I had a really pleasant experience at Balvarena, an Argentine steakhouse in downtown NYC. The service was attentive, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. I ordered the ancho, which is a ribeye, and my wife had the skirt steak. The ribeye was excellent, and the skirt was good, though I felt it could have been a bit more flavorful—just not as bold as I expected for a skirt. The fries were tasty, the dessert was delightful, and the cappuccino was on point. The salad, though simple, was refreshing and light. The sangria was also really nice. Overall, I’d give Balvarena around 3.5 to 4 stars. On Valentine’s, the total for two people came to about $230, including tip.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Ancho Ribeye Upcharge
Simone Brown
Great cafecito, proveleta, chorizo sandwich, and Torrejas Lola (sweet brioche French toast). Excellent service as well. Emanuel was so so sweet. We will definitely be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lindsay T.
This was such a wonderful experience. The food was delicious and Emanuel was so kind and accommodating. My friend and I will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hassan Nicola
Came here for birthday dinner for 2 without reservations. I was able to get a seat because the restaurant was empty, but the place was buzzing with people shortly after. Balvanera provides an intimate and cozy atmosphere, efficient service though it could've been more friendly, but I'm giving 4 stars for the food and the value of their dinner service.
My partner and I both ordered the Argentine feast (~85/person). Our feast came with 2 Argentinian empanadas and Provoleta as appetizers - both of which were very delicious. Our meat platter was cooked to desired temperature and came with 1 side of fries, but it didn't reflect the quality, flavor or expected serving size from a feast. The serving size seems to be the common base of inquiry from all of our neighboring attendees, as all of them were advised that the dishes weren't something you'd share with the table.
Perhaps their reviews are based off their brunch service/ BYOB Monday's, something I'd be willing to checkout after feasting elsewhere. But I wouldn't return to this establishment for their entrees.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Randy
Excellent food and wine, and a friendly and welcoming staff. They remembered us from our last visit in the summer. Now one of our NYC favorites!
Emely
Food was amazing, like not even one dish i can say wasn't amazing, literally we loved everything
Darcy Gray
This place will knock it out of the park, the food is just the best, freshest, and the staff are outstanding. I had fish, and my husband had a steak that was to die for. Great wine list, I was able to get my fav Torrontes here. Great appetizers....which we had jamon and sardines.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yehuda Olshansky
Very disappointing experience. Winter evening in NYC and the place was cold. Only two tables were taken, the place was empty. A few dishes were OK but others very disappointing; above all, there was vey little value for the prices charged! Also pricing policy is disturbing e.g. you order a steak for $46 and then you are charged another $12 for fries, come on... My recommendation: avoid this place !!!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Mohamed Heiba
When you’re going for bottomless brunch, you kind of expect the food to be mid, nothing special.
This place proves that you can not only get the drinks you’re looking for AND great breakfast options. Listen it’ll surprise you. And get the burger!! Just go and have fun
My ratings are a little different from others 3 stars is average would recommend if it’s accessible 4 is above average highly recommend take a train it’s worth it 5 is I would literally travel just for this place. 2 is in a desperate situation 1 is one and done never go back
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Ryan Tammaro
Honestly I didn’t think the food was very tasty. The empanadas didn’t have much flavor in the filling or butteriness to the dough.
The choripán came on a stiff hamburger bun and lacked in seasoning from the sauce or sausage
Outstanding! The steaks are some of the best in town. Platitos were exceptional and the octopus was perfection. Solid wine list. Really nice place too. Service was excellent and very friendly team. Going back for sure!
Hampton Massie
Don’t know if it’s hidden, but talk about a gem. I have recently made a point of not repeating restaurants, and this is the only spot I had to break the rules for. I also don’t typically write reviews. Very warm, welcoming and homey with an uplifting spirit - perfect spot for a date, special occasion or a dinner with some buddies. I’ve had the chance to try 2 different steaks here, and they were both incredible. Entire wait staff is awesome and really makes the meal special. Artur is an amazing and very informative guy, couldn’t be better at what he does. Very high quality beef all prepared masterfully. Notable dishes I’ve had include the beef tartar, provolena, empanadas, and of course the steaks. Great drinks. Really cannot say enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kristina Sørensen
Loved this cute place! The vibe was buzzing but comfortable—you could actually talk without shouting, which is rare. Service was great.
The food was top-notch: The Angosto steak was perfectly cooked and so flavorful. Don't skip the empanadas or the fresh beetroot salad.
Easily a 5-star recommendation for steak lovers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Valentina Sessarego
Each small plate was delicious and the service excellent and very attentive. The atmosphere was on point, a few tables - very cozy. Personal recommendation: the pulpo de playa and the setas were sooo good. Love this place! I’d come back a thousand times!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe
Great array of small plates with lots of flavor-forward punch, perfectly grilled steak, fun wine list....and all for a perfectly fair price...especially with the nutty price of beef these days. Lovely spot, no fuss, smart service, super comfortable, with an old world feel.
