Best Group Dining Spanish Restaurants in Chicago
6 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.
8.5
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Chicago's original tapas bar since 1985, certified by Spain's Bureau of Tourism and celebrating 40 years of authentic Spanish cuisine. The sprawling Lincoln Park institution excels at crowd-pleasing classics—patatas bravas, bacon-wrapped dates, and live-fire paella—served alongside pitchers of sangria in a lively, labyrinthine space with an all-season patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chorizo-Wrapped Dates, Seafood Paella Valenciana, Beef Tenderloin Toro Skewer
What Makes it Special: Chicago's longest-running Spanish tapas bar with official certification from Spain's Bureau of Tourism
8.3
Boqueria Fulton Market is a Barcelona-style Spanish tapas bar in the West Loop’s Fulton Market district, known for classic small plates, paella, and sangria in a loud, social room. High-volume crowds come for shared tapas, bottomless brunch deals, and a lively bar that feels more like a night out than a quiet dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Patatas Bravas, Gambas al Ajillo, Seafood Paella
What Makes it Special: Barcelona-inspired Spanish tapas bar in Fulton Market with paella, sangria, and a packed, high-energy dining room.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Bulerias Tapas Bar’s Humboldt Park location brings a full Spanish menu of tapas, paellas, and sangria to the North Avenue corridor, often paired with flamenco performances. Open in this space since 2018, it’s a go-to when groups want patatas bravas, made-to-order paella, and live entertainment in a lively, slightly packed room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Patatas Bravas, Paella Bulerias (House Seafood Paella), Black Ink Paella (Paella Negra)
What Makes it Special: A Spanish tapas and paella house where live flamenco and late-running dinners make it feel like a night out, not just a meal.
#5
Mama Delia
7.9
Mama Delia is a late-night Spanish restaurant and sherry bar in Ukrainian Village where paellas, conservas, and jamón ibérico share space with elaborate cocktails and DJ-backed energy. Diners come for richly flavored tapas, dramatic plating, and a transportive room that feels more like a design-forward lounge than a traditional taverna. Expect strong cooking, big nights out, and prices that reflect the scene-heavy ambiance.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pan de Cristal con Tomate, Pulpo a la Gallega, Arroz Negro
What Makes it Special: High-energy Spanish restaurant and sherry bar with paella and conservas.
7.5
Opened in 2021 inside the Sable at Navy Pier, Lírica serves Spanish- and Latin-inspired plates with a long cocktail list and a large patio looking back at the skyline. It functions as a flexible all-day option for hotel guests and Navy Pier visitors more interested in waterfront views and cocktails than destination-level cooking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Rigatoni, Papas Bravas, Spanish Omelette
What Makes it Special: Waterfront Spanish-inspired plates with big patio views over Lake Michigan.