South Beach

RESTAURANTS & DINING

Balans

by / August 7, 2011

Balans Cafe on Lincoln Road Miami Beach

Balans on Lincoln Road

Fusion fare so clean, so well executed, and so consistent, that Balans has become a staple in Miami Beach dining. Particularly interesting on Sunday mornings, when the intelligent few who opted to stay in on Saturday night gather early with newspapers and dogs.

Shrubbed and contemporary, Balans is Lincoln Road's most prestigious patio spot for watching Miami's real people. The evenings find Balans packed to the rafters with those in search of an interesting light meal, a bottle of wine and interesting, light conversation. The exotically concocted salads are a favorite here, but their mile-high lobster club sandwich beats all the items on the menu combined. Balans is proof that simple, high-end food and a youthful environment don't have to mean exorbitant prices.

Insider Tip: On weekdays, dine at a discount. Same great menu, better prices. Breakfast special: $2 off all breakfasts 8am-11.30am. Cocktail happy hour: half price on some items 4pm-7pm. Early bird dining special:  $2 off all entrees 4pm-7pm.

 

Restaurant Details

Rating:
3.5 - 3.5 stars based on 289 reviews across the Web
Address:
1022 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: (305) 534-9191
Cuisine: International, New American
Price: $$
Attire: Casual
Payment: Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations: No
Parking: Lots north and south of Lincoln Road
Chef:  
Website:
Bar Service: Full Bar
Outdoor Dining: Yes - some of the best in Miami Beach
Delivery: No
Take-Out: No
Wi-Fi: Public
Accessibility: Wheelchair Accessible
Hours: Su-Th 8am - 12am
Fr-Sa 8am - 1am
 
User Reviews

Reviewer:

Tamara from Atlanta, GA

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

3-Fair

Ambiance:

4-Good

Food Quality:

5-Excellent

Value for Price:

4-Good

Review:  We spent 5 days in South Beach. After 2 days, we had almost given up on eating a decent breakfast. Then my husband happened on Balans online. The server wasn't terribly friendly but she wasn't rude. Overall, pretty good service. But the food was delicious. Finally, a satisfying breakfast.


Reviewer:

Ana van Gilst from Miami Beach, FL

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

5-Excellent

Ambiance:

5-Excellent

Food Quality:

5-Excellent

Value for Price:

5-Excellent

Review:  My husband and I have very fast paced jobs in Miami/Miami Beach and we eat out a lot. Every time we want a guaranteed no nonsense good meal we go there. The place is of course great. But the experience is even better. Great food, service and reasonable prices. We never feel like we are being ripped off because we live in a tourist city. I now have made it my personal goal to try everything in the menu. So far, the pumpkin ravioli is my favorite.


Reviewer:

Christoph Steiger from Munich / Germany

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

5-Excellent

Ambiance:

3-Fair

Food Quality:

5-Excellent

Value for Price:

5-Excellent

Review:  We tried Balans three times in a week (2x lunch + 1x dinner) and were deeply impressed by the very friendly service and their exceptional food. Although Lincoln Rd. is not our favorite spot (too touristy) the Balans is a treasure.


Reviewer:

Alanis from Miami, FL

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

5-Excellent

Ambiance:

5-Excellent

Food Quality:

5-Excellent

Value for Price:

5-Excellent

Review:  They have the best Greek Salad! The breakfast menu is great!


Reviewer:

Maryann from Boston, MA

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

5-Excellent

Ambiance:

5-Excellent

Food Quality:

5-Excellent

Value for Price:

4-Good

Review:  The best place to people watch along Lincoln Road in South Beach.  Great Mojito's and fabulous lunch/light dinner fare.  On our last trip we did Balans 4 times.  Why go anywhere else?


Reviewer:

South Beach Magazine Reader from Norfolk, VA

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

5-Excellent

Ambiance:

5-Excellent

Food Quality:

5-Excellent

Value for Price:

5-Excellent

Review:  Balans is definitely one of the best people-watching spots in Miami Beach. I was pleasantly surprised to find the food was excellent as well. I had the seared tuna and it was cooked to perfection as was my friend's salmon. The cocktails were nothing special and neither was the wine list, but overall we had a great experience. When the weather is nice this place is a dream come true.


Reviewer:

South Beach Magazine Reader
from South Beach, FL

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

4-Good

Ambiance:

4-Good

Food Quality:

5-Excellent

Value for Price:

5-Excellent

Review:  Very reliable and reasonably priced, especially compared to other Lincoln road restaurants. The individual custom baked chocolate cakes are amazing (one feeds two), and the wild mushroom risotto and pumpkin ravioli are great. I always take out of towners there, because it is so dependable. Lots of good options for vegetarians too.


 

Reviewer:

Jaime from Ecuador

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

5-Excellent

Ambiance:

5-Excellent

Food Quality:

5-Excellent

Value for Price:

4-Good

Review:  Very nice people!! Very good food. Great atmosphere.


Reviewer:

South Beach Magazine Reader from Miami, FL

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

5-Excellent

Ambiance:

5-Excellent

Food Quality:

5-Excellent

Value for Price:

5-Excellent

Review:  Wonderful and calm ambiance.


Reviewer:

Mary & Steve from Beavercreek, OH

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

5-Excellent

Ambiance:

5-Excellent

Food Quality:

5-Excellent

Value for Price:

5-Excellent

Review:  Excellent food.  Excellent service.  A great spot to do some "people watching" in South Beach.


Reviewer:

Josh T. from Fairfax, VA

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

4-Good

Ambiance:

5-Excellent

Food Quality:

4-Good

Value for Price:

5-Excellent

Review:  Balans is located on the far end of Lincoln Road down by the Colony Theater and it's a great place for breakfast. Try to get there right when they open (8am). It's a very relaxing setting and their prices are very reasonable, especially for Miami Beach. Really a no-hassle place to dine. I recommend Balans.


Reviewer:

Jonathan from Miami, FL

Recommended:

Yes

Overall Rating:

Service:

5-Excellent

Ambiance:

5-Excellent

Food Quality:

5-Excellent

Value for Price:

5-Excellent

Review:  I was very impressed, everything was superb. It is probably one of the best restaurants in Lincoln road. They serve excellent food, the service is excellent, and it is very reasonable. It was definitely worth it, I will go back to Balans and enjoyed it a lot and would definitely recommend it to other people.


 
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