Ok. Stumbled into this place one night when everything was closed because of the snow/ice and had one of the best meals I've had in a very long time. I also had a fantastically refreshing beer from the Czech Republic and a great personal conversation with Tommy at the bar. After moving to this area, I'll be back many, many times. read more

Dec 25' - another amazing experience at Balkan Restaurant. Tonight we tried the mixed grill platter which includes veal, chicken, steak, and beef sausage links all for only $55 (plus bread & one side). The Balkan potatoes continue to be the star of the show. Be sure to also try the whipped feta spread on the bread, it's incredible. read more

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Delicious homemade food made with care. Service is on point. The owner is very friendly and helpful. Nice and clean. Definitely would recommend eating there. read more

Amazing food and amazing service! The people that own/work here are so warm and inviting. They take the time to talk the table and make it a personal experience. Food was exceptional and I forgot to take all the pictures but the steak and cheese was the best I have ever had. The cornbread appetizer with the two sauces was delicious. read more

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I love this place- from super tasty food, to the most amazing owners. I just recently had them cater my husband's birthday party so owner Borjana helped me with the food choices, and easy completion of the order. Everyone loved the mixed meat plater, the bread, shopska salad, the condiments. This ajvar ( roasted red pepper spread) was as creamy and fresh as one my mom used to make! Thank you! read more

We checked out Balkan after reading about them in the new 2025 Style edition, and we're so glad we did! The pita sourdough bread is absolutely incredible--soft, chewy, and full of flavor. We ordered the fried cheese, gyro burger, börek, and Turkish coffee, and everything was outstanding. The gyro burger was great - yellow onions and lettuce and perfectly seasoned, the börek was crispy and packed with flavor, and the fried cheese had the perfect golden crust with a melty center. To top it off, the Turkish coffee was rich, bold, and the perfect way to round out the meal. The service was warm and welcoming, making for a fantastic dining experience. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area! read more

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Omg!! The second time we've been here. Not as frequent as we should!! The steak and cheese sandwich bread is divine. The goulash is excellent also! The manager/owner was so nice, and when we said how great our food was, he said "I know!" read more

Have been twice in one week. The staff is very sweet and the food is homey, comforting Eastern European cuisine. Will be back soon!

Love the Balkan wonderful fresh food and consistently excellent. The biggest challenge is deciding what to order because everything on the menu is a favorite. read more

Loved this little restaurant! Food came out fresh and hot and beautifully arranged. Our hostess/server was super friendly and engaging. Couldn't have wanted a more sincere and warm welcoming experience. Ate so much and decided to take home two orders of their Spartak Torte. Everything was delicious! read more

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Balkan is a hidden gem. I have to admit the strip mall they are located in made me question if all the 5 star reviews were wrong......the 5 star reviews are right! Specializing in homemade traditional food from the Balkan region, this spot is unique and delicious! We were greeted as soon as we walked in, and we were seated right away. Service was outstanding! Friendly, personable, and quick. They carefully explained the menu, answered all our questions, and gave us recommendations. Everything was tasty! Awesome homemade comfort food! Simple, yet clean interior. What we ate: Falafel:Deep fried chick peas and fava beans fritters served with homemade tzatziki sauce Cornbread: Balkan style corn bread served with feta cheese spread, roasted red pepper and eggplant sauce, kalamata olives, and feta cheese Balkan Steak and Cheese: Served with lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, mayo, and house dressing Goulash: Tender pieces of beef cooked for hours with fresh vegetables and finished with a slight kick of paprika. Served with a side of mashed potatoes. Spartek Torte: Delicate Chocolate Cake is beyond delicious. It is made out of extra thin multilayers with a gentle balance of chocolate and cream. The texture of this cake is so soft and light that it will melt in your mouth in every bite. Made from a traditional Eastern European recipe. My rating rationale  +1 Service +1 Food~Taste/flavor/quality +1 Presentation +1 Atmosphere/vibe +1 Value read more

