Balcon by Tapavino Spanish Tapas Restaurant Sydney

By Lisa Nguyen   |   Published 24 June 2024

Does this spot match the hype?

Location

Sydney CBD

View map

Price Range

$$-$$$

Grilled WA Octopus with Kipfler Potatoes and Ajada Oil, served on a plate

TL; DR | Summary

Balcon by Tapavino is a Spanish restaurant that offers a mix of tapas, charcuterie, and main courses. Their relaxed restaurant is ideal for business catch-ups and casual outings. Expect good vegetarian options, a wide selection of wines, and dishes ranging from fresh salads to perfectly grilled seafood. It is one of my top Spanish restaurants in Sydney.

Balcon by Tapavino Review

Situated in the heart of the city, Balcon is a hit amongst locals and workers for business lunches and casual meet-ups. Be prepared for some noise during peak hours, but that's part of its lively charm. P.S. Don't forget to make a booking as this place gets packed!

Glass doors entryway at Balcon by Tapavino in Sydney
Look out for the glass doors and the Balcon sign to enter the restaurant
Inside the Spanish tapas restaurant with small tables, wooden floors, a wall of wine, and window seating
Eat in style with the modern setting and wine wall

Balcon by Tapavino's menu is consistently filled with intriguing items, including a variety of delicious-sounding vegetarian options.

A complete meal awaits every diner, from tapas and charcuterie to entrées, mains, sides, and desserts. There's even a banquet menu for those who prefer a shared dining experience.

However, be prepared to spend as the mains range from $30 to $52.

Modern Spanish restaurant with bar area and mosaic tiles on the floor
Whether you're looking for a meal or happy hour at the bar, Balcon is the place to be

The restaurant feels modern but still has accents of Spanish flair with the wooden flooring, sleek seating arrangements, and walls lined with countless bottles of wine.

The inside of the restaurant also has a large bar with plenty of stools so you can relax with a drink from their selection of wines and spirits. Anyone want to join me for Happy Hour?

Bar area inside Spanish restaurant with plenty of stools, ready for Happy Hour
There are plenty of stools at the bar to enjoy Happy Hour or a drink before your meal
Shelves stocked with wine and spirits behind the bar at a Spanish tapas restaurant
The bar offers a variety of wines and spirits for guests to enjoy
Diners enjoying dinner with wine bottles displayed in the background
The restaurant's dining area features an impressive display of wine bottles

For those who prefer the outdoors, there are also options for al fresco dining and bench-style seating. And if you're a wine connoisseur, ordering a big glass here is a must!

Outdoor dining area with bench-style seating and tables. Heaters are provided during colder seasons
For those who prefer the outdoors, there is al fresco dining with bench-style seating
Outdoor seating area with groups of people dining during peak hours
It's best to make a booking because it gets busy during peak hours

The Best Spanish Tapas In Sydney?

The food at Balcon by Tapavino is as delightful as the setting, and the service is attentive and friendly, so I have no complaints in that department. Enjoy the photos below of some of my favourite dishes:

Grilled WA Octopus Kipfler Potatoes Ajada Oil

The octopus was perfectly cooked! Each slice was tender, and the ajada oil mix brought a prominent umami note to every mouthful. In addition, the Kipfler potatoes added a mellow balance, rounding out the dish perfectly.

Grilled WA Octopus with Kipfler Potatoes and Ajada Oil, served on a plate
Perfectly cooked octopus that's balanced with potatos and adjada oil
A plate of grilled octopus with Kipfler potatoes and ajada oil, served as an entree
A delicious entree of grilled octopus and potatoes that I highly recommend

Cos Salad with Red Peppercorn Vinaigrette and Guindilla

This is no ordinary cos lettuce salad. It's packed with tanginess and creaminess, then topped with a refreshing, spicy kick that makes it stand out as a salad to remember.

If you've never heard of vinaigrette, read my blog post to learn all about it: What Is Vinaigrette? Simple Recipe and Tips.

Cos lettuce salad with red peppercorn vinaigrette and guindilla, served in a white dish
A refreshing cos salad that has a tangy kick
Tangy cos lettuce salad with creamy sauce
I don't usually recommend ordering salad, but this cos salad is a surprising hit

Grilled King Prawn Chorizo Salmorejo Pintxo

This tapas mix served on a long piece of bread is a must-try. Even if you're not a big fan of chorizo, this dish will impress you with its next-level flavour profile. It's chorizo 2.0 for me, with the added touch of prawns.

Note: I may have got caught off guard on how good the food was, that I only took an Instagram video of this and the next dish.

Grilled King Prawn with Chorizo and Salmorejo Pintxo served on two long piece of toasted bread
Even if you're not a fan of prawns or chorizo, I highly recommend ordering this dish

Iberico Cebo Jamon Leg vs Paleta Shoulder (100 grams)

A rare menu item of high-grade quality cured pork served with sourdough bread. While it's a bit of a splurge pricing-wise, the quality of the meat is undeniable and worth the treat if you're feeling fancy.

Slices of Iberico Cebo Jamon leg with sourdough bread on a plate
High-grade Iberico Cebo Jamon, similar to wagyu beef
Shaved slices of Iberico ham served with slices of sourdough bread
Treat yourself well to 100 grams of shaved Iberico ham served with sourdough bread
Slices of Iberico Cebo Paleta Shoulder with sourdough bread on a plate
Premium quality cured pork shoulder that's splurge-worthy

RECOMMENDED

  • Have a glass of wine if that is to your taste
  • Grilled WA Octopus Kipfler Potatoes Ajada Oil
  • Cos Salad with Red Peppercorn Vinaigrette and Guindilla
  • Grilled King Prawn Chorizo Salmorejo Pintxo
  • Iberico Cebo Jamon Leg vs Paleta Shoulder (if you're feeling fancy)
  • Literally, everything I had so far was impressive!

Final Words

Balcon by Tapavino is a fantastic spot for those who enjoy Spanish tapas. The menu offers various delicious dishes, each thoughtfully prepared and presented. It doesn't matter if you're there for business-related catch-ups or casual lunches; you're in for a treat.

And make sure to take advantage of their extensive wine selection! With hundreds of bottles lined up, there's something to delight every wine lover.

Where to find Balcon by Tapavino Sydney

Address

Hours

  • Monday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Website

http://www.balconrestaurant.com.au/

Phone

+61 2 9223 6176

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/balcontapavino/
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Lisa Nguyen

Lisa Nguyen

Lisa Nguyen, the brains behind bestspots.com.au, is a distinguished food blogger endorsed by AGFG. Lisa has become the go-to food blogger for discovering the top-rated restaurants in Sydney. Her blog is all about keeping it real with her reviews. She doesn’t get swayed by fancy ads of what’s popular; she just tells it like it is. Because of this, she’s checked out over 300 restaurants and isn’t stopping there. She wants Best Spots to be the #1 place for finding amazing food in Australia and maybe even beyond someday.

But Lisa’s not just about fancy dinners. She’s on a mission to uncover all the fun and hidden spots around Sydney too. So, if you’re looking for the best places to eat and have a good time in Sydney, bestspots.com.au is the place to start.

2 Comments

  1. Andrew Nguyen (@awks.eats) on 26/06/2024 at

    Adding onto my list for Spanish eats!

    Reply
    • Lisa Nguyen on 10/09/2024 at

      Worth it! You should definitely visit.

      Reply

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