Smyth was announced as No. 90 of 100 in the extended list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants this morning. The restaurant is only the third ever from Chicago to make the list, according to a representative for World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Smyth opened in 2016 as executive chef John B. Shields and executive pastry chef Karen Urie Shields’ grand return to Chicago after leaving in 2008. Following a successful run in rural Chilhowie, Virginia, with Town House and Riverstead Inn, the couple began a dual concept in West Loop: Smyth and the Loyalist.
In 2019, the Tribune’s Phil Vittel called Smyth “endlessly experimental, but homey.”
While the Loyalist downstairs offers an a la carte menu, the second-floor Smyth offers prix fixe only. There are two options: $325 for the Smyth menu or $425 for just one table nightly, where the chefs themselves serve and explain each dish. Named for the Virginia county where the chefs spread their wings, Smyth features creative, modern plates, an open kitchen and high-quality produce. Dishes from the past year include a caviar parfait, smoked quail egg croustade, and a dish of crab and wax, served with four sauces. Beverage pairings are available for an additional charge.
The Shieldses met working in the kitchen at the now-closed Charlie Trotter, another Chicago restaurant previously named to the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list before it closed in 2012. John was a sous chef and Karen was head pastry chef. John also spent two years as sous chef at Alinea, which for many years was Chicago’s only representative on the World’s Best 50 list, with its highest rankings at No. 6 in 2011 and No. 7 in 2012. Alinea last appeared on the list at No. 37 in 2019.
Smyth has swiftly climbed the ranks to extremely rare and exclusive company over the last year. In November 2023, the West Loop restaurant earned its third Michelin star. There are only 13 three-star restaurants in the United States, and Alinea is Chicago’s only other three-starred restaurant.
The World’s Best Restaurant list is produced annually by British media company William Reed. The list is decided by votes from more than 1,000 restaurant industry experts around the world, including food writers and critics, as well as chefs and restaurant owners. The first list originally appeared in 2002 in the British magazine Restaurant, making it a relatively newer accolade amongst others like the Michelin Guide or the James Beard Awards. World’s 50 Best has a heavy emphasis on fine dining and pricier tasting menus.
Last year, two New York restaurants were the only U.S. representatives in the top 50: Le Bernardin and Atomix. The No. 1 spot was claimed by Central in Lima, Peru.
While half of the list has been revealed, the top 50 are yet to be named. They will be announced at an award ceremony June 5 in Las Vegas.