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Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
2024 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614
View more Chicago restaurants
(773) 935-5000
- Sun - 9:00am - 10:00pm
- Mon - Thu 4:00pm - 10:00pm
- Fri 11:30am - 12:00am
- Sat 9:00am - 12:00am
Cuisine: Bars, Cafes, Spanish Restaurants
View more restaurants at exit 49b a on I-94.
4.8 of 5.0 from 218 reviews
price range:$11 to $25
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Blogger Reviews of Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
Eating For Sanity on Jan 28, 2014
My girlfriend recommended ordering the short ribs. And I was glad she did. The dish comes with a sizable short rib that has been braised for quite some time. The tenderness shows that. It is served with manchego mashed potatoes, grilled onions, brussel sprouts, and ripened red jalapeños. The entire dish was incredible.
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Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba Reviews
Add your review for Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba.
Now living in Houston, TX. one place I like to mention to anyone visiting Chicago is this excellent restaurant. My dining there was a unique experience. The menu has an excellent choice. The Paella is fantastic. Everything has a unique and excellent taste to it. I strongly recommend outdoor dining around summer/fall. I feel prices are reasonable for the quality of food and drink. Try some spanish wine. Visiting Chicago? You will really dig this place.
by og1corpchef
How many times have you ever thought about just eating a bunch of appetizers? Well, at this restaurant ... that would be the normal way to go!While the food is good, what makes this place most enjoyable its unique style of dining. My wife and I ordered & shared about 8 different dishes, filled ourselves up and at a very reasonable price.
by Jamil
This place is bursting at the seams and there’s good reason for it: Amazing tapas and an energetic atmosphere make for an exciting dining experience. Made-to-order paella and mouth-watering tapas are pleasing to the stomach and easy on the wallet. The patio is very popular. It was really cool sitting on the covered patio during a massive thunderstorm. We ordered nine dishes and while some dishes were better than others, they were all good. The food was excellent, the atmosphere was fun, and the service was great. Don't forget to try the Sangria!!! I have been to one other Tapas place in D.C. (Jaleo). It was not as good as Café Ba Ba Reeba.
by RogerRabbit
Yummy tapas. Try them all.
by William Q.
Very young crowd but the tapas were good and fair priced
by Damon M
I walked in here to use the bathroom so I ordered a beer. The beer was good. The food smelled good too.
by Cole K.
Everything was delicious - paella was a lot of food!
by Julie R
The service was great throughout the meal, but there were some misses when it came to the dishes.
by Bitches Who B.
Bacon wrapped dates and the short rib were to die for!!
by Adrian S
Absolutely love this place! Amazing food & drinks, everything was delicious. So fun & perfect for a girls night out. Plus, incredible value!
by Allison D.
Love brunch here! Lots of fun options to choose from and great place for a crowd.
by Kaylee F
The garlic shrimp, baked goat cheese and meatballs are great tapas dishes!
by Christopher Floss
Many delicious sangria options! I enjoyed the peach and passion fruit!
by Christina G.
Tapas, tapas, and more tapas! Literally everything was amazing and the Sangria was to die for.
by Thurgood C.
The paella is delish!
by Paige K.
Perfect for dates! Must try bacon-wrapped dates, beef empanadas, any paella and goat cheese
by Elizabeth S
The brussel sprout salad was awesome!
by Dr dru I.
Excellent Tapas and Sangria!
by Bill T
Loved everything! Especially the bacon wrapped dates.
by Erica C.
Best place for tapas in Chicago
by Diego Reynoso
Blood orange sangria is delicious! Also loved the Patatas Bravas
by Carolina Manterola
Lamb was good , had a bowl of rice can't quite remember the name of it . Wine was exceptional quality place to take a date ,or night out with the fellas .
by Kyle D
Omg Pork paella! Tapas! Sangria! Everything was delicious!
by Irays Munoz
Great tapas!
by Gibran T
Paella is delicious! Fun place to hangout with a group of friends.Â
by Erika M
Loved the bacon wrapped dates!
by Audrey Krassnitzer
The food is exquisite. Mallows you to try a multitude of things and in the end, it's usually cheaper than if you went out and bought your own meal. I love this place for brunch!
by Marjorie G
So many great tapas! If you are there for lunch/brunch you can still ask to see a dinner menu and they'll make you anything from it
by Emily M.
Expensive! But really good. You'll want to try everything. And just when you think you're done, the desserts are awesome too.
by Max Moss
Do try the desserts!
by Justin F
Sangria and goat cheese in tomato sauce
by Ninah Randolph
Amazing black raspberry sangria! And the tapas are perfect to split so you can try several. I think we split like 6 of them.
by Jenn W.
