Balans Soho

Name: Balans Soho
Address: Balans Soho No.60, Old Compton Street, London, UK, London
Telephone: +44 20 7439 2183
Rating: 4.3

High jinks in low places from the break of day to bedtime

Average Reviews

About

Balans Soho Society in London, a staple of the Soho dining scene, stands as an iconic spot particularly cherished by the gay community. Known for its enduring presence and characteristic vibe, Balans offers an experience that goes beyond just dining.

The restaurant, located at 60 Old Compton St, operates from 10 am to 5 am from Monday to Saturday, and until 12.30 am on Sundays, making it a prime destination for both early birds and night owls. While its food has received mixed reviews, with some patrons finding it less than extraordinary, the overall atmosphere of Balans compensates for any culinary shortcomings. It's a place where the ambiance and the experience of being in the heart of gay Soho matter as much, if not more, than the dishes served.

Balans has undergone a revamp, refining both its interior and menu while preserving its historical essence. The new layout features a long bar, semi-height booths for people-watching, and conventional seating. The menu strikes a balance between intriguing and comfort food, offering items like torched Baron Bigod with Korean spiced honey and truffle chicken tacos. For the cocktail enthusiasts, the Porn Star Martini, a Balans speciality, is a must-try.

Photos

Reviews

4.3

Based on 3370 reviews

Charize Dayao

22:18 15 Mar 25

The staff was very attentive; we were greeted, sat down and served pretty quickly for a Friday night.The food was ok, the steak wasn’t as flavourful as I thought it would be and the sauce was a bit too thick for my liking. It also wasn’t enough for the steak.My partner had the burger but asked without bacon however when the food came it tasted like the bacon was still put on it and removed just before serving.Overall the service was great however the price for the food seems a little expensive for the food. We spent about £80 overall along with Diet Coke and a Asahi beerThe steak was £35 and the burger was £18 (without fries), Parmesan fries was roughly £4.

Leslie Slater

07:25 28 Feb 25

The service and atmosphere were great. My chicken tacos were boring. They didn’t have much flavor. The potatoes with seaweed butter were delicious and my companions loved the scallops.

tobias wiesner

12:16 21 Feb 25

The restaurant is located in the middle of Soho and has a very varied breakfast menu. The food is all delicious, from full English breakfasts to healthy breakfast options. We tried a few things and everything was delicious, the service was attentive and very helpful and above all friendly. The pancakes are great, the perfect basis for the way through London

Finlay Royle

00:09 20 Feb 25

We had a great time at Balans - a Soho institution. Friendly service and not intrusive. Great food, good wine and cocktails. Great restaurant in the heart of Soho, and very welcoming to LGBT+ community as well as others. Menu is halal and food cooked separately from non-halal options. Thanks for a great evening!

Brendan McCrudden

11:08 14 Jan 25

Very good value for money went for breakfast I had the pancakes with bacon and my girlfriend had the French toast. Both where absolutely fantastic would deffenitly recommend. Also the hash browns wow different level!

Fiona S

11:06 05 Jan 25

Nice place for a meal. We stop by for their pancakes. It was on the dense side. Drowned in syrup but not overly sweet. Definitely worth a try if you like pancakes

Kexin Guo

17:41 02 Jan 25

Just had my first English breakfast, and I have to say, it made a great impression on me! The beans were slightly tangy with a tomato flavor, and the potato cubes had a spiciness that was quite unexpected. The "Spritz" cocktail was okay, but the "Porn Star Martini" definitely caught my attention, both being rather mild in flavor. It was lovely to enjoy a full English breakfast at 1 am on January 1st, a perfect spot to unwind after the fireworks. The waiters were also very friendly. Overall, a great experience.

dalina tran

12:32 29 Dec 24

We had their full English breakfast and French toast and it did not disappoint. The quality of the food was top notch and I have a newfound appreciation for the simplicity of baked beans. John our server was spectacular; he provided strong recommendations and even better conversations. He definitely deserves a raise!!

R M

01:04 28 Dec 24

Kudos to Balanas Soho, for being open till 6am and serving hot food till 5am, well done. Cute interior decoration with friendly staff. Two bouncers make sure no drunken craziness walks in. The cocktails hit the spot and the comfort food goes well along.

JanieJay

09:55 26 Dec 24

I highly recommend this brunch place! It's way bigger than I expected. Their pancakes are amazing, but the full English breakfast is my absolute favorite. I came without a reservation and was lucky to get a table, as it was pretty crowded.

Todd Sproule

14:33 19 Dec 24

Superb premium experience on a very busy Saturday evening. Our party of 6 was looked after by Michael - who made the whole evening a delightful experience. Everyone loved the food itself. I had the delicious scallops and fettuccine. Not cheap (as you would expect for the west end).. but excellent!

chantal cantle

11:15 14 Dec 24

Fantastic girls ‘late’ lunch. Super attentive service from Daniel - he was helpful, knowledgeable and funny! Food was delicious - we ordered all of the small plates 😋 the honey truffle chicken was delicious as were the quesadillas! If fact it was all lovely. The doughnuts are but to be missed! Lovely cocktails and champagne. Thank you for making our lunch and afternoon such fun. We will be back!

