Michelin never spells out exactly why a restaurant loses a star, but even a subtle dip in consistency can tip the scales. Inspectors judge every spot on ingredients, technique, balance, personality and repeatable excellence, and if any of those falter across multiple visits, the rating shifts. Sometimes, the change is the result of a kitchen in transition or a menu that has drifted from the vision that originally earned its acclaim. Other times, the restaurant is still exceptional, but the rest of the city has raised the bar, and Michelin adjusts accordingly. In a scene as competitive as Chicago’s, even the smallest wobble can make a big impact.
Earlier this week, one of the most iconic restaurants in Chicago, Alinea, lost one of its three Michelin stars.
Alinea's chef Grant Achatz announced the news in an Instagram post, writing, "We were disappointed to learn of our @michelinguide demotion to two stars. For 20 years, Alinea has been devoted to pushing creativity, rigor, and the pursuit of perfection in our craft. That commitment remains as unwavering today as it was on day one and will continue until the back door of 1723 locks for the last time."
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The Michelin guide confirmed the demotion ahead of its 2025 Northeast Cities awards, pointing out that Masa in New York and The Inn at Little Washington in Virginia also dropped from three to two stars this year.
“The Michelin Guide maintains its role of providing fair and qualitative recommendations to consumers, with its team of expert Inspectors, following its global methodology,” the company said in an official statement. “It fully acknowledges the impact of its decisions on the establishments it honors. The Guide’s recommendations are far from fixed and are reassessed each year following anonymous and independent visits conducted by its Inspectors. These evaluations are based on the Guide’s methodology and five criteria, which ensure absolute consistency and uncompromising standards applied uniformly across the globe for the past 125 years.”
It bears stressing that Alinea still has two stars and the brand and kitchen remain potent forces. What this moment really signifies is that excellence is never static. If Achatz and his team keep their own promise, what comes next could reshape their legacy rather than simply preserving it.