Balboa Cafe Reviews

This was my first time at Balboa Cafe, and it was wonderful! The menu selections were unique, but also had a familiar feeling. The food was delicious, I had the mushroom risotto and my date had the strip steak-- he said "it was the best steak he's had in a long time" (and we just moved from NYC, home of steakhouses!). The service was quick and friendly. I didn't feel like we were bothered or rushed out even though it was a busy place. We got in easily with no reservation. Overall the atmosphere was cool, it was a place I wanted to be, a huge bar crowd and people just socializing and having fun. It's in a great location too. Highly recommend.

Very cool place to have a drink and grab some food. Definitely recommend the burger. It's delicious.

It was great to be able to finally find somewhere that served dinner instead of burgers, burritos or pizza. Our dinner was delicious. I would have given a 5 but it was just so noisy.

A SF institution and never disappoints. The classic burger on a baguette remains constant, though the menu is seasonal

Enjoy the wine flights, the scallop, and the prime rib but skip the crab cakes! This is a fun place to dine surrounded in old San Francisco charm.

Went here for dinner with my family recently and both the service and food were very good. The wide range of selections on the menu helped us decide that this was the place to go. The bar scene was happening and the restaurant was full as well. There were no complaints about anyone's meal and the desserts were delicious as well. Look forward to returning soon!

Popular spot known for espresso martinis in the Marina. Came here for dinner on a Friday evening around 9pm and it was pretty crowded. We didn’t have reservations for our party of four but we nabbed an inside table with a less than 5 minute wait. Outdoor seating with heat lamps is also available. The Mac and cheese was the crowd favorite. I did enjoy the poke nachos as well, though note that there is a lot of mayo-based sauce on top. The buttermilk calamari came in a huge portion size so that’s a good option for those groups that are hungry. We got a salad and risotto to round out the meal - those were alright. Service was pretty slow but it was a busy Friday night, so we just went up to the bar to try to pay the bill.

I might try to sit outside and enjoy those passing by next time. Inside was clean and service was attentive. We split a entree and were charged a split fee but we still had room for desert which was excellent - Creme brulle.

Not distinguished by location or appearance but good food. I had chicken which was well prepared and promptly served.

I always feel like I'm stepping back in time to old San Francisco when I come here. Perfect for a warm drink on a dreary day or a chilled glass of wine and fabulous salad for lunch. A must do for a true San Francisco experience!

When we feel like having a good hamburger in SF, Balboa Cafe is where we head out to get one. They ask how you like it and it comes with thin, crispy fries, cooked onions, tomatoe and lettece on the side, served on french baguette bread. The Ceasars salad is our favorite. Crisp romaine not cut up with anchovies and crunchy croutons.

It's not our first visit to the Balboa but it's a magnet for us if we're in San Francisco. On fashionable Fillmore, the Balboa is a loud, noisy eclectic mix of fun-seeking locals who occupy every available seat and table in this busy bar. The beer is good (Pacifico is on offer - should be mandatory for all bars in California!) and the food is good too and so is the service. What more can you ask for? The Balboa never fails to satisfy. In fact, I've only one moan: please will you guys go with the flow and replace the awful toasted Baguette (which comes with the burger) with a large soft toasted bun? Thank you.

Cougar Den. Go in and watch the animals! Beware Tatiana.

Dining here is always a pleasure. The old world service and the classic Edward Hopper style bar are fantastic and you'll always spot a local face. On past visits I've seen members of the Hearst (Citizen Kane inspiration) publishing family and the former mayor of SFO, Gavin Newsom. It's a real hotspot for the elite of Pacific Heights and the Marina district and as a result it's got a bit of glamour. The food is simple - think burgers, steaks, etc - but it is delicious and great value for money. I really recommend it.

Fillmore Street runs from the marina area of San Francisco south over the hills and down into rougher parts, passing through neighborhoods posh and shabby, and offering good restaurants of many styles along the way. The Balboa is typical of the older stalwarts - a range of cuisine from burgers to semi-fine dining. The exterior doesn't suggest the quality within, and that may be why there are fewer tourists and more locals, many of the business-suit variety. Fairly pricey (to visitors from out of the Bay Area) but not unreasonable menu. Had a delicious, mild mushroom soup this time, and a tasty, varied salad. Crowded, but the noise level was not a problem. Friendly, unobtrusive service.

Balboa Burger!! Big Drinks! Couger Mania!

meat market

I have only ever drank here and cannot comment on the food, but its a fun atmosphere and usually extremely packed on a Friday or Saturday.

Balboa Cafe is a bar/restaurant that’s been there since 1914. I wandered in, looking for a seat, when I was stopped by a charming woman in an orange scarf, who seated me at the bar, while giving me a stream of tongue-in-cheek admonitions about the bes way to flirt with Mike, the bartender. I ordered a chicken breast sandwich and a hot cider. The hot cider appeared immediately, poured by Mike. But for some reason, I had to wait ages for the chicken sandwich to appear. It must have been 20 to 30 minutes. In the meantime, I’d drunk all of my cider, so I ordered a glass of white wine. Mike poured the house wine and it was good, medium sweet. He noticed that the sandwich hadn't arrived, and made an extra effort to get it to me. Finally the sandwich arrived. It came with one of those wonderful green salads they have here in California. And was served with avocado which I loved. Afterwards, I ordered the apple crisp. It was out-of-this-world heavenly.

decent food, ridiculously loud

Had lunch yesterday with friends who love the Balboa which had suffered in many areas recently. But, yesterday, the food was excellent. I had the salmon which one friend requested more medium rare than mine. Both meals were absolutely perfect. As always, the service was excellent, and now the food it, too. The new chef, who made an appearance, has improved the place. Go now!

it's been awhile since I've been here, EXCELLENT FOOD, decent price, great ambiance- good service- a bit too busy and noisy

Continental cuisine and good service. Relaxed, upscale bar setting. I enjoyed Pasta Bolegnese at the bar. Great staff.

