The Prado at Balboa Park

Californian restaurant · San Diego

The Prado at Balboa Park

Californian restaurant · San Diego

4

1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

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The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by Eater
The Prado at Balboa Park by Eater
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null
The Prado at Balboa Park by null

Highlights

Californian fare & happy hour in a picturesque hacienda  

1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 Get directions

pradobalboa.com
@pradobalboapark

$20–30 · Menu

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1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 Get directions

+1 619 557 9441
pradobalboa.com
@pradobalboapark

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Oct 26, 2025

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@eater

San Diego’s Top Restaurants for Wedding Receptions and Dinners | Eater San Diego

"Full of charm and history, the Prado in Balboa Park sets a romantic scene in a Spanish California style. From the hacienda-like courtyard to the tree-lined amphitheater and hand-painted wooden stencil designs, the entire venue is adorned with beautiful Spanish, Moorish, and Mexican motifs. Since 1915, this national historic landmark has brought couples together, providing more than 22,000 square feet for events that can accommodate up to 500 guests in verdant gardens, terraces, and an elegant ballroom. Menu highlights include Spanish dishes like the Prado Paella with fish, mussels, shrimp, calamari, scallops, chicken, and chorizo in a saffron broth." - Roxana Becerril

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/wedding-venue-reception-dinner-rehearsal-restaurant-san-diego
View Postcard for Prado
@eater

18 Picturesque San Diego Restaurants for Your Wedding Day

"For a historic Spanish California vibe, Prado in Balboa Park is a beautiful option in the spacious hacienda-style courtyard or tree-lined amphitheater with a soothing fountain. The venue can accommodate anywhere from 40 to 500 guests. Menu highlights include Spanish dishes like Prado Paella." - Helen I. Hwang

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-san-diego-restaurant-wedding-reception
View Postcard for Prado
@afar

"Beautiful Restaurant in Balboa Park After exploring Balboa Park for a few hours, this is the place to be for a cocktail or lunch. The food is really good, and the chef has won multiple awards over the years. They've got great mojitos, and my new favorite drink, the caipirinha (sugar cane liquor). I really like the beet salad, which consists of different varieties of beets sprinkled with goat cheese. There's indoor and patio seating, but who wants to sit inside on a beautiful San Diego sunny day? The outside patio overlooks part of the park and inside is filled with eclectic decor. The zoo is right next door, so when we have out of town guests, we'll just walk over after exploring the zoo and have lunch or an early dinner. The Prado does have online reservation system and I recommend using it or calling ahead unless you are going to be here right when they open at 11 a.m. It can get crowded really quickly, especially on the weekends."

Hidden (and not-so-Hidden) Places in Balboa Park
View Postcard for Prado
@eater

The Cohn Restaurant Group Wants to Put in a 148-Foot-High, Dine-in Observation Wheel at Balboa Park - Eater San Diego

"The Cohn Restaurant Group, which operates Balboa Park’s Prado Restaurant and Tea Pavilion, is leading the charge to place a temporary observation wheel in the Plaza de Panama in front of the San Diego Museum of Art." - Kelly Bone

https://sandiego.eater.com/2020/10/29/21529555/cohn-restaurant-group-dine-in-observation-wheel-at-balboa-park
View Postcard for Prado

Jon Jong

Google
Atmosphere: right in the middle of Balboa Park. Very clean and open. We were able to walk in and open seating with no wait. Staff: everyone was friendly. The waiter went over the top to take care of us. Excellent service! Food: Ceasar salad was perfect. The croutons were large and lightly seasoned. The burger was cooked perfectly. The buns were great. Fries had good flavor. Highly recommend this place!

Mario Roberti

Google
Super cool if you go when they open around 11:00 and just go to the bar which has full seating and you can order food there too instead of the restaurant proper. Definitely appealing if you want to roll in and avoid the crowds and hassle. The food selection was pretty awesome, the portions were good. The cocktails were great. And of course I love the vibe and the decor. Highly recommend you go on a weekday when they open. Especially in the off-season.

Jing

Google
Great location, and we were lucky to get a table in such a busy restaurant. They offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The food was decent, and the service was okay overall. A convenient spot for a casual meal.

James Nellis

Google
Today we continued our vacation visit with our family in town and after visiting the zoo we headed out to your restaurant. What a treat with gin and tonic fr the women and one man Stone Buena Vera lager and I had Karl’s Stauss Red Lager, starting Spicy calamari Fries and our dinners included 2 with Mahi Mahi sandwiches, a Chicken Caesar Salad and I had the beef Torta. The food was great and the atmosphere was fun and nice for us.