Olga Klimkovich

22:01 29 Oct 24

Food is divine, lovely and cozy atmosphere, brilliant cocktails! DOG FRIENDLY, which makes it my number one place to go in soho. My pup was really welcomed and stayed on the sofa next to me. Amazing place! 10/10

Jay Goddard

05:19 07 Oct 24

My daughter and I had a lovely brunch, staff were friendly , service was snappy and the food really good. Atmosphere was abit dry but having been here early hours of the morning previously ill pop that down to the time of time we both visited

Jill Sung

10:44 17 Sep 24

Thoroughly enjoyed the all day dining here. Food was made freshly and the coffees were very nice.Staff paid attention to reservations details and prepared a surprise birthday cake for us which made this a memorable experience.

Carlo Franco

02:31 10 Aug 24

A lovely restaurant for breakfast. The service was excellent - very friendly and provided good recommendations. We ordered the high society eggs Benedict and the balans Benedict which was quite filling, although one of the eggs was overcooked. It filled up fairly quickly and hour after opening on a Tuesday.

nydia ndam

10:11 03 Aug 24

One of my favourite brunches in Soho! Amazing food, incredible decorations and outstanding service; the amount of thought put into the restaurant is visible!We ordered the scrambled egg, salmon and avocado toast with the pancakes with banana and maple syrup to share. The highlight were definitely the pancakes, it was a generous, sweet portion of four pancakes soaked in maple syrup and copious amounts of banana. While the toast was good, the salmon was not that good quality and a small portion, however it was very enjoyable!would recommend!

Anne Berrington

12:19 28 Jul 24

Fantastic service and lovely food.Very engaging staff, and we all got a good laugh when husband accidentally added a 10p tip instead of £10 🤣This was corrected, and we will definitely come back when we're in town.

taus manon

15:15 24 Jun 24

I recently dined at Balans No 60 and had an outstanding experience. The lamb and fish mackerel dishes were expertly prepared and absolutely delicious. A special mention goes to the staff, particularly Manager Larisa, who did a fantastic job ensuring everything was perfect. Her attentive and professional service made the evening truly memorable. Highly recommended!

Ali Rashid

15:46 17 Jun 24

They offer an exceptional dining experience right in the heart of Soho. The moment you step inside, the welcoming and attentive staff ensure you feel at home.The menu at Balans No.60 is both diverse and delightful, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences. A standout dish is their Fried Chicken Pancake. The crispy fried chicken paired with fluffy pancakes creates a unique and satisfying combination that's both indulgent and comforting. Equally impressive is their French Toast, which is perfectly cooked with a golden exterior and a soft, flavorful interior. Topped with fresh berries (by choice) and a drizzle of syrup, it's a dish that makes any brunch unforgettable.Complementing the excellent food and service is the restaurant's chic and cozy decor. Whether you're there for a casual brunch or a celebratory dinner, Balans No.60 provides a charming setting that enhances the overall dining experience.

Rob A

17:04 25 May 24

Ok the place was quite pricey £270 for 3 people... we all had 3 courses and drinks.The food was great for starters the scallops were perfectly cooks chicken tacos were very tasty and the pigs cheeks just melted only critique was the lobster hot dogs flavour was taken by quite a dry bun which did detract.The steaks were well cooked to the orders given the chips were so fat and lovely, my monkfish dish was very tasty however the portion of fish was a bit small in my opinion especially for the £26 price, it had a curried flavour with likewise cooked potatoes which all went down very well.We got the table deserts (a little of everything) I would highly recommend this if you cant decide and each part was lovely, my wife and sister in law loved the doughnuts whereas my preference was probably the lemon tart the all four offerings were lovely.The food was presented beautifully throughout and the staff were lovely and also brought out a little birthday offering for my wife and her twin.100% would go again (would have to save a bit though).

Daniel Matthews

22:31 11 Apr 24

A fantastic experience. Booked a few days ago online, nice and easy. Arrived and were greeted and welcomed by a really friendly host and brilliant staff who were all fantastic. Took our order and the food didn't take to long. The Brunch menu has a lot of great choice and the food was amazing! We had a really wonderful experience and a lovely brunch. Looking forward to going back there again for another brunch.. and also to try an evening meal at some point too. Loved it. Highly recommended.

The Director

17:20 10 Apr 24

Had a wonderful dining experience at Balan’s Soho, Compton Street. Lovely atmosphere, popular restaurant, and fantastic food. Staff are very customer focused, attentive, and welcoming. Chef’s produced some mesmerising food, well presented and delicious. Adina was assistant manager on the day, very attentive and welcoming to help customers with menu and wine selection. Dining with my son, he chose Eggs Royale and I chose Thai Red Curry. Both delicious and my compliments to the chefs. Just when it couldn’t get any better Adina picked up on the fact it was my son’s birthday the next day and arranged a special dessert and sang happy birthday ☺️.I will definitely return. Thank you.

Dennis M.

14:17 10 Apr 24

The menu is consistent and the ambiance is pleasing. How does David do it all?? The entire crew works together to make it a great experience!

Sheela Y.

