Reviews of Balans, Kensington. (Restaurant) in London (London).

Balans, Kensington

889 Reviews

380 Comments

Restaurant

Brasserie

187 Kensington High St, London W8 6SH, United Kingdom

Description

Information of Balans, Kensington, Restaurant in London (London)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

This business has received very good reviews from their customers, so probably it’s a place you should try if you are looking for this kind of services.

Map

Open hours of Balans, Kensington

Popular times

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Reviews of Balans, Kensington

I. Y.

Decent food with lovely cocktails! Margarita here became my favourite. The vibe is quite lively in a good way, and the tree in the middle of the restaurant is the final touch to make the dining experience loveliest.

A. P.

Had the English breakfast, while my friends had pancakes and mushroom toast. All were great. The orange juice was nice. The bread was very good, the mushroom absolutely packed with flavor, while the tomato had a great roasted flavor. The remaining elements were all great. I did miss some beans for the breakfast. I understand that they did not want to use regular canned beans like most restaurants do, since the other elements were of very high quality. I just wish they could have made some great homemade beans instead. Service was very good.

J. P.

It was definitely the more pricier place for English breakfast in the area. It was delicious but pricey. The beans were an extra £2 and the portion was quite small. Would have been nice if it was included in the price. The bread was surprisingly perfect. The decor is pretty. I did think a couple staff seemed unfriendly but there were also really nice staff members too

P. !.

A superb local (one of three) restaurant to meet friends, go as a couple, or attend for post work dinner and drinks. I liked the atmosphere, the staff and the food quality. They've been around for ages and know what they are doing. Pricing is well positioned, food quality is very good. It has has an eclectic mix of furniture that works, the music is also eclectic and it is all very enjoyable as an atmosphere. The staff are EXCELLENT, they are relaxed, timely, attentive and always have a smile. They are nor overbearing nor are they around the rable.all the time, they are just right in the attentiveness around the table. The food is super. I had the duck with noodles and it was PERFECT (and I am a foodie and a good cook). The salmon with potatoes was excellent and light. I am regularly worried about the salt content of meals out and this was not a problem. I will cone again with friends and with family.

C. B.

A large party of us turned up for brunch in drips and drabs and we were attended to well by the serving staff, never made to feel hurried. Nice selection of 'bougie' breakfasts. A tad expensive for me (there again, I did have the lobster!) but a nice experience to have with friends every now and then.

M. R.

Stopped at Balans for lunch. Great ambiance and decor, nice menu (especially for breakfast or brunch) and quality food. My bacon butty was tasty but a little on the greasy side. Overall would love to visit again.

F. O.

Cozy place with Great food quality Brunch menu Fried egg with Mushroom on brioche 10/10 ⭐️ Lobster Benedict egg 10/10 Greek mezza plater 8/10 Warm doughnuts 9/10

r. b.

Absolutely amazing - nothing was too much trouble - the staff were friendly and knowledgeable - fantastic atmosphere looking out and people watching - possibly the best cup of coffee in London - my fried English breakfast was also quite possibly the best I've ever had - check out the pancakes as well - the menu is extensive and I just love everything - this place is a must to try - everything was fantastic I will be back

S. K.

Were staying nearby to go to a concert later and needed a bite to eat ! Came across Balans and what a lovely place ,we both had chicken enchiladas and a mixed leaf salad which were both delicious 😋. We then shared a pudding , Moon pie ,oh my how yummy was this ,wow !! Sorry it's almost gone on the photo , it was that good !!

A. G.

Loved it!!!! Just eaten there, staffing impeccable, food top notch. Small touches make a restaurant and this place s attension to detal was excellent.

C. G.

Came here for pre valentine's Day with a couple of friends. The meals where very tasty and the atmosphere was great. The waiters where very polite and always on point to take our order or top up our water. It was a great evening.

V.

The service was excellent. Food was lovely for brunch, didn't mind the wait at the door at all

L. C.

Very nice staff, nice ambience and good selection of food and drinks. Enjoyed the cocktails here. Staff were very accommodating when we arrived and had no reservation.

V.

Food was good, service was a bit slow but staff were nice and friendly. The decor and ambiance is very nice. The prices are a bit high but the food tastes fresh so it was worth it.

O. B.

Easy 5 stars! Exceptionally friendly service, makes you feel right at home, not overbearing, whilst attentive. Nice and cozy interior design, rustic but very comfortable. The food was 1) super tasty, cooked to perfection, with very bold flavours, just what I would expect from a good breakfast; 2) fairly priced, I would say one of the best price to quality ratios I've had for breakfast; 3) generous portions that definitely won't let you feel hungry. I've seen some reviews mentioning some dishes not being the right size or not the right fluffyness etc., I just say it's being picky ;)

M.

I went there with my friends on Sunday. Good food and atmosphere. Very nice staff. My only complaint is that they run out of the only dish which I would have enjoyed because I am pescatarian and have intolerance to certain food. I had the fish and chips which was an improvement from last time. Also I asked for bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar with our drinks. The balsamic vinegar was very acidic and not pleasant at all, a good vinaigrette should be sweet which doesn’t makes you grinch when you taste it.

E. B.

I loved this place. Went for breakfast and the food was exceptional. Cooked to perfection. The eggs were bright orange so definitely free range.

t. s.

Service was OK. We did notice that three tables that followed us in by some time got their meals before us, hence 4 stars, not 5. We had to ask three times for the bill. On the plus side, the food was good and well presented. Nice staff and a nice atmosphere. Recommended.

C. P.

Lovely food and the sparkling Thursdays deal is too good to miss! Will definitely be making this a regular Thursday night spot. Good service and really nicely decorated venue

A. R.

I first visited the space 5 years ago with my Partner at the time. It was an absolute pleasure to dine in the establishment then and even more so now that they are still alive and kicking. The branding has changed during the time but the service, the space and experience has not. I will always look to stopping by for Breakfast when I'm in Kensington. Without a shadow of a doubt you have a customer for life.

A. M.

Fantastic food from stand-in chef and excellent service from covering manager. You will just have to try the classic port.

T. K.

We went for breakfast on Sunday morning, and ate the bread with avocado and salmon. It tasted very nice, the atmosphere was good and the staff friendly. Booking in advance is recommended

F. L.

Lovely! We can recommend the Chicken Enchiladas, and the Negroni cocktails 😚👌and as for the staff....warm, welcoming but not intrusive. We WILL be back!