Yesica Robayo

Google
El Prado boasts an outstanding location and ambiance, with an amazing cocktail selection that sets the tone for a great evening. The service was attentive and friendly, adding to the overall experience. Unfortunately, the food did not live up to the setting. I ordered the mahi sandwich, which was well-cooked but lacked flavor and was presented more like a cafeteria burger—underwhelming given the atmosphere. A beautiful spot for drinks and vibes, but not my top pick for the food.

Monét Thibou

Google
I really wanted to like to this place, especially since on Wednesday it’s the only restaurant open at the park that’s not a food stand. They have an open seating section where you pick your own seat and server comes to you or you can sit at the bar or a table outside. Service wise: I sat down pretty quick but I didn’t get a server within 6 mins of sitting. My server was kind and timely. Food wise: I got the Kobe burger with fries, sparkling lemonade and Piña colada creme. The burger was fine and came out quick! The fries however were EXTREMELY salty. I couldn’t finish my meal because the saltiness of the fries were very over powering. I was very excited for the crème brûlée however it fell flat for me. The crème was runny. The texture of this dish is supposed to feel a little like flan and this was loose. The taste also didn’t work well together, it tasted off and the more I ate the more I realized the sugar on top was good but the compote, custard and chantilly gave a slightly expired taste. The marble tuille did not work with the dish but tasted fine alone. I’m sure there are other menu items that are great here but these flopped for me.

Dr. Carol Utay

Google
A wonderful lunch at a wonderful place. We enjoyed our morning at Balboa Park at the different museums and started getting hungry. We are so lucky that we decided to go to Prada. The food was delicious. The service was great. We highly recommend the farmers green salad with salmon and the desserts were amazing. The German chocolate cake had fresh toasted coconut on top m. We paired it with vanilla ice cream that made it perfect. The carrot cake was delicious and overall our experience was really a good one.

Steven Straus

Google
This is one of the most fancy restaurants I’ve ever been to. The beet 🫜 salad with shrimp 🍤 was so good. Our waiter was very nice and attentive to me and my parents needs . I highly recommend . This place. I wish I could come back here but I am flying op north in a couple of days. I give them 5 stars
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Charles C.

Yelp
Although I usually dine at Artifact Restaurant just across the Prado inside the Mingei Museum, I wanted to have dinner at the Prado Restaurant last night, since I have not been there in a while. I remember many years ago there used to be a valet posted to park cars for the Prado Restaurant, but that convenience is no more. Most people will park behind the Organ Pavilion and walk up to the Prado. I arrived right at 4:30 p.m., which is when the restaurant begins serving dinner in the dining room and on the back terraced patio. I love the interior of Prado best, with the dramatic curving red velvet banquette and luminous lighting. However, yesterday there was a large group that had just been seated on the interior banquette with multiple screaming children running about, so I opted to sit on the airy enclosed interior porch. My assigned server yesterday evening was Beto. He could not have been more kind, efficient and helpful. He was a true professional, as he discussed the menu and drink options with me. I also observed Beto interact with not only other customers but with other staff memebers, which he did with the utmost graciousness. I also briefly chatted with manager April on my exit. I had earlier observed her calm a crabby man sending back his Calamari "with words to the chef".
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David Z.

Yelp
Came to this spot after taking my dog for a walk at the dog park. They allow leashed dogs on their patio, which was very nice. They have a really large inside, back, and front area. Service was absolutely exceptional and very friendly. The food was ok, nothing to really reminisce about. However, the ambiance and convenience of the place is second to none in balboa park.
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Silvia D.

Yelp
Walked in at around 2pm on a Saturday for lunch. We were seated immediately. Service: started off rough with a server named Medi. Came once, we asked for a few minutes and he never returned. Marissa, another waitress was kind enough to help us, and ended up taking care of us. GUESS WHO SHOWED UP TO COLLECT HIS TIP THOUGH- MEDI! Unbelievable. I asked to speak to Marissa and explained to her that I would not be leaving a tip if it was for Medi who NEVER came around. Manager fixed the situation and we left happy customers. Food: my expresso martini was amazing (thank you Marissa)!! Fish tacos were a bit dry but tasty. Pot stickers- good. Ambiance- honestly, how can you beat sitting in the middle of a botanical garden with beautiful weather in San Diego. Will definitely be returning
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Debby L.