Spicy potatoes and garlic potatoes!!!!
by Lana S
Best paella and sangria in Chicago. Always a fun time.
by Dustin M.
I absolutely love you Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!! Check out Freebie today!
by Vera B
I absolutely love you Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!! Check out Freebie today!
by Debora J
I'm partial to Iberico, but the paella here is better... Ask for garlic aoli if they don't bring it.
by Michelle R.
Sausage fried paella with a poached egg and warm potato onion omelette are a must!
by Eating It All E
Food, Sangria
by Sergey L
This place is amazing! The paella is wonderful. Everything we tried was so delicious. You can't go wrong! You can ask the servers to make suggestions on how many tapas to share based on your group.
by Jennifer J.
Bacon. Wrapped. Dates. Yum.
by Molly M
Tapas and Sangria!! Yum!
by Shirley H
Love this place, especially the red sangria. Busy on weekend nights but worth the wait.
by Todd Bernier
You literally cannot go wrong. So delightful :)
by Zach S.
Goat cheese baked in tomato sauce...heavenly
by Madeline C
Delicious tapas. The paella was very Americanized, but still with good flavor. Definitely a should-try!
by Ronald Vieira
Peach sangria and the chorizo plate
by nati K
Love this place, amazing for special occasions
by Tatiana Buenaventura
This resturant was wonderful! Not only was the food epic ( potatoes with tomato aioli and BACON wrapped dates) but the wait staff and manager were GREAT! Great service all around!
by Margaret E.
Super impressed with everything we ate. Loved the calamari and beef empanada. The flan was amazing for dessert. Can't wait to go back!
by Sophia R.
Tapas are awesome
by Clarence M
Sangria is the best
by Victoria C
The olives are a great started. Also recommend the goat cheese in tomato sauce and the octopus.
by Louis Klieger
The chicken empanadas and white sangria!
by Andra M
Food drinks
by Francesca L
The goat cheese in marinara is delicious! But everything we had was good!
by Andrea Kinkela
Delicious blackberry and peach sangria. The potatoes are also a must for your table
by Emily Sullivan
Really fun, really good.
by Mike McDonough
Sangria 👌👌
by maggie C
Sangria by the pitcher. Go for the red, you won't be disappointed.
by Cary Black
Fast service, filling tapas.
by Madhu Vulimiri
Tapas everything
by Kim D.
The sangria is perfection. Lots of tapas from which to choose. I liked the spicy potatoes, the goat cheese, and the shrimp with garlic.
by Stefanie K
One of the best dining experiences of my life! Tons of different sangria flavors, amazing tapas, and great atmosphere. Start with a chorizo wrapped date.
by lauren w.
Sangria, bacon wrapped dates, goat cheese baked in tomato sauce, meatballs - all amazing. Would love to try the paella next.
by Kayleigh H.
Sangria and the stuffed mushrooms are amazing!
by Kim O
Fun atmosphere, friendly staff and the tapas are delish!
by Mohammed Hassan-Ali
Great sangria selection!
by Jason G.
Passion. Fruit. Sangria. You know I'm right.
by Erin M.
Must try the Patatas bravas and the beef with horse radish and red onion!
by Vik K.
The spicy potatoes & the deviled eggs are AMAZING!
by Ashleigh K
Bacon wrapped datesðŸ‘ðŸ‘
by Stefanie P
Chorizo wrapped dates and flight of red wine. Perfect pairing
by Marty R
The cod with an onion marmalade. And the sausage with Lima beans.
by M-L T
amazing food & sangria but not worth waiting hours for a table, definitely sit at the bar!
by Stephanie E
Amazing Tapas! Killer Sangrias. So far the best I have come across in Chicago. Lively ambience, great place for groups, .
by Satish M.
Always an interesting meal. Be careful with the fried peppers as the red one will get you. Get the Pintxos Platter to try an assortment. Very good.
by Linda Alexander
Everything is great here!
by Hailey F.
The shrimp with garlic is amazing. The buttery sauce has just perfect amount of kick from the chopped garlic and pepper flakes, and it's the gift that keeps on giving-dip your bread in till it's gone
by Alanna D
Great Date Spot for Bacon Wrapped Dates on any Date of the year. (See what I did there?) Oh, and have some Sangria while you're at it. Makes the bad jokes a little more fun.
by Linda F.
Overrated food! Too greasy!
by Nina
Youreally cant go wrong with anything you order here. Best tapas ive ever had. Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere.
by Rashawn Sims
Queso de Cabra was the best I've had. Share the Brussels Sprout Salad and get the Granny Smith Empanadas for dessert!
by Tres Chic C.
