What an amazing place. I made a reservation for 9pm and because of the snow, the driving was very slow. I found a spot 1/2 block and the restaurant called me and I told the hostess I was parking. The was nice they called to double check. I walked over and the place was packed. We waited maybe 6 mins and we're seated in the corner by front window. It was freezing and you can feel some chill everytime the door but it was manageable. We got a lychee martini and a montepulciano wine which were both very good. For appetizers we got the octopus salad, and the hummus. Both were delish and fresh!! For dinner, got the branzino which was amazing and my friend got the seafood pasta. The dinner and the hostess checked on us and I believe the manager; a yall guy who was very friendly. He asked us to return. We originally were going to Avra but I liked what I saw on the menu and I believe it was the best choice!! I certainly plan to return. I told me buddy Wil and he just booked Feb 14 at 930pm!!! I hope they treat him well like they did me!!! read more

See all

easy to get a last minute reservation large space lots of options and shareables great fries read more

Balzem - flatbread - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

We came by for lunch on a random Monday afternoon and were overall pleased with our experience. We've walked by the huge adorable Teddy bear outside and had no idea that it was Balzem's! The restaurant is pretty small, but beautifully decorated and has great ambience. We were seated right away, and the menu is via QR code on the tables. The food options are creatively and beautifully presented. Definitely a photo-op if you're into posting food pics. The cocktail menu looked great as well. I ordered the octopus salad and my husband got the chicken skewers. Both were delicious, and reasonably priced. There's one restroom in the back, large enough for a stroller, wheelchair, or other assistive devices. Removed one star for cramped seating in the corner by our table, but I'd definitely come back! read more

See all

The food was good and the service was really accomadating, the ambiance is an awfully cool vibe, rustic decor and a great wine list to choose from. I would definitely return. read more

Balzem - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

See all

My favorite restaurant in Manhattan. The meat dishes are exquisite and the drinks are so fun. Beyond that, the upbeat ambiance, inviting energy, and friendly service is the reason why I keep going back. Thank you Balzem read more

Came here twice already in 2 weeks and enjoyed everything. Nice brunch menu . Lovely atmosphere and good service . Mediterranean breakfast platter is my absolute favorite ! Shakshuka is really good too and tasty avocado toast. read more

See all

My friends and I came here for brunch. The place was spacious and well decorated. It had a lot of nice seating. We were seated almost immediately. The staff was friendly but they mostly kept to themselves. They had a promotion when we passed by and that's why we stopped in. It didn't say anything about when it was available so we assumed since we saw the sign outside displayed, it was available. When we asked the waitress, she looked confused. I pointed to the sign and then it registered to her. She said that the promotion wasn't valid and then walked away not removing the sign from the sidewalk. When another table mentioned it she removed the chalkboard sign from the sidewalk. I got a chicken sandwich with fries and my friends got a steak with eggs. They enjoyed their dish. Mines was okay. They gave a decent portion and it was filling. However, the chicken had a lot of cartilage pieces. I believe it was a thigh piece or maybe a chicken breast cut too close to the bone. A few bites wasn't chewable. It was offputting. The meat was also cut very thinly so it's disappointing when the few pieces you do get isn't good. The food was flavored nicely and delicious. The bathrooms was nicely decorated but dark. The toilet seat was broken and very wombly. I almost fell the first time I almost sat down. read more

See all

Some style, no substance. A friend and I stumbled into this place hungry on a late Sunday afternoon, around 4pm. It seemed busy, stylish, and festive with open front windows and tables that looked onto the street. How bad could it be? First issue was that they didn't want to give us a real menu even though the digital menu wasn't loading. Finally they ponied up and gave us one. When you are going to spend $100 on lunch it's absurd to demand you use your phone to order, it's not an airport. No class. The service was terrible. When we wanted to order, or needed anything we needed to get up and find a waiter. It was never clear who our waiter was as different people came around every time. The host took our order, someone from the kitchen brought it out, etc. We ordered hummus, the zucchini pancake, vodka pasta, and a burger. The hummus was standard, zucchini pancake was rubbery, the hamburger was the worse I've had in ages, the vodka noodles were standard. In the bathroom there was a sign to visit their other businesses including one in Tulum. This is all you need to know to put together what this business is - some kind of thing where the decor is the draw for influencer types. The world of illusion. read more

Ordered via Doordash. The packaging was very nice... the humus with pita was excellent... the grilled chicken was juicy, tasty, and still hot! The side salad was nice and fresh. The portions were very large which is rare when you order for delivery. The timing was good. No complaints. I will order again. read more

Had been eyeing this place the night before because it looked very cozy inside so when our concert ended early at the bowery we stopped by for a little night snack of the turkish dumplings. We loved them 5/5 and the portion was pretty good! The ambiance is cozy dimly lit and the music was a cool tulum house vibe. Would definitely come back when they have a dj or for brunch! try them out. read more

