Balade – Middle Eastern
Balade captures the rustic soul of the Levant, welcoming guests into a warm, earth-toned space where the aroma of freshly baked manakeesh and charred spices fills the air. It is a place for communal celebration, where vibrant small plates and tender, flame-kissed meats bring the sun-drenched flavors of the Middle East to life in an atmosphere of effortless hospitality.
208 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10009 +1-212 529-6868 https://www.baladerestaurants.comRating: 4.4/5 (1309 reviews)
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Price range: $$
Dietary options: high-protein, keto, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, tlc, volumetrics, zone, juice-cleanse, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Friday
- 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
- Saturday - Sunday
- 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
What diners are saying
Diners flock to this lively East Village spot for its vibrant atmosphere and generous portions of Lebanese cuisine. Guests rave about standout dishes like the creamy hummus with lamb, juicy tenderloin lamb kebabs, and the "fire" Kebbe Kras, while the Ashta dessert is celebrated as an emotional experience. Reviewers consistently highlight the warm, attentive service despite the bustling, sometimes crowded environment, though some note the prices run high for the neighborhood.
Menu
Salads
Choose 1
- Taboule: Authentic parsley salad with burghul mixed with chopped onions, tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, Juice-Cleanse, Slow-Carb
- Fattoush: Mixture of greens with cucumber, tomatoes, onions, mint, bell peppers, sumac and extra virgin olive oil, served with toasted pita chips Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
Mezze
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- Hummus: Delightful dip of chickpea purée with tahini & lemon juice
- Baba Ghanouj: Chargrilled eggplant purée with tahini & fresh lemon juice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline, Juice-Cleanse
- Falafel: Made with chickpeas, onions, cumin, and parsley served with tahini sauce Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber
- Muhammara: Spicy fresh red peppers, walnuts & pomegranate
- Sfiha: Miniature squares of pastry filled with our traditional mouth-watering combination of meats
- Warak Einab: Homemade-style grape leaves stuffed with chickpeas, tomatoes, parsley and rice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC
- Kebbe Kras: A mixture of lean beef and crack wheat, filled with a mixture of ground beef, diced onions & pine nuts. Served with a yogurt-cucumber dip Dietary tags: High-Protein
- Makanek: Spiced beef sausages flambéed with fresh lemon juice Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Atkins, Juice-Cleanse, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Labne: Homemade cream cheese infused with za'atar and crushed garlic
- Beirut Beats / Za'atar: Mixture of wild-dried thyme, sesame seeds, sumac and olive oil Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
Main
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- Shish Tawook: Marinated chicken breast cubes served with rice, grilled vegetables & garlic aioli Dietary tags: High-Protein, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC
- Mixed Grill: Beef kafta, lamb kabab & chicken tawook served with french fries & chargrilled veg
- Moudardara: Cooked lentils & rice. Topped with caramelized onions, served with a side salad Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, Macrobiotic
- Salmon: Baked salmon served with potatoes and side of balade rice Dietary tags: High-Protein, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC
- Batenjen: Eggplants with tomatoes, onion chickpeas, spices, scallions and a side of balade rice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics
Dessert
Choose 1
- Baklava: Assortment of pastries with nuts and pistachios Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Mouhalabie: Milk pudding topped ground pistachios and homemade syrup Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Ashta: Homemade white pudding with honey, pistachio, and fresh fruits
Frequently Asked Questions about Balade
- What are the standout dishes based on the menu?
- Standout dishes include creamy hummus with lamb, juicy tenderloin lamb kebabs, "fire" Kebbe Kras, and the celebrated Ashta dessert.
- Is this restaurant good value for money?
- Rated 4.4/5, this moderate ($$) restaurant offers generous portions, though some reviewers note that prices run high for the neighborhood.
- Does this restaurant have good options for group dining with mixed dietary needs?
- Balade accommodates mixed diets with communal options like vegan and nut-free Taboule, gluten-free Salmon, and vegetarian Ashta.
- How can I contact this restaurant?
- You can contact Balade by visiting their official website at https://www.baladerestaurants.com for all inquiries, reservations, and general information.
- What are this restaurant's hours of operation?
- The provided restaurant data for Balade does not include information regarding its specific hours of operation.
- What are the most popular dishes at this restaurant?
- Popular dishes include creamy hummus with lamb, juicy tenderloin lamb kebabs, "fire" Kebbe Kras, and the celebrated Ashta dessert.
- Is this restaurant suitable for families?
- Balade is suitable for families, offering a communal atmosphere, generous portions of Lebanese cuisine, and warm service with a 4.4/5 rating.
- What is this restaurant's overall rating?
- Balade has an overall average rating of 4.4/5, reflecting the high praise received for its Middle Eastern cuisine and service.
- What makes this restaurant unique or special?
- Balade is unique for its "emotional" Ashta dessert, freshly baked manakeesh, and menu accommodating 41 different dietary needs including sirtfood.
- Is this restaurant currently open and operational?
- The restaurant is currently operational, featuring an active website at https://www.baladerestaurants.com and a 4.4/5 rating from recent diners.
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- Oda House — Middle Eastern
- Hani's — Middle Eastern
- Horus — Middle Eastern
- Salma — Middle Eastern
- Au Za'atar — Middle Eastern
- Chito Gvrito — Middle Eastern
- Saperavi — Middle Eastern
- Balade — Middle Eastern
- Taboonette — Middle Eastern
- Salma — Middle Eastern
- The Broken Shaker — Middle Eastern