11:49 06 Mar 24

Great service, delicious brunch offerings and great location. Staff were very welcoming, attentive and patient. My vegan pancakes were delicious. Highly...

A. V. Mani

00:35 20 Feb 24

We were there on Friday evening / Saturday morning and the place is nearly full (around 1.30 am)!Service was quick (though a little abrupt - probably a little under staffed I think).Food was delicious- the Truffle chicken was great and the doughnuts were light and fluffy with lots of cream.The only issue we had was that I asked for soy milk for my tea and got an oversized glass of it!! But as I didn’t request this when ordering my tea- didn’t correct them and was ok with the extra charge.

Amanda Wallace

12:57 17 Feb 24

I'm very into coffee, the cappuccino was basic, sorry. But the food made up for this. I had the fried chicken pancakes and my partner had the full English, both delicious!I wish my pancakes had had more kimchi (only about a teaspoon worth on the plate!) And I wish it had been spicer, but otherwise it was fantastic.

Abigail S.

04:48 15 Feb 24

An amazing experience. the restaurant itself is cozy and has a super great atmosphere. the staff were incredible, super nice and friendly and my water was...

Coileán Ó Laighin

11:39 01 Feb 24

Have been twice recently. The starters or sharing plates were very good, though the tacos were a little bland. Lasagna bites were excellent. The first time I went the steak and burger were both underdone compared to what we had asked for but the second time the mains were better. The service from Ben was very good.

Nadia G

14:33 30 Jan 24

We absolutely loved this place! Very warm and friendly staff. The food was so yummy and the tea and coffee was great. Also pretty good sized portions. Meron are server was lovely and gave excellent service. We will definitely be going back to Balans. It's our new brunch spot.

Ir_ Per

16:23 27 Jan 24

Definitely too overrated place.1. Small portions that are absolutely overpriced. The potato bread avocado on the picture is 12£. And is not like there was something special about it.The other portions don’t even come with toast in the price, you pay extra.You can get full english in other spots for this price.2. Service is super slow.

F Sheerin

17:34 20 Jan 24

FOOD IS DELICIOUS! It was extremely busy on a saturday afternoon and there was a queue outside, so I am relieved that my friend made a booking in advance. We ordered fried chicken pancakes and eggs in hell. Pancakes are star of the show. I love the combination of sweet and savoury & the spiced syrup provided just the right amount of that. They have a bunch of non alc drinks and i quite enjoyed the peach jasmine soda. However, i have taken off a star because the avocado side my friend ordered was only half an avocado and they charged us 4.5£ for that.

Ivan Delchev

22:25 25 Dec 23

Excellent place for brunch. We visited London and a friend of ours recommended this place and we had a great time. The food was tasty and the service was very good. There was a problem with our reservation and even though they found a table for us.

Ju MK

11:55 17 Dec 23

They have several branches this one doesn't accept reservations, we went for breakfast it was empty but in just half an hour the place got packed. Extensive menu options, huge portions, the pancakes and French toast was underwhelming we didn't like the butter maple syrup sauce extremely heavy and doesn't taste good, wish they consider serving it with simple maple syrup.

Ivo Marevic

20:44 15 Dec 23

Honestly, overpriced for the food quality.We started with the lasagna bites. They tasted like some generic frozen food that was microwaved.I had the burger, and that was another let down. The meat did not have much flavor and the cheese was overpowering. The fries were as bland as it gets. Honestly, I would've been happier with McDonald's. Which is disappointing cuz the atmosphere is great, and last time I was here a few years ago, I had a much better experience.Drinks were good. That was the only saving grace.

Wadi Muhaisen

14:10 13 Nov 23

Great spot in Soho for brunch. Very cool interior and great service. Loved the menu. The Lobster Eggs Benedict was wow....perfect english muffin and hollandaise. Eggs sublime, just right for benedict.

Jennifer Allen

17:07 08 Nov 23

My husband and I have been staying in Soho for a week on vacation. We’ve eaten at Balans No. 60 almost every day and love it. Great food. Great service. Staff are friendly and accommodating. Fantastic ambience. And the sign inside is accurate. You will want to “abandon all plans” as soon as you step foot in here.

Andrew Morgan

21:55 27 Oct 23

We popped in for dinner tonight after a show. The greeting was wonderful and we could choose our own table. Once seated 2 waiters asked us what we would like about 3 minutes apart.. I was so excited to try the lasagne bites and that's where things went downhill. The lasagne bites were tastless and incredibly disappointing. We had to ask for plates to eat off. We then went for the signature burger and once again someone forgot to put some actual flavour in the food and at £21 for a burger I get tastier ones at my local chip shop. All over a little disappointing. Wouldn't be rushing back.

Kathy H

09:20 27 Oct 23

We stopped for lunch - had a seat at the window and watched the world go by. Fun and interesting area. Great decor inside! We had a simple cheese quesadilla and an utterly amazing beet taco! Chips were good - but chips are always good!!! Had a drink also - everything was delicious.

Fay Τiger

14:55 04 Oct 23

It's a nice place to chill. It was not the best brunch we've had, but it was good. The table was a little dirty.Although we didn't have a reservation, they had a table for us to squeeze in.

