Balans in City of London, Westminster

Balans is a great Soho meet up place pre-theatre, meeting friends or family, or late dinner. Great menu and super friendly and attentive staff. Being coming here since the 90s and it’s always reliably fab!

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 food was pretty good, we had a mix of their main dishes, burgers, fish and chips, etc, and cannot fault it; solid good food. However, the waiter really changes the mood at the table. They were incredibly rude, condescending towards our party and just plain disrespectful. They had something to say on what we ordered (i.e. "sorry we don't have normal fries") they mocked anyone that had a change in their dish and they kept doing it throughout the service, interrupting our conversations. That shifted the mood at the table and just ruined our lunch.

Lovely food and cocktails. Quirky decor. The staff are very friendly but the other customers can be demanding of everything. Expect them to deal with "influencers" in the wild.

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.

Very nice stack of pancakes and helpful staff.

Everything was perfect we know how to eat very well, impeccable service, very nice establishment10/10👏🏾👏🏾🫶🏾

Open all night! Decent drinks and food with friendly service.

Cocktail -> spot on in terms presentation and taste overall not disappointed Latte was slightly disappointed, expected maybe a different flavour of beans and latte art is always a plus, good service of extras and nice teaspoon Service was good, in terms of food the poached eggs were class excellent and as best as you can get them. The bread was perhaps not the best, it was uneven in texture and consistency (fluffiness). The smoked salmon was perhaps left too long outside as there was discolouration, the taste was not memorable. Presentation was very decent. Overall pretty good, in terms of food not factoring in price etc 3/5. Atmosphere is good, people seem friendly overall good stuff.

Great service, chilled atmosphere. We were looking for a place to sit and have a drink not in a loud place, it's was exactly what we needed. We only had deserts, which were amazing.

Great pre theatre meal, wish we had more time. Will return.

Tori was so sweet and the food was AMAZING😍

I ordered their burger, the steak was very thick and the ingredients were quality, but the dish was overdone. If you are looking for the culinary delicacy that the restaurant is trying to promote, don't come here. You will pay way too much for something you could do better yourself. Beyond the kitchen, the waitress who received us was very unpleasant.

My first and favourite spot in London and always will be my favourite. ❤️

Went for brunch, the food was excellent as was the service. The waiter was entertaining and lovely, will definitely go back.

Popped in for a quick visit after craving some pancakes, opted for the American stack with berries. Service could have been better, however, I can’t fault the food at all. The serving size was excellent and the pancakes were light and fluffy with more than enough maple syrup, berry compote and fruit to accompany.

The food is amazing, we loved the kimchi chicken pancakes. The service is also great, some of the friendliest waitstaff ever, even brought cookies out to keep my kids quiet while we waited for food. Loved this place

We had brunch here recently on a weekday and it was wonderful. We had eggs Benedict - the yolks were perfect and the bacon delightfully crispy. Service staff really friendly!

As a group of five, we booked in here for an important evening, and the service we received from Omar was simply excellent! We have a few dietary requirements in the group, which Omar handled with ease, and kept an eye on us throughout the night. The mains were spectacular, and the frequently updated menu refreshes the dining experience. Balans will always be our go-to for a night anywhere near Soho.

Best vanilla latte EVER. So smooth, I had to have two! Great breakfast 🧇 with amazing pancake syrup 🤤

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.

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.

Interesting decor. Food was yummy, and very good in terms of taste and portion sizes. Folks were friendly and served with a smile.

Nice all day brunch menu and reasonably priced. Recommended the French Toast.

Came here for breakfast 2 days on the trot, lovely food and attentive staff

We had brunch there and the food was good but I expected more quantity for the paid price. Very friendly and attentive service. Given the location in Soho it‘s rather touristy.

1st time eating here it was lovely and very friendly xxx

Fab service from James and really tasty food

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.

Simon was amazing thank you and thank you to Balans for always looking after me and my guests 🤗

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.

Simon helped us out today and we had a wonderful experience. He went above and beyond despite us being in a small group and staying for a short time. Definitely coming back!

Service was so slow and it’s not a big restaurant and it wasn’t busy either. I ordered the balans burger and it was… ok. Chips were cold. My friend ordered pancakes and they had no flavour and were dry. My other friend ordered a hot chocolate and it was the watery kind. Honestly… go somewhere else lol. The internet overhyped it.

