Quite upscale. Very beautiful decor. Super popular with the under 30 crowd. Food was prepared in ways both beautiful and delicious. I was disappointed that because it is so popular the tables are placed only inches away from each and the noise level is extreme. Elegant and delicious for sure but not the place for intimate dining. read more

Balvanera - Caesar salad for two - Argentine Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Outstanding food and service. Whitney was an incredible server, attentive and personable. She gave great recommendations. Highly recommend the sweet corn empanadas. The filet was melt in your mouth. The super mashed potatoes were just that! The tapas mushroom dish had unique flavors and was amazing. Highly recommend! read more

I FINALLY got to try Balvanera for dinner last week and we went ham! If you've never heard of Balvanera, they are a new Argentinian restaurant located in the Strip District across the street from the Terminal Building. We ordered a lot of yummy stuff. Empanadas de Carne, Arancini de Coliflor, Repollo Roti, Empanada de Humita, Provoleta, Chorizo Criollo, Chorizo Especial, and Complimentary end of dinner cookies. Whew, I think we ordered half the menu. Everything was excellent! My favorites were the Arancini, Empanada de Humita, Provoleta, and the Chorizo Especial. The Arancini was made with cauliflower and it was so delicious and made it taste healthier/cleaner in a way. The Empanada de Humita was filled with sweet corn, roasted red pepper, provolone, aji amarillo. It might be one of my favorite empanada fillings. If you come, you need to try it! The service was pretty good. They were extremely busy and had a ton of workers to compensate which was fantastic. The inside is beautiful as well. I definitely plan on coming back. We had a great time!! read more

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My pick for best new restaurant in Pittsburgh. Came with low expectations because I thought it was a chain opened from New York, but the food was spectacular. I am rarely this impressed by the quality of food. I felt that the ingredients were well chosen, the cooking was to perfection, and the menu offered traditional yet unique selections. My favorites include: [Veal Cheek] this small plate genuinely surprised me. The veal was tender and juicy, and could not have been done any better. This dish makes the list of some of the most memorable foods I've tried, based on cooking quality. I felt it outshined the steak. Their steak was pretty good, but compared to the veal cheek, it didn't leave as deep of an impression. [Beef Empanadas] I was even more impressed by how Balvanera was able to amaze me even with the most simple and traditional dishes. The beef inside the empanadas was delicious. I've never had a more flavorful empanada with better meat. [Blood Sausage] We ordered this at the end because we weren't quite full yet. I was again surprised how the blood sausage was just how I imagined it to be. I've only had blood sausage in Korean food, and it was what I was craving too. I thought there was no way it was the same type of blood sausage I was craving but wanted to give it a try anyways. However, it was just as I hoped it would be. The flavor and seasoning was also perfect. Overall, I felt their small plates were exceptional, to the extent that I don't remember the steak that much and the desserts were just typical. The drinks were good and they had a long list to choose from. I saw they had a caviar special but it was sold ut. Hopefully, they bring it back for their regular menu. I understand it is on the pricier side but I felt it was well worth the price. I saw some of the reviews before going and was worried too. However, for me it was equal to fine dining quality food, and thus worth the price. I've also tried the other similar restaurants in Pittsburgh but Balvanera was the only one that hit the mark for me, food wise. Fine dining for other places are much more expensive. I think maybe cultural cuisine places aren't usually viewed as fine dining and worth higher prices. read more

Balvanera - Veal cheek and beef empanadas - Argentine Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Excellent food and drinks! I was dining in my own and there were so many things I wanted to sample. At the recommendation of the bartender I ordered the mushrooms (small plate) and lamb sausage. Both were excellent. I also enjoyed the date cake to finish off my meal. read more

hat a fantastic dinner we just had at Balvenera restaurant in Pittsburgh. Our server, Brianna was excellent. She provided great guidance on the menu and helped us order our meal.The Sommelier was equally good and because of her, we had two great glasses of wine to accompany our food. We had the beet salad, followed by the lamb sausage with Pear chutney, followed by a medium rare ribeye. It was a delicious Argentinian steak. Finally, at the suggestion of our server, we had a cream cheese ice cream dessert with espresso and dulce de Leche sauce. It was a chef's kiss experience. We let the manager of the restaurant, Jack, know how great our experience was. We're now actually considering changing our plans so we have an opportunity to come back for another meal. Do not miss this restaurant. Food read more

balvanera is such a cute spot! Would be perfect for a date night. Plates are small and a tad pricey which I expected from other reviews. We only got appetizers so I can't speak on the big plates but I thought the food was just okay. I forget which spritz I got but it was delicious and my favorite part of the meal. Next time I would sit at the bar - we were there early and there were spots just fyi if you can't get a res! read more

