Balila in Genève

The food was delicious, the stuff was friendly, the restaurant is super chic. It’s just a bit expensive which can be explained by the location and it’s Geneva :)

Exceptional experience, we had the discovery menu with an assortment of mixed meats, it was a treat. Fabulous meal!!

Lovely libanese food large selection cosy restaurant quiet for dinner

Very good food. The service leaves something to be desired.

I don't recommend it, we are young people in our twenties, we went there in normal clothes, the customers rolled their eyes, everyone was seated, we were left to fend for ourselves by making a signal to the waiter to take care of us if we come to this restaurant, it is because we have a minimum of means and we can afford it, do not judge people by their cover I do not recommend at all !!! to flee

Discover an extraordinary culinary experience at Restaurant Balila Libanais Genève, located on the 1st floor of Hotel Longemalle. The modern and beautiful design creates a captivating ambiance, setting the stage for an exceptional dining journey. The food is nothing short of perfection, making it one of the most delicious and original Lebanese restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. Notably, the restaurant is open to everyone, not just hotel guests, although a reservation is highly recommended to secure a delightful experience at this gastronomic gem.

A horrible place where you feel denigrated! While the cuisine is mediocre as well as the servers who are very bitter. I do not recommend

French chef in the kitchen. Everything was very average, approximate. Fattouche, poorly distributed seasoning, too much sumac - Mutabal, not smoky enough taste, not olive oil, prepare too much in advance (left in the fridge) - Foul, not enough lemon or olive oil and too much cumin. - Hummus Lahme, taste of Hummus not strong enough and pieces of meat not suitable - Arayes, the meat (Kefta) is not well seasoned, lacks taste in general - Rakakat cheese, too oily and not crispy enough. - the Fatheh Batenjen was good. Very poor price quality

I loved this discovery. The flavors were exquisite.

It's nice .. a bit too fancy but not the best service .. the waiter had a bit of an attitude and the mixed grill platter was dry

A Lebanese restaurant. The location in centre of Geneve down town, very convenient and has terrace view but was closed. the food is so delicious and Service, decoration are amazing. I tried homous signature, motabbal signature , Balilah specialty dish

The food was delicious but the service isn’t good.

Magnificent and opulent setting, very nice welcome, large and airy room or large terrace overlooking Place Longemalle; so many assets that make it a fairly “select” place. The menu is really extensive, but the waiters are there to guide us in case of doubt. The dishes are very good, but the prices are high. Given the location and the setting, there is no doubt that this comfort is reflected in the prices, so if you agree to pay for the entire service: setting and meals, the price is justified. On the other hand, if you just want to discover or eat Lebanese, there are cheaper and just as good places elsewhere.

The food is so good and delicious. Staff was so kind and nice. Price is so high.

Very good Lebanese restaurant which is very successful.

Excellent food. Beautiful restaurant.

Delicious food, excellent service, great ambience. Antoine made sure we had a memorable time. Definitely coming back. Came back a few times. But this time September probably better than all previous times. Need to make a special comment on JONATHAN who was an amazing host, with an infectious smile and demeanour that puts you at ease. We had the best table, but we decided to move to a more cosy spot and he was very helpful. We had a very simple order, no wine. Felt no pressure to consume or spend more money. Food was great albeit a bit low on the salt! Thanks again to Jonathan for making this a memorable time.

I was there Saturday evening on the balcony, I already loved the chic but relaxed atmosphere, the waiters and waitresses very attentive, helpful and smiling 😃 I loved their cuisine, it was completely new to me. I recommend it to people who like spicy food.