B. R.

We ordered 3 Eggs Benedict with Lobster and out of a total of 6 eggs none of them were poached. Every single one of them was boiled. Additionally, one of the bread in the dish was burnt, as well as the burger we had. The pancakes and the French toast were good.

E. K.

Perfect brunch options and the portions are generous. Friendly staff 🥰

P. R.

Had an absolute blast. Great atmosphere and superb staff! Special thanks to the manager Francesca who made me feel at home at this fantastic restaurant. Definitely would recommend!

A. B.

We had a lovely breakfast here. The quality and flavour of the full breakfast ingredients spot on. The pork chorizo bap was less impressive. Staff are friendly and the atmosphere cosy.

C.

Good atmosphere and tasty food. Recommend the enchiladas!

J. H.

What a fantastic staff team! Great food. Varied menu. It's why we keep returning! Thank you!

J. W. D. I.

It could have been fantastic. Twice I asked for my scrambled eggs to be well mixed (so there is no white bits). The chefs response was - that as much as she can mix it ! If you can’t cook scrambled eggs properly perhaps a career change is in order. Lovely staff, great service and could have been perfect , but for the chefs basic error!!

C. P.

[Update Oct2019] Still amazing as years ago!! My favorite place in London!! [Oct2016] Amazing! My boyfriend and I spent three days in London and we've been there two times for breakfast. We've tried the Soho Breakfast, Eggs Benedict, Pancakes and of course english tea..and all was really tasty! Best pancakes ever!! :)

N. G.

Make a reservation if you want to be blown away by the lobster, scones and drinks this place has. Just yummmm!

N. K.

Ive always passed by this place on the way to the tube and also the one at westfield sheperds bush. Decided to try it instead for early dinner. Not many people at that time. we were served promptly, customer service was great. Food was good as well. just nothing much for kids. ( its supposed be like a chill out place). I will return again with my friends for drinks :) and small plates. The cauliflower risotto was yummy!

I. M.

Really nice brunch, very tasty. Really lovely and friendly staff.

M. C.

By far the best service I have ever experienced at a cafe or restaurant and the food and coffee was amazing I can highly recommend both the Full English Breakfast and the Pancakes.

A. G.

What a great restaurant!!! The services is brilliant and the food is just amazing. We found this place by accident, we were search for some warm place to drink sometime and leave, but at the end we decide to stay and try the food. Lucky was a great choice, we love this place and we definitely will come back again :) highly recommended.

N. H.

Great service, very polite and professional staff. Food was very delicious would definitely go back again

M. H.

We went to Balans for some drinks and a little bit of food on a Friday evening and thoroughly enjoyed it. The service was outstanding and I loved the pancakes! Will definitely be coming back to try more of the all day brunch! :)

T. B.

Absolutely amazing New Year's day brunch, made even more special by the staff keeping a watchful eye on my Harley-Davidson parked out the front.... defo will come back again! xxx

M. M.

The food is amazing, so good and the service is amazing, a must visit

M. M.

Busy French Bistro style restaurant, Staff were friendly and efficient. Food was delicious and well presented, cocktails were interesting, well made, pretty and tasty. 2 starters, 4 mains, drinks inc a few cocktails, £120 not inc service, Cash and cards accepted, 12.5% service charge automatically added to your bill.

L. B.

Good restaurant in Kensington (near High Street Kensington station). The food is delicious, the blonde waitress is pleasant and kind and the price is fair. I really liked the Fish and Chips and the smoked salmon bagel!

S. W. (.

Excellent service, food and atmosphere. Would definitely visit again and the desserts were in particular were incredible.

v. g.

Great spot! I had the french toast and it was delicious. My friends and I are definitely going back to try the other things in the menu.

K. D.

Nice atmosphere, desserts are very nice.

M. A.

Friendly, polite service and good food. We were seated quickly upon arrival and drinks arrived swiftly after being ordered. 4 stars because both the french toast and american pancakes didnt have enough sauce which meant you ended up eating dry products at the end. Will however return.

A. A.

WOOOOOW!!! That french toast is unbelievably delicious 😍😍😍 The brunch food is really nice too, I ordered mushroom and egg brioche, the brioche was sooooo fluffy and delicious 🤤 couldn't take any photos as we were busy enjoying it 😋😋 The coffee is really good too considering its a brunch/breakfast place

e. r.

The waiting staff were friendly and delightful, very attentive. The food was satisfying and well presented. All in all I would highly recommend this place for a satisfying meal with a friendly atmosphere.

M. T.

One of our favourite places for breakfast in London! Balans always do good food and the coffee is great. The manager is very friendly and involved, you can tell he genuinely cares that you enjoy your experience. The staff are all very friendly and helpful as well. It's always a pleasure coming here and you can tell that a lot of thought and effort goes into making it that way. Thank you Balans!!

R. S.

Such an amazing place, with excellent food, quality and caring personal, an amazing experience

M. H.

The service was very good and the food is so fresh and delicious! Plan on going back very soon! Our children shared the homemade granola with fresh yogurt, I enjoyed the eggs, avocado, & salmon, my partner ordered the burrito which was very impressive! We then couldn't stop and ordered the American pancakes and bacon which were absolutely lovely. I'm not a fan of pancakes but theirs had something so tasty within them! Highly recommend this adorable restaurant!

A. T. B.

Nice ambience inside and very good all-day brunch, with sweet pancakes and savoury meals. Here’s the lobster benedict which I’ve seen had not been posted before. I did have to ask for an extra shot of coffee in the cappuccino as they’re light.

S. D.

Nobody warns you of the massive portion sizes here. Good on Balans though. Might be a little pricey but you get your money's worth. Tasty too. The garlic mushrooms on English muffin is a bit heavy with the chimmichuri sauce though. The Eggs in Hell are proper good.

C. O.

Good food. Nice people. Good drinks.

L. A.

I really like the BALANS chain, and I would say it is a trusted Brunch place for my friends and I. The food was great, and the ambience too. However, I must say I much prefer their brunch in Stratford Westfield. The food was slightly bland in the Kensington branch, in comparison to the same meal in Stratford Westfield. It was still very good nonetheless! (Just a small comparison) However, the service was slightly pressuring. We felt like we were being rushed to order and eat and pay, which made it a bit uncomfortable for us really.

