The Prado at Balboa Park
Californian restaurant · San Diego ·

The Prado at Balboa Park

Californian restaurant · San Diego ·

Californian fare & happy-hour deals in hacienda-style setting

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

Information

1549 El Prado Suite 12, San Diego, CA 92101 Get directions

$20–30

Reserve a table
See Menu

Information

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1549 El Prado Suite 12, San Diego, CA 92101 Get directions

+1 619 557 9441
pradobalboa.com
@pradobalboapark

$20–30 · Menu

Reserve a table

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Last updated

Dec 10, 2025

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@eater
390,870 Postcards · 10,986 Cities

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
Eater
Prado
@eater
390,870 Postcards · 10,986 Cities

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
Eater
Prado
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,700 Cities

"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
Prado
@travelleisure
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10 Most Instagrammable Places in San Diego

"Sprawling over more than 1,200 acres, this urban cultural oasis is a photographer’s dream with museums, botanical gardens, flower-filled plazas, charming architecture and plenty of playful scenes—plan on at least a full day (or two) to capture its highlights." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/san-diego-instagram-photo-spots
The Prado at Balboa Park
@eater
390,870 Postcards · 10,986 Cities

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
Prado

T L.

Google
San Diego native here… and first time to The Prado. The 5 star reviews are interesting, but I imagine many of them are out-of-towners and simply captivated by the whole Balboa Park experience- which already amplifies their critiquing. I want to preface this review by stating our server Rinn was an absolute doll and gem to this restaurant. She was sweet, friendly, on top of it, and overall just a great server. But the food left a lot to be desired. Very basic and almost bland. I could’ve made the chicken BLT at home taste better. It was dry and not enough aioli. The mahi sandwich was meh. The fish itself was at least moist but the flavor needed to be kicked up a notch. When you’re serving basic California cuisine, you really need to elevate the seasonings and ingredients. Put some love into it. The cocktails were decently spiked and were pretty good. Is the food overpriced? Of course. It wouldn’t hurt so much if the food was good, but whatcha gonna do?

Mandy G.

Google
We came here for their set menu for Thanksgiving. It was very good. One of the soups looked like it had sat there for a while, but it still tasted food. The bread was excellent! The bathrooms are outside, but not too far. Decor was a bit random, but still very nice. Overall a good experience. I do think it was a bit overpriced at $80 plus tax and tip for 3 courses. And plus a drink that we got. It was over 400 for 3 of us. Which was a bit much. They also add an extra 5% that wasn't required, but added for price rises. But overall a really good experience.

Jon J.

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!

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.

Mario R.

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.

Somitra S.

Google
Went there to celebrate friends birthday. Location and ambience is wonderful. Food and menu was good. Calamari was excellent, mussels were good. Sea bass was really good, Paella was ok. The Sommelier was quite friendly and so was our server Fredo. They both tend to talk too much and should observe when not to interrupt a conversation going on in the table.

Yesica R.

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.

James N.

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.

Catherine C.

Yelp
We were visiting from Texas and had the best experience. Michael recommended the Tres Leches and Carajillo and both were DELICIOUS! He is a top notch server and was very personable! Ask for Michael when you come, he is knowledgeable and personable!

Angela S.

Yelp
We stopped in for cocktails and appetizers. Our server Adrian was fantastic very attentive and detailed. The drinks were phenomenal atmosphere is beautiful.

Jeffrey H.

Yelp
good food, nice atmosphere excellent service from Adrian. Comfortable seating. Happy happy hour.
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Pearl C.

Yelp
Picked this place by accident but I think any place you choose in Balboa Park is going to be beautiful. The ambiance was great and like I said earlier, beautiful! Service okay. but the food made up for it because it was great. We ordered the seafood paellas, fish tacos, steak tacos, mushroom risotto, and pappardelle primavera. All very tasty and yummy.
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Dan M.

Yelp
We went there Saturday night for a night out and to celebrate my friends 60th birthday. We went last year and it was great, they came out with a card from the staff and candles. Great memory. This time, not the best service and no card or dessert for my friends 60th. Kinda disappointed but still the food was good.
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Nina B.

