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The Prado at Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

The Prado at Balboa Park

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Visa Dining Collection

4.6
4.6
8052 Reviews
$30 and under
Californian
1549 El Prado, Suite 12, San Diego, CA 92101

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 68 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for outdoor dining
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

Experiences

  • Mother's Day Brunch

    $84.95 per person

    May 11, 2025 only
    Happy Mother's Day! Join us at the Prado at Balboa Park for our Mother's Day Brunch with bottomless mimosas. On this day we will only be serving a buffet from 10am-2:30 pm. Adults are $84.95. Children 12 & under $19.95. Under 6 years are complimentary.
  • Summer Solstice Dinner

    $89.95 per person

    Jun 20, 2025 only
    Come kick off Summer 2025 with our Summer Solstice Dinner at the Prado in Balboa Park on Friday 6/20/2025 at 6:00pm on our Garden Terrace! Enjoy tray passed appetizers and a welcome cocktail upon arriving. The Prado Chefs will introduce 4 courses paired with wines from J. Lohr Vineyards and cocktails from St George. Seating will be at a communal table on our lower Casa del Rey Moro Garden Terrace, final payment will be due at the end of the event.

Private dining

What 8,052 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 charming dining experience with "delicious food" and "fabulous service." Guests rave about the "beautiful setting" and "lovely outdoor patio." Regulars appreciate the "great specials," particularly the "amazing Date Night menu." Staff like Jose and Mehdi are praised for being "knowledgeable and personable."

8,052 Reviews
  1. Steve

    Portland7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Food & service were excellent. Ambiance was also wonderful.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Steve

    San Diego7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience for brunch. Both the food and the service was outstanding!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Don

    Los Angeles16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    always a great place to enjoy and this was no exception! thanks!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Fran VIP

    Las Vegas19 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wait staff was professional. Menu is exquisite. Lovely setting. We were hoping to sit outside but the weather didn’t cooperate and our table by the windows overlooking the patio allowed us to feel like we were outdoors. We will definitely return when we visit SD again.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Renee VIP

    San Diego6 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    The waiter seemed to have his mind elsewhere. He got our order wrong, multiple times. Especially the drink order.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Lynne VIP

    Phoenix54 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were seeing a play at the Old Globe Theater, and having dinner at this restaurant was the perfect compliment/addition to our evening. The restaurant is within easy walking distance from the theater. Balboa Park is beautiful to explore before dinner. Prado itself was fabulous. It is in a quanit courtyard that was hosting a wedding the night we were there. So pretty. The food was outstanding. Everything we had was delicious. Steven, our waiter, was so friendly and helpful. Overall, a wonderful dining experience.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Ashley

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The Prado was simply excellent. I have dined here several times over the years and while always good, there seems to have been a serious upgrade in the kitchen. The chefs special of steak and prawns was special and the carrot cake the best I’ve ever had. The service was also perfect, prompt despite a full house and friendly. We won’t wait long to return

    Is this helpful?

  8. Sabrena VIP

    San Diego296 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice place, but I did not enjoy the pallea. Not very favorable.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Sandra

    San Diego7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful setting on a perfect weather day. Excellent service. Always great food choices.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Cindy

    San Diego4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had a wonderful pre-theatre dinner here! The food quality was excellent, caring service and wonderful setting in beautiful Balboa Park.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Prado at Balboa Park is rated 4.6 stars by 8052 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
8:00 PM
Booked 68 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
  • 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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