Sangria? MAMMA MIA
by Mark M
You must try the caramel bar dessert. Fantastic!!
by Kelli M.
Try the fried green peppers
by Guru Dharmateja Medasani
Spicy Potatoes are a must and the Moorish Chicken was excellent
by Jason H
Spicy potatoes!!!! They are like crack
by Dana C
Don't miss the bliss. We're giving away a $250 gift card to Café Ba-Ba-Reeba. Click here for your chance to win!
by Lettuce Entertain You
Not a ton of vegetarian/vegan options, but the sangria is on point!
by Claire G.
Expensive prices for serving sizes that wouldn't feed a womp rat. Poor service if you order just water to drink, which tastes worse than well water, & no blue milk. Obviously, Sith run establishment.
by J.r. H.
Loved the bacon wrapped shrimp and chorizo wrapped dates!
by Cristina N.
White peach sangria is divine. Try the bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed dates!
by SofÃa B.
Try the grilled squid
by Mike M.
Get the butterscotch!
by Kelly D.
You can never go wrong with bacon wrapped dates. I really enjoyed the pintxos platter, specifically the goat cheese croqueta with lemon gastrique and the roasted beet crostini! Yum!
by Dena F.
The bacon wrapped dates are heavenly. The sangria is also perfection.
by Anamaria H.
Free dranks bitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Georgie W.
Pleasantly surprised it wasnt overly salty. loved the Spinach mushrooms, brussel sprouts and the meatballs. loved the fresh sangria
by Veronica H.
Caramelized bananas for dessert were to die for! Perfect size! And the bacon wrapped shrimp was amazing!
by Nancy
Everyone is going to recommend the bacon-wrapped dates or the spinach-artichoke mushrooms, but I say make sure to get the Blue Cheese Beef and save room for the Butterscotch after. WHOA!
by Trevor C.
Get the tenderloin topped with bleu cheese!
by Brian C.
Great Spanish tapas, the food and the service was amazing.
by Sundar A.
If you've been, you know it's awesome. If you've never been, it is a loss you are experiencing.
by Manuel S.
A great selection of tapas with a nicely organized menu. The endive salad, short rib and empanadas are especially worth ordering. The service is very helpful and accommodating.
by Social N.
Great tapas popular restaurant so it gets crowded.
by Billy C.
The bacon wrapped shrimp and white peach sangria is amazing!!
by Brian K.
Most killer Bloody Mary bar in the universe. The spot for a boozy brunch to kickstart round II.
by Adam S.
Pinxtos platter was amazing and perfectly portioned and priced! White peach sangria is a must try!
by Andriana A.
Spicy potatoes and filet with blue cheese are both great!
by Mike M.
Loved the bacon-wrapped dates. The Paella Valenciana was very well done and that peach sangria is just dazzling. Do not leave without trying it! One can never have too much sangria.
by Claire M.
Spice up your summer with dollars off your next meal at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba. Join the conversation using #LettuceScratchOff
by Lettuce Entertain You
Try a little bit of everything, save room for the paella, and avoid sitting at the bar at all costs.
by Jake S.
Definitely go for some paella! It's worth it.
by Theresa M.
Sangria and spicy potatoes are a must!
by M & M.
Try sitting in the Bar, have a drink and great appetizers.
by Frank B.
This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Chicago, especially for tapas. Try the roast dates wrapped in bacon and the spicy potatoes w/ tomato alioli, so delicious! The sangria's great too! =)
by Elaine L.
Always order a pitcher of Sangria! It's a great deal and delicious! Try things you may not normally eat and obviously share it all!
by Anna S.
They should make their items order-able from my smart phone by adding them to the app "appay biz". That way, I can order ahead using "appay"!!!!!!!!!!!
by George W.
Obviously, Dates wrapped in bacon is a must. Goat cheese and sauce - another one to order before you even look at the menu. Try the new Blood Orange Sangria that should go nicely with summer!
by jonas
Valet Parking @$11 available... it's pretty hard to find a parking space in this neighborhoods.
by Paul
Bacon wrapped dates and spicy potatoes. Nuff said.
by Oddie G.
Awesome food...the potatos bravos was excellent. Service is outstanding.
by Bill D.
They have gluten free bread :)
by Jazmin M.
Spinach & manchego stuffed mushrooms. Yum. Blue cheese tenderloin & seared scallops. Double yum. But the butterscotch dessert? MUST HAVE. Fun atmosphere & delicious food!
by Taylor K.