Yelp
What a pleasant surprise! I hadn't been here in well over 10 years. I didn't know what to expect. We were on our way to the Old Globe Theatre and wanted to have something light to eat. We arrived in time for Happy Hour. I had the mole rojo chicken wings and the Baja fish tacos. Both were excellent! The mole is one of the best that I've tasted! Two fish tacos came in the order. They were also delicious; a generous amount of fried fish and very tasty. We also had the quesadilla and a Caesar salad, also delicious. Then came the complimentary birthday flan. I don't usually like flan and thought this one was delicious. What a very pleasant surprise!
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Leah G.

Yelp
This place was definitely worth the find. I didn't expect to come across such a beautiful gem for lunch with my cousin. We were visiting from Arizona and definitely enjoyed our time at The Prado. I loved the interior, the service, and the delicious food and cocktails. We sat outside on the patio and I'm so glad we did. Definitely check it out if you are visiting Balboa park or want to have a delicious lunch or dinner with a view.
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Craig W.

Yelp
Be forewarned: the prices are high. You will pay a premium for the amazing location. The restaurant is located in the area that serves as the de facto center of Balboa Park. The restaurant decor is absolutely charming. Service was outstanding. I highly recommend making a reservation. The food presentation is gorgeous. Everything about the restaurant is very attractive. But you need not worry about overly spicy or super strong or exotic flavors. Even though San Diego has Mexican restaurants on every corner and the city is 10 miles from the Mexican border, the flavors here are not going to offend any delicate palates. The lavash crackers and chipotle hummus was nice enough but if there was any chipotle here, it was in the name only. The crackers and hummus are fine but there was not a hint of spice here. The chicken potstickers appetizer was good and flavorful. The paella entree was fine. It's loaded with different seafoods but at least half the seafood was overcooked. It was a little bland, too, but overall, it was a nice dish. It just could have been better. The fresh sea bass was light, flaky, and wonderful. This was a great dish. The chicken milanesa was massive and could probably feed two people. This massive piece of breaded chicken extends beyond the edges of the plate. It comes with a tomatillo sauce, which was a different and nice twist to this dish. The food is high quality. The setting is lovely. If you are visiting Balboa Park, and don't mind the cost, this is a safe bet.
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Steven M.

Yelp
Food was wonderful. Service was exceptional. Ambiance was very nice with works of and everything!! I would definitely return.
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Joy Z.

Yelp
Came in for dinner and drinks before a show at The Globe. We had made reservations and were supposed to be seated outside on the terrace. It was busy with a million prom dates and a wedding in the courtyard. It was also drizzly with rain. So they changed our rez and seated us inside at the Cantina. Our server was very kind but thought we were there as part of another party with a preset menu. After we explained that we think we were seated in the wrong place, he brought us menus and told us another server would be serving us. Kinda weird but I guess we were grateful we got a table inside from the rain. We ended up ordering from the cantina menu which was really affordable and fast. It was a bit loud but had a fun energy. We ordered apps, drinks, tacos, and dessert . All really good. Service was great. Good served fast. We had time for 3 courses and to be able to chat and still made it to the show on time. Parking on a Saturday during wedding and prom season on Balboa Park is not fun so plan to get there early and expect a trek. We parked on 6th outside of the Park.
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Craig C.

Yelp
My wife and I visited The Prado at Balboa Park on Tuesday. On this day, they have a Date Night Special, and is it ever. For $69.50, you get a bottle of wine, a salad (Pressed Arugula or Caesar) to share and your choice of two entrees, those being Pan Roasted Sea Bass, Mushroom Risotto, Mustard Crusted Pork Prime Rib, and Red Wine Short Ribs. We opted for the sea bass and short ribs. Before our meal we decided to order the Prado Lavash Crackers with Chipotle Hummus. Oh my, was this a great choice! The hummus had a bit of a bite, but not too much, while the crackers were so crisp and did not break off while dipping them into the hummus. The sea bass was so tender, light, and flaky that almost melted in your mouth. It was served with corn, pancetta, asparagus, spinach, shaved fennel, preserved lemon, with a white truffle corn puree. Wow! Great flavors! The short ribs were served with roasted garlic, shallot, mashed potatoes, bordelaise, and gremolata marrow butte. The short ribs just melted on your mouth. So moist and flavorful. Our server, Mehdi, was polite and did a great job of serving, without being overbearing. If you're in this area, you really need to come out on Tuesdays to have this amazing special.
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Eddie C.

Yelp
Came upon the Tiki Bar after the concert at the Organ Pavillion. South Pacific theme in seating area with leis, tiki heads and bamboo plastic chairs. One man reggae artist with electronic back up online. Interesting themed drinks but went with a Stella. They also have food bites but didn't try.

T F.

