BALLARO – Italian
Named for the street market that has fed Palermo for centuries, Ballaro brings that fast, unfussy Sicilian idea to a corner of downtown Miami on Northeast First Avenue. The format is counter-service Italian: pick a pasta, watch it finished, sit down. Cacio e pepe and amatriciana anchor the list, alongside pesto and a plain pomodoro; the cotoletta milanese arrives breaded and topped with arugula and cherry tomatoes. A crescia menu handles the flatbread end of things, and secondi di carne cover the rest. Doors open early in the morning and stay open through dinner. Restaurateur Stefano Versace is behind it.
228 NE 1St AVE, Miami, FL, 33132 +1-305-766-4440 https://www.ballaro.us/0Cuisine: Italian
Price range: $$
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, renal, tlc, volumetrics, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, soy-free
Diet fit at BALLARO
Dairy-Free at BALLARO
BALLARO in Miami has 9 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including House Salad, Palermo and Grilled Chicken. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at BALLARO
BALLARO in Miami has 5 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including House Salad, Palermo and Grilled Chicken. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at BALLARO
BALLARO in Miami has 21 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Gamberetti e Pesto, House Salad and Salmon in Butter and Lemon Sauce. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at BALLARO
BALLARO in Miami has 3 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chicken Cacciatora, Palermo and Grilled Fish. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at BALLARO
BALLARO in Miami has 2 keto-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Bologna and Roma. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at BALLARO
BALLARO in Miami has 4 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Grilled Chicken, Bologna and Roma. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at BALLARO
BALLARO in Miami has 6 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including House Salad, Napoli and Pomodoro. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at BALLARO
BALLARO in Miami has 16 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including House Salad, Homemade Tiramisu and Minestrone. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at BALLARO
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Cacciatora | 3.2 g | 38.8 g |
| Chicken Scaloppine | 21.2 g | 38.6 g |
| Roma | 3.2 g | 34.2 g |
| Amatriciana | 2.6 g | 33.6 g |
| Mediterranean | 23.3 g | 32.5 g |
| Trento | 85.9 g | 32.1 g |
| Cannolo Siciliano | 50.6 g | 31.9 g |
| Palermo | 1.3 g | 31 g |
| Milano | 28.6 g | 30.2 g |
| Tirolese | 53.3 g | 21.5 g |
| Emiliana | 5.7 g | 21.3 g |
| Grilled Fish | 0 g | 20.3 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Menu
Antipasti - Small Bites
- Parmigiana - $12: Eggplant, EVOO, Parmigiano, tomato sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Calamari Fritti - $15: Fried squid, lemon Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Soups
- Minestrone - $15: Italian vegetable soup Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Caesar - $12: Romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, croutons, Parmigiano Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- House Salad - $12: Lettuce, tomato, red onions, carrots, Italian vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Slow-Carb, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mediterranean - $13: Rucola, feta cheese, strawberries, red onions, balsamic glaze Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Caprese - $12: Tomato, mozzarella, basil, EVOO Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
La Crescia
A soft, flaky flatbread from Urbino, Italy
- Classica - $18: Prosciutto, stracchino cheese, arugula Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Caprese Crescia - $15: Mozzarella, tomato, basil Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tirolese - $17: Gorgonzola, speck Available at: dinner, lunch
- Emiliana - $16: Mortadella, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes Available at: dinner, lunch
La Schiacciata
A crunchy, golden focaccia-style flatbread, oven-baked and stuffed with fresh ingredients.
- Genova - $13: Pesto, burrata, fresh cherry tomatoes Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Parma - $19: Parma ham, mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, arugula Dietary tags: Atkins, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Roma - $16: Grilled eggplant, cooked ham, caciocavallo cheese Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Atkins, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Trento - $17: Gorgonzola, speck, sun-dried tomatoes Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Bologna - $16: Pistachio mortadella, stracciatella, crushed pistachio Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Napoli - $15: Grilled eggplant, arugula, fresh cherry tomatoes, crushed pistachio Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Atkins, South-Beach, Alkaline, Slow-Carb, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Palermo - $18: Tuna, tomato, mayonnaise, capers, scallion Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Slow-Carb, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Milano - $17: Chicken, mayonnaise, tomato, scallion Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Bari - $17: Buffalo mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, truffle oil Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
Pasta
- Cacio e Pepe - $16: Pecorino, guanciale, black pepper Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Carbonara - $18: Pecorino, eggs, guanciale, black pepper Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Amatriciana - $18: Tomato sauce, pecorino, guanciale, black pepper Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pomodoro - $15: Tomato sauce, garlic, basil Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Cholesterol Available at: dinner, lunch
- Bolognese - $18: Tomato sauce, onion, celery, carrots, red wine, ground beef, parmigiano Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pesto - $17: Pesto sauce made with basil, garlic, EVOO, pine nuts, parmigiano Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Gamberetti e Pesto - $19: Pesto sauce & shrimps Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pasta Special - $21: Special of the day Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Salmon in Butter and Lemon Sauce - $21: Salmon fillet finished with a velvety butter and fresh lemon sauce and capers Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Atkins, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Fish - $21: Light and flaky swai fish, marinated with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, then grilled Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Milanese Cutlet - $18: Breaded and pan-fried chicken cutlet, served with lemon Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Scaloppine - $18: Thinly sliced chicken breast, lightly floured and sautéed, served in a delicate white wine and lemon butter sauce Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Chicken - $16: Juicy chicken breast marinated with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, then grilled Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, South-Beach, AIP, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Cacciatora - $20: Bone-in chicken braised with olive oil, garlic, white wine, tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, olives, and herbs Dietary tags: High-Protein, Atkins, Low-Cholesterol, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Beef Milanese Cutlet - $20: Breaded and pan-fried beef cutlet, served with lemon Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pasta + Protein Combo - $29: Choose any pasta and pair it with your favourite meat or fish dish Available at: dinner, lunch
Desserts
- Torino Schiacciata - $16: Nutella, strawberries, bananas Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian
- Homemade Tiramisu - $9 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Affogato al Caffe - $9 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Gelato - $10: Assorted flavors Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, TLC
- Cannolo Siciliano - $12 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber, Renal, Macrobiotic
Frequently Asked Questions about BALLARO
- Is BALLARO dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. BALLARO has 9 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including House Salad, Palermo and Grilled Chicken.
- What can I eat at BALLARO on a dairy-free diet?
- House Salad, Palermo and Grilled Chicken carry the dairy-free tag, out of 9 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does BALLARO have vegan options?
- Yes. 6 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including House Salad and Napoli.
- Is BALLARO gluten-free?
- 5 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at BALLARO?
- Chicken Cacciatora, at roughly 38.8g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near BALLARO
- SERAFINA DOWNTOWN — Italian
- PUCCIS PIZZA — Italian
- Rigattis Cafe — Italian
- EMPIRE PIZZA — Italian
- MARIO THE BAKER DOWNTOWN — Italian
- MAMMA'S PIZZA AND PASTA — Italian
- IL GABBIANO MIAMI — Italian
- PAOLO FONTANOT BAKERY & CAFE — Italian
- BEN'S PIZZA — Italian
- LOMBARDI'S — Italian
- SARPINO'S BRICKELL — Italian
- ROSETTA BAKERY — Italian
