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Creative Catalan-inspired tapas & inventive cocktails in a swanky setting overlooking Grant Park.
Address and Contact Information
Address: Located in The Blackstone Hotel, 638 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 765-0524
Website: https://www.mercatchicago.com/
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Order and Reservations
Reservations: mercatchicago.comtripleseat.comopentable.com
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Mercat a la Planxa | Chicago Tapas Restaurant and Bar
Downtown Chicago restaurant with creative catalan-inspired tapas & inventive cocktails in a swanky setting overlooking Grant Park.
Menus | Mercat A La Planxa in Chicago, IL
See the menus for Mercat A La Planxa in Chicago, IL. Serving Catalan-inspired tapas & inventive cocktails for on-site services, takeaway, and dine-in!
Hours & Location | Mercat A La Planxa in Chicago, IL
Visit Mercat A La Planxa in Chicago, IL at 638 South Michigan Avenue. Open Monday to Friday from 6AM to 10PM, and Saturday to Sunday from 7AM to 10PM.
Reviews
Leah
I’m been coming here since the opened. This year we decided to do an untraditional Thanksgiving with Mercat, and they did not disappoint. My mother loves lamb chops and they definitely stood out. Calamari was also fresh, light and delicious. The broccolini looked and tasted amazing. This is also a great place for brunch.
… moreJohn Allie
We needed to find a dinner spot before the Beerfest at the Field Museum and landed on an absolute gem. From the moment we walked in, the beautiful, open space and welcoming service set the tone for a fantastic evening.
The menu is true tapas style — every dish we tried was incredible. The garlic shrimp, calamari, and patatas bravas were all standouts, perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. We finished with the large mixto paella, which easily feeds up to four. It does take about 25–30 minutes, but it’s well worth the wait — rich, hearty, and perfectly balanced.
Drinks were spot on too — the Sidecar was especially good. Whether you’re heading to an event nearby or just looking for a fun date night or dinner with friends, Mercat a la Planxa is a must-visit.
… moreThe menu is true tapas style — every dish we tried was incredible. The garlic shrimp, calamari, and patatas bravas were all standouts, perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. We finished with the large mixto paella, which easily feeds up to four. It does take about 25–30 minutes, but it’s well worth the wait — rich, hearty, and perfectly balanced.
Drinks were spot on too — the Sidecar was especially good. Whether you’re heading to an event nearby or just looking for a fun date night or dinner with friends, Mercat a la Planxa is a must-visit.
Craig Stern
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants–an easy five stars–with a unique interior, lovely views of Grant Park, and the best paella in the city. When I went last night, however, the paellas were gone from the menu. I was told that they are redoing their menu and that we were not the first to ask about it.
We had a show and didn’t have time to go elsewhere, so we stayed and ordered a selection of tapas, which ranged from just okay to pretty good.
To be clear, this is still a perfectly decent restaurant–but nothing I had last night rises to the level of the paellas they pointlessly tossed off the menu, and there are many places that simply have better offerings than what remains, particularly at this high a price point. Unless and until they add the paellas back, I really wouldn’t bother going here.
… moreWe had a show and didn’t have time to go elsewhere, so we stayed and ordered a selection of tapas, which ranged from just okay to pretty good.
To be clear, this is still a perfectly decent restaurant–but nothing I had last night rises to the level of the paellas they pointlessly tossed off the menu, and there are many places that simply have better offerings than what remains, particularly at this high a price point. Unless and until they add the paellas back, I really wouldn’t bother going here.
Traveling O
Mercat a la Planxa is located inside the gorgeous Blackstone Hotel. Mercat specializes in Catalan tapas. Like the Blackstone Hotel, Mercat is elegant and sophisticated.
I ordered Dates wrapped in Bacon. It was The Bomb! Calamari was a tad fishy but very good. Service was amazing. Views are breathtaking. Overlooks Grant Park.
If you’re handicapped, there is a small elevator in Hotel that will take you to and from Lobby.
Recommend reservations.
… moreI ordered Dates wrapped in Bacon. It was The Bomb! Calamari was a tad fishy but very good. Service was amazing. Views are breathtaking. Overlooks Grant Park.
If you’re handicapped, there is a small elevator in Hotel that will take you to and from Lobby.
Recommend reservations.
