Everyone needs a break, especially hard-working chefs who rarely get a day off. And when they do—when the last plate is fired, the knives are sheathed and the last diner’s wine glass has been cleared—they, too, find themselves on the road, in search of good weather, better company, and great food they didn’t have to cook. But chefs running MICHELIN restaurants aren’t just any travelers. They pack discerning palates along with their passports.
So where do they go? And more importantly—where do they eat?
We asked some of the top chefs across North America to share their go-to summer destinations and the restaurants they make sure to visit once they’ve touched down. The results are as personal as a handwritten recipe—some are tied to family traditions, others to industry friendships or unforgettable bites. But all are a reminder that even the world’s best chefs are, at heart, hungry travelers.
Karen & John Shields
SmythChicago
Summer Escape: Bluffton, South Carolina
Where They Eat: Montage at Palmetto Bluff and Brochu’s Family Tradition
"Mine and Karen’s favorite place to stay is the Two-MICHELIN-Key Montage at Palmetto Bluff," says John Shields, whose Three-MICHELIN-Starred restaurant Smyth is among Chicago’s finest. "It’s where we got married and we just stayed there last summer. It’s beautiful!"
For dinner, the couple heads straight to Brochu’s Family Tradition in nearby Savannah. "My friend Andrew Brochu runs it—it’s got everything you need for a nice night out with family. My kids love it just as much as we do."
Patrick Kriss
AloToronto
Summer Escape: Montreal
Where He Eats: Montreal Plaza and L’Express
"When I visit Montreal, one restaurant I never miss is Montreal Plaza," says Kriss. "I love dining there because I know I’m going to eat something I’ve never had before. The dishes are totally unique to that place—it feels like being invited into Charles-Antoine Crête’s home." His other must-stop? L’Express, a classic bistro (and MICHELIN Bib Gourmand) tucked into a low-rise neighborhood. “It’s iconic for a reason,” he says. “The bone marrow. The vintage feel. The sense of history in every bite.”
Melissa Rodriguez
Crane ClubNew York
Summer Escape: Rhode Island
Where She Stays: Castle Hill Inn (Two MICHELIN Keys)
When New York turns humid and hectic, Rodriguez points her compass north. "If I’m lucky, I’ll spend time at Castle Hill Inn—the sloping lawn overlooking Newport Bay is one of the best places to soak in the season," she says. But for her, the connection is deeper. "My mother used to dock her sailboat across the bay in Jamestown. Sailing into Rhode Island’s little coves and hidden spots is an experience I always cherish."
Jeremy Fox
Birdie G’sSanta Monica
Summer Escape: Big Sur, California
Where He Eats: Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur
Known for his vegetable-forward magic at Birdie G’s, Fox keeps a lower profile when it comes to vacations—but if you know him, you know he’s likely to surface somewhere coastal, seasonal and deeply produce-driven. His kind of place? Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, where the restaurant Sierra Mar sits cliffside, serving hyperlocal menus with views as transporting as the wine list. Think seaweed broths, foraged mushrooms and fog-kissed lettuces. Quiet luxury, the way a chef likes it.
Val Cantu
CaliforniosSan Francisco
Summer Escape: Los Cabos, Mexico
Where He Eats: Comal at Chileno Bay Resort
The chef behind San Francisco’s Two-MICHELIN-Star, avant-garde Mexican tasting experience hasn’t revealed his summer itinerary just yet—but wherever he goes, it’s safe to bet he’s chasing flavor with the same precision that earned Californios two stars. Cabo is a likely retreat: close enough to the Bay, rich in heritage and home to spots like Comal at Two-MICHELIN-Key Chileno Bay Resort. There, contemporary Baja fare meets the kind of beachfront mise en scène a chef can truly unwind in—with wood-fired octopus, heirloom corn tortillas and mezcal on standby.
Normand Laprise
Toqué!Montreal
Summer Escape: Charlevoix, Quebec
Where He Stays: Hôtel Le Germain Québec
Laprise, a founding father of modern Québécois cuisine, often escapes to the regions surrounding Montreal—known for their lush markets and untouched nature. He frequently heads to Charlevoix, to Hôtel Le Germain. Whether lakeside or trailside, Laprise’s summer meals are as simple—and as profound—as they come.
Hero and thumb image: Chileno Bay Resort