The cutest restaurant buried into a Soho side street. I've been on mott street a million times and just stumbled upon it. The ambience was the initial reason to draw me in. The crowd was a mix of young and old, feeding into everyone just loving this restaurant. Just going for drinks the bartender was so entertaining, being social and prolonging our evening by an hour just because we did not want to leave. read more

Balzem - lychee martini, and cosmo - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Balzem is such a lovely neighborhood restaurant, clearly a popular date spot for younger (than us) crowds, with attractive decor, a happening vibe, and an absolutely solid kitchen. It was a bit loud for our tastes, but we were able to carry on some good debates and conversations (e.g. ones where you want to hear and respond to details) with our old friends with a bit of projection, which happily fell short of yelling. Our group tried quite a few dishes: - Whipped pistachio ($14) -- a gorgeous deep green dip that was fantastically rich and creamy; didn't stint on the pistachio, which added some pleasant texture; came with nicely toasted, olive oil drizzled pita wedges - Octopus (Spanish pulpo cooked in red wine saucepan seared and served on arugula salad; $21) -- a bit spendy for the portion size (a single tentacle, I think), but the execution was good, the tentacle well grilled with the "slippery" skin removed. - Manti (authentic Turkish beef dumplings with yogurt, butter, dry herbs; $17) -- Our friend ordered this as her main, and as it was fairly small in size, I did not want to deprive her of any of it. I consider her a Turkish food expert, however, so when she described it as rich and well made, I am inclined to take her word for it. - Lazzoni Sea Shepherd (shepherd salad tossed with Spanish octopus and shrimp; $27) -- this was my main and just about perfect in my book given that I wanted something light after a late lunch and a hot day. The salad was flavorful, bright with dill, perfectly dressed, with a great balance of fresh vegetables and proteins. Octopus and shrimp were both tender, perfectly saline, well textured, and not at all fishy. I think I could eat this every day this summer and it wouldn't get old. - Lamb Chops (with potato gratin and arugula; $39) -- nicely grilled to a medium temperature. Well seasoned, juicy, a generous serving size. - Tavern Chicken (flat thigh marinated in red pepper paste and herbs, grilled and served on cracked wheat veggie rice and side of tomato and greens; $29) -- a bit less flavorful than our other dishes, but the chicken was moist and well. No complaints there. - Creme Brulee ($13) -- creamy with an appropriately caramelized sugar shell atop. It wasn't quite as rich as some versions we love, but it was a solid choice. - Baklava ($14) -- I didn't try these, but those who did enjoyed and described them as competently made. Some of our party missed having ekmek brought to the table as it generally is at our favorite Turkish restaurants, but I personally cannot find fault given our economic environment. Pleasant service. Wines by the bottle are pretty standard issue, but not priced to break the bank (in contrast to the somewhat more overpriced standard issue cocktails). I suspect we would be here a lot if this were more geographically proximate! read more

See all

Definitely recommend make reservations on weekend evenings. Cute and cozy spot in SoHo. We were early for our reservation by about 20-25 minutes, but staff was able to accommodate. There's both standalone 2 and 4 top tables plus a few larger tables and booths that accommodate larger groups, and there's also high top tables that are community style seating so as long as you don't mind if you have others seated next to you, they're seats. Yummy drinks, delicious whipped pistachio & fresh pita to start. We got the grilled brochette (chicken) and tavern chicken, and both were generous portions and lo-carb. We left really full, but in a good way not a disgusting way. I think I favored the chicken brochette flavor and texture slightly over the tavern chicken, but both are great options. No room for dessert but enjoyed our visit. Professional and courteous staff, attentive of always checking in and clearing service items. read more

See all

A Hidden Gem in SoHo - Best Meal I've Had in Years! I don't even know where to begin because Balzem blew me away from the first sip to the last bite. This place is an absolute gem tucked into SoHo -- cozy ambiance, warm lighting, and the kind of elevated vibe that makes you want to settle in and stay all night. Let's start with the cocktails: we had a stunning tequila-based drink with peach schnapps, lime, and hibiscus that was next-level. Perfectly balanced with a floral twist and just the right amount of kick -- honestly one of the best cocktails I've had in NYC. For starters, we shared the zucchini chips, which were thin, crispy, and golden perfection. But that dill dipping sauce? Game. Changer. I could've eaten a bowl of it with a spoon. We also had the crevette grill, featuring grilled shrimp layered over zucchini and seasoned with a blend of spices that hit every note -- smoky, savory, fresh, and flavorful. Then came the entrees, and wow. We ordered the tavern chicken and the grilled chicken brochette -- both absolutely phenomenal. The tavern chicken was juicy and rich with flavor, and the brochette was grilled to perfection, tender, and beautifully seasoned. Every element on the plate was thoughtfully executed and delicious. It's been years since a meal made me stop mid-bite to say "Oh my god, this is amazing" -- but this one did. Multiple times. If you're in SoHo and looking for a place that delivers both ambiance and an unforgettable dining experience, run, don't walk, to Balzem. It's that good. read more

