The Prado at Balboa Park — Restaurant in San Diego

I wish I could give 3.5⭐️

Let me start by saying that the service was incredible. I can’t remember the name of our server but he was superb! Very attentive but not at all pushy or overbearing. Overall the service was efficient and I have no complaints there.

I was here for a business dinner before attending a show at The Old Globe Theater. Based on the menu it wasn’t a restaurant I normally would have picked however I had heard good things and was optimistic about the experience. I was there with a party of 4 and we started off with appetizers including the grilled cauliflower. Now it’s worth noting I’m a huge fan of cauliflower so that may have swayed my opinion but when I tell you it was some of the best cauliflower I’ve ever had in my life, I’m not lying! It was presented on a bed of grilled corn & crema (I skipped the cilantro because - soap!) and was charred to absolute perfection. I let out a dramatic “Ohhh my god!” upon the first bite and startled my fellow diners as they thought something was wrong.

Alas, it was not. The cauliflower was just phenomenal.

For my drink I just had my go-to Pinot Grigio which was a decently generous pour. The rest of my party all ordered various margaritas. I can’t speak for the flavor or strength but they all had beautiful presentation!

For the entrees - I’m a REALLLLY big fan of Caesar salad with grilled chicken so when I saw that on the menu I knew I had to order it. There’s nothing like crisp romaine, toasty croutons, fresh Caesar dressing and a juicy sizzling grilled chicken breast.

Unfortunately when I received my meal, I was fairly disappointed. Instead of receiving a chopped Caesar salad, I was presented with a few whole pieces of romaine lettuce, drizzled with dressing and topped with a small amount of tiny, somewhat stale croutons.

Okay, fine. It’s a fancy-ish restaurant so I can cut my own lettuce.

Except my sizzling grilled chicken breast was….a few tiny pieces of COLD (maybe grilled but probably oven baked) chicken. COLD! I’ve had Caesar salad with grilled chicken at more restaurants than I can count and I’ve never been served cold chicken anywhere other than a fast food restaurant so it came as quite a shock. I also only received a few very small pieces of chicken when normally you’d receive a decent sized fillet, especially for the price. I was honestly shocked and hugely disappointed but I didn’t want to complain.

The rest of my party was fairly satisfied with their meal and they all cleaned their plates (which I did not). Two of them got the sea bass and one ordered the short ribs and they were all satisfied.

Overall it was a decent experience and I would give them a second shot. I just hope they decide to add warm grilled chicken to their salads in the future.

(No photos as I was busy conversing with my dinner party!)

If you’re on the fence, give them a try but keep your...

Let me start by saying I think I have left a total of 10 reviews between various platforms (just not one of those people), and 9 of them have been all positive. Hopefully, this post saves someone from a similar catering situation.

I recently hosted a baby shower at The Prado and walked away with mixed feelings. The setting is beautiful - the historic charm of Balboa Park paired with the stunning views makes for a visually appealing venue. Unfortunately, the overall experience didn’t live up to the location.

The food was average at best, especially given the premium price point. What stood out even more was the sense of upselling and fees. Fees felt unnecessary or structured to drive up spending. For example, a $350 labor fee for parties under 50 people, even though we had no issue meeting the overall minimum. They add a 25% service fee and tax after the tally of fees. Before the event, we were also encouraged to order more food under the suggestion that we might not meet the minimum, only to later be met with defensiveness about that conversation. We were told, “That’s why we offer a cash bar,” which felt dismissive and contradictory to the main point.

A particularly odd moment came after the event, with a "back room" tally process for drinks. It was vague and a little unsettling - we were essentially handed a final bill that wasn’t easy to verify, and the bartender told us we were below the minimum during the event itself (to later be told we weren't below the minimum and that isn't his job). A 'nickle-and-dime' example was that they counted 20 or so drinks per bottle, which exceeds the industry standard of 17, raising questions about accuracy. I was told, "In my 10+ years, I've never had someone dissect the bill this much before." A dismissive tone for someone simply trying to understand what I was paying for. I lead software sales teams and would never coach someone on my team to approach a customer this way - transparency and a positive tone for the buyer is basic.

To their credit, the staff was accommodating the day before the event and allowed us early access to the room since it wasn’t booked. That flexibility was appreciated.

Overall, while The Prado offers a picturesque setting, the added fees, underwhelming food, and uncomfortable billing/fees/upselling left a sour taste. For the cost, I believe the money could be better spent elsewhere. Unfortunately, I won’t be recommending it for an event, but I'm sure I'll visit the restaurant again...

I recently celebrated my birthday brunch at The Prado in Balboa Park on a busy Saturday, and overall, it was a fantastic experience. I’ve celebrated many occasions here, including past birthdays and even Thanksgiving, so it’s safe to say The Prado holds a special place in my heart.

From the start, the hostess was incredibly sweet and patient, reassuring me that everything was under control despite the busy day at the park. Several of my guests had trouble with parking due to multiple events, and she was calm and understanding throughout.

Our server, Beto, went above and beyond to make the day special. He made sure everyone had a drink and took our food orders with care, making the brunch feel even more personal. His kindness and attentiveness truly added to the experience and made my birthday feel extra special.

Unfortunately, there was one issue that did put a damper on our celebration. An older woman with short blond-ish hair, wearing a t-shirt and jeans, approached our table in a rather abrupt and abrasive manner. She seemed upset about the additional guests arriving for my brunch, and even asked me, in front of everyone, if more were coming. When I mentioned we only needed one extra chair, she acted as if it was an unreasonable request, even though the chair was right next to her. Instead of helping, she instructed an employee to stop what they were doing to move it. Her attitude was off-putting, and my guests and I shared some awkward looks over her behavior. It was disappointing to see someone treat patrons—and seemingly her own staff—with such disrespect.

Despite this one incident, I still love The Prado and the quality of service from most of the team. Beto and the hostess were wonderful, and they made my birthday a memorable one. I hope that future visits are free from similar encounters, as The Prado is a place I’d love to continue...