Prado Reviews

My son and I had a late lunch there while visiting balboa park. Since it is a popular and i think it is the only restaurant in the park, the wait was about 15 to 20 minutes. Nonetheless, the wait was worthwhile and both of us had a great time. My son liked his burger and I liked my grilled fish taco. The waitress was a very pleasant person, and I ended up with two beers. I will certainly recommend this restaurant and will come back again.

amazing experience. we went with the chef’s tasting menu. the staff’s attentiveness and the curated menu was unbeatable. if youre looking for a unique dining experience in lisbon, this is a must!

Four of us met for lunch and had a delicious meal. It was a hot, sunny day and we sat outside under one of the umbrellas. Since the restaurant is in the middle of Balboa Park I was wondering if the food would be sort of cafeteria quality. It was not. I was pleasantly surprised to dine on a delicious lunch salad. It had protein, greens, and plenty of flavor. One of the best salads I’ve eaten at a restaurant. Three of us chose this and we were all in agreement.

Open table told me no reservations available. But I called and they said they were wide open! This was about 11:30 AM. The place and the waiters and staff were kind of ostentatious. Outdoor seating was fine. Nice view of fauna, and superb view of plane after plane coming in to land at the airport.....very low from our vantage point!! Food was ok. It seems that a large number of french fries come with ever order. You are hungry, need a restaurant, and this is here. So go there. But your experience there won't change your life!!

1st time going there and it was just perfect!! The bar/cocktails, the food, the view, the patio and our lovely waiter Jacob... Everything was perfect!! It was an amazing experience for an amazing nice. Very enjoyable first experience. I so it'd be super fancy and formal but not at all. It's fancy and casual at the same time. You can come in wearing your party dress or just your regular clothes. You'll fit in anyway! Highly recommended for a special night!

Pay attention to the bill! A line of Fee is always added... ask what it is and you will see that they will tell you that it is an error! Well-honed hustle, then! Not to mention the food that's very kind. Too bad because the service is extremely friendly.

This is the place to eat in Balboa Park, San Diego. The outdoor patio was so pretty and the plating of our food was as pleasing to the eyes as was the deliciousness of our food. I had fish tacos with mango sauce and hubby had salmon. They were both so delicious, I would definetely go back there!

The idea and main ingredients are good but the execution was poor. The paella had the right main ingredients but lacked flavor usually coming from spices and proper cooking technique. Sadly what the restaurant offers is mass food for the tourists. The prices (high, and an additional 5% surcharge not indicated on the menu) are not justified. Should we call it a tourist trap?

The food (hummus appetizer, shrimp cobb salad, grilled mahi sandwich, tres leches cake) was very good as was the service. But the real star here is the enchanting outdoor patio dining area. It was beautiful-- the architecture, the surrounding gardens, the fountains, etc. We could even hear the nearby organ concert on a Sunday afternoon. A very nice place for lunch during a visit to the park.

This restaurant, in Balboa Park, has a lovely, colourful ambiance. There is an interior area, a terrace restaurant and, between the two, a covered terrace area where we were seated although we would have been happy in any of the three areas. The service was friendly and efficient. The menu was varied and we enjoyed a beetroot, goat’s cheese and truffle vinaigrette starter followed by a blue crab and sea bass Prado Sea Cake and paella – all of which were tasty and beautifully presented. This is obviously a popular restaurant and we were lucky to get a table.

The Cohn chain of restaurants used to be dependable for fine food, but they've declined, including the Prado. Cobb salads came with ranch dressing, not blue cheese, and the shrimp was less than fresh. The steak tacos were tasteless and came without salsa. The reuben sandwich was very dry--I had to ask for more dressing--and came with tasteless chips and no pickle. The location--in the middle of Balboa Park--and the service are excellent.

We enjoyed our outdoor seating overlooking the wedding grounds and watching 2 different picture taking sessions. Food was cooked to the “T” but flavors a little bland. We had a super server named Scott who made our evening enjoyable. He was very attentive and always engaging like an old friend. He really knew the menu well and made nice suggestions. Wine by the glass selection was cool with a Soave and a Ice wine

Our favorite San Diego restaurant is the Prado! It is where we bring all of our out-of-town guests after we visit the zoo or museums. The food is amazing, especially my husband's favorite, the Mustard-Crusted Pork Chop, or our vegetarian daughter's preferred choice of the Red and Gold Baby Beet Salad. I love the Chef's Soup, and every entree I've tried there. The restaurant interior is charming, although we usually prefer the patio dining area with its gorgeous views of Balboa Park. The service is exceptional, especially with our absolute favorite server Todd. Todd is personable, professional, and he always seems to know just what we want even before we ask for it. Bring your friends, order a pitcher of their delicious Sangria, some tasty appetizers, and enjoy a relaxing meal at the Prado.

Went to PRADO to celebrate husband’s birthday before show at The globe. Food was just ok . Beet salad swimming in dressing. Ordered salmon medium came rare then husband waited politely til salmon returned. Bok Choy and rice luke warm. Entire entree lacked flavor. Dirty martini not dirty. Again had to wait for correction. Heard servers at other tables apologizing for issues. We will not be back. Disappointed

Totally Disappointed!!! Will not return! Must improve food quality! Tasteless… presentation and spices were weird??

Definitely the best restaurant we found in San Diego this trip. It was convenient since we were looking around Balboa Park. Nice looking plus good food. We came in between lunch and dinner, so there wasn’t a problem being seated.

We had such great hopes that the Prado would be a great place to try. I attempted to make dinner reservations but for the night we were in downtown San Diego, they were booked. So we went for a drink and late lunch as a walk in. We went to the bar area as it was open seating. The service was extremely slow and we needed to ask the manager for a waitress. She was very good but the food was just average. I ordered the mahi-mahi tacos which came with no salsa and beans that were chewy and tasted like baked beans but not as good. My wife ordered the chicken tortilla soup which was also not very good. Since this was their lunch/bar food, it may not speak to the quality of their dinner food but I won’t be trying it as there are way to many great restaurants in San Diego to go back.

Half off wine and $5 appetizers made for a lovely early dinner and a nice way to end a long day at the park,

Got here mid-afternoon, between the lunch and dinner crowds so entered without a wait but was busy just the same. Great decor, good menu, excellent waiter.

Really enjoyed the service, food, and ambiance of this restaurant. Just happened to stop in for a quick lunch with my husband and son and knew we'd like it :) Not too crowded or overpriced. Food was excellent and so was the sangria. Highly recommend.

Prado at Balboa Park is inside the Hospitality Centre “Casa El Prado” and overlooks the garden below. It has an expansive terrace/patio, where sofas and tables are available. There is a 4% surcharge, but they take Visa & AMEX. Coffee was $4.50 and desserts $10 (flan, mousse cake, sorbet, Mexican coconut and creek brûlée or cakes). We had the Tres Leches sponge cake with banana slices. The beer ($8) is served as well as alcoholic liqueurs, which cost $11-15. Salads and soups were not cheap ($7-$10). Being only 20 miles from the American-Mexican border, it’s no surprise the food is inspired by Mexican cooking, although burgers are an option. The service by our male bespectacled waiter was very good, but the food was more presentation and nothing spectacular. I recommend this place for families with children, and washrooms are on site (unfortunately with a lineup).

