Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
About This Spot
Stepping into Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! feels like being gently carried away to a spirited Spanish gathering nestled in the heart of Chicago’s Lincoln Park. The moment you arrive, the energy buzzes just right—not rushed, but vibrant, with a warmth that invites both lively conversation and quiet savoring. It’s a place where different rooms hum with their own unique vibe, allowing you to find your perfect nook, whether you're tucked away for an intimate brunch or surrounded by friends in the glow of twilight sangrias.
Here, the pace unfolds naturally, matching the unhurried ritual of sharing tapas—small plates that encourage a communal approach to dining. Each dish offers a snapshot of Spain’s rich culinary landscape, inviting you to explore layers of flavor one bite at a time. From the bright zing of patatas bravas to the delicate crispness of shishito peppers, the menu feels like an ever-welcoming conversation among friends around a sunlit table. And if you pause long enough, the aroma of paella simmering slowly becomes part of the rhythm, a reward worth the wait.
What truly shapes the atmosphere at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! is the attentiveness without intrusion—the subtle dance of servers who check in just enough to enhance your experience, and the camaraderie of diners sharing stories over sparkling sangria flights or a perfectly poured Bloody Mary during weekend brunch. It’s a setting that’s lively yet intimate, where friendships deepen and new connections spark under low lights and upbeat Spanish melodies.
Whether you come for a casual midday bite, a weekend brunch escape, or a celebratory evening filled with laughter and tapas, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! captures the essence of joyful shared moments. It’s less about the formality of dining and more about the pleasure of discovering flavors, atmosphere, and a little bit of Spain right off Halsted Street.
What’s Available Here
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Outdoor seating
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No-contact delivery
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Delivery
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On-site services
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Fast service
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Great beer selection
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Great cocktails
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Great coffee
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Great dessert
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Great wine list
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Serves local specialty
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Happy-hour drinks
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Happy-hour food
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Healthy options
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Late-night food
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Private dining room
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Small plates
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Spirits
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Vegetarian options
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Wine
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Breakfast
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Brunch
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Bar on site
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Toilet
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Casual
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Cosy
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Lively
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Romantic
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Trendy
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Upmarket
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Family friendly
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Groups
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LGBTQ+ friendly
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Tourists
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Transgender safe space
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University students
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Brunch reservations recommended
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Lunch reservations recommended
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Dinner reservations recommended
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Accepts reservations
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Usually a wait
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
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Paid street parking
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Parking
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Valet parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Tuesday | 04:00 PM - 09:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 03:00 PM - 11:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Friday | 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
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Pearline McJanny 24 Dec 2025
Was really excited to try this place out as i’ve heard only good things about it so my expectations were pretty high. Place was cute but a but tight, wish they could’ve been placed a bit further from each other! Our server was lovely, she was always checking up on us, overall great service. Food was just okay, i’ve had better Paella’s.
Prabhmeet Kahlon 11 Dec 2025
You are transported in this restaurant! It is so beautiful and there are so many unique rooms with different vibes to enjoy! Their sangrias are so refreshing to have during any season, truly! I’ve had dinner here twice and just tried brunch for the first time this Sunday! Make sure to order your paella asap because it takes 30 mins at least to make!
Hon Lam 09 Dec 2025
Best paella I ever had, totally worth the 45 minutes wait. Even though they were super busy the staff was totally professional in honoring the reservation and sat us promptly. The server was attentive but not over bearing. The food was amazing, you have to try all the tapas, from the bravas to the calamari to the empanadas, try everything but save room for that paella, great portions that will definitely fill you up. Overall very organized and clean space too. Def worth a visit if you are out and about in Chicago
July B 20 Nov 2025
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! delivers a consistently excellent dining experience. The food is delicious and well prepared, with a diverse menu that offers something for everyone, from classic Spanish tapas to flavorful specialties. The service is attentive and friendly without being intrusive, and the atmosphere is warm, lively, and welcoming perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions. A standout Spanish restaurant in Chicago that’s easy to recommend and worth returning to.
Cara Kuykens 10 Nov 2025
Highly recommend making a reservation for dinner. First time here, and it was delicious! Came on a Tuesday night for a 7:45pm reservation. We were a party of 6 and nearly every table was filled. The place is large but still feels very cozy. Everything on the menu is tapas (small plates to share). We ordered a ton of dishes and passed them around the table. The Pintxos menu is perfect when you want a bite or two. The deviled eggs were delicious! Each order is half an egg, and we ended ordering 4 each! The classic sangria is not too sweet, and it was on the dryer side of red wine which I prefer. No dish was a miss! We ordered deviled eggs, the shaved Brussels sprout salad, tortilla española, spinach & manchego-stuffed mushrooms, garlic shrimp, fried calamari, hangar steak, handmade beef empanada, ibérico ham croquetas, secreto pork baos, piri-piri fried chicken thighs, chicken & chorizo skewer, and the mixta paella (all paellas take 45 min to make). Everything was delicious; we only had leftovers of the tortilla española and the mixta paella, but they were great too! Our server was great as well. Checked in a few times (ended up ordering more dishes) but not too many times. Overall, delicious food and cozy atmosphere. Would definitely come back again!
Rage Thomas 09 Nov 2025
Top notch happy hour. I went on a relatively quiet Monday night. I ordered everything on their happy hour menu and it came out to about 50 bucks with drinks. Our service was pretty solid but it also wasn't that busy. The bar was mostly full but got lucky as people left right as we arrived. My only negative criticism is the goat cheese pincho. It's truly intense and you better really like goat cheese. However it's all mostly positive. The aioli's all delicious, the devilled egg is solid, sangria is delicious, and everything had a interesting and delicious flavor.
connor duggan 28 Oct 2025
It has a lively and fun atmosphere that makes it a great place to go with friends. The tapas are tasty and perfect for sharing, with plenty of variety on the menu. Their sangria is refreshing and pairs really well with the food. Service is friendly and quick, which makes the whole experience even more enjoyable.