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Mercat a la Planxa
Tapas Restaurant, Spanish Restaurant, and Paella Restaurant$$$$
South Loop, Chicago
The experts at Food Network and Time Out Chicago recommend this place
"Just get the tasting menu and let the chef take care of you."(15 Tips)
"The Bacon Wrapped dates are delicious!"(7 Tips)
"Chef Jose Garces’s colorful Catalan place pairs park views"(3 Tips)
"Hidden Gem within the BlackStone Hotel on South Michigan."(3 Tips)
134 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- tapas
- tasting menu
- sangria
- bacon wrapped dates
- good service
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Erik ShaniJuly 16, 2013Wow!!!! Very very good!!!! We did the tasting menu and enjoyed every single dish. Standing out we're the figs in bacon, the garlic shrimp and the cured meat. If you are in the city, come here!
Start your day off right with the Blackstone Benedict (eggs Benedict with truffled hollandaise). Head downstairs and grab Starbucks for coffee, though - $4 is too much for diner coffee.
Jasmine FriedlAugust 8, 2018Try the luxury tasting menu. Not best-I-ever-had, but pretty good. Wine pairing is solid, and mushrooms are to die for!
- Alexander JimenezMarch 30, 2018The paella is amazing: located on Michigan Avenue overviewing Lincoln Park: a splendid evening with the family: amazing waiters
MartaApril 26, 2017Everything is amazingly delicious! But this seafood and meat paella tops it all! Good to share with 4 people!
Masha ShinderNovember 29, 2013Me and my husband were here on Thanksgiving, we split thanksgiving dinner and it was absolutely amazing experience, I also had a glass of Chardonnay, and it was a perfect addition.
One of the best spots in the South Loop. Iron Chef, Michelin Bib & great option for pre symphony or post McCormick Place!
Ilia FishbeinSeptember 27, 2015I came for Sunday brunch, but opted out of the tasting menu. The chicken sandwich was fantastic and my girlfriend's grilled cheese with jam was great. Highly recommended!- Megan BannisterJanuary 3, 2013A little bit pricey but the food was absolutely incredible. I highly recommend the jamón serrano & the arroz de coliflor. The staff was extremely helpful and very attentive as well.
Dom MenesesMay 25, 2021REALLY good fancy tapas, def on the expensive side but could work well for a group. you can come dressed normally or dress up for the location.
Time Out ChicagoApril 3, 2012Carving station featuring rosemary-roasted lamb and cider-glazed salmon: check. Dessert station: check. Three-course prix fixe (paella, prawns, bacon-wrapped dates)? Sounds crazy, but: check. Read more
Paul A.July 16, 2012Easily a shining example of Chef Jose Garces' considerable talent. Everything on the menu is great, especially the bacon-wrapped dates and the lamb meatballs in a fois grois sauce.
Caroline WongJanuary 14, 2014EXCELLENT tapas restaurant located in the South Loop, very close to the Symphony Center and the Art Institute. Perfect for a special occasion.
Alex ZaltsmanJanuary 9, 2015Absolutely outstanding tapas restaurant at the Renaissance Blackstone hotel. Highly recommend the chef's tasting menu with wine pairing.
Bill SkodaNovember 9, 2012Try the Queso And Charcuterie Tapas - Way outside my comfort zone, rabbit and foie gras rillette was amazing. Queso tapas were Goat, Sheep and Buffalo.
Yonca TokbaşAugust 28, 2019Super fast and good service.. best eggplant tapas ever! Vegan paella is really yummy.. loved it all!- Michelin Travel & LifestyleMarch 3, 2013Chef Jose Garces’s colorful Catalan place pairs park views with a menu of delicious ambition. Bodega N. 5 downstairs is a tasty bargain. – Green Guide Editor
The horchata dessert is, I think, the best thing on the dessert menu. Wonderful flavors, and you can get a small amount or a large amount.
ECavaOctober 1, 2010The octopus a la planxa is legit divine. Baby octopus grilled, but still succelent and served with a bright, bracing sauce. Also, the pork belly and truffle cucumber slaw will make you see God.
Pep TriasJuly 30, 2018Can’t go wrong by ordering gambas a la planxa, pulpo and pimientos del piquillo. Delicious!
JohnnaApril 20, 2013Steak w/manchego & bacon biscuits in sausage gravy is delicious. Ditch the diet for this breakfast item!
Thompson HotelsJune 20, 2011Our concierge Catherine @ Sax Chicago loves having brunch here. The adventurous can place an order (at least 72 hours in advance) for a whole Cochinillo Asado (aka. a roasted suckling pig) for dinner.
Andreas KleinerMarch 11, 2015Amazing food and drinks on the expensive side. Friendly staff. Overall best tapas in Chicago hands down!