Ate here for lunch. Environment is lovely outdoors. Ordered the calamari. Not bad. Also ordered the chicken blt sandwich. The chicken was burned and very dry. I politely let the waitress know. She went to tell the manger. The manager arrived and offered sauce. I said “No thank you. That does not help burnt food.” He shrugged and then left. I asked for the bill. I was charged for the sandwich. I explained to the server that this was not acceptable. She was polite and said she would ask another manager. She returned with the bill that now showed 50% off the chicken. Seriously? They charged me for a terrible dry sandwich? I was too shocked and upset to take it further. I didn’t think that this needed spelling out. Just unprofessional. Such a disappointment .

Been here for lunch. An elegant restaurant in the Balboa park area, with very good food options! Leave some room for desert as the cakes are delicious!

We had 10 people for a family dinner outside at the Prado after attending The Tale of Despereaux at The Old Globe. Our server was amazing!! So genuine, funny, gracious, and especially attentive to the 8 & 10 year olds at the table. We had an amazing sangria with dinner, and a full array of delicious dinners: 3 of us enjoyed their fabulous paella, one had steak, one chose the fish/steak entree, and one selected the specialty pasta. We had a delightful family evening and The Prado made it wonderfully special. Many Thanks!!

I visited this restaurant while on business. Great food and awesome Bloody Mary with Siracha . Highly recommend and also there is a location at the airport.

An average but expensive restaurant overall. Pros: - setting is nice, both outside and inside - service is good - restaurant seems to promote hiring equality with most of the staff from the LGBT community Cons: - from the restaurant name, we would think we would get Portuguese food, but no, this is mostly American food (burgers...). The paella we had tastes about the same as the paella you get at Trader Joe, but is much more expensive ($36). - available parking is far, especially on the weekend when Balboa Park is crowded - apparently they charge $2.50 for 2 half slices of bread (fortunately our waiter waived it since we also ordered a small side baguette), Bread served is extremely skimpy with the pate! - the pate did not look very good. Was green at the top and brown under!! - the 5% automatic surcharge for our bill (seating of two) which came as a surprise since we did not see it on the menu. Not a terrible restaurant, but nothing to rave about, and no reason to go back.

We went there during the Christmas break so Balboa Park was quite crowded and the restaurant was busy so there was a 30 min. waiting list to get a table. I found a place outside in the bar area and while I was waiting I spoke to the very nice waiter and had a look at both the bar menu and the regular menu. There were some great items on the bar menu (at better prices than the regular menu) so I asked if we could get some more chairs so my family of four could all sit at the table (the bar area was otherwise full). The waiter immediately accommodated us and I happily cancelled the waitlist for the restaurant. We had the Tandoori flatbread, the Mahi Mahi tacos, the Spicy Calamari and the Pork Sliders. All was very delicious and we enjoyed sitting outside in beautiful surroundings.

I had salmon on a bed of salad consisting of leaves, strawberries, walnuts, figs, really nice, would recommend it. The service was good, food good.

There are many excellent restaurants in the greater San Diego area competing for repeat diners. A fellow traveler highly recommended the Prado for its location (Balboa Park), menu, and service. After indulging in a delightful lunch, the Prado has earned our repeat business. It began with Jessica, our attentive and consummate wait person taking our cocktail orders: apricot sidecar, guava martini, and vodka rocks — the drinks augured well for the rest of the meal. My mother and I shared a head-turning Kobe burger after a waiter surged past us delivering this gigantic dish to another diner. We paid a little extra to have Chef split the half-pounder but got full servings of their delicious home fries — a beautiful market salad (again, shared) comprised mostly of tender fresh-from-the-garden veggies completed our burger. My sister thought she was ordering a modest mushroom salad with skirt steak until another enormous plate arrived. (She says she would order this again in a flash.) Given the drinks and entrees, we HAD to have dessert so with Jessica’s recommendation of the tres leches cake that was both artistically plated and delicious, we were sated and happy. Beautiful setting, terrific service (thank you, Jessica), great food, wonderful value! Yeah, we’ll be back.

Amazing location and delicious food. We enjoyed the beef sushi for appetizer. Amazing mix of flavors. The paella was good, but seems like it was cooked in a different dish than served in, because the dish had a lot of juices and the rice at the bottom was not crunchy as I have had with more authentic versions of it. The desert flan was amazing. Throughout the meal service was attentive but respectful of our privacy and space.

We were visiting the Balboa Park and found this great restaurant next to the Japanese garden. We popped in for afternoon drinks and appetizers on a beautiful sunny day. The outdoor patio was an excellent location to enjoy the nice weather and relax after a long walk. The service was quick and friendly and the calamari fries were super yummy. The ice tea they served was from a locally owned tea company and was delicious. My husband also enjoyed his beer. I would highly recommend you include this restaurant with excellent food during your visit to the park, you will be glad you did.

It's a nice place to have brunch in Balboa park. The location is convenient and food is really good. The only thing is that during busy hours, it might be a little slow.

My 70 year old gal pals had a celebration lunch for year of birthdays today. We had such fun and part of that was our wonderful wait person. Shay was a delight, efficient, patient and kind. Management: please thank Shay for her great service and hope she receives a monetary reward for her professionalism!

Excellent service and delicious food in the bar area. It was in between lunch and dinner times so we opted for the bar area. The calamari fries were delicious and the fingerling potatoes! Service was above great we had five servers checking on us and they all knew what we had ordered, due to the hand held computer s thrall had. I’m definitely coming back here next time I’m in town.

A very quaint little place on a small garden. Stopped for appetizers and drinks. The grilled cauliflower was delish and the Sangria was decent

We were disappointed. After we placed our order we were told it was going to take a while because the kitchen was behind. We understand. The staff seemed concerned that the orders were so delayed they did bring out a complimentary appetizer after about 45 minutes. There were numerous mistakes (in the kitchen) with our orders and the two orders of risotto were both runny, undercooked and tasteless. We left the risottos essentially untouched. I really think ingredients were left out. The salmon was good-very good. The beat salad was excellent but the Arugula salad was bland. Meals like this are exhausting and I just did not feel like complaining. Maybe this restaurant had a bad day, but the reviews did not match our disappointing experience. I must say our server was lovely and tried her best.

The Prado is conveniently located in the heart of Balboa Park and is one of the only full-service restaurants in the park. A group of ten with a reservation arrived on time and had to wait for the table to be set up and then a bit longer while 2 chairs were added. I had a mixed reaction to their Restaurant week lunch menu -- you could choose a wine or cocktail as 1 of the 2 options for a set price -- bravo. I had a glass of pinot gorgio (#1) with their yummy chips adn hummous (complimentary) and a small ceasar salad (#2) that would only be good only as a side. The salad was fresh but too small to be considered a "real" course.

Have eaten here many times over the year. Probably my top choice for dining in Balboa Park (ok there isn't that much choice.....). It is set in a beautiful building in Balboa Park. There is both outside and indoor dining. Both are great choices depending on the weather. Menu is American focused. Most recently went for lunch on a Saturday. The place was busy but just a short wait. They do have a nice happy hour as well during the week. Had the grilled salmon add on to the Farmer's salad. Nice portion of Salmon and cooked just right - not dry at all. The salad was good, had some shaved goat cheese that was good and some berries and almonds. Maybe needed another veggie on it?? Wine - $10 per glass - of NZ Sauv Blanc was good and chilled. However, we usually opt for the pitcher of house made sangria - which is delicious. Beer options - just OK. Our waiter was fine - maybe a bit inattentive. Real bummer was the grilled chicken BLT came out so dry! The chicken was clearly over cooked - not sure how that got past the kitchen. The fries were ok. But the greek side salad was very good. So a hit and a miss. But I would still highly recommend this place just for the atmosphere/vibe.

