Best Trendy Table Hotspots Mediterranean Restaurants in Near North Side
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
The Purple Pig
High-volume Mediterranean small plates spotlighting pork and Spanish-leaning tapas.
Notable Picks
8.8
Opened in 2009 by chef Jimmy Bannos Jr., The Purple Pig is a high-volume Mediterranean small-plates restaurant on the Magnificent Mile where pork, offal, and vegetable dishes pull from Italian, Greek, and Spanish flavors. A Bib Gourmand pedigree, tens of thousands of reviews across platforms, and an always-busy dining room make it one of downtown Chicago’s most proven small-plates destinations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Milk Braised Berkshire Pork Shoulder, Charred Cauliflower, Pork Belly
What Makes it Special: High-volume Mediterranean small plates spotlighting pork and Spanish-leaning tapas.
8.4
Opened in 2024, Nora Restaurant & Bar brings a modern coastal Mediterranean menu with Sardinian influences to a polished Streeterville dining room. Cocktails, seafood, and pastas draw both hotel guests and locals looking for a newer, design-forward spot a short walk off Michigan Avenue.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna Tartare, Pulpo a la Gallega, Prime Hanger Steak
What Makes it Special: A newer Streeterville dining room pairing coastal Mediterranean cooking with a cocktail-first bar program.
Worthy Picks
#3
101 Bar
7.8
The 101 Bar & Grill anchors a multi-level bar and rooftop complex at Rush and Erie, pairing Mediterranean-inspired dishes with burgers, salads, and a strong cocktail focus. Guests come as much for the covered patio and skyline rooftop as for the food, making it a social, view-driven way to work Mediterranean flavors into a night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus with Warm Pita, Grilled Salmon Entrée, Chicken Sliders
What Makes it Special: A Mag Mile–adjacent bar and grill where rooftop views, cocktails, and Mediterranean-leaning plates share the spotlight.