Mercat a la Planxa

“Mercat a la Planxa is located inside the gorgeous Blackstone Hotel.”

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.

Traveling O

Oct 2025

“We needed to find a dinner spot before the Beerfest at the Field Museum and landed on an absolute gem.”

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.

John Allie

Oct 2025

“Great spot. We stoped for dinner with a large crowd. Food was innovative and very tasty. Service...”

Great spot. We stoped for dinner with a large crowd. Food was innovative and very tasty. Service with a smile. Will go back for sure and highly recommend.

Dan Dougherty

May 2025

“Get the fig bites.”

Get the fig bites! Everything was delicious and the staff was super efficient. Great location in the beautiful Blackstone right by Grant Park.

LeAnne Lorenz

Mar 2025

“Grilled octopus, tuna tartar and seafood paella all fire.”

Grilled octopus, tuna tartar and seafood paella all fire.. great place to sit and relax. Service was average and FSE had a reall laid back vibe to it.

Ivebeeneverywhereman

Sep 2024

“I had the pleasure of dining at Mercat a la Planxa, and it was an unforgettable experience.”

I had the pleasure of dining at Mercat a la Planxa, and it was an unforgettable experience! The eggs Benedict was hands down the best I’ve ever had—absolutely perfect in every way. I also recommend getting a side of garlic aioli to dip the potatoes in; it added an extra layer of flavor that was simply divine. Another standout dish was the bacon-wrapped dates with goat cheese fondue. This is an absolute must-try! The combination of sweet and savory was incredible, and I couldn’t get enough. The service was top-notch, with our waiter being incredibly efficient and attentive. On top of that, the decor was gorgeous, adding to the overall ambiance and making the meal even more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a place that delivers on both food and atmosphere, Mercat a la Planxa is a winner!

VJ Fowler

Sep 2024

“This is as authentic as spanish food gets.”

This is as authentic as spanish food gets. Excellent food, great ambiance, great service and very nice decor! Highly recommend it!

sibel raif

Sep 2024

“Great outdoor seating with great views, ambiance, lots of TVs, great drinks and food, not sure one...”

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.

Derakhsh Fozouni

Aug 2024

“5 stars all around for this beautiful spot in the lobby of the Blackstone Hotel in downtown Chicago.”

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.

Lisa Steele l Fresh Eggs Daily

Mar 2024

“The food was delicious.”

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.

Gretchen

Dec 2023

“Lovely! Birthday dinner, greeted with glasses of sparkling Cava. We chose to dine in the Catalan...”

Lovely! Birthday dinner, greeted with glasses of sparkling Cava. We chose to dine in the Catalan style restaurant by choosing the Authentic menu of pre-selected tapas. Bacon wrapped figs, patatas bravas, sweet potato croquettes and many other small plates. There were 3 of us dining so we ordered 2 sets of tapas. Our waiter Samuel was helpful and attentive.

Susan Henkel

Nov 2023

“Wonderful tapas! Enjoyed everything from olivas, to pan con tomate, and the brocolini were amazing!...”

Wonderful tapas! Enjoyed everything from olivas, to pan con tomate, and the brocolini were amazing! Service was superb and the dining area was magical! Go by yourself, with a special person, or a small group - all would feel welcome! Enjoy!

Pauli Undesser

Nov 2023