My wife and I enjoyed the excellent service and the very warm atmosphere of the restaurant, but unfortunately we were disappointed by the food. We ordered two discovery menus, which turned out to be a real disappointment. First of all, it was nowhere stated that the menu was entirely vegetarian, which seemed to be to the boss's advantage. Additionally, the mezzes were chosen by the chef, and he opted for some of the simplest and least expensive options on the menu, even though the menu was relatively expensive for what was offered. The height of absurdity was reached with two miserable cold, hard and tasteless falafels, as well as with the parsley from the tabbouleh which appeared to have been chopped by a dull blade, although well seasoned at least. Dessert was another disappointing surprise. We had to share it on the same plate, although the menu was designed for two people. I wonder if the change of Lebanese chef, who developed the menu, is recent. On the other hand, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Lebanese wines offered in the wine pairing. It was a pleasant discovery

We have been to this restaurant twice to eat the discovery menu. The first time was perfect! Too bad that a few months later they changed the tasting menu, it became cheaper but much less interesting. The service left a lot to be desired this time! We ordered 2 tasting menus (the quantity is not very copious), we had asked for a wine pairing with the menu, but the waiter did not understand. Then we waited about 30 minutes for the food and when it arrived, things were missing. Too bad, because the food is very good!

The setting is magnificent, the service is impeccable but the food lacks originality even if it is very good

Great lebanon food, need to have better recipes for the Falafel otherwise the all the food was amaaazing

Very nice restaurant in the city center, recommended by our friends. I love Libanese cuisine, but this was a great surprise - great fusion of traditional dishes and creative modern touch. We took their degustation menu which was a great value for money, allowing to try multiple different dishes.

Not at all like the labanies restaurants. Didnt like the food at all.

I liked the food and its location in the middle of the market inside a hotel, but the prices are expensive for the quantity

Lovely restaurant with excellent food. If you have never eaten Libanees food, try the surprise menu and get a variety of dishes.

Excellent upscale Lebanese restaurant on the first floor of a hotel overseeing a square. Very tasty dishes. We tried the menu and were not disappointed at all. If you book in advance try to ask for a table on the balcony. The view is beautiful.

Yea if you are into great ambience, and are looking for some place to eat on this side of the water, sure spend time here. If you can avoid eating and being disappointed even better, this city has some of the best in this category, yet this place is just not in the conversation. Head over to the other side of the water for a good authentic meal, pre game here if needed. BALILA, keep the bread warm and fresh -start with getting the simplest task right. We’ll talk about main courses on the next episode.

They have great starters, otherwise their main courses aren’t really that good. The service was okay. Although there were a lot of terrace tables for more than 2 hours while we’re dining but the staff refused to have our dinner or even a cup of coffee over there.. You need a reservation few days ahead !

The best restaurant in Switzerland. Amazing Taboula, rice and grills.

Bravo, beautiful place, fast and precise service. Choose the balcony if you have a choice.

It's not what I expected as what it should be Over rated and food isn't Lebanese

The best Lebanese restaurant in Geneva. Located in the city center, the place is quiet, spacious, elegant and modern, the terrace overlooks the square fountain and the lake. The atmosphere is warm and romantic. Ideal for a moment with friends, family or as a couple. The service is professional. And the menu is very rich in choice, everyone can find what they are looking for. All the dishes are tasty and the presentations are refined. Big favorite ❤️

Excellent Lebanese restaurant on the first floor of the Longemalle hotel in the square of the same name. Internal rooms and a splendid terrace for the milder seasons. Good service. Traditional Lebanese menu with some recipes with a contemporary touch. Good wine list. Medium-high prices.

First of all, a big thank you to Jonathan for excellent service, smiling, friendly and with very good advice. I can't say the same about his very expeditious colleagues. The meal was delicious. Small blemish on the breads that accompanied our meal. Very dry and not pleasant at all. Makes you wonder what they were used for. The rice was undercooked but that was a detail compared to the excellence of Jonathan's service. I wish him success because he far surpasses his colleagues.

Food quality and cooking left lot to be desired.

The restaurant is magnificent, never felt more full. The staff is good at their job and the food is exceptionaly good, I recommend mostly the baby chicken, hummus, falafel, and the potatoes. It’s located in a nice place and the hotel itself is very nice, really recommend eating here.

Delicious food, great and very gentle staff, amazing view from the terrace, fast service, totally recommend!

