This is my favorite restaurant in River North - this was my first taste of "contemporary" dining and it turned out a lot better than I expected. This is a pricey restaurant but it is worth it. You can usually walk in with no issues - usually when we do the wait time is usually around 10 to 30 minutes if you have a small party (about 2-3 people). Service is very prompt and the atmosphere is very nice - it is clean, dim enough, and you can smell the kitchen if you sit close enough. The food is very good - we usually like to start off with Bone Marrow which is served with very nicely toasted bread and we also tried out their prosciutto and melon special, which was very refreshing. I forgot the name of my dish but it was a kind of duck dish that was very nicely cooked and their sirloin was juicy. Their Ravioletto was incredibly flavorful and light and their turkey leg confit is an awesome amount of food that just falls apart very nicely when you touch it with your fork. Overall our experiences here have always been really pleasant - I highly recommend this place if you were to try any restaurant around Michigan Avenue.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The food was fabulous and the staff was wonderful. I would recommend the food to anyone looking for a taste above most. I would note that the new location is not as intimate and the loudness in the room made it difficult for many of our party to hear one another. With our reservation for 10, we had hoped to have a nice seating/view, but we were stuck by the door, which was disappointing. They may have changed it, but they were very busy, so we didn't ask. The food and service made us forget about the noise and location.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Cured Meats Cheese Platter, Grilled Broccoli, Tapas, Tuna Tartare, Turkey Leg Confit, House-Made Ricotta Ravioli
Vegetarian options
Great selection of options. Our vegetarian folks were impressed.
Dietary restrictions
One family member is silica. She doesn't eat out often, due to most kitchens not being truly GF conscious. The menu at the PP was fabulous, which made her experience very special. Thank you from all of us!

What’s more to say that hasn’t already been said about the Purple Pig? James Beard award winning chef, Bib Gourmand Recognition, numerous wine and culinary awards. Needless to say, it’s highly recommended. We were fortunate to have Herbie as our server and he was just excellent with his service and recommendations. He paced our meal perfectly and we never felt rushed. He is just one example of the many talents on display there. Reservations are recommended but walk ins are possible for seats at the bar. Wherever you end up sitting, you will be in store for a fantastic meal!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$100+
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Pig Ears, Tuna Tartare, Squid Ink Chitarra, House-Made Ricotta Ravioli, Spanish Octopus
Parking space
Difficult to find parking
Parking options
Paid parking lot, Paid street parking, Paid parking garage
Kid-friendliness
I would not recommend bringing kids here. The atmosphere is great and very lively but much of the dishes are geared towards adult diners.

The Purple Pig has been a name in the Chicago food scene for a while now, but this was my first time eating here despite living here for a long time. Reservations weren’t too difficult to make and the restaurant is conveniently located along Michigan Avenue (though it seems like they moved next door from where I remember them being). Food wise there are many popular options to chose from. We came with a group so we got to order family style and try a bit of it all. Trust the recommendations is my advice. My favorite dishes with the turkey leg confit and the braised pork shoulder. The crispy pig ears were also a solid appetizer but feel a bit too airy for me without a solid bite you can dig your fork into. The chicken dishes were good but definitely not the star, stick to the pork options as the name suggests. Prices were reasonable and we left feeling very full so all in all worth it.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Pig Ears, Turkey Leg Confit, Milk Braised Berkshire Shoulder

My wife and I celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary here on 12/9/23. Everything about it was perfect. I had let them know in the reservation about the occasion. When we arrived they congratulated us. We were given a small complimentary Prosecco for celebration and a dessert to split at the end. We ordered four meals to split. The bone marrow was out of this world good, the duck croquettes were excellent, the octopus was very good, and the shoulder was more than we could have expected. Everything was exploding with flavor. Our waiter was great. While the place is high end for food, it is a more relax environment. I appreciated that it did not have the Steak House vibe. It is also at a great location. We were very impressed and look forward to our next visit. They also had a great wine menu and their cocktails were great.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Milk Braised Berkshire Shoulder, Spanish Octopus

First of all, the pork belly is to die for. It has no business being that juicy. Some places go heavy on the fat and the meat isn't anything special, but this was just the perfect balance of tender meat and decadent fat. It's what I came for and I was not disappointed. Other dishes ordered were the duck croquettes and squid ink noodles, which were also quite tasty. They have a ton of other options too that I would love to try once I'm back in the area. We sat at the bar as those were the only seats available when we walked in around 6pm on a weekday. It's in front of the open part of the kitchen and we liked watching the cooks but if you want a table, definitely make a reservation. Our servers were cheery and attentive, but not in an overbearing way. Definitely a friendly vibe and warmly decorated venue.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Squid Ink Chitarra

