chefs would explain the dish to you, but it felt performative and awkward. The food was okay, I expected more from a 3 star Michelin restaurant. The flavors were interesting, and the flavors combinations I have never tasted before. But nothing amazing or life changing occurred. The dishes were plated nicely, there are no theatrics with their dishes. The atmosphere was just okay, nothing show stopping. There just was no wow factor that I expected. The food, experience, atmosphere was just forgettable. The desserts were amazing, but it did not make up for the previous dishes that were underwhelming. If I could do it over I would not do the chefs menu because it did not feel like extra courses and I did not need the chefs to explain the dish to us.
… moreFrank Zocco
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.
… moreTwo 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.
Ryan Rosenthal
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.
… moreLollie Nuth Kubicki
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!!
… moreThere 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!!
Ashley S
I thoroughly enjoyed my restaurant experience here! The service from the waiters were excellent and ambience were nice. The food was crafted expertly and although there were a couple of dishes I didn’t vibe with I still enjoyed experiencing them. Each wine paired nicely with the courses and were the perfect pour. Everything just flowed naturally the entire evening. There were more dishes than what I’m posting but go try for yourself! I’m glad I was able to try this spot out in Chicago!
… morejosephine richburg
I’ll start with the positives; the ambience, service, and staff were excellent. We enjoyed every interaction and conversation. Also, you can see how hard everyone on staff works to ensure an amazing dining experience.
That said, maybe we had unrealistic expectations given Smyth earned a third star. Our first time at Smyth, a few years back, was special and spectacular but, this time, the food just wasn’t as delicious or memorable.
Despite that, the entire experience was special and memorable largely due to the exceptional staff and service.
… moreThat said, maybe we had unrealistic expectations given Smyth earned a third star. Our first time at Smyth, a few years back, was special and spectacular but, this time, the food just wasn’t as delicious or memorable.
Despite that, the entire experience was special and memorable largely due to the exceptional staff and service.
Christina Huynh
We had a great dinner here. A few dishes blew my mind or taste buds. The staff were so friendly and attentive. My mom’s hot water was always filled and hot. When the staff told us about each dish, they seemed so passionate and excited about us eating it, not like they are just reciting words. They made sure our food was perfect in presentation. This was the best wine pairing I have ever had!! I loved how well they complemented the flavors of the dishes. Highly recommend.
… moreMatt Gohla
The service was top notch, the best service I’ve ever had at a restaurant. The sommelier was informative and walked us through a nice range of whites and deep reds.
The food at least on our day (Friday) left something to be desired. Several of the dishes while visually appealing hit the same tasting notes. I’m not sure if it was peanut oil or something similar but the taste was overpowering making each dish taste similar. For the price paid we were hoping to be wowed but instead left uninspired.
Unfortunately this will likely be our first and last visit here, for the money we would go back to Alinea (despite their downgrade to 2 stars).
As a side note to a reader of this review if you enjoy cocktails go downstairs to the Loyalist and order the carrot cake cocktail. Easily in the top 3 I’ve had all time and I don’t even like carrot cake.
… moreThe food at least on our day (Friday) left something to be desired. Several of the dishes while visually appealing hit the same tasting notes. I’m not sure if it was peanut oil or something similar but the taste was overpowering making each dish taste similar. For the price paid we were hoping to be wowed but instead left uninspired.
Unfortunately this will likely be our first and last visit here, for the money we would go back to Alinea (despite their downgrade to 2 stars).
As a side note to a reader of this review if you enjoy cocktails go downstairs to the Loyalist and order the carrot cake cocktail. Easily in the top 3 I’ve had all time and I don’t even like carrot cake.