Update: They haven't been open since I've been back. My favorite local joint that I've been coming to for 13 years. But if they don't reopen, they should post that so people know not to try and go to the place.
LoveNepal72
drinks were good. Service was not. Very slow and acted as if our party of 6 just wasn't worth paying attention to for service.
Joseph Sammut
Balan’s is one of my favorite places to dine and enjoy a cold one! And with all that is going on in the world right now, they still manage to deliver excellent food and service to the local community and tourists alike. Just called and placed my take out order, I suggest you do the same! Crab Pasta dish was exceptional!!
Mya Okanovic
Fun atmosphere, beautiful scenery and absolutely wonderful staff!!
Pooja Bhatia Narang
Great ambience! Good service, Friendly staff, especially Sofia!
Ivan Toyos
Service was good, but the food took long. The food was good and the amount also good for the price. The Holland side on the Eggs Benedict was very good but the muffins were hard.
Jorge
Nice, well-priced brunch right on one of the best places to people watch on Lincoln Road. Definitely recommended when the antique show is in season.
Adam M.
Came here with a group of friends. It was my first restaurant in Miami to try. The food was great. I had the Thai chili salad with lump crab meat, the pork dumplings, and the lychee fizz. Our sever Bruno was great. Everything came out on time and our sever was very attentive.
Amy H.
The owner reached out to me the day after I wrote my initial review and processed a refund the same day. That is amazing service. Thank you, Jonathan. So, as I stated previously, Balan's South Beach has a nice patio with outdoor seating. We shared two bottles of wine that were priced very fairly. We also shared two pasta dishes. The truffle, mushroom, goat cheese pasta was to die for. I'll be dreaming about it for weeks to come. Would definitely return for a full dinner when back in the area. We had a lovely time on the patio on Thursday night, but as visitors to Miami my friend was not aware of the automatic gratuity many businesses in Miami are now placing on bills (regardless of the size of your party). So my friend inadvertently gave our server double the appropriate tip because the server decided to take advantage of tourists by deliberately withholding the itemized receipt and also not mentioning the auto tip. Beware of this very shady and unethical business practice if you choose to dine here.
Robertson Adams
We had the linguine shrimp special for $12 and it was fantastic. Tangy and fresh with big shrimp. Friendly service and clean, plenty of space to have a big party here. Nice people watching. Note restrooms on 2nd floor so #inaccessible for handicapped.
ALERT: Yelp **FLEX** below: O.K. -- #hereitgoes One of my first Yelp reviews EVER was the Balans in Earl's Court, London. ::paint my nails emoji:: really not that earth shattering - but seeing the Miami Balans (after the London one disappeared into nothingness one day) was a welcome surprise. Balans has since apparently opened some other U.K. locations but *I think* this is the only location in the USA. Despite all of the cool U.K. heritage, its a brunch joint that could hold its own regardless. The chicken curry was delish as was the cappuccino. Balans = solid breakfast (anytime?) favo(u?)rite if you're (prancing?/) walking down Lincoln Road. (Experiment: does anyone even read this? Like my OLD Balans review if you did!)
John R K.
Several months ago, I posted a review of Balans here in which I complained about being seated next to a table of smokers with dogs that kept sniffing us. It was such a bad experience that I insisted that Balans had lost us as loyal customers forever. "Never again," I wrote. To his credit, Jonathan of Balans responded to that review and apologized. So, when we were back in Miami Beach over the Christmas holidays, we had an open mind about giving a second chance to what has been one of my favourite restaurants for almost two decades. Walking along Lincoln Road, we spotted a waiter working at Balans whom I have seen there for probably 14 or 15 years...so we figured we should try again because he has always made our experience there a positive one. As expected, the service was excellent and the food was delicious. But just as we were debating ordering another round of drinks, three people at the table beside us starting smoking. (We come from a city where smoking on restaurant patios is prohibited because it's gross and unhealthy.) Then, the group at the table on the other side of us starting using of those hookah things (why these even exist in places that serve food is a mystery). We were literally stuck between cigarette smoke and fruity-smelling vapours. We got the bill, paid and left. I understand Balans needs to make money, and maybe hookahs are profitable. I also understand Balans doesn't make bylaws about smoking on restaurant patios. So all I can say is it's disappointing. I decided to post this follow-up review because Balans deserves points for its service and its food. I'm sure we will find ourselves back there. To be fair, everyone has different expectations... so if you don't mind smoking, hookahs and dogs while you're eating/drinking, you won't find Balans as disappointing as we do.
Bette Belle
A perennial favorite! Amazing food and drink! Great service! Cannot beat the location for people and dog watching!
Olga Y.
Our go to spot whenever we are in Miami Beach. Always a great experience, friendly service and unbeatable happy hour menu and prices.
Sarah P.
My husband and I dined here after going to see a show at The Colony theatre. We sat outside undercover under one of their vast outdoor umbrellas and then the rain and the storm came. It did not ruin the evening and we stayed dry. I ordered their burger with salad, and my husband ordered the appetiser of wings. The food was nice, but not mind blowing, but simple and pleasant. The service was also fast and friendly. I cannot comment on the inside decor of the restaurant as I did not go inside at all. The highlight of the evening was meeting my first ever celebrity in the flesh, as sat at the table next to us was Louis Walsh! I had a little chat with him and he was pleasant and kind enough to give me an autograph!!!!!