See all

Came here after a spa date with my date. 10/10 experience... The vibe is so relaxing; we ordered 3 rounds of the octopus because it was that good! Some hummus and pita and the grilled shrimp. For drinks he ordered an old-fashioned, and I had Sangiovese without knowing what I'll be ordering for the evening lol. The service and the appetizers were a great experience... We will be back for entrees. read more

See all

For was amazing and very reasonably priced!! The service was excellent! Everyone was incredibly kind and tentative! 10/10

Considering all of the Mediterranean places in NayC, do NOT go to this one. Food was mediocre. Service nonexistent. Smelt of cigarette smoke and the staff would go on smoke breaks outside but the smoke would creep through the windows. read more

To be better, they could serve food in a timely fashion. Maybe show up to the table once every 45 minutes. Perhaps provide water. I don't know. Maybe show they care. read more

What a happy hour Balzem has cooked up! Arrive before 6pm and enjoy $8 wines and $8 assorted dips. My date and I enjoyed glasses of wine, the spicy feta dip, and the baba ganoush - followed by salads. You really cannot beat the price and I appreciated they still honor the happy hour no matter where you sit. We enjoyed a gorgeous outdoor table and loved how dog friendly the entire space was. The steak in my steak quinoa salad left a little bit to be desired - slightly overcooked and a little rubbery, but the salad itself was nice, light, and refreshing. Overall this is a fabulous spot to enjoy happy hour, people watching, and some tasty mediterranean food. read more

Balzem - Quinoa - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Cute spot with a great atmosphere, but the food is mid as hell. I was shocked by the $16 baba ganoush--it was literally just a piece of bread and a tasteless spread. The $20 truffle flatbread was okay, but nowhere near worth that price. You're paying for the decor, not the kitchen. read more

Cute decor (we were literally sitting next to stuffed bears) and relaxing ambiance in the middle of SoHo. Food was solid if unspectacular. One person's food came out way later than everyone else's so have to take a star off for that. Drink list is very interesting and not crazy expensive for the neighborhood so maybe I'd come back for drinks only. read more

Balzem - Zucchini Pancakes GH - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Stopped in for a night cap after spending the day enjoying what SoHo, West Village, Nolita and Hudson Square had to offer. The restaurant has a Mediterranean feel to it. The lighting was very generous at 10pm. Service was friendly and fast. I tried the Cibeles cocktail. It was a refreshing bourbon-based cocktail. I was pleasantly surprised, as was my experience. The only reason my GF and stopped in was because the aesthetic was so pleasing. Glad we did... read more

All was good! Hooked it up for bottomless and had the time of our lives. Bottomless is best We loved it read more

Balzem - Han was the best - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

I absolutely loved Balzem. Great service, wine, food, and music. It is small, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and quite lively. The wine options were good and both enjoyed our orders. I had the truffle mac and cheese, which was delicious and filling. My partner's roasted chicken was well-seasoned and paired well with the vegetable and grain accompaniments. We thought we need to order some mezze, but did not. I'd love to return and try their mezze offerings and some additional wines. read more

See all

Mushroom Truffle Flatbread was delicious. I recommend it. Service was a bit slow but hostess was nice and led me to a seat and got me water. It is a little dark inside but there's AC which is great, especially for the summer. There is also outdoor seating if you like and it's much brighter outside. read more

See all

Came here on a Saturday night, 10:30pm. Got sat down, waited 15 mins. No water, no menu, no server. Someone came in after us got menus and water right away. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, kept waiting. Nothing, no one. Walked right out the restaurant. read more

Came here with some friends for a low key Sunday brunch- when we first walked in, it wasn't crowded but as the afternoon picked up- it became packed. Gorgeous interior and bathroom, interesting menu. There were 5 of us, for an - appetizer, we shared 2 orders of zucchini pancakes (2 per order for around $18 each order) which were super flat, flavorful, but a little too delicate and definitely overpriced. We all ordered drinks which also came out pretty quickly - I ordered a brunch special cocktail Basil smash for around $15. Then for the mains - I got the seared tuna sandwich with fries. The fries were delicious but I was very disappointed by the portion size vs price. Sandwich was just ok but the bread was hard and the sandwich was pretty small, I ended up not able to eat the bread. We all got our orders super quickly but waited about 45 mins for my one friend to get his egg dish. Although we received no explanation for the delay, his meal was rightfully comped along with a sincere apology. Overall - if I am in the area I might come back for a drink but wouldn't go out of my way. read more

