Overall it was okay. I believe it needs a bit more flavor. Maybe add olive oil and more fresh herbs. read more

Balos Estiatorio - Tuna Tartare - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We really enjoyed our restaurant week dinner at Balos! Would highly recommend the green salad (I'm already craving it a day later), the grilled octopus, and the lavraki filet. The filet was SO flaky and buttery. The octopus appetizer was huge! We tried a number of cocktails, including the dirty Greek, the passion fruit one, the strawberry one, the Balos Martini, the espresso martini, and the salted caramel martini. By far the standouts were the Balos Martini, the Passionfruit cocktail, and the classic espresso martini. Overall, I can't wait to come back on a special occasion and try more of the menu!! read more

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We went pretty early in the evening so it was pretty empty but overall still a good experience. We ordered lots of food (not all of it is pictured). The sesame feta was definitely the star of the show with the most flavor. The Octopus was cooked to perfection while the Lamb Kleftiko was lacking. It had close to no flavor, too much phyllo, and was very dense. Our entrees were okay. The Truffle Pasta (or the special for the night) was not at all worth the price of $60. The pasta was cold, the white sauce had no truffle flavor and tasted like cream and butter, and the filet was over cooked. As for the Lamb Youvetsi, the flavor and tenderness on the lamb was very good, however the orzo was not fresh and lacked flavor. Our sides of Greek Fries and Horta were mediocre. The fries were good but not fresh, and the Horta was very bland and undercooked. The server did notice that we hadn't touched it much and took the liberty of comping it for us without asking which was very appreciated. Overall, we think there are better places in the DMV for the price point, but still some decent items. Most items were bland and over-portioned. Please note our total was over $300 and all we had to drink was tap water (which we had to ask for each time and were not allowed to keep on the table for refills). read more

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Beautiful new restaurant in West End. We arrived a few minutes early for our reservation and were given the option of seating g in the bar area at a table or in the dining room. We chose a couch seat in the bar area. Service was quick from our waitress. They have a nice menu with plenty of appetizers, salads, and entrees. We had drinks and appetizers at two prior places that afternoon, so we decided to only have a Greek salad and a spinach pie. Both looked and tasted great. We would definitely return. read more

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If you like Greek food with a modern and elegant flare, this has to be on your list. The place's decor is excellent, and the service is always outstanding. There are plenty of gluten-free options, and everything we have had has been fantastic. The two things that are off include a limited bathroom, which means there is always a line (and since it is unisex, there is no such thing as a short line for the men's room). The other is that it becomes more of a bar scene after 9/10 pm (I am unsure if there is any dancing since we never stick around). So come for the food early to avoid the crowd and the lines at the bathroom. Otherwise, this place is fantastic. read more

Balos Estiatorio - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went for brunch, which I believe is new. Tried a couple cocktails: the summer spritz and the banana espresso martini. Both were phenomenal. The banana was not at all overpowering in the martini which was a nice surprise. I actually could have handled a bit stronger banana flavor. They brought a little hummus and pita snack but for four people the portion size was kind of a joke. I ordered the Balos burger which was has tzatziki on it and it was very good. The space is beautiful, very nice Mediterranean vibes. Service was good but it got busy fast and service got a bit slower. That's to be expected I suppose. Would love to go back for dinner. read more

Balos Estiatorio - Balos burger - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I came here on NYE and overall it was a positive experience. The interior design/atmosphere definitely stands out from other restaurants I've been to and is immediately eye catching when you first walk in. Our waiter and the service was great and they all provided great suggestions + recommendations. The Balos Chips appetizer is a must-try and the free pita bread is really good. Lamb chops and Pork chop were both good but a little over seasoned. however I would still order them again. The cheesecake dessert was really large - I'd probably try a more unique dessert because although it was good, the cheesecake wasn't amazing. One thing to note is that the restaurant music is quite loud because it made me feel like we were at a bar. I'm hoping this was done because it was NYE and why they tried to create this vibe. I would highly recommend Balos Estiatorio for birthday dinners with friends and family. read more