J. G.

Went for our xmas work do. Staff couldn't have been more friendly and helpful. Food was lovely and cocktails were fab!

M. H.

Thank you Balan's and in particular, our waitress Ayra, for a wonderful meal and service. My wife & I visited early evening on a Monday night prior to a gig at the RAH. An eclectic mix of 5 small dishes, bottle of wine & two piles of warm doughnuts with vanilla cream & liquid chocolate at £96. The food was divine and Ayra's service, smile & personality made the whole meal a real delight. For us, there are many benefits to living in the sticks but a Balan's or two in our town would make such a difference. Well done guys, keep up the good work and thank you again Ayra for such a wonderful meal.

S. m. C.

Great spot. Service, food, atmosphere all spit on. They were training in new staff on one of my visits. Obviously great raport between the staff and manager.

L. c. P.

great experience, the dishes are excellent, the service was perfect (the joy of the waiter was a delight). a thousand thanks from the three French people on Wednesday evening. we will return !

L. M.

You guys have a elegant touch, all of your branches across London have this on point customer service at all times; early in the morning or in the middle of the night. Yes not to mention the food is superb , quality quantity and price. I also like how most of ur branches are trying to get the candle wax sculpture, its tough one. My only area of improvement is the seating across the wall towards the entrance is a bit tight so our chair was bumping into the other customers chair.

M. P.

Nice atmosphere, nice area, quick service, clean toilet, food was just ok. Paid £34 for two dishes with juice and beer. Portions are quite small and they spilt some of the beer at £5.50 a bottle.

A. B.

We really enjoyed this place! The best about it was the service. The waiter were excellent in their work! The food also was amazing. We had the burger and quesadillas with chicken. Both was very good. Also the Service can help you to find the proper beer for your taste. We enjoyed our stay and recommend it to others.

P. R.

Lovely place, came here for pancakes (served all day) and they did not disappoint. Great service to top it off.

J. C.

Staff was very welcoming had lots of tables to have your food or drink . They have a nice menu with different types of food to cater for all and very well priced 5 stars

D. H.

One of my favourite spots for brunch. Easy menu and good management, although service quality depends on the waiter/waitress mood. I like the previous lobster egg Benedict better but still my favourite

M. H.

Food was outstanding. Service was great. Will definitely be coming back the next time I visit London.

R. Y.

Top coffee and breakfast atmos

K. S.

Better quality food than the Balans in Stratford. I had the fish and chips and was pleasantly surprised.

G. A.

The food is so good, some items are pricey but will defo keep going to Balans.

F. O. u.

After a beautiful sunny day catching pokemon in Holland park, we ambled down Kensington high street in search of lunch my Google top 10 recommend this restaurant in the local area for a hungry visit. We ordered the infamous burger which did not disappoint, juicey full of flavour with really nice bacon 👌🏾 Really liked the attention to detail : from the wax candles to the strike of pink matches offered on each table, allocating a spark for each smoke of the day. Service was attentive and polite. We sat outside- the restaurant was busy and full of colourful characters . Well done Balans Soho society ⭐

T. P.

Charming bistro, excellent fish and chips, beets with parsnip a must!!! Salmon satisfying, burger delightful!!

D. P.

The food and staff here are amazing! Love this place

S.

Wonderful welcome! The staff were wonderful. Lovely food too.

A. E.

Very good food & most importantly very friendly staff

L. B.

I visited the restaurant couple of weeks ago with a friend. I must to admit the service was slow and not caring. The food was ok nothing fantastic. They service is already included in the bill 10% You have the bread in there Next to you but they do not offer to you. Prices are ok

S. N.

Dog friendly indoors and outdoors. Has vegan pancakes as an option. Got the burger for 17.50 and the pancakes with berries. Really good. Would recommend.

D.

Came for the brunch menu and it honestly doesn’t disappoint. It has a wide variety, very accommodating and affordable. Eggs Royal is usually around £13 in the area here it is £9.

A. H.

Great meal, fab staff & nice ambiance - well worth a visit

L. M.

Had a late breakfast. Went for their version of the full English breakfast with was very good apart from not having baked beans. Also a very nice cafe late... The tea was good but I needed a caffeine boost

d. b.

Best breakfast/brunch place in Kensington - good quality food, great service

I. R.

Amazing breakfast with wonderful staff and great service. I will definitely visit again and will recommend to friends and family. Thank you

C. C.

Great atmosphere and decor. Very helpful and friendly staff. Great fodder! Definitely be back

N. L. O.

Delicious brunch option and good service. Place has a lovely vibe and we didn't have to wait at all for a table for Sunday brunch which is almost unheard of in London.

T. Ď.

Great place, lovely staff, amazing food. Definitely recommend!

K. A. L.

Very clean and cosy location. The full english breakfast, best so far!

N. D.

Ideal brunch place. I'd recommend the "Full English Breakfast"

C. C.

Extremely friendly, lovely atmosphere and the food was amazing. I would definitely go again.

S. D.

Friendly, courteous staff even when dropping in for a quick coffee.

G. M.

Excellent breakfast, some nice twists on familiar favourites and lovely coffee.

A. M.

Very nice dinner, waiters were friendly. Drinks were also very very good. Definitely will go back.

M. C.

Great value breakfast! Poached eggs on the High Society Eggs Benedict was awesome!

M. M.

Attentive service and a fine burger. All the dishes that came looked good

W. O.

Loved brunch here- very tasty and although I don't usually go for mocktails, the ones at this place were really good! Lovely service and although we managed to visit while Eat Out to Help Out was going on, the meals were still pretty reasonably priced. Would definitely come back for a breakfast/brunch if we were in the area!

E.

Really lovely food and service accompanied by a fab 80s playlist of the best hits! Highly recommend the French toast!

T. L.

Lovely - They're doing EOTHO for the whole if September too. I recommend the lobster eggs benedict!

s. d.

We ordered the lobster benedict, chicken enchiladas and American pancakes. All of them were visually quite appealing, but did not taste equally good (although not bad at all). Would've given 5 stars if 1.the English muffins were thinner and lighter (was difficult to cut through them - felt more like buns than English muffin), 2. if the pancakes were less dry (seemed baked and not pan fried).

