Restaurant Review: Balcón Rooftop

A heat wave in New York City means only one thing – rooftop season!

Getting elevated means catching some of the breeze that feels nonexistent anywhere below the 10th floor, let alone trapped between skyscrapers on the grid system. It can be so hard to see your friends between everyone’s slightly overlapping travels, so Balcón Rooftop is the perfect spot to catch up on adventures and escapades amidst this scorching heat. 

On May 4th, Balcón Rooftop opened this year perched atop the Marmara Park Avenue hotel in midtown east. Towering 20 floors above the street, it definitely allows you to escape the heat (dare I say I felt chilly by 10pm? shocking). But that’s just the beginning – sprawling views of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, which all my fellow west siders will agree is so hard to get a proper glimpse of, paint an absolutely stunning backdrop.

The rooftop also offers comfy indoor seating, a variety of seating configurations for all group sizes, but maintains a size that feels intimate and steers away from the “rooftop party” vibes that might not be ideal for all situations (in my case, most). 

.   We haven’t even gotten to the best part yet – food and drinks! Executive Chef Ömür Özkan offers a “globally inspired menu” backed up by his culinary training at Le Cordon Bleu. The menu is full of small shared plates, which is honestly everyone’s favorite way to eat, and some of the Chef-selected highlights include the Hot Dogs with pico de gallo, Turkey Club, and Cheese and Charcuterie platter. We were eating vegetarian the night we stopped by, so opted for the Cheese platter, Burrata, Bruschetta, and Guacamole, which were all delicious and filling enough for dinner for 2. 

 . The drinks available also blew us out of the water! It’s always a little exciting when you don’t recognize half the ingredients listed under the drinks on the menu – reminiscent of a trendy underground cocktail bar. You don’t know what exactly you’re going to get, but familiar favorite ingredients like Aperol and St. Germain mean you know you’re getting something you’ll love. Our favorites are the Yasasin Spritz and the Summer in the City.

The Yasasin Spritz, made with aperol and a Turkish sparkling wine, is a fun twist on the beloved Aperol Spritz which is most definitely NOT out this summer as some have claimed. The Summer in the City combines sweet strawberry and elderflower with savory basil, for a treat that celebrates seasonal and local ingredients. 

Our experience at Balcón Rooftop was nothing short of delightful, and we highly recommend it for any occasion. Whether a one-on-one catch up with a friend like we did, a SATC-style group yap session, or a summer birthday party, Balcón Rooftop has you covered. It’s open from 4 pm to midnight, weather permitting, and will keep the fun going until early fall!

Learn more and plan your visit here!