My favourite dish is the pulpo (octopus with confit yukon potatoes with olive oil) and gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp with guindilla chilies)
Chicago magazineMay 7, 2012Looking for something rich? Try the rabbit agnolotti with brandied cherries and truffle-chestnut purée or slow-cooked pork belly in sweet cider glaze. Read more
Melissa RogersJune 18, 2013Try the Embotellado Kiwi - a carbonated cocktail made with kiwi, thyme-infused vodka and a syrup of kiwi, thyme, coriander, sugar and white wine.- Time Out ChicagoAugust 2, 2014The sous vide pork belly at Mercat a la Planxa is like warm, pig-flavored ice cream, the meat and fat of it melting in the mouth. Read more
Kathia CruzMarch 30, 2019Excellent service and food! A really good experience, patatas bravas are the best!
Rob van HalDecember 2, 2014Amazing food and great service and venue. We can really recommend the restaurant ...simply WOW😃
Kelly ConroyJanuary 7, 2013Amazing food, amazing service. Try the bacon-wrapped dates, patatas bravas, arroz coliflor... Ok everything is wonderful!
- The Ensalada Verde is fresh and delicious. A great early evening snack.
- Karin KovitvongsaOctober 20, 2011Hidden Gem within the BlackStone Hotel on South Michigan. Great interior, awesome Sangria, and best bacon-wrapped dates in the city!
Erin FlynnJuly 30, 2017Remarkable wine list, including multiple types of txakoli! Hard to find around here!
godless girlMarch 10, 2013The chef's tasting menu is blissful. They will customize it for you if you have allergies or preferences--even down to the wine pairing.
Chicago TribuneNovember 7, 2017The Iberian pork shoulder at Mercat a la Planxa is naturally delicious. Read more
Annie ChambersOctober 30, 2011Unbelievable creativity in each dish, a blending of unexpected ingredients that suit each other beautifully. You can watch them cook too.- Charlie JudyAugust 10, 2010This place is seriously off-the-hook. Unbelievable...go here. Just get the tasting menu and let the chef take care of you. Sangria along the way is a must.
Jim OFebruary 16, 2015The lamb chops are the best item on the menu followed closely by the bacon wrapped dates.
EyalJuly 28, 2013The bloody Mary buffet is great: build and garnish your perfect drink. The eggs benedict are phenomenal.- Time Out ChicagoMay 4, 2012Your mom will like the three-course Catalan-inspired brunch menu. But she'll really like the bottomless Bloody Marys and mimosas for $8.
Amber NelsonSeptember 23, 2015Sensational food recommend the tasting menu although it's a lot of food!
MeganMarch 16, 2011Watch out for the mango sorbet ... the chilis that it's made with aren't listed on the menu and if you're not expecting it, the heat will win! Described as the hottest item on the menu.
Chirag PatelAugust 5, 2012Creative recipes and really good spot for the loop but too many dishes rely on their traditional Spanish alioli sauce- Upscale, creative tapas & a delicious seasonal sangria or two.
Crain's Chicago BusinessJuly 23, 2010Chicken, chorizo, rock shrimp and piquillo pepper aioli combine for bold, stew-like Arroz a la Cazuela, one of the finest soups in town. Read more
flying felizNovember 6, 2015Try the French Toast - #otchefstable #chicago #breakfast #michelin #bibgourmand (via @Foodspotting)
433 Photos
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Mercat a la Planxa
638 S Michigan Ave (at E Balbo Ave)
Chicago, IL 60605
United States
Chicago, IL 60605
United States
Take a culinary tour of Barcelona right on Michigan Avenue at Mercat a la Planxa, a Chicago Tapas Restaurant by Iron Chef Jose Garces!
Closed until 4:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 4:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Fri
- 4:00 PM–Midnight
- Sat
- 7:00 AM–Midnight
- Sun
- 7:00 AM–11:00 PM
(312) 765-0524
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
No
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Wine
See More
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- 9.2
"The spicy potatoes and the goat chz baked in tomatoe sauce is to die for! You must get it!"
Jennifer Carr - 8.3
"Order the waiters recommendation since the menu is always changing! Trust me everything is good here!"
Allison Kaminski - 7.7
"SQUID INK FRIED RICE (Spanish squid ink, jumbo shrimp, cherry tomato, shiitake mushrooms, edamame, sweet corn and fresh basil.)"
ISC Chicago
Places people like to go after Mercat a la Planxa
- 9.3
"Very beautiful, nice lighting, very festive. Sounds was good too."
Elvyra Milliken - 9.5
"Love the CSO! Definitely one of the better orchestras in the US. The space was beautiful and cozy as well."
Sharon Tsao - 8.9
"Wow Bao has a kiosk here around section 110, Baos are great & probably one of the healthiest foods here They also were giving away single Baos early, or at least gave us one."
Beider
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