R. F.

Nice and very hipp place. They have a fancy menu with great options. It's a bit pricy but worth it. If you near you have to try it!

T. K.

Cozy environment, friendly staff and delicious food at reasonable price. 👍🏻

E. S.

I got the gnocchi and also the grilled halummi. Both were amazing and I highly recommend.

M. C.

Lovely breakfasts set us up for the day all served up by Ron our smiley waiter - will def be back !!

E. L.

Great food,friendly atmosphere and excellent service. Normal prices

D. C.

Great service and nice surroundings. Oh and the food was great! 😊

Y. P.

Great food, friendly staff and good prices

C. P.

Amazing food and service. Would definitely recommend and love to visit again

T. M.

Boar sausages, mash and green beans was very tasty and well presented.

A. S.

Food was mediocre and overpriced but the staff were friendly and service was good. Great for coffee

A. M.

I really like the food, i've tried the muffin with avocado and lobster, and it was super!

K. W.

Fabulous, loved the decor, food great and staff lovely

J. K.

Cool place and funky interiors to eat away a weekend hangover!

E. R.

Very nice atmosphere, most of the dishes are good. Excellent dessert!

I. A.

Delicious food and staff were friendly and helpful.

B.

Fantastic place to eat with a lovely atmosphere. Food is brilliant and well priced. Can recommend Eggs Benedict with spinach and fish goujons. Trendy but with a twist. Service was very good. Great place for a weekend brunch with friends. A must try!☕🥂

H. S.

Anthony was the perfect waiter - super charming and friendly. Would go again.

M. L.

Amazing cocktails, atmosphere and service. Ned and David made sure we had a great night and kept the cocktails flowing.

M. Y. s.

Not sure why the full English did not include baked beans but ok. I guess

E. W.

Unusual mix of food, had breakfast one day, brunch the next. Definitely a new fav for me.

R. W.

Always enjoy a visit to Balans, sadly due to covid it’s been too long! Lovely dinner and service as per usual though on Friday night, already looking forward to returning ☺️

S. A.

Very nice place. Very good food and excellent service and most of all the best location on Earth situated in the heart of Kensington high street in Kensington London, the most exclusive and wealthiest area of London. The service in this place is really fantastic and the variety of food items are very good. Very extensive menu, the Pasta is really nice and authentic. The Avocado on Rye is to die for. They have very nice options for vegetarians and vegans. I love this place it is so nice and i can spend the whole day. The break fast in this place is a must try. They have very nice variety of omelettes, sandwiches , cheeses, Cream and jams, variety of breads and brioche and many many more items. By the way it is fully licensed and the drinks here specially the cocktails are fantastic. I can never get enough of this place. I love it.

L. S.

Friendly service and a good choice of food and drinks. My meal was delicious!

C. J.

Don't order the takeaway chips if you're looking for quantity. Nearly £4 with a tip!

J. B.

Great food, friendly service, good atmosphere, i also loved the music they played, I would totally recommend this place.

J. L.

Me and a couple of friends arrived to eat just after 9pm on a Friday evening. There was no mention of the restaurant closing at 10pm. Once we received our food around 9.45, the manager came over and interrupted us to say the kitchen was closing at 10 and so if we wanted to order desserts then we need to order immediately. He also casually asked if the food was OK when we clearly had hardly touched it. He brought over the dessert menus and then returned a minute later to see if we were ready. I understand the venue needs to close 10pm but I feel this service from the manager was awful and the closing time should've been mentioned upon arrival. Was a shame as we enjoyed the food and cocktails.The waiter was very attentive and funny. Had another bad experience at Balans Stratford recently also, won't be visiting again.

A. S.

Excellent food. Great music and decor. Lovely staff. 5 out of 5! :-)

M. A.

We felt very welcoming by the staff. We had a lovely Sunday roast dinner and deserts. The wine selection is very good. The staff was very caring and professional and did an extra mile. Visiting that restaurant accomplished our enjoyable stay in London.

N. S.

Great urban brasserie, fresh delicious and friendly service

K. G.

Great staff, good atmosphere and good food. If your looking for a place with a relaxed atmosphere while wanting good food and drinks then this is a great place for it.

D. f.

Good place for a brunch. Lovely staff, the food is good and enough for e portion. the manager/owner though was complaining loud enough to one of the waiter so we could hear him, that we had a Costa coffee mug on the table. By the way Mr. Manager, it was empty, that's why we had an esspresso at your place.

V. K.

Very decent brunch. Generous portions and amazing pancakes. Service very kind and efficient.

D. C.

Genuine friendly service, tasty food (lobster benedict is a no-brainer!). Excellent.

S. L.

I went for a lovely all day breakfast at 9pm on my own. The staff are lovely and friendly and make you feel very comfortable.

A. R.

Great food and coffee, generous servings, very friendly and attentive staff.

T. W.

Very nice food, great to see it open again. Had mainly nibbles /tapas, but they were great. Lovely service by very friendly staff. One quibble: the sourdough bread was quite limp...

R. L.

Good food but excellent service!

C. C. M.

Really enjoyed our food and drinks, Amber is a great waitress

J. E.

Good food and friendly staff, along with a pleasant space with decent space between tables. We really enjoyed our meal and found the small plates to be a generous size. I left something on the table and one of the staff chased after us.

M. A.

Not a bad place to come and eat as a group of friends. I had the infamous burger it was really good. Few of us also ordered many small plates and these were ok in taste too but i would recommend going for big plates only. Avoid the flat breads if you can, they were horrible.

K. O.

The food is delicious, plentiful, freshly and beautifully presented and prepared. Great service and friendly staff. The experience was vibrant with a twist of decadence and quirkiness which I love. You can't go wrong here, I highly recommend it, its also great value for money in my opinion. In many well known high street restaurants, i'm often left feeling that it could have been better, but Balans doesn't disappoint.

