This gem of a restaurant on Sestri’s seafront focuses on fresh produce prepared as simply as possible in order to bring out the flavours of the ingredi...

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EvaGustava

50 reviews

Reviewed 5 days ago via mobile

Had higher expectations. A bit boring.

Enjoyed a dinner in this place. Quite a big restaurant with possibility to dine on the beach also. The athmosphere was a bit clinical. Had higher expectations due to Michelin. The menu had no surprises. It was kind of to secure any international taste of...similar types of restaurants, no matter in what country. Allergies could not be taken into account so one of us had to leave 80% of the menu out. Wine list was wide but not by the glas. That was a dissapointment really. Also no non-alcoholic beer available. This visit was forgotten soon.More

Date of visit: June 2022

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TayaScout

13 reviews

Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

Fantastic food

My sister and I dined at Balin during our stay in Sestri Levante at the end of May. We sat outside and had a truly memorable dinner. We both had the oysters, and then neither of us could resist the cockerel, part of which consisted...of delicious sweet and sour fried legs. The waiter gave us excellent, local recommendations for Prosecco and wine, and they were outstanding choices. The desserts were excellent too (the waiter kindly lit a birthday candle on my sister's dessert). A treasure!More

Date of visit: June 2022

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ChurchOfNoise

49 reviews

Reviewed 19 August 2021

Excellent food with a great view (if on the terrace) and great service

Had a very nice diner at Balin during our stay in the area and very much enjoyed it. Service is very helpful, polite and polished, food is refined and the view (we had a table 'at' the beach was fabulous. Minor downside to the table...location was the noise from around (main street and mini-rollercoaster for small children next to it), but this was not to the extent that it really detracted from the experience. It is not a cheap place but we found it worth it.More

Date of visit: August 2021

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geertb423

215 reviews

Reviewed 8 September 2019 via mobile

One of the best in Sestri

Balin was started by Giuliano Piscina in 2010 and we have been guests there from 2011. Federico is now running the restaurant and he is this doing this very well. We had gazpacho with shrimp and tuna sashimi as starters, followed by seabass alla liguria,...that is with popatoes and olives. The gazpacho was fine but he shrimp really was not a good match. The seabass was very well prepared but the potatoes were overcooked. In general, the dishes lacked the refinnement that characterized that prior years and with 160 euro for two one would expect a little bit more innovation.More

Date of visit: August 2019

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anias244

1 review

Reviewed 22 July 2019 via mobile

Restaurant

Another visit in this fabulous restaurant and another fabulous meal, amazing food, kind And friendly staff. I’m recommending 100%

Date of visit: July 2019

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johnman12345

19 reviews

Reviewed 18 July 2019 via mobile

Don’t read the reviews!!!

We read the reviews,that was our mistake,don’t read the reviews if you are thinking of booking this place go down and take a look at the establishment and then look at the menu it’s very expensive and not very luxurious,we had 4 scallops and my...partner a piece of cod 50 euros we were not charged for the beer because it was out of date. Not much else to say reviews grossly exaggerated.More

Date of visit: July 2019

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P6237QPthomasf

534 reviews

Reviewed 26 June 2019 via mobile

Very good with reservations

Minus: Location in noisy and busy main Street, half of the restaurant is a kind of winter garden (hot, close to street), and second half in building with show kitchen. Small and not cosy. Recommended for rainy evenings. Expensive. Plus: these people know what they...do, and they do it right. From sourcing (only big wild fish) to preparation. The most professional restaurant in Sestri. Worth the try, despite the lack of atmosphere.More

Date of visit: June 2019

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nitricoxide

139 reviews

Reviewed 28 May 2019 via mobile

Its good

But so are so many of the restaurants. The tuna starter was incredible. Its very good but more expensive than many of its competitors.

Date of visit: May 2019

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alan m

199 reviews

Reviewed 26 May 2019

Really first class

This is a small restaurant which specialises in personal service and excellent food. The waiter was attentive, friendly and helpful and the food was absolutely first class, we do not normally have three courses but here we did and each one was superb.

Date of visit: May 2019

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Rob V V

9 reviews

Reviewed 13 April 2019

Excellent

Cozy restaurant, run by a very knowledgeable owner-The ragu is to die for! & there is a superb wine list-Sestri is a lovely town.

Date of visit: May 2018

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Questions & Answers

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B1946XTannh

What is the average cost of a meal and drink here ?

30 October 2017|

Answer

if i remember right was more less 40\50 euro per person but depends a lot on wich type of wine you take and if you take 1st 2nd courses and dessert. But i highly recomended the restaurant its worth each euro

cmcalpi

Is there a menu?

23 February 2016|

Answer

Buongiorno, as the menu is daily, meaning, we do not stock-up..!! So the menu is created in the daytime for the evening which is exposed around 17'00h .. Thank you for your interest. G

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