Yelp
My husband and I went to The Prado for our wedding anniversary tonight and had a fantastic time. We really enjoy coming to The Prado! The service and hospitality is perfect from the moment you walk into the door. Our server tonight was Michael G. He was outstanding and gave us an extra special experience this evening. He asked if we were here for a special occasion and we told him it was our anniversary. He brought out an amazing plate with flan and the words, "Happy Anniversary" printed on the plate as well as an anniversary card signed by the staff. We truly enjoyed our meal, and Michael's kindness!! We will definitely come back to our favorite place, The Prado! Thanks again for a wonderful evening! Tracy Froderman
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Tania C.

Yelp
Beautiful place, inside and outside dining. Went for dinner before a theater show. The ambiance was really nice and service too. Food was good. I had a delicious bean soup and a no so great chicken fricassee. Although it came nice and hot, I could taste too much starch. Hubby had a nice beet dish and no so great grilled cauliflower dish. Too al dente to appreciate the flavors. If you are in the area, give them a try and share your experience. Happy dining!
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Sohrob H.

Yelp
Food Quality: *** (Decent but Limited Dairy-Free Choices) Service: *** (Attentive Enough for Apps and Drinks) Ambiance: *** (Beautiful Setting in Balboa Park) Value: *** (Reasonable for Location and What We Ordered) My recent visit to The Prado at Balboa Park was primarily for appetizers and drinks, and the ambiance was definitely a standout. The setting within the park is quite beautiful, offering a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. Our server was attentive enough for our needs, ensuring our drinks were refilled and the appetizers were brought out in a timely manner. In terms of food, the calamari was decent - not the best I've had, but certainly enjoyable. The soup of the day was also a solid choice. However, the significant limitation was the lack of dairy-free options on the appetizer menu. For someone with dietary restrictions, this would definitely be a factor in future visits. While what we ordered was satisfactory, the limited choices in this regard were noted. Overall, The Prado offers a lovely ambiance and a decent experience for drinks and some appetizers. However, the food menu, particularly the dairy-free selection, could be more extensive.
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Grace C.

Yelp
Has indoor/outdoor seating. Reservation made on Google. Ordered several items to share as a group. A bit pricey but nice ambiance to eat at and convenient if in Balboa Park. mussels and scallops: ok crab dip: very rich and creamy. Couldn't taste much of the crab but filling calamari fries: Korean styled. Loved it! Greens w seared salmon salad. Needed a bit more vinaigrette but liked the variety of things in it. Mahi mahi sandwich. Good flavor, thick filet so very meaty. Fruity lemonade: several people ordered it as strawberry or lemonade and loved it.
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Sophia C.

Yelp
Lunaversary! My boyfriend and I celebrated our lunarversary. It was practically perfect in every way! It started by my phone call to the restaurant and reconfirming my reservation and noting dairy free. I found out that if you are celebrating an anniversary, they comp you a dulce de leche dessert, but since I my boyfriend can't have dairy they made a not to do a dairy free dessert. At that point I was excited because it is hard to find places with DF desserts. The time came for having dinner. It was a Friday on the first hottest weekend of 2025! Donna sat us to our table on the patio and she was a delight. We learned about the Prado and how they do events. Our table overlooked one of their event spaces which has a petit lawn and wishing well. It was picturesque! Let's just say duly noted on Prado doing events like weddings and if I were to plan any future event there. Michael G. was our server and he was great! He was personable and funny. He started us off with Arnold Palmers and the pescador mussels & scallops. The crostini was dairy free. And the spread was a bell pepper one. The soupy sauce and the flavor with the mussels and scallops was so good! It was a great sharable appetizer. For our entrées, we decided to share so we both shared the red wine short ribs and the pan roasted sea bass. The short ribs was so tender and did not need a knife to cut. I absolutely love brocolini, so that was a awesome seasonal vegetable choice to have. For the sea bass, I think i loved the vegetable medly and sweet corn that came with it. Don't get me wrong. The fish was good, but I liked the side more! And for our dessert, which is what Inwas excited for, was a mango sorbet. It tasted creamy like a Dole Whip! It was so delicious and they gave two large scoops! It was so amazing to have Michael G. be there as our server and he took the time to make sure the food was all dairy free, which we appreciated so much! I for one will definitely be going back and want to make this our couple's thing! Now, I got to make more special memories.
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Liz H.

Yelp
If i could rate my service provided tonight it would be far more than a 5 star. Scott was hands down one of the best serves my husband and I have experienced in a very long time. He was genuinely so kind and really made us happy. We ended up doing the date night special and he explained every single item broken down, the best recommendations and overall a great experience. We are coming back just for him. Thank you Scott for working this evening and serving us. You're work is truly noticed.
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Steven H.

