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  5. East Village

Balade

4.7
4.7
942 Reviews
$30 and under
Mediterranean
An Eastern Mediterranean restaurant that is a genuine addition to New York City’s diverse International cuisines. Specializing in Lebanese cuisine, Balade is a quaint neighborhood destination in the East Village with a warm and hospitable setting. Owned and operated by Roland Semaan (Hilton Hotels, NYC; B.R. Guest Restaurant Group, NYC) – Balade, which means Local, when describing produce of high quality in Lebanese, is the true culmination of his heritage and impressive hospitality background and experience.

Voted Best Middle Eastern on Zagat 2015-2016

Dinners Choice Winner Open table 2013- 2014 - 2015

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2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 8 times today
Private dining

Private dining

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Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Mediterranean, Lebanese, Middle Eastern

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Lunch and Dinner Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (212) 529-6868

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Owned/operated by

    Middle Eastern

  • Executive chef

    Micheline Wakim

  • Catering

    For all your inquiries, Please email us at Catering@baladerestaurants.com

  • Private party facilities

    We at Balade would be enlightened to host your next birthday, social or corporate gathering.

  • Private party contact

    our Private Dining Coordinator: (212) 529-6868 ext. 3

  • Neighborhood

    East Village

  • Cross street

    Between 12th and 13th Streets

  • Parking details

    Parking Lot: 11th Street Between 1st & 2nd Avenue

  • Public transit

    4,6, L, N,Q 5, R to Union Square<br /><br />L train to 1st Avenue

  • Entertainment

    Live Music: Oud with Violinist every thursday night!

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Delivery, Entertainment, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

Gift card

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What 942 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Manhattan

    Mediterranean

Sort by

  1. JoyD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food is delicious!! Service is so attentive and caring. Edgar waited on us. I loved their baby lamb chops! The best!

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  2. DebraS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was great and the waiter was kind. The food was delicious

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  3. TrulyWow

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What an incredible find. The restaurant is the perfect size—small but not at all cramped with a great vibe and decor. Service was really friendly and knowledgeable. And the best for last—the food. We went with the server’s recos and were blown away. Great authentic food served beautifully. We will be back …. CONSTANTLY! Thank you for a great night

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was Ramadan, so we told our server if they can be mindful of when to bring appetizer to break our fast and they were so fast with their service and kind! The food is AMAZING. Best Lebanese food in NYC!

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  5. Lorenz

    Saxony

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing Service. Fantastic Food. A real gem! Bonus points for the ambiente..

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Truly a great experience! We thought we were running late for our reservation yet they decided they would still accommodate, we were seated immediately and had the best servers (Edgar & Nour)! they were quick, understanding and attentive. Food was honestly a hit, 10/10. The chef was def cheffing. We were here to break fast (Ramadan). It was cozy, will be coming back.

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  7. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Made a reservation place was overpacked stood outside for 30 minutes and kept being led on about getting seats soon so not a pleasant experience at all …drove all the way there just to get burgers next door

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  8. Phil

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service. Definitely my go to restaurant for Lebanese.

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  9. PamelaB

    New York Area

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We always have an outstanding experience at Balade! The hole-in-the-wall atmosphere makes it both cozy and lively, and the food is consistently amazing! The Balade mixed grill is a special favorite of ours.

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  10. CCunningham

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Always outstanding food and service. It is one of our favorite restaurants that we continue to go to regularly.

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  11. JennaE

    Phoenix

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had my birthday dinner here and the staff were incredible! They made me feel so special and the food was SO good! 10/10 will be returning!

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My favorite restaurant in the entire city. The most Arab food I’ve ever had, I love this place so much and go on a frequent basis. Always fresh and delicious!!!

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  13. Larry

    New York Area

    186 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    186 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Very good authentic Lebanese food and wine. Welcoming staff.

    Is this helpful?

  14. NYCdiner

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    This was our second dinner at Balade. Both were great experiences. We were not rushed and it was quiet enough to have great conversation with friends we hadn’t seen in a while. The food and wine were wonderful and the service was friendly and helpful.

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  15. calabro

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was great but only surpassed by the service. We ordered the falafel “pizza” and mixed grills, along with a number of Messe. Everything was fantastic. Highly recommended!!!

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  16. RyanV

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Cozy and beautiful restaurant. The food is delicious. The fatoosh salad and baba are exceptional. The entire staff were great and Noor and Elson took such good care of us. We’ll be back!

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  17. MorganE

    Yosemite

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A great go to space for small or large gatherings! There is about a 2 hour time limit as this is a deservedly popular place. Order fast and the food is delivered quickly and deliciously.

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  18. AANY

    New York Area

    12 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Good food. But they seem to be in a rush to get your order and get you out of there.

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  19. CharbelA

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing service - Elson, Omar and Edgar were extremely hospitable to my friends and I and we are coming back next week. Not to mention the food was EXCELLENT!