Dined at the Balboa cafe on Saturday night. I lived in SF in the early 80’s and this was the place to be. It still is! The vibe and menu hasn’t much and that’s a good thing. Food and service was outstanding!!

I have been to Balboa Cafe a number of times over the years and had the opportunity to go there with my family on a recent trip to San Francisco. The hamburger my daughter had was excellent. The pork chop I had we a bit overcooked, but had very good flavor. The pasta my other daughter had wasn't quite up to par. The grilled artichoke was excellent and the wine that was recommended was excellent.

Some very prominent SF residents are regulars here, although you'd never know it. It's a very casual, down to earth place. Food and service are excellent.

Ordered a standard "can't miss" burger and fries and was disappointed. Fries were dry and burger lacked flavor. Tried the chocolate cake afterward, and the chocolate taste was minimal with mostly a sugary flavor. Real bummer.

We were walking around and stumbled upon this place. I am glad we did. The food was reasonably priced and very tasty. I had the eggs benedict and they were very good. The service was excellent.

Great restaurant, atmosphere, service and tasty food. I especially loved the Chimichurri Fries, they are so delicious.

This was my third lunch at the Balboa. As always the food and service were excellent. It still maintains the ambience of pre-chain cafes and restaurants. We had thought that it would not be crowded since it was a Monday. However the cafe was full Caveat. Parking can be a problem

My family and I have eaten here each time we've traveled to stay in this area of San Francisco. The restaurant is fun, great atmosphere and the food is always interesting and good.

As a change from Perry's, my wife and I decided to go the Balboa. Very disappointing. My buttermilk fried chicken was really not much better than a McChicken sandwich. The fries were OK. My wife had the enchilada special. We had to send it back to get it hot and the cheese melted. It was not great either and would not recommend it. If you are looking for a good traditional SF joint, try Perry's on Union St or Taddich Grill downtown on California St.

We were recommended this place by someone we met at the Brazen Head the night before. It was amazing - we met our friends from california and went there at 9.30 a.m. You have to see it to believe it - hundred's of glasses lined up on the counter for the preparation of their famous "bloody mary" breakfast cocktail. - and it didn't disappoint. Husband doesn't do tomato juice so had a rum punch (for breakfast!?) and the menu was fantastic - between the four of us we had 2 x Eggs Benedict, 1 x huge american breakfast, and 1 x huevos rancheros - plus coffees all round and the bill was $96 - great value. I would recommend this to anyone - by the time we left it was absolutely packed.

Really weird place with its oak paneled walls and overly cool bartenders from the 50's (both look and age). Serving are small and on the gourmet side of the scale. Still interesting visit.

Dropped in for a beer ($6 for an IPA) and noticed that there was a decent sized dining area with well presented tables. So, decided to return for a meal. Good range of fare. Formal waiter service with our dishes promptly served. A fair bit of activity from the staff carrying provisions down a set of stairs located in the centre of the dining area. Not the cheapest, but that goes with the area.

We looked for an place to have an after dinner drink close to our hotel. Our cab driver suggested Balboa Cafe and he knew something. We had a terrific time just ordering drinks and returned the following night for dinner at the bar. Oysters and crab cakes were delicious without being flashy. The wine list was extensive and reasonable. Kudos to our bartender, Kevin, who was mature and wise, fun and funny. We also enjoyed meeting the locals who stopped in after work (we were there on a Sunday and Monday) and were very friendly.

Went for lunch here and was pleasantly surprised how much we liked it. Had the crab cakes and they were great

Had to ask for a menu, waited a long time for 1st course then main came before we finished. Chicken under done, fish raw in centre. Maybe ok when not busy?

Unlike Discover751772 (and I will note that their unfavorable review of Balboa Cafe is the sole review they've ever posted on Trip Advisor - this review will be #132 for me) my husband, sister and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at Balboa Cafe. We came together in San Francisco from Los Angeles and New Mexico. I had made our reservations some weeks before, and two weeks before called to confirm. The day before, they called me but I missed the call. When I did call them back, they thanked me for returning the call, and we again confirmed. When we arrived they were expecting us, seated us after a very short wait, and we ate wonderful food, augmented by the an exceptionally professional wait staff. The restaurant was slammed, but these people are experienced. We all loved the ambiance of the restaurant and the quality of the food. This may portend a new tradition for us!

I lived in San Francisco for 24 years and liked this resturant. Visiting here this month I rediscovered it during a walk and had a delightful experience. Excellent wine, fresh oysters and lightly fried calamari. Friendly people, excellent service and I will come here again for lunch, or dinner while I am here these two weeks.

This is a OK bar, but I've not eaten here. It's widely known as a meat market and golddigger's hang out. If what you want is a rich, 40-something man, Balboa should be on your list of late night hang outs.