Yelp
Fantastic food, great friendly and accurate service and warm ranchero interiors. I went for the Kobe Burger and not-to-be-missed sangria.
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Penwarat S.

Yelp
Simple burgers and fish sandwich with reasonable price in Balbo park. Great view. Service is ok in general. Nothing standing out for the part of the server not much interaction with guests. No recommendation or suggestions sale. No allergies questions to be asked. Over all love the view of the patio seating with the view of the sky which I could enjoy to see all the planes arriving to San Diego airport.
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Lam B.

Yelp
The Prado is a nice restaurant and possible pit stop when hanging around in Balboa Park. Balboa Park mostly has cafes for snacks but the Prado had a bit more substance and flavor. We opted to try the cantina menu which required us to sit in the lounge or bar. However our bartender said that the regular menu was also available so we only saw pros by sitting at the bar. The portions were nicely shareable between 2. Our drinks came out quickly but the food took quite some time to come out. *Absolutely Peachy Spritz: true to its name, very peachy. Shoutout to the bartender for giving it a good wine pour. *Ceviche: very good portion and was shared easily between us 2. The chips were thick and withheld the citrusy whitefish and shrimp well. The citrus juice could have had more depth in flavor and could have benefited from more tomato, jalapeño, and/or onion. The shrimp appeared to be overcooked and was chewier than anticipated. *Ahi & Jicama Tostadas: the order came with two tostadas. The flavors and textures were S tier. The ahi was generously applied to the crisp tostada and it was incredibly tender. The chipotle aioli added some creaminess and fat. The jicama was my favorite part as it was tossed in a light sweet and savory tamarind sauce. 10/10 I could gobble a bunch of these. I found the sauces to be impressive so I'll be looking out for dishes with similar flavors. The ceviche was on the simpler side so I'll pass on it in the future. However those tostadas made my day. I'll be back to check out their happy hour and more of the cantina menu.
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Cherry S.

Yelp
Where do I start!! The atmosphere and ambience sold me. It's been quite a while since we have been here. We were greeted warmly and seated right away with a lovely view. Our server Shay was phenomenal, very attentive and not hovering, but checked in often to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. We ordered calamari and drinks to start, and then had the chefs cut steak dinner (I think that's what the menu said) and it was fantastic! Next year we will be back!!
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Samantha V.

Yelp
"Wow!" She said after she took a bite of each new dish she ordered! This is one of your options when exploring Balboa park and you will NOT be disappointed. Came on a thursday evening early dinner 2 plus tot and we were seated right away by 3 friendly hostesses. Our waitress was also very chipper and knowledgeable which always makes the experience that much more pleasant. She was very helpful with suggestions not only on the menu but the area, esp with the little one, after most things were closed. Started with the lentil soup special, like your mom's homemade pea soup with a twist- lentils. It was so delicious, the three of us scarfed it down like we hadn't eaten in weeks. I also wanted to try a sparkling strawberry lemonade and Y U M! Fresh made to taste and not too sugary. The prado pressed arugula salad also came out with the soup and we couldn't get enough of that either, the asiago, figs, walnuts and strawberries balanced each other out perfectly, dressed with a vinaigrette, but not too much overpowering. They were having a deal for 2025, so we ordered a mini surf and turf to share, steak, a delicious potato side (au gratin? I think) carrots, shrimp and spinach. A great portion size to taste for three. The little one even loved the spinach. Since we love fam style we decided on another dish, the pan seared salmon. I am not sure if maybe the flavors of the two dishes were just a little too diff, the sauce was amazing and I love that it was paired with rice and bok choy, but it wasn't my fave of the two. Would def give it another try but there are so many delicious items on the menu. Ended the dinner with a birthday carrot cake, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some tazo passion tea. The cake was a sliver but a few bites for each of us left us satisfied and it paired well with the vanilla ice cream. Passion tea is just my favorite. I was pleasantly surprised by this spot since normally I don't have high hopes for tourist destination restaurants, even felt the prices were reasonable. You can tell everything was made in house and drool worthy and I can't wait to come back. I also enjoyed that we were served in courses and there was little wait time in between. They were also so kind when the little one had the wiggles and wanted to walk around a bit. This tired mama had a great meal despite her momma duties.
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Melissa F.

Yelp
An incredibly mid restaurant in the heart of Balboa park. I always grew up thinking the Prado was so fancy and cool but it is really an overpriced restaurant in a great location. I asked the waitress for her recommendation and she said the pork prime rib was the best item on the menu. I definitely agree it was delicious- juicy and good potato, but for $37, I thought it was a little expensive if you include a drink, and salad item too, it would be about $60 per person. Overall, I would not come back to the Prado unless it's a SD Restaurant Week deal.
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Miguel A.