Hana Makhlouf

21:14 30 Sep 23

Had a late brunch with a couple friends there.We all ordered pancakes and they were very good. American style, fluffy with great toppings.Waiter was so funny and had great conversation with us.Restaurant is super spacious in an excellent location in the heart of soho.

Fanny CAROUGE

10:35 30 Sep 23

Wonderful pancakes and excellent moka. Fantastic food, will definitely go back.Our waiter spoke French with us and was absolutely lovely. I wish I knew his name to thank him.

Dave Kirwin

22:10 20 Sep 23

Had an evening meal and caught up with old friends. The food was excellent, hot and well presented. The service was efficient and friendly. The seating was comfortable and surroundings tasteful but unpretentious. Highly recommend Balans and will visit again to try more of the menu!

Mike Smith

05:10 07 Sep 23

I have loved Balans for the 23 years I’ve eaten there, full of wonderful memories. It was the only place in Soho you could get a proper meal for a good price any time of day and night. I know things have become harder but this place has really slipped. The service is generally terrible, if it’s remotely busy the quality of the food is really affected. Gone are the days you’d get the most fantastic breakfast day or night and so am I I’m afraid. Thank you for the memories.

Chris Kapp

17:29 03 Sep 23

Fantastic food, great atmosphere with good friendly service. I would say book in advance as it can get busy. But if in the area, pop in and see if there is a table. Must visit for food or just a drink. Love it!

Nicholas Martin

21:58 30 Aug 23

Balans is based on Old Compton street Soho.Well established and Absolutely fantastic trendy Cafe offering delicious food for dinner , lunch or a early breakfast. Fully licensed with a extensive wine list and amazing food.The place is always buzzing with trendy people , very friendly and welcoming. The staff are fantastic , professional and welcoming.Decorated to a modern tend offering casual meet up with friends , dates, groups or dinner for one.One of the best casual cafes in Soho ...

Mia Løkken

13:06 20 Aug 23

Had a great breakfast on Sunday morning. We had booked, which was good because it became quickly packed. Staff was very friendly and attentive. The cheese omelette was perfectly cooked but get the roasted potatoes if you here because they were the true heroes.

Jamie Oakland

12:49 19 Aug 23

Visited late on a Wednesday night and seated right away. It was fairly crowded - believe that's because it was one of the few places open late.Server was friendly, but service became less attentive as time went on.Ordered a couple beers, fish & chips, tortellini, and arancini. The food was okay but could've used more flavor/seasoning.Prices were decent. Would recommend for a casual late night meal.

Daniela T.

12:21 16 Aug 23

The service and ambiance was really lovely! However, I do believe that some of the food could have had a bit more flavour for the price we paid. The fried...

Anthony McDonough

12:06 15 Aug 23

Having returned to London post Covid, we quickly discovered some of our favourite cafes had closed down, so after walking to find Princi the Italian Bakery had closed, we called in to Balans Soho which I think I first visited about 20 years ago!Service:Like most cafes they are struggling to find staff, so they were only taking guests with reservations, which is understandable. However after a quick chat with the cafe manager, he found us a table and proceeded to look after us himself! Obviously we couldn’t be happier with that level of service especially when it was clearly a busy weekend brunch crowd.Food:I ordered the signature pancake dish with bacon, poached eggs and warm maple syrup. The bacon was cooked perfectly, not too crispy but enough to enhance the taste of the full bacon strip. The pancakes themselves were a huge dish and were light and fluffy while being cooked right through without being doughy at all. The eggs were warm and delicious with runny yellow yolks and the maple syrup was like a homemade caramel maple sauce thick and rich in texture.Coffee:We ordered a Cortado (which is equal amounts espresso & warm milk) which was perfectly prepared, with a great pour and smooth silky milk that wasn’t too hot. The consistency was the same over 3 coffees which is always a good sign.Overall:It’s great to find a cafe that is still delivering great quality and consistency after over 20 years - being one of the first places I discovered in London with Melbourne/Italian quality coffee, I’m impressed to be able to still go there and have a great experience all these years later!

Melissa W

21:15 13 Aug 23

Food is dry and overcooked as you can see from the poached egg. Lobster is not worth the money when it's this overcooked.The bloody Mary is way too sour and watery.However the service is very good and the waiters are very nice, however it is a very male heavy establishment with no female waiters in the morning service.Don't waste your money here, go elsewhere.

Missy D.

07:31 09 Aug 23

Walked in for a weekday brunch and had a lovely time! Enjoyed a cheese omelette, pancakes, and a full English breakfast!

Conor Leigh

15:14 30 Jul 23

Pancakes until 6am? Yes please. The food is good, service is good, and great location! A little noisy inside, but naturally not their fault given the clientele during late hours. Staff do a great job, seriously well done for working those hours! Much appreciated

Tanya Anderson

08:52 09 Jul 23

The waiter was hot….. the food was not. Food tasted good but it was all just a little lukewarm. Would go back but make sure I asked for the food to be hot. Also if getting the steak and eggs ask for medium well. We asked for medium rare and the steak was a little too rare and a bit chewy.