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My husband and I tried the Balkan Restaurant on a whim, and are glad we did. Located in a nondescript strip mall in Henrico, the restaurant's stark exterior belies the cozy, inviting restaurant inside. The service was friendly and not rushed, and the food delicious, and generously portioned. The fried feta cheese and burek appetizers are outstanding. The feta is served with a lovely red pepper sauce and was light and crisp. We had never had burek before - light pastry with cheese and spinach. It was served room temperature, and we would have preferred it hot, but that didn't stop us from devouring it. We ordered the mixed grill platter for dinner. All the meat was tender and perfectly cooked, and the standouts were the veal cutlet and the cevapi. The platter was huge and we used the leftover the next day for salads at lunch. We are looking forward to a return visit. read more

Balkan Restaurant - Interesting Turkish wine. - Modern European Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

Delicious, kind of pricey and no atmosphere but very good food and friendly staff! We had two entrees, appetizers and desserts to split and try and we loved them all! read more

Officially my favorite meal in RVA for over 10 years! Mixed Grill Platter with steak, chicken, veal, ćevapi sausages & fresh veggies along with their utterly addictive Balkan Potatoes... which will change your life! Must be paired with their homemade bread and various imported Eastern-European wines you can't get anywhere else in the city! Such a cozy and welcoming vibe and they always treat you like family. Do yourself a favor and don't walk... RUN to check them out and all of their unique and delicious offerings! read more

Balkan Restaurant - Balkan Mixed Grill Platter - Modern European Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

Absolutely amazing sandwiches. Hands down the BEST fries I have ever had - phenomenally crunchy. I can't believe I am just now finding out about this restaurant. We ordered off of Yelp (Grubhub) and the food was ready so fast, and the staff were so kind. If you are around the area, definitely check out this fine establishment. The parking is easy and the restaurant is spacious. 12/10 would recommend! read more

Balkan Restaurant - Balkan Steak and Cheese Sandwich - Modern European Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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First time here and we ordered the grilled platter with grilled veggies and Balkan potatoes. It was amazing. I don't eat veal, but this was great. The grilled chicken is delicious - it is chicken breast but moist and flavorful. The potatoes were like scalloped potatoes but are a must try if it's your first visit. Get some warm bread to dip in that sauce as well. You're welcome. We'll definitely order the platter again. Service was a little slow because there was only one server but very friendly and accommodating. Turkish coffee was good but wasn't a fan of the baklava because it is soaked/wet and not crispy. Will for sure be back though. read more

Balkan Restaurant - Grilled platter - Modern European Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

It has been ages since I have eaten there. I had forgotten how much I liked it. Yet another strip mall gem to enjoy here in Tuckahoe. This visit I enjoyed the Cevapi sandwich, their housemate sausages served on that wonderful bread with a feta spread. Delicious. I also ordered a side of their Balkan potatoes. While I have never met a potato I did not like, these are some of the best potatoes I have ever eaten due to that incredible sauce. I also enjoyed some extra bread (so fluffy) with their eggplant spread and some more feta spread too. I need to come here more often. read more

Don't let this small shop full you, inside is an amazing place with warm and welcoming people. I ordered the veal with roasted vegetables (8.6), potatoes in a cream sauce (8.8) and fresh baked warm and fluffy bread (8.3). Overall, an 8.5 experience. Highly recommend!!! read more

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Starting with the appetizers, they are so large you will need to share. The texture and taste of their dishes is exceptional. Even the potato fries are tender with an exceptional taste; no overuse of salt or coverage. Many of their meals are to go so it's a bit small for large groups. It's wise to make a reservation during busy times if you plan to dine in. read more

Amazing!!!! I'm American but my husband is from Serbia. We were in town and tried this place. Omg. It's incredible. Everything we had was so delicious! I wish this place was where I lived! read more

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The food is so good I want to go there now! Their Lepenje bread is irresistible! Their veggie sandwich is one of the best. The service is very good as are the servers. The atmosphere is pleasant and comfortable. I hope to return to the Balkan Restaurant soon! read more

We had a wonderful lunch today, and everything we ordered was perfectly prepared and flavored. Each of the servers made us feel welcome with a friendly smile. Visnja took care of us today and was so kind and helpful to us and with our order. What a pleasure to have such a enjoyable place to visit for an excellent experience. read more

The food here is delicious!! The bread is to die for. The Doner sandwich is flavorful and filling. The service was 10/10 and we will definitely be returning to try the homemade desserts! read more