Balvanera - Argentine Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Best steak I've EVER HAD! I ordered the skirt steak and my friend ordered the rib eye and we shared. My friend used to own a restaurant and is a huge foodie, and when he took a couple of bites of his steak he looks up at me and says WHERE DO THEY GET THESE COWS?! Lol Needless to say we were extremely impressed. On another note, the olives or aceitunas, were some of the most delicious I've ever had! Fragrant, buttery, piquant marinade of some sort that I just couldn't get enough of. I would go back just for the olives all to myself with a nice glass of wine from their huge wine list. Shout out to the very nice waiter we had and the owner and GM always being close by! read more

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My friends and I visited Balvanera for their soft opening and were blown away by all aspects of the experience! Food, service, and ambiance were all 5 star! Looking forward to returning when I can score a reservation. read more

Was super excited to try this place! The inside is really cozy and there seems to be a decent amount of seating. Our server was attentive and helped us decide what foods to order first. To start we had assorted olives, Provoleta, and empanadas. The empanadas were probably my favorite, but the provoleta was pretty fun. It is super stretchy cheese topped with sweet tomatoes, seeds and oil. We then got a ribeye steak and sausage for the main course. The steak had a nice sear on it and came with chimichurri and another sauce. Next time, I might try a different cut of meat as the ribeye was a bit fatty for my liking. The sausages were probably my favorite. We got the matrimonio which has one chorizo sausage and one morcilla sausage. The flavor was really unique and it was fun to eat them together. read more

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THE BEST! Cannot speak highly enough about this restaurant. This is EXACTLY the type of place Pittsburgh needed, the aesthetic is soo beautiful it's like sexy, cozy, cool all at once. The service was amazing, you can tell everyone had passion for what they did and the beautiful food and drinks they were serving. We ended up ordering a bunch of small plates/apps and one main entree to try. Literally everything was fabulous. To top it off, when we were there - they had a Port Wine from the vineyard we stayed at in Portugal (Quinta do Vallado). If they have this when you go - A MUST TRY! read more

Balvanera - Skirt steak / lamb sausage / fries - Argentine Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This was our second time here and it was just as good as our first. This place has a modern, upscale vibe with welcoming staff, cozy lighting, and a well-stocked bar with diverse liquors, beers, and various wines (fairly extensive list with multiple price points). My husband ordered a pisco sour and I opted for a white wine. The wine I had ordered was no longer available, but the waitress suggested and allowed me to sample a similar wine that fit the bill. We started off with three tapas - ham & cheese croquettes (evening special), carrots, and mushrooms. Everything was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The labneh that accompanied the carrots was delicious - we ate every last bit off the plate (and spoon)! For our mains, I got the chicken Milanese that was topped with an avocado salad and a green sauce that made every bite even more delicious. My husband and father in law both got steak. While the seasoning and sear was perfect on both, my father in law thought his might have been slightly underdone for his preference. He didn't seem to mind too much though, because he ate the whole thing without hesitation. They also split a side of mashed potatoes and neither one could stop raving about them. The portions were adequate and the pacing of our meal was just right. After we received the bill, our waitress provided us with complementary shortbread cookies with a dulce de leche filling which was a nice touch. This place can be pretty pricey depending on what you order, but the quality is definitely worth it. This place has been a great addition to the Strip District. read more

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Si quieres lo mejor - acá es el mejor quilombo -- pero, te digo My boyfriend and I came here on a whim. And we couldn't be happier. The service was amazing. B, our server was super nice and very attentive to everything we asked for. She was on point. The food was incredible. It's a mix of Argentine and other southern flavors, which I really appreciate, and since I lived in Argentina for two years. I will say you can't go wrong with ordering anything. They were all delicious and were above and beyond what I expected. Also, the ambience was beautiful. I don't know who did the interior design, but it was on point. don't think about it twice but come here. I recommend the Ancho and the Milanesa. Definitely try the empanadas as well. read more

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Definitely the place to go for fine dine and worth for pictures and beautiful interior; however, I felt that the food was average and not worth the price. Service was amazing and I have not complaints on that-- there were times where it was difficult to get their help, but I went on a busy day, so that makes sense! Overall, the food was okay-- it was an experience, but not one I would want to return to. read more

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This was our second trip to Balvanera Pittsburgh, and it has quickly become our favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. The service, atmosphere, and food are all top notch. Their steaks are wonderful, sausages are great, and the unique appetizers they offer all stand out. It's a must try if you are a foodie. read more

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Veal cheeks special were on special. I sat at the small but beautiful bar. Next to the iberico station. I got a blood sausage for my dad to go too but it isn't a kishka more like sausage with blood in it. I'd go back just for empanadas. I had the corn but I'd try the roast beef too. Most men would probably like their steak and whipped potatoes. You get four potato cakes with the caviar. The bar is really nice. They had cab franc and brut by the glass. Negroni stuff . Good Sunday spot. I think they might even have a brunch. read more