C. B.

Been here many times as it’s local to me. Good place for breakfast/brunch/cocktails almost any time of the day . Can be very busy on weekends and may need to wait a short time . Could feel a little pretentious too. Food is modern .. avocado and eggs with almost everything but everything cooked well. I wouldn’t give the place 5 stars as although the food is pretty good, the service can be a-bit hit and miss, probably due to the amount of waiters and waitresses that are employed then leave. The manager isn’t that friendly either. In the past , I ordered an Irish coffee which came with no alcohol while my girlfriends seemed to have an extra strong alcohol content in hers, almost like they put 2 measures in just one cup. 😣 On the last occasion I ordered the full English breakfast but came with no sausage.. it was myself who called it to attention but no apology and was still expected to pay full service charge.

E. S.

I came here for breakfast today with a friend, I had a great experience. I had smoked salmon and it was delicious! The service was great, very attentive and sweet I think his name was Marius I will definitely be back

A. A.

The eggs Benedict are excellent, very delicious.

L. C.

Went for lunch. Great service, light-hearted yet attentive. Food was solid, above average but not extraordinary (then again, I'd be hard-pressed to find an English lunch that I call extraordinary, so maybe this rounds up to a five in its category :)

C. J.

We looked at the menu in the window and decided on having lunch here. Every member of staff was helpful and charming and the host who showed us to our table was proud of the restaurant. Each of us enjoyed what we ordered and left happy that we had chose. Balans Soho Society, Kensington.

J.

4 of us came on a Sunday at 12:30pm without a reservation, we were told to come back at 1pm, which was great as it was very busy on the high street. Overall service was slow, we had Manuel, nice enough but needs to move faster to feed 4 grumpy hungover people! High Society Eggs Benedict looked great, I had the Club Sandwich which was good. The Korean Chicken Wings lacked flavor. In summary, the food was good but service was slow, we were there for one hour and ten minutes.

Y. K.

Great Eggs Benedict and lovely staff. Highly recommended.

M. C.

I go with friends regularly to this branch most Sundays after church and the service is always quick, courteous and professional. Usually I go in a large group and even though they are busy they always accommodate us in an extremely friendly manner. My favourite are either the English breakfast meals or their salads. They are very well priced and the food always comes freshly prepared and the staff are very nice, I have been to many restaurants on High Street Kensington and this restaurant by far always exceeds in service and food delivery. I would have given it 5 stars but recently they've changed the decor and I've much preferred the older decor, but all in all it's my favourite place in High Street Ken.

S.

Paid £8.71 for 2 small basic ice lattes, not sure how the bill came to that Overpriced, nothing special

V. G.

Nice decor, eclectic mix of cocktails and the 2 dishes we ordered were prettg decently made (calamari tempura and kale-seaweed roll)...courteous and efficient staff!

L. S.

Great brunch options. Vegan pancakes were excellent, and the other breakfasts looked great. Big, thick and properly toasted sourdough, proper sausages, nicely cooked eggs, avo etc.

M. A.

The food was ok, the service was good (very nice waiters and waitress), but the manager was a real pain. Never seen somebody so little service oriented. Very rude. We won't go back again. Somebody wrote this review on my name. Still trying to figure out more.

A. S.

Excellent place. We were in London three days with all the wonderful options and ate here twice. Great breakfast and service close to the the kensington high street underground. Homemade bread for toast, french toast, and the best pancakes.

R. b.

been there on a Sunday afternoon, waitress was really well-mannered and polite. quick service and very attentive. I had buffalo mozzarella salad and it was delicious (I'm Italian, can tell real deal) and also decent price for the quality. the waitress offered me their royalty card as well. defo would go again when in the area.

F. S.

Lovely food. Polite staff.

r.

Great service, delicious food, great atmosphere

L. A.

I always enjoy visiting for a drink or a bite to eat. The menu varies throughout the day and has something for everyone. The selection of cocktails are fun and innovative, and they make the classics pretty well too. On my most recent visit, they were training new staff so service was enthusiastic if a little haphazard.

A. G.

Lovely place and staff. The new manager Philip is a great addition to the team.

D. O.

My go-to brunch place when Mum comes to visit! The staff here are amazing, and the food is fantastic - their 3 egg omelettes are so fluffy and the plate for full english breakfast is shockingly large (in a good way). Best for breakfast and brunch/lunch, as their main dish menu isn't as great in my opinion. Though they do really tasty cocktails too, and have happy hour!

L. A.

Charlotte gets 5 stars! She needs a promotion. All day breakfast is always great as well.

J.

Lovely place for a Sunday brunch. High quality food and great atmosphere. We came here after finding that a lot of nearby brunch places stopped serving after 11, and very pleased we found it!

A. s.

Great atmosphere and food. No vegan breakfast option on the menu (might get more people in?).. but the staff were happy to accomodate and my food was tasty. Great coffee too. Quirky place.

A. R.

Came back here after visiting years ago, and I was not disappointed! The food was incredible, we were made to feel welcome, had a great laugh with David (very attentive staff member). Couldn't have asked for a better evening! Thank you.

A. C.

Service is excellent when you get their attention.

K. P.

Had the Christmas lunch. The starter and dessert were good. However the vegetarian main was terrible. I don't think whoever designed the menus even tried what they wrote as the main was very hard to swallow. I cannot understand why on Set menus restaurants cannot make more of an effort on vegetarian food. I was told the meat option was good.

T. G.

Excellent Service and great food. It is tough to find food late in the area. We came in 45 minutes prior to close. They seated us a served us very quickly. Food was good even though we came so late. Very much appreciate the service so close to closing. Will go back anytime. Thanks!

j. l.

This is my go-to late night dinning place. The menu is diverse and wine list fabulous. I tend to favour the Crab Linguine, Balans Burger, Classic Club or Eggs any way. Highly recommend their other locations in the West End, Clapham, and Central London delivery service!

P.

Pleasant atmosphere, given large skylight in the back area, and reasonable selection of dishes. Everything else (attentiveness and friendliness of service, knowledge about the dishes, quality of food, etc.) is highly variable and seems to depend on the personnel that happen to be working at any time. Average prices.

P. E. S.

Delicious food and attentive service. We both had the red Thai curry which was light and fragrant. My sister loved her mango mule service in a metal container.