Balkan Restaurant - Doner Sandwich - Modern European Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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I haven't had a burek in a long time so decided to drop by an pick up one and paprikash. I didn't eat any of it yet because it's for later but the aroma in my truck makes me want to pull over and have a taste read more

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Wonderful service so personable - small restaurant and intimate - very authentic food if you don't try the Balkan potatoes you are missing out - goulash and gyro are very tasty - leave with extra bread the rolls are my fav read more

What a gem! Fantastic food & service. The schnitzel was amazing as was the homemade torte we had for dessert. We will be back. We are so happy we found this restaurant. The ambiance was cozy & homespun--- if you're looking for white table cloths this is not the place. But if you are looking for a hearty, marvelously tasty Croatian meal, then Balkan is the go to. read more

I'm soooo glad I found this little restaurant tucked into a strip mall right near my house! I must have passed it dozens of times, but never stopped to check it out. Now I'm glad I finally discovered it, it's like finding a hidden gem! A small, but cozy spot, with barstools in the back make this an intimate place. I was warmly greeted and took a table near the bar. Initially, I was going to order take out, but the owner, Amir, invited me to have a seat. While my meal was being prepared, I was brought some refreshing iced tea. Amir also greeted his other customers by name and it was clear why he had so many regulars coming here. His friendly demeanor adds to the warmth of the restaurant. He also gave me a little background of the menu, the Balkan cuisine, and bragged about the lepinja bread! No wonder! It was like heavenly clouds! The bread perfectly enveloped my crispy falafel with tangy tzatziki sauce. "It's all about the bread", he said. You don't need to travel far to sample authentic Balkan dishes. Whether you want to try the Croatian cornbread, the Turkish steak sandwich, the Bulgarian feta salad, the Bosnian cabbage salad, the Russian style kabobs, the Balkan burger or the Hungarian goulash - an international smorgasbord awaits your tastebuds at this unique eatery. And you certainly won't "balk" at the prices. For the portions, preparation and service - I plan to eat my way thru the menu! read more

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Decided to try out Balkan Restaurant for dinner on a Saturday night. There were people dining there, but not overly busy. We were seated right away. We started off with the burek. We ordered the meat one but she brought out the cheese one. It was ok. The wine flight represented wines from all over the Balkan region. From Bulgaria to Macedonia. I enjoyed them. I opted for the chicken paprikash for my main. It was a bit disappointing. Bland. One note. Not much flavor at all. My husband got the goulash and his wasn't much better. Both bland, unfortunately. We also decided to get desert to go, the Spartak Torte, which was ok. Probably not my cup of tea in deserts but it was fine. Overall, we did appreciate the warm service but not too keen on the dishes we ordered. Maybe we would have done better with the mixed grilled meats. read more

Balkan Restaurant - Wine flight - Modern European Near Me - Henrico, Virginia

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Wow! Great food and service. We asked Tommy, the owner for his recommendations and he hit it out of the park. If your a meat lover try the Balkan sampler for two. We will be back read more

We play indoor soccer and have several friends who are from Bosnia. They tell us that the Balkan Restaurant provides them with a taste of home. I perused the menu ahead of time to see what they offer. The Greek Festival is this weekend but the lines are super long. I was craving something Greek, like a gyro and the Balkan restaurant had it on their menu. Sold! We went on a Friday evening at around 5:30. It was my husband, 17-year-old daughter and me. The place was completely empty, although several people picked up food while we were there. The server greeted us and told us to sit wherever we wanted. We chose a table at the front because it was bright. The back of the restaurant is pretty dark like their lights stopped working. For drinks, it's important to note that they don't sell alcoholic beverages but he served said you can bring in your own wine. Will remember that for next time. My husband wanted to try the cold meat and cheese tray. It came with smoked dried beef, sausage, red pepper purée, pickled vegetables, feta cheese and kalamata olives. And of course the awesome bread came with it. I tried everything but didn't care for the beef...it was too Smokey for me. For entrees my daughter got the goulash with mashed potatoes, my husband got the shish-kabob platter, which came with vegetables and Balkan potatoes and I got the gyro with the feta salad. Everything we ordered was great! The gyro was exactly what I wanted from a flavor perspective, but there was more bread than filling. No problem, I just left some bread. The salad was a nice mix of veggies and a light dressing. The goulash was rich and my daughter ended up bringing it home. Hubby loved the shish-kabob. I'd definitely eat here again. It was inexpensive and high quality food. Good stuff. read more