We ordered espresso martinis and chimichurri fries. The stay was welcoming and kind to let us sit in the dining area without ordering a full meal. Restaurant is historic, but not corny. The fries were very flavorful and crispy. Great bites and libations!

Love their burger on a baguette!

No trip to San Francisco is complete without lunch at Balboa Café. This is a great institution dating back to to early 20th century serving up familiar staples and creative originals. There are a surprising number of vegetarian options-love the kale salad. My husband always orders the. Urgent served at temperature on a crusty baguette. The real star is their vast wide selection. We love the Adaptation Petite Syrah available at a reasonable price. Service is friendly and welcoming whether you are a local or visitor, they are glad to see you.

The food's fine. It is the atmosphere, the history, the people watching that makes the Balboa Cafe memorable. The place is bustling with the old gentry of SF as well as birthday parties, friends, couples....it is so much fun. We had champagne poured by a friendly fabulous waiter whose name I can't remember. It felt like everyone knew each other. The crab cakes are not worth the money. The mushroom bruschetta is good. I had the daily pasta with prawns which was good. Go but don't expect a culinary awakening but you will still have a great time!

for over 4o years this Balboa was great, wonderful inexpensive food famous hamburgers, and people watching, Daniella Steel and Gordon Getty lunching at the long bar,Alas now under bad management ,poorly prepared food ,even the Friday fish and chips we had were tasteless and over priced, Talking to our server we discovered that there has been no Chef in the kitchen for the past 6 months, so sad once was so so great ,at night its packed with bar people, but the food is terrable these days sorry to report, I was a regular for meny meny years, try some where near by like Perry's on Union,

We dropped in for drinks and appetizers, and to drink in the old-time San Francisco ambience. We enjoyed the ebb and flow of tourists and locals, with a waiter that get us smiling as we sampled some very creative drinks. We'll be back!

With daylight savings time kicking in we beat the folks who failed to change their clocks to Ba;boa Cafe and had a terrific brunch of hues rancheros and the eponymous Balburrito. Both great choice, delightfully fresh OJ and most importantly good coffee. No rush to leave when we were finished which is also nice for a popular spot.

Using a motel without a reataurant we were looking for a good restaurant nearby and wre recommended to go there.It was very full early evening but the staf wre very helpful in finding room for us.The food and the wines were very good and the whole experience very enjoyable.

I come here a couple of times a year if friends decide to want to meet up at the Marina/Cow Hollow area. It's filled with people living in the neighborhood who've been coming here for years, there are some older and younger folks, a good mix I'd say. Don't come if you're not comfortable in that scene. It has a bar that's been there forever and good bartenders as well. I've never come during weekend nights although it's been called the Golden Triangle for a variety of reasons - very crowded. It's part of the Plumpjack group and I've gone to their winery in Napa, shopped at the Plumpjack Wine store and their Squaw Valley outpost. My favorite cocktails: Sazerac and martini as you like it - their bartenders do a good job of whatever drinks I've ordered. I usually order their oysters, tuna cones, calamari fritti and Caesar salad. I even met Gavin Newsom there the last time, I understand he used to co-own it before he got into politics. You can see a different side of San Francisco here, love it or leave it - I love it.

This was a return visit for us ,having first discovered the Balboa café whist on holiday in San Fran 4 years ago. It was just as good. Very relaxing for lunch with choice of indoor or outdoor dining. Good choice of menu and wines. Just 'off the beaten track' and therefore a little quieter.

This place was amazing the food was fresh and healthy and the staff were terrific, this place is a must. I ordered fresh avocado on bread with balsamic vinegar, really light for a snack. They had all kinds of dishes from GF to vegetarian. It is a short walk to the beach about 500mtrs and loads of other shops around. We then caught the ferry to the coast Hwy down to San Diego.

I enjoyed two breakfasts on two consecutive days. Both were well cooked and excellent. The Latte coffees were outstanding and the service rapid with a smile.

So so

Mrs. Sothoth and I are spending weekends exploring different neighborhoods in our adopted city. Stopped in here on a whim for a cocktail before taking the bus back home. Pretty bar, great cocktails - and let me assure you here that they are not watering the martinis - and friendly bar staff in white coats and ties. We'll be stopping in again!

What a fantastic experience, not only the great service but also the delicious plates we order. As a family we found options for all ages and the nice environment allowed us to enjoy a great brunch together

Great bar and San Francisco atmosphere. Been here many times and the food is very uneven. Last time I went, I ordered the soup of the day. When it arrived, the soup was cold, but the bowl was hot. Obviously they put cold soup in the bowl and then put the bowl in the oven. What kind of restaurant does this? What kind of chef would have this as the regular procedure for serving soup? And to top it all off the food is very expensive.

This is an old favorite of mine. I lived in the neighborhood for 7 years and still go back when ever I can. I love the old SF charm, friendly staff, great drinks and food. I love it host at the holidays when the garlands bedeck the wood paneling. Great for brunch, lunch, dinner and bar scene. They know about gluten free, so I feel safe eating there.

this is a fun bar in the golden triangle. This can be considered a pickup bar, but I went with my husband and enjoyed watching the men and women try to meet one another.

This place really separated itself by keeping inexpensive-to-make items such as omelettes at $9. When they recently raised their price to $14.50 -- I'm heading to The Grove for this item. Come on guys -- for a couple of eggs??? And I would order a couple of drinks with it. You lost my business!! And we would come in a group of 10. Too bad because I came here for over 30 years.....