I. D. a.

Good food and lovely staff

X. T. R.

The Balans Soho Society is a brasserie-style restaurant franchise with a focus on serving quality food at an affordable (for London) price. The interior of this High Street Kensington branch is very similar to the Paul and Le Pain Quotidien bakeries and restaurants we have in Dubai. Only these guys serve alcohol…from when they open in the morning. Which is why my cousin and I started our breakfast with a tall, stiff Bloody Mary – yeah baby! To me breakfast at Balans means eggs benedict (with smoked salmon, what else?) or their Soho Full English (with poached eggs). On this day my cousin and I ordered both while our chatty teenage daughters ordered another Full English (with scrambled eggs), a side of pancakes and a cheese omelette…and these are two skinny girls. The food at Balans is simply divine. The Bloody Mary’s were pretty good too and we discovered that they go really well with eggs. So, we had another. Service is where Balans differentiates itself from many of the other high-street eateries; their wait staff were actually friendly and attentive…or perhaps the Bloody Marys made them seem that way. Irrespective, this is a venue well worth a visit. Waste Not. Want Not. Every venue reviewed has been physically visited. Every meal (and drink) has been fully paid for. Xerxes accepts no freebees. What you have read was absolutely uninfluenced by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on: [email protected]

R. O.

Lovely venue, great food and friendly staff.

S. O.

Fab service, great food & they make the filthiest martinis in town! I really fancied a cheese board instead of dessert so they made one up for me, even though it wasn't on the menu. Relaxed, friendly & little less chaotic than the Soho restaurants.

M. H.

This place gets a 5 star rating from me every time. There are only a handful of times we've been to London without having breakfast here and it never disappoints. Friendly staff, great atmosphere, really good food and coffee. A must visit

B. P.

Lovely food and staff but the manager was bit pompous

P. K.

We've been treated like Kings! Amazing night out with delicious drinks. Short delay made staff feel bad enough to treat us with another round of drinks, free of charge! Big shout out for girl with American accent and her friend with dark hair and glasses that rushed after us when we left club card. We'll be back!

M. P.

Less than expected after reviews. Tasty sides and bits but main course cold and we have ordered burgers. Great service

A. J. A.

Fantastic Benofee Pudding. French toast was OK.

J.

Very good english breakfast! Cozy and friendly 🗝

M. C.

An old favourite. Great food over an extended (boozy!) breakfast, superb friendly service, lovely manager and excellent location and restaurant. Definitely be back!

G. M. (.

Very nice place, stylish and the food is good. The staff is friendly and welcoming, definitely recommended for brunch!

C. D.

We had brunch here with friends. Delicious pancakes, great staff, plus VERY dog friendly (our group had three corgis between six people and we were made to feel very welcome!)

r. k.

Absolutely outstanding service from start to finish. Great food and great coffee would also definitely recommend the french toast!!!

M. K. L.

My first and the best breakfast in my 7-day London stay. I sat under the skylight around a "tree". My whole family enjoyed very much the bacon, waffle, coffee and services. A must-try. But do get there early or reserve a table.

s. k.

I think very friendly and also in high street with underground just 3 min walk and price is normal breakfast very good and staff also lovely, if you want go to Kensington high street and you looking for not expensive bar and restaurant, is good choice.

R. R.

Enjoyed a nice, flavorful breakfast, and the wait staff was really friendly. They also have an interesting selection of unique mixed drinks, worth a visit.

J. D.

Very good place for small plates, breakfast and lunch. I haven't been there for dinner. Service friendly and prompt. Would definitely go back.

A. H.

Great breakfast, great service. Good place for a late breakfast, they have all the traditional English breakfast types, and some mimosas if you want to add some fun to your breakfast.

F. E.

Really cozy place. Kind, fast and professional staff. Best coffee I've had in a very long time. Great breakfast, delicious and tasty. Loved it.

J. J.

Incredible food, drinks, and service. Our server David is a credit to not only his profession, but the human race in general.

R.

Good food, l lovely decor and amazing staff

K. E.

Was disappointed with the brunch, my wife had some spinach crepe which was awful. My eggs were good but the cocktail was very weak for a Negroni considering its a all alcohol cocktail.

M. L.

David is the best! We came back because of him. Ok maybe for the doughnuts too. Clever & eclectic there is something for everyone & every mood on the menu! Can’t wait to visit again.

J. N.

Great food, good value, nice place

A. W.

A really lovely atmosphere and delicious food, the sea bass was cooked perfectly. Service a little slow but all in all would highly recommend.

S. C.

The food is nice, and so is the atmosphere

C. G.

Very nice food, lovely atmosphere, decent prices. Service was a bit slow at first but then fine after we caught their attention to order.

P. B. (.

The food was incredible, and the service was exceptional. Didn't even have a cocktail and was blown away, will be back.

A. W.

Great food and atmosphere

S. S.

Great food, I had the soho fry up and was lovely! Coffee is delicious especially the vanilla latte. Friendly staff, great atmosphere and really lovely decor. 😊

A. S.

Loved brunch, the food were big portions & very tasty. Yummy cocktails

E. p.

Great cocktails and great food. It felt very safe eating here during covid times.

D. G.

Highly recommended breakfast and brunch place with good portions, vintage decoration, friendly staff and nice music. Don't forget to try the eggs Benedict with lobster and the fluffy pancakes!

A. C.

Easy casual spot. Good option if you feel like taking a break from shopping in the high street with a fuss-free meal. Recommend the egg dishes and, to share, (double) fried chicken as starter and donuts as desert.

R. T.

Poached eggs very very overcooked - think along the lines of hard boiled eggs.

K. B.

Excellent service, the food great

A. H.

Had a quiet drink friendly staff

J. A.

Found this place by chance....AMAZING! My fiance I (yes she has a ring) thoroughly enjoyed what we had. Great start to the day

F. Z.

Lovely place, great atmosphere and friendly staff. Good food but the fiery eggs lacked fire 🔥

K. S.

inspiring donut burger! nice service and great environment!

L. L.

Outstanding local spot. Upscale comfort food. Manager is hands on making sure everyone feels at home. Great staff. Great spot for brunch!

M. A.

We went for brunch and thought our food was really good. I ordered the eggs benny with lobster and the Mr. ordered a two eggs + sides meal. If I lived in London I would be back.

N.

Very cosy, great service and nice food at reasonable pricing

A. T.

Friendly staff and good cocktails however the food is not as good as it used to be. Had horrible gnocchi and really dry desert, complained but the staff response was that I shouldn’t have eaten it all.