Yelp
The food was so delicious ! They were very tiny portions tho and the price was the same as a normal plate which I felt robbed . Luckily it was delicious. The server was really nice and helpful . They have a large selection of premium drinks . I got IpA and my wife got a margarita both were A+
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Kelli H.

Yelp
On Thursday night, we checked out the tiki night experience above the Prado. It was so much fun! They had live music, great decorations, leis for everybody, and really fun food and drinks. We had ahi wraps, shrimp skewers, and chicken kabobs. The kids had virgin Ube pina coladas and the adults all got different cocktails. April (I think she's the manager) took great care of our party. She made sure we liked all the food and had everything we needed. I highly recommend checking out this unique and fun experience!
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Lil B.

Yelp
We arrived right in between meal service so we could not sit in the dining room but the bar was open seating and ok for us and kiddo. They were busy but once our server made it to us he made us feel like we were the only ones in the room! The not listed wagyu burger- maybe it was a special- was AMAZING!!! French fries delicious! (No bathroom in here... had to wait in long line outside in the courtyard.)

Laraine H.

Yelp
Above the Prado restaurant, every Thursday night is TIKI NIGHT! Food, drinks, and live entertainment is all a Hawaiian theme. April was our waitress last night and she was wonderful- very knowledgeable about the menu, friendly, gave us great service with a great smile. She definitely enhanced our evening. I would highly recommend Tiki Night for a unique and fun night out.
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Brittany K.

Yelp
They have a Nice patio to enjoy a drink and share some appetizers. Great service. Loved the crab dip!
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Tammie W.

Yelp
The hubby and I had dinner at the Prado before a holiday candlelight concert in Balboa Park. It was our first time dining there which is wild, considering we live here and go to Balboa on a regular basis. We both ordered a cocktail which were very strong. I ordered the peachy spritz which was refreshing, bubbly, and strong but good. We then had the calamari, Prado salad, and sea bass. We shared everything and loved the calamari. It was a unique spin of lightly breaded and fried calamari tossed in an asian sauce with a kick. We then ordered the Prado arugula salad with greens, walnuts, figs, Asiago , strawberries, in a shallot vinaigrette and chicken. It was good but something I could've easily made at home. It was missing funk, like a Gorgonzola but good nonetheless. Last came the sea bass over a corn succotash and creamed corn sauce. The fish was beautifully cooked, skin crisp, and the corn medley was seasoned perfectly, had nice elements of texture and taste. Jorge provided exceptional service and the restaurant itself was nicely and tastefully decorated.
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Danny C.

Yelp
Celebrated our wedding anniversary here last night. Our server was very friendly, the atmosphere pleasant, with beautiful views of balboa park. Food was great including the potstickers and chefs cut steak. Will be back!
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Maddie M.

Yelp
Ambiance TOP NOTCH. Super Romantic and Relaxing and Amazing Atmosphere. Service was good, but there were a few times when we had to flag our server down. Food was ok for the price. I've had fresh pasta and boxed pasta so for a $38 pasta meal, I had certain expectations and they fell flat. The food wasn't as flavorful as I was hoping and it was really oily and buttery. There were a good amount of clams, but like barely any pasta. It was the weirdest thing. It was just pasta, butter, and clams for $38. Sad part is that it wasn't even fresh pasta which I could get behind when it came to portions, but I literally went home still hungry. Dessert was interesting again. I was expecting a food orgasm and instead got a super dense, dry cake that had me saying, "Where's the milk?!" Glass of white wine, pasta, and a sliver of their version of German chocolate cake was $100. Super steep as I have been to places like Mister A's, Viggilucci's, and Ruth Chris that are better alternatives in my opinion. If you happen to be in Balboa Park visiting a museum and craving something more than just a sandwich than swing by, but I wouldn't be going out of my way to come to The Prado.
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Monica R.

Yelp
Despite a busy after Christmas crowd in Balboa Park we slipped into the Prado quite easily for a drink. Our wonderful waiter, Brian mentioned dinner would be available in the bar area at 430pm so what was supposed to be drinks and an appetizer turned into dinner and drinks. The raspberry lemonade martini was sweet and delicious and the mango margarita was good if you like tangy and tajin. I was in the mood for a Caesar salad and my soup went with the Chef's soup special. It was cream of turkey soup was incredibly good. We also opted to split the short ribs which were great. OK we ordered another soup because the soup was fantastic. Highly recommend the Prado for a romantic dinner date or a quick drink in the bar area.
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Zaali M.