Balboa café has been good for the past 100 years. The drinks are awesome and beer/wine menu is quite good. Seats indoor and outdoor are great for people watching and connecting with friends. The service is great and bartender is first rate. A do not miss when in the Golden Triangle area in San Francisco!

I love the burger here. It's huge, (very easy to split) on delicious sourdough and the fries are great. This is a great neighborhood bar in the Marina. Near great shopping and the Marina green. Night time is a young crowd packed with young professionals. I prefer it for lunch!

I went to Balboa Cafe with my colleagues and you can notice this is where the locals hang out. Very noisy bar and we had to wait 30min for a dinner table. The cafe does not take any reservations in advance unless it's for 6 people or more. I ordered the bruschetta for starters and then the scallops for main which were amazing. Such great taste and flavour in your mouth. I also ordered some mash potato on the side which was to die for. Great place for all visitors to eat in San Fran.

The best place to eat in San fran. It is a bit off the beaten track n not on any tourist maps but I do not know what. This place is amazing the food is just wow. It is the Best way to describe a steak that melts in your mouth and their famous burgers hit the spot It's not just that but the staff are great. Our waitress really knew what she was talking about n was so friendly and best of all didn't come up half way through the meal and say " is every thing ok" but honestly me n the other half ain't big fancy restaurant people but here we felt nice. We wernt patronised or rused n the staff and the cooks really paid attention to what you want. Plus cheap drinks..... Bonus

The service was very good while visiting for brunch on Memorial Day. The drinks were tasty and the food was well cooked.

Again, close to our B&B and highly recommended. Great staff and service. Our server Dayon was quite pleasant and attentive. My wife had the half Roasted Chicken, while I had a half dozen oysters and the Halibut. Nice sized servings and cooked to perfection. The chicken was great as was the halibut. Definitely a place we'd go back to.

Balboa was a classic neighborhood bar when the Warriors won the NBA championship in 1974. It is now a trendy upscale bar with pub food. Remodeled retained the exterior of the old bar and it is very popular

In late afternoon, we were thirsty so grabbed a sidewalk table to enjoy the day and people watch. We had a couple of cool ones. My wife had the PJ margarita $14 and I had Hazy draft beer $9. Just right. Alex said he’d been a server for many years. It was obvious - no pressure to order food or to give up the table and move on.

Great burger

close to 50 years since I've been to the Balboa Cafe, when the intersection was called the Bermuda Triangle. Didn't recognize it. Bar is much nicer, food is much improved. Great hamburger, according to grandson. Excellent cocktails. Will return

The history and atmosphere drew us in, but the service left something to be desired. It wasn't horrific...but just inattentive. My husband ordered the seared ahi salad, and it was excellent. I, however, ordered a salad that was supposed to come with raisins and honey pecans. My salad had not one pecan in it. By the time I discovered this disappointment, it was nearly gone. If our server had asked us about our meals, I would have conveyed my disappointment. But nada. Very disappointing. Of the four nice restaurants we went to in San Francisco, this was the most disappointing.

Noisy and crowded, this is an excellent neighborhood bistro. We have eaten here the last two times we visited San Francisco. They make amazing cocktails and the food was delicious. You cannot go wrong with the oysters on the half shell or the salmon and tuna tar-tar to start. Our only issue was that we had just begun our starters and the entrees arrived. The service was wonderful and we will go back again and again.

Balboa Cafe is fun, lively, reliable, and popular in the neighborhood. Cheerful people in a very busy weekend visit. Standard American fare: creative burgers, eggs benedict, home made hash. What's not to like? Good bar scene and tables outside if good weather.

We thoroughly enjoyed the food and attentive service at this neighborhood restaurant. Though we lunched here -- great salads, omelets, and hamburgers -- would recommend for any meal, including Sunday brunch. Food has delicacy, yet more than ample. Definitely not an indifferent tourist place. Has casual comfort ambiance. If a neighborhood diner could have magically undergone cordon bleu transformation, Balboa Cafe is Exhibit "A". Perfect for delicious meals followed by comfortable strolls.

I had a very enjoyable meal at Balboa's. I ordered bbq ribs, which came with a tasty coleslaw, and French fries. The generous portions were far more than I could consume in one setting so I brought leftovers home to enjoy the next day. I chose a lovely wine, "Whispering Rose," because the name appealed to me. My dinner companion had eaten here on several occasions. Although she flirted with the idea of trying something new, she changed her mind and ordered her favorite dish - the hamburger! Service was excellent.

Lunch with work folk & was pleasantly surprised at the updated menu with options and a daily special. Waitress was helpful and there were tables available. Service was quick and efficient, though we arrived before noon and were seated right away. Each person was happy with their entrée. I had the crab cake lunch entrée; the crab cake was massive compared to other places. We shared the Deviled Eggs Appetizer - YUM. Bacon makes any dish taste better.

More of a fancy pants burger... but... Balboa Burger, rare with Blue cheese...

Went here for a simple coffee sitting at the bar counter, so just giving my opinion on that.. 5 minutes stay, coffee wasn’t even good, charged me 5 dollars per single coffee. To my experience this already tells a lot about the place...

The Balboa Cafe is really good. Great San Francisco atmosphere with professional waitstaff and always good food. It is a pleasure to eat here. Inside and outside. You won't be disappointed.

