Best Trendy Spanish Restaurants in Chicago
5 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.
8.7
An intimate, subterranean boîte earning eleven consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand awards since 2014. Chef Alisha Elenz prepares refined Catalan and Basque coastal dishes with a seafood focus—think boquerones, fideos, and whole grilled prawns—in a 28-seat space with whitewashed brick and a devoted neighborhood following.
Must-Try Dishes:
Boquerones on Toast, Fideos with Mussels, Cataplana
What Makes it Special: Eleven consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand awards with Jean Banchet Best Neighborhood Restaurant honors
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
#4
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.
7.7
Opened in 2025, Fuego Logan Square is a family-owned Latin restaurant and bar with a global twist, where Spanish-influenced plates, tacos, and pastas share space with a serious cocktail and margarita program. Long hours, a DJ on weekends, and outdoor seating make it a choice for nights that lean more toward drinks, music, and sharable plates than a traditional, quiet Spanish dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish Tacos, Margarita Flight, Poblano Spaghetti with Chicken
What Makes it Special: A high-energy Latin and Spanish-influenced restaurant-bar where late hours, DJs, and cocktails make it a go-to for nights out in Logan Square.