Yelp
Decided not to eat here as the hostesses were not very accommodating or eager to give our family of 4 a better table to eat. It would've been nice if they offered a reservation as there were clearly many empty tables available as the whole place was very empty but I guess we'll spend our money else where. Please train your hostesses to be much more friendly & accommodating as I'm sure losing business is never a great choice for any food establishment. Very snooty ambience. Friendliness is always a plus!
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Mary R.

Yelp
This place was amazing. It was elegant in every way. It was beautiful with fine architecture building walls art and entire atmosphere. The servers were helpful and attentive. I love my Maui Maui meal. Everyone enjoyed the visit atmosphere and meal. I love this place in Balboa Park .
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Paul M.

Yelp
Prado is one of our favorite places to go with out of town visitors because it is in a beautiful environment in the heart of Balboa Park. The bonus is that the food and service have always been very good. On this visit, it was only my wife and me. We shared the black bean soup, which is delicious. I ordered the grilled fish tacos - my usual. There is a big portion of a deconstructed taco with mahi mahi, cabbage slaw, chimichuri aioli and mango salsa. It comes with corn tortillas and beans. It's great to be able to create the perfect tacos, using the portions of ingredients I prefer. I washed it all down with their delicious mango iced tea. My wife had the eggplant pasta, which she enjoyed very much. Service was friendly and very attentive. And, the ambiance on the patio was so peaceful and beautiful. We had a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
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Regine A.

Yelp
Came here during the busy holiday season with no reservation. Fortunately they allowed walk-ins. I love the ambiance, it's very welcoming and festive. The employees were pleasant as well. The food was up there in price, as expected since it's one of the most popular places in all of SD. However, every buck spent was worth it. We ordered the chef's soup of the day which was a cauliflower soup, calamari and kids sea bass with mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies. Everything came out fresh. The ingredients were clean and fresh. Our favorite was the calamari due to it's delicious sauce. We could have drank the sauce alone, it was tasty and had a nice sweet kick to it. Cauliflower soup was so yummy, but overly salted. The kids meal was generous in size. The sea bass was cooked perfectly and didn't have too much seasoning. It was so good. I docked off one star due to service. Our waitress forgot our waters, we didn't get it until after our food came out. There were two large groups prioritized over us. My husband and I had to get another workers attention just to pay the bill. Other than that, everything else was superb! We would definitely come back again, but maybe during a less busy weekday.
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Andrew T.

Yelp
We went around 3pm on a Friday and were a bit disappointed to find out they only served their limited midday menu, as we were all hungry. Despite the short menu, we all found food to eat--ceviche and tacos. Overall food was fine, nothing spectacular, but very much "good". I would definitely come back, as service was good as well.

Dana S.

Yelp
I'm from Maui and I was in town to meet a dear friend for her 80th birthday. Prado is our "go to" restaurant for great food and great service! This trip did not disappoint!! Our phenomenal server, Michael G. Waits on us nearly every time we visit.... and he is a delight!!! Every staff member recognized my friend's birthday! Michael even presented her with a lovely birthday card signed by the entire staff! The manager on duty offered a complimentary appetizer to acknowledge the birthday and Michael G brought over a flan with a candle! This restaurant and every team member bring hospitality to a whole new level! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
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Kristina M.

Yelp
The ambience is warm, cozy, and everything you want for a date night. The food and cocktails are tasty. Be prepared to pay for this experience. There is only one entree priced under $30. Given the price point, I expected the service to be better. Our waiter never came by to see if our meals were okay. They were, but I would have expected a visited.
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Lynn M.

Yelp
Nice location in Balboa Park and we were seated right away. Food a bit overpriced but that's to be expected because of the location. The Cheeseburger was good and the Calamari was ok. Small servings though. It was nice to try it out but will probably not go back.
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Brittnee G.

Yelp
I didn't take any photos of my food whoops! But this spot is in such a cool location. Tons to do around the area. It was pricy and my chicken caeser salad was nothing notable, but the service was very good for our large party of 11 people. The food came quickly and we had no problem getting a table around 1 pm on a Wednesday. My husband got the Birria torta and it was very good. I think this would be a great date spot because there is so much cool walkable stuff in the area and a lot of that was free, so that offsets the food being the higher end of medium price (at least at lunch - not sure if dinner is more).
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Shirley S.