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What a hidden gem! Absolutely loved this place. Food and staff were amazing. Highly recommend

A vibey space with delicious food and incredible service. My business hosted a happy hour here this week and Meredith, Jake, and Jules went above and beyond to make our night a success. We hosted happy hour in the bar and then a group of us stayed after for dinner. My favorite cocktail is the Romero Spritz and my favorite app is the empanadas de carne. We had the chimmichurri steak with truffle fries and an espresso martini for dessert. We were having such a good time and everything tasted so good that I forgot to take pictures of the food! Everything was perfect. Highly recommend and cannot wait to come back for date night. read more

Balvanera - Argentine Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Overall - I liked Balvanera! It's well decorated and the service is great. The steak was delicious! The experience didn't quite live up to my expectations given the rave reviews I've heard. The menu isn't very allergen friendly - not denoted on menu and server didn't ask. The restaurant has a small footprint. I could touch the two tables next to me and clearly hear conversations, which was a bit uncomfortable. The location is great. Parking is easy! I also recommend reservations. read more

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Had dinner here. The place is big and airy with high ceilings, which makes it feel fancy without being stiff. Steaks are legit, sausages hit the flavor, cocktails solid. Pricey, but you walk out knowing you paid for something good. read more

4.5 stars. Excellent service, atmosphere, wine selection, and tapas. I had the fish special and it was good but not terribly flavorful. The prices are definitely on the high side, but I think it's mostly worth it! read more

I have had a number of really great meals here solo and with others. I tend to lean more on the side of the vegetable, and am a fanatic for the chicory salad and their seasonal appetizers. The pollo with herb salad and avocado is shockingly good- the best combination of fresh and savory. The space is lovely and the staff are thoughtful. Price is moderate to high for Pittsburgh and it's on par for what you get, but there are plenty of reasonably priced items to choose from too. The steaks are solid, but competition for this in the Burgh is tough. I'll leave further discussion of the meat to experts! read more

This was one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. It started from the moment we walked in the door. We had a reservation. The hostess was looking for a place to seat us and seemed to have decided on one when I saw a prime location near the big front windows. I asked if we could sit there and the hostess quickly changed plans and said absolutely we could sit there. It was that kind of evening. Service was great. As for the food, everything was top notch. We started with the cauliflower arancini. Next, we were served the sweetbreads and then the beets. Finally, we split the Argentinian angosto, which was served with fries and the carrots. The server timed the dishes perfectly. And it seemed like every ingredient in the dishes had a purpose, if that makes sense at all. The sweetbreads, for example - in every bite you could taste not only the sweetbreads, but the crunch of the almonds, the creaminess of the celery root, the freshness of the lime and apple. Everything was proper. The steak was incredibly flavorful, but a tad tough. I'm usually not a fan of grass fed steak, but this one didn't have the usual grassy flavor. It was served with two sauces but I found myself not wanting to mask the flavor of the steak. This is a great place to take guests from out of town or visit on special occasions. I'll be back. read more

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I mean, service good to great. Food good to great. Prices great. We recommend this place for everyone:

Nothing special. Salads were too salty, steaks weren't butterfly cut, chicken was OKAY. Staff interrupted dinner to clean table (Never seen that before).... Nothing special read more

Another great new spot in Pittsburgh! Wild to think back in the day this building was one of the many night clubs in the Strip district. I went here on a Thursday evening around 8:30 PM. They are only open until 10 PM, so I was nervous, but they were able to surprisingly seat us right away. I love the mix of industrial and modern ambiance! My mom and I were seated in a comfortable corner booth that was perfect for sharing a bunch of plates.I started with a glass of garnacha and we browed the menu. Our server was friendly and attentive, constantly refilling our waters. We just wanted "late night" snacks so we shared a few tapas. The arancini (cauliflower & rice croquettes, quince purée) were our favorite! They were so unique and delicious. My mom enjoyed the empanadas de carne (handcut roast beef, hard boiled egg. onion, cumin), and I loved the remolachas roti (rotisserie beets, ricotta salata, pistachios, crispy garlic). I would highly recommend the beets!! The carrots (roasted carrots, honey sherry vinaigrette) were another stand out dish. I was happy to see pescatarian/vegetarian options on the menu, and if I went for dinner I would order more of the seafood plates. This is a cool new spot that would be perfect for a date night or after work drinks and tapas. I will go back when I visit Pittsburgh again soon! read more

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Food was delicious and service was great! Was able to walk in with no reservation, no complaints and will def be back soon! read more

We had great service from everyone(devin was our server). Tried a few of the sausages. Fish was solid. Great cocktails