Great atmosphere & service. We were fortunate in dining on a Wednesday night with the special being chicken paillard & arugula/tomato salad. Light & crispy. The grilled artichoke was very good as well. Definitely a repeat visit next time in this area.

We were in Napa and going to visit Plumpjack Winery, ran out of time so I was checking out where we could buy some of their wine to try. We were spending a day in San Francisco before our flight home and after searching online came across Plumpjack holdings, as well as the winery they own resorts, retail liquor stores, and restaurants, one was the Plumpjack Wine/Liquor store and the Balboa Café across the street. The café on outside looked kind of like a 50's décor, but once inside saw the 100 year old bar, things were looking up. There was 6 of us and all had a great time, everyone was bending over backwards to do whatever we wanted, and the food was outstanding. It was a casual atmosphere, with a suit or jeans being ok to wear. Since we had 6 people (min for reservations) we were seated immediately even thou we had only made the reservations 3 hours ahead. A lot of locals frequent the bar and was a little noisy, but we were having a good time and was probably a little noisy ourselves, IF you want a little more quiet ask for farther back in restaurant!

Loved the chicken paillard. The martini's are great too. The service is top notch. A little noisy in the bar, but overall a fun atmoshere

the atmosphere is great hometown feel. menu is always top notch, even on Thanksgiving day! a warm and welcoming staff with knowledge and a smile!

bermuda triangle - fun place

Recommend the hamburgers, but add ons are $1.50 each. Order greens instead of mediocre fries. NY steak is average. Does have outdoor seating on two streets. Nice selection of beverages.

A San Francisco classic spot with good character and vibe. Loved the burger and the bar was hopping. This is a must visit spot.

This place has a very old feel to it, and I mean that in a positive way. I found the atmosphere charming. Service was excellent in every way, attentive and enthusiastic but not too intrusive. I had a flounder special which was quite good but not up to the level I have had in New Orleans. I forget now what the sides were, but they were very good. Portions on everything were pretty generous. For San Francisco, prices are pretty reasonable. I enjoyed eating here a lot, and would definitely do so again. They had a good beer selection and prices were fairly reasonable for drinks. Place was crowded but not overly so on a Friday night.

Had a ‘last drink’ here before the end of the evening and was not disappointed. Atmosphere was fab, bartenders better and some good old fashioned conversation sat at the bar. Will definitely be back.

Nice place for a stop before diving into bed. Drinks are well served and snacks delicious. Expensive but worthy.

This place was recommended to us for lunch by the owners of a local B&B and we are so glad they told us about it! the service was fantastic, the restaurant/bar itself has a special vibe to it, there is the restaurant half and a bar half. The burgers are incredible! not much else to say other than we strongly recommend you consider adding this place to your places to see if you are in the area

We went to this place as our inn keeper went there regularly. It was nice, a little crazy that night because of the race that day. A lot of partiers. The food was good. I talked my BFF into trying ceviche, it was a shrimp ceviche. It was pretty good. She thought it was great, never having it before. I had the grilled scallop rissotto, which was fabulous. Along with a little sour dough bread and some great wine, it was one of the better meals I had in SF. The wait staff was good. A large, roudy party of men were sitting next to us, then moved to another table...lol. Maybe we offended them, I'm still not sure. It was overall, a very good meal. I would go back, for sure.

Pac Heights peeps enjoying bloody marys while waiting for a table. Amazing burgers

When searching for places to eat near our hotel this place stood out as definitely worth a try. They were known for their espresso martinis and the food looked outstanding. We walked from our hotel and you could feel the energy of the place from almost two full blocks away. There were so many people drinking and hanging out outside that we were convinced we wouldn’t get a table. Despite the fact that the place was packed, we were able to get a seat right away. Most of these young professionals were here to drink, and most of the drinkers were holding an espresso martini. Inside, the place was loud and lively, but that didn’t bother us at all. It was a Saturday night and the locals were out for the night. As for the food, the fried calamari was very good. It came with two sauces and both were complimentary in different ways. The vegetable risotto with shrimp and Balboa burger with fries were both very good. Overall, the food was very good. Nothing was a disappointment, but nothing reached the WOW level either. If in the area again, we could see ourselves going back. But it’s SF, so maybe we’d be more inclined to try something new. As for the espresso martini, eh. We didn’t see the appeal. It was a good espresso martini, not a great one. Candidly, it tasted like they took a great espresso martini and watered it down. It was too light for my taste. Didn’t pack a punch at all. Just one man’s opinion. The service was good. No complaints there at all.

Over the years, we have come to look forward to lunch at the Balboa Cafe as one of the highlight of our visits to SF. This year's lunch reaffirmed our memories - the food was excellent and the service was impeccable. This definitely is not a "cheap eats" restaurant, but the diner receives excellent value for the price. When in the Marina District/Cow Hollow, we strongly recommend the Balboa Cafe.

Everytime I'm in SFO I land at Balboa. Whether its for drinks or most likely Sunday brunch, I will always make the effort to drop by. I love a place that has history, great feel, nice ambiance, amazing food and top notch drinks. Service is fine and the personnel make a great team. All in all a place with a great vibe!

Ruined our family thanksgiving. We had made reservations a long time before thanksgiving, they called to confirm and we called back to confirm. They called back again to confirm and than canceled our reservation. We found this out thanksgiving morning when we called to reconfirm. Don’t make a reservation unless you want to be treated rudely and disappointed.

