Balthazar

THIS PLACE IS AMAZING!!! Genuinely one of the best steaks I’ve had I got the steak and frites and my mom and I shared the oysters - literally so good!! Truly still day dreaming about the steak and need to come back ASAP!! Highly recommend making a reservation‼️ I also got the Hugo spritz it was a little too sweet for me so I’d skip getting that, but otherwise truly was so good!!

Iconic NYC dining at its best. Lively atmosphere, impeccable service, and delicious French brasserie fare. The steak frites and onion soup were outstanding. A memorable meal and well worth the visit.

My visit to Balthazar was quite disappointing. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the service or the food at all—it was just a bad overall experience. The only reason I am giving it 3 stars is because it is undeniably a "must-visit" spot in the city. You should probably still go at least once, just to experience that authentic, bustling New York noise and the true vibe of the city that never sleeps! I wouldn't recommend it for a great culinary experience, but it's worth seeing for the atmosphere alone.

As a solo diner, I was treated like royalty. I walked in late on a Friday night and was immediately seated at what seemed to be the best spot in the room. I had a view of the whole place. The server set down a surprise glass of champagne and explained that it’s a perk for single diners. Put a big smile on my face. Ordered bouillabaisse, the Friday special. Wound up chatting with my table neighbors and had a blast. Finished with crepes Suzette to go with my sometime nickname. A glass of Sauternes to accompany it. The server saw how much I was enjoying my time and suggested hot water with lemon so I could continue at a leisurely pace. NYC is a lot of things and sometimes it’s a dream come true. Balthazar is the perfect place to experience the magic. Just wow.

We had a great time for our first time at this must-visit-at-least-once spot in the SoHo neighborhood of New York. The food was very good, though we had hoped for a bit wider variety than the menu offers. We had petit steak with béarnaise sauce (that steak is indeed petit/small as expected, but the béarnaise was a tad sour) and regular steak frites (with the steak being quite a plenty, big even). The aptly thinly cut fries were served with ketchup rather than mayonaise, though I'm sure I could have asked for a substitute to keep it more authentically French. For dessert we had the famous caramelized banana ricotta tart, which was excellent! The restaurant is quite busy and loud, but that was expected and represents the flavor of the neighborhood. Keeping the best for last, the service was absolutely top-notch, from how we were seated to how we were served by everyone at our table. Having our dinner for a birthday, we received a great seat and were charmingly served with a small candle on top the tart. Our waitress was simply the best! Thank you for making this special day so memorable for us.

The ambiance was great! The appetizers were amazing. My duck confit was good but it had only a sliver of meat compared to the skin and fat ratio. Their Burger and other entrees were amazing and good sized. TIP: if it’s late like 8:30pm and they say a 45 min walk in wait, check the open reservations on RESY. There was an opening at 9:30pm for a for sure seat with only a 15 minute wait difference. We were able to go out and grab a drink before heading back over for the reservation.

An absolute SoHo institution. This was my second visit and it somehow managed to outshine the first. The food is classically perfect—the omelette and fries are a must—but it’s the impeccable, deeply attentive service that makes you feel like absolute royalty. The perfect spot to hide from a snowy Manhattan afternoon with a glass of champagne. 10/10.

Beautiful, even as a solo diner. The service was as impeccable as the food. I had the onion soup and the Balthazar salad. My lovely server recommended a great red wine by the glass.

A very pleasant experience. The snails were excellent, the onion soup was not bad, I had meat, the cooking and flavour were top notch, the fried potatoes were tasty and fresh, and the service was excellent. This is a place I would love to visit again and again. Nicase was wonderful, very helpful and made us feel very welcome. We are very grateful to her.

This restaurant has been on my wish list for quite a while now and since we were going to be in the city on Saturday, I met a reservation a month ahead of time. We had a reservation for 7:30 PM, but we were finished with everything we were doing and slowly worked our way down to Spring Street and arrived at 6:55 PM. We asked the maître d’ if we can possibly have a table and we were actually seated right away. Our server reminded us of the actress in Amelie, Audrey Tautou. She was very attentive & friendly. I started out with an old-fashioned and my partner had a glass of red wine, both were very good. We both shared the goat cheese and caramelized onion tart for an appetizer, and it was absolutely delicious. We are actually going to try to make this at home ourselves at some point. The crust was very light. My partner had a short ribs with polenta and I had beef bourguignon with mashed potatoes. He said the short ribs were the best he ever had. My meal was also very good. For dessert, we both shared the Paris Brest. It consisted of choux pastry with a hazelnut cream filling. My partner likes hazelnuts more than I do but I do have to admit it was very good. I also have to compliment the gentleman who kept filling my water glass, it never went empty. He was very attentive and friendly. Looking forward to coming back at some point, I heard the breakfast is very good there. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the people watching.

