Love this place especially during the summer. Nothing like walking around outside in the heat and coming in here and getting a nice sangria. Also really good for happy hour! Staff is attentive. The place is small and a little crowded so keep that in mind when planning your visit. read more

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Kari's Rating 7.5/10 TLDR: -Beautiful outside patio -5 plates for 2 people was perfect -Chorizo Dates are a must Came with a friend around 6:30 and it was really packed but I'm so happy we were able to sit on the terrace outside. I was such a beautiful night out. The special was a peach salad that was a little bit spicy, but also great combination with the pecans and the shredded feta. Wonderful rotation summer option! Definitely recommend. The dates were an absolute star of the show. I remember them being so good from last time I came here that we already ordered a set of four. They were perfectly salty and naturally sweet and the cheese was absolutely incredible. If I could only get one plate I would get this! The potatoes were perfectly crisp and perfectly spicy. They had the perfect crunch when you put into them, but the spicy mayo that was underneath a few of them did make the texture of those soggy which I avoided, but that's also just a me thing. The garlic shrimp was very fresh and cooked perfectly, however, I do wish the garlic was minced instead of sliced because you had to eat a very large piece to get a taste of it, and it was very overpowering. There also was a lot of oil at the bottom, which I don't think needed to be there. I remember the garlic bread and the goat cheese marinara to be very good and it did not disappoint as it was the last round. The goat cheese mixing with the marinara on top of the lightly toasted bread with a little hint of garlic was the perfect way to finish off this meal as it wasn't too heavy, but also left us with a satisfying crunch. I'll definitely be back but probably not on my own accord as I've been here so many times!! read more

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Definitely overpriced, but also definitely delicious. We shared about 10 tapas among the four of us. The portions were considered small even for tapas. The outstanding ones were the ham croquettes, bacon wrapped dates, and brunch French toast. Attentive service. Busy place for Sunday brunch, so reservation is recommended. read more

Sat at the bar and they have a really good happy hour! We got the patatas bravas, one deviled egg, house red wine, and bubbles. Overall, such a chill and fun vibe, and we really liked our bartender too. Definitely a cute spot for happy hour! read more

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such a fun place for a big group! our server was super helpful in portioning out the tapas and making sure everything was splittable. Will always come back for the bacon wrapped dates and the meatballs read more

Lil Ba-Ba-Reeba! - so fun for big group, love the circle tables! - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Lil Ba Ba Reeba was such a good time! I've heard about this spot forever, so I was really happy to finally try it, and it definitely lived up to the hype. We sat outside, which was really nice, so we didn't really get to experience the atmosphere inside. Service was super helpful and attentive. We got the garlic shrimp, roasted dates wrapped in bacon, patatas bravas, and the lamb brocheta. The roasted dates wrapped in bacon were sooo good. Sweet, salty, and warm. Just one of those bites that makes you immediately want another. Those were delicious. The lamb brocheta was probably my favorite. Super juicy, super flavorful, and just really satisfying. That's definitely the dish I'd go back for. The patatas bravas were good too, though I do think they could've used a little more salt. The garlic shrimp weren't my favorite, but they came with this amazing oil that was really good for dipping bread in. I love tapas so I'm really glad I came here, and I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu! read more

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Walked in on a Sunday night to plenty of seating options at the bar and tables but the restaurant was not dead by any means. Ryan was prompt in delivering water and a menu at the bar, as well as explaining the tapas concept. I chatted with him a fair amount as I ate, which was nice for being out alone. The bar stools are also quite comfortable. 2-3 items is the recommendation to fill you up but I went with the large steak skewer for just myself. It came with 4 medallions and 4 shishito peppers along with mashed potatoes and a horseradish sauce that I loved. I'm a hungry guy and was satisfied but not stuffed so I went for the chocolate truffle bite. It seems small but is actually a great size for one person having dessert and feels good to get it for $5. Red sangria was also a great compliment to the steak. I would definitely try the white or special of the day on my next visit. There is a 3.5% charge to "offset rising costs" which can be removed by asking. I did so and wasn't met with any objection or derision. A flyer about the Lettuce Eats app was also included so I downloaded the app and was able to register and earn points immediately. You can get $10 for every $150 spent to effectively save 6.67%. Overall, a great experience solo and I think it would also be fun with a group to capitalize on the tapas style and share a bunch of small plates. read more

