Crispy Pig's Ear
$21.00Crispy pig's ear strips served with kale, pickled peppers, and a sunny-side-up fried egg.
Crispy pig's ear strips served with kale, pickled peppers, and a sunny-side-up fried egg.
Savory duck croquettes paired with provolone cheese, crisp apple, smooth eggplant purée, and spicy kimchi.
Sweet piquillo peppers stuffed with flavorful Italian sausage, caramelized onions, creamy goat cheese, and toasted almonds.
Aged Jamón Serrano served alongside roasted tomatoes and premium 34-month-aged manchego cheese.
Warm baked goat cheese layered with rich roasted tomato sauce, sweet honey, and served with grilled bread.
Silky whipped feta cheese drizzled with honey, vibrant chili oil, fresh thyme sprigs, and candied pine nuts.
Fresh creamy burrata cheese served with roasted pears, braised radicchio, and crispy fried artichokes.
Roasted split bone marrow topped with fresh herbs, savory bacon-onion jam, pickled onions, and coarse sea salt.
Smooth whipped ricotta topped with crunchy pistachios, sweet cherries, apricots, dates, honey, and fresh mint.
Creamy chickpea hummus paired with roasted eggplant, crispy fried garbanzo beans, and aromatic pistachio pesto.
Roasted red beets topped with rich crumbled goat cheese and luscious pistachio butter.
Charred grilled broccoli tossed in savory anchovy vinaigrette, sweet apple slices, garlic, and crispy bread crumbs.
Grilled king trumpet mushrooms served with rich pork-shiitake jus, pickled onions, and a earthy truffle-mushroom purée.
Crisp seasonal greens tossed with garden vegetables and house citrus vinaigrette.
Classic creamy mashed potatoes whipped with butter and seasonings.
Chef's grand selection of artisanal house-cured pork charcuterie, artisan cheeses, and gourmet accompaniments.
Char-grilled Spanish octopus served with marbled potatoes, jalapeño slices, sambuca accent, fresh chimichurri, Spanish chorizo, and almonds.
Pan-seared jumbo sea scallops paired with pear & fennel purée, crispy prosciutto strips, pecan pesto, and brown butter truffle vinaigrette.
Pan-roasted salmon fillet served over roasted piquillo pepper sauce, braised red cabbage, toasted sesame seeds, and pickled green onions.
Pan-seared fresh halibut cooked to tender perfection and served with seasonal garden herbs.
Handcrafted pasta agnolotti stuffed with braised beef short rib and bone marrow, tossed in brown butter and rich red wine jus.
House-made squid ink chitarra pasta with mussels, tender shrimp, octopus, green beans, and roasted tomato sauce.
Savory squid ink risotto cooked with calamari, shrimp, lime yogurt, and crispy garlic chips.
Ribbons of pappardelle pasta tossed with rich pork and beef bolognese ragù, wild mushrooms, and aged pecorino cheese.
Pillow-soft potato gnocchi sautéed in slow-cooked pork ragù, topped with manchego cheese and tender baby carrots.
Succulent Iberico pork tenderloin served with crispy pancetta, tender oyster mushrooms, sweet corn, and sautéed spinach.
Juicy pork ribeye steak paired with char-grilled broccolini, sweet apples, tart cranberries, and golden crispy smashed potatoes.
Slow-cooked pork belly coated in ginger glaze, served with pickled carrots, espresso reduction, and crisp frisée salad.
Tender braised pork shoulder paired with saffron fregola pasta, sweet dried apricots, and braised Swiss chard.
Char-grilled chicken thigh skewers served with golden fried smashed potatoes and cool house-made tzatziki.
Prime filet mignon steak served over roasted carrot purée, caramelized onions, crispy fried shallots, and rich bone marrow butter.
Herb-roasted half chicken cooked to tender juicy perfection with savory roasted pan juices.
Massive prime bone-in Tomahawk ribeye steak grilled over open flame and served with herb compound butter.
Slow-roasted pork shank falling off the bone, served with seasonal pan reduction jus.
Rich dark chocolate ganache tart served with delicate cocoa dusting and whipped cream.
Creamy house-churned vanilla bean gelato made from premium Madagascar vanilla.
Silky coconut panna cotta paired with smoked orange marmalade, sweet honey, and polenta cookie crunch.
Traditional Italian tiramisu layer cake soaked in dark espresso and topped with velvety mascarpone cream.
Zesty lime-infused cheesecake set on a buttery graham cracker crust.
Traditional Sicilian fried brioche pastry filled with sweetened ricotta cheese and chocolate morsels.
Positioned along Magnificent Mile, The Purple Pig Restaurant is a Chicago institution celebrated for its unapologetic embrace of Mediterranean nose-to-tail gastronomy and rich, cheese-laden smears. Combining rustic Italian, Spanish, and Greek sensibilities with master-level charcuterie and offal artistry, this lively venue turns adventurous dining into an approachable, high-energy feast.
The dining room vibrates with dynamic urban energy, characterized by warm wood finishes, expansive bar seating, and a glowing open kitchen. Pulling up a stool at the counter offers front-row theatrical views of line cooks searing octopus and plating delicate agnolotti. While the ambient sound level leans loud and lively, the smooth synergy between front and back-of-house creates a polished, welcoming momentum.
While the menu changes with micro-seasons, several signature preparations remain non-negotiable highlights:
Despite being billed as small plates, portions at The Purple Pig are surprisingly hearty and rich. Sharing 3 to 4 items between two guests typically yields a satisfying meal. Dinner checks generally range between $50 and $90 per person depending on wine pairings, making it an exceptional value for high-caliber culinary execution in downtown Chicago.
Despite its heavy focus on pork and cured meats, the kitchen accommodates plant-focused and gluten-sensitive guests exceptionally well with dishes like roasted beets on creamy pistachio butter or house whipped feta drizzled with chili oil and honey. Walk-ins are frequently accommodated at the expansive bar counter, making it an ideal spot for spontaneous dining off Michigan Avenue.
55 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
159 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611
21 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60611
530 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
633 N St Clair St, Chicago, IL 60611
9 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Yes, The Purple Pig clearly marks gluten-free items across every section of its menu. Standout gluten-free options include the Roasted Bone Marrow, Char-Grilled Spanish Octopus, Salt-Roasted Beets with pistachio butter, Whipped Feta smear, and pan-roasted mains like the Pork Iberico or Scallops with brown butter truffle vinaigrette.
The menu is structured into shareable categories including Snacks, Smears, Vegetables, Cured Meats, Pastas, and Meats. While classified as small plates, the dishes are rich and substantial. A party of two usually finds full satisfaction ordering 3 to 4 plates total—typically one smear, one vegetable or pasta, and one main meat item.
The restaurant's nose-to-tail identity is best showcased through the Crispy Pig's Ear (with kale, pickled peppers, and fried egg), the Bone Marrow Agnolotti pasta, slow-cooked Pork Belly with espresso reduction, and the premium pan-roasted Pork Iberico tenderloin.
While advance reservations are recommended for prime weekend hours, walk-in guests are regularly seated at the energetic bar counter or communal high-top tables. Counter seating offers full menu service alongside front-row views of the open kitchen.
Vegetarians have access to an array of flavorful options, particularly within the 'Smears' and 'Vegetables' sections. Favorites include the Whipped Feta drizzled with honey and chili oil, Baked Goat Cheese in roasted tomato sauce, Whipped Ricotta with pistachios and dried fruit, and Salt-Roasted Beets over pistachio butter.
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