Great service, never disappointed.. Always packed so if you don't mind waiting atleast an hour during busy hours. Glass of sangria! Figure out what you want before server arrives to make it go faster!
by Bathilda H.
Delicious... And a definite place to go for a casual, romantic or business occasion... Love the atmosphere and the the way things work there... Tapas is the best at this location so is the staff
by Luke V.
Get a pitcher of sangria-- it comes out to more than 6 drinks, by far the best value. Also, I'd argue that the plain red sangria is the better than the (more expensive) flavored ones.
by Allie M.
Attention Frequent Diners! Come into Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba now through June 30, 2013 & get DOUBLE Frequent Diner Club points on all gift card purchases. http://www.leye.com/gift-cards
by Lettuce Entertain You
As someone that lived in Spain for 4 months, this place is legit. Get a sangria. Use Foursquare for a free appetizer for the table worth $9 and Yelp for a free dessert tapa per customer! DELICIOUS.
by Chloe C.
Sirlon was AMAZING
by Thomas A.
Not for the hungry
by dennos
Peach sangria is great and pinxto platter
by Philly G.
Give the gift of Spanish indulgence! FREE $25 holiday bonus certificate for every $100 in gift cards you buy. Now until 12/30.
by Lettuce Entertain You
Tasty stuff. The beef tenderloin with bleu cheese was fantastic.
by Matt W.
Classic red sangria all the way. Don't get bacon wrapped dates - it's just bacon & there are much better things. A+ to goat cheese croqueta and spicy potatoes (although they're not spicy, at all)
by Christy
Great restaurant
by Darrell B.
The dates wrapped in bacon are a surprising favorite and the Sangria is awesome!
by Allison D.
Chicken and ham croquettes, baked goat cheese are a must!!
by Andrea G.
Mm tapas! If you’re looking to visit Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba and also want to meet interesting new people, they’ve partnered with Grubwithus.com to host a social dinner on the first Thursday of every month.
by Ashley T.
Plain red sangria is way better than any of the (more expensive) flavors
by Allie M.
Get the sangria of the day and a platter of the tapas bites. The paella is awesome.
by Monty M.
Try the Cava (via @Foodspotting)
by Lin H.
Enjoy half-price cocktails & delicious weekly specials, every Monday, the whole month of August, compliments of Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
by Lettuce Entertain You
The bloody Mary bar is genius! You simply must try it.
by Kendra S.
You have to go with as many people as possible so you can try everything!
by Sergio N.
Great Tapas: try the bacon wrapped dates
by Ed D.
The Goat cheese tapas are amazing. the dessert is fantastic too.
by Karen H.
Scallops are unbelievable
by Jim K.
Go to lettucescratchoff.com and save up to $25 on each visit to the Chicagoland Lettuce restaurants this summer! Your certificates might reveal $1,000 in gift cards.
by Lettuce Entertain You
It's so swt they give u a free pintxos platter on your 1st check in!
by Janice
Join the Lettuce Wine Club and Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba on Tuesday, 7/10 for a special wine tasting! Think Spain and France all in one night! http://ow.ly/c05iW
by Lettuce Entertain You
Way better environment than Cafe Iberico. :)
by Michelle Z.
Try the Deviled Eggs (via @Foodspotting)
by Amanda S.
Beef empanadas all the way
by Michael G.
GET. THE. BUTTERSCOTCH. CUSTARD. OH. MY. GOD.
by Amanda R.
Such an amazing atmosphere, and you can't beat the menu! Get the goat cheese marinara.
by Baird Warner Concierge
JUST MADE LOVE TO CAFE BABA REEBA
by Brandon T.
Paella comes three ways (we liked the Valenciana, with chicken, pork, green beans, and artichokes) and is available in individual portions.
by Chicago magazine
Great price for really great food. Try the Sangria!
by Darrick C.
The brunch pintxos are genius and delicious.
by Canders
The wood-roasted sweet potato with pomegranate aioli are amazing!
by Dorri M.
Everything is so freakin good. Nom nom nom!!
by Bathilda H.
Sangria and a pintxo platter anyone?
by Lettuce Entertain You
The bacon-wrapped dates are the bomba!
by Rudy M.
Beef short ribs with mashed potatoes - meat falls apart it's so tender.
by Roosevelt Collection
We'd love to go everywhere during Restaurant Week but can't. Show us what you think we should eat the next time we're at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba w/a pic of your dish. Tweet it to us @motorola. Happy eating!
by Motorola M.
I always order octopus, but expect the worst...Here it was the best!... well best in the US.
by Josh A.
