Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

    4.3 (5.2k reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Takeout or Delivery

    Services - Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

    Venue rental

    Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE BA-BA-REEBA! ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Classy
    Casual

    You might also consider

    More like Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Salad
    Erin C.

    Chill place on a Saturday. Great for friends gathering. Some of the servings are priced adequately. Summer overpriced empanada was OK as well as the potatoes bacon wrapped dates and kale, broccoli salad, I believe. I had a pair of fashion that was pretty good. I don't know if I'll be back though the bathrooms were nice but downstairs. Parking was scarce. Our server was very prompt and nice. Very knowledgeable. Sorry the pictures aren't that great because the lighting was not the best.

    Patatas Bravas and Spanish Meatballs
    Khanh D.

    We came here for happy hour. We got the bacon wrapped dates, ham croquettes, and patatas bravas, which I all liked equally. I thought we would get more than just 2 ham croquettes so I was disappointed in that portion size. We also got the spanish meatballs which didn't stand out to me, I would recommend skipping them. The place was really cute and service was great. I would love to come back for their paellas and other dishes that sounded enticing. Also would love to sit in their outdoor patio next time too.

    Ibérico Ham Croquetas
    Alexis C.

    Vibe: so fun! The restaurant is also HUGE! Service: really great, no complaints. Value: of course a bit pricy as a tapas place, but if you're looking for a nice or celebratory spot it feels affordable for that purpose! Iberia jamón croquettes: these were my favorite. The sauce paired perfectly with them. A must-order! Burrata: Good, but we were a bit sad about 3 pieces of bread for 4 people. Not pictured items: Stuffed mushrooms: these were also incredible. I wasn't sure what to expect for stuffed mushrooms at a Spanish restaurant but I'd definitely order these again! Paella Mariscos: delicious! Basically fried rice without eggs but with seafood. All of the seafood was perfectly cooked; nothing was chewy. Fall Fashioned: There was something about it I just didn't love, but maybe I just prefer a plain old fashioned Overall, I enjoyed and would recommend, but I'm not rushing to come back right away.

    Bacon-Wrapped Date
    Isabel T.

    Food was good! Stuffed mushrooms and tomato & goat cheese were very yummy! I feel like our paella could use a bit more flavor? But the chicken was tender which was yum. We were seated in a weird spot hidden away in a little nook separated from everyone else. Literally couldn't see any other tables or enjoy the ambiance which was disappointing as both the outdoor (ish) space and indoor space were very pretty.

    Jesse P.

    I was really excited to try this restaurant, but unfortunately, the experience fell short of expectations. We visited during restaurant week, and while we anticipated it would be busy, the atmosphere made it difficult to enjoy our meal. We were seated near the kitchen, which made our table uncomfortably warm, and the noise level was quite high, making conversation challenging. The service was decent overall, but there were a few issues. We mentioned that we were there for restaurant week, yet our group of five was only given one menu, which was inconvenient to share. After placing our order, the food arrived inconsistently and out of sequence. Dishes were brought out at different times and without explanation, so we weren't sure which plates belonged to whom. It would have been much better if the courses had been served together and in order. The food itself was just okay. The standout dish was the potatoes, especially the sauce, which was delicious. However, the seafood paella was disappointing, it was overly mushy and lacked a substantial amount of seafood. Additionally, the dessert portions were quite small. Considering the $45 price point, plus an additional $13 for the paella, I didn't feel this experience offered good value for restaurant week. Unfortunately, I don't think I would return.

    Chorizo wrapped date and Caña de Cabra Cheese Crostini
    Becca K.

    Came here for Chicago Restaurant week! The restaurant week dinner special included two appetizers, first course, second course, and dessert for $45. We upgraded the second course to add +$13 for the seafood paella. This is my third time going to Cafe Babareeba and it hits home for Spanish cuisine. My favorite food to order is of course the Spanish paella. I was pleasantly surprised that our restaurant week menu included sangria. If you come here with 4 people and share all the courses, it's definitely worth it you wanna try a lot from the menu. My new favorite dishes that I tried were the Brussels sprouts salad and patatas bravas. Such a good start for the beginning of restaurant week!

    Samantha P.