Whenever we’re in the city, this is the place to go for breakfast or brunch. I haven’t been there for dinner yet but it’s a gem. Service impeccable, a bit noisy but that’s because it’s always packed so reservation recommended. Just love the croissants and my wife had the bouillabaisse which was delicious and the Norwegian Benedict. I had was absolutely delicious with the smoked salmon. We will be back!

My first McNally restaurant, and somewhere I’ve wanted to go for a while. We had a 2:30 Saturday brunch reservation, which I was worried would be a subpar, rushed experience, but I can happily say that wasn’t the case.<br><br>Honestly, the food was good but not exceptional. It’s generally in line with what I’ve heard, the atmosphere and decor are really what make the restaurant.<br><br>On that note the vibe really is exceptional. I don’t know how McNally managed to make it so large, loud, and yet not feel like a cafeteria, but he toe’d that line perfectly.<br><br>Even though it’s not the best French restaurant in the city I can see why it’s become such a classic NYC institution, and I’m happy with the experience.

Think old New York, meets France. This restaurant although buzzing each time I pass by - has a specific charm and uniqueness to it. If looking for no frills yet a touch of elegance + delicious food look no further. Whether is during the winter for a cozy brunch or hot summer afternoon to sit outdoors and people watch. This restaurant gives the feel like you travel back in time or make it to France thru a secret door in SoHo - service is attentive and quick - food options are amazing. Must try their famous onion soup, eggs Benedict and their waffles with fresh Berries is always a hit.<br>Def must try - their complimentary bread basket it’s perfect to try their famous fresh baked bread made daily on the premises

Breakfast at Balthazar is one of those New York experiences that somehow still lives up to the well-deserved reputation. We visited on a chilly mid-December morning, and stepping into that buzzing, brass-and-mirror brasserie felt like instant warmth—equal parts Parisian café and classic NYC energy.<br><br>Even at 10AM, the room hums in the best way: servers moving with purpose, espresso machines hissing, and tables filled with locals and visitors alike.<br><br>The food was exactly what you hope for and then some.<br><br>My wife loved the Asparagus, Leek, and Sweet Pea Quiche, which arrived perfectly set, rich without being heavy, and balanced beautifully by a fresh pile of mixed greens.<br><br>My pancakes with fresh strawberries, banana, lime zest, and banana coulis were outstanding—light, fluffy, and indulgent without tipping into overly sweet. The lime zest was a subtle but smart touch that kept everything bright.<br><br>We added a side of applewood smoked bacon, crisp and deeply flavorful, plus two generous caffè latte bowls that felt very on-brand for Balthazar: strong, comforting, and ideal for lingering.<br><br>The Balthazar Green Juice—packed with kale, collards, apple, citrus, herbs, and cucumber—was vibrant and surprisingly refreshing, a nice counterpoint to the richer dishes.<br><br>Service was polished and efficient without ever feeling rushed, which made the whole experience feel relaxed despite the restaurant’s constant buzz.<br><br>What makes Balthazar feel truly special — beyond the excellent food and attentive service — is the vision behind it.<br><br>Keith McNally, the restaurateur who opened this iconic SoHo brasserie and helped define New York’s downtown dining scene, brings a distinct personality to every room he touches. He’s been called “the restaurateur who invented downtown,” and his knack for creating spaces that feel both effortless and electric shines through at Balthazar.<br><br>If you loved "I Regret Almost Everything", McNally’s popular and candid 2025 autobiography (which I absolutely did), this connection adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the meal.<br><br>Breakfast at Balthazar isn’t just about the food (though it’s excellent); it’s about soaking up the atmosphere of a place that feels timeless. Whether you’re a longtime New Yorker or visiting for the first time, it’s a breakfast worth lingering over.

Great atmosphere and vibe. Amazing service and a must do if visiting NY. Food is your classic style French bistro food. I Booked well in advance or be prepared to wait 1-2 hours for a seat if you try a walk in.