Balade: An Authentic Lebanese Culinary Journey in the East Village

Balade Introduce

In the ever-evolving culinary landscape of New York City, certain restaurants manage to stand out by offering not just a meal, but a genuine cultural experience. Balade, nestled in the vibrant East Village, is one such place. This Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurant invites diners on a flavorful journey, serving authentic dishes that are both comforting and exciting. From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere evokes the warmth and hospitality of Lebanon, making you feel right at home. It’s a place where you can relax, share small plates with friends, and savor a meal that's been prepared with a deep respect for tradition and flavor.

Balade has built a reputation for its commitment to authentic recipes and high-quality ingredients. The menu is a testament to the rich and diverse flavors of Lebanese cuisine, featuring a wide array of options for both meat lovers and vegetarians. What sets Balade apart is its ability to blend a trendy, lively atmosphere with a cozy, intimate feel. It's the kind of spot that attracts a mix of couples on a date night, groups of friends celebrating, and solo diners looking for a delicious, satisfying meal. The attention to detail, from the decor to the presentation of each dish, contributes to an overall experience that is both memorable and highly recommended by those who have visited.

Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur of Middle Eastern food or simply curious to try something new, Balade provides the perfect setting. Its comprehensive menu and excellent service ensure that every guest, regardless of their background, can find something to love. This article will guide you through what makes Balade a must-visit destination, from its convenient location to its standout features and menu highlights.

Location and Accessibility

Balade is located at 208 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009, USA. This prime address places it in the heart of the East Village, a neighborhood known for its eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and cultural hotspots. The location is easily accessible for both locals and tourists. It's a short walk from several subway stations, making public transit a convenient option. For those who prefer to drive, there is both free and paid street parking available, though finding a spot in this busy neighborhood can sometimes be a challenge.

The restaurant is committed to ensuring a comfortable dining experience for all patrons. It features a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, making it an inclusive space. The restaurant is known for its indoor and outdoor seating, with a lively, "fully packed" atmosphere on weekends. While a reservation is recommended, especially for dinner, the staff's attentiveness and friendliness make the entire process smooth and welcoming.

Services Offered

Dine-in: Enjoy a full-service dining experience in a casual yet cozy setting.
Outdoor Seating: The restaurant offers outdoor seating, a popular option for enjoying a meal during pleasant weather.
Takeout & Delivery: For those who prefer to dine at home, Balade offers convenient takeout, curbside pickup, and no-contact delivery.
Reservations: Reservations are accepted and recommended, particularly for busy lunch and dinner times, ensuring you get a table.
Catering: Balade provides catering services for events, allowing you to bring the authentic flavors of Lebanese cuisine to your next gathering.
Full Bar: The restaurant features an onsite bar with a great selection of cocktails, beer, wine, and hard liquor, including Lebanese wine options.

Features / Highlights

Authentic Lebanese Cuisine: Balade specializes in traditional Lebanese and Middle Eastern dishes, from perfectly spiced platters to a wide variety of mezze (small plates), providing a truly authentic taste of the region.
Impressive Beverage Menu: The restaurant is noted for its great cocktails, including the "Cedar High," as well as an extensive wine list that includes a notable selection of Lebanese wines.
High-Quality Ingredients: Balade emphasizes the use of high-quality ingredients, with grass-fed lamb and natural-fed poultry. The food is praised for its freshness and rich, authentic flavor.
Outstanding Mezze Selection: The Mezze menu is a major highlight, with small plates that are great for sharing. Fan favorites include the hummus, baba ghanouj, and the batata harra. The "Mezze Supreme" offers a fantastic way to sample a wide variety of the best appetizers.
Welcoming and Friendly Staff: A consistent theme in customer reviews is the attentiveness and kindness of the staff. The lovely staff is often highlighted for their desire to ensure a good experience for every guest, making the restaurant feel genuinely welcoming.
Cozy and Lively Ambiance: The atmosphere is a perfect blend of casual, cozy, and trendy. While the tables can be close together, the lively energy of the crowd, a mix of groups and couples, contributes to a fun and exciting dining experience.

Contact Information

Address: 208 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009, USA

Phone: (212) 529-6868

Mobile Phone: +1 212-529-6868

What is worth choosing

With a menu as rich and varied as Balade's, it can be hard to know where to begin. For a first-time visitor, a great strategy is to start with the mezze. The Mezze Supreme platter offers a comprehensive tasting of the restaurant’s most popular appetizers, including hummus, baba ghanouj, and kebbe krass. The hummus is particularly praised by customers for being "outstanding," making it a must-try. Another excellent choice is the Fatoush salad, which is a customer favorite.