We ate here after a very long day walking from San Diego's Bayfront to the San Diego Zoo, walking the zoo and then Balboa Park. The service was excellent, and the location was stunning. I ordered the mustard crusted pork chop, and it was honestly the best pork chop I've ever ordered while out. The presentation was also great--it was served with parsnip mashed potatoes and a watercress salad. My husband enjoyed his salmon and short rib combo, but it wasn't nearly as delicious as mine. If you're in the area, check it out for sure!

Had to ask for a server, after a good 5 minutes a server finally came, took drink orders, after about 10 minutes we got our draft beers. Manager came over (who was the original person we asked for a server) after about 15 minutes of asking her for a server to check if someone ever came over to us. Food was decent enough but expensive for the type of service we received.

Stopped in for a bite while visiting Balboa Park. Decided eating on the patio was too sunny so they moved us to an inside table, which was roomy and comfortable. I had the ABC Kobe burger with fries. Excellent. Wish they wouldn't use shredded lettuce because it ended up all over the place and made the burger messy. 9 out of 10. My sister had the Reubeno, but only rated it a 7 and didn't like the cucumber salad that accompanied the sandwich. My niece had the mushroom salad with grilled salmon and rated it a 9 and thought it was a little under-cooked for her liking. The hummus served with the pre-meal bread wafers was excellent. Jessice, our server, was very good. Food came fairly quickly. Very good overall, pushing excellent. Nice decor, with blown glass.

The decor and style of this restaurant is awesome Service was fine especially since the industry has such a shortage I had the black bean soup which was perfect since it was puréed I alas I had the Kobe sushi was was a delight as well My wife had a salmon salad. Salmon was not over cooked. So great!

It's a bit pricey for me so I was delighted to spot the 4-6pm Tues-Fri Happy Hour only in The Lounge. I got a stool up at the bar and ordered a Mission Blonde Ale and was given complimentary flatbread crackers with hummus. The small plates of Korean Beef Skewers and the Spicy Shrimp were both served on slaw and were vibrantly flavorful. This lovely place has such a historic charm and an imaginative decor. I felt very satisfied with my food and even with the surcharge I was able to come in at the $20 mark which makes a restaurant of this caliber only affordable for me at happy hour.

We stopped at Prado to take a break from sightseeing and have a light lunch. We ended up each ordering a bowl of the best broccoli soup I have ever had. My only complaint was that portions were on the skimpy side but that could have been because it tasted so good on a cold, rainy day. The soup was so good that we decided to skip the sandwiches and come back to have dinner when the museums closed. We were not disappointed at dinner, either. I tried sea bass for the first time ever and their dish was a sheer delight. My husband tried paella and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. Our server was attentive and helpful and the atmosphere of the restaurant made for a perfect end to a fun day of touristing. You probably would want to have reservations, just to make sure that you get a table. Prado was a little more spendy than we usually go for but it was a treat.

Best meal I had in San Diego. I had the sea bass and it was amazing. Loved the veggies with it. The crackers and hummus were really good. Service was very good. Atmosphere was perfect. Very impressed.

Was out for the day exploring Balboa park and found this gem. Excellent food with great service. The pancetta grilled cheese is mouth watering with tons of cheese. If you are in the area try it out.

I'm probably the only native San Diegan to have never before dined at the Prado. We're always interested in it, but we usually had our dogs with us when at Balboa Park, and it never seemed like a good idea to bring them with us. Anyway, my first ever (!) visit to The Prado came as part of a lunch meeting, after a behind-the-scenes tour at one of the museums. There were five of us in the group, and after a brief (and kind of uncomfortable) wait in the front of the restaurant, we were shown to our table. It's surprising that they don't have space set aside for those waiting to be seated. We were huddled by the door leading to the back patio, and kept getting in everyone's way. Our waitress was friendly and efficient, sharing her menu favorites and giving us time to review the offerings and answer our questions. For my main, I went with the Caesar salad, with salmon. My boss got their BLT cheeseburger, but replaced her fries with a side salad, so of course I had to order a side of fries for us to share. She also ordered the Kobe Beef Sushi Roll for the table. The food came out pretty quickly, given everything that was ordered (the others ordered a chicken sandwich, the risotto and fish tacos). The Kobe sushi came out first - it was interesting in its composition - slices of Kobe beef on top of a hand roll of asparagus and seaweed. The wasabi cream that was drizzled on top tied everything together. I didn't try the ponzu dipping sauce (I didn't think it was needed). The salad was delicious. The salmon was perfectly cooked, and the romaine hearts were coated with enough dressing to bring the whole dish together. The side of fries were a nice accompaniment, as well, served perfectly crisp and lightly seasoned. The others seemed to really enjoy their meals, judging by the many empty plates that were cleared from the table. It was a pleasant way to end a great business meeting.

We've been to Prado in the park on a few occasions and love it. This is about the airport location: Note for those who have reviewed it and gave a bad rating.....it's a restaurant/bar in an International Airport!!! So if you're stopping in for eats or drinks before your flight in this or any other airport, expect to pay high prices. It's that it's there, the quality of the eats and drinks, and how you're served that matters. That being said, We got great service as my wife and I split a snack and had a beverage before flying out of SD the day after Christmas. The place was packed but my wife spotted a possible opening at the bar and we grabbed it. We ordered up our Chicken Quesadilla, her Prado-Rita and me, a Stone IPA. It didn't take too long for our items to come, we consumed and we left to allow another traveler the opportunity. The food was good, her "Rita" was good and my IPA cold. Service was fast and friendly. Recommended!

Elegant/classy venue for hosting weddings, baby showers, business meetings, bar, mitzvah, quinceneara, groove, retirement, prom.... all important happenings in a person's life.

This Jewel in Balboa Park offers ambiance, fantastic food, & great service. I had a delicious, thick, spicy black bean soup with a “pressed” arugula salad. The arugula salad had strawberries, candied nuts, and a light flavorful balsamic dressing. My friend had the pasta alla Norma (pasta + sliced eggplant ). This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

Wow! Great food: Chicken Cobb, Beet salad with shrimp, Panna Cotta, specialty cocktail and white wine. We would have eaten every meal here during our stay if we could.

My wife and I had the Veggie burger and I had the steak panini and both were delicious. I can't say enough about how beautiful this restaurant is. Our server Mark was very personable and efficient. Like most restaurants in San Diego a surcharge is added to cover the additional costs of the imposed minimum wage but the meal, sevice and ambiance is worth it.

Lets start with the good: you cant deny the atmosphere. The view and location was beautiful. The food was just average though. I ordered the paella (its ~$30, so I expected it to be great) and the chorizo was not chorizo, but tasted like some kind of dried salami. It also didnt appear fresh and was dry. Service was slow, but our server was quite nice. Based on my experience, I wouldnt return.

The food was pretty good; and the service was quick although the restaurant was busy. The location and ambiance are nice.

After enjoying our walking tour of picturesque Balboa Park, having a great lunch in a historic Park building was icing on the cake.

Outstanding meal and service. Very proud that The Prado never acts like a tourist venue that processes visitors in and out never to be seen again, but serves up fresh, delightful menu offerings every day. Dinner here was perfectly cooked Chilean sea bass, and the best calamari presentation this diner has had in a long time. Just wonderful.

iconic, lovely location for special time, Food ok, not special. We reserved outdoor seat 6:30 week night so quiet enough to converse. This was nearly impossible as a group setting up for a party in the garden had loud music the entire time we were there (party didn't evens tart). iPhone recorded 75+ decibels (city limits residential to 45-50 decibels) restaurant/park must limit noise there and enforce

My favorite item is the pressed salad - it unfolds and is delicous and very filling - how they get it into that small size is amazing! Everything on their menu is delicious and the interior is so interesting and the patio has a different vibe while the bar is filled iwth music at night - so many different experiences at the same restuarant - great favorite of mine!

