The Purple Pig Restaurant
Quick info
About The Purple Pig Restaurant
On the upper level of N Michigan Ave, The Purple Pig Restaurant is a Mediterranean restaurant drawing on Italian, Greek, and Spanish cooking, built around small plates meant for sharing. An open kitchen faces a counter area, and pork and wine anchor the approach, with dishes like bone marrow served roasted or in pasta alongside pork belly. Duck Croquettes and Whipped Feta round out a menu of 82 dishes, and grilled broccoli and beef tartare also appear as recurring options. Reservations are recommended, and a wait is common even with a table booked. The entrance is step-free for visitors with mobility needs, and high chairs are available for families with young children. Those who prefer to eat off site can order the menu for takeaway or delivery. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and the restaurant opens daily.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid multi-storey car park · Paid parking lot · Paid street parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs available · Family friendly
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
82 dishes · mains $2–75- Crispy Pig's Ear$21.00
- Duck Croquettes$18.00
- Roasted Piquillo Peppers$22.00
- Jamon Serrano$32.00
- Baked Goat Cheese$21.00
- Whipped Feta$19.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention bone marrow, octopus, duck croquettes and whipped feta.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention bone marrow, octopus, duck croquettes and whipped feta.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most consistently single out the pork belly, bone marrow, and pork shoulder dishes alongside the whipped feta, duck croquettes, and beef tartare as reasons to visit, with several also praising the mushroom risotto, tuna, burrata, and a hot apple cobbler or passion fruit pana cotta for dessert. The small-plates format for sharing draws repeated approval, and service is described by most as attentive and friendly, with the open kitchen and counter seating called out as a highlight. A recurring complaint centers on over-sauced or over-seasoned dishes: reviewers point to an oily agnolotti, an overly spicy chitarra, a heavily sauced pork belly and Iberico ham, and a smoked pork chop cooked past the requested temperature. One diner also describes a reservation marked for an anniversary that went unacknowledged, with a host stand and server perceived as rushed once the table hadn't yet ordered. Several still call the overall meal, capped by dishes like the octopus or a passion fruit pana cotta, worth returning for.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most consistently single out the pork belly, bone marrow, and pork shoulder dishes alongside the whipped feta, duck croquettes, and beef tartare as reasons to visit, with several also praising the mushroom risotto, tuna, burrata, and a hot apple cobbler or passion fruit pana cotta for dessert. The small-plates format for sharing draws repeated approval, and service is described by most as attentive and friendly, with the open kitchen and counter seating called out as a highlight. A recurring complaint centers on over-sauced or over-seasoned dishes: reviewers point to an oily agnolotti, an overly spicy chitarra, a heavily sauced pork belly and Iberico ham, and a smoked pork chop cooked past the requested temperature. One diner also describes a reservation marked for an anniversary that went unacknowledged, with a host stand and server perceived as rushed once the table hadn't yet ordered. Several still call the overall meal, capped by dishes like the octopus or a passion fruit pana cotta, worth returning for.
Featured reviews
- Charmander Lee
“Food is quite excellent here. Beef tartare was well flavored, nice presentation, just the right amount of toast to go with it. The pork ribeye was juicy and tender. Dessert was quite decent. Service is friendly and attentive. Atmosphere wise is quite noisy like a sports bar more than a restaurant.”
- Jiah Park
“I managed to get a reservation. Every dish was amazing! We especially loved the bone marrow, and the bread that came with it was so good — my kids absolutely loved it. If you like spicy food, you’d probably love the Spanish octopus dish too.”
- Brittany Lee
“This is a must when in Chicago. One of the best short rib pastas I’ve ever eaten. Even the broccoli was superb🤌🏼 the Service was 10/10. Also, we sat at the counter where we can see the kitchen staff working and they were so organized like a well oiled machine! So good!!”
- CARLOS ciag
“Wow this is one of the best restaurants we ever been. If you are in Chicago Downtown you must have dinner at the Purple Pig. …”
- Ed Ebinger
“Over-hyped, over-priced, over-sauced. It's quality ingredients, but presents as an elevated experience. It's not, unfortunately. Advertises as small plates, but oversized for a true tasting experience. Dish composition is too complex without adding anything, and in some cases detracting (e.g., imberico ham with too much sauce and covering it; see photo). Roast duck was huge, and tasty, but oversized for a meat portion without any balance for freshness or texture. Service is efficient and friendly. Decor feels like Olive Garden equivalent. Is an energetic vibe.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Famous pork and wine specialist, highlighting the flavors of Italy, Greece, and Spain, with an open kitchen and a chic setting.”
- Has fast service
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Serves local speciality
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Has no-contact delivery
- Offers takeaway
Show more amenities
- Serves dine-in
- Family friendly
- Serves vegan dishes
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- On-site services available
- Service options· 1
- Offers delivery
- Offerings· 12
- Serves alcohol
- Serves beer
- Serves cocktails
- Serves coffee
- Serves comfort food
- Serves happy-hour drinks
- Serves happy-hour food
- Serves healthy options
- Serves small plates
- Serves spirits
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Serves wine
- Planning· 3
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Usually has a wait
- Dining options· 7
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has catering
- Has counter service
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Popular for· 3
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Atmosphere· 3
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Upmarket
- Accessibility· 2
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Highlights· 6
- Has fast service
- Has great beer selection
- Serves great cocktails
- Serves great dessert
- Has great wine list
- Serves local speciality
- Crowd· 4
- Good for groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Popular with tourists
- Transgender safe space
- Parking· 3
- Paid multi-storey car park
- Paid street parking
- Difficult to find a space
- Family-friendly· 2
- Good for kids
- High chairs available
Location
Mediterranean restaurants near The Purple Pig Restaurant
- avec Restaurant4.62,4221.1 mi$50–100
chorizo-stuffed dates, hummus, branzino
- Aba4.810,2051.3 mi$40–100
hummus, crispy chicken thighs, whipped feta
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Purple Pig Restaurant | 4.67,390 | — | $40–100 | bone marrow, octopus, duck croquettes |
| avec Restaurant | 4.62,422 | 1.1 mi | $50–100 | chorizo-stuffed dates, hummus, branzino |
| Aba | 4.810,205 | 1.3 mi | $40–100 | hummus, crispy chicken thighs, whipped feta |
The 2 nearest mediterranean restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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