Don't go by the outside looks of the Balboa Cafe. This place is a winner all the way around. We first decided to eat here because of a Plumpjack winery visit a few years back (it was a great time...highly recommend in Napa). The decor is lots of dark wood and a beautiful bar. The food is outstanding. Tough choices, but we settled on the Ahi tuna tartare and beet and spinach salad for appys. Excellent. As above mentioned my hubby loved the halibut and I had to try the burger (with grilled onions and swiss) that the Balboa cafe is known for...did not disappoint. Service was attentive without overbearing. Will recommend to ALL our friends!

Visited on a crowded Wedn evening and we sat down after a short wait. Excellent menu filled with classics. The dinner special that evening was a delicious chicken paillard which was very flavorful with a perfectly light breading. I recommend the artichoke app and the desserts are also delectable. Service was attentive as water glasses quickly filled and we didn’t wait long for the food. Very good and I recommend.

I won’t be very fair as the place just reopened following all the “COVID protocols” So we had to sit outside where even under a heater San Francisco night was a bit to chilly for three 50+ guys. The guys were local and told me that this place opened its doors in 1913. Both of them had some wild nights there back in the 80s Long wooden bar, excellent martinis and a really good dish of crab cakes and asparagus and goat cheese arancini. Not my kind of music (live band) but we did Stick around for a more mature drinking options like a broad range of tequilas reposados neat with lime

Terrific, casual atmosphere outside of the bustling city. There were 4 of us out for a casual dinner. One of the guys in the group had been there before. Fun cocktails, busy on a beautiful Thursday night. Caters to all groups. There were young couples with children, young folks without children and grown-ups (like us.) Great wine list, delicious Italian bread and THE BEST Cioppino ever! we started with the peach and burrata salad, which I could now eat every day! Wonderfully prepared and presented. Worth a trip if you're in San Francisco. 10 minute cab ride from Chinatown.

All the dishes we had here were fresh and delicious. The pumkin risotto and pumpkin spice cake with vanilla bean ice cream were stand-outs. Great for a splurge.

If you want a real espresso, go to the Balboa Café. It is located at Filmore St, not far from Lombard St. It's a friendly place. The staff is very friendly and cheerful. There is also a terrace outside. Very well.

Friends who live in San Francisco suggested this restaurant on Memorial Day Monday. We had really delicious hamburgers and addictive french fries. Our friends brought their own wine. Unfortunately, it was quite noisy when we were there which was particularly hard on one of us who has tinitus--clanking silverware and dishwasher emptying can be challenging, as was the noise of small children (who probably were there more because of the holiday weekend). But the food was wonderful and we would definitely return when next in S.F.

Across the street and obviously owned by the Plump Jack group, Balboa Cafe is an institution. It is an interesting mix of old time San Francisco, sports bar, cafe all mashed into one. The bartender was quite knowledgable, but the wait staff when we moved to dinner was abrupt. We ordered three items and they were all brought at once so that some were cold when we ate them. The waiters were also anxious to clear our plates even though the restaurant was only half full. The dishes were fresh and well prepared other than the arugula which had not been trimmed properly. It was also impossible to find a quiet corner.

We had lunch here after a lovely long coastal walk on a very hot day in SF. It was Memorial Day and our original choice of restaurant was busy but we managed to get a great table at the Balboa Cafe. The food was excellent - would thoroughly recommend it.

We visited this restaurant after reading reviews on TA and it was on the doorstep of where we were staying. The bar and restaurant exceeded expectations I terms of appearance (this signage outside made it look slightly unappealing). The decor and atmosphere were nice. We were initially greeted very quickly and professionally and seated. Our drinks order was taken efficiently. We did then have a while to wait before our food order was taken and the waitress did seem a little rushed and in a hurry to get take our order and take off. Although she was more attentive later in the meal. My wife and I shared a starter (crab cakes) which were nice and I had the special for main which was rib of beef. I was told it was to be served medium rare (I usually go for medium) and I'm sure I could have asked for it cook to my liking but I like to leave it to the chef if it's a special. It was slightly too rare for my liking but a good quality meat and so I didn't mind, only it was not quite warm enough in temperature. All in all a reasonable meal but I found it to be more on the average side than "very good". I wouldn't rush back for the food, but the draft beers were good.

Restaurant during the day, but a hopping bar at night. Young fun crowd comes on weekend evenings. Good mix of both locals and tourists, including many international ones. Great place to hang out with old friends or meet new ones.

It has been several years since my husband has dined here and my first time - and we are definitely going back! Dined for lunch on a week day. Host was very personable and entertaining. Waitress had great recommendations on cocktails (which were yummy). We both had the balboa burger on the baguette and it was delicious (as were the ample fries). A very yummy and pleasant dining experience!

We had a drink at the bar before dining. Bartender efficiently made our order in front of us, making local gin recommendations in the process. Our meal was delicious, portions were well sized, and everything was fresh. Great, attentive service

We were taken to this café by San Franciscan freinds and thé food was excellent. Calamari was very lightly battered, seafood spécial in à fish soup sauce was delicious, crabcakes were good, burger was average. Great meal, great Introduction to san francisco

Fun and lively for after-work or brunch. A better bar than restaurant. The best best is maybe a burger. Go with friends or to people watch. Many, many other better choices for food.

Obviously they have beem doing things right at Balboa for the last 100 years! This was our first time here and dinner was amazing. The crab cakes were perfect for two to split. The scallops were to die for! Thanks to the Wicker family for an awesome dining experience!

