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The Prado at Balboa Park

The Prado at Balboa Park in San Diego welcomes dogs in the courtyard area and a limited bar menu. Their drink features include margaritas, sangria, beer, and wine. Visit Website

Or call (619) 557-9441 for more information.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

The Prado at Balboa Park has received a rating of 3.8 out of 5 bones by 9 canine critics on BringFido and 4.5 out of 5 by 2,165 guests on TripAdvisor.

  • Robin
    Feb 11, 2022
    Only kind of dog friendly

    As other reviewers have noted, you can't actually sit on the expansive outdoor patio that has views of the park. You're seated in the courtyard outside the entrance to the restaurant. The food is decent - but the accolades advertised out front were from earlier ownership. You're there for the view (which makes the exile to the courtyard even more senseless).

    They also charge a 4% "wage surcharge", which is buried in fine print on the menu. Apparently they've been charging it since 2017, so it's not because they haven't had time to adjust their prices. Just raise your prices - don't hide surcharges in 6 point type. It's cheesy.

  • Randy
    Aug 16, 2021
    Great dog-friendly lunch..

    We had a great lunch at the Prado during our tour of Balboa Park.. The food was great and they were very dog friendly.

  • Jessica
    Apr 23, 2018
    Nice and cool, perfect for a summer lunch

    We came for lunch knowing that we would only have access to the limited bar menu, which was fine for us. The food was still great, the service was fast, and the staff were very friendly (lots of pets and hellos for our doggo). They provided us with a water dish and were willing to put out a separate plate of chicken that we ordered for her. The dog patio was in a shady spot, which was perfect for a few AZ travelers looking to escape the heat. We will happily come again!

  • Katie
    More than a year ago
    Awesome Spot

    After reading the split reviews I wasn't sure about this place. I have two large dogs and found we had more than enough space, I did go mid-day on a Monday so most of the tables were empty. The patio they allow dogs on is beautiful, by a fountain a great spot. The limited outdoor menu is more than enough and the El Prado flatbread was great. Server was also wonderful and very helpful.

  • LT
    More than a year ago
    Wonderful!

    Height of summer and they made it wonderful! Beautiful shaded patio, waiter brought water bowls for the dogs, everyone was friendly, and the food was fantastic!

  • Tia
    More than a year ago
    Amazing Cocktails!

    We don't mind sitting in the front patio. We've been a few times and enjoy the service and food from the bar menu. Even better the front patio is on a first come first served basis so if you can grab a table there isn't a wait. The cocktails are delicious and for a Balboa Park location pricing is what you'd expect. They treat you to complimentary crackers & hummus, hubby ordered the fish tacos and loved them.

  • Ann
    More than a year ago
    Love it!

    I have been bringing dogs to this restaurant for a couple of years now and have always had a great time. The food is fantastic and if you get there during happy hour, the wine prices are very good. My friends and I enjoy the small front patio, as you are away from the crowds and can usually find a seat.

  • Randy
    More than a year ago
    Lunch At The Prado

    Was very disappointed to be seated in the lounge outside in the shade in the front of the restaurant. Not very dog friendly. We could only order from the bar menu. After complaining our waitress was granted permission to serve us from their lunch menu. The food was okay, nothing that will stand out in my memory. What will stand out is being limited to the bar menu because we had a dog!!! We will not go back!! I am a native of San Diego and have enjoyed some good meals at the outdoor patio in the past (before I had a dog). Very Disappointing!!

  • Ro N Pia
    More than a year ago
    could be better

    Would have received 5 bones for the great food and super location in the heart of Balboa Park.

    Only problem is their dog friendly area is very restricted. Despite their enormous patio area, dogs can only sit in front of the restaurant, at one of about eight tables in a hallway sort of area. It tends to get chilly since the sun doesn't hit the area and there is usually a draft, and it's usually very crowded with hoards of people waiting for their tables inside.
    Went once with the dog, wouldn't do it again - though I still go dog-less. Now on our weekly park visits we enjoy a casual, yet very tasty, lunch at the cafe outside the Museum of Art while enjoying a small attached grass area that hold several amazing sculptures.

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The Prado at Balboa Park