Beautiful experience. Great setting; nice waitress. Good food. Shrimp salad was really nice. Pasta good but not great. I’d eat here again any time.

We spent the day in Balboa Park and tried this place on a whim for lunch. It was a gorgeous day outside so we ate on the patio. The restaurant overlooks a valley that includes the Japanese Friendship Garden. It's a wonderful view. The inhouse made crackers are excellent and come with hummus. They also make their own flavored teas and lemonades, though we didn't try any. I ordered the Cobb Salad with shrimp. The ingredients were fresh and it was a generous portion of food. The herb ranch dressing was light and complimented the rest of the salad instead of overpowering as many dressings tend to do. The shrimp was perfectly cooked and seasoned. In a salad, I would have preferred the tails to have already been removed, but that is a minor quibble. My wife ordered the grilled fish tacos. They were excellent (yes, I tried them too). Again, well seasoned and a generous portion. The Mahi Mahi was great and also would be a good option on the salad if it were offered. If I am able to go back, I may request that. The service was good and atmosphere wonderful. Along the edges of the patio, there are humming bird feeders and the birds are darting about providing a little extra entertainment and nuance to the experience. The prices for the food are reasonable for the type of place and location. I though the alcohol prices were a bit high, but all in all a good value.

I would say the food overall was just okay. The salsa wasnt too good. We both had the Fish Tacos and they were ok. The Happy Hour margarita was very good, but the Sangria was watered down. The Dairy Free Pina Colada Creme Brulee was very good. the servers and atmosphere was pleasant!!

Beautiful inviting restaurant in Balboa park! The AC wasnt working this day and our server, Brittany, moved us to a cooler location. Our meal was delicious. I had the freshest and tastiest shrimp cobb salad and hubby had the paella. He was very happy with it and it had alot of seafood in it. I also had the german chocolate cake (my favorite and could not resist). Beautiful presentation and delish!!

One of our favorites. Cohn Restaurant Group does a consistently good job maintaining a good level of service and quality. A little overpriced for what it is but the location is killer.

We've eaten here before but this time out view was of one of the pavilions and lush foliage. Servers were attentive. We ordered 2 appetizers and they were enough for a light lunch for two.

This is the best of the eateries on Balboa Park, opens at 1130 for lunch, so we were in line and had no issues getting a table in the patio. Great views of the gardens, a beautiful marble/wood full bar and Old World rooms and charm to share. The beverage menu is extense, with wines, beers and specialty cocktails to choose. We had the Guava Ginger Martini and Raspberry Lemondrop, both fantastic. Lunch selection were Prado Pressed Arugula Salad (strawberries, candied walnuts, asiago, sherry-shallot vinaigrette) with shrimp kebab style and the Grilled Fish Tacos (marinated mahi mahi, chimichurri aioli, red cabbage, beans, corn tortillas). The fish was very nicely seasoned. We shared a Berry Galette (brown butter pastry, mixed berries, vanilla ice cream) for dessert, very enjoyable. After walking Balboa Park most of the day, we returned for Happy Hour to have a Blood Orange Margarita, a Pomegranate Margarita and sharing a Crab Dip (mascarpone, spinach, roasted poblano, garlic crostini). Just what we needed to rest and recover our energies after hours walking. Both our waitresses were friendly and efficient.

We were at Balboa Park and were looking for more than fast food. We ate on the patio on a day with great weather. Our sandwiches were very good and the atmosphere was a fantastic pairing. As a visitor, we don't want to get what we can get in our own backyard. This place is unique and the food is delicious.

Quite popular with Balboa Park visitors, went for dinner on a Sunday night and it was packed. Reservations are a must or eat pub grub at the bar. Service at bar was ok, considering how crowded it was. Things got better when we were in the main dining room. Service was excellent, food was very good, served quickly and hot. Next time, will consider going mid-week and hope for a smaller crowd. Packing was a ways away.

GOOD KOREAN FOOD...VEGETARIAN....BUT NOT A SINGLE DISH TYPICAL OF SPANISH CUISINE....POTATO OAKLET WITH ONION, GAZPACHO....THEY HAVE NOT EVEN HEARD OF THESE, NOR OF THE MILK, WELL GRILLED SARMIENTO OR ROASTED IN OAK OVEN, THAT IS NOTHING.

The perfect restaurant! Beautiful setting with seating indoors and outdoors. We sat next to a lovely tiled fountain outside. When I wasn't sure if the mango iced tea was for me, the waiter brought half a glass for me to sample. Chopped grilled chicken salad was divine and spouse enjoyed 3 grilled skewers of meat with cold slaw. Appetizer of chipotle hummus and crackers was delicious.

The concierge recommended this restaurant for lunch during an afternoon visit to Balboa Park. I expected a so so meal but was surprised with all aspects of the lunch. The service was QUICK , correct and courteous. Menu offerings were interesting versions of familiar fare appealing to most. Prices were average with outdoor dining in the beautiful San Diego weather.

Great location in Balboa Park! We ate on the patio. There were people dressed formally, there were those in shorts, and everything in between. Food was great, and service was amazing. It’s pricey, but good for out of towers and special occasions.

You can always count on a good meal with excellent service at fair prices at the Prado. The Cohn family does an amazing job of training their staff to be sure they are keeping the customer satisfaction in the front of their minds. The wait staff is knowledgeable, friendly, professional and efficient. The food is reliably good no matter what you choose from the menu. Whether you eat in the main restaurant or in the bar you will be completely satisfied with an excellent meal

We had an incredible lunch! After a morning at the Zoo, which is amazing as well, two families with four kids ranging in age from 7-12 had a wonderful time. The staff was incredibly friendly and the food was delicious. So fresh and top quality! The fish tacos were the best we had ever had. So was the margarita. Seriously, best margarita ever. Not too seeet or tart. Perfect! The raspberry lemonade was special and the kids loved it. The prices were very reasonable considering what you were getting, a delicious meal is a beautiful restaurant in Balboa Park.

Stopped by at 2 pm this past Saturday. I was led to the worst table on a patio one-quarter full of empty tables, I asked to be moved to a table with a view. I was told the rest of the tables were "reserved for larger parties". (This is in the middle of the afternoon, not rush hour). I ended up walking out.

I am so glad the Prado is open! There is a nice large sunny patio, but the wait can still be an hour on the weekend. Our server Scott was so friendly! He made sure our anniversary celebration was special! My husband enjoyed the Kobe Beef Burger on a bun from a local bakery. It is definitely worth the price! The grilled fish tacos were unique and delicious. Flan topped off the celebration.

Here for reception for conference. Staff was polite, responsive and engaged. Food was excellent. Beautiful venue and beautiful park!

The skewers main course has hardly any meat/fish. The burger on an adjacent table looked a decent size. Service was fine. Eat on the patio if you can.

Prado is a beautiful restaurant with a very friendly atmosphere. We asked for a table outside on the terrace and were even asked if we would prefer a table in the sun or shade. The menu had so many wonderful choices and our server Scott went through the menu with us in detail to make sure we were making choices to our taste. The food was delicious and the service exceptional. I would not hesitate to recommend Prado.

stopped for lunch at Prado while enjoying some of the sights in Balboa Park. The restaurant was fairly busy but we were able to get seating at the bar without waiting in line. Our bartender was fast and our food was up quickly. My wife enjoyed the pork sliders and I loved the Mahi Mahi tacos.

