West Loop's Smyth Crowned Fourth Best Restaurant in North America for 2025

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Loop · October 24, 2025

The West Loop continues to cement its reputation as Chicago's premier culinary destination with Smyth restaurant earning prestigious recognition as the fourth best restaurant in North America for 2025 by The World's 50 Best Restaurants ranking. The acclaimed establishment, helmed by husband-and-wife team John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, was also named the best restaurant in the Midwest.

Located on Ada Street, Smyth has earned praise for its "inventive dining with a progressive, farm-to-table approach" and maintains its coveted three Michelin stars, making it one of only two restaurants in Chicago with this distinction. The culinary power couple, who met working at Charlie Trotter's before relocating to rural Virginia and eventually returning to Chicago, collaborate with small farmers to source exclusive ingredients for their seasonal tasting menu.

The recognition highlights the West Loop's evolution into a world-class dining hub. Residents and visitors hoping to experience this culinary gem should make reservations well in advance. For those seeking a more casual experience, The Loyalist, located downstairs from Smyth, offers the same food philosophy in a more relaxed setting. This latest accolade reinforces what locals already know—our neighborhood continues to attract and nurture some of the most innovative culinary talent in the country.

Sources:
1. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/smyth-chicago-north-america-50-best-restaurants-2025/
2. https://www.timeout.com/chicago/news/two-chicago-restaurants-officially-rank-among-the-50-best-in-north-america-092625
3. https://www.facebook.com/smythchicago/