Cafe Ba Ba Reeba

(773) 935-5000

2024 N. Halsted (Armitage Avenue)
Chicago, IL 60614 41.91916 -87.64856

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Neighborhoods: DePaul, North Side

cafebabareeba.com/chicago/

Hours:

Mon-Thu 4pm-10pm

Fri 4pm-12am

Sat 11am-12am

Price:

$$

Last updated 10.15.11

Category:

Restaurants, Catering, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Online Reservations, Group Dining, Food Delivery, Cheap Eats, Dine At The Bar, Notable Wine List

Cuisine:

Spanish, Tapas / Small Plates, Italian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Cafe Ba Ba Reeba

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Loud, colorful and usually packed to the rafters, Ba-Ba-Reeba's several rooms and outdoor patio brim with flowers and vivid artwork. Sausages hang above an open kitchen, two bars buzz with young singles and a large outdoor patio provides prime seating in the warmer months. – – The Food – With a wide selection (more than 40) of mostly excellent cold and hot appetizer-sized dishes, it's perfect for groups--and reasonably priced, too. Beef skewers are a must: tender chunks of meat served with a flavorful horseradish cream. Chicken empanadas are zesty and…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Don't want to wait an hour for a table? The full menu is available at both the front and back bars, which open at 4pm Monday to Friday.
What to Drink:
Sip wine flights of Spanish whites or reds, sweet or dry sherries, or sangria for just a few bucks.
Save Money:
The bar features a $3 tapas special weekdays from 4pm to 6pm and weekends from 10pm to 12am.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Nice atmosphere and very good tapas.”
  2. “Every waiter/waitress I've had has been nice, polite, and fun.”
  3. “Outdoor seating is a plus and the neighborhood is great, but the overall atmosphere and decor makes the restaurant feel like a chain, like Outback for tapas.”
  4. “The atmosphere is fun & loud and perfect for big groups, such as birthday parties or girls night out.”
  5. “The food was great and the atmosphere is good.”
  6. “The food is always quite reliable, the atmosphere is always interesting, the wine list is always good (in this establishment the list of Sherrys are exemplary), Valet Parking is at the door and it is always crowded.”
  7. “thought this place was fun-- the decor and the atmosphere.”
  8. “hosted a wedding shower and it was an excellent location for o.”
  9. “Fun atmosphere and good food”
  10. “The service was fabulous and atmosphere was really fun.”
  11. “Great food, good for special occasions (but not romantic occasions)”
  12. “They have some of the best tapas I've ever had and I love the ambiance of the place.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Lastly the mini desserts were perfect sized, nothing profound, but was a nice sweet end to a great tasty meal.”
  2. “Great sangria with fresh fruit and the desserts- which are also small plates, so you can order more (!)”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “I've been dying to find a great spanish tapas bar in town.”
  2. “The manager was very cool and ended up treating us with food & drink even before we made any complaints.”
  3. “If you do go on the weekend, you will find that the back bar is the best bet if you don't have a reservation.”
  4. “rarely have to wait there, and you can order food at the bar.”
  5. “The food is always quite reliable, the atmosphere is always interesting, the wine list is always good (in this establishment the list of Sherrys are exemplary), Valet Parking is at the door and it is always crowded.”
  6. “know they are well known for the tapas and the $3 tapas bar but if you are looking for an authentic paella, this is not the place to spend $60.00 for it.”
food quality
81.3700008392334% positive
  1. “The manager was very cool and ended up treating us with food & drink even before we made any complaints.”
  2. “Great sangria with fresh fruit and the desserts- which are also small plates, so you can order more (!)”
  3. “The paella they served me was not crispy, and it was loaded with grease rather than broth and had way to much salt and not much meat or seafood at all.”
  4. “rarely have to wait there, and you can order food at the bar.”
  5. “The food here is great,service is good too.”
  6. “The food was good, with plenty of choices.”
  7. “The food was disappointing.”
  8. “The food was great and the atmosphere is good.”
  9. “Lastly the mini desserts were perfect sized, nothing profound, but was a nice sweet end to a great tasty meal.”
  10. “And although Babareeba is not your "authentic" spanish tapas, it takes what is great about spanish flavors and gives it a nice twist.”
  11. “My paella mixta was very salty and too thick, but the fish and shrimp in the paella were tasty.”
  12. “I'd rather have a tasty twist to classic tapas than have not so great authentic tapas.”
  13. “This is the best tapas food in the city!”
  14. “The potato croquettes were good.”
  15. “We had the steak with bleu cheese and though I don't normally like bleu cheese I enjoyed this dish.”
  16. “The food is always quite reliable, the atmosphere is always interesting, the wine list is always good (in this establishment the list of Sherrys are exemplary), Valet Parking is at the door and it is always crowded.”
  17. “Fun atmosphere and good food”
  18. “food was mediocre and not as hot (or cold) as it should have been.”
  19. “The food took about an hour to get to the table and they kept bringing the tapas in weird order.”
  20. “The food was excellent.”
  21. “Great food!”
  22. “The only downside is that they drop some of our favorite dishes during menu updates.”
  23. “Great sangria and really great food.”
  24. “delicious food, great group dining,cheap.”
  25. “The mashed potatoes were wonderful.”
  26. “highly recommend the bacon-wrapped dates, which are set in a apple vingrette, the Baked Goat Cheese in Marinara Sauce, and the Chicken/Chorizo sausage skewers.”
  27. “The food was fantastic!”
  28. “this place is soo cute and has great food.”
  29. “enjoyed the food, the service was good, and the skewered beef was particularly excellent.”
  30. “Cafe Ba Ba Reeba is great food and good place for private parties”
  31. “Great food, good for special occasions (but not romantic occasions)”
  32. “Tapas are great, especially the meat ones.”
  33. “Mussels were not fresh -- even served us a couple of closed ones (where is quality control?)”
  34. “know they are well known for the tapas and the $3 tapas bar but if you are looking for an authentic paella, this is not the place to spend $60.00 for it.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The only downside is that they drop some of our favorite dishes during menu updates.”
  2. “Paella, brochetas and tapas tasted great and they have a wide selection of them.”
  3. “There are plenty of choices for tapas and the portions are perfect for sharing.”
  4. “The food was good, with plenty of choices.”
  5. “It's perfect for groups - especially if you like variety.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Went here for my birthday 'coz I've heard good things from other people and I definitely recommend this place.”
  2. “great place to go with a date or a group of friends.”
  3. “great place!”
  4. “Cafe Ba Ba Reeba is a great place for a small gathering”
  5. “This is a great place to go with a bunch of friends.”
  6. “They have some of the best tapas I've ever had and I love the ambiance of the place.”
  7. “Cafe Ba Ba Reeba is a great restaurant.”
  8. “Cafe Ba Ba Reeba is great food and good place for private parties”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “had previously had an excellent experience and so on a return trip to Chicago, I returned with high expectations.”
service
86.66999816894531% positive
  1. “Terrible service-Caution w/Open Table reservations”
  2. “Excellent service from being seated to getting the check.”
  3. “Went here for my birthday 'coz I've heard good things from other people and I definitely recommend this place.”
  4. “great tapas and service was excellent.”
  5. “The food here is great,service is good too.”
  6. “have never had bad service at a Lettuce Entertain you restaurant.”
  7. “excellent service”
  8. “The manager was very cool and ended up treating us with food & drink even before we made any complaints.”
  9. “enjoyed the food, the service was good, and the skewered beef was particularly excellent.”
  10. “The service was fabulous and atmosphere was really fun.”
  11. “Wait staff was friendly and very helpful.”
  12. “Every waiter/waitress I've had has been nice, polite, and fun.”
  13. “terrible service two out of three times”
  14. “Management has always been friendly and knowledgeable (especially after the dinner rush!)”
  15. “The service we had was good too.”
value
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “delicious food, great group dining,cheap.”
  2. “Sangria is overpriced, and overiced; tastes like coolaid.”
  3. “There are plenty of choices for tapas and the portions are perfect for sharing.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/14/10