Went to the Prado for San Diego restaurant week. Always a good experience as the servers are efficient and personable (Michael is great.). We usually come for date night Tuesdays. This was similar and really good. I recommend The Prado and when possible ask for a seat on the patio.

Our food was okay, the waitress was efficient and quite nice, and we had to wait about a half hour for a table. The whole experience was ruined by the fact that management added a 4% surcharge to the bill!! There are other ways to make money, without being so sleazy.

At our table we had salmon, steak, ravioli, and the soup of the day. ALL were excellent. My steak was perfectly prepared, tender, and very tasty. I didn’t try the other entrees but all received great reviews. We’ll be back at our next opportunity. Decent beer selection. Desserts were good too but I’d focus on the main meal. Also, went on a Saturday night - no reservation, no problem.

Lovely lunch al fresco on the patio. Kirk's service and demeanor were excellent. Like in the days where table waiting was a lifelong profession. Food well prepared, presented, and flavored. Looking forward to our next visit.

The Prado restaurant is well located within Balboa park. The ambience and service were top notch. The grilled portobello salad was mediocre. The dressing lacked flavor and there was very little goat cheese. I’d try something different if I went back. The hummus appetizer they brought with crackers was excellent.

Scott my server was AMAZING ! So kind & gracious ❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻! The food is FANTASTIC as is the atmosphere😍. Located in Balboa Park! This restaurant has only gotten better over the years!💋💋😍

Cute restaurant snuggled in the heart of Balboa Park. The highlight of this restaurant has got to be the large outdoor patio area, surrounded by trees and flowers from the park itself. The style and decor of the restaurant really creates a wonderful oasis in the middle of a tourist hotspot. I’ve been coming here for years to have lunch, Tuesday date nights, and happy hour. Of course this was all pre COVID times. I’ve recently gone back with some friends for lunch on a Monday and they were doing a ‘Afternoons at The Park’ lunch special (Mondays & Tuesdays) featuring a special lunch menu. This menu includes either a cocktail, appetizer or desert and an entree. I chose The Prado Caesar & Chicken BLT and added a dirty vodka martini. My friends also ordered salads , plus the Kobe Burger as well as Pea & Asparagus Risotto. The portions were good and the food was good as well. Dining here through the years, I’ve learned that the food items are either a hit or a miss - lunch was a hit. Service was fantastic as usual. The service here never disappoints and often leads to some good conversations. If you go at night, make sure to ask for a table under a heat lamp to stay warm and enjoy the view of glittery lights of the city (if you’re sitting in the mid section of the patio). I can’t wait to go back for Tuesday date night again - hopefully that will be sooner than later.

The Prado in Balboa Park is in an incredibly beautiful setting. Either outdoors or indoors you can’t go wrong. Service was good with decently quick drink refills. Food was decent - it’s pretty standard “cafe” food with the high prices you would expect from the location. If you are in Balboa Park already however, you really couldn’t go wrong with stopping here for lunch or a drink!

We timed our lunch visit to Prado after a morning at the zoo, which worked perfectly. Their salads were amazingly fresh and huge. Accompanied with a lovely glass of sauvignon blanc and excellent service, it was easily our best meal in San Diego.

I keep hoping that the experience will be wonderful but the food is under seasoned and average in preparation and taste. The steak in the sandwich was chewy without much flavor, for example. And the service at lunch was horribly slow so be prepared to entertain your child while he or she waits 40 minutes for food. Setting is beautiful- just too bad the food doesn’t match it.

Located in Balboa Park, San Diego. Beautiful facility with indoor and out door seating. Great menu with excellent food, full bar and exceptional service. We liked it so much we ate there twice in three days. Plenty of free parking within short walk. Across the street from museums and the Old Globe Theater.

Upon a visit, we serendipitously stopped at this restaurant in Balboa Park—It is magical—The food is excellent and sit outside, weather permitting, and you will have a lovely view of gardens and planes flying overhead as they go travel to the airport. That said, it’s not noisy, but very lovely! The staff is excellent! Very helpful and will make recommendations based on your preferences! Highly recommend dessert too—

While exploring Balboa park we decided to enjoy some champagne. What a great way to spend the day. Our server was Anthony and he was awesome. Definitely recommend. And with absolutely go back.

We (couple) had a 7.30 pm dinner reservation. There was plenty of room for a Saturday evening. service from our server was good. The kitchen was disappointing. They were out of the sushi. Then they were out of the pasta. The Mustard Crusted Pork Prime Rib was not mustard crusted. It came with the sauce on the side. The Margarita was excellent. The Spicy Calamari Fries was good too. For the price paid, it was a mediocre evening.

Had a wonderful lunch today. Sat inside. Great Service. Had their Mango Ice Tea and Chicken Cobb Sandwich. So good.

We had a chance to dine at the Prado during the Balboa Park visit, and the place did not disappoint us. After a few hours of walking the grounds, it was dark and dinner time. We were accommodated even without a reservation (thank you) and seated at the outside dining area. It was really nice, ambience is perfect. Food is good and plentiful after the full course meal. Friendly and attentive staff.

We got the package of 2 salads, 2 entrees and a bottle of wine for $49.95 + tax/tip. The food was outstanding, atmosphere good, service very fine. There are other specials on other nights. I recommend this restaurant!

Great lunch in a beautifully appointed restaurant. The glass sculptures are eye catching and elegant. I’m sorry I did not write down the artist’s name. I had a delicious Chicken BLT with the largest serving of terrific French fries. Very yummy! We ate inside, but there is also an outside patio area. Our server Michelle as very helpful with suggestions.

I had lunch at Prado with my daughter and her boyfriend during a visit to Balboa Park. We all had an amazing experience. I had the vegetable risotto - best risotto I've ever had. I still dream about it. I had the San Diego Lemonade cocktail which has blueberry and lavender. So delicious. And the tres leche for dessert. It was a fantastic meal all around. Wait staff was friendly and professional. It is somewhat expensive, but worth it for a special occasion or if you're just looking for a wonderful culinary experience.

Not a fan. Service was OK. Food was terrible. The Mahi Sandwich was awful. Frozen fish, put together in such a way it was too dry to eat. The fish "patty was about a 1/4" thick and nothing redeeming here. The Kobe Burger was cooked to rare-rare and uneven after requesting medium. Super expensive lunch - paid close to $70 for two. They add a surcharge for something rather than just add to the menu cost as well - absolutely would not recommend. Was very disappointed. I left most of my dish and the waiter, who was good, didn't ask why. I'm sure he knew. You would do better at a fast food place for a fraction of the cost.

When traveling to Balboa Park, please stop by the Prado for an amazing lunch or dinner. Tucked into the park, this is a unique and nostalgic place to eat with so much scenery and breath-taking views. Our meals were tasty and we had a few afternoon cocktails to enjoy the nice sunny day.

Dinner here Saturday Memorial Day weekend. Wonderful meal, top-notch service. Beautiful view also. Wait staff appropriately masked, felt very safe. Definitely recommend!

I travel a lot and this is without a doubt my favourite restaurant. A trip to San Diego isn't a vacation without a visit here. Food is amazing, best wine list and the atmosphere and decor is amazing. I am an overseas visitor who visits San Diego 4 times a year so when I go there and they say "you're back" I feel very welcome. Can't say enough good things about this restaurant

My wife and I visited El Prado back in 2019 on our honeymoon, and all my wife could think about on our return trip was the paella (it was great on our first visit). On our second visit in 2021, there seemed to be a significant reduction of quality of food (I acknowledge that as newlyweds we may have had a newlywed bias). Her paella was good but not great, and my fish tacos were also good but not great. The beans that came with the tacos tasted as if they had come from a can. I wonder if the lower quality can be attributed to the COVID pandemic. Overall though it is still a great restaurant to visit. Great atmosphere in the middle of Balboa Park, excellent service by staff, perhaps a bit overpriced in some food categories.

