El Prado
El Prado
4.3
About
This bustling walking area on the east side of Balboa Park is home to many museums.
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The area
Neighborhood: Downtown
San Diego's Downtown neighborhood is a captivating blend of historic charm and modern flair. With the iconic Gaslamp Quarter at its core, this lively neighborhood boasts a rich cultural scene with an array of art galleries, museums, and theaters, including the celebrated Balboa Theatre. The food scene is equally alluring, offering everything from gourmet food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants. Public transportation options such as the San Diego Trolley and numerous bike-sharing stations make it easy to traverse the neighborhood and soak in the alluring sights and sounds. With its stunning skyline views, waterfront park, and numerous cultural attractions, Downtown San Diego offers a unique mix of relaxation and excitement.
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Restaurants
1,821 within 3 miles
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526 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.3
79 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
32
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
0
traveltheworld012
Rochester, MN17,435 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
I was reading some of the reviews and many seem to think this is for a restaurant, It is not, El Prado is the main street that runs through the center of the park where many of the museums and historic buildings are located. I walked here from the San Diego harbor, about a 1 hour walk each way. I love Balboa Park and spent an entire afternoon here. One of the most interesting spots here is the Zoro Gardens. It is a sunken garden and small stone amphitheater. Back in the 1930s there was a nudist colony exhibit here. Several times a day the mostly female troupe conducted rituals to the Sun God. Between shows they played games, read, cooked and lounged amidst lush vegetation. It cost visitors 25 cents to enter. I guess this sort of thing is not allowed these days. It is an interesting part of the park's history.
Written December 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy x
Pasadena,Ca41 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
El Prado Restaurant is in Balboa Park. Beautiful place with a nice view. Service can be a little slow, but this is a place you go to enjoy. Nice food and drinks, including foods people who must avoid gluten can enjoy. I recommend dining on the back patio if the weather is nice. Mostly Mexican and American dishes. We had an exotic cocktail which we really enjoyed! We just happened in at lunch time on a week day, but if you come at busy times, reservations might be wise.
Written May 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveltoforeignlands
San Diego, CA570 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
It's fun to walk Balboa Park in the area of EL Prado and the Organ Pavillion to check out the Christmas decorations and then pop into the restaurant which is named EL Prado--the same as the area in which you will locate it--and get dinner. Both my order and my friend's were so large that we could finish them and the food was delicious! I have gone back and will again!
Written February 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Russ855
Palm Springs, CA479 contributions
Jan 2022
This was a quick casual lunch in Balboa Park after visiting the museums. It is convenient to the central attractions. This is a very busy and popular spot. We had to wait about 20 minutes for an outside terrace table since we did not have a reservation. It was later in the day as well. This is standard California casual fare like salads and burgers. The staff were very nice and attentive. The food was average and what you might expect in a popular tourist spot. They do have a full bar. It is not inexpensive for what you get. The view from the terrace overlooking the park is very nice in good weather though.
Written February 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GlobalGypsy_13
San Diego, CA2,640 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
El Prado is the patio no car area in front of the San Diego Museum of Art that is bordered by the Mingei Museum, the Timkin Museum, and the Visitor's Center where you can find souvenirs, maps, and helpful docents. The red, yellow, and blue umbrellas, tables, and seats here contributed by Southwest Airlines beckon you to sit, rest, and recharge in the heart of Balboa Park. On some Friday nights food trucks will park here for casual dining instead of going to the sit-down restaurant by the same name -- El Prado.
Written January 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Balidude
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico280 contributions
Jul 2017
The El Prado restaurant at sunset is a must visit. We loved our lingering meal sharing multiple small dishes including salads, soups and chicken tenders. The outdoor setting overlooking the gardens is delighful
Written September 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nortfamily
Princeton, NJ18 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
Beautiful and fun decor restaurant with delicious food. Carne asado tacos were delish! Hamburger was flavorful as was the spicy calamari fries. Great kids menu too- all in the heart of Balboa Park.
Written September 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Delmarbeachwalker
San Diego, CA24 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
I have eaten at this restaurant various times in the past and liked it very much. Yesterday was the first time I ate a meal there since it had been acquired by the Cohn Restaurant Group. There is nothing special about this restaurant anymore except the location. Steak tacos without guacamole or cheese but an abundance of red cabbage?!!! No enchiladas will be found on this menu, or any other inventive Mexican entrees. The menu is now touted as "California Cuisine." This means it is similar to other Cohn menus and does not have an individual personality or unique and appealing offerings. It has been recreated in a plebeian manner. It was a total snore and I will not be spending my money to eat there again. Better to grab a cab and head into town.
Written June 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J-from-Marysville
Marysville, OH1,004 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
You don't see this type of architecture in Ohio. El Prado is a fascinating walk. The newer Art Museum buildings kind of mess with the ambience, fortunately, there are only a couple. Lots of other museums surround it. Enjoy your walk.
Written April 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PietroSemplice
San Diego, CA49 contributions
Nov 2018
One of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. The Zoo, the Botanical Garden and Museums are near by. The food and ambiance of this restaurant is near 5 star.
Written April 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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