Balcon Comedor y Bar

BALCON Comedor y bar offers an excellent dining experience. The food was superb, with flavors that truly impressed. The margarita was amazing in taste, though a bit small for the price. The location is right next to a busy street and train tracks, so it can get quite noisy at times, which might not be ideal for a quiet dinner. The restaurant wasn't very crowded during my visit, raising some concerns about its long-term viability. Nonetheless, it's worth a visit for the delightful food and drinks. Here's hoping more people discover this hidden gem!

Great experience at Balcon! Taco de nopales was hands down my favorite. Drinks were great but the carajillo literally can say it's the best I've had. And dont forget to try the churro donut. Def coming back, only negative comment I have was the guacamole le falto sal lol

We were really excited to try this place and came in on a Friday night (1/16) as a group of 4. It was a little chill since the doors were all open, but it was a nice setting and it wasn’t too busy but lively enough for a Friday night. Food and drinks were delicious and a good value, but man we were so bummed about the service. It was a series of forgotten things/delays, but the worst part was one of our entrees didn’t come out until the rest of us were almost done with our food and the server hadn’t checked on us so we had to let her know we were missing an entree since she hadn’t noticed. So one personally basically ate alone. We were hoping there would be some type of courtesy offer to make things right, but that never came so we didn’t end up staying for more drinks. The other concerning detail is there was no soap in the men’s restroom, so we’re wondering how male employees were washing their hands… I might go back based on the food cuz the ladies in the kitchen def did a good job and to hopefully update my review.

Extremely well-designed space, menu and cocktails. Our excellent server, Andres, was delightful, responsive and kind. Food was delicious and fresh, the cremas and sauces are spot on especially the aioli on the fish taco and the queso blanco on the corn 👌🏼 And get this, $5 HH cocktails. Pretty sure we found our new spot 👀

LONG REVIEW: As a San Diegan, I could quickly tell the California/Baja vibe the restaurant encompasses. Balcón offers authentic Californian and Baja style food. Great change to the TexMex often seen in the area. We will be back! Overall pros and cons: -Pros: Food was tasty, fresh, & authentic to the Mexican food in Southern CA. Drinks were overall good. Service was excellent! Vibes and ambience were great! -Cons: Pricing was comparable to big cities, high for the area (took off a star for that). They ran out of churro donuts. Our table tasted the following food options: 1. Salsa sampler: 3 salsas offered. Pico, red, & green. All good and fresh (green was our favorite) 2. Carne asada fries: tasty and similar to SD carne asada fries 3. Flautas: 4 came in the order and were very good. Guac with the flautas was delicious and fresh 4. California burrito: sooo good! The tortilla was delicious. Authentic to SD California burritos 5. Carne asada quesadilla: handmade corn tortilla. Very good but on the smaller side 6. Ensenada fish tacos: very flavorful with handmade tortillas. Definitely tasted like Baja style fish tacos We had the following drinks: 1. Ma’Coco Classico: very strong margarita! 2. Spicy watermelon mint: very fresh with a little kick 3. Oaxacan passion: very good 4. Two to mango: pretty sweet 5. El dude: delish! Continued order at our table 6. Berry nice: “not berry good” according to the person who ordered it. It was extremely sweet 7. Cool as a cucumber: good and refreshing 8. Paloma: fan favorite among our table 9. Hibiscus ranch water: refreshing 10. Carajillo: delicious to end the night. Would’ve paired great with the churro donuts if they hadn’t ran out As a Californian who visits San Marcos, balcón is a refreshing taste of home and I look forward to coming back!

Balcon is a great little Mexican restaurant on the second floor of a building, so it’s unsuspecting. The space inside is clean, simple and intimate, and there’s a nice outdoor area as well. The place has a good look and feel and while we ate there for brunch, I’ve heard the place is lit up with candles in the evening for a really nice romantic ambience. The food is really good and we had the migas, chilaquiles, breakfast burrito, and huevos rancheros, and everything was delicious. We ordered a couple of drinks and the aqua fresca were tasty. The cucumber being our favorite. As for the Oaxacan passion margarita with orange juice, I feel this had too much orange juice and not enough mezcal. It should be a simple fix to make this a better Margarita, but they’d have to adjust the ingredients. Overall at thumbs up for this place.