Vee

09:45 19 Jun 23

Nothing here is outstanding but what it lacks in good service, food and drink quality, and ambience, it makes up for in being open late. 😋Honestly, we stopped in here after a late night out in Soho so obviously the visit is a bit foggy. If you know, you know. What a little saviour this place is when all you want it to relax and grab a bite before heading home. I needed those eggs from hell.I can't recall the taste of the food but I finished it so it must have been okay. Eggs were done nicely. The cocktails are, well, sugary drinks but after a long night it doesn't really matter much what they taste like. Cheeky names, which I enjoyed.It's a place to just hang out with friends, eat some grub, have a few nightcaps, then head elsewhere. As such, it was a perfect end to the night.There is a doorman at night as it can get very busy after 1am. Once inside, good luck getting timely service, but it will come eventually and with zero friendliness. It's to be expected, lbr. It's probably a hard gig to constantly be serving drunken patrons all night long. I don't blame them, I just wish we didn't have to chase them down just for a menu, or put in an order, or to get the bill.It wasn't exceptionally busy when our group was there, but if you're looking for quiet, this isn't it.Big hugs to the doorman who is a wonderful person and a delight to speak with. Other than chilling with our friends, he really was the best part of it!

Nanditha Raghavan

23:26 20 May 23

When you look at the red facade outside you don’t quite know what to expect inside. But trust me, this is one of those spots that you want to peek into. I loved the chic decor and the unpretentious vibe of this place. I went in early on a Saturday morning for a cup of coffee and enjoyed it. They also serve an all-day brunch plus cocktails in the evening. Will certainly return to try their signature drinks!

Kim H.

08:22 14 May 23

We managed to get in on Sunday morning before the crowds arrived, about 9am. We were greeted immediately and allowed our pick of tables. Our server gave us...

Daisy MF

21:45 13 May 23

We had a brunch here, we were not disappointed. I highly recommend it, both for the quantities, the variety, the quality. Look at those amazing pancakes, French toasts and burritos, yummy. We were pampered, thank you!

AJ R.

00:37 16 Mar 23

Oh my gosh, came here to catch up with a friend and it was so much fun! The waiter was hilarious and super attentive. I asked him for his recommendation of...

Mr Liv

01:33 12 Feb 23

This place is unbelievable, great choice of food and drinks. The staff are extremely nice and welcoming. The gent at front of house is exactly that, very accommodating and polite.The food, the pair of us had the pancakes. Along with a couple of coffees. Absolutely 5 star all round! The best we’ve come across in London so far without fail!One thing I would add, I don’t personally believe in added gratuity on the end of any bill. I think tips should be given for great service and not compulsory. We gave an extra 15% to our waiter but it’s really not needed in a place like this when the staff are so good.. I didn’t get the waiters name, but if they were all like him, everyone should be tipping 15% with the service he gives.Will be back for sure!!

Steven W.

12:37 17 Jan 23

Made reservations for Balans and was recommended by Joe Locke so I really wanted to check it out. Cute restaurant with a tree in the back that is inside....

Brandy C.

03:30 14 Jan 23

We were seated immediately upon arrival. The waitresses were very friendly however, I didn't receive a reordered alcoholic beverage when asked. The food was...

Kenn Andersen

17:04 18 Dec 22

This place is amazing, the food was great, the staff attentive and kind and so cozy an atmosphere. We had our plane home cancelled and was happy because then we could go back for another meal. Especially those pancakes, never had them more fluffy and delicious....

Adam McVey

10:25 30 Nov 22

My girlfriend and I had a lovely time at Balans. The atmosphere was lovely and friendly and our waiter was great. He made the experience all the better.Food is great too. We both had the curry and I highly recommend it.Wine menu is also fantastic and when I didn’t know what to order our waiter gave a fantastic recommendation.

Ron R.

11:58 09 Oct 22

The atmosphere here is very nice. The prices are a bit high. We arrived for a late lunch about 16:30. We were told we must order food before 17:30. We...

Claire Dew

17:43 07 Sep 22

I popped in here for a quick dinner before a show and SO glad I did. What a place!Friendly and attentive staff.Great menu. Fantastic for people watching- Inside and out.I asked if I could minus and add some items to a particular dish (I’m a fussy eater) and the staff were great and didn’t make me feel inconvenient even tho I was!I was very fortunate to stumble upon such a lovely place before my show.

Megan Jacques

20:28 03 Sep 22

Its so lovely you spend all your money! 😅 staff are wonderful and welcoming, foods nice and cocktails are AMAZING try the espresso Martini you won't be disappointed! Also Medusa is delicious 😋

Ray Fu

20:30 25 Aug 22

Went there for team lunch. More of a brunch place if you're into that. Had steak and eggs with crispy potatoes. Very good price and portion. Steak was cooked perfectly. Potatoes were a tad greasy. Booth tables are a bit small. Coffee was amazing. Overall pleasant experience. Staff were fun and friendly. Make sure you get the spinach. It's good for you! Noisy coffee and smoothie machine if you're sitting next to the bar. The back area is more quieter.

Martina Rubino

19:44 20 Aug 22

I’ve been wanting to come and eat at this place for a while and I finally did two days ago. The store felt cozy and welcoming, and so were the staff. The breakfast was good and the coffee one of the best I’ve had in London. Will definitely go back.