For the main course, you can't go wrong with one of the restaurant's platters. The Balade Mixed Grill is a popular choice, allowing you to sample a variety of meats like beef kafta, lamb kebab, and chicken tawook. The Shish Tawook and the salmon platters have also been singled out in reviews for their excellent flavor and quality. The portions are noted as being "fairly large by NYC standards," which makes them great for a satisfying meal.

To complete your meal, be sure to save room for dessert. The desserts are highly praised, especially the traditional baklava, and the mouhallabie, a Lebanese milk pudding. A customer review highlights all of the desserts as being outstanding, so you can confidently pick any one to end your meal on a sweet note. Balade is a great choice for any occasion, especially for those looking to enjoy authentic, healthy, and flavorful food in a warm and inviting setting.

Balade Menu

Rosé
Sur La Cote, Le Week-end Rose, France 2022 $15.00
Domaine Des Tourelles, Bekaa Valley, 2019, Lebanon $15.00
Massaya, Rose, Bekaa Valley, 2019, Lebanon $65.00

Sparkling
Valfonda Spumante, Italy $13.00

Red
Pinot Noir, 2021, France $15.00
Cheteau Heritage, Foothill, Bekaa Valley, 2023, Lebanon $15.00
Chateau Ksara, Reserve Du Couvent, 2021, Lebanon $15.00
Le Prelat Cote De Rhone, 2022, France $62.00
Chateau August, Bordeaux, 2021, France $68.00
Massaya Le Columbier, Bekaa Valley, 2019, Lebanon $68.00
Pannunzio, Malbec 2021, Argentina $68.00
Chateau Ksara Red, 2019, Lebanon $72.00
Chateau Musar, Lebanon 2012 $195.00

White
Chateau Heritage, Sauvigon Blance, 2022, Lebanon $15.00
La Cavea, Pinot Grigio 2023, Italy $15.00
Chardonnay 2022, France $15.00
Fleuriet Cuvee Prestige, Sancere, 2023 France $58.00
Chateau Heritage, Foothills, 2022, Lebanon $58.00
Massaya Blanc, Bekaa Valley, 2022, Lebanon $58.00
Chateau Ksara, Blanc De Blancs, 2022, Lebanon $72.00
Chateau Musar, 2016, Lebanon $168.00

Sparkling Drinks
Bellini $15.00
Mimosa $15.00
Cedar High $15.00
Aperol Spritz $17.00

Non-Alcoholic
Spring water Saratoga $4.00
Flat or sparkling
Soda $4.00
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite
Orange Juice $8.00
Freshly-Squeezed Home-made Lemonade $8.00
Balade* Jallab $8.00
Healthy date juice with pine nuts
Rose Water $8.00
Concentrated rose juice
Original Ice Tea $8.00
Sweetened or unsweetened
Laban* Ayran $8.00
Healthy, salty yoghurt drink

Hot Drinks
White coffee $0.00
Digestive
Espresso $4.00
Regular or decaf
Freshly-Brewed Coffee $4.00
Regular or decaf
Pot of Lebanese Coffee $4.00
Hot Tea $0.00
Herbal or regular
Pot of Lebanese Tea with Fresh Mint $10.00

Dessert
Baklava $10.00
Fillo pastries with nuts
Mouhallabie $10.00
Milk pudding topped with ground pistachios and homemade syrup
Chocoba $12.00
Homemade dough baked with nutella topped with sliced bananas and pistachios
Lebanese Ice Cream $0.00
Homemade ice cream
Kenafa $14.00
Fine semolina baked to golden filled with sweetened cheese, pistachio and homemade syrup
Ashta $14.00
Homemade white pudding with honey, pistachio, and fresh fruits