For real this is the best restaurant in Chicago. I really love going there every time I’m in the city. They have a good variety of food and in drinks Everything is delicious I recommend doing a reservation before going there because it can get crowded. I had an issue the last time I was there; I made a reservation, got a confirmation by text but when I arrived it wasn’t there. I waited around 2 hours for them to let us in, we were a party of 7, and they told us it was already time for them to close. After talking to the manager and explaining the situation they let us in.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Costillas de Cerdo, Octopus A la Plancha
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Menu is all vegetarian, Large vegetarian selection
Vegetarian options
Good vegetarian options

Good: Burrata was the best, with sharp nuts and decadent pumpkin. Feta cheese had good tomatoes and oil, came with delicious, oiled and sugared bread. Salmon was too sweet for me but otherwise good. Pork ears were disappointing, was more like a unfresh kale salad than what I expected. Parpadelle pasta noodles were not like a pasta restaurants (mid quality noodles) and sauce was forgettable. Chicken thigh special had too much wine and cream, felt heavy and not meaty like I expected. Training in the servers seems inconsistent. A few almost took our food while we were still eating, another offered us more bread (of course, we were charged for it). Solid, Spanish industrial mid-century type of decor.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5

I try to come back here every time I visit and it's one of my favorite places. Everything is so well done and absolutely delicious. You almost can't go wrong with literally anything on the menu. Walk ins for 2 aren't too hard to get but I'd recommend a reservation if you want to guarantee you don't have to wait long. This most recent time I went the ravioletto was PERFECT and my favorite thing I've eaten in a while. Just really good soft pasta with a nice molten gooey cheese. Make sure to take your typical cheese ooze video when you first cut into it. Food: 10/10 Service: 8/10 Atmosphere: 6/10 Value: 6/10
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3

One of my go to places whenever I’m downtown. 10/10 food 10/10 service I miss their old location where it was shared tables, but I’d highly recommend coming here whether you’re a local or traveler! I don’t have old photos but their bone marrow with bread is my favorite to get!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Scallops, Tuna Tartare, Pork Shoulder, House-Made Ricotta Ravioli
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking options
Paid parking lot, Paid street parking
Parking
Have to find a nearby parking garage or street parking.

“The Purple Pig offers an experience that tantalizes the senses, though it occasionally falls short of expectations. The mushrooms and pasta dish was a delightful symphony of flavors, each bite infused with earthy and savory notes. However, the 36-hour pork chop, while ambitious in its preparation time, regrettably did not live up to its promise. The meat lacked the anticipated tenderness and depth of flavor that one would expect from such extensive cooking. Despite this, the overall visit was pleasant, with the high points certainly outshining the lows.”
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Tuna Tartare

We had called in the morning to make a reservation for dinner, which was a good call because they get busy. Once we put our order in, the drinks and food came promptly. Each dish came out delicious with perfect timing, and had a perfect balance of flavor. Honestly, the “worst” thing there was the dessert we got (raspberry cheesecake) which had a lot of overwhelming flavors, but all the main appetizers/dishes we ordered: no complaints. We had a table of 5, 4 of us ordered drinks, and we had 10 dishes + 1 dessert to be full. Service was wonderful and I would definitely come back.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

We ate family style so we can try all piggy plates. Starting with ribs, they fell off the bone in a zesty bbq sauce with barley. A good amount of fat made the pork belly tender and maple syrup added the sweetness; so delicious. The Berkshire pork shoulder was on the dense side and had a slight gamey taste to it. Not to my liking for pork. The biggest disappointment was the 36 day aged pork chops - I was expecting it to be moist for a pork specialty place, but it was on the dry side; the potatoes and the apple cider sauce didn't help.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

3.5/5 Beautiful restaurant on magnificent mile, quite spacious and has the perfect ambiance for brunch. Food tasted alright but I expected better for the price. We tried the Spanish octopus, halibut, beef short ribs and the ricotta and chocolate chip tart. The octopus and ricotta chocolate chip tart were my personal favourites. We were pretty disappointed with the service though. Our server kept disappearing and they kept us waiting a while when we asked for the bill.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Spanish Octopus