Passion fruit sangria outstanding - crowd favorite
by Kyle L.
FREE Pintxos Platter (one of each bite size tapas) for first-time check-in. Then get the Dessert Pintxos too!
by Dana T.
Not impressed w pixta platter as there free offer was not good at all
by Veronica G.
Order the spicy potatoes!
by Leslie H.
They have an amazing brunch on weekends. It's quiet, with no wait.
by Rebekah P.
Get the spicy potatoes and the black raspberry sangria! There to die for
by Samantha C
The foursquare special on your first check in is worth $9! Great deal.
by Leslie W.
If you go for brunch, you cannot pass up the Make-Your-Own-Bloody-Mary bar. If you're there for dinner, the bacon-wrapped dates are awesome.
by Jennifer S.
Check in for your first time and get a free sampler appetizer!
by Alex J.
Amazing patio in the summer!
by Connie M.
Great tapas, but they also have awesome brunch!
by Masayo Z
Sangria. Food is great.
by Kerri G.
Join the rewards club! txt some number and get free food coupons txt to your phone! Paella, tapas, free pinxto platers... it rocks
by Diana M.
Short Ribs and sausage.
by Jon R.
I promise, the bacon wrapped dates are THE best thing since...bacon
by Ashley M.
Bacon covered dates. That is all.
by Erik James A.
Meatballs, braised short rib, manchego stuffed mushrooms, and sangria all so TASTY!
by L P.
The spicy potatoes and the goat chz baked in tomatoe sauce is to die for! You must get it!
by Jennifer C.
Our concierge Catherine at Sax Chicago recommends Café Ba Ba Reeba for their happy hour- $1 pintxos and delicious short rib-stuffed piquillo peppers.
by Thompson Hotels
Free pintxos platter with check in!
by Laura O.
I love it here but breakfasts in the patio with Pintxos platter is bestest.
by MafiaHairdresser J.
The place is packed for a Monday dinner. Mushroom empanadas, gazpacho yummy.Sirloin steak parochial .... Yes pedestrian et. al. Salud para fuersa la Canut.
by Ramon c.
MUST have the beef tenderloin with blue cheese. It is AMAZING!
by Caryn B.
Cava sangria! Always!
by Kaitlyn W.
The white sangria = heaven
by Jenny C.
Free pinto platter on first Checkin is great perk - $8.95 value
by Brian B.
Don't order the Paella if you want to eat dinner with everyone else who ordered tapas.
by Carrie B.
Solid gluten free menu and they even brought gluten free bread to the table. Love it. Sangrias not too shabby either.
by Cate C.
Bacon Wrapped Dates & Spicy Potatoes with Tomato Aioli. Yum!
by Shannon B.
Smaller portions, and no more churros?! Poor form, Ba-Ba-Reeba.
by Clayton S.
Reservation - the written record or promise of an arrangement by whichaccommodations are secured in advance. False
by Dianna T
Try # 56 it's amazing!!!
by Bryan C
spicy potatoes are the bomb
by chris p.
Whatever you order, you must always include patatas bravas and pitcher of peach sangria. #ftw
by Candyce P.
Make a reservation if you can. Laid back atmosphere. Very loud inside. Get the passion fruit sangria.
by Joshua H.
Great wine list, and tantalizing sangria, plus a wide variety of tasty TAPAS plates...it's a good idea to brush up on your Spanish before you go too...Ba-Ba-Reeba, ei ei ei!
by Jenna Lee T.
What a $hithole!
by Boris Z.
The passion fruit sangria rawks!
by Jefferson
Everyone else has already mentioned the potatas bravas and bacon wrapped dates. I'll join the chorus too. Delicious.
by Dan G.
You have to try the bacon wrapped dates and the spicy potatoes with tomato alioli!
by Jeremy W.
Three words: Bacon wrapped dates. Don't leave without trying them!!!
by Kori G.
Def red sangria over white.
by Sean S
spinach & manchego stuffed mushrooms. fantastic!
by Heather C.
The Short Ribs and Patatas Bravas with the special aoli are absolutely incredible! The Sangria is also delish- but be careful, they'll sneak up on you!
by phil m.
dates wrapped in bacon. Enough said.
by Lala G.
Enjoy $3 tapas at the bar from 4–6 PM daily, as well as 10-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
by ZAGAT
get a toro brocheta
by Dave T.
Go here and order the patatas bravas. The sauce is out of this world.
by Anu S
bacon wrapped dates. 'nuff said.
by Sean S.
Order spicy potatoes
by Katie M

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