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The Prado at Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
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The Prado at Balboa Park

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Visa Dining Collection

4.6 (8083)
$30 and under
Californian
1549 El Prado, Suite 12, San Diego, CA 92101

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM

About this restaurant

  • 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.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 11:30 am–8:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–7:30 pm
  • Phone number
  • 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
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • 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.Review the times for route Routes 120 (Fashion Valley), Route 7 (Smart Corner) and Rapid 215 are the main bus routes through Balboa Park
  • 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

Private dining

What 8,083 people are saying

The Prado at Balboa Park reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Prado at Balboa Park offers a memorable dining experience with "delicious food," "great service," and a "beautiful setting." Guests appreciate the "wonderful atmosphere" and "friendly staff," making it perfect for special occasions or a meal before a theater visit. Reservations are recommended for this "charming" and "lovely" spot.

8,083 Reviews
  1. Rebecca VIP

    San Diego26 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food is just not great. We have season tickets to the Old Globe and eat here often. It’s such a gorgeous venue and it’s a San Diego staple. But over the years the food has really declined. We ate here yesterday: the pasta was bland, the chicken was as dry as a hockey puck, the drinks were weak. Our service is always amazing though - they hire well - but the reason for eating out is really the food. It’s the actual point and their kitchen is off track. This place has so much potential and was once a really great restaurant. I hope it is again soon.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Joshua

    San Diego1 review

    3.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    It was weird. We have been there a few times in the past. Recently moved back to San Diego after about 10 years. Took my husband there for his birthday. Was initially greeted and seated rather quickly. Thank you. Was then approached by three different hosts, two asking what type of water we wanted (odd) and another hawking is to install an app on our phone. So random and not professional. We looked at the menu and it was mostly alcohol. Very little options, in my opinion. It was such a turn off that we ended up leaving within 5 minutes of arriving. Really upsetting. This is where we got engaged. It's disappointing that our regular restaurant in mission hills outperformed expectations compared to Prado.

    1 person found this helpful

  3. Pedro VIP

    San Diego6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always a great venue and the new menu is delicious had the chicken milanesa it was delicious!!!

    1 person found this helpful

  4. June

    Las Vegas1 review

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Scott, our server, was phenomenal! He’s very knowledgeable and was able to predict accurately what we would like! His sense of humor and energetic style are magnetic! What a fabulous asset to Prada!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Paula VIP

    San Diego6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience, as always!! We visit Balboa Park every month

    Is this helpful?

  6. Christine

    San Diego9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely ambience and reprieve at the park. Terrific way to begin an evening at the Old Globe. Nice menu selection. Not a budget meal but food quality and presentation impressive. Fish was cooked perfectly.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Anthony VIP

    San Diego42 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Both the food and service were excellent! Will definitely recommend for date night anytime!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Camille

    Phoenix / Arizona30 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Expert service ruled the day! The food was very, very fresh and the lemonade’s unusual and terrific. Great place!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Robin VIP

    Orange County32 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Marvelous Way to have lunch at Balboa Park. The ambience is classic. Food was very good.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Dana VIP

    San Diego30 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Delicious food, nice ambiance, great wait staff. Only complaint is the food was slow to come out so we had to rush before our show at The Old Globe later in the evening.

    1 person found this helpful

FAQs

The Prado at Balboa Park is rated 4.6 stars by 8083 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. San Diego
  5. Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Google Map for The Prado at Balboa Park

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

Additional information

  • Cross street
    6th Avenue
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 11:30 am–8:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–7:30 pm
  • 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
  • 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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