I visited The Purple Pig on a weekend evening, but luckily, I could get in without waiting. This restaurant specializes in various pork dishes. Considering their natural textures and flavors, the ingredients were cooked perfectly. Given that the quality is good, I thought the prices reasonable. The server was friendly, adding to the overall enjoyable dining experience. One note: the dishes are on the salty side. Of course, taste is subjective, so you need to adjust your salt accordingly. Thank you :)
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Went for the first time and went back the next day! The whipped feta was amazing with heaps of cheese for the delicious oiled up bread. The pastas were oozy and flavorful, though smaller portions than the average restaurant. The pork we got was tender and delicious. Drinks were on par with other places in the city. We enjoyed that the menu items had wine recommendations we could follow. Jaime was a fantastic bartender - very attentive and provided recommendations. The table staff was impeccable at replacing and removing plates and refilling water!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100

A great variety of appetizers and cheese plates to choose. The cheese plate with preserves was very good, triangle pita pieces exceptional - soft and ; Figs and walnuts, not bad, but the softer texture threw me off. Enjoyed the mixed meat ragu (pork and beef) with homemade pasta al dente. Service was very good and smells from the kitchen left me wanting more. I'll be back for a second helping when I return to Chicago in early December. You need reservations... Don't forget!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Lunch with my 2-year-old daughter and my friend. Visiting Chicago so searched most reviewed restaurant then hit here. We didn't expect that good but reviews are real! We were lucky because we went there around 2-3 p.m. a bit off time so luckily no wait time. But the restaurant was so busy at that time too! And the food was amazing! I ordered pappardelle because of my daughter and the taste is amazing! My friend ordered a special, it looks amazing and so tasty! A big bone looks gorgeous. When we come back to Chicago next time I'll take my whole family here.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Used come here more often when it was on the other side. Some of my favorite dishes were no longer there (razor clam), but I got to try new items, and they were just as good, entire meal, and the wine choice was superb. Squid ink pasta was gorgeous. The sauce was well emulsified, and the perfect amount was with each bite. Pork blade steak was something new, it was sweet and juicy. I didn't really care for the red sauce, barely touched it. I'm so glad I got to eat here again in a while during my short return to Chicago!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

This place holds amazing memories for myself and colleen. They had a former spot across where ether were from and the kitchen was so small that the line cooks had to duck dodge and dive to make the magic happen. It was like poetry in motion. So years later we join them again and they still have a small kitchen, but enough space that they don't have to dip dodge, and dive.. if you are ever in chi town, I recommend this place wholeheartedly. This was fantastic
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

I looked up Michelin recommended guide and find the restaurant and we arrived 3PM on Saturday. The waitlist is more than 1 hour. The Foie Gras was OK. The fruit jam was too sweet and too think, had covered the taste of foie gras. The Ravioletto is small portion, four bits in total. It’s still good, the melted cheese wrapped in the pasta, with strong brown garlic butter sauce on top. They did well for the 36 Days Aged Pork Chop. It’s pretty tender. It’s a large portion dish.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$50–100

Walked in at lunch and they were able to fit me and my husband at the bar. Wait staff was incredibly nice, cocktails were great! Food was incredible, no complaints at all we had a magnificent meal! Forgot to take pictures of the rest of our meal because we ate it too fast. The roasted bone marrow was a standout for me!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Pork Shoulder, House-Made Ricotta Ravioli

THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!!! Was in Chicago for a little and came here based on a friend’s recommendation. The wait (without a reservation) was shorter than expected. The service was OUTSTANDING! We had 2 people with allergies and the server was so knowledgeable about every ingredient in every dish. Her recommendations were perfect. We had the fig dip, bread, gnocchi and a couple other dishes. All 10/10. Will be returning next time I’m in town for sure!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The service was amazing and the food bursting with flavor. All the right textures too. Love their menu options. I got the pork belly but my siblings also got the turkey leg confit, squid ink noodles (I forgot the name sorry), and Half duck. We also shared a bone marrow (sooo good) and beets (it was aight but I am not a huge fan of beets in general). There were a few beef dishes we got too and those were good (I forgot their name again sorry)
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Came in from out of town and tried this place before a sunset cruise by Wendella. It was SO good and probably my favorite food I ate while in Chicago. Service was excellent as well especially when staff made recommendations. Their explanations made everything sound mouthwatering and we definitely left happy and full!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Squid, Pig Ears

Awesome restaurant and experience. The Purple Pig has become a favorite after only one visit! Creative menu with dishes that come out sequentially for sharing. From the Ceasars salad with bacon to the pork blade steak we thoroughly enjoyed every bite. I messed up the reservation but they were able to seat us immediately at the bar which was a treat because we were able to watch the dynamics of the kitchen in action. Highly recommend.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

This is honestly one of my favorite restaurants in the entire world. I loved it when it was the smaller restaurant next door. I think this larger version is nice but I kind of miss the smaller spot next door! Either way the food is still fantastic and absolutely delicious!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Scallops, Pork Ribs, Pig Ears