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This was such an amazing spot to grab some shareables with a few friends! I am bummed i didn't get more photos, but everything we ate was fantastic. Don't miss out on the shishito peppers, shredded brussels sprout salad and the beef empanada. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming, giving us a great dining experience. I cannot wait to come back here! read more

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Update! Still solid. Cava sangria was consistent this time (and strong ). Also tried the gazpacho, pintxos, scallops, and a special. The scallops stole the show. A bit pricey for the proportions but soooo flavorful - creamy sauce, punchy acid from the pickled grapes... yumm. I will say it take a little long for them to check on us after being seated (we waited quite a bit for waters, menus) but it was towards the end of happy hour, and no issues after our waiter came the first time. read more

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as you can see from the photos, everything was so delicious. I struggled to even get a picture in to make sure I was able to do a review. Me and some gal pals decided to do a nice happy hour after a long work week and what a great idea. The drinks were five dollars per glass, which was basically a steal . The service was so amazing. Our server was just so wonderful and insightful of the menu. As you can see the weather has highly turned in Chicago so the night was just fun night out. read more

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I think I'll be dreaming of this cheesecake and scallops for a very long time. I was in town for work and had asked a local for some recommendations, of the 4 I picked this one, and boy was it the right choice! I was fortunate enough to come with 2 other people so I got try a lot and they all were great. I would recommend everything we had and definitely don't sleep on the sangria! read more

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Absolutely love this stop. It's got everything you want on a night out. Good food, great service. The place has bustling. They can accommodate large and small parties Definitely make a reservation. Papas bravas are a personal favorite! read more

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Lil -ba-ba-reeba was good. We ordered the bacon wrapped dates, the pulpo à la plancha, and croquets which were delicious. The papas bravas were overly seasoned. Biggest disappointment was that there wasn't paella on the menu like the other location. The service was a bit slow, more of a European style where you called the waiter over. The ambiance laid back and super Spanish cave ascetic. read more

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It was a nice day out so my Husband and I came here for Happy Hour. We were fortunate to get an outdoor table on a Friday night. It was a nice change from the indoor tables and bar, which we also liked due to the cozy but somewhat dark vibe. Though we came for the happy hour specials, other than the drinks, we ordered from the main menu. There were only 3 food options on the happy hour menu, and potato chips for $5. The deal was really on the alcohol for happy hour, with $5 sangrias. But since this is a tapas restaurant, most of the appetizer portion items on the regular menu is the same pricing as other restaurants for happy hour. We ordered the chorizo wrap dates and sangrias from the happy hour menu. From the main menu, we ordered Empanadas, blue tuna special, chorizo and chicken skewers, as well as the grilled octopus. All the food was very good. For $5, the sangrias were a deal. The Sangria of the day was passion fruit and was fantastic. The Cava sangria was terrible. I couldn't drink it, so I sent it back. Since it was only $5, I wasn't too upset but DONT order. It tasted medicinal. For more than 20 years, I have gone to this restaurant and the original Cafe Baba Reeba on Halstead, and this was the first time I have ever sent sangria back. But All in all, was a very nice night. Will came back again. read more

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Atmosphere is great. Food was forgettable. Drinks sub par. Would not recommend. Over priced for what we got, bland, boring and way too much better food in the area. How is this place open? Tapas plates had dried food on them. read more

All of our tapas were delicious, as were he cocktails! Our server was friendly and efficient. Loved all the different light fixtures and the moody decor. We were already fans of Cafe Babareeba, and were so happy to find this one! read more

Always a hit. One of my favorite repeat restaurants! Such a cute and cozy ambiance whether you're inside under the various shaped lights or in the heated veranda. All the tapas here are excellent. The bacon wrapped dates are my all time favorite. They do really cool promotions and events. I go to their New Year's Pajama Brunch, and I always leave smiling with my gift cards I received for however much I spent that meal. Service is always fast and attentive. By far the best Lettuce Entertain You restaurant in my opinion! read more