This place is so cute! They have a $5 happy hour Tuesday-Friday and I absolutely love how relaxed and open the atmosphere is! The food was so so yummy! I got the Flautas and the Ensenada fish taco! The margs were so yum! The quality of the food is worth it! Our server was Elda! She did amazing!

wow this food was AMAZING. mother’s day brunch was fire 🔥the breakfast burrito was just perfect and the migos were great too. the hibiscus mimosas were lovely lol just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, the mother’s day complimentary homemade churro donut came out….YUM YUM YUM melts in your mouth. will definitely be back

Mrs. R and I wanted to go for a nice lunch and cocktails this New Year's and she decided on Balcon. She was (as usual) fully correct in her decision. We started with margaritas, of which the bar has an excellent selection. I opted for the Two to Mango, which was Lalo, mango agua fresco, and lime, with a chili rimming. It was delicious, and larger in size than the "two-sip" that one occasionally gets when ordering cocktails. To start, we had the ceviche, which was amazingly light, tasty, and refreshing, and came with freshly made tortilla chips. I don't know if they make their chips in-house or have a local vendor, but either way, it's hard to beat fresh tortillas with your appetizer. I then ordered the chicken enmolada, which was chicken in corn tortillas in mole sauce, with beans and Spanish rice on the side. The chicken was of course delicious, but the rice was absolutely superb. I'd gotten used to generic Tex-Mex rice when going out to eat, so to taste really good Spanish rice that was clearly a labor of love was mind-blowing. Seriously, cocktails, appetizers, and entrées were all delicious, and the service was first rate. The atmosphere was also fantastic. We ate on the balcony, which provides a wonderful view and is absolutely lovely in nice weather. If you want an atmospheric rooftop bar, you can't do better than Balcon.

Last night I considered doing the sensible holiday thing and reserving a table here, but decided to wing it instead as Mr R had a project he needed to finish and there was no guarantee on when he would complete it. He finished faster than expected--maybe because he was really excited at the prospect of trying this place--so we headed over a little before 1pm. Felt like we were the first in for the day; I hope it's packed tonight because it seems a good atmosphere for New Year's. The entrance is an external cement staircase; Mr R noticed a sign that an elevator is available but I'm not sure how one would access it. Plenty of seating to choose from outside and the seats are individual, not bench. The next couple to arrive brought their dog, so the balcony is pet friendly. It was a beautiful afternoon, keep this place in mind when the weather is good. Started with a nice ceviche. Really liked their chips, they were proper weight for active scooping and very crisp against the fish and avocado. Mr R hadn't had ceviche before and I'm glad his introduction was a good one. The cocktails were frankly beautiful on top of being good pours. I wish we could have stayed and tried them all! I *had* to try the nopal taco (I'm so excited when I see them even in a basic taco truck), and we each ordered a plate. I had enchiladas verde and he tried enmoladas. Mr R started a speech about how good the rice was (he's making do with Georgia texmex most of the year, it's hard on him lol) and he sure didn't complain about the beans. Just as with the cocktails, everything was beautifully plated, a good portion, and priced fairly. The chicken wasn't seasoned, but the sauces and sides had enough flavor to compensate. The waiter was friendly and efficient--I'm sorry I was preoccupied with not letting the receipt blow away (we'd already retrieved a menu twice) and forgot to take a snap of it for info including his name so I could give him credit. The tab was $69 before tax just going by the menu, I wanna say $78 before tip but my memory might be a couple bucks high. We each have a single enchilada to enjoy at home (the to go boxes aren't plastic which also makes me happy) and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Great atmosphere and excellent service. We had the El Dude Margarita and it was so tasty. Also the tacos are amazing. I felt stuffed after the shrimp taco and had to take the other one home. Very delicious and will be back again soon for sure.

Owned by the same people as MaCoco in Buda, this adorable rooftop restaurant is perfect for happy hour or a date night! I ordered the guacamole, elote asado, and a Macoco Classico to drink--everything was absolutely delicious!