    LOVE the indoor outdoor patio. The environment is lively and the staff are very kind. The food was delicious. Really enjoyed the bikini sandwich, shishito pepper and the lamb skewers. Oh and the goat cheese YUM. Very reasonably priced and who doesn't love a shared plate?!

    Bacon-Wrapped Dates
    Amber C.

    SOO YUMMY. Most authentic Spanish food I've had outside of Spain. We came for lunch on a beautiful Friday and sat in their indoor patio. So cute loved all the greenery and art. We ordered peach sangria, a bunch of tapas to share, and seafood paella. Everything was delicious. Favs were the Brussels sprouts salad, hanger steak, and paella. Our server was really funny and nice too.

    Hanger steak
    Natasha G.

    Cannot stop recommending this spot! Super cute inside! Paella was AMAZING, so was the deviled eggs, hanger steak, Brussels sprouts salad, empanadas, goat cheese pesto garlic bread, oh and the homemade tahin (w/margarita) was fantastic! Server was on point with her recommendations! I can't wait to go back to experience this AGAIN! Yum!

    Hillary P.

    A Chicago legend, anyone who has even the slightest taste for Spanish tapas must make this a stop when in the area. We were fortunate enough to come in just as they opened on a Saturday morning without a reservation and had no problem grabbing a seat, but they did fill up. Metered Street parking is available and can be tight, some lot parking can be found in the area if you're lucky. Recommend an Uber if necessary so you can enjoy some of their full bar or additional sherry experiences with your meal. The restaurant consists of the original section which really has a lot of character. The newer edition appears to be what was a former exterior patio that is now fully enclosed, and has some marvelous artwork. There is a very small exterior patio area for anyone that wants to enjoy the weather. Our server was pleasant and attentive while we tried a variety of tapas specialties. The Spanish ham and manchego was one of our favorites, but by far was the chorizo wrapped dates that was spectacular with a sherry. Not advertised, but available after a request, you can purchase a bottle of Sherry, which turns out to be quite less expensive than by the Glass pricing, and if you don't finish, you can take it with you. For anyone that's familiar with the Chicago food scene you might know of Emilio's tapas restaurants which also offers fabulous selections. Emilio originally trained at this restaurant before branching out on his own. Weekend brunch and happy hour specials during the week are available. Check their website for details. This restaurant is awesome.

    Spanish Meatballs and Patatas Bravas
    Jordan C.

    First time coming to Chicago and all my friends told me I had to check this place out! Located in Lincoln Park, it is away from the hub-bub of downtown Chicago. The menu features a variety of Spanish tapas, pintxos, small plates, and Paella. You are meant to order plates to share with table. Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba really prides themselves in serving authentic Spanish food and providing guests with a unique experience. The restaurant itself is very cute and has a fun vibe about it. There are plenty of seating options and a gorgeous bar as well. Service was wonderful! Our server did an excellent job checking in on us, refilling waters, and just making sure we were satisfied with everything. We did get a reservation via OpenTable, this is always necessary, but I would recommend doing this, especially on the weekends. We ordered a couple plates to start and the ended up ordering more throughout our meal. I really love that you can do this, it paces the food and allows you to enjoy the experience more. We put in orders for 2 of the goat cheese baked in tomato sauce, a patatas bravas, Spanish olives, and Spanish meatballs (Al Jerez). The food came out in a timely manner and was served made to order. We dove right in! The goat cheese was luscious and perfect on that cold afternoon. It's baked in their old world Spanish oven and served with house garlic bread. This dish was super creamy, with a nice tang from the tomatoes, and just phenomenal. The patatas bravas were just divine! The spicy potato's were cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and yet soft on the inside. They paired perfectly with sun-dried tomato aioli they were served with as well. The Spanish Meatball were decent as well. They had great texture and I really enjoyed the sherry tomato sauce they were served in. For our next round, we had to order more patatas bravas because they were just that good! We also got some calamari and extra bread for the remaining baked goat cheese. The fried calamari comes with tomato crudo and a jalapeño aioli. It was nice and crispy, nothing too special but still hit the spot nonetheless. Overall, I was so happy my friends and I came here! The food was amazing all around, no complaints at all. The service was great as well. They are very accommodating and do a great job taking care of guests. Loved the interior of the restaurant, it was super cozy! I will definitely have to return next time I'm in the area to try more tapas. Highly recommend!