K. P.

Nicely presented and very tasty meals, served by professional and friendly staff in the beautiful surrounding. What else can you ask for? We will definitely come back.

M. S.

Came for breakfast and both the eggs royale and the full english were very good, all the ingredients were high quality

J.

Came for breakfast yesterday and had to come back again today. Lovely food, GREAT coffee and staff good staff.

K.

Went for brunch and had a great time. Lovely food, staff were nice and attentive, decor is really interesting.

G. P.

I loved the atmosphere and the food was very tasty. The staff 5 stars

D. Z.

Terrific ambiance, chilled atmosphere, fantastic breakfast and decent coffee. Definitely try Soho french toast.

M. K.

When I walked in Balans Soho Society I was not expecting how good it was going to be. We had the Black Bean Tostada with houmous, avocado, queso blanco, roasted salsa and the Chickpeas, falafel, houmous, crispy chickpeas, harrisa yoghurt, flat bread. It was fantastic.

p. p.

welcoming, v tasty vegetarian dishes too. we explained lack of time and they really understood. we selected starters, soooo tasty. will def return, a must!!!!

A. Z.

My 10-year-old niece says, It was the best restaurant ever.the food was super tasty 👍

S. G.

Food not bad and the waiting staff were mostly really great, friendly and professional. Not too expensive, considering the fact it's in an area with possibly the most expensive real estate in Europe!

L. T.

Best eggs bene in London, the signature potato’s rock and the coffee is very good too. Always friendly staff.

S. B.

Excellent and friendly service with a simple but rewarding menu

U. L. L. A. T. H.

Wow so good we went twice in 2 days. Waiting Staff are credit to the business.

S. F.

Had the noodles, with Shrimp. It was deoicious, the service was fast and friendly. Ideal location for me at the time as I was in Holland Park.

F. S.

Great place, despite the Kensington prices. Staff are very accomodating and pleasant. Food is of high standard and quality. Recommended.

Á. S.

Perfect fish and chips and delicious red curry! Strongly recommend with a very friendly stuff! Local ingredients and true taste ;)

W. K.

Best brunch in London 😋

M. A.

Great food staff the best enjoyed the drinks

C. D.

Nice food. Ordered the Hispi Cabbage with bacon dust. Delicious!!! And very friendly staff too.

F. M.

Nice food and drinks. Service very very disaster!

S. K.

Fantastic place! Excellent food and service, not to mention the cocktails. Definitely recommended:)

M. G.

Had a fantastic breakfast here. Very attentive staff and great breakfast options - highly recommended.

k.

Another enjoyable evening with attentive but unobtrusive service and the food up to the usual standard. The impression we have, though, is of prices creeping up to the point where value for money is being stretched....

J. B.

Trendy, lotta French stuff, but also thick burgers and gigantic fish and chips. Plus a wide choice of very fine wines (excellent cotes du rhone)

R. L.

I'm a Balans fan. I love the soho spots, especially the Café Balans on old Compton Street. This branch is quieter than soho but the seating isn't the most comfortable. Still, for the price, recommended

J. H.

Breakfast & lunch were both banging and the staff were v friendly. My water was pretty much constantly filled up - they know the way to my heart

K. F.

Excellent food. Fun and funky decor. Great waitstaff...Nothing was too much of a bother.

K. E.

Fantastic as always, David was exceptional ! Made the wonderful meal ten times better as he provided first class service ! Highly recommend

L. C.

Excellent farm house bread and hot breakfast. The decor is pretty original, and it has a nice ambience which makes you feel at ease.

D. A.

Great service, fantastic food. Was perfect for a lovely breakfast in the city.

Z. K.

Nice place, staff very friendly, the fish and chips was above average. Wish they had beers on draft, they only have bottled.

F. S.

Fine, but don't order the club sandwich and watch out if your waitress takes a lunch break ... no-one will take over for you.

C. L.

Background music and overall ambience really really good. Go for cocktails at happy hour but i wouldn't recommend eating there, the food quality is poor.

F. L.

Food was really good, with excellent bacon. Service was kind and polite.

B. W.

We have a lovely dinner at Balans Soho Society Kensington.Definitely will come back again with families and friends!!

T. A.

Really good food with decent portions and very friendly service!

J. S.

This is a great restaurant. The food is always really tasty and the service is excellent.

M. K.

Lovely food especially the donut burger

C. S.

Friendly and efficient service. Tasty and interesting food. Good atmosphere.

E. S.

The staff couldn't do enough for you, the food and drinks were without flaw, and the aesthetic and motto of the place was incredible.

B. K.

Visited twice. Fantastic food & great service, at reasonable prices. Definitely recommended.

K. C.

Wonderful scallops and a cobb salad. Delicious and elegantly presented. Great service too.

V. O.

My favourite restuatant in london atm. Its not cheap but its very well priced considering the quality and quantity of the food. Never dissapoints.

P. M.

Great food. Good service. Sensible pricing. This little gem is worth a visit.

A. D. L.

Always good with excellent service. Nice to see a resto that trains its staff so well. Thank you!

B. S.

Ambience was lovely but didn't like the choice and quality of food. Expected more due to this being highly recommended.

N.

Great service - Waiter was real friendly and helpful. Food was worth it too - I'd easily go back.

T. E. O.

Excellent food and staff. A little pricey, but high quality.

M. D.

Great english breakfast and pancakes. Loved the place and service also.

S. P.

Very friendly service, casual atmosphere and decent food. Fish in the fish and chips was huge!

J. L.

Absolutely beautiful! Amazing food, accomodating staff, all round great place.

S. C.

Not bad food, give it a try. Waitress was really good and helped with some choices

J. S.

Excellent food and service

W. B.

very good food, friendly service, pleasant atmosphere

B.

Rare gem where service is top standard.

A. K.

Good place. They serve delicious food and beer. A little pricey though

J. M.

Sometimes it's best to allow the food to taste like it's supposed to. Too much tinkering with spices in my opinion

L. T.

Fantastic service. Very friendly. Excellent food. Attractive surroundings

L. D.

What a lovely discovery! Went there for Brunch and the food was delicious. I recommend booking a table

S. P.

Just ok

A. R.

Great place for brunch. I can highly recommend the English breakfast and the eggs benedict with lobster.

S. A.

Have been going here since it opened. Good atmosphere, food and service.