The service was excellent. Every dish we ordered was so delicious. We started with the ceviche and tuna tostadas. Fresh fish and the perfect amount of lime. Like the ceviche you find in Mexico. I ordered the breakfast fries. Perfect combo of flavors. It's on the second story of the white building. It's worth checking this place out.

Best service ever. This is a great Mexican spot with Baja vibes. Food is extraordinary.

Came in for happy hour and ended up staying for dinner. Perfectly mixed margaritas, with a great variety of flavors and tequila. The wait staff was very attentive and came by multiple times to ensure we could place any final orders during happy hour. The beer battered fish taco was my favorite but the surf and turf quesadilla was so delicious too. The ambiance is open but also felt private at the same time. They have a good use of space. Will definitely return when I'm in the area.

Great food, music and staff. Our server Sky was great and made sure we had a good visit. This is one of our favorites in San Marcos. A must visit for good drinks, good vibes and amazing food.

Cute spot on the second floor. The servers were so nice! Menu was broken down and simple so I could make sure I was eating gluten free and dairy free. We got brunch mimosas on a Saturday and they were like $5 and super cute! Would defiantly come back! Wasn't super busy so we got friendly and fast service.

Balcón offered a beautiful atmosphere with stunning decor and a lively yet inviting vibe. The food was nothing short of amazing--both the elote and tacos stood out with their authentic, bold flavors and perfect seasoning. Every bite felt like a celebration of Mexican cuisine. To top it off, the margaritas were exceptional--refreshing, perfectly balanced, and an ideal complement to the meal. The combination of delicious dishes, great drinks, and the gorgeous setting made the experience truly memorable and worth returning for.

My family can't get enough of Balcón! The food's incredible, they nailed their recipes, the drinks are stunning and perfectly balanced, the service is friendly and fast. The interior space feels like you're in Tulum. Our favorites are the ceviche and fish tacos. If you live in the area or are visiting you need to try it!!!

Such a cute, intimate space! And it's super new, and I would consider this an elevated place for amazing food. You honestly wouldn't know it was located in an office-like building. They have plenty of parking and although the restaurant place is small, the ceilings are high and table placement makes it look bigger than what it actually is. Great place to host a dinner party or a dinner date. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. Everything we ordered was delicious! Loved the elote appetizer and their guac. Drinks are made fresh and the staff is pretty helpful. I'd give this place a little more time to get the typical restaurant procedures in order (i.e. server placed a water jug on the table, but no water cups, waited a while for utensils) but other than that it has potential and could be one of San Marco's best dinner places.

Vanessa was wonderful and we loved the $5 happy hour from 4:30-6 for a quick date night

Food is good , but pricey and small portions. Ambiance is hip and staff was friendly. May go back. Not soon though

Great service. Quiet and small. Fantastic fish tacos. Great for 1-6 people. Go to in San Marcos!

Our server was very sweet and attentive and the ambiance was perfection. The quality for the price of the food was kinda mid. We spent about $80 (with tip) on three apps (salsa, ceviche, and tuna tostada) and one meal (chicken enchiladas) and two drinks. Would probably go back for drinks.

This place is delightful. The service (our waiter Lucas and the bartender) provided impeccable service with a smile and a great personal touch to our group of four. The food was delicious (what a great burrito!!) and the salsas were unique and flavorful. The layout (inside and outside) was inviting and comfortable. All in all, this was a top notch, gotta come back again and again, experience! 5 stars!

My wife, and a wonderful friend joined me on a recent Sunday afternoon for a late lunch at Balcon Comedor y Bar. I randomly selected this restaurant for a new place in San Marcos, because the information on the Internet sounded enticing, and it was close to our location. The food was wonderful; I strongly recommend the fish tacos in particular. Their cocktail selection was very good, and the service was outstanding. My wife really loved her Oaxacan Passion drink, and don't pass up the churro donuts for a mouth watering desert. They have both indoor and outdoor seating; so, groups should fit in very well. Please note that the restaurant location is very convenient for IH-35 travelers on the southern side of San Marcos: exit to the NW on RR-12/Wonder World Dr., travel 0.5 mile, turn right on Stagecoach Trail, and the restaurant will be on the left in about 200 feet.