Sandweechet
SandweechetAll sandwiches are lightly toasted. Choice of white or wheat pita bread and one choice of side: Laban Bi Khiar, Hand Cut Fries or Side Salad.
Shish Kebab $23.00
Pieces of chargrilled marinated lamb with grilled vegetables, hummus, and pickles
Tuna Filet $23.00
Chargrilled tuna with tomatoes, onions, sumac*, and tahini sauce
Halloume Cheese $23.00
Grilled Cypriot white cheese with tomatoes and cucumbers
Falafel $19.00
Grilled falafel with tomatoes, onions, parsley, pickles, turnips, and tahini sauce
Shish Tawook $21.00
Pieces of marinated chargrilled chicken with toum*, french fries, pickles, and mixed greens
Chicken Shawarma $21.00
Shredded marinated chicken with toum*, french fries, pickles, and mixed greens
Balade Chicken Burger $21.00
Chicken Burger with Cheese on a homemade bun, served with a side of hand cut fries.
Kafta $23.00
Chargrilled ground beef mixed with hummus, diced onions, parsley, sumac*, pickles, and spices
Beef Shawarma Sandwich $23.00
Shredded marinated beef with tomatoes, pickles, onions, parsley, sumac and tahini sauce
Makanek $20.00
Chargrilled beef sausages with pickles, tomatoes, and french fries

Pita Pitza
Tarboush* Chicken $20.00
Thinly sliced marinated boneless chicken, topped with toum*, honey, dijon, sliced tomatoes, onions, and pickles
Greek Pitza $18.00
Feta Cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, saatar*, and olives
Malak El Falafel $17.00
Delicious crispy falafel with tahini sauce finished to perfection with chopped parsley, tomatoes, and yellow pepper rings
Sultan El Shawarma $22.00
Thinly sliced marinated beef, roasted with onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, and a drizzle of tahini

Manakeesh
ManakeeshLebanese Pizza - Fresh Balade* Dough. Fresh From Our Oven
Sausage & Cheese $19.00
Combination of white cheeses and beef sausages
Lahme Baajin $20.00
Balade's secret recipe of seasoned ground-lean beef, mixed with finely diced onions, and tomatoes
Kafta $21.00
Ground-lean beef mixed with chopped onions, parsley, and lebanese spices
Taste of Lebanon $0.00
Assortment of three mini manakeesh*
Beirut Beats / Zaatar* $11.00
Mixture of wild dried thyme, sesame seeds, sumac* and olive oil
Wild Zaatar $12.00
Mixture of wild dried thyme, fresh tomatoes, onions, and olive oil
Banadoura Harra $12.00
Diced tomatoes, onions, and spicy flake pepper
Jebne* $16.00
Combination of white cheeses. Served with sliced tomatoes

Sides
Lebanese Salata* $8.00
Chopped - cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers
Balade* Rice $8.00
Lebanese rice with vermicelli
Pickled Vegetables $8.00
Fresh from the market
Balade Fries $9.00
French fries sprinkled with zaatar* herbs
Batata Mekleyee $8.00
French fries
Laban* Bi Khiar* $7.00
Lebanese yoghurt infused with cucumbers, garlic, and mint

Platters
PlattersAll lamb - beef are grass-fed and poultry are natural fed
Balade Mixed Grill $45.50
Beef kafta, lamb kabab and chicken tawook. Served with hand-cut fries and chargrilled vegetables
Supreme Mixed Grill - Balade's Signature Dish $0.00
Beef Kafta, Lamb kabab, chicken Tawook and lamb chops, Rib Eye Steak, covered with our famous house freshly baked bread and served with chargrilled vegetables and side of fries
Balade Lamb Chops $46.00
Chargrilled New Zealand baby lamb chops. Served with rice and grilled vegetables
House of Lamb Kabab $40.00
Chargrilled tenderpoin lamb. Served with rice and grilled vegetables
Beef Kafta $30.00
Chargrilled lean beef and lamb mixed with chopped onions, parsley, herbs and spices. Served with rice and grilled vegetables, chargrilled lean beef mixed with chopped onions, parsley, herbs and spices. Served with rice and grilled vegetables
Beef Shawarma $34.00
Shredded marinated beef, topped with tomatoes, onions and parsley, served with rice pickles and tahini
Hummus Shawarma $32.00
Our Balade hummus with Chicken shawarma, tomatoes, scallions, parsley, sumac*, and, onions. Served with pickles and tahini sauce
Shish Tawook $32.00
Marinated chicken breast cubes with toum*. Served with rice and grilled vegetables
Sheikh El Shawarma $32.00
Shredded marinated chicken with toum served with pickles and hand-cut fries
Djej Al Fahem $32.00
Half chicken marinated with our authentic recipe, served with hand cut fries
Samke Harra $38.00
Grilled Chilean sea bass filet marinated with lemon, served with spicy warm tahini sauce
Fatett Shrimp $34.00
Jumbo shrimp infused with yogurt, olive oil, garlic, and lemon, mixed with toasted pita
Samke Mechwiye $36.00
Grilled branzinoBone-in marinated lemon and salt. Served with tahini sauce and home baked potatoes.
Salmon $38.00
Salmon served with baked potatoes, tahini, and lemon
Moudardara $28.00
Cooked lentils and rice, topped with caramelized onions. Served with a side salad
Batenjen $30.00
Eggplant with tomatoes, onion chickpeas, spices, scallions, and a side of balade rice