Sundos Malaikah

11:41 14 Aug 22

The place has a lovely vibe, very friendly staff and nice seating area. However, the food is pretty unimpressive in my opinion. I had Egg Benedict with salmon and it was okay but the muffins aren’t that fresh. On an additional note, the flat white I had was really good. Was nice for a quick brunch, don’t think I’ll come again.

Shine

12:39 05 Aug 22

Went for lunch yesterday for the first time. It was great, lovely inside and had table by window. Meal was great - fish and chips and eggs florentine. The pudding at end was simply divine. The waiting staff are very good and efficient. Will come back as a great Soho spot to eat.

Ishika Cuppoor

23:26 14 Jul 22

Excellent service and very yummy food. Decent price and overall I really enjoyed my time there. The waiters were all so friendly too ! Will definitely be back

Dj W.

18:51 02 Jul 22

Bomb.com breakfastI'm from California. Lived in New York. I know good food. This is it. Cheers.

Pam S.

22:25 19 Jun 22

Promptly greeted at the door and seated. All of the waitstaff were friendly and attentive. Overall great service. Food was excellent. We had Fish...

Alice

18:23 18 May 22

Had the loveliest spontaneous lunch date here today! We ordered the cheesy omelette, eggs florentine and ended with a Delicacy dessert to share and it was all delicious. Great vegetarian options!All three members of staff that were waiting today around 12/1 were so friendly, attentive and simply good vibes (I believe one was named Diego, great shirt).Definitely will be recommending!

Lara Vujovic

00:04 02 May 22

We came late on a Sunday and expected to be able to get food and drinks. Drinks arrived on time and were okay.The food took about 30 mins and the burger came out cold and the side salad came out without any dressing. The squid was nothing to write home about either.Service was terrible. Super slow, no smiles or friendly greetings. We felt like a nuisance when we asked for things like allergen menu, water, and clean plates (they brought out dirty plates initially). These seem like pretty normal things to ask for, but I had a feeling the servers would have slapped us if it were socially acceptable.I gave two stars because the guy from the kitchen immediately added olive oil dressing to our salad, and quickly swapped the dirty plates for clean ones. He was the only great member of the staff. The decor, music, and atmosphere was also nice.You can see in my other reviews that I’m not difficult and generally like to have a good time at restaurants, but this experience was just too bad. We opted out of the service charge.

Linds T.

13:09 30 Apr 22

Such a delicious spot! Our group of 5 loved our lattes, fresh squeezed orange juices, avocado toast, English Breakfast, pancakes, and all sides. We are in...

J L

15:32 28 Apr 22

Very good atmosphere. The food delicious !freshly juice and food beautifully presented. The service is really very good, the bar tidy. Good music playing, great place to work with a computer and have a coffee also convenient to have lunch. I would recommend and will definitely come back again!

J L

10:19 24 Apr 22

Shen Sim

23:45 18 Apr 22

Firstly, the servers are so nice and friendly! A good space with window seats. Fun if you love to people watch. I tried the chicken dish, I wouldn't say it's fabulous but it's an interesting Asian British fusion and I don't mind having it again. The cocktail was good!

Noam M.

22:59 11 Apr 22

Chose this place almost at random and was surprised at how good the food was. The Togarashi & Peanut Tofu was really tasty, done well. My companions were...

Sara Chaves

13:20 10 Apr 22

I was very disappointed with the dinner. We didn't have to wait a long time for the table, so that was great. I had the big plate pork T-Bone and my friend had the Salmon and both dishes were a bit disappointing.The Salmon was basically only the Salmon, definitely needed a side dish, but for the price we thought it didn't need the side dish, and nothing was said when we ordered.The pork was very very dry. And the vegetables with it had some burned parts, literally black! I understand it could be slightly burned on the tips, but in this case it was at least one of the sides of the veggie, black.We order another small dish that was the Ham Hock Terrine but we didn't finish it, because the Ham was literally out of the fridge, cold and tasteless. Definitely not returning. For the price it was, I'm very surprised.

J L

11:53 01 Apr 22

David Johnson

11:54 23 Mar 22

People who arrived 15 minutes after us got their food which was basically what we ordered (by half). After inquiring, our 'other' half came quickly but was old and crusty while the missing half took a further 5 minutes. Obviously we were forgotten and our food given to the other table. Was not crowded so no excuse. The fresh food was good, so giving two stars.

J L

16:42 16 Mar 22

Suzanne Gill

11:32 12 Mar 22

Late night anniversary meal after a Theatre show, so we needed a restaurant that would be open late. I made a reservation for Friday night, and even though we were late (due to the show encores) we were still able to have a meal. The staff were pleasant.I must admit I didn't read the reviews and had just looked at the overall score. However, we enjoyed our food - burger and salmon. The salmon tasted great but I would've preferred if it came with more vegetables.The only downside for me were the Ladies toilet which seemed to have a leak. There was a quirky packet of matches on the table which we found amusing.

Ashlee de Klerk

16:49 05 Mar 22

Lovely vibey brunch spot. French toast is nice but a bit on the dry side - they are generous with the toffee sauce but I wish the bread was a bit more soaked. Pancakes are light and fluffy, but again a bit on the dry side.