Great drinks and overall vibe. The grapefruit julep was a favorite. Arancini, lamb sausage, and beef empanadas were also top dishes. Wasn't a huge fan of the corn empanadas--they use a different crust and it was tougher and drier. Definitely go for the beef empanadas instead. Don't skip the cheesecake! read more

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The ambiance was great, the service was great, the place was great, But the food left a lot to be desired. My daughter and wife had the skirt steak, cooked perfect but covered in salt. So much salt that I think my wife blood pressure went to the roof. The ceaser salad tasted like it was dipped in fish... and the olives tasted like curry. Maybe a bad day for the chef. Overall food terrible. And not cheap!!! read more

Went for drinks at the bar on St. Patrick's Day. Busy place. Observed the meals being delivered to the patrons. They looked really delicious!!! Will need to make reservations to eat here!! read more

This is an interesting space. A little on the load side but service was really good. We tried a few of the smaller plates and all were very good. The chorizo iberico was tasty and worth trying, the curdo. of yellow tail sashimi with some apple and arauco olive oil was a real hit. The olive oil had a tomato and grassy flavor and really made the flavor of the yellow tail stand out. The arancini was OK, try something else. Another really big hit was the Angusto, strip lion, prefectly cook, tender and some of the best strip steak that we have had in a very long time. Hats off to the chef and the imported beef, you won't be disappointed. read more

We went to brunch here on Easter and well the food was very good. It is a limited brunch menu. My only recommendation is to be aware and look at the menu before hand! However, with that being said, I just got eggs, sausage, and potatoes, just a simple breakfast meal and it was very delicious. We ordered lamb sausage on the side à la carte and that was absolutely delicious. They don't really have a kids menu so they were able to break down their French toast for my son, which was still just as good! They have a really awesome and chill place and I love the atmosphere! read more

Pros: A trendy new tapas spot in the heart of the Strip District that's tasty and fun for a night out. Cons: Loud as all h*ll and expect at least a 15-minute wait during peak hours (even with a reservation) read more

Amazing food and atmosphere. Ate at the bar - the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Recommend: Sweetbreads (best I've ever had) Empanadas (corn in particular) White Anchovies Definitely will be a regular stop! read more

There wasn't a thing I disliked about this restaurant from the appetizers, to the main dishes, to the best non-alcoholic cocktail I've ever enjoyed. Service was friendly, food came out piping hot! Ambiance was great for both casual dining as well as a date night. The empanadas melted in my mouth, the pasta made me want to lick the plate, and the steak was a level of wonderful tender that could only be described as delightful. If it was weren't for the price tag, this would be my new weekend "spot" but it was worth every penny and I'll definitely be back! read more

Balvanera is such a lovely experience. The ambiance is upscale but not stuffy. Service is friendly and attentive. The menu is not intimidating but the flavors are inventive. I was pleased to walk in and be seated at 5:30 on a Sunday. Everyone after us was ushered to the bar but honestly, the bar looked like a wonderful experience. Our server Stephanie had wonderful recommendations. For our first time, we split small plates, sausage, and desserts. The cauliflower arancini and corn empanadas were fantastic. The lamb sausage was unique and I loved the pear chutney. We also split the passion fruit cake which was very unique. The drink menu was also fantastic with unique cocktails and a full amaro list for dessert. We look forward to visiting again to try more of the menu! read more

Went to Balvanera again. Let me give you some advice. Listen to the small plate specials. Just so spot on. I actually stopped the manager Bill and told him that his chef is a genius. Shrimp tempura with greens and pea pods, a horseradish cream sauce was absolutely delicious. The place is busy for a very good reason. They are just doing everything right. The staff is attentive and friendly. One of our two favorite places to have an experience and fantastic food. read more

The atmosphere within the restaurant is simply elegant The service was amazing and very knowledgeable The food was outstanding We had roasted beets lamb sausage and Argentinian rib eye steak Amazing doesn't capture the taste The wine list is extensive and the blend was awesome Dessert was also a treat with homemade ice cream parfait Don't miss this establishment read more

Great meal with no weak spots on food, drinks, ambience and service. Our night consisted of cocktails, small plates, steaks (Strips perfectly done and seasoned), frites, carrots and mushrooms as sides. All were seasoned well & perfect compliments to the steaks. We started with chorizo especial, beets (so good-get em even if you don't like em 'cause the'll change your mind), empanadas, and arancini and it was hard to choose favorites. Deserts were a great ending and worth every bite. Great service providing some suggestions (just ask) and very attentive. Busy night but didn't impact our experience. Woukd recommend and definitely willing crossing a river for a meal! read more

Balvanera - Amazing desert selection-kudos to their pastry chef! - Argentine Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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