Mezze
MezzeSmall Plates - Great for Sharing
Grilled Halloume Cheese $18.00
Grilled, sizzling cypriot cheese slices served with tomatoes and cucumber
Rkakat $14.00
Phyllo rolls filled with mozzarella, feta cheese, and oregano
Fatayir with Spinach and Feta $18.00
New York's famous pies are taken back to their roots in triangular style: stuffed with chopped spinach and feta cheese
Batata Harra (spicy) $14.00
Sautéed potatoes cubes with cilantro, garlic, and red pepper flakes
Shrimp $20.00
Sautéed shrimp with ginger, scallions, and jalapeños
Arayyis $19.00
Stuffed pita with minced meat, served with fresh lemon and Laban bi khiar
Sambousik $16.00
Decadent pastry pockets filled with seasoned ground beef and toasted Almonds
Kebbe Kras $0.00
Lebanon's national dish; is a mixture of lean beef and crack wheat, filled with a a mixture of ground beef, diced onions, and Almonds
Makanek $18.00
Spiced beef sausages flambéed with fresh lemon juice
Soujouk $18.00
Mildly spicy beef sausages sautéed with our fresh olive oil and tomatoes
Jwaneh (wings) $18.00
Chargrilled chicken wings, marinated the Balade way
Sfiha $19.00
Miniature squares of pastry filled with our traditional mouth-watering combination of meats
Vegetarian Mazmeez $55.00
Create your own sampler by choosing four of the following: hummus, taboule, baba ghanouj, falafel, labne with toum*, shankleesh, loubiye bzeit, warak einab, rkakat
Mezze Supreme $115.00
Eight favorites: hummus, baba ghanouj, labne, mouhamara, kebbe krass, sfiha, makanek, and halloume cheese
Hummus $13.00
Delightful dip of chickpeas purée, with tahini, and lemon juice
Hummus Beiruté $14.50
Chickpeas purée, with tahini, cumin, cucumbers, tomatoes, and scallions
Hummus Lahme $19.00
Chickpeas purée with lamb
Hummus Kebbe $20.00
Chickpeas purée served with kebbe krass garnished with nuts and pistachios
Baba Ghanouj $15.00
Chargrilled eggplant purée with tahini and fresh lemon juice
Warak Einab $17.00
Homemade-style grape leaves, stuffed with chickpeas, tomatoes, parsley, and rice
Mouhmara $16.50
Our signature dip of spicy fresh red peppers, walnuts, and pomegranate
Shankleesh $15.00
Our aged cheese is perfectly blended with zaatar*, diced tomatoes, parsley, and onions
Labne Bi Toum* $15.00
Homemade cream cheese, infused with zaatar*, and crushed garlic
Loubiye Bzeit $15.00
Fresh green beans sautéed in olive oil with onions, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs
Falafel $0.00
Made with chickpeas, onions, cumin, and parsley
Balade Falafel $16.00
Stuffed with onions, sumac*, crushed peppers, and olive oil
Foul Medamas $15.00
A blend of fava beans, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, and olive oil

Salads
Taboule $17.00
Authentic parsley salad with burghul* mixed with chopped onions, tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice
Fattoush $16.00
A mixture of greens with cucumber, tomatoes, onions, mint, bell peppers, sumac*, and extra virgin olive oil, served with toasted pita chips
Avocado Salad $24.00
A mixture of greens with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, scallions, green and red pepper, mixed in dressing
Halloume $24.00
Mixed green, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives served with pomegranate molasses
Chicken Meshwe $23.00
Chargrilled marinated boneless chicken over a mixture of greens, black olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta cheese
Skinny Shawarma $0.00
Mixture of greens tossed with sliced onions, tomatoes, black olives, cucumbers; topped with shawarma chicken
Mediterranean Tuna Salad $0.00
Chargrilled marinated tuna over a mixture of greens, black olives, red onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers
Dressings $0.00

Soups
Hearty Lentil Soup $10.00
Swiss chard, lentils with essential Lebanese spices, and fresh lemon juice
Chicks & Veg $10.00
Homemade vegetable soup with tender pieces of chicken in an aromatic broth