I had a really pleasant experience at Balvarena, an Argentine steakhouse in downtown NYC. The service was attentive, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. I ordered the ancho, which is a ribeye, and my wife had the skirt steak. The ribeye was excellent, and the skirt was good, though I felt it could have been a bit more flavorful—just not as bold as I expected for a skirt. The fries were tasty, the dessert was delightful, and the cappuccino was on point. The salad, though simple, was refreshing and light. The sangria was also really nice. Overall, I’d give Balvarena around 3.5 to 4 stars. On Valentine’s, the total for two people came to about $230, including tip.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Ancho Ribeye Upcharge
Great cafecito, proveleta, chorizo sandwich, and Torrejas Lola (sweet brioche French toast). Excellent service as well. Emanuel was so so sweet. We will definitely be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was such a wonderful experience. The food was delicious and Emanuel was so kind and accommodating. My friend and I will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came here for birthday dinner for 2 without reservations. I was able to get a seat because the restaurant was empty, but the place was buzzing with people shortly after. Balvanera provides an intimate and cozy atmosphere, efficient service though it could've been more friendly, but I'm giving 4 stars for the food and the value of their dinner service.
My partner and I both ordered the Argentine feast (~85/person). Our feast came with 2 Argentinian empanadas and Provoleta as appetizers - both of which were very delicious. Our meat platter was cooked to desired temperature and came with 1 side of fries, but it didn't reflect the quality, flavor or expected serving size from a feast. The serving size seems to be the common base of inquiry from all of our neighboring attendees, as all of them were advised that the dishes weren't something you'd share with the table.
Perhaps their reviews are based off their brunch service/ BYOB Monday's, something I'd be willing to checkout after feasting elsewhere. But I wouldn't return to this establishment for their entrees.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Excellent food and wine, and a friendly and welcoming staff. They remembered us from our last visit in the summer. Now one of our NYC favorites!
Food was amazing, like not even one dish i can say wasn't amazing, literally we loved everything
This place will knock it out of the park, the food is just the best, freshest, and the staff are outstanding. I had fish, and my husband had a steak that was to die for. Great wine list, I was able to get my fav Torrontes here. Great appetizers....which we had jamon and sardines.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very disappointing experience. Winter evening in NYC and the place was cold. Only two tables were taken, the place was empty. A few dishes were OK but others very disappointing; above all, there was vey little value for the prices charged! Also pricing policy is disturbing e.g. you order a steak for $46 and then you are charged another $12 for fries, come on... My recommendation: avoid this place !!!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
When you’re going for bottomless brunch, you kind of expect the food to be mid, nothing special.
This place proves that you can not only get the drinks you’re looking for AND great breakfast options. Listen it’ll surprise you. And get the burger!! Just go and have fun
My ratings are a little different from others
3 stars is average would recommend if it’s accessible
4 is above average highly recommend take a train it’s worth it
5 is I would literally travel just for this place.
2 is in a desperate situation
1 is one and done never go back
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Honestly I didn’t think the food was very tasty. The empanadas didn’t have much flavor in the filling or butteriness to the dough.
The choripán came on a stiff hamburger bun and lacked in seasoning from the sauce or sausage
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Outstanding! The steaks are some of the best in town. Platitos were exceptional and the octopus was perfection. Solid wine list. Really nice place too. Service was excellent and very friendly team. Going back for sure!
Don’t know if it’s hidden, but talk about a gem. I have recently made a point of not repeating restaurants, and this is the only spot I had to break the rules for. I also don’t typically write reviews. Very warm, welcoming and homey with an uplifting spirit - perfect spot for a date, special occasion or a dinner with some buddies. I’ve had the chance to try 2 different steaks here, and they were both incredible. Entire wait staff is awesome and really makes the meal special. Artur is an amazing and very informative guy, couldn’t be better at what he does. Very high quality beef all prepared masterfully. Notable dishes I’ve had include the beef tartar, provolena, empanadas, and of course the steaks. Great drinks. Really cannot say enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved this cute place! The vibe was buzzing but comfortable—you could actually talk without shouting, which is rare. Service was great.
The food was top-notch: The Angosto steak was perfectly cooked and so flavorful. Don't skip the empanadas or the fresh beetroot salad.
Easily a 5-star recommendation for steak lovers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Each small plate was delicious and the service excellent and very attentive. The atmosphere was on point, a few tables - very cozy. Personal recommendation: the pulpo de playa and the setas were sooo good.
Love this place! I’d come back a thousand times!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great array of small plates with lots of flavor-forward punch, perfectly grilled steak, fun wine list....and all for a perfectly fair price...especially with the nutty price of beef these days. Lovely spot, no fuss, smart service, super comfortable, with an old world feel.
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