My wife and I lived and worked in San Francisco 25-30 years ago - both in the downtown financial district. As young corporate types, we hung out at several local watering holes. Balboa Cafe was one of the most popular. Located just off the trendy Union Street corridor, Balboa exudes the perfect touch of pub/local restaurant. Always jammed, Saturday and Sunday brunches are particularly popular. On a Sunday, we managed to get a table for two and had a wonderful brunch - mimosos, Irish coffees, a generous plate of smoked salmon, some fresh crab cakes, and of course, their homemade bread. What a nostalgic time for us! For anyone who has never been to a well-known SF haunt - the Balboa Cafe will not disappoint!

Loved it here! Beautiful food, great service, excellent look! Just a nice well decked out place to eat. I really enjoyed lunch here, thank you to all.

I visited Balboa in 2010 a few times in the evenings to enjoy some amber ales and found it very entertaining with a vibrant and diverse crowd. However it wasn't until returning on my latest trip for a quiet lunch that I found it's true character. I wandered in and was greeted by what I can only assume was the owner a friendly older lady with the qualities of a caring grandparent. She was also a massive Basketball fan which is worth a few points as well. She seemed to have a passion for the venue and a real charm with the customer. I was keen to sit outside and enjoy what was some unseasonably kind weather and she sorted me out with a top notch table in the sun out of the wind. Inside the restaurant was filled with a golden years crowd mainly all having a great time sharing stories in the classy venue which seemed to ooze old school charm. The menu was short but included several tasty looking options, I took the Hereford Steak and it was delightful, cooked to perfection, hearty sized portion. I was well attended and overall this was a dining experience that made me walk away happy with the investment in time and energy walking down and brightened up my whole afternoon. Thanks Balboa crew great work!

I've been there with my clients. And boy , the place is always crowded. But they don't disappoint in every aspect of my dining experience. The crews are friendly as well as the customers. The food is beyond belief at a reasonable. It's a great restaurant in an upscale Marina neighborhood. Two thumbs up.

This is a sweet little neighborhood restaurant and very popular. The drinks are fun and food is good.

I've never eaten anything but the burger.

Whenever we visit our daughter and grandkids in San Fran we always go to Balboa's Cafe for lunch. They have the most awesome Calamari! (If we can get any after our 19 yr. old grandson gets to them!) Great food, staff and place to see lots of friends and even some famous ones!

They have a variety of dishes, we share the vegetarian risotto incredible, the burgers are great and the New York steak, high quality with the french fries, yummmm, the restaurant is clean, service is not great but not bad, don't go there for meeting as is very loud. Hope you guys enjoy the selection of wines, I am sure it is a good option is you are close to the hood.

Honestly if you are going to f me. Please just give me a heads up. 13.86 for a well drink and I have to tip on top of that.

A heck of a difference between day and night. Dinner at the Balboa Café was very good. My pumpkin and mushroom risotto was delicious, as was my wife’s crab cake. A side salad and Italian brown bread contributed to the delicious dinner. A few days later we went in for lunch. I left most of my meal, the Tuesday special, pork enchiladas, on the plate. It tasted like a microwave reheat, dry and stringy. My wife’s chicken pot pie was more a chicken pot soup, with potatoes as the main ingredient. It's a neighborhood spot, so we may go back for dinner, but will certainly stay away at lunch time.

We dropped by for lunch during the Kentucky Derby and the place was hoping with beautiful people. Great bar and food is good. Just such great ambiance. Not a tourist hangout--loved by locals for a reason. Great spot for lunch or drinks after work.

Good place with good food and service. The salmon was great! The steak pretty good but quite thin and with an unknown sauce.

I've been frequently Balboa Cafe for almost 30 years -- from my college days until now -- and I love it just as much as always. The vibe is SOOOOO SF; the food is always very good. I think you can't go wrong with a burger or Cobb salad. It's very much a "local's" place, so they get the lion's share of the server's attention, but you'll have so much fun eaves-dropping on others' conversations that you won't notice.

Excellent food, wonderful service. Became a place we ate at numerous times. Worth the effort to find this place. Would highly recommend it to all

Balboa Café is a must visit. Located in the Cow Hollow district of San Francisco. The food is suburb and the wine list is fabulous. It is casual, but you feel the elegance of the environment. The waiters are top notch and neatly dressed - adding to the ambiance. I loved their shoestring French fries, neatly served in a glass. It is a must do when in San Francisco. Do not miss this one.

This is a friendly place with good indoor and outdoor seating. I visited on a Saturday morning for brunch and was greeted at the door by the friendly owner. The bar seating was perfect and I enjoyed a fantastic garden sandwich.

A friend of mine who used to live in SF invited me here for a drink when we were both in town. Beautiful historic bar that even my hotel doorman said he loved. Great wines and food. Very lively but classy.

My favorite brunch spot in the City

yuk

Balboa is a great restaurant! We love both locations, although the Mill Valley one has quickly become our go-to as its close to our house. If you want a casual, yet sophisticated atmosphere, strong cocktails and a great wine selection, and food that more than hits the spot every time, look no further. Every single thing on the menu is amazing. We take friends and family here all the time when they visit and have never had a bad experience. It's owned by the Plumpjack Group and all of their properties are top notch!

