A missing Michelin star isn’t stopping this Chicago restaurant from being recognized as one of the best in the country.
Robb Report, a luxury-lifestyle magazine, recently published a list of the 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century. To determine the rankings, 250 chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and more were asked to name the 10 most excellent restaurants in America that have operated this century.
And Alinea took the number one spot.
Alinea is the greatest American restaurant of the 21st century
According to the magazine, each participant reflected on their own definition of greatness, considering factors such as dining experience, influence, staying power, and other elements they deemed necessary in making a restaurant truly exceptional.
Alinea, a fine-dining restaurant in Lincoln Park, was co-founded by Chef Grant Achatz, who has been leading the establishment for 20 years.
The restaurant received widespread acclaim from reviewers, with one describing Aliena as a place that “pushed the boundaries without ever losing sight of flavor.”
Chef and reviewer Chintan Pandya said:
Few restaurants have ever achieved that rare combination of intellectual ambition and emotional resonance—and sustained it for nearly two decades.
At its best, the kitchen felt like a symphony—every element meticulously placed, every gesture intentional. It reminded us that technique only matters if it serves emotion.
Despite widespread praise and exceptional reviews, the restaurant recently faced a setback. It lost its coveted three-star Michelin distinction, which it had held since 2011.
Nevertheless, Alinea continues to create a magical space where fine dining engages not only taste but also sight, touch, and smell.
The following Chicago restaurants were also included in the list:
Smyth – West Loop – 18
Kasama – West Town – 29
Charlie Trotter’s – Lincoln Park – 39
Virtue – Hyde Park – 41
Monteverde – West Loop – 74
Oriole – West Loop – 81
Girl & the Goat – West Loop – 83
Boka – Lincoln Park – 96