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  20. ajjac

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    4.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    Food was good, portions were a bit small, atmosphere nice, service was ok, could be better

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  21. OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 9, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4
    Had a wonderful time! We can with a big group and unfortunately they added over $50+ of fees as well as providing a prefix menu without telling us ahead of time. The staff was great but the fees without knowledge were upsetting

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  22. Caligal

    New York Area

    89 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    89 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience4
    The restaurant is small and they have maximized every inch of the place to seat as many people as possible, but that means that the noise level is deafening and you have no room between tables. The manager was exceptionally kind, managing a million things at once and trying to turn tables over so that people could get seated close to their reservation time, checking on things, and sorting out problems. But our waiter and the kitchen seemed totally disorganized - mains arrived seconds after the mezze, when we were cramped as three people meant for a table of two and no space to each have a full sized plate. Highlights included the baba ghanoush and lamb and chicken. Don’t order the lentil soup. Rest of the mezze (hummus, lebne, etc) lacked flavor.

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  23. MichelleK

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Food was very good. Extremely disappointing to be rushed out of our table by removing the light, not offering another drink, coffee or dessert kits to seat another table. The reservations were obviously overbooked. I probably will not return despite enjoying the food.

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  24. simon

    Philadelphia

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service by Nour. Food was great

    Is this helpful?

  25. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Got seated at a small table with unusual layout having other guest close to you. Food is fine

    Is this helpful?

  26. RachelE

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Food was delicious!! Service was good, music was extremely loud.

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  27. Lilly

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 3, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    What a great meal! We arrived a little early and the restaurant was running behind. When we were finally seated, the staff were so attentive and apologetic. They comped a drink and gave us excellent recommendations for our meal! Highly recommend :)

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  28. Alt2

    New York Area

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 3, 2022

    overall2food3service1ambience1
    The staff was not very kind and rushed us out. Also the music was extremely loud.

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  29. OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Very delicious food! It was amazing

    Is this helpful?

  30. AmandaL

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is always delicious and the hospitality is always top-notch. Highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  31. Nanny

    New York Area

    41 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    Lovely restaurant with good reviews, but I found the food to be disappointing and expensive. $44 for 4 small and dry lamb chops that came with really nothing but a bunch of peppers laid on top and rice. The beef shawarma was really salty and almost inedible. The staff is very nice, and it has a nice lighting and vibe. I guess it is a good place if you are not too familiar with Mediterranean food.

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  32. JacobS

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great meal. Had a wonderful time with my big group. A wide variety of great dishes, plus good vibes, makes this place a winner

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  33. babybunny62

    New York Area

    73 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    73 reviews

    Dined on October 19, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    We loved it here! Quality of the food was excellent… tasted and looked fresh and homemade. Cozy decor and good looking customers

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was delicious!! Will definitely be back!!

    Is this helpful?

  35. brovarg

    New York Area

    70 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    70 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service. The place was incredibly busy yet the staff made sure we were attended too. I will definitely return. Great outdoor seating

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  36. adcap

    Atlanta Metro

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Food is amazing, with very generous portions. Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the dishes. Only complaint is they seemed to forget my drink and I couldn’t get any water. We sat outside and the weather was pleasant with very relaxing music. I can’t wait to go again and highly recommend.

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  37. KBog

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is as authentic as it gets! The staff is very friendly and attentive. The restaurant’s vibe and decor are great, give off a cozy atmosphere. I highly recommend this spot!

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  38. Alice

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 20, 2022

    overall3food4service5ambience1
    Went for birthday reserved outdoor but large party in outdoor area and only tables were squeezed into corner or outside parklet. Construction noise and cars honking really loudly. Food was good but not pleasant dining.

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Super Positive Experience. Noor helped us select super delicious options…. Drink, dinner, desert all was lovely and delicious. Definitely will go back and highly recommend!!

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 8, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Gradevole e di buona qualità, servizio simpatico ed efficiente

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Distancing maintained in common areas
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Balade using the Order Online button. Balade also offers delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Balade also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 529-6868.

Balade is rated 4.7 stars by 942 OpenTable diners.

Balade does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 8 times today
Google Map for Balade

208 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10009

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Between 12th and 13th Streets

  • Neighborhood

    East Village

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Lunch and Dinner Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–11:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Mediterranean, Lebanese, Middle Eastern

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking details

    Parking Lot: 11th Street Between 1st & 2nd Avenue

  • Public transit

    4,6, L, N,Q 5, R to Union SquareL train to 1st Avenue

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Owned/operated by

    Middle Eastern

  • Executive chef

    Micheline Wakim

  • Entertainment

    Live Music: Oud with Violinist every thursday night!

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Delivery, Entertainment, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (212) 529-6868

  • Catering

    For all your inquiries, Please email us at Catering@baladerestaurants.com

  • Private party facilities

    We at Balade would be enlightened to host your next birthday, social or corporate gathering.

  • Private party contact

    our Private Dining Coordinator: (212) 529-6868 ext. 3

Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
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