S. M.

Lovely place, great decor and friendly staff, great choice of food too

C. N.

Great food. Excellent service! Will definitely come back!

S. W.

Fantastic service. Very friendly. Excellent food. Attractive surroundings

M. M.

My chicken doughnut sandwich was delicious and reasonably priced.

M.

Great burger, and service.

B. S.

Had a great brunch here, decent price for good food and service.

A. M.

Good food at reasonable prices. Gets very busy at weekends.

P. -. A. A.

Very nice food and beverages, a little pricy, decoration is interesting, deserts are fantastic.

N. E.

Hahahahaha we had a great time me and my boyfriend ! good food too

P. S.

Came here for breakfast on my first morning in London! Great food and friendly service!

R. G.

Really great fish and chips, very friendly staff

A.

Great brunch!

A. E.

Excellent place to dine in

H. L.

Had a late breakfast here on a Sunday, fantastic food, coffee and staff. Will be making this a regular!

F. C.

One of my favorite place in London. Excellent food and very kind staff.

N. R.

Great food, staff and ambiance... would go again.

K. P.

Great food and drinks menu and very friendly staff

J. M.

Great food, attentive staff but slow service

P. M.

Not the most family/baby-friendly place, but on the whole always good service and quality of food/drinks.

T. C.

Excellent food and reasonable price, Staff and service very good

L. C.

Great flavor, great portion sizes, friendly and efficient staff.

S. H.

Great relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and good food/drinks

n. p.

Excellent food, brilliant service and an easy location to find from the underground

L. A.

Excellent lunch place, good service and beautiful fittings.

S. R. L.

Nice place with good food. The variety of beverages does not match the food though.

R. P.

Great food, good prices, great staff. Nothing to not love

M. S.

I like the place and stuff.

C.

Great location in Kensington. Very Tasty food, good service.

A. F.

Amazing food.

R. N.

An old favourite still offering good food and pleasant service.

I. M.

Great cheap good quality stuffing breakfasts with great service and good location

M. C.

Good little spot, decent food

C. Ș.

Excellent location, good food and bverages!

G. N.

Friendly staff, good food, reasonable prices

P. S.

Great food, great service with friendly staff and generous cocktails!

S. J.

A great full English. I thought Bills breaky was good this is better.

L. E.

Good service and attention to detail. Eggs Bendict with Salmon was delicious 😋

l. P.

Great food, great service, nice atmosphere

G. C.

Food and service was really great! And they serve piña colada:-)

R. D.

Amazing food and love the bistro atmosphere.

A. A.

Nice staff. Good place.

M. R.

Great brunch, super service, will go again.

B. M.

Never a bad meal in here, food , service it's all A plus plus

S. K.

Great place food excellent will definitely go back

S. P.

Lovely gem! Cocktails, food - everything was perfect

J. N.

Great food, good service, good choice - enjoyednour evening

C. B.

Great food and excellent service. Recommended.

J. I.

Scallops were nicely done and servers were friendly and fun. Cool vibe.

C. S.

Best pancakes I've ever had!

N. S.

Great place for breakfast, even outside of normal breakfast hours!

C. N.

Food is good, but restaurant is unbelievably noisy/loud

X. S.

Fantastic place. Food was superb. Service was amazing.

A. M.

£4 pancake and fruit is a winner. Pumpkin tortellini is also formidable.

J. g.

Great wings and crab linguine, first class service also and reasonably priced

N. B.

This place is tired in terms of decor and has a pretty uninspiring menu ... nothing memorable would not visit again

D. M.

The food is absolutely delicious and at a pretty reasonable price

A. B.

Basic stuff, pleasant place and staff. Pot luck about the quality of the food.

M. O.

Vibrant restaurant very sensible prices especially when located in Kensington with good menu.

H. D.

Good simple food - great table service

G. P. R.

Great Food and Service but it will cost you.

C. R.

Only went for a drink so cannot comment on the food, but the G&T was good!

J. C.

Nice cosy setting with great food and honest cup of latte.

G. T.

Cosy atmosphere and good food menu. A little expensive.

l. s.

Lovely atmosphere and staff and food was excellent

I. P.

Very nice crew, good Benedict eggs and overall good quality. Recommended

C. H.

They have delicious breakfast here and good coffee.

K. H.

Good place, but my pancake arrived cold:(

A. K.

Brilliant as always, French Toast for brekky- yes please!

5.

Great food, great ambience & more importantly great staff.

O. L.

Food is excellent

A. O.

Great place great manager

S. M.

Great prices and good atmosphere and quality food

T. K.

Excellent food and great friendly staff

C. D.

Good food and great service as usual for Balans restaurants

L. H.

Tasty food for a good value.

T. M.

Excellent cocktails. Fantastic service.

W. D.

Great attentive staff, quick service even when busy.

J. M.

Kind staff, nice interior and good food!

N. S.

Amazing food and bitings and dog friendly

A. D. S.

Great for brunch and friendly staff.

T. R.

The chicken meal I had was good plus the starter and desert...

G. F. T.

Lovely place. Charming.

L. T.

Love this place. The breakfasts are spot on.

D. S.

Perfect

M. R. (. C.

Lovely set up, service friendly, tasty food 👍

B. C.

Very tasty meals and very impressive service!

D. G.

Fabulous, especially Sparkling Thursdays

J. C.

Wonderful breakfasts, decent sized portions.

H.

Fantastic food and great service!

M. B.

The best eggs Benedict in town, good value for money

D. S.

Am a regular. Always great value and serbice

T. K.

Well priced and high quality brunch

B. A.

Loved the grilled cod fish dish!

a.

Very good food

K. T.

Friendly and fast service, food is ok

K. C.

Great food, great atmosphere, great service

D. S.

Nice burger, nice wine, Kensington High Street prices.

C. W.

Tasty food, great service and lovely décor

P. B.

Nice, suite no nonsens Restaurant. Fish and Chips ? Yes please.

R. D.

Nice food, good cocktails

G. M.

Good breakfast and reasonable coffee

V. B.

Very nice place,good food and polite staff.

R. B. K.

Great service. Good food

C. T.

Always a great brunch!

D. L.

Breakfast was nice

Y. D. S.

Good service, o.k food, a bit expensive.

N. R.

It was alright. I had code that was delicious.

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