Restaurant Balila Libanais in Genève is an absolute delight. The Lebanese food is tantalizingly authentic and rich in flavor. Despite walking in without a reservation, we were fortunate to secure a table - I recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. The service is top-notch, with staff going the extra mile to ensure comfort, including providing a high chair for our baby. The ambiance on the first floor is inviting, although, for parents with larger strollers, be aware the lift is on the smaller side. Overall, Restaurant Balila Libanais delivers a fantastic dining experience that is well worth a visit.

Very pleasant place, a pretty little terrace high up, the restaurant is warm and comfortable, we enjoyed the fine dishes full of flavors, very well served and nicely presented. The servers are attentive, smiling and very friendly, also a strong point of the restaurant. I recommend without hesitation and we will return with great pleasure.

Its a bit different, fancy, beautiful place, €€€€

Nice terrasse, quiet and confidential. Good food and portion size. service also great

A friend recommended it to us, the decor was really pretty. The food was excellent, it had flavor it tasted fresh and the meat was amazing tender. Very fair quality ratio.

Not Halal food as per Staff said 🙄

High end Lebanese food. The restaurant is located in a 5 stars hotel in place longemale. The food, the location and the people are fantastic. The small terrasse is the best place for a lunch when the weather is warm. Prices are high but well deserved .

Lamentable welcome, very disappointing room service... Too bad because the food is delicious!

A very refined and warm decoration with its colors and velvets. As for the cuisine....exceptional!!! A real journey.

Libanese at it's best! Great place, fine dishes...

Fantastic meal. The mixed platter, with potatoes was excellent. Each bit was so good. Each of the individual pieces were all so well cooked and seasoned. Of course the meat was the star of the show, but I also really enjoyed the potatoes. They were crispy with great flavor. The house desert was also a beautiful mix of soft and crunch, sweet and tart. Very refreshing after the heavy mean. Will definitely come back in the future.

Elegant, tasty, expensive. Well worth a Visit

Modern design restaurant with small terrace located in the Longemalle hotel in the center of Geneva. Tasty and well presented Lebanese cuisine. Economical and gourmet tasting formula. Impeccable service. I love this restaurant!

If you could gice 10 stars definetely would give to this place. One of my favorite restaurants in Geneva. Excellent food, ambiance extraordinary, service… all from A to Z EXCELLENT! Having dinner at this place was great experience. I have been here several times and for sure coming back. Highly recommended

Pleasant taste moment! We enjoyed the different dishes and will definitely return. The service (Kamel) was incredibly kind and efficient. Thank you!

Delicious food and great atmosphere, the location is perfect. I Recommend to anyone to have the Tabbola , muhammara , hummus and the mashawi mushakal !

One of the best halal restaurants in Geneva. So fancy and delicious! Prices are high but it checks the vibes!

I have to change my review. The stuff changed and it’s very bad service. Sorry for that kind of nice restaurant. Best Lebanese food in Geneva. The taste of the food is excellent. With the right atmosphere and professional friendly stuff. Unfortunately I can’t eat helal here but they have different kind of vegetarian options. That’s great!

A true delight !! The variety of the menu is exceptional and everything is very, very good!! Well done boss!

The decor is very beautiful however regarding the food I was disappointed by the quality Tabbouleh was very good but the falafels and other dishes that were supposed to be served hot arrived cold at the table!!! In addition, the waiter left without giving us our coffees… I had to run after the other waiter to get our coffees!!!! Honestly it's not serious and given the Price paid upon release. I would even say that it is indecent.

Went especially to have their Mouloukhiye. It was really very good. But given the meager ingredients of which most was rice, I found that 41fr was far too exorbitant. Could have had an excellent filet elsewhere for that or less!

Delicious food 😋 the signature tabbouleh is a marvel. Very pleasant welcome. Very nice discovery. THANKS

If the option of zero stars was available I would definitely be choosing that option ! The most unprofessional rude and unpleasant so called “manager” should be immediately fired and never allowed to work in the service industry in her life ! What a despicable human being if I could even call her that. I personally and everyone I know will never be going to this restaurant ever again , which is a pity as the restaurant it self is not a representation of her outrageous lack of manners and behavior towards clients that frequent this restaurant. Such a shame.