Balos Estiatorio - Lamb chops - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I dined at Balos for a family celebration. We were given a brunch menu very different than the weekend brunch menu they have online. I wasn't sure if this was intentionally done or not, but because of that, we didn't have the opportunity to try any of their appetizers or small plates. They have a nice menu of specialty drinks and mocktails. It was a little crazy to see the mocktails were only $3 less than the drinks with alcohol ($20!). I ordered the French toast with a side of their Greek sausage. The French toast was so filling, I could only eat 1 full slice before sharing the rest around. Others in my party ordered their Benedict's, lobster roll, and steak and eggs. We were all extremely satisfied with our dishes and left feeling SO full. The creme brûlée is served on a huge plate. I recommend splitting it with several others, especially because it's so sweet. read more

I returned to Balos just for drinks, and sat at the bar. I ordered the exact same two drinks I had ordered on the previous occasion I had come for dinner--the banana espresso martini and the Island Passion drink, but this time both were subpar. I didn't enjoy either, at all, and was so confused because they were delicious on the previous occasion. The flavors were completely unbalanced. It was a different day of the week, so it must have been a different bartender. They were should really work on standardizing the recipes across staff so the drinks are more consistently good. read more

Pretty good meal. Portions were more than enough for two which is always a nice change! We didn't have room for mains. At midnight on the weekends everyone throws napkins in the air or something. Tuna tartare - can't go wrong Kleftiko - loved but the phyllo was soggy/chewy in the middle "Greek" onion soup - nothing to report lol Avgolemono - simple and satisfying Santorini spritz - obligatory yummy purple drink read more

It's amusing to me that I went here for brunch today, because I went to another Mediterranean restaurant for brunch yesterday, so apparently it's my theme for the weekend. I will say this was probably one of the best dishes I've had in a long time, the crabcake Benedict was outstanding. From the freshness of the crab cake, to the hollandaise sauce, which normally I do not like, but it was delicious, to the perfectly baked house made English muffin, accompanied with phenomenal Greek french fries, it was a beautiful dish. I also enjoyed their Baloma, which was a play on a regular Paloma, and I believe had a little bit of some sort of rose flavor, but was ultimately really good. Where I deduct the star was twofold. First, they did not have a baby changing table in the bathroom. In 2025 that is unacceptable. Changing a baby in a sink is wild, but what are the options. Please do better. Secondly, while I recognize that being attentive is an important part of customer service, over attentiveness leads to hovering, and can make the patron feel extremely uncomfortable. Our server was really nice, but his hovering was out of control. The waitstaff were also hovering, as well as a hostess, who kept walking around, staring at parties, and then making notes in her iPad. It was really odd. To be fair, the baby changing table, and overall feel from the staff certainly could deduct a point and a half, or a star and a half, but the food and drink and overall decor were really good so I'm willing to round it up to a four. Please work on bridging the gap between attentive and hovering, and for the love of God put changing tables in your bathroom. Whether you're catering to crowds with babies or not, it's still unacceptable. Oh, and I forgot to add, the music was so loud, so it made it hard to talk, not just to your party, but also to weight staff, because he kept saying, what did you say, what did you say. It was absurd. Again I recognize what the vibe is, but you can have a happy medium between the vibe, and people hearing each other. read more