Yelp
After visiting the blooming of cherry blossoms, we came here to have lunch. We arrived at the opening of the doors and there was minimal waiting. We asked for indoor seating although it was a beautiful day outside. The bird droppings inside the bar floor deterred us from sitting outside. I ordered the grilled mahi sandwich. It was tasty and the fries were crispy. My friends ordered the grilled Kobe burger and the fish tacos and cleaned up their plates as well. The service was prompt and servers friendly and attentive. This was a Tuesday afternoon and it wasn't very busy and the ambience was peaceful and scenic.
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Stephanie B.

Yelp
The ambiance of the Prado is the big draw, with its beautiful Spanish architecture, mosaic tiles, fountains, and landscaping in the heart of Balboa Park. We had family in town and were showing them the park when they asked if we could grab lunch somewhere close. We decided to try the Prado and were seated outside on their patio. They have indoor and outdoor seating., but the outdoor patio is best for a nice day. Service: our server was great, explaining the menu and specials for the day, as well as checking in on us. Food: three out of four people in our party got the grilled chicken BLT. I opted for the side salad ($3.50 up charge), while the others got the French fries. The sandwich was just ok to me. The bread was very dry and it had a fairly thin piece of grilled chicken. The side salad was good and the french fries were perfect to me. My husband said the bread on the mahi mahi sandwich was a bit big for the sandwich and that it was just ok as well. Overall, I'd give it 4 stars because of the ambiance and service, but 3 stars for the food.
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Donald R.

Yelp
The Prado 4.3 After a few museum visits we visited the Prado for lunch. We decided to sit in the bar area. In this area you have a choice of the bar menu or the restaurant menu. We ordered Red Trolly beers to start our lunch. My brother ordered a Quesabirria tacos from the bar menu. I orderd the fish tacos from the restaurant menu. Both were quite good. The service in the bar was excellent.
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Jennifer B.

Yelp
Superb. Visiting from New York, and it's my veggie day. Splurged on the cauliflower and black bean soup. The latter is a superstar, HUNTY. Inspired me to try making it at home. Excellent service. Sat next to the fountain on the back patio. And calm vibes for days. Now off to the zoo!
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Katie W.

Yelp
Ambiance: 10/10 We sat outside on the back porch. Great umbrellas everywhere, if you don't want to be in the sun you absolutely do not have to be. Very comfortable and pretty. Location is centered in Balboa park which is hard to beat. Food: 5/10 Birria Sandwich - the birria sauce was awesome. The meat was overcooked, which was sad. The French fries were good and the plate comes with ketchup so you don't have to ask for it. The bread on the sandwich was good but the meat being dry was not fun. Fish Tacos - came deconstructed, so you could load up your taco (3 tortillas) in any way you wanted. Problem was that the fish did not have much taste, and was a bit overcooked. The main protein being a let down is a huge hit. Overall the meat standard knocked this review score down. Maybe try a vegetarian option.
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Natalie B.

Yelp
We popped in here on a Balboa day for a quick snack during Happy Hour. The restaurant is stunning and there was loads of open seating. Our server was very friendly and fast. The happy hour menu is extremely limited. We ordered a margarita for me, a mule for my husband, and the fries and hummus to share. The hummus was great, we liked the crisps. The fries had cheese and bacon and were a huge portion for $8. They tasted great but lemme tell you, I had the worst indigestion after. Not sure I'd order them again. Our drinks weren't anything crazy amazing but we did enjoy them!
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Tanya V.

Yelp
The margaritas were really good here and the food was good but overpriced for what it is. Sad I couldn't substitute beans for rice since they don't offer rice here :/ our server was friendly and I would come again for the drinks.
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Alisha F.

Yelp
Really cool restaurant right in the center of the courtyard at Balboa. Has a nice outdoor patio with self seating and a little grassy area to picnic or have your little ones run around in. The staff was very friendly and food was yummy. (A little overpriced but still delicious and good quality.) I got the Tomato bisque and Salmon Salad... yumm! Only complaint is you can't make reservations since its first come first serve, and you have to go up and order everything yourself.
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Laura J.

Yelp
The patio is so stunning. It looks like you are in Europe! The weather was absolutely beautiful making for a perfect outdoor dinner. The decor and the view were stunning. I got the braised beef short rib. The mashed potato's were really flavorful and delicious, I like the short rib too but it was pretty fatty and tough. Usually short rib is falling apart and really tender! It was the best I've ever had but it was pretty good. The mashed potato's were the highlight. The drinks were yummy but were crazzzy sweet. I got the guava martini and mango margarita and both were just very sugary and tasted like juice. They were yummy, but a hangover waiting to happen. Overall we had a good experience here and if I was in the area I would stop by to grab a snack! I reccomend.