Ресторан · Chicago · ⭐ 9.3/10 · 7408 reviews · $$ · updated: 2026-06-30 19:39:23
Address: 444 N Michigan Ave Upper Level, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
The Purple Pig: Cheese, Swine & Wine Off the Mag Mile
The motto on the door says it all: cheese, swine and wine. Steps from the Michigan Avenue Bridge, Jimmy Bannos Jr. runs one of America’s great nose-to-tail Mediterranean kitchens, where pig ears get the royal treatment and the wine list roams from Sicily to Santorini. Tourist-strip location, zero tourist-trap cooking.
The Chef
Bannos is a fourth-generation restaurateur — he grew up bussing tables at his father’s beloved Heaven on Seven — and sharpened his knives in Mario Batali’s New York kitchens at Del Posto, Lupa and Esca. He opened The Purple Pig in 2009, drawing on Italy, Greece and Spain; in 2014 the James Beard Foundation named him Rising Star Chef of the Year, and Bon Appetit had already ranked the place among America’s best new openings.
What to Order
The milk-braised pork shoulder over mashed potatoes is the undisputed king — the kitchen sends out close to a thousand orders a week, and the meat pulls apart without a knife. Chase it with the crispy pig’s ear with kale, pickled cherry peppers and a fried egg, a “smear” of whipped feta on grilled bread, and roasted bone marrow. Dessert means the Sicilian Iris — fried brioche oozing ricotta and chocolate — or cinnamon soft serve doused in espresso.
The Space
Since 2019 the Pig has occupied a far roomier home on the upper level just off Michigan Avenue, near Tribune Tower: exposed brick, warm low light and long communal tables that turn strangers into tablemates. In fine weather, outdoor seats overlook the avenue’s endless parade.
Who It’s For
Magnificent Mile shoppers who refuse to eat badly, wine lovers chasing obscure Mediterranean bottles, and grazers who would always rather have six small plates than one big one.
Good to Know
Is lunch served? Yes — the kitchen runs continuously from late morning into the night, every day of the week.
Is there a happy hour? Sunday through Wednesday afternoons, with rotating small plates and bar pours.
Do I need a reservation? Recommended at peak times, but communal seating keeps walk-in odds decent.
Vegetarian options? Plenty — the smears, cheeses and vegetable plates carry the menu’s quieter side with pride.
Private events? Yes, dedicated private dining and event spaces are available.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 11:00–22:00 |
| Tuesday | 11:00–22:00 |
| Wednesday | 11:00–22:00 |
| Thursday | 11:00–22:00 |
| Friday | 11:00–22:00 |
| Saturday | 11:00–22:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00–22:00 |
Photos
Show 2 more photos
Visitor reviews
Reviews last updated: 2026-06-30 19:39:23
Data is refreshed monthly. Sources: chicago-trend.com and editorial picks based on reviews.
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 atten…
I managed to book a table. Every dish was stunning! We especially loved the bone marrow, and the bread served with it was so tasty — my kids loved it. If you like spicy food, you'll probably also love the Spanish octopus…
Wow, this is one of the best restaurants we've ever been to. If you're in downtown Chicago, you absolutely must have dinner at the Purple Pig.
We ate a lot, ordered a few things, but the chef came over to us at the bar,…
A wonderful experience. My boyfriend highly recommended this place to me, because he was last here (when it was at the old location). Nice service. Nice interior. The food was mostly very tasty. The beet appetiser was re…
A tasty and filling lunch! We started with shared appetisers of pig ears and bone marrow, served with toasted bread. For mains, my friend ordered the duck and three buns to stuff the meat, and I chose the aged pork chop…