Lil Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of the best happy hours in River North. The food is all incredibly fresh and full of flavor. We took advantage of their $6 glasses of wine but their sangria is on my must try list. read more

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Great service and very dish is delicious here! Definitely recommend coming with a group to share multiple dishes. Some must try's are the patatas bravas and the bikini sandwich. read more

what an amazing surprise having lived in Spain for approximately 10 years and becoming a chef at the age of 17 or we'll call it to cook back then. I went on to become a certified executive chef as was my dream because of living in Spain. Anyway, my wife and I were in In Chicago and we stopped at lil ba-ba Reeba. It was a weekday at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. We had a reservation for 3pmand we're promptly set. So you will need a reservation seven days a week day or night apparently without a reservation you'll never get in. It's not hard to get a reservation, but you must have one. They are crowded always anyway my wife and I we share the croquettes con Hamon Iberico. And some farm cheese ln a beautiful tomato sauce baked with perfectly grilled baguette. And a picture of sangria that was one of the finest meals actually it wasn't a meal. It was a snack, but that's what you do In Chicago. You just go from Restaurant to restaurant trying one or two things and go to the next one. awesome so five stars for these guys you can take anybody you want in there, but it will be loud, but everybody's welcome. read more

I admit it, I made a song up for the catchy name of this yummy restaurant. I'm tone deaf though so I won't leave an audio file to spare you all. Lil Ba-Ba-Reeba is a cute restaurant with outdoor, veranda and indoor seating. As a weather wimp, I enjoyed the AC indoors on a warm Chicago day. The portions are perfect for sharing and I love tapas style, we get to try more things. What was on the list last night: 1) shaved brussel sprout salad. Needed some greens and this crispy salad had a nice flavor. 2) bikini press iberico chorizo sandwiches. This was the heaviest of everything we ordered and was full of flavor. Chef's kiss to whoever decided to drizzle the honey on these bad boys. 3) bacon wrapped dates. Anytime we have tapas I need to order some type of date. The bacon wrapped version was sweet and savory. Delish. 4) chorizo and chicken skewer. This was my favorite of everything we ordered. The chorizo is some of the best I have had. 5) yummy cucumber beverage to help was it all down. If you like tapas, you will enjoy this joint. Fresh and yummy and some good beverage options! read more

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I have been to the Lincoln Park location (Café Ba-Ba-Reeba) many times, I'm so glad I finally made it to this spot! The service here was incredible, and the ambiance was elegant yet relaxed. When they say "Lil", they mean it. It's significantly smaller than their other location and not suitable for large groups but worth the visit nonetheless. Their food never misses! Get the Chorizo Wrapped Dates, and don't miss their dessert menu--key word(s): Butterscotch Custard. read more

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What a lovely spot to have lunch! Tapas was great and the company (my Chicago friends) was even better. We ordered the pitcher of cava sangria and it was perfect so light and refreshing. The roasted hen in the woods mushroom and the crystal bread were outstanding. I also sampled the garlic shrimp which were also tasty. Service was great on a busy gorgeous Friday lunch where everyone was enjoying the weather. read more

Stopped by this spot for a happy hour with a new friend and had a fantastic time! Our waiter was super patient (we took forever to decide what we wanted) and also fun to be around which elevated the experience Their happy hour deals are great too -- we got the chorizo wrapped dates (phenomenal) which were $1.50 each (a steal!), the brussel sprout salad and the patatas bravas. All the dishes were perfect for sharing. My friend got the white sangria too which she really liked. The inside is cozy and bustling, which made for a great dining experience. Will absolutely be back! read more

This place should be on your dining itinerary. First off, our waitress, Erin, was great. She really understood the menu, made excellent suggestions and was fun. Very good at her job. The Brussels sprouts salad was really tasty with a nice blend of flavors At some restaurants the patatas bravas are overly dry. Not here. They were moist and the tomato aioli paired well Scallops were nicely done. But the highlight was actually the wrapped dates. They were delicious! The flavor combination was perfect. Both white and red sangrias were yummy. read more

