Iron Gate
Mediterranean · Washington · $$$$
Mediterranean · Washington, DC · $$$
At the heart of legendary hospitality and Mediterranean flavors, Balos offers an elevated dining experience led by Executive Chef Alex Oradei. Inspired by the lush Cretan lagoon it’s named after, Balos creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere—blending old-world charm with modern elegance. Founded by industry veterans and lifelong friends Stefanos Vouvoudakis, Tom Tsiplakos, and Joe Ragonese, it embodies the Hellenic tradition of shared meals and lively conversation. Our menu showcases Greek seafood and seasonal ingredients with a contemporary twist. Whether you join us for our famed Espresso Martini Cart brunch, a lively dinner, or a business casual lunch, our airy dining room transports you to the Greek islands.
“Parking Street parking is limited but available Food: The food is excellent. Highly recommend. For appetizers we had the grilled octopus, and crab cake. Both were excellent, especially the octopus. They threw in pita bread and hummus too.Fornthe entree ordered the lamb chops with fries, and the Bone in pork chop with lemon potatoes, which was delicious. Moist, flavourful and well presented. Added a side of roasted brussel sprouts, which had a nice sweet and onion kick. For drinks had the cucumber spritz... Service The service was great. They were very attentive and friendly. Cutlery and glasses were clean, tables were clean and well set. Atmosphere Great atmosphere and beautiful decor. The music was on point. Recommend you try this place out. Very good 👍🏿.”
“I’ve come to Balos a couple times for drinks, but never to eat. Always heard it was good, but never came. My girlfriends invited me to join them for dinner and finally, my chance to try Balos. We got seated right away in the middle of the restaurant. Our server was great, gave us recommendations, told us his favorites which I always appreciate. We shared the Greek salad, which I loved, big veggies and the olives were yummy, and great feta portions too! We also shared the spanikopita, the saganaki, and the grilled octopus. All were really good but the octopus really stood out. I ordered the lamb chops and they were grilled perfectly! So juicy and yummy. The girls had the beef kabob and the steak and everyone’s meals were cooked perfectly. The portions are also pretty large! I was very impressed with Balos, better than I expected! Oh and don’t skip dessert, get the creme brûlée.”
“The restaurant is light, bright, spacious, and inviting. The atmosphere is classy, but not stuffy. Wait staff and other workers are polished and professional. We felt welcome from the moment the hostess greeted us. Our server Niko was attentive, warm and friendly. The food was delicious, with large portions beautifully plated and presented. Entertainment was provided by a very talented Leo, who played traditional Greek music on his bouzouki and sang. We were a party of 6 for brunch, it was an extraordinary dining experience. We can’t wait to go back with more friends.”
“Balos delivers a standout experience across the board with a beautiful space, exceptional food and a lively polished atmosphere. It’s classy while still being comfortable and inviting. The food is genuinely incredible and is consistently so fresh and clean, and the energy builds in a way that turns dinner into a full experience. There’s also a real warmth to the place. You feel welcomed and taken care of, just like family and it’s clear how intentional the ownership and management are with the guest experience. Easily one of my favorite dining experiences in and definitely somewhere I’ll keep coming back to.”
“The restaurant is beautiful! Gorgeous decor, very clean, and a great ambiance. We came for my birthday. The hostesses were warm and welcoming, and while we waited for the rest of our party we were able to sit at the bar and enjoy the live music. Once seated, our server Niko was amazing 💗 very attentive and thoughtful. The staff kept our table refreshed with water, pita, and hummus, and management even came over to greet us while we were taking pictures, which was a nice touch. The food was great. Our table had items like the Baklava French toast, burger, crab cake Benedict, calamari, the fish, and the dip spread, and everything was delicious. Niko also brought a non-alcoholic grapefruit spritz for the guests who weren’t drinking so everyone could join in a toast, which we appreciated. Overall, it was a really fun experience, we even got to wave napkins and walk around with the Greek flag. 10/10 and I’m definitely looking forward to coming back.”
1900 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036, United States
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