Yelp
My cousin made reservations for our family brunch at this spot located at Balboa Park. Before entering the restaurant, you will see a Woman of Tehuantepec, also known as Aztec Woman of Tehuantepec, is an outdoor 1935 fountain and sculpture by Donal Hord, installed in the courtyard of Balboa Park's House of Hospitality. A great photo op with friends and family. As we checked in with the hostess we were seated at the patio with an umbrella. The Patio was lush and warm outside. My cousin ordered a lot of appetizers for us to try such as spicy calamari fries, and grilled cauliflower. For myself, since it was resturant week I opted the restaurant week menu price which I ordered the red and gold baby beet salad with prado sangria. I loved the salad very light and refreshing. Lastly for dessert, we all shared tres leches with white cake, pistachio meringue, and strawberry sauce! Very yummy! A great brunch spot!
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Nadine B.

Yelp
We were very much looking forward to the Seared Prime Beef Sushi Roll, and our Irish Coffees! We'd been here several times before, and every time my girlfriend comes to town! First, the bartender made our Irish Coffees without Jameson.... Can you make Irish Coffee without Irish whiskey?! Then, we ordered our Seared Prime Beef Sushi Rolls. They came back later to say they were out of them. We expressed our disappointment, as we had come just for that. And we said we could wait, if that was the issue. So they said they would go ahead and prepare them, but it might be a little while. When they finally brought them, it certainly didn't look like steak! It looked like lobster or some kind of fish. And what did it taste like? Just rice. Only rice. We returned them. I'm not sure we'll go back.
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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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Lisa M.

Yelp
I have only been to The Prado once and I only got to try their Sangria. I'm not one to usually order sangria, but it was calling my name on a hot summer day. The combo of fresh fruit, sweet wine, and a bit of citrus made every sip taste incredibly refreshing. I am looking forward to trying their food next time!
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Will S.

Yelp
We used to absolutely love this place, but hadn't been for a few years. Wow, we either hit it on a bad night or they have just really slipped. Used to be the servers were all fun and friendly and seemed like they'd been there forever, especially on a weekend for dinner, but our server was quite unfriendly and seemed to hand off the table at some point and we never saw him again. We used to look forward to the flatbread and hummus on the table when you arrive. Now they still do that but it costs $6.50 and the crackers for some reason are not nearly as good. The prices (see receipt attached) were a lot pricier than I remembered. I wouldn't mind as much if the food was spectacular, but my wife's Farmers Salad was so-so and her short ribs were fatty. My daughter's $38 piece of salmon was literally 6 ounces maybe, a little square of salmon, 3 inches by 3 inches, and was somewhat dry and overcooked. My pork chop was good, but again $39 for a decent sized chop, some mashed potatoes and a huge garnish of just random greens that went untouched. They add on a 5% ($8) "supplemental fee", $13 in tax, and boom this is a $180 meal for 2 adults and a kid, 1 adult beverage total. no dessert.. how the heck did this meal cost us $200 with tip? At the end, my huge pet peeve, settling the check took no less than 20 minutes, by which time the wife and kid had done a walking tour of Balboa Park without me. Did I mention my daughter ordered a strawberry lemonade? $10! Save your money folks, there are lots of better options out there.
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Agnes E.

Yelp
Halloween party was great! The multiple dj's rooms were fun! I highly recommend it. The view from the patio was great.
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Steven S.

Yelp
This is one of the most fanciest lunch spots I've ever been to. The food was amazing . The beat salad with shrimp I ate hit the spot for me. The service was very friendly and our waiter was very attentive to us. The ambiance of the place was very nice as well. I highly recommend this place. I wish I can come back but I'm heading back home up north in a couple of days. I give them 5 stars
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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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Nariman R.

Yelp
Ambiance great and service was good. Went during a slow weekday and really enjoyed taking our time, enjoying the pace. Food was good and portions were perfect

T F.

Yelp
Lunch at The Prado was amazing! We really enjoy coming to The Prado often. The food was amazing as well as the service. We are very well taken care of every time we dine. Our favorite spot to eat is on the patio. It's beautiful and very relaxing.
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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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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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Carley H.

Yelp
I had the most amazing lunch at the prado! We started with a pitcher of sangria which was the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Then we shared the wagyu sushi roll, this was rich and absolutely delicious. Our server Lisa made the experience absolute perfection! She was sweet and very knowledgeable about the menu and the wonderful museums here at balboa park. It was an overall great experience. We will definitely be back and will be requesting Lisa to serve us again. Thanks Prado!!
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Ashley H.

