Balaboosta Introduce
Nestled in the heart of New York City, Balaboosta stands as a vibrant and inviting destination for those seeking an authentic and memorable Mediterranean dining experience. The name "Balaboosta" itself is a Yiddish term for a perfect homemaker, and this restaurant lives up to that warm and welcoming sentiment. It’s a place where tradition meets modernity, offering a menu that is rich with flavors from the Mediterranean and Israeli regions. Unlike a generic dining spot, Balaboosta has a distinct personality, evident in every dish, from the perfectly balanced appetizers to the expertly prepared main courses. This is a restaurant with a soul, a "hip local restaurant with big city flair" as a customer review described it. The atmosphere is a perfect blend of cozy, trendy, and romantic, making it suitable for a variety of occasions, whether it's a special date night, a gathering with friends, or a relaxing solo dinner. The dedication to creating a positive and inclusive environment is also a key part of its identity, as it proudly identifies as a women-owned business and is a transgender safe space, welcoming all with open arms.
Balaboosta's location is as charming and appealing as its food. Situated at 611 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014, USA, the restaurant is perfectly placed in the historic and highly sought-after West Village. This neighborhood is famous for its tree-lined streets, charming brownstones, and a unique, intimate atmosphere that feels a world away from the city's concrete jungle. Its location makes it a perfect destination for a night out, with plenty of shops, bars, and attractions nearby. The accessibility of the restaurant is excellent, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a meal here comfortably. While parking in the West Village can be challenging, the area is well-served by public transportation, making it easily reachable by subway and bus. The walk through the neighborhood itself is part of the experience, adding to the romantic and trendy feel of a visit. Whether you are a local resident or a tourist exploring the best of what New York has to offer, Balaboosta's location provides a fantastic backdrop for a truly special dining experience.
Balaboosta offers a comprehensive range of services designed to accommodate various dining preferences and needs.
Dine-in: Enjoy the full experience by dining in. The restaurant offers a comfortable and stylish setting, complete with table service, where you can savor every dish and take in the vibrant atmosphere. With seating available, it’s an ideal spot for a leisurely meal.
Outdoor Seating: For those who enjoy dining al fresco, Balaboosta provides outdoor seating. This is a fantastic option on a pleasant day or evening, allowing you to enjoy the lively streetscape of the West Village while you eat.
Takeout: The full menu is available for takeout, allowing you to enjoy Balaboosta’s delicious food from the comfort of your own home. This is a convenient option for a quiet night in or for a quick, high-quality meal on the go.
Delivery: For ultimate convenience, Balaboosta also offers delivery services, bringing their mouth-watering Mediterranean and Israeli dishes directly to your doorstep. This is perfect for those who want to experience the restaurant's flavors without leaving their home.
The features and highlights of Balaboosta are what truly elevate the dining experience and set it apart from other restaurants in the city.
Exceptional Menu: The menu is a highlight in itself, showcasing a fantastic array of Mediterranean and Israeli dishes. Starters like the famous Whipped Feta and Hummus, served with what customers call "the best bread ever," are must-try items. Main courses include standout options like Lamb Neck and Branzino, ensuring a rich and diverse culinary journey. The menu also offers a wide range of offerings, including vegan and vegetarian options, healthy choices, and small plates perfect for sharing.
Outstanding Beverage Selection: Balaboosta prides itself on its beverage program. It offers a great wine list, a variety of beers, and an exceptional selection of cocktails and hard liquor. The "great cocktails" are a highlight, ensuring that the drinks are as memorable as the food. There is also a great tea selection for those who prefer non-alcoholic options.
High-Quality Atmosphere: The atmosphere is a key feature, described as casual, cozy, trendy, and romantic all at once. It’s a place that feels simultaneously relaxed and sophisticated, suitable for a variety of occasions. The restaurant’s "bustling and hip" vibe on a Saturday night adds to its charm.
Fast and Personable Service: Customers have consistently praised the "quality personable service that makes you feel at home." The "fast service" is also highlighted, which is a significant advantage in a busy urban environment, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable dining experience.
Accepts Reservations: Given its popularity, the ability to make reservations is a crucial feature. Balaboosta accepts reservations and even recommends them for brunch, lunch, and dinner, which is a great way to ensure you can secure a table without a long wait.
Amenities: The restaurant is well-equipped with amenities, including an onsite bar, gender-neutral restrooms, and Wi-Fi, adding to the comfort and convenience of the guests.
For reservations, inquiries, or to find the restaurant, please use the following contact information.