Delicious mezzés, varied menu. We opted for an a la carte assortment which was perfect. Very pleasant setting

Very good portions, rich flavours we were so full that we were struggling to eat the katayef! Definitely coming back

Very good restaurant, nice location in the center of Geneva and 100m from the lake and all Boutiques of Rue du Rhone. Place is cozy with large spaces. Good service, very good food. Can be seen as expensive, but on Geneva’s standard it’s quite normal!

This place is an example of it doesn’t matter how good the food is, or how beautiful the place is when the manager ruins your entire mood. I walk in at 18.45 and meet with the most rude way you can say “Oh youuuu don’t have a reservation”. The place is completely empty! He says people are coming at 20.00, I say I can finish by then. But still, I am placed not even in the restaurant! And I’m visiting Geneva only, so it was my “one shot” of sitting in the beautiful place. I ask to be seated in the restaurant in one of the sofas. There are many. He says no. Not a great start. But it get worse. Then he is on a bunch of phone calls. And doesn’t even consider that MAYBE to give me the menu to look at. You know, since they are sooo busy and I have to finish by 20.00. Once I have the menu, good luck on getting any help to choose what to get. Several waiters just disappear while I try to ask how things work. As the price of the starters, are like price for a main almost, and then there is also a tasting menu, it’s confusing if not used to it. I basically choose the tasting menu as I give up on getting help to choose what’s poplar etc. It takes me like 20 minutes to order, even with five people being there - standing and doing nothing as place is still empty. The whole thing was absurd. The food was great. But to sit by the bar, knowing the entire room next to me is empty, and still was for the entire time I was there! Sure some people where there when I left, but there 100% would have been space for me in the sofa. The waiters greet people at the door based on how they are dressed. I don’t expect great service. But to be here alone, and get treated so badly, I was generally sad the entire meal. It’s obvious that the waiter has no consideration that some people actually travel alone and are alone in Geneva. And it’s totally unnecessary to greet people so rudely. And put them in the dog house so to speak when there was plenty of room and time for me to sit in the actual restaurant. The only reason I am giving two stars and not one, is that one of the five waiters was nice. (Yes one out of five!), and the food. Would never go here again. If they where wise they would invite back, and actually put the person - in the restaurant. I identify with all the comments saying staff is rude and snarky.

What a great discovery, a very nice, warm place, the magnificent restaurant, impeccable service, a kind smile and no arrogance that feels good, well done to the chef and the employees… What superb quality cuisine!!

All the food is fine, but the food is supposed to be served in a better way, so that when he puts the salad on the table, he offers you the salad on your plate, and when he offers you Pepsi, he pours the Pepsi for you in the cup.

Very good dinner, refined cuisine, pleasant and attentive service. A big thank you to Nicolas for his welcome and friendliness.

Incredible food and venue. A MUST!!

Clearly one of Geneva’s best restaurants

One of the best, if not the best, Lebanese in Geneva. The grilled cauliflower as mezze and the Souris d’agneau are to die for.

Its so chic. Staff was so kind and nice. We had the tasting menu for 89 chf for 2 person and everything was so delicious

Great restaurant. High prices but excellent food

Very good Lebanese in Geneva! They have all the Lebanese classics and the most important is that everything is very delicious. The restaurant itself is very cosy and the staff is friendly. Really nice find in Geneva!

A pure delight that delighted our taste buds! We went from surprise to surprise over the mezze, each more succulent than the last. Explosions of flavors. Quantity +++ (we didn't manage to finish even though we are good eaters ;). Friendly welcome. We traveled and had a truly happy time!

I am a big fan of Lebanese gastronomy and I must say that I enjoyed the discovery menu! The service is up to par and the setting is very pleasant. I recommend without hesitation and for my part I will return!

Lovely atmosphere for afternoon coffee or meet up with friends.