Saira J. Barlas

21:32 25 Feb 22

The chicken and beef are absolutely halal here! The menu is delicious! The service is also great! The ambience is great and present. I loved the dining area as well.Just please tone down on the sweetness of things - the sugar can overkill!

Noam M.

21:02 15 Feb 22

Chose this place almost at random and was surprised at how good the food was. The Togarashi & Peanut Tofu was really tasty, done well. My companions were...

Mr Liv

16:16 14 Feb 22

Lester W

10:36 06 Feb 22

Great Pancakes but NOT the syrup. My pancakes arrived covered in a blanket of thick ultra sweet syrup. It was a bit like glue in consistency and detracted from the otherwise great pancakes. It’s a shame they don’t offer real (not flavoured but actual) Maple Syrup. I’d gladly pay extra for that as an option. TIP: Ask for the standard syrup on the side.

Noam M.

01:11 06 Feb 22

Chose this place almost at random and was surprised at how good the food was. The Togarashi & Peanut Tofu was really tasty, done well. My companions were...

DAVID GRIFFITHS

15:43 29 Jan 22

Food was good. Service excellent and staff eager to serve.Found the beer very expensive for canned. But, it was a memorial get together for my late brother who loved the place. We will be back next year!

Jenny Casey

08:09 23 Jan 22

Balans No.60 Soho was lovely. We had brunch there and the food was delicious; the best pancakes I’ve had for a long time. Completely affordable but top quality. The staff are great, they’re super polite and friendly. The decor inside is super quirky, exactly what you’d expect from Soho!

Ian Lawrence (Inspector Gadget)

09:03 23 Dec 21

The service, The food I had had eggs benedict and my friend had the full English is of high quality I had no complaints I know how this place operates about 4 years ago I did security here once with a then colleague and now then friend. On the door.... From Peckham to Soho and beyond...... That would be a good title for something. Anyway getting back on point I would happily eat here again.

Derrick Hart

21:13 13 Dec 21

Breakfast was amazing. We had the lobster benedict. The muffins are a plump, the eggs poached to perfection and a good amount of lobster too!Service and staff were attentive and drinks and food came at just the right time.Nothing was a bother and a nice slice of mince pie with the coffees was the sweet treat needed at the start of breakfast after a late night drinking.Definitely recommend.

Karolina Kaluba

19:04 06 Dec 21

I'm shocked I haven't been here earlier. A place where you can shamelessly eat breakfast at midnight while sipping a cocktail listening to mix of ABBA, Vengaboys and Britney. Brilliant staff, good atmosphere, great food. Thank you!

Harris Waqar

19:27 25 Oct 21

The pancakes were the highlight here! Amazing in every way. We had an excellent brunch with great service. The Eggs Benedict / royale were perfect. The Eggs in Hell have the perfect amount of spice in them, and the potatoes are delicious. We got the pancakes with banana and berries, highly recommend them.

Tomas Krejci

23:44 28 Sep 21

Always good to eat here. Great octopus starter.Ruben is the best waiter😉 In years the nicest service we had here. It's good service usually but he was super sweet tonight.

Nicole Parker

16:21 25 Sep 21

I visited from the states and did not have high hopes for English food. But I tell you, I was pleasantly surprised at how flavorful the food was. I ordered the Full English with French Toast and it was delectable. I truly enjoyed my meal. The service was great! We didn’t have a reservation, walked in and were immediately seated. Didn’t wait long for our meals. Our waitress made meal recommendations and explained different food items I was unfamiliar with (I.e black pudding). I will most definitely be back.

Sarah Aramayo

14:38 19 Sep 21

Came here for our daughter's 18th birthday breakfast during our trip to London after having it recommended to us by a number of friends. Fantastic! A lovely feel to the place inside, friendly helpful staff and the food was so good! Don't even think twice about ordering the Lobster Eggs Benedict - just do it!

Salvatore G.

03:44 14 Sep 21

Joyful and gay friendly environment. The food is average but the staff is really nice and the restaurant is in the heart of the gay street. Just remember to...

Nick Lennon

21:55 13 Sep 21

Absolutely amazing! Been here a few times this year, every time is amazing, last visit (September 11th/London pride) our waiter (the guys who looks like Roy from IT crowd) was an absolute babe!Even when I split my drink all over me he was there quick as a flash with paper towels.And the food is always tasty and filling ☺️✨

Lucy H

11:30 12 Sep 21

We visited Balans for lunch during the week and was a very pleasant experience. I didn't want to eat anything too heavy and Balans hit the spot as they serve all day breakfast . We had "eggs in hell" and pancakes with bacon, fresh juice and a coffee. The bill came to £27 which I though was reasonable for the West End. The staff were friendly and polite and made the experience very enjoyable. I'd definitely recommend Balans if you're in the area.

희리둥절heeridungjul

12:23 06 Sep 21

I have been here with my boyfriend around 11.45am without any expectations, but the food were surprisingly good and the service of Fabio was fabulous. He was so busy with so many customers, able to deal with everyone even if obviously he was under stress because alone, but still smiling and trying to give the best service, and he did! Thank you Fabio, we will definitely come back 🙂

Vladimir Milic

07:12 26 Aug 21

We were there late and pretty inebriated. They get us in quick and with no fuss and got some lovely greasy food in front of us in no time and it hit the spot just right. The fact the staff keep a smile on throughout was nothing short of amazing for 2 AM in Soho.