An attractive decor and good food. The service was attentive and a great place to people watch. The prices were a little high but not bad for San Francisco

I have traveled to SF for many years, with Cafe Balboa being my #1 casual culinary choice, always recommend to friends traveling there. My recent experience had me in such a snit over the unprofessional behavior of this, I was told, manager on shift. She spoke with nastiness to our very nice server and behind her back, criticized her every action. It angered our table tremendously, especially since one friend at our table had known this server from somewhere that she used to frequent in Marin and said she was excellent. The poor girl was almost in tears by the time this awful person finished with her! I honestly believe that this so-called manager (I asked her name; it was Lisa) should be fired! The food is still very good but I will not frequent this restaurant again to observe the abuse of a nice, hard working person who is sincerely aiming to please the customer.

Always heard great things about this place. Happy to report it didn't let me down. Great selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. Bartenders are well-educated. You'll see an eclectic bunch of customers here. Serious microcosm of SF itself. Some wild outfits and personalities mixed with some understated local wealth and talent. It's really a clubby atmosphere with some SF crazies mixed in.The food may not be gourmet quality, but it's tasty, portioned appropriately, and is easy on the wallet. Ahi tuna salad was terrific. Had a taste of the burger. Good stuff!

I've been visiting charming cafe's worldwide for 30 years but tihis one takes the cake. Great service, nice wine selection, and attentive bartender's. Good talent all the way around. We had a get together for a fallen comrade who used to the JFK's security detail. Between the scotch and the tears and the laugh's we forgot to pay the bill (several K). We came back the next day the owner refused to accept the $. We were astonished, and gave the staff the biggest tip they ever saw!

Classic SF Landmark that is still very delicious. A must try for food drink and atmosphere. Close enough to walk down to marina and see the bay & Golden Gate Bridge afterward.

Seems Balboa Cafe is a popular Marina District place to celebrate birthday and promotions at the office. Two groups of 20 took over the otherwise Friday lunch for 2-4 bunch. Even so, the host found a perfect place at the back for our foursome. The waiter was welcoming. Since our friends were regulars, the Manager came over to greet & apologize for the delay in kitchen service. Crusty bread and sweet butter arrived promptly as did goblets of icy limed water. The filet of wild salmon topped with seasonal vegetables was delicate and flavorful. Great location for late lunch, people watching and experiencing the memorable Marina District, SF. Lynn Carol Breger

Balboa Cafe has good food and good service. It is located off Union Street in San Francisco. It is good value and offers many choices.

We always come to Balboa Cafe when staying in the Cow Hollow District. It is consistently good. You know you can count on good service and food. Our server, Ella was absolutely wonderful. We cannot wait until we return to SF to come back.

Went around 1 and they were serving brunch and lunch. Menu is not extensive but very high quality for the offerings. Great drinks! I was impressed with my food but I didn't realize that the tater tots were made with horseradish, ugh. Our server noticed that I didn't eat them and asked if I didn't like them, I said they weren't my favorite. He immediately stated he would remove them from the bill, so cool. But my chorizo and egg burrito was delish and so huge that I took 1/2 home. My friend had a big burger that I tasted and was perfectly cooked medium rate on a large delicious roll. Full bar and attentive service!

The Classic Balboa Cafe was established in 1913 and it’s a timeless spot. It's one of the few places where you can still experience the old-world charm of San Francisco. It’s been a favorite for many generations. An old polished bar which a packed cocktail menu. As for the food, it never disappoints. I’m particularly fond of their salads—always fresh, crisp, and perfectly balanced. The sandwiches are equally impressive. It’s a classic.

We went here for dinner and had a table in the nicer part of the restaurant. One part is more pub and the other part more restaurant. We were very Well attended. We had the Balboa burger, and it Was really good. Had some good beers and drinks. Would definitely be back if we come to SF again.

Some friends recommended Balboa's to us and I think it was our favorite meal in San Francisco. We took our two teenage daughters and they enjoyed it too. The pasta special dish that I got was the best I have ever had. Period. My husband also got a fresh pasta dish. Amazing. Very small and very loud restaurant but the wait wasn't very long and worth it!

Not worth the wait. I think its overrated. Had their highly recommended burger sandwich which I found dry cooked medium well. My friends ordered Reuben and Chicken sandwich it was very ordinary nothing special for the price paid. Was a better restaurant in previous visit 2 years ago.

Every time we go to SF we have a burger at Balboa Cafe. Juicy fresh and cooked to perfection. House wine delicious. Service great. High recommend.

best burgers

We came here because of the reviews on here. I'm afraid we were to be disappointed! We both had the filet steak which were only average, its hard to spoil a filet steak, but the seasoning just wasnt there. the sevice was good, and we were at one of the tables just inside the open folding doors. we also found it slightly expensive for what it was.

If you are looking for one spot in SanFrancisco to meet people and have a good time,with some good food and wine. It's the Balboa owned and operated by the Plump Jack group they have wineries and wine stores and other bars and restaurants but this is the their flagship hangout in the city. I have been a patron for at least a dozen years and have never been disapointed. Wednesday night is"Chicken Paillard"night it's a great dish.The bartenders Lance and Brian have been there for years and will take good care of you.Best pretty girl and millionaire watching in the city (so you might say there is a scenic view)and even the mayor Gavin Newsome former partner stops in and talks to everyone. It's the only crowded place every nite in a city full of empty restaurants.

After SOO many years, it is reassuring to have a restaurant that remains so good, fun, and you can trust you will have an excellent meal!!