What is the best Mediterranean restaurant in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville?

The Purple Pig is our top pick for Mediterranean restaurants in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville, scoring 8.8/10. High-volume Mediterranean small plates spotlighting pork and Spanish-leaning tapas.

Any insider tips for The Purple Pig?

Sit at the kitchen-facing counter for faster pacing and guidance.

What should I order at The Purple Pig?

Milk-braised pork shoulder, charred cauliflower, one or two pastas.

When should I visit The Purple Pig?

Evenings for buzzy room; late lunch for easier walk-ins.

Who should go to The Purple Pig?

Travelers and locals wanting lively small plates off Michigan Avenue.

Any insider tips for Nora Restaurant?

Ask for a window or banquette table if you want the full room effect—those go first at peak times.

When should I visit Nora Restaurant?

Weeknight dinners 6–8pm for smoother pacing and service.

Who should go to Nora Restaurant?

Couples and small groups wanting polished, modern Mediterranean.

Any insider tips for Pinched on the River?

On nice days, order at off-hours to claim a riverfront patio seat without a long line.

What should I order at Pinched on the River?

Chicken shawarma bowl, beef chevaps, falafel pita with extra spreads.

When should I visit Pinched on the River?

Lunch and early dinner before 7pm to avoid patio waits.

Who should go to Pinched on the River?

Office workers and locals wanting fast but thoughtful Mediterranean.

Any insider tips for Sayat Nova?

Request a booth away from the entrance for a quieter, more intimate feel than the main walkway tables.

When should I visit Sayat Nova?

Evenings 6–8pm before the room fills with pre-theater crowds.

Who should go to Sayat Nova?

Din ers who like old-school ambience and hearty grilled plates.

Any insider tips for 101 Bar?

Eat downstairs for the fuller menu, then bring drinks upstairs to the rooftop once you’ve finished your mains.

What should I order at 101 Bar?

Hummus and pita to start, grilled salmon, chicken sliders.

When should I visit 101 Bar?

Golden hour into early evening for rooftop views and happy hour.

Who should go to 101 Bar?

Groups prioritizing skyline views and drinks over formal dining.

Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville (60611)

Q: What should I order at Nora Restaurant?

Tuna tartare, pulpo a la gallega, prime hanger steak.

5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: January 2026

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Our Top Pick

The Purple Pig

High-volume Mediterranean small plates spotlighting pork and Spanish-leaning tapas.

Notable Picks

#1 The Purple Pig

8.8

$$$ Magnificent Mile

Vibes: Trendy Table Hotspots Date Night Magic Group Dining Gatherings Happy Hour Hotspots

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.

View Full Review →

#2 Nora Restaurant

8.4

$$ Streeterville

Vibes: Date Night Magic Trendy Table Hotspots Business Lunch Power Players Girls Night Out Approved

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.

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#3 Pinched on the River

8.3

$$ Streeterville

Vibes: Quick Bites Champions Outdoor Dining Oasis Healthy Haven Solo Dining Sanctuaries

Pinched on the River is a compact Streeterville spot tucked along the Ogden Slip, known for build-your-own pitas, bowls, and Mediterranean grills backed by a well-loved wine list. It’s a flexible choice that works as well for quick lunches as it does for casual riverfront dinners on the patio.

Must-Try Dishes: Chicken Shawarma Bowl, Beef Chevaps Plate, Falafel Pita

What makes it special: A riverside Mediterranean grill where customizable pitas and bowls meet an efficient, friendly crew.

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#4 Sayat Nova

8.2

$$ Streeterville

Vibes: Date Night Magic Hidden Gems Heaven Comfort Food Classics Family Friendly Favorites

Open since 1970, Sayat Nova is a tucked-away Armenian restaurant just off Michigan Avenue serving kebabs, pilafs, and meze that read as earthier takes on Mediterranean standards. The low-lit, slightly retro dining room feels removed from the street, making it a long-running choice for pre- or post-Mag Mile dinners.

Must-Try Dishes: Mixed Grill Kebab Platter, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Trout with Rice Pilaf

What makes it special: A decades-old Armenian spot offering rustic, shareable kebabs and meze in a cozy, tucked-away room.

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Worthy Picks

#5 101 Bar

7.8

$$ River North

Vibes: Rooftop Views Revelry Trendy Table Hotspots Happy Hour Hotspots Girls Night Out Approved

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.

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