Next Restaurant

“The food was not only delicious but beautifully designed. Each dish felt like a piece of art, with unique presentation and well-balanced flavors that made every course exciting. One highlight was the non-alcoholic drink pairing—it was surprisingly good. Each drink was carefully crafted to complement the dishes, and honestly, I didn’t miss alcohol at all.”

“The Japan menu is one of the best served at Next. Every course was delicious and amazing (see photos). I highly recommend it.”

“I visited Next for the Osteria Francescana menu, and it was deeply impressive. The way they reinterpreted Massimo Bottura’s vision was both playful and incredibly creative. A quick note on the wine for fellow enthusiasts: I opted for the highest-priced pairing, expecting a lineup of heavy-hitting, "prestige" labels. Instead, the selection leaned heavily toward rare and obscure finds. While it wasn't exactly what I expected (I was hoping for a bit more "grandeur" given the price point), I have to admit the selections were fascinating. They were rare, intellectually stimulating, and paired with surgical precision. The service, however, was flawless. The staff’s knowledge and their ability to explain the nuances of both the food and the rare pours were perfect. Even with the unexpected direction of the wine cellar, the overall experience was world-class. Two thumbs up. 👍👍”

“Absolutely amazing food. There were textures and flavors that I had never even imagined. The story provided by the staff brought new meaning to the entire experience. The wine pairing was perfect. A few of them are definitely unique and polarizing, but over all I enjoyed them. The atmosphere is at 4 stars for me just because it's a little crowded and loud. With the other tables talking, I couldn't fully hear the background the servers were trying to tell. Other than that, a fully fragrant and enjoyable dinner.”

“For the first time in a long while, we left a Michelin-star restaurant disappointed. We dined at Next for their Winter “Japan” menu with high expectations, especially after two fantastic experiences at Alinea and other Michelin-star restaurants in Chicago. Unfortunately, most of the dishes felt underwhelming, and there wasn’t a single standout course that justified the anticipation. While the presentations were beautiful and thoughtfully plated, the flavors and combinations often didn’t come together in a compelling way. Service was professional and attentive, but it couldn’t make up for a menu that lacked depth and a defining highlight. Given the restaurant group’s reputation, this was our biggest culinary disappointment in Chicago.”