The food is amazingly authentic! They have tasty/healthy options. The owner has done well with creating the perfect atmosphere. Beautiful interior design! read more

I have a couple friend's who have been recommending this place to me for a while so I finally decided to check it out. To make a long story short, it was AWESOME! I wish I had taken some pictures, but I plan on returning soon and my next review will definitely have some photos. I had the goulash which was so flavorful and satisfying. It was rich but not too rich. The potatoes complimented the stew perfectly. If I wasn't in public, I could have literally tilted the bowl back and drank it. I can't wait to go back a try some other stuff. I hear the sandwiches are great. Everything that came out looked fantastic. The service was very good. I will certainly be back soon! This place is a hidden gem. I highly recommend checking them out. read more

Great food and service. Authentic Balkan food! We brought people who'd never eaten this food and they loved it! Said they'd definitely come back. read more

Came at lunch on a Saturday, not busy at all. Food good , I like the bread Service was fine . Clean and was quiet but it wasn't busy.Good food not my favorite, but good. read more

The goulash is the best thing on the menu and it is delicious. It is a huge serving with equal mashed potatoes. I've only eaten take out.

I love this little hole in the wall restaurant and its food truck. Great food, great service, and very reasonable prices. Tucked in a small shopping center near Richmond Camera, if you blink you might miss it. It is very unassuming from the storefront and people think I'm a bit crazy when I first take them there, but it's clean, bright, and cozy inside with very welcoming staff. You never feel rushed, and they are happy to explain anything on the menu. The first time I visited was with a large group and they were just as accommodating as when I dine alone or with a friend. Over the years I've got to try a bit of everything, and I love it all. The lepinja bread is to die for, perfect for sandwiches, dipping, or on its own. The falafel, gyro, goulash, meat burek, and sataras are all particularly good. Even their spin on the classic burger and fries, spiced and served on their famous bread, is really worth the trip. If you want some amazing comfort food in a setting that feels a bit like grandma's home, where ever you're from, you'll love The Balkan. read more

Excellent service. Since I have traveled to B&H, I can vouch for the authenticity. The owner was very friendly and let us sample the chicken stew which was also delicious. Definitely coming back for the food. read more

Not only is the owner super sweet and accommodating, but the food is to die for. The goulash is the perfect cozy meal, it's the perfect meal for a rainy day or after a bad day. The Balkan potatoes are like scalloped potatoes but 10x better. The fried cheese is ridiculously good. I could go on and on. The outside is unassuming, but don't let that fool you. Also, don't forget the spartak torte, it's one of the best pieces of cake I've ever had. read more

Another amazing restaurant the mezze plate had some incredible cured meats, locally sourced. The goulash tasted very authentic and was very tasty, I had the beef schnitzel which was very tender and had amazing flavour. Even the torte dessert was superb!! Great service and excellent coffee! read more

Another "to try" bookmark off the list. Alas, I miss that first bite: -The first bites of the Corn Bread appetizer -The first bite of Ajvar with its sharp taste contrasted with the fresh, smooth feta -The pungent taste of the kalamata olives -The first bite of the smooth Kalmak -The cornbread, used as texture, but otherwise unremarkable on that plate of subdued flavors. Oddly, it all balanced. -The first bite of the stuffed cabbage sarma. -The ever-so-slight soured cabbage, with its chewy texture, wrapped around the equally lightly seasoned ground beef and rice. Light and filling. It's a taste that reminds me of something my grandmother used to make. That first taste was also one of nostalgia. -The first bite of the freshly made lepinja bread with its chewy texture. -The first bite of the baked apple roll with the shredded apples layered with filo and its lightly sweet flavor. I'll never have that first bite again where instead of an immediate taste explosion, I can slowly enjoy the gradual build up of the subtle and muted flavors. I cannot untaste it. This is all the fault of the review by Rod O. It's that review's fault I'll never again have that first bite. It's all good, though. Thanks to that review, there's an entire menu of different items to try. For the first time. Another "to try" bookmark off the list. Another "try it again" bookmark added to the list . read more

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