We had lunch here, while strolling through Balboa Park. While the place was half empty, service was slow - VERY slow. The food was ok, but sort of expensive for what it was.

Right in the middle of Balboa park, beautiful patio setting, Prado is a delightful lunch spot. The pressed arugula salad was wonderful. Great mix of strawberries, nuts and figs with a perfect light dressing. I would go back just for this salad. The fish tacos were not as impressive, just ok.

Beautiful building and excellent food. Excellent service. Parking is a hike and the restrooms are across the plaza.

Way too expensive and they charge additional for the supposedly increased salaries for the waiters! We ordered a Cesar salad for $ 14 which was 6 leaves (not cut) lettuce and few crotons!

I had guests from out of town and requested a quiet table outside. Well… we got the best table in the house with a killer view and food to match. The cuisine is simple, but the ingredients are amazing. Beto, our server, could not have been better. Well done!

Even though there is always a wait, I love going to this restaurant when visiting San Diego. Not an exhaustive menu, but diverse and the food is alway delicious. Great service as well. Nice view from the patio deck.

Loved my waitress named Mel, but I went with the lobster and shrimp potstickers as an appetizer, and it was served cold actually .... Tasty, especially the sweet chile sauce, but they dropped the ball in the kitchen as far as the temperature goes ....

The perfect place for dinner before the show at the Globe. Our waiter told us so much history about the building, the park, and San Diego in general. It was great! The food was good, as were the drinks. Reasonably priced. But the service really stood out.

We went here for lunch before spending the afternoon at the museums. Had a paella split for two and a pressed arugula salad. The appetizer was brought out at the same time as the rest of the meal. The paella was good, but underseasoned. Arugala was very good. The humus appetizer was some of the best humus we've ever had!

This was our first meal here since the pandemic first began and the restaurant closing period. Our meal was enjoyable and the ambience was very pleasant. The service was good and the staff helpful. A few things we did not care for are the 4% surcharge this chain of restaurants charge to defray costs for employees and they now charge for the hummus dip and crackers that used to be served for free. Oh well, that's just part of cost increases I guess. If you don't mind paying the extra, it's a nice place to enjoy a meal while in Balboa Park.

The restaurant has charm and warmth. You feel comfortable in dinner dress or casual clothes. Menu was excellant and prices were very reasonable. Portions of food was very generous for the price. Stop by and enjoy.

This is THE restaurant in Balboa Park. The menu is very broad and the food is fresh and tasty. The service is excellent. If you are looking for a nice quiet place to enjoy a good meal, this is it.

The tasteful decoration of the various environments already has an impact on you, friendly and fast service. We ordered two salads, one with chicken and the other with steak. Both in the right quantity and well seasoned. Delicious house tequila! We will definitely be back! Final bill 89 dollars for two people.

We had lunch at this restaurant and thought it was very good. We sat on the terrace which was a picturesque setting. Although it was a nippy day, the nearby heaters kept us comfortable. We shared the tacos, which the team kindly split over two plates for us. The generous serve of food was delicious. Warm tacos, crisp salad, moist chicken, etc. Yum. The wait staff were lovely and the whole experience was positive.

Beautiful courtyard setting. We were a group of 3 looking for a mid-afternoon snack. The fries were perfect and the Kobe beef sushi was excellent. Convenient location in Balboa Park, right next to the art museum and with free parking nearby. We would go again.

We absolutely LOVED the Prada restaurant. Not only a beautiful space and great service ( Hayley) but we agreed it was the best fish sandwich ( Mahi Mahi) we’d ever had!

Started going to Prado 20 years ago on our trips to San Diego. We have not eaten here for a couple of years. We always looked forward to going back - but not this time. We ordered the prime rib sushi to start and while it was tasty - it was not well made as it kept falling apart. As to main courses. One was the chicken tacos which was honestly inedible. The presentation would turn anyone’s stomach. The other meal was a beet salad with goat cheese and arugula. The arugula was so old and stringy it kept catching in my throat. The beets and cheese were okay but overall I would give my salad a 2 for flavour and presentation. For dessert we shared a piece of carrot cake - which again was okay - I’d give it a 5/10. However we ordered coffee and it was cold. When a passing waiter saw our displeasure he stopped and said he would get us an Americano - which was much better. The waiter admitted that regular coffee is out in the thermos since the morning whereas the Americano is made fresh. After numerous visits to this restaurant I can sum up our experience with two words - extremely disappointing.

We visited San Diego in October 2019, and spent the entire day in Balboa Park. We opted to have lunch at Prada, since it came highly recommended-especially for happy hour drinks. We might have missed happy hour, but lunch was fresh, flavorful and even beautiful. I only took a picture of my main course - a Market Salad, but their black bean soup and beet salads were also fresh and tasty. It never once felt as if we were eating a meatless meal. There was not one blemish on any piece of either meal. Our favorite lunch in San Diego.

The place has an excellent atmosphere to enjoy but the menu is ok and prices are too high for the quality and portions of the dishes. The service is wonderful, everyone is friendly but I just would not come back, there is an overcharge of 4% due to a price increase - they should just raise menu prices. I would not come back.

This was highly recommended and didn’t disappoint. Best food and service we have had in a restaurant in some time. Very reasonable price for the quality received. Highly recommend this restaurant.

The food and atmosphere here are unbeatable. Any and every restaurant in Balboa park has a fighting chance just by the location. Service is very good. However the prices are ridiculously high, and they charge a “surcharge” mandated by the city. This surcharge is supposed to make it so the waiters and waitresses have a living wage. Even with this surcharge slipped in, they are still begging for tips. Management is sneaky. You don’t need to tip!

The dining choices in Balboa Park are very limited and I think the Prado can get away with their mediocre food because they are one of the few dining establishments in the park. What is nice is to sit outside in the garden/patio area and have libations and appetizers ...

Got the risotto with shrimp and the apple pecan cheesecake for dessert. Definitely save room for dessert to get the apple pecan cheesecake omg!!!! So good!! Prices were a bit high for the spotty service we had from our waitor but the food was delicious.

Delicious food, fabulous service, gorgeous ambiance! Ian was our server, and he was instrumental in helping to make our experience even that much better! Ian was professional, personable, attentive and genuinely wonderful! My daughter has allergies that Ian helped to navigate with the chef for a successful outcome!! This is a very special restaurant I highly recommend.

While our dining experience was ultimately quite good-to-excellent, it was somewhat disappointing compared to our previous experiences dining at this beautifully placed, lovely restaurant. My disappointment lies in the quantity of choices available. The only entree with any appeal to me was the bone-in ribeye which arrived perfectly seasoned and very slightly cooked beyond medium rare. The accompanying mashed potatoes and charred asparagus were delicious. My wife was equally impressed with her sea bass entree. The presentation of our entrees was also very nice. Calamari, our shared appetizer, sautéed with a pleasantly seasoned sauce, was tasty and tender. Our server seemed somewhat inexperienced, but tried hard.

Great atmosphere; food for the price seems not as good as pre-Covid. Outdoor dining is lovely with a park view.