Decided to make 7pm Saturday dinner reservations for a friend I to finally try Balos. The ambiance was on point. Our table was not ready when we arrived so we sat at the bar and ordered drinks. We both had the Island Passion with Patron Reposado that we both enjoyed. Not too sweet but not too strong. The bartender was very friendly and shared some of her recommendations on the dinner menu. Once our table was ready the hostess came to get us. Our server was attentive and friendly. We ordered more drinks this time I tried the Midnight Mojito and I wouldn't recommend it. Probably the worst mojito I have ever had. But everyone's taste buds are different. For appetizers we had hummus and Spanakopita. Both were delicious 5/5. My friend ordered the calamari but before ordering she inquired about the texture since the menu states they are lightly fried. Our server said they were crunchy and like any other calamari. Unfortunately when they arrived we had to send them back due to the texture. They are truly fried lightly no crunch at all. I wouldn't recommend if you don't like the texture of grilled calamari. For our entrees we both ordered lamb chops medium. She substituted her fries for rice and did not enjoy the rice. However, the lamb chops were cooked perfectly and the fries were 5/5. The two hours goes by really fast when you are deep in conversation but we didn't feel rushed like some of the other reviews mentioned. Our server let us know we were a bit over but it was 9:30pm at that point. Also, it is pretty loud in the restaurant so this may not be the place for you if you're looking for a quiet dinner. All in all I would recommend Balos and looking forward to returning with my fiancé to try more menu items. Ambience 5/5 Customer Service 5/5 Food 4/5 Drinks 4/5 read more

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Trying to save folks... for brunch, I found it to be overpriced and poor quality all across the board. Unfortunately, cannot recommend this place to anyone. Went to brunch with a reservation for a party of four, we all ordered the "bottomless espresso martinis" it took 40 minutes for our first order to arrive, and then another 25 minutes for our second order of drinks to arrive despite placing the order when the first set of drinks arrived. The food quality was extremely low for the price, $30 for a chicken gyro it should be knock your socks off. It arrived cold and just, bad. My friend also ordered the gyro with no onions and it arrived with onions so she couldn't even eat hers. Attempt at getting a third round of drinks was no dice with multiple issues with the bar so the $55 within a 1.5 hour limit was just truly designed to be a bad deal. Our server tried to make up for it with a couple glasses of sparking wine which was appreciated but it was nowhere near worth the exorbitant price for such low quality food, extremely long wait for drinks, plus the place was so painfully loud it was impossible to hear anyone at your table. Steer clear of this restaurant unless you want a loud, instagramy type contrived atmosphere. read more

35th Birthday Dinner That Missed the Mark I chose this restaurant to celebrate my 35th birthday -- my first real outing as a new mom -- expecting a fun, classy evening. Instead, it felt more like surviving a sports bar in the middle of a playoff game. We were seated next to a rowdy group of sports fans who took over the space -- yelling, invading our table area, and even throwing napkins they picked up off the floor while our food was on the table. We asked for a manager several times, but no one came until the very end of the night, after the damage was done. To make matters worse, one of the busboys dropped our Brussels sprouts, left glass on the table, and the staff never cleaned it up. They still tried to charge us for the dish they broke and never replaced. There was also a spilled glass of water that sat untouched for most of the meal. When the manager finally came, she was kind, apologetic, and offered dessert and a round of shots, which I appreciated. But by then, the birthday energy was gone. The whole experience felt like management didn't want to address the behavior of the loud group -- likely because someone at that table was related to a Washington Commanders player. The favoritism was obvious. It's a shame because this restaurant has great potential -- nice ambiance, solid menu, and good management intentions -- but if guests are allowed to treat the place like a tailgate, none of that matters. Bottom line: If you're going for a classy, celebratory dinner, look elsewhere. If you don't mind flying napkins from the floor, glass on your table, and being ignored until you demand attention, this might be your vibe. read more

I went to Balos Estiatorio for their new brunch service. The restaurant is big and well-designed. I had their omelette for brunch, which was good, but the fries and sauce were the real stars of the show. The fries were deliciously crispy and well-seasoned, so don't miss them! Service was prompt and friendly. Overall, it was a solid brunch, but on the expensive side. read more

Balos Estiatorio - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great ambiance & vibes- except for the fact I got a fish bone stuck in my throat and could r get a waiter to bring me some water to flush it down:( other than that great service and good, good dj too and cute to take photos- would recommend for a birthday or with friends- probably just don't get fish though. read more