John Witasik
Portions were generous and sharable. The was ultimately excellent. It took a very log time one dish to be served. The server offered complimentary drinks. Things happen and they made it right. Love the decor and staff. 2 in our group were vegetarian and they accomodated. Great experience but pricey.
… moreBrittney Frank
Service review only!
I came to this hotel with my family and it happened to fall on the weekend the nascar race was occurring. My husband and I grabbed a drink at the bar and then asked if we could sit by the windows to watch the last 5-10 laps of the race. I’ll start by saying it was 5:15pm when we arrived and the restaurant was almost entirely empty. The hostess said we weren’t allowed to sit at the table unless we were eating dinner. We explained we just ordered drinks, we plan to order appetizers, and we may potentially meet the dollar amount for two people. After questioning the hostess again he said he would have to ask the manager so we opted to stay at the bar but at a low top so we could still order food. We waited for another 20 minutes (until the race ended) and NO ONE CAME BY OUR TABLE. At one point, every server in the restaurant and the manager were watching the race instead of doing their job. When the race ended I asked to speak to the manager to let him know and he didn’t even know we were restaurant patrons. The food smelled AMAZING and I REALLY wanted to try the grilled shrimp – but we didn’t get to order anything before we needed to leave.
… moreI came to this hotel with my family and it happened to fall on the weekend the nascar race was occurring. My husband and I grabbed a drink at the bar and then asked if we could sit by the windows to watch the last 5-10 laps of the race. I’ll start by saying it was 5:15pm when we arrived and the restaurant was almost entirely empty. The hostess said we weren’t allowed to sit at the table unless we were eating dinner. We explained we just ordered drinks, we plan to order appetizers, and we may potentially meet the dollar amount for two people. After questioning the hostess again he said he would have to ask the manager so we opted to stay at the bar but at a low top so we could still order food. We waited for another 20 minutes (until the race ended) and NO ONE CAME BY OUR TABLE. At one point, every server in the restaurant and the manager were watching the race instead of doing their job. When the race ended I asked to speak to the manager to let him know and he didn’t even know we were restaurant patrons. The food smelled AMAZING and I REALLY wanted to try the grilled shrimp – but we didn’t get to order anything before we needed to leave.
Gretchen
The food was delicious. It’s our go to when in the mood for tapas! The drinks are inventive without being off-putting. The bartender was happy to share his knowledge with us so we could learn more about the drink offerings. We had the La Puerto Rojas (gin) and the Grandpa’s Flask (rye). They were just right. The tapas are so good. We especially loved the shrimp, the potatoes, the lamb chops and the best bacon wrapped dates. A great way to celebrate Christmas Eve. But we’ll return very soon.
… moreDerakhsh Fozouni
Great outdoor seating with great views, ambiance, lots of TVs, great drinks and food, not sure one can ask for anything more. Great place, caring and attentive staff. The Brussels sprouts and chicken wings with garlic and buffalo sauce were grrrrrreat, truffle fries weren’t as crispy as I’d like but had lots of truffle flavor and the charcuterie board was worth it. Fast girl drink was amazingly refreshing and many thumbs up to whoever came up with that, Thank You.
… moreLisa Steele l Fresh Eggs Daily
5 stars all around for this beautiful spot in the lobby of the Blackstone Hotel in downtown Chicago. The atmosphere is old-world elegant, the service impecible, and the menu, while not terribly expansive, offers such variety. Nice cocktail and wine list as well. I had the scallops which were perfect. Nicely browned and expertly seasoned The tuna tartare was just the right amount of spicy. The calamari was nicely breaded and crunchy. I loved the pistachios in the bacon-wrapped date tapas. They provided a nice crunch. The beef meatball tapas were seasoned well and had a nice crust. And the blackened peppers and goat cheese were also delicious. Everything was perfect. 3-4 tapas dishes per person makes a nice dinner, and they’re definitely made for sharing. I would definitely go back.
… moreSteve Reeves
If I could give a restaurant 10 stars, it would be Mercat a la Planxa. We have never had so much fun eating dinner. The service was incredible. The food was amazing!!! Everything we ordered was delicious! We ordered the Traditional Experience Menu. It came with a little bit of everything. You paid the same price person. It was worth every penny. We left full and happy. (Note: Be sure to look at all my pics to see what we ate.)
… more