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Balkan Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
9 reviews for Balkan Restaurant
9 reviews in English
-
Review from neil m.
Calgary, AB
10/8/2008
Found another great place for Greek food.
It was avery busy place when we got there around 7:30pm. A party of 26 had just arrived and there was a few reservations ahead of us. We decided to wait as the hostess said it will only be 30 minutes.
Sure enough, a party of almost 40 people left and we were seated right away.
Our waiter was a no-nonsense guy, quickly moving from one table to the next , so the service was prompt and fast.
I tried the roast lamb shank with greek potatoes and salad. Man was it good, the meat just falling of the bone and the potato was some of the best I've ever had. My wife had some sort of chicken, I can't remember what it was but it passed with flying colors.
We were so full after the meal we had no room for dessert, to bad for us.
So if your ever in Banff and want some great greek grub and nice atmosphere, head over to Balkans, you wont have any regrets. -
Review from Starkie S.
Calgary, AB
11/26/2011
In Banff for the afternoon taking in the fresh air and clear sky and needed a speed feed without busting the bank. Three donairs with salad for $24...cannot go wrong. Portions were right on, food was hot and shared a few chuckles with the host and bartender. Oh, and we had a window seat.
I would go again. -
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
8/2/2010
Considering this place has been around FOREVER (and considering the prices on the menu), I was expecting big things.
Unfortunately, I have to admit my disappointment with this place.
Despite the wonderful Greek ambiance and the beautiful decor inside, and despite the fact that his restaurant is perfectly located smack dab in the middle of Banff Avenue (only a couple doors down from THE Candy Shop), Balkan did not deliver when it comes to the food or the service.
There were four of us and between us we ordered the Lemonata pasta, the Chicken Souvlaki, The Spanakopita Dinner and the Mediterranean Salad. None of the meals were anything to write home about and the service was *alright*. The prices however, seemed to be the only grandiose part of the evening. A mediocre salad (which didn't even have any meat to justify the pricing) costs $15?!?!? Seriously?!?!?
Overall, here's the rundown of my dining experience at Balkan:
Ambiance & Decor - 5 stars
Service - 3 stars
Food - 2 stars
Pricing - 2 stars
Overall dining experience - 3 stars. It was *alright*... but definitely not enough to bring me back. -
Review from Doug A.
6/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food was very good and the service was good too. We got the huge greek platter for two and pigged out. They even have taramosalata! Good atmosphere. Belly dancers and broken plates on Tues & Thurs.
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Review from Jeff L.
Calgary, AB
6/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great food, service was a little off the night we visited. Funny how when it's slower they seen less attentive. Forgot a childs milk, lazy with drink refreshes etc.
Saganaki, chicken souvlaki and roast lamb were all excellent. $85 for 2 entrees, one appie, one kid's meal and a diet pepsi. A little rich, but so are many restaurants these days. -
Review from Colleen H.
1/5/2011
The saganaki, perfect. Maybe a bit on the small side, but absolutely delicious. The gyro was ok...not nearly enough tzatziki. I got souvlaki in a pita, which sounded like heaven. However, I barely ate half of it. Maybe I'm a snob when it comes to greek food because I was spoiled in Greece? I don't know....it was just okay. Very nice inside though!
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Review from Cherie E.
9/17/2009
3.5 stars.
I didn't think I'd have much luck satisfying a craving for Greek food in Banff but I was pleasantly surprised by Balkan. The blue & white sign outside looks sketchy, as does the bar on the first floor, but the restaurant is certainly not. It's open & contemporary with attentive service and good food. -
Review from g d.
6/29/2011
Felt the need to write a review given this is the worst food I have experienced in a very long time. I am a picky eater, and when it comes to my being served processed chicken instead of true chicken, I push the plate away + don't touch the meal. I won't be returning to this restaurant. Given the prices, the owners can afford to purchase real chicken meat in instead of the fake rubbery processed chicken.
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Review from Valeda S.
2/25/2010
Found this place as a recommendation from a friend, and so glad we did. I agree with other reviewers that from the outside it doesn't look like much, but just a peek inside will change your first impression immediately. The entire interior is very classy, and it's much bigger than you'd anticipate from the looks outside. We actually sat in the bar area in the front, both for the people watching down below and the olympics on TV. Service from the get go was fantastic - deciding what to get on the other hand was a challenge :) My boyfriend got the braised pork shank special which was ahhhh mazing... So flavorful, and the meat was incredibly tender. I got the baked salmon and mushroom in puff pastry, which I can't remember the name of but was also very delicious. Even the rice which came on the side was fantastic, and the greek starter salad (which we both ordered) had loads of feta and was a great start to the meal. The local microbrews on tap were both tasty, as was the greek mojito. The best part is that everything is very reasonably priced for the ample portion sizes, recipe originality and most of all general deliciousness. Go, enjoy, and thank me later!