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Enjoyable meal at Balos last night. Met all expectations for a special occasion restaurant to celebrate our daughters' graduation from GW. Shared apps, entrees and a few desserts for party of six. All was good especially Bronzino. Cocktails were flowing but music became a bit loud later in the night making conversation too challenging. read more

love the decor , hate the energy (atmosphere) very pretentious even for someone as boujee as myself. I sat at the bar solo and had a drink and app. wasn't impressed with the service at all so that usually won't keep me at a spot long I don't care how hungry I am. I had to ask for a food menu, ask for a napkin set, ask for suggestions. no dialigue or education on dishes in between, just standing around taking shots with other workers and waiting to be flagged down for a request. would def like to see this improve the space can sell itself. it gets conjested & loud later in the evening like bouncer at the door style so prepare for that transition read more

Balos Estiatorio - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I came here when I was visiting DC for a race. We made brunch reservations and I will tell you right now our waitress was amazing. I can not remember her name but she was very nice. She had a very friendly personality and gave us tips for visiting D.C. We ordered a couple of dishes. We ordered the different dips which was very delicious. We also ordered the spanakopita and both of these appetizers were delicious. I ordered crab cake Benedict for my main course and this was ok; I think the crab cakes could have used more seasoning. The food was fresh and the amount of food was good. I also had a drink and the drink was very good. We also got dessert because it was my friend's birthday. The place also makes you feel like you are in Greece. The bathroom is beautiful so this would be a place which I would have a celebration at. read more

Balos Estiatorio - Free dip - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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A friend & I had an 8pm reservation during the middle of the week. The hostess was nice and seated me upon arrival. our waiter was jolly and very knowledgeable of the menu. For my appetizer, I had the balos chips. It's fried eggplant and fried zucchini with fried cheese. It was delicious My friend had a Greek salad. It was delicious. The only thing that was surprising was the amount of cheese that was on top of the salad in the form of a block, but it did not take away from how great the salad was. for my entrée, I had the lamb chops and french fries. The lamb chops were superb. They were cooked exactly how I requested. They were seasoned perfectly, but I did not like the fries. I replaced the french fries with the brussels sprouts. the brussels sprouts were great. They were seared in honey and topped with tomatoes. Delicious! My friend had the prawns as her entrée. Before her entrée came to the table we were trying to decide how many she would have on her plate. We assumed that she would get 3 to 4 prawns. She had almost 10 prawns on her plate. I believe the number of prawns is large because it does not come with a side dish so be mindful of that when ordering. The ambience was great. The restaurant is beautiful. I definitely will be returning. I had a lovely experience. I went for my birthday and they played the Greek version of happy birthday over the intercom and I loved it. I just think the chef should replace the french fries as the side dish with the lamb chop. The lamb chops are placed on top of the french fries, so the heat and steam makes them soggy and they are not seasoned. There is no flavor to the french fries but again I will be returning. read more

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Went back to Balos today after about a month after my last visit and of course it did not disappoint! I did try the crab cakes today, and although the portions were great they could have had just a little more seasoning in the crab but overall they were good. I also had the brussel sprouts for the first time, and oh my God I'm definitely going to get them from now on anytime that I go! I just so happened to be the only person sitting at the bar (it was a Sunday around 4:30)so I was expecting at least a few people to be there but it was still cool. The service was excellent, the bartender was great.. although I think he was new he still handled it. I just love Balos overall because it's just always so dainty, so cool, so nice, so welcoming and so beautiful. I still have not had the chance to visit on a Friday or Saturday night but I will be doing that very very soon! I just have to experience the night time celebration! If you have not been to Balos, read all of my reviews and see my pictures and just know that the food is great, the service is wonderful, and the Ambiance is like no other! There's never a time that I've walked through those doors and felt like I was still in DC. It always gives me the same high-end Miami vibes and that's what I live for! read more

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Service was great.Atmosphere was good.Food was amazing greek salad,octopus,hummus,meatballs,chicken,fish ,beef all delicious + drinks my neices 40th birthday we had a great time ,We will return again read more

This place is such a vibe. They had a great DJ playing good music. The food was absolutely delicious. Cocktails were equally tasty and strong. Customer service is top notch. I will definitely return. read more