Really enjoyed the meal here. We had the salmon, short ribs and the sea bass. All was amazing and fresh. The spicy calamari for app was different and good

My husband and I walked from the zoo to The Prado for lunch to break up our day. It was a wonderful relaxing break with excellent salads. My husband had the Shrimp Cobb and I had the Grilled Chicken Chopped Salad and they were both great. Our waiter was very friendly and we were never rushed. It is a beautiful restaurant. The chipotle hummus and crackers were really a treat! I would have loved to have had a pitcher of Sangria, but not while touring the zoo! Maybe another day.

We visited The Prado on our honeymoon. We wanted to sit outside which was a short 15 minute wait. No biggie. Our server was Donna and she was amazing! She was super friendly and suggested places to visit in San Diego. Her service was on point. Food My wife and I shared a chicken BLT. The sandwich and chips were good. However, the chicken could have been a little less dry. The atmosphere was comfortable as well.

We are visitors from Ireland and with family and friends we’re celebrating a 50th Wedding Anniversary and took the opportunity of visiting this beautiful area and were looking forward to having a nice meal in a lovely setting with visiting family and friends, unfortunately other than the setting and quality of service by a very helpful server by the name of Heather this experience did not turn out as expected due to the quality of food and the high prices !.

We stopped at this restaurant while in Balboa Park on a rainy day. Even though it was after 1:30 pm we had to wait at least 15 minutes to be seated in a booth. We couldn't sit at a table because the seats are extremely high and my feet didn't even get close to touching the floor! Then we had to wait for the waitress to help us and then we had to wait a long time for the food. I needed a special order due to food allergies. How hard it is to make a chicken breast sandwich with lettuce, tomato and mayo? Obviously 30 minutes. When it came I couldn't tell what the sauce was on it but the man that brought it out either didn't know or couldn't speak English. I hate restaurants where the person that brings the food isn't the waitress especially after I've gone over my allergies. I was asking for fewer ingredients, not more. If the person had been able to talk to me about my order maybe he would not have taken it back to have it remade! That was another 15 minute wait. Finally the manager came to speak with us. If only she'd come out in the first place! I had to eat my apple while I waited. They don't offer a green starter salad for adults--only to children. And God forbid they would allow me to have something off the children's menu even though I'm already paying for an adult meal and skipping the fries! The sandwich was delicious once I got it but wasn’t worth the hassle. We didn’t have time to go back to the Museum of Man after finally finishing our lunch.

This place fails miserably on all of the basic restaurant qualifications. The menu is very limited, there is no flexibility on ordering, the service is terrible, and the food is outdone by Jack-in-the-box next door. Regarding the menu, and lack of flexibility, there is a plate which includes bacon, yet one can’t order a side of bacon. Regarding service, plates sat in the window ready to be delivered to a table, but sat for 10 minutes (dying at the window and getting cold), because it wasn’t her table. Regarding food quality, one would do better at the fast food joints next to the restaurant. Avoid this place. There’s really no reason this place should be there.

The setting was/is beautiful, but the service was quite laggy. Food was good, but small and uninteresting salad portions for the price. And the overly smiley waiter who got our pen last visit, still was there. Japanese Friendship Tea Garden Cafe for lunch our next visit!

Traveled to San Diego and found a reservation here thanksgiving night. Great service in a spectacular setting. Staff all very pleasant and helpful. Was a great outdoor patio and the preset menu was excellent. So glad the staff was working on the holiday. Something I took for granted not too long ago. I would come back here again in a minute.

Great way to finish your tour of the park, indoor and outdoor seating, beautiful dining area, good food choices.

To begin, until last night, The Prado had been my absolute favorite, go-to restaurant for any special occasion since its opening. My husband and I have come here for anniversaries, birthdays, entertaining out of town guests, and during the holidays. We have even brought guests here on Thanksgiving. However, last night was the final time. It was around 4:00 when we chose to sit in the bar for a couple of drinks and appetizers, waiting for it to get dark to see the holiday lights throughout the park. When it came time to order, we ordered from the menu that was already at the table. The waiter informed us that this menu was not applicable on a Sunday, though most of the items were still available to order. Why would a happy hour menu be on a table, all day long, on a day when it isn't even usable? Odd. Anyway, we ordered items off this menu thinking, "How much more could the cost be over the happy hour prices?" It had already taken 10 minutes for our waiter to come to us; busy in the Cantina. My husband ordered a martini and I ordered a glass of red wine. The happy hour price for the wine had been $7. My husband ordered a martini, but this wasn't listed on the happy hour menu. However, other well drinks on there were $8 max. The appetizers we each ordered were $7 and $8 each. Even if the items were a bit more than happy hour prices, they would reasonably be a few dollars more, at most, right? So maybe $40 - $45 total at most instead of the $32. Imagine our surprise when our bill came to over $70! The prices were as follows, without tax: Martini: $19 Cabernet: $19 Queso dip: $13.95 Fish tacos: $15.95 The prices were over double for the drinks, almost triple. Really, $19 for a martini or glass of wine?? The appetizers were okay, but pretty simple. Folks must be getting numb to these price increases, but this is insulting. We realize that The Prado caters mostly to tourists, so probably isn't too concerned with retaining local clientele. Sadly, these prices were just too much of a shock and insult. We won't be back. I will say here that the ambiance there is still lovely and our waiter, Maurice, was excellent. This review is a reflection of the insultingly high "regular" prices over the happy hour menu prices, for a menu that was strangely on the table on a Sunday, when those prices aren't even offered.

We sat outside and it was freezing. Waiters couldn't get us inside after we asked even though there were free tables. Food was ok except for the Caesar's salads we ordered. They were basically lettuce and croutons for 15$ to which the waiters didn't really do anything about. Very disappointed. Would not recommend.

We went there with family for lunch. The place is beautiful and we sat outside the ,ambience is very nice. The service was poor. We had to call for service after waiting for around 10 min and had to ask for a serving of complementary cracker/ cheese. The food was descent nothing great for the high price. The dessert original tres leche cake was very dry. They had an alright kids menu. I would go there for drinks and apps but not for meals. It's a very nice place to enjoy drinks in the middle of the park!

While the fish tacos had a nice portion of grilled fish they have no fresh salsa to go with them. Sorry but that is unacceptable! And I am also very disappointed with a lack of good vegan item options. That seems to be the norm at their restaurants. maybe they'll do better in 2020?

The food is good, tasty fish tacos. They have a nice selection of local beers. A nice outdoor seating area, service was pleasant but a bit slow at times, nothing major. I would return when in the area.

Went for lunch while at Balboa park with family. There were 5 of us and it was a rainy day so were lucky to be seated right away without a reservation during peak lunch time. The one speciality cocktail we ordered was the pomegranate margarita. It was a little sweet and could barely taste the pomegranate so probably wouldn't order again. We ordered the spicy calamari fries but they are not fried. They are covered in a spicy sauce which is good but if you are expecting fried, don't be misled by the word "fries" in the name of the item. Someone also ordered a small soup which isn't a cup but a bowl and pretty large size for a small. We also ordered the chopped chicken salad, fish tacos and pastrami sandwich. All portions were pretty large, especially the sandwich. Fish tacos were excellent and flavored well. A little pricey for lunch but still the best place to eat in Balboa park for a quality meal.

My husband and I were visiting San Diego and Balboa Park while on a cruise. Hungry and not sure where to go we ran across the Prado We ate outside with nice views of inside the park The food was great we both had the Chicken Bacon sandwich and french fry's both very tasty and large portions

We ate here for a birthday lunch. The 6 of us had delicious meals. One had a salad, a few had the Steak Sandwich and the rest of us had the Chicken BLT. Every meal is presented beautifully! We also enjoyed the Sangria. It is a great place to celebrate something special in Balboa Park!