My first time here. A group of us stopped for dinner before the Lady Gaga show. I've been to their bigger location, Ba-Ba-Reeba, before. The food was amazing, just like how I remembered. Surprisingly, my fav dish was the tortilla. The outside had a slight crisp and was delicious. We ordered several different tapas and drinks. They have amazing cocktails and so many options. A cute tapas spot! read more

Lil Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Absolutely Outstanding Tapas Experience! I recently dined at Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! on 441 N Clark St in Chicago's vibrant River North neighborhood, and it was nothing short of phenomenal. This cozy spot, the little sister to the iconic Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, perfectly captures the essence of Spanish tapas with its lively atmosphere, warm decor, and incredible food. From the moment we walked in, the energy was infectious - dim lighting, Spanish-inspired artwork, and a bustling open kitchen that made everything feel authentic and inviting. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and made great recommendations without rushing us. The highlight of the meal was hands-down the Spanish meatballs (beef & pork in that rich sherry tomato sauce) - they were fantastic! Tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor, the sauce was perfectly balanced with a subtle sweetness from the sherry that had us mopping up every last bit with bread. We also loved the classic patatas bravas (crispy and spicy just right), bacon-wrapped dates (sweet-salty perfection), and the baked goat cheese in tomato sauce. No tapas night is complete without sangria, and theirs is legendary - we went with the red, pitcher-style, and it was refreshingly fruity and potent. Everything arrived hot and timed perfectly for sharing. Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! is ideal for date nights, group gatherings, or just a fun evening out. The portions are generous for tapas, prices are reasonable for the quality, and the vibes transport you straight to Spain. I'll be back soon - this has quickly become one of my top spots in Chicago! Highly recommend! read more

Lil Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Spanish Meatballs - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing! I love the original (Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba) but with living and working downtown this is an easier location to get to. They don't have the full menu of the original, so if it's paella you're craving you'll have to go to Lincoln Park. But they have an excellent selection of tapas and other items. The sangria is also amazing-we shared a pitcher of a cava sangria that was on special that day. Our server was super friendly and helped give us some recommendations as to how many tapas to get (our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, lol). She told us she'd pace the tapas so they didn't all come out at once (both for our stomachs and for room on the table). I still think they came out a little fast, as it got a bit hard to juggle so many plates, but it wasn't terrible. It's not a huge place, and they do pack the tables in, so we had a couple instance of being jostled from people in chairs at the table behind us. It can also get loud in there when it's busy, which it was when we got there. It's a good vibe, but a little tough if you're trying to carry on a conversation. I will definitely be back! read more

TLDR: Lil Ba-Ba, Big Love. Honestly, we had an excellent tapas experience here! We came here on a lovely breezy evening and sat outside as firetrucks from the nearby CFD 42 wee-ooo-ed by nonstop lol. We started with some Gazpacho to cool us down, then some Catalan-style "Crystal" Bread, which is literally just tomato puree with garlic and manchego on bread, but it's so damn tasty! The Roasted Hen of the Woods Mushroom has even more manchego in creamy sauce form and, I gotta say, that may be the best way to eat manchego! I had to try really hard not to order more bread for the leftover sauce, so I opted to just pour it into my purse for later. We, of course, got some Jamon, because you can't come to a tapas bar and not get Jamon! (Or that's what I said to my bf, and he totally bought it.) The Lamb Brocheta, their skewered lamb, was SO GOOD. It was unadulterated lamb. I did NOT want to share, but I shared because my therapist says I need to work on that in a relationship. He's lucky I like him. For dessert, we had the Jamon Croquetas, and they were so light and crispy that they almost didn't feel deep-fried! Throughout the meal, we were savoring our Sangria, which was so refreshing and not too sweet. It was definitely one of the more well-balanced Sangrias around town! We WILL be back without a doubt! read more

