Illinois Restaurants Ranked Among America’s Greatest

If you could eat anywhere in America, why would you choose a place that isn't on this list?

Probably money, right? Second, location. Fine, I get it. There are a few reasons, obviously, but if money and time weren't an issue, you would pick any of these places on the Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century.

Illinois Restaurants Ranked Among America’s Greatest

The best part is that this list features a host of Illinois restaurants you could try out, because, man, they look excellent.

96. Boka

83. Girl & the Goat

81. Oriole

74. Monteverde

41. Virtue

39. Charlie Trotter's

29. Kasama

18. Smyth

Chicago’s Dining Scene Still Dominates

You might be familiar with all or none of these restaurants on the list. They are all located in Chicago. I've only been to Girl & the Goat, and the food was excellent, but the place was louder than any other restaurant I've been to in my life.

The #1 Restaurant in America Over the Last 25 Years

That's all to say, there is one other restaurant that topped the list that was named the absolute best of the best, the #1 restaurant of the past 25 years, and that's even after losing one of its Michelin stars. I'm talking about Alinea.

Alinea’s Legacy as an Illinois Icon

Alinea has been a Lincoln Park staple for 20 years and one of the best restaurants in Illinois, the United States, and the world for some time now.

What Diners Say About Alinea

Elia Park on the Robb Report says, "I will never forget the cultural shock I experienced during my first visit to Alinea. Calling it simply a restaurant feels inadequate—it was more like a magical space that brought the chef’s imagination to life." I mean, you hear people talk about Disney, or magic shows, or something otherworldly like this, but never food. That's what it's like at Alinea.

Alinea is at 1723 North Halsted in Chicago.