Historic Charm Meets Flavor at The Prado, Balboa Park

It’s a joy to find a restaurant that makes you want to come back time and again to enjoy the setting, ambiance, cuisine and amazing service that all blends together to create one magical dining experience.

And this is exactly what my family and I experience every time we visit The Prado at Balboa Park. Part of the Cohn Restaurant Group family, The Prado is a renowned National Landmark right in the heart of Balboa Park.

Constructed in 1915, it was part of the House of Hospitality Building in Balboa Park that greeted visitors to the Panama-California Exposition in celebration of the Panama Canal’s famous opening.

Like many of the structures built in the park for the two-year exposition event, the building’s impressive architecture, art, and fountains reflect a combination of classic Spanish, Moorish, and Mexican design. Attention to detail is obvious in its intricate glasswork and hand-painted stenciled designs on the restaurant’s ceilings, doors, and wooden beams.

Complimentary parking is available near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and then it’s a short two or three-minute stroll to the restaurant. Valet parking is available on the weekends.

Magnificent Restaurant Setting

The Prado is open for lunch and dinner on Sunday from 11:30 to 7:30 pm, Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm and closed on Monday. Visitors will also delight in the restaurant’s Happy Hour from 2:30 to 4:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday and 2:30 to 8:30 pm every Wednesday in the lounge featuring a menu of delightful drinks and delectable small bites.

Guests may choose to dine inside in the bar area or a dining room just behind the reception desk, or outdoors on the front patio overlooking the courtyard if the restaurant is busy. 

However, the best setting and one we always request when making our reservation is the outdoor back terrace overlooking the stunning tiered Casa del Rey Moro Garden. The tiled plant-filled outside patio with fountains features umbrella tables and heat lamps, always providing a comfortable setting for a magnificent dining experience.

The Prado Cuisine

The restaurant’s award-winning menu features both land and sea entrees with a definitive Spanish and Latin influence.

You’ll want to start with one of The Prado’s creative cocktails or a glass of their signature Sangria. If you’re into wine, the list has some amazing choices and servers can suggest the perfect pairing with your entrée.

Lunch and dinner menus offer some of the same items, however other choices may vary.

Though we have dined here for lunch on occasion, we prefer coming for dinner when the twinkling lights on the patio add to the magic of an evening surrounded by history.

Menu items are sectioned and include First Tastes, Signature Salads, Farm Greens, Sandwiches and Tacos (for lunch) and offerings from the Land & Sea for dinner along with Prado Favorites (for both lunch and dinner).

Though the menu isn’t extensive and has not drastically changed over the past few years, the selections are so amazing that you’ll want to return for another favorite or re-visit the one you love the most.

First Taste Favorites

We’ve probably had them all, but without a doubt, the ones we have come to worship are the Steamed Mussels & Clams with chimichurri, sweet peppers, and a lomo embuchado (Spanish sausage), and the Spicy Calamari Fries, calamari strips with Korean chili sauce, micro shiso, and green onion.

As our server wisely said, “You may have had calamari strips before, but none like these.” He was absolutely right, and this is a definite must-do on your visit to this charming restaurant.

Farm Greens/Signature Salads

Yes, you can go for a classic shrimp or chicken cobb, or a Caesar and you’ll be pleased, but give the Prado Pressed Arugula Salad a try. Made with strawberries, figs, candied walnuts, asiago and sherry-shallot vinaigrette and then pressed together, this one is definitely divine.

Sea & Land Favorites

This is where the dining experience moves from great to incredible!

Our favorite chef creations include the Pan Seared Verlasso Salmon served over sesame rice with baby bok choy and topped with a miso beurre blanc. The Prado Paella is always a winner, filled with lots of fish, mussels, shrimp, calamari, scallops, chicken, chorizo, and peas in a lobster saffron broth. Other options include a pan-roasted sea bass, which is also lovely.

Two of my family’s top land choices include the Mustard Crusted Pork Prime Rib over parsnip mashed potatoes, pickled red onion, and watercress with a mustard sauce. It’s not too mustardly, and the flavors here meld beautifully.

My son loves the tender, slow-cooked Red Wine Short Ribs with kale, roasted garlic, shallot, mashed potatoes, bordelaise, and gremolata marrow butter. They are amazing.

Other Dining Options

Land and Sea Combos include a Chef’s Cut Steak and Marinated Shrimp, Linguine and Clams, and Verlasso salmon with Short Ribs. Pasta a La Norma with rigatoni, eggplant, ricotta salata, basil and tomato as well as a Mushroom Risotto served with white truffle mascarpone, baby arugula, red onion and parmesan Reggiano are ideal for the vegetarian palate.

A kid’s menu is also available for both lunch and dinner and offers classic choices such as Mac & Cheese, Cheeseburger, Chicken Fingers, Grilled Cheese and more. But if you’re youngster has a more adventurous palate, other options are available.

Save Room for Dessert

If you’re a dessert lover, you’ll want to consider this when you’re ordering your starters and main entrees, as servings are plentiful and shareable.

That being said, make sure to leave some space for at least one dessert to try. Word of warning, however, the choices are impressive, and you may find it hard to narrow it down to just one choice.

Five sweet options include a Piloncillo Flan with seasonal berries (seasonal), Carrot Cake, Tres Leches, Pina Colado Crème Brûlée (seasonal) and German Chocolate Cake. If they sound good, they’re even better than what you’d imagine, and the presentations are very creative.

Special Events

Because the setting in picturesque Balboa Park is so impressive, The Prado is a popular venue for weddings, special occasion celebrations or corporate events. Guests have the option to book spaces from the outdoor Case Del Rey Moro Garden and Fountain Courtyard to rooms that accommodate 60 to 80 guests or the Elegant Grand Ballroom that can seat up to 320 with a space for dancing.

Tips to Consider When Dining at The Prado

Reservations are a must, especially during the weekend or if you wish to dine on the outdoor terrace. If there is a special event happening in Balboa Park, diners should plan well in advance to reserve a dining time.

At times, special events at the restaurant preclude diners from eating here as the venue may be booked for a private party. 

If you have your doggie friend with you, be aware that they are only welcome on the front outdoor courtyard patio. But they are welcome!

Other specials (subject to change) include Sangria Sundays, where guests can enjoy Sangria pitchers for only $25. 

Tuesday Night is always Date Night with a menu that features a shared salad, two entrees and a bottle of wine for $68.95 per couple.

No matter the occasion, we find that dining at The Prado at Balboa Park is always a special event. And I’m certain you will too!

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