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Balos effortlessly transports diners to a Greek island. From the moment you walk in the ambiance is captivating. Balos has great music, food, and service. The best part is the party atmosphere on the weekends. Around 10-11pm the servers will pass out napkins in anticipation for throwing them in the air, dancing, and partying. This is an experience that you do not want to miss! Balos is a perfect place to celebrate birthdays or other special occasions. I noticed that they do pretty well accommodating large parties, as I saw many tables that had 15+ people. You'll def need a reservation here and there is no other place in DC that can top this fun atmosphere. The only con is that it can get extremely crowded especially for the napkin throwing. So be warned that it might not be the best place for an intimate quiet date night. read more

Balos Estiatorio - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I wanted to love Balos, but unfortunately I just don't think that the food met the restaurant's hype. The decor is stunning, and the ambience is fun, trendy, and very DC. The cocktails were another pro - both the white wine and blackberry mojito were delicious, and I'd go back to the bar just for a drink or two. However, dinner was a disappointment. The octopus starter, while very tender, was buried in too many unnecessary ingredients and was overwhelmed by the salty taste of capers (especially given the $32 price point). The fish for two was not bad, but was also slightly overcooked and lacked seasoning - similar to the lemon potatoes that my table ordered as a side dish. All in all a very average meal, but with inflated prices that I don't think are justified by the taste of the dishes. read more

Every dish and every drink was absolutely delicious!. We were all a little concerned about the pricing, until we put those forks to our mouths Not one complaint. The atmosphere, the service, the food was all top notch. read more

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I stopped by here for dinner last night and loved it. It's only been open for a week but it's been getting great reviews. The ambiance is beautiful and the service was great. I loved the Greek Salad, but the portion size is huge so I recommend it as a meal unless you have a huge appetite. Oh, it's also $25. The Scallops were also amazing and a large portion. It's DC so the prices reflect that. Since this place is near my office I plan on frequenting it. read more

Balos Estiatorio - Greek Salad - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Doesn't get any better than this. (Maybe if you take a trip to Greece!) Just finished eating here last Thursday night and I can't wait to come back. The portions were generous, the interior was gorgeous and had the friendliest staff in all of DC. My favorite was the Avgolemono Soup. Imagine the most perfect lemon, chicken, porridge consistency. It was under appetizers, so I expected a tiny bowl, but I got a generously large bowl. Staying true to Greek portion sizes!!! I would come back everyday for this soup. For bread, you get super fluffy pita and hummus. Delicious! We also ordered other dishes like the Yemista, Papoutsakia and the Greek Lemon Chicken. All of which my Greek partner was impressed with! I hope the quality of this restaurant survives past its opening year, it's definitely one of the few gems of DC now. read more

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I see a lot of reviews about the "vibe" well let me tell you that I went for the food lol...and it was amazing. I give everything I had 10/10. Greek Salad Lamb Chops and Greek Fries, best lamb chops I've ever had in my life.. The Cheesecake, yes get it Lunch crowd was skinny which made for a chill environment. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Balos and will return again soon. read more

Mehhhh. Food is ok. Vibes are good if you like the pre night club restaurant Tulum/Santorini feel. Service is excellent. I heard a lot of chatter from the servers and it sounds like they are pressed to turn tables. In fact I believe this place has a time limit. Sounds like they have high turnover on table which is great for business bad if you are trying to experience a semi peaceful dinner. Probably best for a brunch or a party type experience. For the price I could've done a Michelin stared restaurant and had a more relaxed feel with way better food. Felt rushed ! Biggest complaint read more

Balos Estiatorio - Lobster orzo - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We went for brunch during restaurant week, and the 3-course meal was well priced at $35. At the regular $45 price, I'd have skipped it. The food was solid, with some minor disappointments (the baklava French toast is just French toast, the cheesecake was pretty mediocre) and the atmosphere was fun, popping and young. As a 50-something we might have been out of place. But service was great and we enjoyed our meal. read more