Update: They haven't been open since I've been back. My favorite local joint that I've been coming to for 13 years. But if they don't reopen, they should post that so people know not to try and go to the place.
drinks were good. Service was not. Very slow and acted as if our party of 6 just wasn't worth paying attention to for service.
Balan’s is one of my favorite places to dine and enjoy a cold one! And with all that is going on in the world right now, they still manage to deliver excellent food and service to the local community and tourists alike. Just called and placed my take out order, I suggest you do the same! Crab Pasta dish was exceptional!!
Fun atmosphere, beautiful scenery and absolutely wonderful staff!!
Great ambience! Good service, Friendly staff, especially Sofia!
Service was good, but the food took long. The food was good and the amount also good for the price. The Holland side on the Eggs Benedict was very good but the muffins were hard.
Nice, well-priced brunch right on one of the best places to people watch on Lincoln Road. Definitely recommended when the antique show is in season.
Came here with a group of friends. It was my first restaurant in Miami to try. The food was great. I had the Thai chili salad with lump crab meat, the pork dumplings, and the lychee fizz. Our sever Bruno was great. Everything came out on time and our sever was very attentive.
The owner reached out to me the day after I wrote my initial review and processed a refund the same day. That is amazing service. Thank you, Jonathan. So, as I stated previously, Balan's South Beach has a nice patio with outdoor seating. We shared two bottles of wine that were priced very fairly. We also shared two pasta dishes. The truffle, mushroom, goat cheese pasta was to die for. I'll be dreaming about it for weeks to come. Would definitely return for a full dinner when back in the area. We had a lovely time on the patio on Thursday night, but as visitors to Miami my friend was not aware of the automatic gratuity many businesses in Miami are now placing on bills (regardless of the size of your party). So my friend inadvertently gave our server double the appropriate tip because the server decided to take advantage of tourists by deliberately withholding the itemized receipt and also not mentioning the auto tip. Beware of this very shady and unethical business practice if you choose to dine here.
We had the linguine shrimp special for $12 and it was fantastic. Tangy and fresh with big shrimp. Friendly service and clean, plenty of space to have a big party here. Nice people watching. Note restrooms on 2nd floor so #inaccessible for handicapped.
Restaurantji Recommends
ALERT: Yelp **FLEX** below: O.K. -- #hereitgoes One of my first Yelp reviews EVER was the Balans in Earl's Court, London. ::paint my nails emoji:: really not that earth shattering - but seeing the Miami Balans (after the London one disappeared into nothingness one day) was a welcome surprise. Balans has since apparently opened some other U.K. locations but *I think* this is the only location in the USA. Despite all of the cool U.K. heritage, its a brunch joint that could hold its own regardless. The chicken curry was delish as was the cappuccino. Balans = solid breakfast (anytime?) favo(u?)rite if you're (prancing?/) walking down Lincoln Road. (Experiment: does anyone even read this? Like my OLD Balans review if you did!)
Several months ago, I posted a review of Balans here in which I complained about being seated next to a table of smokers with dogs that kept sniffing us. It was such a bad experience that I insisted that Balans had lost us as loyal customers forever. "Never again," I wrote. To his credit, Jonathan of Balans responded to that review and apologized. So, when we were back in Miami Beach over the Christmas holidays, we had an open mind about giving a second chance to what has been one of my favourite restaurants for almost two decades. Walking along Lincoln Road, we spotted a waiter working at Balans whom I have seen there for probably 14 or 15 years...so we figured we should try again because he has always made our experience there a positive one. As expected, the service was excellent and the food was delicious. But just as we were debating ordering another round of drinks, three people at the table beside us starting smoking. (We come from a city where smoking on restaurant patios is prohibited because it's gross and unhealthy.) Then, the group at the table on the other side of us starting using of those hookah things (why these even exist in places that serve food is a mystery). We were literally stuck between cigarette smoke and fruity-smelling vapours. We got the bill, paid and left. I understand Balans needs to make money, and maybe hookahs are profitable. I also understand Balans doesn't make bylaws about smoking on restaurant patios. So all I can say is it's disappointing. I decided to post this follow-up review because Balans deserves points for its service and its food. I'm sure we will find ourselves back there. To be fair, everyone has different expectations... so if you don't mind smoking, hookahs and dogs while you're eating/drinking, you won't find Balans as disappointing as we do.
A perennial favorite! Amazing food and drink! Great service! Cannot beat the location for people and dog watching!
Our go to spot whenever we are in Miami Beach. Always a great experience, friendly service and unbeatable happy hour menu and prices.
My husband and I dined here after going to see a show at The Colony theatre. We sat outside undercover under one of their vast outdoor umbrellas and then the rain and the storm came. It did not ruin the evening and we stayed dry. I ordered their burger with salad, and my husband ordered the appetiser of wings. The food was nice, but not mind blowing, but simple and pleasant. The service was also fast and friendly. I cannot comment on the inside decor of the restaurant as I did not go inside at all. The highlight of the evening was meeting my first ever celebrity in the flesh, as sat at the table next to us was Louis Walsh! I had a little chat with him and he was pleasant and kind enough to give me an autograph!!!!!