Great service and very friendly

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.

The BBQ pork doughnut was one of the best things I have ever eaten, I highly recommend it!!!

A Soho institution, where you're quite likely to see a famous LGBT+ face or too on the tight night! The food can be a little on the basic side but the service and atmosphere more then make up for it!

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.

Très bon petit déjeuner ! Je recommande et je reviendrais ! Portions plus que généreuses. Je recommande les œufs bénédicte

Open late night, good food, good atmosphere

Can't think of a better place in the city for lazy Sunday morning breakfast. Delicious and interesting menu with plenty of classics to keep everybody happy. A little pricey perhaps. The 'famous pancakes' were good, if a little doughy for my taste, but the thick sweet sauce and perfectly cooked crispy bacon more than made up for that. We also enjoyed the potato flatbread with avocado and dukkah - a lighter choice - a well executed and delicious twist on avocado on toast. Good poached egg dishes too.

Must do à Londres !!! Les serveurs sont adorables et les portions généreuses ! J’ai mangé les meilleurs pancakes de ma vie

Reliable menu, friendly service and a buzzy atmosphere.

This place has a cool vibe, the food and coffee was amazing and it looked delicious!

Another lovely night at our favourite restaurant Simon was awesome from starter to dessert

Absolutely loved everything about Balans No.60 Soho. I booked breakfast for my sisters 21st birthday, & they even came out with a small dessert with candles. It was so cute. Food & atmosphere 5✨️👌🏽 Definitely coming back with the girls for breakfast 😋 P.s Apparently normally you do not need to book a table and reserve, but luckily I did because they were extremely busy.

Excellent service for our party of eight. Tasty food. Highly recommend.

Full English breakfast at 2am. Perfect 👌

Not a crazy service not a crazy food but still we enjoyed our time there. Few locals when we had lunch

Had an awesome experience! Simon was so knowledgeable and made sure we tasted the best of the Balans menu!

Perfect place to end the night at 3am. We got the best service and food recommendation from Simon.

Incredibly delicious food and great coffee! The fried chicken and the crispy beetroot taco were my favourites.

Simon was great. Good service that was personal and throughtful

Not much choice on menu for non meat eater but what I ordered was absolutely delicious and the service was excellent, very attentive and friendly

Serveurs et services de qualité ! Smoothie très bon, le repas également.

We went on a quiet night here, but the food was very nice eventhough it took a little longer than expected to come. The Chucken enchiladas were very tasty and filling, a lovely sauce to go with it. Worth a visit and great of you want a nice meal in Soho that's reasonable in price.

Popped in here for a last minute drink. They serve breakfast in the evening here, how cool is that! Food nice, service v slow. More interested I chatting that serving but I guess it was almost closing time and it is the festive period after all. So in general big thumb up.

Balans has a lovely atmosphere serving delicious British/ European food. We went for a Christmas meal which was great quality and large portions. The atmosphere is really relaxed and it has a european bohemian vibe to the restaurant.

Good food, great coffee and nice environment ! one of the host/servers was really rude since we walked in, He didn’t even bother the menus for us and when asked to hand us one he just said, Wait, and never brought them to us, thankfully we were served by another and much friendlier staff that made the experience much nicer!

Tell me another place that will serve you a delicious meal at 11pm at night? Always a joy to come here and enjoy the hustle and bustle of Soho.

Food definitely needs work. The pancakes are absolutely swimming in syrup/sauce - just too much. Staff attentive and helpful just let down by food. Perhaps it was an off day?

I went there since it was one of the only places open late at night in the area that serves vegan food and drinks. Ordered the vegan burger which was overpriced (20p), the other vegan option, the falafel wrap which costs 17p is also very expensive. I received my burger, which had a very meaty looking strip of bacon on it, so I asked the server if this is indeed the vegan burger and there wasn't a mistake. He confirmed that it is the vegan burger, I hesitated but said okay maybe they have really good bacon substitute here. Took a bite of it and it was all meat. I immediately spat it out and told them I got a real burger and not the vegan one. They apologized and said something about a computer error that printed out to the kitchen the wrong dish. I feel like their apology wasn't enough. I got the vegan burger, and it's served on a black bun, which makes it so easy to differentiate, the server whom I asked at first should have spotted that immediately. And the vegan burger wasn't even good. I know that it's a mistake and wasn't intended, but it could have been so easily avoided if the servers were professional and gave more care for their vegan customers.