Welcoming staff and environment. It was just what I was looking for! Efficient service. Fish tacos were great. I will come back and try other menu items when shopping in San Marcos. It is a good meet up spot for friends or date night. They have a balcony which will be nice when it cools off.

The fish taco is so good 10/10 for sure, carne asada plate was alright rice and beans were super good but the meat was a little chewy and dry. I also got the el dude margarita and that was amazing!

Found this place on a whim here on yelp today while out running errands with my spouse. It is located on the second floor of a different existing restaurant where you will either take an elevator or the stairs to find, which may make it hard to locate. SO snazzy and beautiful. Service is wonderful even for a Saturday afternoon. Thank you Piper and everyone else who served us this afternoon! Will absolutely be back soon!

AMAZING!! first things first service was excellent my server Mckenna was very attentive and made great conversation! Now onto the food, I indulged in the tuna tostada and the al pastor taco, both of which were excellent, flavorful and nicely plated, my favorite out of the two would be the tostada nice and light and refreshing. To drink I had the Oaxacan Passion, very nice and easy drink not to sweet as well. The restaurant was very nice inside and had plenty of seating both inside and out and I loved the vibe of the whole place. I would say everything was well worth the price and most definitely will be back again!!

Hubby & I thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and drinks. Great little place with nice atmosphere. Gonna come back with friends!!

We stopped for dinner and drinks on a Friday night on a whim. They were really busy, with several large parties. Even so, they got us seated quickly with water. The margaritas are awesome and worth the stop alone. I had the enchiladas and my husband had the tacos. Everything was excellent.

Very cute little restaurant with very attentive staff. Yummy drinks and food. Pop in for happy hour!!

Food was very tasty !! Only complaint was they bring your order out one by one around 15 min apart. I will go back and sit at the bar next time. We all got something different and we all loved it.

Such a cute place! Food and drinks were great. Would 1000% recommend to any one. A little pricey but worth it.

Had very high hopes for this restaurant as I made reservations online for a birthday celebration. However, the experience was terrible. We sat outdoors and the tables appeared to be warping and uneven. There are no fans or misters in the outdoor patio. After requesting to be moved indoors, I was told they were not able to accommodate due to them seating their walk ins first. Whats the point of a reservation? The food was mediocre. We ordered the chip and salsa appetizer and it took a long time to be received. After asking for it to be removed from my order, it miraculously was ready for my table. I asked for salt and we never got it (go figure) also tried to order a round of shots and our waitress words were "no we will not be able to serve shots because the bar is busy" that's pretty insane as this is a "bar". Just be aware that the pictures of the outside patio is not current to what it looks like now.

I started going to Ma'CoCo when they first opened in Austin. Super happy they opened Balcon here in San Marcos.! If you want authentic Baja California food, this is it.!! The aesthetic and ambiance is great.! And service has been consistently on point.!

Excellent service and gourmet Mexican food. Wonderful drink selection. One of San Marcos's newest and brightest stars! A must-try place.

Sky, thank you so much for the wonderful service and recommendations. The fish tacos were amazing, definitely our favorite. The taco el gobernador was my second favorite. Just overall well balanced dishes with great texture and full of flavor. A must try!! P.s. you have to, must try the churro donut!!

Absolutely phenomenal service! Vanessa and Piper were incredibly attentive and well-versed with the menu. Our drinks were always filled, and they were both exceptionally sweet. The food was outstanding--we couldn't stop raving about it and were already planning our next visit before we even finished our meal. They made me feel so special for my birthday. For sure coming back

Their cucumber marg is pretty good! Food was wonderful, and the staff is extremely friendly!

The food and atmosphere are both on point. I've been here multiple times now and the wait staff is always very attentive and friendly, as well. The enchiladas verdes are a favorite as are the churro donuts! Stand out place and experience that is really needed in town.

Love this place so much! The food is spectacular, and my server Daleth was so sweet and attentive!

Great food! Great service. Only thing for me was it was hard to find. It is on the second floor of the building without good marking. Other than that, it was great!

My 5th time here and every single time I am blown away! Their bar drinks are great and not made with simple syrup. I have had several items on the menu and haven't been disappointed yet. A must to try is the Al Pastor taco and the Churro Donuts are AMAZING!!!!