The Purple Pig Restaurant
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The Purple Pig Restaurant

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A renowned pork and wine specialist on the Magnificent Mile, offering flavorful Mediterranean dishes in a chic, lively setting.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
The Purple Pig Restaurant

The Purple Pig Restaurant

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A renowned pork and wine specialist on the Magnificent Mile, offering flavorful Mediterranean dishes in a chic, lively setting.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"This place is out of this world. A must place when you are in Chicago!"

TIP

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended to secure your spot, especially during peak times.

Shareable Plates

The menu is designed for sharing, so explore a variety of small plates for a true taste experience.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11AM

Cuisine

Mediterranean

Price

$$$

Phone

(312) 464-1744

Address

444 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Pork-Centric Delights

Pork-Centric Delights

Indulge in a pork and wine experience with unique offerings like aged pork chop and milk-braised pork shoulder.

Mediterranean Flavors

Mediterranean Flavors

Savor vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as Spanish octopus and a variety of cheese boards.

Chic Atmosphere

Chic Atmosphere

Enjoy impeccable service in a lively and cheerful setting with a chic Mediterranean-inspired ambiance.

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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

If this isn’t the coolest dish!! Here’s how it’s made. More details in comments as always! ✅ #chicagofood #chicagorestaurants #thepurplepig #chicago
@312food
36.7K likes • 1.7M views

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended to secure your spot, especially during peak times.

Shareable Plates

The menu is designed for sharing, so explore a variety of small plates for a true taste experience.

Date night in downtown Chicago #chicago #wlw #datenight #foodtiktok
@lizzylizzzzzzzzzz
32 likes • 764 views
Purple Pig is coming to Oakbrook Center. Very very exciting! #purplepigchicago #purplepigrestaurant #oakbrookillinois #oakbrookcenter_partner #chicagoburbsdining
@timpleahy1
1K likes • 35.4K views

Save Room for Dessert

Don't skip dessert! Treats like peanut butter and marshmallow fluff cake are highly praised.

Wine Pairings

Excellent wine selection with knowledgeable staff to help with pairings.

CALLING ALL CHEESE LOVERS in Chicago!!! 😍😍😍😍 more details in comments ✅ #cheese #purplepig #pasta #cooking #chicagofood #chicago
@312food
4.9K likes • 97.4K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Ahead

Reservations are highly recommended to secure your spot, especially during peak times.

Shareable Plates

The menu is designed for sharing, so explore a variety of small plates for a true taste experience.

Save Room for Dessert

Don't skip dessert! Treats like peanut butter and marshmallow fluff cake are highly praised.

Wine Pairings

Excellent wine selection with knowledgeable staff to help with pairings.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Purple Pig is celebrated for its flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dishes, especially its pork specialties and shareable small plates. Diners rave about the incredible taste and quality of the food, highlighting dishes like the aged pork chop, lamb shank, and octopus. While portions are noted as being on the smaller side, the exceptional flavor and lively atmosphere make it a must-visit in Chicago.

"This restaurant was truly impressive. The 36-Day Aged Pork Chop was a revelation—cooked to perfection, as rich and flavorful as a top-tier steak. The Spanish Octopus was juicy with a slight char on the outside, complemented beautifully by its sauce. The Pork Shank was incredibly tender, falling off the bone effortlessly, while the Seafood Risotto was packed with flavor, with perfectly cooked rice. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant, especially the aged pork chop, it was an unforgettable culinary experience."

Popotatoes

"Came in for lunch on Sunday, it was easy to get a lunch reservation but I also think walk-ins would be easily accommodated for lunch time. Nice dining room, however the tables were a bit uneven because of the folding leafs. Our food was very good, I really enjoyed their weekly special agnolotti that had a creamy corn and truffle filling and their cornbread appetizer! They had a good wine selection, I’d highly recommend coming in!"

Claire Hess

"Delicious! We walked in around 5 and were able to sit at the bar. Bone marrow was good but the lamb shank was a real stand out! So juicy and tender. Best lamb I think I’ve had. The lemon pie for dessert was very tasty as well! Love the menu for sharing and trying new things."

Lauren Saxton

What People Like

Exceptional pork dishes
Flavorful small plates
Lively atmosphere

What People Dislike

Small portions

Frequently Asked Questions

The restaurant is famous for its pork dishes, including the aged pork chop, pork shank, and milk-braised pork shoulder. Small plates like Spanish octopus and bone marrow are also highly recommended.

TikTokGoogle Review+1

Yes, the menu is designed for sharing with a focus on small plates, charcuterie, and tapas-style dishes.

Google Review+1

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, as the restaurant is very popular.

TikTok

The atmosphere is described as lively, cheerful, and chic, with an open kitchen adding to the dining experience.

Google Review

While known for its pork, the restaurant also offers some vegetarian-friendly dishes like risotto and seasonal vegetable preparations.

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Marc Murphy: I recently went to the The Purple Pig for lunch and everything was incredible!. They offer so many selections of cured meats and smears that are great for sharing. The chef, Jimmy Bannos Jr., was so friendly and generous; it was an all-around great time.

