Halal Reviews for Balade East Village

I came here on a very nice Saturday night in late August with two others. We had made the reservation over the phone earlier that day but they also accept reservations online. I live in the neighborhood and have always noticed the placing being crowded. I would recommend a reservation. The night we went was a lively and fully packed restaurant primarily filled with people in their 20s (as are many places in the east village). There was a mix of groups as well as couples. The restaurant is small and the tables are very close together. There is outdoor seating but I wouldn’t recommend sitting outside as it is very busy. The staff at the restaurant were all really lovely and that they wanted everyone to have a good experience. Our particular server seemed like he didn’t primarily work in that capacity and was filling in for a shortage, but overall the restaurant provided good service. The menu was a mix of small plates, platters, and appetizers. I really enjoyed the Fatoush salad as well as the falafel. The portions are fairly large by NYC standards. Overall I enjoyed my experience. I would go back and I would recommend.

Overall an enjoyable experience for restaurant week. What stood out to me were friendliness and attentiveness of the staff. Some of the food were outstanding, like hummus, salmon, and any of the desserts. But all of the other things were fine if just a little bit pricy. Definitely recommended for casual outings with good drinks.

Diligent and friendly staff. Appreciate that they were attentive for dietary restrictions. My favorite were the zaatar pizza with fresh tomatoes and eggplant stew. The mezzes were fine and pita was a bit bland compared to fresh pitas I've had elsewhere. Definitely on the pricey side for Lebanese restaurants.

Y’all every step of this meal hit the dang mark. Got two apps: Hummus with Lamb and Kebbe Kras The hummus was stellar - creamy, tangy, and the added lamb was perfect. The Kebbe Kras was fireeee, beef onions and almonds with this minty yogurt sauce to dip, it was crispy and steamy got me feeling some type of way. Shish Tawook for main, chicken so tender I was like I wish I was that chicken. Toum was great (as it should) and rice was so flavorful mmm. Star of the show though, got the Ashta for dessert y’all I was tearing up at this table that ish had me smelling colors I was on cloud 15 I cannot believe what I experienced there like as i’m writing this review i’m taking breaks and looking up a recipe to make this bc i need moreeeeee.

We absolutely love Balade. My husband, a friend, and I came again this past Sunday, and it reminded me exactly why we’ve been coming here for so many years. A couple month ago, I came in with a broken knee and leg, and the team was incredibly accommodating. The service was amazing, and as always, the food was phenomenal. What truly made this recent visit unforgettable was the manager. When we came in on Sunday, he didn’t just check on the food—he checked on me. He remembered me and asked, “How’s your leg? Are you feeling better now?” That honestly made me feel like I was on cloud nine. Balade is not just a place where you eat. It’s a place where they remember you. They care about their guests, your experience, and even your health. The fact that he remembered my situation and took the time to ask meant so much to me. The food continues to be outstanding—the Mansaf is absolutely phenomenal—and the service never disappoints. I will definitely keep coming back and bringing more friends with me. This is exactly why Balade has stood the test of time in New York City. Highly recommend. 💛