    Elaine L.

    Planned to stop by for the amazing happy hour specials, however, there was no seating at the bar. The restaurant was also fully booked and the next table was 3hrs from the time we arrived. However, the host was wonderful and was able to accommodate my group at a table while the reservation arrived. We had just enough time for a drink and apps, it was perfect! I ordered the fall fashioned which was a nice take on a traditional old fashioned with some fall spices. We also ordered the potato salad, calamari, mushrooms, and escargot. I was honestly not a fan of the potato salad as the potatoes were grainy and felt undercooked. The escargot was okay (not bad but also not great). My favorite dish was the mushroom. I will be coming back to try different dishes. My group of friends weren't feeling very adventurous with the food options this time around.

    Melissa D.

    We went at Christmas time and it was beautifully decorated. The vibe is warm and energetic. The service was friendly and attentive. OK let's talk about the food...amazing. Who doesn't love small plates where you can taste a bit of everything. It was perfect because all of us had varying tastes. I would highly recommend coming here and I would go back in a heartbeat.

    Beef Tenderloin Benedict

    See all

    4 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason N.
    48
    52
    15

    19 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Rachel G.

    Rachel G.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Rachel G.

    Rachel G.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Samantha P.
    66
    114
    162

    18 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Natasha G.
    114
    30
    26

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    26 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike S.
    34
    85
    53

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Rachel G.

    Rachel G.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 129

    Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!

    Is their a kids menu?

    No, there is zero kids menu. My picky eaters love the beef skewers. I highly recommend those.

    What time do you start dinner menu? I'd like to make reservation at 4:30pm, but I also would like to do dinner menu at same time. Thank you

    They are open at 4pm during the weekdays and 11am during the weekend so you are good to go. Make that reservation!

    Can you get full size paella during brunch hours on the weekend?

    Yes you can. Full menu is also available during brunch hours

    Are you open for Lunch?

    Open for lunch only on Friday (11:30am-11pm) , Saturday (10am-11pm) & Sunday (10am-9pm). To note brunch is only offered on Sat/Sun.

    When are you featuring lobster paella again? It's worth a trip to Chicago!!!

    We typically have our Lobster Paella around New Year's Eve as that is a Spanish tradition!

    Can I get a table without a reservation?

    Usually, no! Unless you grab a seat at the bar, which is full service.

    Are there heat lamps in the patio seating area?

    Hi Christine, Thank you for reaching out. Starting tomorrow, we will have a high-output electric radiant heater on our tented front patio. We still advise guests to dress… Read more

    Is it open for take out/delivery as of lately?

    If it's open to go but it's 4 pm 8pm but you can look at the restaurant's website for more information or call them at the restaurant.

    Can you order tapas from their regular menu during brunch hours on Saturday/Sunday?

    We did!

    I love this place, but recently developed a very severe dairy sensitivity. Anyone know if there's…

    Hi Danielle, We have plenty of options for guests who have dairy allergies/sensitivities, including vegetable tapas and a variety of meat/seafood tapas. Many of our dishes… Read more

    Can you pay in cash here?

    Hi Katherine, We accept cash and credit. Thank you for reaching out!

    Are there rules / limitations on using LEYE reward dollars here?

    None that I'm aware of. Have successfully earned or used LEYE points on all days of the week here.

    Do they offer halal options?

    Hi Kausar, Thank you for reaching out. We unfortunately don't offer halal options.

    Do you have a happy hour menu?

    Hi Amanda, Yes! The happy hour is available daily from 4pm to 6pm in the bar area. Click here to view the menu: http://cafebabareeba.com/menu/happy-hour-menu/

    Is this place vegetarian friendly?

    They have a ton of veg options. Especially if you eat eggs and dairy. You'll clean up great here! I recommend to all my veg friends coming to visit.

    We have a reservation for a group of 8 next Friday. Does the restaurant require all members of the party to be present before seating?

    Yup, they won't seat you until everyone is there!

    Are their stews/soups vegan?

    Hey! We offer two soups/stews on the menu, the Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup and Moroccan Chickpea Stew. The Chickpea stew is vegan while the Butternut is not as its cream base.

    What time is the kitchen open until on Friday?