See all

I really liked the drinks. I didn't get the chance to try the food, but the drinks were excellent. I ordered an Old Fashioned and a spicy margarita, type of drink, and I really enjoyed it. I definitely recommend it. Service is 10/10 excellent! Ambiance amazing! read more

Balzem - Bar side view - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Five stars doesn't feel like enough!!!! Atmosphere: Starting off with the cute little outside seating - cute little spring sunny day vibes!! We sat by the door, so almost a quarter inside - and that looks nice too. Service: our server - Will- he deserves a raise!!! He was kind, attentive, and had answers to questions and recommendations that were not just based on his own taste, but he asked us questions so he could actually take our own preferences into account. Outstanding!! Food: Tavern Chicken - 7.5/10; my lunch date gave it 8.5/10 Lamb skewers: 8/10- 3 skewers that had well-cooked amount of meat roasted tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers that were all charred to perfection! Only reason I said 8 instead of the 9-9.5 the flavors warranted, is because of the small portion of meat. If I got only this, it would not be enough for me, but keep in mind I'm a pretty big guy with a big appetite. Ribeye sandwich: 10/10 - so good, I ordered an extra one to go!! if you like spice, add the harissa hot sauce! If I were local, I'd be a regular! read more

See all

Came here with a friend for happy hour on a Tuesday around 4pm. The restaurant was almost completely empty. There was a bartender who was very attentive and took care of us while the one server was busy. The lighting inside was dim, and overall the tiny restaurant was quite cozy. They have a wonderful selection of wines! I had white wine and my friend had the red, not sure what the brand was but for $8 (happy hour price) we didn't really care. They were both great. We also split the Spicy Feta dip and the Mushroom Truffle Oil flatbread. Both were absolutely wonderful! The Spicy Feta had the perfect amount of spice (coming from a person with a very sensitive palate), we were so happy it wasn't too overwhelming. This is the perfect spot to grab a quick bite with a friend or for a date. 10 out of 10 would recommend. read more

See all

Great service and good food until they tell you to leave because they another reservation. It was my daughter's 21st and we were excited about eating there. What a shock and disappointment when the manager came to me and asked us to leave. We had barely been there an hour. We wont go there again for that reason. read more

Macy is my favorite server EVER!!! I'm visiting New York and stumbled upon this amazing restaurant. So much culture, unmatched vibe, and unparalleled food. Another group sat right next to us and I worked up the courage to ask for one of their numbers. Her friends chuckled but she obliged. This was three years ago and now we are engaged. Whether you're looking for love, a good dinner, or unparalleled Mediterranean food - Balzem is the place to be. Macy deserves a raise!! read more

Balzem - Ambience - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

Such a hidden gem! My girlfriends and I love grabbing drinks here. The wine selection is fantastic, and the atmosphere makes you feel like you've been transported straight to Europe. Always a great time! read more

Balzam has such a fun yet cozy vibe -- perfect for a relaxed night out that still feels special. The atmosphere strikes the right balance between lively and intimate, making it great for both dates and small groups. The decor and music add to the warm, inviting energy that makes you want to stay longer than planned. Definitely a spot you'll want to come back to. read more

Food and service are great. It was a first date so a bit awkward. Everyone was really nice. We'd definitely go back. The entrees were really good and reasonable. read more

Came for a quick bite but thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing, colorful Octopus Salad and warm, chewy (but not doughy) Zucchini Pancakes! In addition to comfortable outdoor seating, there's large seating space inside. read more

Balzem - Octopus Salad, Zucchini Pancakes GH - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

This crew delivers reliable excellence time after time. The place showed its obvious popularity. Quality cooking with helpful staff in a welcoming environment. Staff combined warm service with informed suggestions. TOTALLY IMPRESSIVE. read more

We had a reservation for 4 at 8:15pm but didn't get seated until 9pm. It's a tiny restaurant and really busy. Though the wait was long, the host gave us a glass of wine to enjoy while waiting. Once seated, we were able to order our food and drinks. The service was quick and attentive once we were seated. Definitely recommend getting the spicy feta dip and the grilled brochette. The potato gratin that came with the lamb chops was really good. read more

See all

It was an ok brunch, not particularly memorable but certainly not bad. I had the lentil soup without meat and it was just bland. It could have done with nice olive oil or fresh herbs on top to finish it off. The feta dip was pretty good but not that spicy. Cocktails were nice and staff were nice and friendly and attentive. Would probably be a good place for a boozy brunch as they have an unlimited deal. read more

Balzem - Spicy Feta Dip and strawberry gimlet - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York

TLDR: Good vibes and solid food! The indoor/outdoor set up of this place was so nice on a summery evening. The music was fun and the staff were so friendly. The skewers were definitely a hit and would definitely recommend for a chill Thursday night. read more

Balzem - Mediterranean Near Me - New York, New York