Address: 611 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014, USA
Phone: (212) 390-1545 or +1 212-390-1545
What is truly worth choosing about Balaboosta is its unique blend of culinary excellence, a welcoming atmosphere, and a prime location. It’s a restaurant that has perfected the art of creating an experience, not just serving a meal. The food is consistently praised for being "perfectly balanced and super tasty," with customer favorites like the whipped feta and hummus being described as some of the best they have ever had. The commitment to using fresh, quality ingredients is evident in every dish, from the rich Fried Olives to the perfectly cooked Skirt Steak. Beyond the food, the "amazing vibes" and "quality personable service" make you feel like a valued guest, not just a customer. It is a place that is popular with locals and tourists alike, serving as a hub for both solo diners and groups. The fact that it is women-owned and provides a safe space for all speaks to its inclusive and modern values. For a New Yorker or a visitor looking for a truly authentic and high-quality Mediterranean dining experience in a beautiful setting, Balaboosta is a top-tier choice. Its combination of delicious food, a great drinks menu, a lively yet intimate atmosphere, and a location in one of the city's most charming neighborhoods makes it a can't-miss destination.
Balaboosta Menu
DINNER
Tuesday-Thursday 5:30 pm-10 pm Friday-Saturday: 5:30 pm-11 pm Sunday: 5:30 pm-9 pm
- Fried Olives $15.00
homemade labneh, harissa oil
- Hummus $17.00
tahini, green s'chug, chickpeas, pita
- Brussel Sprouts $16.00
cider cayenne glaze, labneh, puffed freekeh
- Whipped Feta $18.00
sunflower seeds, date molasses, pickled raisins, pita
- Market Salad $17.00
local greens, avocado, kohlrabi, lavash crisp, feta
- Fluke Ceviche $25.00
pineapple, cilantro, gooseberries, arak, kataif
- Shrimp Kataif $18.00
tobiko aioli, cucumber salad
- Yemenite Soup Dumplings $14.00
beef, hilbeh
- Eggplant $18.00
rosemary almond crumble, black garlic, red pepper tahini
- Cauliflower $19.00
peanut tahini, lemon, bamba, pickle crumble
- Calamari $29.00
lamb belly, amba aioli, black chickpeas, crispy shallots
- Wild Mushroom Pappardelle $29.00
charred onion, black garlic, labneh, nigela
- Branzino $42.00
fresh herb and seed salad, lemon mango vinaigrette
- Salmon $36.00
pine nut dukkah, fennel, preserved lemon
- Brick Chicken $34.00
muhamarah, charred seasonal greens, pearl couscous
- Skirt Steak $38.00
adobo dry rub, leek puree, mashwi salad
- Lamb Neck $44.00
shawarma spices, frena, tirchi pickles, tahina, s’chug
- Potatoes Sabzi $14.00
dill garlic creme
- Tahdig Rice $19.00
saffron, pistachio, cranberries
- Charred Seasonal Greens $15.00
apricot, pomegranate, lemon, almond dukkah
DESSERT - MATOK
- Tahini Crème Brûlée $13.00
Shredded halva
- Malawah Churros $13.00
Dulce de leche, mixed berry sauce
- Baklava Ice Cream $18.00
Phyllo, nuts, rose water saffron honey
Balaboosta Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great cocktails
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Balaboosta Photos










Balaboosta Location
Balaboosta Reviews
hummusbrunchpitafried oliveswhipped fetamediterranean foodmiddle eastern foodshort ribshakshukasmall plates
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Everything was wonderful. This is a bustling and hip local restaurant with big city flair. The menu was fun and the wine list interesting in a very good way. Each and every dish we tried was perfectly balanced and super tasty. We had 3 appetizers and 3 small starters to share and 4 entrées so most of the menu. Our favorites were the whipped feta and hummus with the best bread ever. The sea bass, pasta and short ribs were all excellent as well. The inside can be a bit loud at the bar but conversations were not hampered and everyone was having a great Saturday night.
July 13 · Craig SpisakAmazing vibes and food in an awesome neighborhood with quality personable service that makes you feel at home! Don’t sleep on the hummus or feta both of which come with amazing home made pita bread. 4 people? Get both along with 2 orders of the kebabs and an order of the soup dumplings and you’ll be ready to wrap up with a skirt steak cooked to perfection. Don’t judge if you think that’s too much food - we all skipped lunch - no regrets!
August 08 · Rusty ClarkBrunch at Balaboosta was a fantastic experience! The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every dish had a perfect balance of spices and textures, making each bite a delight.The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a cozy yet stylish vibe that made for a great dining experience. The service was friendly and attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed.Overall, it was a delicious and satisfying brunch, and I’d definitely come back to explore more of the menu. Highly recommended!
March 15 · Hanit BenbassatThis spot has such cozy vibes. It’s small in the inside but has unique dishes and AMAZING dessert!For apps, would definitely recommend their eggplant! Unlike anything I’ve had, it’s sweet and sticky with a harissa glaze, topped with crispy shallots, and severed on a generous bed of thick tahini sauce (that tastes so nutty and creamy!).Their dessert offerings are also amazing but their special, the Baklava Bread Pudding hits the spot! Crunchy, sweet with honey, and moist- this cake is the PERFECT way to finish off the meal!
April 09 · NatalieA solid brunch place. Lovely atmosphere, attentive service, food is good - I don’t give a 5 as I had better still the shashuka is very tasty. Better desserts.
June 07 · Koo Cho
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