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This review is long overdue, this place seriously is My Favorite!!!. We often take the train just to sit at the bar with Courtney, Leila, Slam, and Ryan, the service is impeccable!!!! Nobody makes a better old-fashioned or a bourbon espresso martini than these guys. It is not just the bar. It is the whole entire restaurant. Madeline is our favorite waitress who is just so sweet and bubbly and goes above and beyond. We love the management so much James is so wonderful and truly make this all possible! Olga so flipping amazing & delightful in EVERY WAY! Salvo is kind and always ready to make your experience, memorable and Lucas, is so hard-working and truly makes every visit so special. The chefs could not work harder to put together a brilliant and delicious menu that never fails. This place really does take teamwork seriously and this team is incredible. I know that I have missed so many people's names. read more

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Absolutely delicious. Service was on point and highly recommend telling your wait staff everything you want and letting them course it out for you. It was like a constant stream of deliciousness. The chorizo wrapped dates were indescribable. I'm drooling just thinking about them. We got the beef tenderloin toro and it was soooo tender and delicious and perfect. Not a huge steak person but was glad my husband ordered it. Drinks were fast and good too! One recommendation - Jack Daniel's would be nice at the bar. read more

The food, service and ambiance are EXCEPTIONAL! I 1000% recommend this restaurant. The food Delicious. We enjoyed the savory asparagus, halibut, steak skewer, and scallops. The special details and flavors and beautiful presentation are so unique and just truly Yummy. I am so happy when we go to Lil Baba Reba. The people are truly exceptional kind and responsive both at the tables and the bar. Courtney and Leila make the BEST espresso martinis with bourbon and old fashioneds. I can't wait to go back! read more

Service and classic red sangria were great. Food was just okay for me, my favorite is the Chorizo-wrapped dates pintxos. I've read a lot of good reviews about the seared sea scallops but it was underwhelming, the sauce was bland. Most disappointed with their house specialty, beef tenderloin toro, even with the horseradish mojo it was nothing special. Ordered the churos hoping that the dessert would help but it did not. The place is small but it didn't feel too cramp. read more

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The food here is the bomb. It tastes super authentic and it is in a really nice area of the city. The ambiance is also great, we sat in their patio but the indoor area was super nice. Our waitress was super nice and the service was super quick. I highly recommend to check out this and their main location! read more

Lil Ba-Ba-Reeba! - Goat Cheese Baked in Tomato Sauce - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A great spot for high quality tapas and an impressive variety! It's one of those places that can be good for a chill hangout, a celebration, or even a more casual business dinner! Excellent service, great recommendations, and banging food. Memorable dishes include the roasted hen of the woods, garlic shrimp, octopus, chicken and chorizo skewer. And a pitcher of delicious sangria is always a crowd pleaser. Unfortunately I thought the scallops were too salty and the epic beef tenderloin toro was slightly too tough :( read more

Great alternative to Cafe Babareeba. Every bit as lively, menu seemed a bit limited but still very good. Wry attentive and friendly staff.

food: tapa style, really great flavors on some of the dishes but the price is a bit steep, my favorites were the potatoes & the croquets. service: friendly staff, food came out pretty fast ambiance: super nice vibe, great spot read more

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LOVE love love this place! It's a cute spot in River North. The sister restaurant of Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba up north. I would recommend making reservations as they get pretty busy at dinner time. It's a tapas place so generally a couple plates per person is a good amount. We had 5 plates including the dessert for 2 of us and were very full. Here's my ranking of all the plates we had: 1. Goat Cheese baked in tomato sauce 2. Patatas Bravas 3. Brussel Sprout Salad 4. Pan con chocolate 5. Tortilla Española I will be going there again for sure! read more

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Ugh, awful! If you're thinking you're going to go here and get anything like what you'd get a the regular cafe ba-ba-reeba, think again. Stale potatoes, dry bread and lack luster service. This spot misses the mark and it's unfortunate because we live around the corner and really wanted to like it. read more

I came here with a friend and we ordered a few different plates throughout the night. Overall everything was great quality and super yummy. Beef empanada: 4/5 the sauce was really good Jamon y melon: 4/5 really fresh tasting but the jamon was on the salty side Pressed bikini sandwiches: 3.5 a good portion size Seared scallops: 4/5 you can't go wrong with scallops The atmosphere and service were both great as well. Highly recommend coming here! read more

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