Lil' Ba-Ba-Reeba! is the River North counterpart to Cafe-Ba-Ba-Reeba! in Lincoln Park, Chicago's original tapas bar dating to 1985. It's part of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group and carries the same Spanish small-plates format into a new neighborhood: a wide range of tapas built for sharing, alongside sangria by the pitcher.
The space is set up for gathering rather than quiet two-tops, with seating that scales from a small table to larger groups, including a heated Spanish veranda. Weekend brunch runs alongside the regular tapas menu on Saturdays and Sundays.
Regulars point to the seafood and the kitchen's willingness to customize as high points, and the room has built a reputation as a go-to for celebrations and group get-togethers as much as a standard dinner out.
The space is set up for gathering rather than quiet two-tops, with seating that scales from a small table to larger groups, including a heated Spanish veranda. Weekend brunch runs alongside the regular tapas menu on Saturdays and Sundays.
Regulars point to the seafood and the kitchen's willingness to customize as high points, and the room has built a reputation as a go-to for celebrations and group get-togethers as much as a standard dinner out.