Mansaf
Balade $0.00
Fresh, local; used when describing produce of high quality
Burghul $0.00
Cereal made from different wheat species, such a Durum Wheat
Jebne $0.00
Cheese
Laban $0.00
Homemade Lebanese Yoghurt
Manakeesh $0.00
Lebanese pizza that comes with a variety of toppings; enjoyed anytime of the day
Mezze $0.00
Refers to a selection of small tasty dishes served in the beginning of a large-scale meal
Salata $0.00
Lebanese word for salad
Sandweechet $0.00
Lebanese word for sandwich
Sumac $0.00
Tart and Tangy, deep burgundy colored spice harvested from a wild berry bush
Tahini $0.00
Paste of lightly toasted ground sesame seeds
Tarboush $0.00
A red felt cap with a tassel that hangs from the crown used to be part of the traditional Middle Eastern dress wear.
Toum $0.00
A Lebanese garlic aioli
Khiar $0.00
A Lebanese word for cucumbers
Zaatar $0.00
Spice mixture of dried wild thyme, sesame seeds and sumac; high in antioxidants

Weekend Special
Mansaf $35.00
Slow-cooked lamb in a sauce of goat milk yogurt, served with rice
Koussa $28.00
Spiced beef and rice mixture, stuffed in squash and cooked in a garlicky tomato broth

Balade Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Curbside pickup
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Great cocktails
Great coffee
Great dessert
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
Halal food
Happy hour drinks
Hard liquor
Healthy options
Late-night food
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy

Crowd
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
High chairs

Parking
Free street parking
Paid street parking

Balade Photos

Balade Location

Balade

New York New York County New York 1st Avenue

208 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009, USA

Balade Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 1285 user reviews.

mixed grillpartyappetizerszaatartoumhummus with lambkunafahsmall plateshappy hourvalentine's day

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Overall an enjoyable experience for restaurant week. What stood out to me were friendliness and attentiveness of the staff. Some of the food were outstanding, like hummus, salmon, and any of the desserts. But all of the other things were fine if just a little bit pricy. Definitely recommended for casual outings with good drinks.
August 17 · Jiaren Li
I came here on a very nice Saturday night in late August with two others. We had made the reservation over the phone earlier that day but they also accept reservations online. I live in the neighborhood and have always noticed the placing being crowded. I would recommend a reservation.The night we went was a lively and fully packed restaurant primarily filled with people in their 20s (as are many places in the east village). There was a mix of groups as well as couples. The restaurant is small and the tables are very close together. There is outdoor seating but I wouldn’t recommend sitting outside as it is very busy.The staff at the restaurant were all really lovely and that they wanted everyone to have a good experience. Our particular server seemed like he didn’t primarily work in that capacity and was filling in for a shortage, but overall the restaurant provided good service. The menu was a mix of small plates, platters, and appetizers. I really enjoyed the Fatoush salad as well as the falafel. The portions are fairly large by NYC standards.Overall I enjoyed my experience. I would go back and I would recommend.
August 24 · David Joseph
go here for the grilled meats/street dishes like shawarma but almost no comfort dishes. the tenderloin lamb kebab I had was grilled almost perfectly---juicy, well seasonedI was completely ignored for 10 mins by the door and 20-30 mins at the bar counter. I get that they were busy but it helps to at least get some basic guidance/acknowledgement. once seated though, my waitress was beyond kind and helpful
July 29 · Jammy Jams
Diligent and friendly staff. Appreciate that they were attentive for dietary restrictions. My favorite were the zaatar pizza with fresh tomatoes and eggplant stew. The mezzes were fine and pita was a bit bland compared to fresh pitas I've had elsewhere. Definitely on the pricey side for Lebanese restaurants.
June 22 · Mandy Kuo
Y’all every step of this meal hit the dang mark. Got two apps: Hummus with Lamb and Kebbe KrasThe hummus was stellar - creamy, tangy, and the added lamb was perfect. The Kebbe Kras was fireeee, beef onions and almonds with this minty yogurt sauce to dip, it was crispy and steamy got me feeling some type of way.Shish Tawook for main, chicken so tender I was like I wish I was that chicken. Toum was great (as it should) and rice was so flavorful mmm.Star of the show though, got the Ashta for dessert y’all I was tearing up at this table that ish had me smelling colors I was on cloud 15 I cannot believe what I experienced there like as i’m writing this review i’m taking breaks and looking up a recipe to make this bc i need moreeeeee.
July 15 · Patrick Zajac