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I had the pleasure of visiting Baloas during a weekend trip to DC back in March. I was invited by a friend who made reservations weeks in advance, so I was thrilled to join them for a Saturday night on the town and to experience one of the city's top new (and sexy) restaurants. Due to the nice size of our party, we were able to sample a wide variety of appetizers, main courses, and of course, drinks, which did not disappoint. Everything about Baloas was sheer perfection: the food, the ambiance, the music, and the overall vibe. And let's not forget the iconic napkin toss - if you didn't stay for that, did you even go to Baloas? I'm looking forward to my next visit to DC as I plan to return to Baloas. read more

Balos Estiatorio - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Balos did not disappoint! The atmosphere and vibe was on point. The restaurant gave Miami vibes. This is a great spot to do birthday dinners or girls night! We ordered a bunch of apps to share at the table and they were all really tasty. For my entree I got the lobster pasta and it was very fresh. It could have used a bit more seasoning but I still enjoyed it. The service was great and staff was friendly. Looking forward to trying their brunch! read more

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Great food great service. Where they disappointed was when some random "hostess" came up to us after spending upwards of $800 to tell us to leave. I understand the 2 hour limit however multiple tables were sat before us and were not bothered. The "hostess" in the pink was trying to come off nice telling us this however realizing that we were the only ones asked to leave gave me a sour taste in my mouth. besides that weird women everything was great just don't say past 1:59 minutes lol. read more

Incredible flavors packed into every dish from the grilled octopus and tuna tartare to the swordfish kebab and baklava. This spot truly exceeded expectations, delivering amongst the most flavorful dining experiences. With an amazing menu of fresh and flavorful dishes, all presented beautifully, their lunch special is truly fantastic and well worth the price. The decor inside is well curated, adding to the clean and open environment of the dining area, inviting you in to enjoy an incredible meal. With plenty of seating available, this spot is great for groups of all sizes small or large. The service was fantastic, super friendly and efficient. Would highly recommend and would definitely return. read more

I've only visited Balos Estiatorio for brunch. Both times I have been, the service was amazing, food was amazing, unlimited espresso martinis, mimosas, etc were amazing also. In addition the decor is beautiful. Perfect spot for a date! read more

Balos was getting a lot of hype on social media so I had to check it out... and wow this swanky new Greek restaurant is worth the hype! The restaurant itself is beautiful and the ambiance is the perfect mix between being fun and relaxed. We came for my mom's birthday dinner-- we both got a cocktail (strong and good), split 3 appetizers and saved room for dessert. The prices are high but the portions are large and everything we ordered was well executed and delicious. We had no idea the dessert platter would be that massive! We left very satisfied and with delicious leftovers. Balos is a wonderful addition to the DC dining scene! read more

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What a great dining experience. Kind pricey but the food was amazing. Everything we had, we loved, especially the Greek salad and Pork chops. Drinks were good too. Stayed for the napkin throwing, which please note happens pretty late (11 pm or so) but was a whole vibe. read more

Balos Estiatorio Mediterranean restaurant located in DuPont circle in Washington, DC is one of it's kind! This place has the implemented new experiences that are not yet seen here in the DC area. It is great to have a fun refreshing vibe within the DC area! Shocking enough reading all of the reviews I was thoroughly impressed. By the food, experience and impeccable quality, this is a must try. Please be warned that this place does play loud music and has a live DJ from Thursday through Saturday I believe. The loud music did not stop me from talking with my party at all. I spoke just a little bit louder but didn't hinder the conversation at all. This place has definitely brought vibes from Miami to DC! I would highly recommend this for people that have a younger crowd! The food and drink was nothing short of fresh and Amazing! We had a wide variety of food and everything was fantastic! Despite my service being a bit off it didn't stop me from giving this place 5 stars! I would highly recommend! Please be advised that there is music playing, so if you prefer more intimacy, go somewhere else. read more

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Balos is always a delicious experience, the food never misses and the service is consistently incredible. If you stay late enough for the music and the festive napkin throw, it turns into such a fun and unforgettable night. It's a little pricey, but absolutely worth it every single time. read more

Balos Estiatorio - Birthday menu - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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