Jamie Henderson The Small Business Bear

07:42 14 Aug 21

Very accommodating giving us an extra space so a third person could join us and the waiter was very chatty and helpful which was great.The curry was a bit thin and tastes a bit 'chip-shop' and the Caesar Salad was presented in a deconstructed way, which was fine, but again the dressing wasn't as good as it could have been and was too thin.I've been going to Balans since I moved to London and would go again, but probably order more drinks (which are great!) and less food.

Mark Lloyd

14:53 04 Aug 21

Came here randomly as it looked decent and we just wanted to go find some dinner after a meeting. The food here has no right being as good as it was! It's not the cheapest, which I had put down to the location, but when the food arrived it was clear that the price is because it is really damn good food. We came for dinner and my fiance had the duck, which is a really generous portion and he was very impressed by. I had the fish and chips which was really impressive, as its very easy to do badly, but this one was excellent. Decided to get the warm donuts for dessert, but one plate would have been enough for both of us. Generous portions, good food, really happy that we stumbled across this place.

Bernadette Cleaver

15:05 19 Jul 21

Had a wonderful lazy Sunday brunch here. Fantastic warm and welcoming staff. Excellent food and outstanding service. Will definitely return

David Butler

13:25 14 Jun 21

Possibly as a result of new ownership, but the quality of Balans has diminished just as their prices soar. Undoubtedly the hospitality industry has been hit hard, so it is understandable that venues might increase their prices, but there still has to be some correlation between cost and quality. I went for one of the most expensive items on the menu (baked halibut); what arrived was a paltry portion of halibut that would have seemed small as a starter, let alone a main. Other items which used to be welcomingly affordable are now priced at a premium unjustified by either the taste or size of what arrives.There are definitely other restaurants close by offering either equally good food at more reasonable prices, or vastly superior food at the same price, but give Balans No. 60 a miss.

Rihan Khan

08:31 14 Jun 21

This place is really nice place to eat brunch to just have a simple breakfast to kick off the day. Loved the iced coffee that they served up here. The customer service was really nice and really attentive guys, thanks guys!

Mario

21:34 01 Jun 21

Our waiter Omar was friendly and very polite, our starters: mac and cheese, risotto asparagus was superb. My hamburger was, unfortunately, very badI ordered medium well and I got it very well done, and the meat was dry, dry, dry..., fries were included but very bad quality and cold. 17.50 for a burger I think you expect a perfect meal. Any way I will be back there to try something different

Martin Conroy-Edwards

12:24 25 May 21

I'm so happy this venue managed to survive the endless government closures. It's always been a staple of Soho for me.Amazing atmosphere, excellent food and drinks and wonderfully friendly staff.This is the perfect place to relax with friends, or like me today, on your own.

Chiara Lorenzetti

18:04 09 May 21

Food and service always fantastic. If you've never been to Balans you are missing a staple in Soho hospitality.Cocktails, vegan burger, croquettes ... all was absolutely delicious.I've been a client of Balans for six years now and it's always that safe place to have great food and even better service with the kindest and funniest personnel.A must go!

Caramel Biscoff

22:31 20 Apr 21

Great location and always a good place to catch up with your friends.I think menu is very overpriced than the ones on the same road.The sassy waiter gave us the bill even though we didn't ask for it. A big sign that he didn't want us around anymore.Not the worst experience but wouldn't be my first choice 😊

einas omar

09:59 06 Mar 21

Lovely brunch. Went there for my birthday the place was nice and the food alwas amazing. Drinks were good as well and the service wasnt too bad.

Jolen MacGowan

12:14 10 Oct 20

Really enjoyed the food at Balans. I had the scallops and duck breasts, and the portion size was just right and the flavours were delightful. A slight wait for everything to arrive because of how they're having to restructure due to the virus, but it's nothing massively worrying...I'd rather them take their time and take all precautions for safety! I will be returning in the near future!

Shane Subramony

03:23 20 Sep 20

When all else fails- rely on Balans !

Kate Terence

08:19 06 Sep 20

Loved it

Martin Godfrey

20:23 02 Sep 20

Loved it

kyle john

11:15 30 Aug 20

Great Service, Lovely venue.

Carole J.

00:43 08 Feb 20

The decor is really nice , the ambiance too but the food is bland, below average . We had burgers yesterday which were really dry and tasteless . The fries...

David S.

22:49 07 Nov 18

Visited for my first time and will be a frequent visitor in my future travels! Place: Very clean, and very stylish. Options for outside sitting (very...

Cheryl O.

02:00 13 Oct 18

This was so good. The food was so delicious that you don't need salt & pepper. The eggs are cooked to perfection. The restaurant is adorable & the staff...

Sally G.

11:35 26 Jun 18

The smoothie was delicious. It had a good balance between the strawberries and bananas. Which the portion was more though for the price that was paid. The...

Balans Soho reviews from Google Maps, Yelp and WhereIs.Gay