    Hi Nikhil, The kitchen closes at 12:00 AM on Friday and Saturday. Thank you!

    Do they have vegan options?

    I am not 100% sure. Spanish menus tend to be meat-centric. But I had a delicious potato salad with my wine. And I am guessing they could provide some vegan options---maybe not a wide range but some. Give 'em a call! It's Lincoln Park. Very hip… Read more

    Do they have valet parking?

    Hi Melissa, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! offers valet daily!

    View All 24 Questions

    You might also consider

    The Social Table - Kitchen downstairs (we used the one upstairs)

    The Social Table

    4.8(70 reviews)
    0.1 miLincoln Park, DePaul
    $$

    We bought a gift certificate for an open class before Covid and they canceled all open classes once…read morethey reopened. We were not able to return for a refund.

    Excellent evening! We came here on a date (and the where and what were surprises to me). Chef Dom…read morewas warm and welcoming, in addition to being professional and fun. We started out with some hummus and crostini. We were glad to have snacks since it was about an hour and a half until we sat down to eat. By the way, you can bring your own wine! They have nice glasses and a wine opener to us. The also sell some; the Cab we had was only $20 and was quite good. There were only 5 of us, plus chef. It was great since we all got to do more and hear better than with a normal larger group. Our Southern menu consisted of collard greens with pancetta, skillet jalapeno-cheddar cornbread, mustard potatoes with onions, and the most amazing flank steak + tomato chutney. Seriously, I'm still mentally drooling over this chutney! I can't wait to make it again! For dessert, lemon curd mousse. Delicious It was really nice to have our actual meal at a dinner table that was thoughtfully decorated and put together (versus in the kitchen around the stainless steel). We really had an amazing night and loved learning some new skills, recipes, and flavors. Looking forward to going back for a different menu!

    Photos
    The Social Table - Exterior (819 W. Armitage Ave.)

    Exterior (819 W. Armitage Ave.)

    The Social Table - Simple Italian menu--pork Milanese, asparagus with prosciutto and bechamel sauce, mustard roasted potatoes

    Simple Italian menu--pork Milanese, asparagus with prosciutto and bechamel sauce, mustard roasted potatoes

    The Social Table

    See all

    The Rookery Building - FLW iron installation.

    The Rookery Building

    4.5(75 reviews)
    2.9 miThe Loop

    Visiting The Rookery was one of those quiet Chicago moments that really sticks with you. From the…read moreoutside it's understated, but once you step into the Light Court, the space opens up with natural light, ironwork, and detail everywhere you look. The Frank Lloyd Wright staircase is subtle but impressive--nothing flashy, just solid design that holds up over time.Tip for first-time visitors: go on a weekday and aim for mid-morning if you can--the light is best, it's calmer, and you'll actually have space to stop and look around. It's not a long visit, but it doesn't need to be. The Rookery is simple, beautiful, and worth slowing down for.

    Make no mistake, this space is stunning and definitely something to see. As a recent wedding guest,…read moreI was expecting more. The setup of the building makes for a cramped wedding. We had to stay in the crowded lobby for a long time before the ceremony space was opened. The restrooms are far away from the action, about as far from the party as they could be. The second floor cocktail space was cramped. The two bartenders were soooo slow. Not sure if they were part of the catering staff the Rookery uses or separate. Dinner was exceptional. No one knew the bar moved from the second floor to a space under a first-floor staircase for drinks after dinner. There was no announcement of where desserts were located. A lot of the issues I had with the wedding could have been eliminated had an experienced planner been hired. Too often during the day guests were not sure where to go or what was happening, what was next. It's a beautiful space but my advice to couples would be to hire a planner who is experienced and who has worked several wedding at the Rookery. Also, I was told the space was rented the night before the wedding so the couple couldn't have a rehearsal. Unfortunately, that was obvious and added to the disjointed event. Also, some tourist walked into the back of the ceremony space during the wedding. I would have thought Rookery staff/security would keep tourists out of a private event, but this is one of those things that will become a funny wedding story in a couple of years.

    Photos
    The Rookery Building - Glass canopy

    Glass canopy

    The Rookery Building - FLW Planters

    FLW Planters

    The Rookery Building - Glass canopy

    See all

    Glass canopy

    Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! - spanish - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...