Checked all the boxes for sure. Great service, creative and delicious food, and warm ambiance. The staff was extremely insightful and had a great rapport with each other and the guests. If I was local I would be a regular! Highly recommend the tuna tartare and the mushrooms three ways.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Tuna Tartare

Incredible upscale bistro adding to the magnificence of Michigan ave. Wonderful ambiance, open kitchen, incredible menu (we went with pappardele, chitarra, pork shank, and salmon all were divine, as were the pig ear appetizer). Service is outstanding, wine spirit and beer options fabulous. All in all highly recommended.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

I was blown away by the creative ingredients the chef used in every dish, I love all the dishes we ordered, scallops & Pork Shoulder & octopus. Service is super friendly. Vibe is awesome. We randomly walked in around 3 PM on a Tuesday, and they were almost packed. Highly recommend.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Squid

Found it! The best restaurant in Chicago. Generous portions, high quality ingredients, beautiful presentations and delicious, interesting and balanced flavors. Unfussy service. Lively atmosphere but not too loud and just brightly enough lit. Etc. We will be back!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Pork Shoulder

Food was great, I really liked the Octopus plate it had amazing. The pork belly was cooked very well and had almost like a candy layer it was great. The service was the amazing and the food came out fast. The atmosphere is nice, nice enough for a date. I would recommend
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Tuna Tartare

Splendid, bravo, explosive, it’s such a wonderful, memorable dining experience. The plating is amazing, so is the cooking. We order Roasted Bone Marrow, Acorn Squash, and Pork chop. Every dish exceeds our expectation. Every sauce casts a thrilling delight through our veins.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Delicious experience at the purple pig. My drink, coconut key lime pie margarita, was so tasty!! We tried the crispy pig ears for the first time and it was the best! The pork chop was cooked to perfection and the octopus dish was so flavorful. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely a must try if in Chicago.
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

Unpleasantly loud restaurant unless you can catch it without it being a busy night. We were there 6:30-maybe 8pm on a Monday night and it was deafening. Great wine list. They push you to order as in a tapas bar; get several dishes to share. Tables close together, easy to chat with people seated next to you.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

What a fun experience. Service was attentive without hovering. Friendly people! The food was everything people told me it would be. A new favorite! Must go back to try dessert. Portions were so generous there just wasn’t room.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Everything was delicious. The only thing keeping me from another star is a lot of the accompanying sauce is very sweet. And we like it more savory than sweet. If you like it sweet, this would be the perfect place for you. The pork belly is yumm, and the seafood risotto was absolutely perfect. More

A good place for pork fans, though the shoulder is a little salty. Like their bread selection and the large vegetarian options. Pork tongue could be softer.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 4

Best experience and family restaurant experience ever. We had a party of 9 for a birthday party and they were very kind and accommodating :). Definitely on the higher end of price and type of food but worth it nonetheless.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Loved the entire experience! Wait staff was very engaging & responsive - gave great recommendations. Tuna tartare and crispy pig ears as apps, scallops as main, and tiramisu & creme brulee for dessert!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

We came here for lunch right when they opened at 11am and got seated as walk-ins. The interior of the restaurant had a lovely modern finish, and the service was insanely quick and attentive. We ordered the pork belly and the milk braised

This was definitely the best restaurant that I went in Chicago. I was with a big group and we were only able to make the reservation for 4pm, but that's ok for a group of 7 people trying to make a reservation for the next day. Everything

Came for my birthday and had an absolutely divine time. Despite their name, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of meatless options (I’m a pescatarian). We got the ricotta spread with fig to start- it was exceptional and tasted like

I came here for my girlfriend’s birthday dinner and we had the roasted bone marrow, the suckling pig, and the rigatoni ala carbonara. The roasted bone marrow was the perfect appetizer. Perfectly warm and salty. Absolutely loved it. The

I've eaten at The Purple Pig each time I've come to Chicago, and it has always been an amazing experience. First, get a reservation. Even if you make it that day, the reservation will be

The wife and I loved our meal at the purple pig! We don't typically enjoy tapas style place but we loved every single plate that brought to us. Service and food were excellent! More

Unique and delicious pork dishes here. Note: portions are very large! Started off with Crispy Pork Ears and Grilled Broccoli. Both were delicious but

Every single dish we had tonight tasted amazing! Highly recommend salt-roasted beets, smoked pork tongue, roasted bone marrow and pork belly!!! More

One of the restaurant that you can’t miss in Chicago !! All the food and drinks pairing is gorgeous. Everything is delicious and

Highlights: Rustic, Rich flavors, Quasi-tapas, meat forward, vegetarian accesible menu