We came for Thanksgiving dinner. Got seated on time, waited on time. Food came quickly. Turkey dinner was barely warm, turkey meat was like wet wool, stretchy thin, and odd consistency, no flavor. Mashed potatoes, green beans, Stuffing were all lack luster. Salad had rotting pieces of lettuce. Carrot cake was tiny but good. One of our party had vegan meal, which was a tiny piece of veggie lasagna, and nothing else. Dinner each started at $74.95, plus tax, tip, and surcharge, absolutely not worth it.

Prado never disappoints! Such a beautiful art-filled restaurant with delicious food and excellent service. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. A children’s menu and high chairs are available.

We arrived early to find locked doors but hope was not lost where we returned as one of the first customers of the day. With delight we seated in a prime table with a great view on the outdoor patio. There was nice vegetation around us with hummingbird feeders. We were given leather bound menus and studied it. I first order a white wine and ended up selecting the Grilled Chicken BLT. There service here was top notch This place is truly romantic where even a wedding was being setup next to it. My lunch arrived and it looked great. My freshly made sandwich was served with vegetable fusilli pasta and two varieties of chips mixed with each other. The sandwich contained avocado, lettuce, tomato, applewood smoked bacon, tarragon aioli on a ciabatta roll. It was very delicious and made my day. I read this restaurant was one of the best and after experiencing it I believe they were right.

The Prado is definitely a favourite when I visit San Diego. Our recent experience was excellent. They offer specials as well as the regular menu. Service was pleasant and efficient and the food was delicious

Balboa Park is a San Diego must see attraction which takes a day to enjoy. So while there get off your feet for a terrific meal at The Prado. A perfect way to break up your day of sightseeing. Always good food an drink with attentive service. Can be very busy for lunch on the weekends.

This is a lovely place to enjoy a meal before going to the theater or on a walk through the park. There is a good number of options at varying prices and of different cuisines.

Had lunch there today with our family. Was very disappointing. The service was mediocre and the food as well. Would we go back? Everyone in our party said no. I had fish tacos and the fish was over cooked. Confusion when we brought our food and 2 of our party had to wait to get served.

Located in the same building as the Visitor Center, this restaurant offers high quality food, wine with indoor and outdoor dining. We were there for lunch and enjoyed Chicken Cobb and Prado Pressed Arugula Salads. We also enjoyed a bottle of Rutheford Hill Chardonnay with our lunch. A pleasant respite from the warm sun.

Very nice setting for lunchtime, especially outside with nice views, decor, and tables with umbrellas. Service was excellent. Ordered the steak panini - which it wasn't as it was on a roll but still good tasting. Was surprised to see it came with potato chips (and taro chips which were much better). The skewers are meager - only 2 small shrimp on one, and two bites of chicken and beef - with a heap of Asian salad. No wines under $10 a glass and the bill has a $4 surcharge to defer "costs". Would not make it a destination for food but better than most other offerings at the park. Please vote helpful if you find this useful

We had lunch here on a Saturday. We had to wait 25 minutes to be seated. Fortunately, we got a table outside which was very lovely. The margaritas were hand mixed with no sour mix, which is an indicator of a superb drink. The food was outstanding. The hummus appetizer was delicious. Our entrees included paella and fish tacos. The ingredients were fresh and generous. It was an excellent meal.

So Balboa Park is quintessential in every way: gorgeous historical architecture, a great collection of fine arts, kooky media presentations (Like one of life’s biggest questions~are YOU a cannibal! Hehe!) So why wouldn’t I expect the super cool outdoor cafe to be even good? Well, it’s a PARK Cafe...But San Diego isn’t America’s Finest for nothing! ~Prado was actually great! We enjoyed our food immensely, and the energetic atmosphere was great, too. I highly recommend the grilled veggie sandwich with their super yummy hand cut fries! Our charcuterie trays were ample, with interesting with tasty variations! Fermented strawberries, who would have thought? Dutch cheese? Perfectly toasted baguette? Chorizo slices? Yah, the menu is other worldly and EXTENSIVE! You cannot best the quality of the whole sourced veggies in San Diego! This is a must try cafe!

We came here for lunch on a Sunday. Here are my thoughts: Food: Average. The portion sizes were big but overall, the flavors were just okay. We had the fish and steak tacos, Kobe burger, Paella, and the beet salad with salmon. The tastes were expected, nothing unique. I don't know how else to describe average. However the beet salad was good and that portion was small. I am glad I added the salmon otherwise it wouldn't have been enough to fill me for lunch. The salmon was well cooked and tender, not dry at all but bland. Overall, the food was overpriced average food. Service: Great! Our server was attentive and helpful in food selection. He was also friendly and funny. Other: The food selection was limited. It has been over a year that we came here and I feel that the items are mostly the same. I am not expecting places to change their dishes but I was hoping to see some new items. It's location in Balboa Park makes this place convenient and popular. Sometimes the wait can be long, especially on the weekends and in the summer or peak times so you may want to make a reservation. The parking lots are a little far from the restaurant. I only say this because if someone has a mobility issue or trouble walking, you may want to drop them off close to the restaurant before looking for parking. Driving near the restaurant on the weekend may be challenging because of the number of visitors especially on a summer weekend. But other than that it's a good location in the middle of Balboa Park. The ambiance is very open and bright. Nicely decorated and comfortable.

We could not have asked for a more perfect first experience. Excellent cocktails, beautiful view, and AMAZING food and service. The Lobster and Shrimp pot stickers are next level. The Chilean Sea Bass was the finest I have ever had, crispy, flaky, juicy, bursting with flavor. Just a perfect dining experience for our first big date night in a year.

This place is a winner! Didn’t expect to find such great food in a park. Nice wine list, real cocktails menu. And what a nice and efficient staff. Dining room is huge and eclectic. Next time would love to eat outside.

The Prado in Balboa Park is one of our favorite restaurants in San Diego. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and luxurious. Outside, the large terrace is hard to beat when the weather is good. The food and service is always topnotch, and on Tuesday, their Date Night is a bargain to enjoy. Two salads, two entrees, and a bottle of wine at a very reasonable rate.

Not a fan. Service was fine. Food was terrible. The Mahi Sandwich was awful. Frozen fish, put together in such a way it was too dry to eat. The fish "patty was about a 1/4" thick and nothing redeeming in it. Overcooked for such a small sliver of fish. The Kobe Burger was cooked to rare-rare and uneven after requesting medium. Expensive lunch - paid close to $70 for two. They add a surcharge for something rather than just add to the menu cost as well - absolutely would not recommend. Was very disappointed. I left most of my dish and the waiter, who was good, didn't ask why. I'm sure he knew. You would do better at a fast food place for a fraction of the cost.

After looking at very limited cafe menus in Balboa Park, which seemed a bit pricey for what you got, my sister & I decided to try the Prado. It was the right decision! We were tired & hungry after a Museum morning, but wanted “real food” in a nice setting. We ordered the grilled mango & Mahi Mahi tacos and the steak sandwich. Both were delicious, with generous portions. With friendly service, reasonable prices, a yummy lunch & good coffee we were refreshed and ready to resume exploring beautiful Balboa Park!

While the setting and servers were very good, the paella was terrible. Inferior seafood, bland, bland sauce and small portion and overpriced. My friend had a nice chicken sandwich but hers no excuse for awful paella. The next night I went to Madison restaurant and we had spaghetti France diabolo and jambalaya. Both had larger, fresher seafood items and delicious, properly spiced sauces.

We ate here after walking arounf Balboa Park. We sat outside and the male waiter could not have been more cortial and attentive. We all had great meals at a decent price. You do a great job, thank you.