Balabite makes welcome comeback at new location

With its homemade dishes bursting with a “mosaic of flavours”, Balabite’s casual street food struck a chord with foodies when it opened in 2019.

Hamstrung by pandemic restrictions, which ran counter to the business’ social aspect of gathering to share and experience food, the business’ co-owners Avi Cohen and Dana Kvatinsky made the difficult decision to close the business in the October 2021.

After focusing on their other businesses and waiting for the right time to revive Balabite, Ms Kvatinsky said they secured a larger space in the North Ward Shopping Village Centre, just a “few steps from the original location”.

Repeatedly stopped on the street and asked by loyal customers whether the restaurant would reopen, she was excited to finally reopen their doors at 4pm on Friday.

The culmination of months of hard work transforming the space next to the shopping centre’s entrance, the revitalised business features a larger indoor and outdoor dining area, along with a pita, hot meal, baking, and deli sections.

“We believe Balabite success was due to a few reasons – the two main reasons; serving real authentic food and there was a strong social aspect to the Balabite concept where everyone was welcomed, gathered to share and experience (our) street food,” Ms Kvatinsky said.

“The pitas and most of the meals are made to order so the waiting time turned out to be an amazing social time.”

Open from brunch through to dinner, she said diners would be able to grab traditional favourites like hummus bowls, freshly made pitas or try their special of the day from the hot meal station.

“If you’re hungry at two or three o’clock, there is now a place to go in town,” she said.

“There’s not many places offering a proper meal like we do all day for you. This food is made with no preservatives or food colours, it’s real food that you can enjoy.

“I can’t wait to reopen, I really missed the food. As a person who is working and busy, it’s hard to find the time to put the attention in my kitchen … so it’s nice to come in and enjoy a decent meal at Balabite.”

An upgraded deli section will allow people on the run to “grab and go”, with frozen meals available for those wanting to stock up at home.

For more information, visit: www.balabite.com

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leighton.smith@news.com.au