Tasty well priced food. Very interesting menu choices. The lobster egg Benedict is delicious

The booking was easy and welcome was amazing, the service very attentive, water topped up and extra cutlery provided without having to ask. My Allergies were very well accommodated. Staff friendly, and the atmosphere just perfect. My daughter said her chicken meal was perfect and tasty, just a little too much meat and could gave done with some side salad or veg. Overall if we come back to London, we're definitely coming back to Balans. Thank you 😊

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.

We had an amazing breakfast at this place (would highly recommend their pancakes!) I have to say the service was exceptional, the waiter went far and beyond to make us feel welcome and make our kids laugh. The best service we had as a family. Thank you so much!

Passeggiando per Soho abbiamo notato questo locale e ci siamo fermati a pranzo. Arredamento particolare e atmosfera simpatica, ma tavolini piuttosto piccoli. Servizio cortese e abbastanza veloce. Menù con parecchia scelta. Cibo buono e porzioni abbondanti. Prezzi nella norma per essere a Londra.

The food is like something you would get in a wetherspoons, yet 4x the price. It’s a complete and utter rip-off for what is very average quality and very poorly presented. Highly disappointed.

Amazing and food good. Gay friendly. Just very expensive.

Simon was our server and he was brilliant! Incredibly attentive and just very lovely!

it is probably the best place to order door dash

I haven’t been to Soho 60 for a few years now, so was happy to go back for a friends Xmas meet - party of 12. Firstly had to wait over 30 mins just to order a drink. When the tray of drinks did arrive the waitress left the drinks at the bottom of a long table, not even asking whose drink was whose - “ helloooo I’m at the far end of the table”. The food had been pre-ordered. By the time it was served to us, it had obviously been sitting on the side for a good 10 mins, as it was looking dried out and was warm rather than hot. We ordered a bottle of rose Prosecco. The waitress opened the bottle without checking, and lo and behold it was wasn’t rose - we kept the bottle anyway, but this is a basic level of hospitality which shouldn’t even need explaining. The spirits very limited, not even having their own menu. So I guess they were the ones used for the cocktails. All in all, disappointing experience which wont encourage me to go back. It feels like the company has been bought out - and the takeover has dropped its standards. Maybe that is incorrect, but that is how it feels. Sad as I used to have really good memories of this place.

Fantastic service and brilliant food. The pancake stacks were amazing!

Amazing service from Simon. - super friendly

Simon gave fantastic service. Made me and my mother feel very welcome and comfortable

One word for this place Amazing ! Please be aware that it may take a little time to get your food, but once it comes, it is worth its wait. We were lucky enough to get a walk-in but would suggest to book in not to get disappointed when you hear how long it will take for free table. Came back again just before christmas and once again we were not disappointed. Will definitely be back again

Really good place really enjoyed it

Ben and Simon are fit and wonderful and we had the best time

Absolutely fantastic place, food is excellent. Our waiter Simon, was friendly, attentive and a credit to the establishment

Step into this establishment, and you'll find that the drinks are nothing short of exceptional, with a special nod to their standout margaritas. A worthwhile destination for those seeking a well-crafted cocktail experience. On a fortunate whim, we managed to secure a table without a prior reservation, a feat considering the usual bustling crowd. This unexpected availability only added to the positive vibe of the evening. The service was prompt, enhancing the overall dining experience. The staff's efficiency contributed to the relaxed atmosphere, making our visit all the more enjoyable. Now, onto the culinary adventure. The menu, an eclectic mix of flavors, piqued my interest. Opting for the pie, I received a creative interpretation—a colossal spring roll. While undeniably delicious, there lingered a twinge of disappointment as I had envisioned a more traditional pie. The unexpected twist, however, didn't overshadow the positive aspects of the dining experience. It's essential to note that this isn't the most budget-friendly spot in town. The quality of the drinks, service, and innovative menu does, however, justify the price point. Having frequented this establishment on numerous occasions, I can attest that the allure of the beverages, diverse menu offerings, and the overall inviting ambiance continue to beckon me back. In conclusion, even if the pie turns out to be more of a spring roll surprise, the overall package of great drinks, welcoming atmosphere, and attentive service makes this a place I would wholeheartedly recommend. Despite the occasional deviation from expectations, the unique charm of this spot keeps me coming back for more.