Good tapas...nice atmosphere

by flysista89 at Citysearch

I have been craving tapas for many years since I studied abroad in Spain. I never knew where to go until I did a search on Urbanspoon.

I got there right when it opened for dinner and sat at the bar. Everyone was friendly (the greeter, server, etc.). I ordered the same tapa that I ate all the time in Spain--tortilla española (warm potato and onion omelette)--and it was fantastic. Nice presentation, reasonably priced, and it tasted great! Everything from the atmosphere to the bread and olive oil took me back to Malaga.

I believe this would be a great spot by yourself or in groups...check it out!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/11/09

Perfect place for big groups!

by Jenna130 at Citysearch

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago! The key is to always make reservations through Open Table. The atmosphere is fun & loud and perfect for big groups, such as birthday parties or girls night out. The blue cheese steak and spicy potatoes are a must!

  • Pros: outdoor seating, great sangria, yummy specials
  • Cons: always make reservations!
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/06/08

great place!

by crombiejock at Citysearch

this place is soo cute and has great food. try the sangria, its to die for!! great tapas and service was excellent... just another quality restaurant in great lincoln park! :)

  • Pros: great crowds
  • Cons: none
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/06/08

PARTY IN YOUR MOUTH

by MeLB4 at Citysearch

SERIOUSLY the best tapas! Get the dates wrapped with bacon and the cheesey potatoes and the meatballs and the goat cheese with tomato sauce. oh my gosh. its soooooo damn good.

  • Pros: THE FOOD IS THE BEST
  • Cons: weekends are busy so it may take awhile getting seated, during the week there is no wait :-)
1 Star Rating: Poor

05/26/08

Terrible service-Caution w/Open Table reservations

by Henry26 at Citysearch

I made a reservation through Open Table for 7:30 pm on May 25. I received 2 emails confirming this reservation for 7:30 pm. When I showed up to the restaurant at 7:25 to check in, the hostess informed me that I did not have a 7:30 reservation and that I was a no show for my 6:30 reservation. I showed her my confirmation email for 7:30 on my blackberry, but she rudely told me to contact Open Table because the restaurant had me in their system for 6:30. I have used Open Table successfully close to 50 times in various cities and I have never had an Open Table reservation disregarded in this manner. I am extremely dissatisfied with how the hostess treated me. With thousands of other restaurants in Chicago, I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

The Details on Cafe Ba Ba Reeba

Place Categories:

  • great safe tapas
  • great food
  • excellent service
  • great place
  • really fun atmosphere
  • great sangria
  • not recommend restaurant
  • mediocre food
  • nice twist
  • favorite dish
  • knowledgeable management
  • wonderful cafe babareeba
  • very helpful wait staff
  • fresh mini desserts
  • big groups
  • great brochetas
  • great group dining
  • best baba reeba
  • wonderful mashed potatoes
  • tasty fish
  • great meal
  • weird order
  • terrible table reservations
  • great paella
  • polite waiterwaitress

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