Always perfect, 2 bright rooms, entrances are particularly recommended

Went another time, food is always excellent 10/10, big portions, service is bit better today, but I would have preferred the waiters to be smiling, not super friendly, nevertheless I gave them 5 stars

Perhaps the best Lebanese restaurant in Geneva. I have been there several times for dinner and have never been disappointed. Excellent cuisine, impeccable service, a pleasant terrace, it’s perfect for spending a lovely evening

Excellent Lebanese restaurant located on the first floor of the Longemalle hotel. There are two rooms separated from a bar counter apparently intended for breakfasts. Asked where you will be placed when you make your reservation. We were at a table with a nice L-shaped sofa but next to the kitchen door. We had to close it ourselves several times. The dishes are excellent. We took the discovery menu which was more than sufficient. Small downside for dessert. While the set of cold and hot mezze is overflowing, two people have to share a baklava, a small fruit cream and a biscuit. So, we added Lebanese pancakes. We will come back to eat à la carte because it seems more interesting to us than the discovery offer which is more for those who do not know the extent of Lebanese cuisine. Pay attention to the invoice, over-invoicing errors, once you arrive with us…

The food was satisfying, however the service was quite appalling, the server was snarky and was definitely not welcoming. The restaurant was relatively empty yet the waiters were very “unavailable” and were not to be seen around. Absolutely, ruined our experience.

Very warm welcome, competent staff. Thanks in particular to Rachid for his professionalism, his kindness and his smile. I recommend !!

We ate there with my husband on a Sunday evening. The welcome and service was perfect, the dishes were good and refined, we loved it

2.5 Good for "tourists" too expensive for what it is. "It gets the job done" but nothing special.... venue is cool. PD. $$$ so lots of old ppl!

The staff is lovely and the decor is pretty, however if I was only reviewing the food, It is only 2 stars. Maybe if someone never had Lebanese food before they would find it ok, but the common between all the dishes we tried was dryness, and if it weren’t for Switzerland’s premium ingredients, some dishes would have been tasteless: - Fattoush: lacked dressing and olive oil, and had way too much summak. - Balila: a new take on a traditional dish, but was not appealing to me (without lemon) but I guess some might like it, - Burghol: A bulky version of armenian Itch but drier, - Kebbeh: as a kebbe sagyeh fan this was disappointing - Falafel: crispy and fresh, also it was very close to the authentic taste, - Batata harra: other that it’s crispiness, it was havealy seasoned and a bit bitter, - Kafta: the bread was good and the meat could have used more authentic spices and less summac, - Shawarma: I generally love the meat quality in Geneva and I think that should take credit for the dish. All in all, I don’t think it is worth coming back, which is too bad as I am still looking for my go to Lebanese restaurant here.

The service is great, the food isn’t the best we had in Genève. However, the price is really high compared to the quality we had.

2 stars for the design, location and the service, however the food quality doesn't match the price.

Very good food, refined Lebanese

Great welcome, very good advice on dishes. The tasting menu is very very generous. A discovery of Lebanese haute cuisine cuisine

Best libanese in town ! A bit expensive but overall great experience

The food was less than average. The prices are high (the highest bill I paid for a restaurant since I arrived to Geneva). The lady at the reception was rude! She told us we couldn’t enter without a reservation although we saw others enter without! They brought the main dishes before the appetizers!!!!! And even the main dish was served separately! Wouldn’t recommend it.

Food was very delicious but it’s a bit expensive

The food was delicious although the portion was small. A little bit expensive, but worth it.

Pleasant terrace, charming, attentive staff and good advice, the cuisine a dream, I recommend the discovery menu. A real treat !

Amazing location, very central and convenient, great terrace view. Service is good, decoration ok, could have a Lebanese vibe… but when it comes to the food, it’s delicious! Yet, creative! The houmous with meat is my favorite, fattoush second and moutabal in third rank… while the balila (name of restaurant) and specialty dish, is not close to where it should be… it’s unfortunate to focus on so many non popular dishes and forgetting about key ones, such as fatayer, kibbeh, sambousek, chicken liver, makanek… will definitely go again and would highly recommend it… sahtein 🇱🇧🇨🇭

The food was very dry, and there are much better Lebanees Restaurants in town.

Beautiful terrace above Place Longemalle - cozy and welcoming, perfect for a quiet dinner. Tasting menu ideal for discovering Lebanese cuisine

Very bad service they are very slow

Excellent Lebanese, magnificent setting (the terrace is superb) and efficient team.