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.

Simon our waiter as so friendly and the food is great an absolute gem of a venue!

Really nice place, but food was better a few months ago. Sad......

Came for Saturday brunch. Although it was quite busy, service was very good and food arrived in good time. Excellent food.

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.

Friendly staff and good drinks!

Brilliant service from Dan - really good waiter, great sense of humour.

Super freundliches und aufmerksames Personal, das Essen war sehr lecker, es ist für jeden was dabei. Es gibt den ganzen Tag eine Brunchkarte. Wir haben uns dort sehr wohl gefühlt☺️

Second visit to Balans 60, we were first in the restaurant at opening time, staff were attentive and efficient, we both had the full English but the choice of breakfast was very varied. Recommend a visit when you’re in soho, we’ll be back.

The chicken was not fully cooked. The waiter said he would speak with the chef, returned asked if we would like desserts and then handed us the bill.

Daniel was amazing. Super night

The food was very good but the staff never told us about additional ingredients when I took the order. He just asked us what you prefer as if the food came with one of the options. In the end there were 5 dishes and the 5 dishes with additional orders

Excellent English and American breakfast/brunch! Prices are a bit high relative to other countries (14/15£ for five pancakes is extremely high), but the same as the other places in London

I’ve been coming to this Soho institution for more years than i care to remember, and have always had good food. The atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming, and late night, it’s always lively and can be delightfully random! I hadn’t had a full English here for ages and as I popped in during the day I thought I’d just go for that. Not sure what has happened but it was pretty poor! At the end, I queried whether they had stopped serving tomatoes with it, and was told that you get beans instead. As I’d had neither, my coffee was given free. That aside, it really isn’t cheap - about 35% more expensive than a year ago, but the quality and quantity has definitely gone down. The poached eggs were watery and the yolks looked anaemic. The potatoes lacked herbs and seasoning. The additional sausage actually cost £5.50 - for one extra sausage! Sourdough toast had come out more like crisp bread. I had to ask for butter. Had a Bloody Mary with it that was watery. Very sorry to say that it really wasn’t great and not great value. I’ve had fry ups here many times, especially Saturday or Sunday brunch and it’s always been good, so please Balaans, as prices have gone up loads, no reason to compromise on quality or quantity. I’ve included a pic from a year ago done well for comparison. Would anyone say that’s the same breakfast?

Really poor service, slow and unfriendly - I ended up leaving before I even got to order, I wont be returning to this restaurant

Food was decent. We had croquettes and calamari. The croquettes were cheesy, calamari tbh very chewy sadly. Mains we both had chicken enchiladas which was quite good, loved the way it was served. That said, the highlight was actually Jack who was our water. Attentive, funny, the most interactive waiter we have ever had. For that reason we will be back - we need more Jacks!!!! Thank you for being so attentive and see you soon when in London. Thank you Jack.

The food conceptually was amazing but the actual execution was not the best, got served cold food. When I alerted my server he was very apologetic and did everything he could to ensure we still enjoyed our meal.

Ok. I can imagine it's better for lunch than for dinner.

Do NOT go here. Target of pickpocketing. Had my purse and phone stolen, (someone dragged my bag from under my table) and the restaurant then revealed the woman was "a regular thief" in the restaurant, and proceeded to fully charge us (despite it also being my birthday celebration), doing nothing at all to apologise. They then blanked my email follow up.

The ambience is vibrant yet cosy, creating an inviting atmosphere perfect for any occasion. Whether you're meeting friends for brunch or enjoying a late-night dinner, the restaurant's chic decor and warm lighting make it an excellent setting. The menu is a culinary journey filled with diverse and delectable options. From classic comfort foods to innovative dishes, each item is crafted with precision and bursting with flavours. The quality of ingredients and attention to detail in presentation elevate the dining experience. I must point out the exceptional service I received. The staff are attentive, friendly, and accommodating. Their professionalism and genuine hospitality added an extra layer of enjoyment to my meal, which made me feel welcomed and valued. Furthermore, the location in Soho adds to the charm of the experience. It's a perfect spot for people-watching or simply soaking in the vibrant energy of the neighbourhood. Balans No.60 Soho is a culinary gem that ticks all the boxes - fantastic food, inviting ambience, and outstanding service. I highly recommend it for a memorable dining experience that encapsulates the essence of Soho's vibrant dining scene.