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The Prado at Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

The Prado at Balboa Park

4.6
4.6
7842 Reviews
$30 and under
Californian

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 97 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
Located in San Diego's Balboa Park, in the Historic House of Hospitality, The Prado offers historic charm and California cuisine.
Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 11:30–20:00 Thu 13:00–19:00 Sun 11:30–19:30
  • Phone number
    (619) 557-9441
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    John King
  • Catering
    Prado Catering<br />The Prado also offers full service catering at various museums and other locations within Balboa Park. Please contact our catering department for additional information.<br /><br />Experience our Award-Winning Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner Menus<br />Professional Staff-Synchronized Service.<br />Full length table linens, gold chiavari chairs and porcelain china.
  • Private party facilities
    The Prado, located in the historic House of Hospitality in the center of San Diego’s famous Balboa Park is known for its world-class California cuisine, unparalleled ambiance and excellent service. From intimate gatherings to grand affairs, the Prado has it all to make your event unforgettable!
  • Private party contact
    Event Manager: (619) 557-9441
  • Area
    Downtown / Gaslamp
  • Cross Street
    6th Avenue
  • Parking details
    Free public parking lots available throughout Balboa Park.
  • Public transit
    Visit Balboa Park using the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), with easy access from the downtown and Mission Valley areas.<br /><br />Review the times for route Routes 120 (Fashion Valley), Route 7 (Smart Corner) and Rapid 215 are the main bus routes through Balboa Park<br /><br />
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Daou Wine Experience

    7 Nov 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
    Daou Wine Package Add a bottle of Daou Wine to your table prior to your arrival. Payment will be added onto final check.
  • Thanksgiving Day Celebration**

    US$79.95 per person

    28 Nov 2024 only
    Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy a special preset menu at the Prado in Balboa Park. We will be serving a 3-course meal for $79.95 per person for adults and $19.95 for children, excluding tax and gratuity. We have seating availability from 12-7 pm inside our dining rooms or outside on our heated garden terrace. All reservations are not table specific and we will do our best to accommodate your requests. Outdoor reservations have no weather back up. Standard seating is inside our dining room. *All reservations have a 2 hour time limit. We kindly ask that your experience does not exceed this time in order to seat other reservations on time.
  • Holiday Brunch with Santa

    US$79.95 per person

    22 Dec 2024 only
    Enjoy some good old fashion family fun with our holiday brunch with Santa and Friends. Experience the holiday cheer at balboa park and enjoy seasonal favorites and bottomless mimosas brunch at the Prado in our historic Ballroom transformed into Santas Workshop. Come join us for a one of kind experience that will kick off the holiday season. We have limited seating availability from 10 am-2 pm inside our Ballroom *All reservations have a 2 hour time limit. We kindly ask that your experience does not exceed this time in order to seat other reservations on time. Adult $74.95 per person and children $19.95.

What 7,842 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • San Diego

    Californian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Prado at Balboa Park is a "gem" offering a stunning park setting with "amazing" service and inventive drinks. Guests rave about its "delicious" food, including standout dishes like the "unreal good" arugula salad with filet mignon and "scrumptious" tres leches cake. Perfect for special occasions or a casual brunch, The Prado's terrace dining and attentive staff make every visit memorable.

7,842 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had an excellent experience at The Prado! The food presentation, flavors, and timing were all perfect. Our server was pleasant, professional, and friendly in a respectful way. The atmosphere is warm, and enchanting. We are very much looking forward to ding there again. We were in the dining room on this occasion, but I have previously experienced their outdoor patio, and their bar area as well. Each and every time have all been very enjoyable experiences! Thank you Prado

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  2. George

    New Orleans

    40 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful service. The hostess greeted us warmly, acknowledged our birthday guest. Food was outstanding.

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  3. Rosie

    San Diego

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful Pork Loin, excellent service and lovely ambience.

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  4. OpenTable Diner

    Southwest Florida

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A great place to have dinner after visiting the zoo. The Service and food were very good.

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  5. Judy

    San Diego

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    From beginning to the end of our meal, we were extremely satisfied with everything. Scott, our server was the best 👌.

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  6. Jason

    San Diego

    31 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    31 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food is better somehow when you go a little later. We usually come around 11:30. This time we came at 12:30 and the food was better than usual. The Hummus dip was super fresh, the Paella was much better than the last two times as I order this often. So not sure if it's just coincidence but the difference was noticeable. I've been coming to the Prado consistently for many years and regardless of the server the service has been OUTSTANDING every time. I am amazed. The manager will even stop by to check things from time to time. Keep up the good work. thank you. I'm going to island prime tomorrow. Another Cohn restaurant. Let's see how the service is there.

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  7. Sharon

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    WE had a 3 generation 11:30 lunch outside at the Prado before the Grinch performance. Food was great, service was warm, professional and helpful.

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  8. Mary

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good was delicious though a bit costly. Service and atmosphere are excellent. We always enjoy the Prado

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  9. Kristen

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Phenomenal! The kids absolutely loved the special Grinch holiday drinks too!

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  10. Judith

    San Diego

    8 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 16 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 2
    First and foremost Beto, our server was absolutely delightful, to no fault if his own. Very disappointed the complimentary hummus and crackers that has always been a staple and complimentary, no longer unfortunately. We still ordered them at a cost for our table. With the understanding of inflation and higher costs, our plates have greatly increased in costs, and that’s actually not the issue. The portions were ridiculously small, the short ribs were the size of half a biscuit portion, I actually even with this size portion had to share it with my Husband, as he had scraped the small portion of mashed potatoes and small piece of his short ribs, no Man who is paying the costs we paid should leave a restaurant feeling hungry. I actually shared my own plate so he would feel satiated. We shared two desserts after our main course with our two friends. Unfortunately looking around, not one other table was seated in the Patio, “Am I not surprised?” This will be our last dine in experience for The Prado and wouldn’t recommend. To what Balboa is known for, the Prado was an Iconic of a restaurant. We will be going to other restaurants outside of the park, prior to visiting the Old Globe for a Play or to visit the Zoo, of which we are annual season holders. Please do better, The Prado.

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FAQs

The Prado at Balboa Park is rated 4.6 stars by 7842 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 97 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Prado at Balboa Park

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

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    6th Avenue
  • Area
    Downtown / Gaslamp
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 11:30–20:00 Thu 13:00–19:00 Sun 11:30–19:30
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Cocktail Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Free public parking lots available throughout Balboa Park.
  • Public transit
    Visit Balboa Park using the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), with easy access from the downtown and Mission Valley areas.Review the times for route Routes 120 (Fashion Valley), Route 7 (Smart Corner) and Rapid 215 are the main bus routes through Balboa Park
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    John King
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (619) 557-9441
  • Catering
    Prado Catering<br />The Prado also offers full service catering at various museums and other locations within Balboa Park. Please contact our catering department for additional information.<br /><br />Experience our Award-Winning Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner Menus<br />Professional Staff-Synchronized Service.<br />Full length table linens, gold chiavari chairs and porcelain china.
  • Private party facilities
    The Prado, located in the historic House of Hospitality in the center of San Diego’s famous Balboa Park is known for its world-class California cuisine, unparalleled ambiance and excellent service. From intimate gatherings to grand affairs, the Prado has it all to make your event unforgettable!
  • Private party contact
    Event Manager: (619) 557-9441
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