Balboa Cafe

"If there were a Real Housewives Of Cow Hollow, 75% of the show would be filmed at Balboa. Perfectly coiffed locals of all ages descend upon this old-timey bar daily for espresso martinis, photo ops with cocktails, and “accidental” run-ins with exes. Yes, there is a menu of burgers, calamari, and salads, but it’s OK at best. You’re here to look hot, pet a Shih Tzu that isn’t yours, and follow up those espresso martinis with a Bloody Mary or four." - Julia Chen

"This SF institution with decent food (a well-known burger is notably served on a baguette) can be many things to many people, and here are just a few:1. A place to take your parents for dinner. 2. Great for brunch and bloodies. 3. Eating a solid burger at the bar, which is easily the best of the food. 4. A cougar-catching pick-up bar any night of the week. 5. Good men-in-suits watching, also any night of the week. 6. Crowded Saturday nights with people in their late 20s and early 30s looking for well-heeled women or men with money not wearing a hoodie. Choose which fits your needs and head here at the appropriate times." - Paolo Bicchieri

"Balboa Cafe is a Cow Hollow institution—it’s been operating since the early 1900s. These days, the corner spot continues to be a great local gathering place, and one where you’ll most likely always have a good time. They have sidewalk seating, and a covered parklet with heat lamps. " - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez

"You’ll find the bulk of Balboa Cafe’s old-school magic inside, where you can perch at the long wooden bar and drink an espresso martini while side-eyeing the couples wearing mink across the dining room. But if you’re doing all that people-watching outside at one of their sidewalk tables, they do offer blankets when it gets cold. Take it as an opportunity to settle in, stay awhile, and soak in the pilates-powered energy of Cow Hollow. Our preferred way to experience this place is to grab a drink and move on—the food is nothing to write home about. " - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, lani conway

"There’s no denying Balboa Cafe’s place in San Francisco history: in its more than 100 years in business this Cow Hollow restaurant and bar has been the venue for countless first dates, celebrations, and, most recently, rowdy nights out for youthful Marina residents. So, if you don’t mind that these days it’s owned by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s PlumpJack Group, then Balboa Cafe is indeed a venerable place to grab an excellent burger or belly up to the well-worn wooden bar to chat with a bartender over a nitro espresso martini." - Dianne de Guzman, Paolo Bicchieri