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As a fourth generation restaurateur, he was mentored by his father, Jimmy Bannos (Chef/Owner of Heaven on Seven) and catapulted his expertise through training by nationally renowned chefs. Since opening in 2009, under the leadership of Jimmy Bannos Jr., The Purple Pig has received numerous accolades, including being named one of 2010’s “10 Best New Restaurants in America” by Bon Appétit magazine; and a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recipient since 2011. Dubbed the “Prince of Pork” by Dana Cowin (former Food and Wine Editor-in-Chief); Jimmy Jr. brings his love for Mediterranean food to the Windy City in fun, inventive ways – at this rustic sharable plate restaurant, conveniently located on the Magnificent Mile.

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This popular restaurant is the work of Jimmy Bannos Jr., Jimmy Bannos Jr., a fourth-generation restaurant guy who was raised in Chicago's Heaven on Seven. First timers rave about housemade charcuterie, roasted bone marrow with herb salad, fried pig's ear with crispy kale and fried egg and an extensive wine list. Locals return for the milk-braised pork shoulder with mashed potatoes While the smears, fried items, cured meats and cheeses and entrees are the big draws, it's worth saving room for desserts, like peanut butter and marshmallow fluff cake.

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A rather hidden gem on the “Magnificent Mile” of downtown Chicago, Purple Pig sits at the back of a main-drag retail front as a welcome sanctuary from the throngs of shoppers. It’s definitely easy to miss, and yet its reputation ensures it’s always bustling. The Purple Pig claimed its style as a salumeria/charcuterie specialist, and they indeed do that remarkably well, though their full menu - tapas-style small plates from around the Mediterranean meant for sharing - is diverse and delicious.

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The Purple Pig’s new Magnificent Mile location offers more space to enjoy a medley of chef Jimmy Bannos’s cheese boards, antipasti and, of course, pork, which includes their signature milk-braised pork shoulder. Alan Beasey helms the wine list, a terroir-driven selection of nearly 800 bottles that pays special attention to Bordeaux, Tuscany, Slovenia, Croatia and Armenia. More than 180 wines are available by the glass, and sommelier-selected picks are just $8 during weekday happy hour.

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If you want to impress a foodie, The Purple Pig is your ideal power lunch destination. According to David Tamarkin's review for Time Out Chicago, the food and atmosphere here "has single-handedly turned a restaurant dead zone into the unlikeliest food destination of 2010.". Pollack says that this spot is "very different from everything else on this list. [It has] a hidden-away Euro café feel and a menu rife with small plates, meats, cheeses, and creative bites.

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How could you go wrong with a restaurant having a tagline like ‘Cheese, Swine and Wine’ – all our favorite things!. Located in Downtown Chicago, the Purple Pig is my choice for the best things to do in the city. Try the charcuterie board or Ham Croquettes, Salt-Roasted Beets with Whipped Goat Cheese + Pistachio Butter, Lamb Ribs Harissa BBQ, Lime Yogurt + Fregola, Pork Belly + Tenderloin Ginger Glaze, Carrot + Espresso.

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The Purple Pig Restaurant is one of the best places to eat in Chicago, especially for those who love pork desserts. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant is a famed pork and wine restaurant, featuring an open kitchen, and an airy and inviting atmosphere. Serving Mediterranean-style cuisine, The Purple Pig is great for those with diet restrictions or those wanting smaller portions, plus cheap happy hour drinks.

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The fact that The Purple Pig’s menus are subject to daily changes should tell you all you need to know about this lauded Mediterranean institution. With fresh ingredients flowing in and out of its restaurant doors on a continuous basis, virtually every dish at The Purple Pig is worth trying at least once, whether you choose to go with the classic Greek salad, charcuterie board, or dinosaur-sized pork shank.

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The Purple Pig Restaurant Description: Iconic gastropub with focus on pork. Expanded outpost of a famed pork & wine specialist with an open kitchen & a chic, airy setting. Address: 444 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States Phone Number: +1 312-464-1744 Website: https://thepurplepigchicago.com/ Store Hours: Sunday: 11AM-9PM | Monday: 11AM-9PM | Tuesday: 11AM-9PM | …

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When Jimmy Bannos Jr., acclaimed chef at The Purple Pig, decided to open a gyros restaurant in the Wells St. Market (209 W. Wacker Drive), a new food hall in the Loop, he settled on the name Piggie Smalls. This initially confused me. Not that I didn’t catch the obvious nod to the late rapper The Notorious B.I.G., but weren’t gyros traditionally made with beef or lamb?

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When I was asking for recommendations of where to eat in Chicago before my last trip, The Purple Pig was recommended by the most people—by a landslide. So one Sunday after spending four hours working in my hotel room, I took a break for a late lunch here and was able to snag one spot at a long table full of people. And guys, I totally concur, this is a must-visit!

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Although located in a bustling area on Michigan Avenue, this Chicago treasure must not be overlooked. The tapas-style dining provides visitors with the flexibility to experiment with eclectic dishes from Chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. Their most well-known and daring dish, the crispy pig’s ear is accompanied by kale, banana peppers, and a fried egg.

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Perfect for large groups or a couple sitting at the bar, The Purple Pig is the Mediterranean restaurant of your dreams. It’s comfortable, friendly, and has a great atmosphere. Presentation combined with immaculate flavor is what you’ll get from the dishes at The Purple Pig.

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