Yelp
We sat outside and had lunch and a pitcher of sangria. it was peaceful and beautiful and we had a wonderful experience. Shout out to Bryan- such great service. Stop making them cover up their tattoos, CRG! so dumb! it's 2025! shielding our tender eyes from viewing permanent skin art is not your job, and we never asked you to do it. it's not the Apostolic Palace; it's lunchtime at the Prado. let's get with the times.
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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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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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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.
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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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Catherine F.

Yelp
Having walked around the park, the conservatory, the museums for the afternoon, His Goatness, Hermano and I decided to sit in the shade to nibble and imbibe while waiting for Hermana to join us. (All my fave people in one tiny patio table, yay!) Waitress was sweet, and gave us until happy hour officially started to take our orders, since everything we wanted was on that menu anyways. I sipped a prickly pear and strawberry margarita that was refreshing and not too sweet... but alas, I couldn't taste the prickly pear. The mole rojo chicken wings were marvelous -- I truly love a good mole, and this was an EXCELLENT mole. Rich and salty-sweet-creamy... we got extra tortilla chips to scoop up every last schmear of it. Fish tacos (you sensing a theme, here? Yep... I'm a sucker for a good fish taco, and when in Rome...) were delicate, golden, flaky, with crunchy cabbage and pico, a bright flavorful chimichurri aioli (not the crema I'm used to, but not overdone), and the tender, grounding earthiness of charro beans. The queso dip was more liquid than expected, but packed tons of flavor. Wouldn't have minded pouring it over something... well, anything, really. I see why this is a fave hangout for Hermano and Hermana!
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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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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.)
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Jason M.

Yelp
Not good this time. We went before they closed. Service was OK. but we had a good experience last time with my celiac wife. This time she got sick. We think the caesar salad was the issue. Also my sons meal had raw chicken. It was chewy and hard. Possibly pulled from the freezer and cooked quickly, not all the way through, it was gross. The comped it but this combined with my wife getting sick from likely the salad makes me not ever want to come back. The salmon we had was good. Very good, not sure that was the culprit either but either way the staff seemed not all there this time. Manager said sorry for the chicken but did not seem that interested in getting him something else to eat either. So we will pass on this place. Which sucks as we did like it.
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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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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.

Nancy D.

Yelp
Stopped in for lunch. Yummy food, lovely atmosphere (except for the occasional plane taking off overhead), and terrific service from Michael C. Tucked away inside Balboa Park, The Prado was a perfect respite from a hot day of sightseeing. We sat on the lovely patio, but inside looks cozy, too. When he discovered we were visiting from the East Coast, Michael went above and beyond to share his love of San Diego and recommend a few must-see's for us. Really appreciated his friendliness and excellent service.
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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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Brianna S.

Yelp
We came here for a birthday lunch and Michael went above and beyond! Seriously. Im a waitress and this experience was seriously above and beyond!
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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.

Julia H.

Yelp
My significant other and I (if he is reading this: where is my ring?!) came to The Prado on Tuesday evening. What an exquisite "sundae" from beginning (hostess) to end. Michael, our server, was the cherry. Let me tell you why: besides being charming he engaged with us in genuine conversation yet provided us with privacy. He had asked us what we did that day. "We hiked Torrey Pines," I said. I saw him light up and then he gave us a phenomenal local recommendation that I knew of from years ago, but reconsidered upon his insight... At the end of our perfect meal offered in gentle light and soft Spanish music, he brought our check and an index card with the words 'Cowles Mountain, 1,500 feet, 3 miles, 92120". "Tomorrow morning I want you to hike Cowles Mountain. It is the highest point in San Diego." And do you know what we did this morning? We hike Cowles Mountain, and it was unbelievable! His suggestion was above and beyond thoughtful and his service was attentive and comfortable. His knowledge of the restaurant's history and menu, and personalized local city offerings was thoroughly impressive and incredibly helpful. We WILL be back soon for the gravable food and ambiance, and will ensure that we ask to be seated with Michael again. :)
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Ahje J.

Yelp
Absolutely great service and delicious food. Shout out to Hector, he was so tentative and helpful on what to order. Prado always has a special place whenever I visit balboa! Definitely check it out.

S. N.

Yelp
We went to The Prado after our day at the zoo and were pleasantly served by our awesome server Kara. She was beyond amazing! She accommodated our large group with patience and proficiency. She packed up all our meals, labeled them all, and then printed multiple receipts as we kept changing our minds. She was extremely understanding and patient with us and made us feel so so welcome. Thank you for such a wonder experience Kara! We'll definitely ask for you next time we're here.