BE VERY CAREFUL WHAT YOU ARE GETTING. MAKE SURE TO DOUBLE, TRIPLE CHECK. We came on a Thursday, sangria and paella day. I have included a picture of the menu: Clear as day, "MUSSELS, CLAMS, SHRIMP, OCTOPUS. Sounds very tasty and worth $45 right? The food comes out, we start eating but very soon realized... THIS IS ALL CHICKEN (also attached a picture of our box of chicken) so we bring it to the attention of a waitress (she looked like she's been working there a while) who was very nice and apologetic and want to make it clear it's not her fault . She apologized and said the kitchen ran out of seafood and the used chicken and sausage instead and our own waitress (who- also nice and apologetic and most likely still in training) should have brought it to our attention before ordering. No worries, she would ask the manager for a discount and all would be okay. Check comes out...and it's TEN DOLLARS OFF. So let me reiterate: not only did we not know we were getting chicken fried rice, we got scammed into paying $35 for it. In what world is "saffron rice, chicken, bell peppers, onions, and scallions" worth $35? Wanting to give this one more chance, we asked the waitress again- please bring this up to your manager. They did, and the manager refused. So we paid $35 for some crappy chicken fried rice. Because apparently: octopus, shrimp, clams, and mussels is only worth $10 more. Absolutely awful, low class handling of things by the manager. So huge word of warning: when you think you're paying $45 to get seafood, and then later turn out there's none left but you're still forced to pay $35, IT IS YOUR FAULT- or at least that's the message the manager sent us. Balboa cafe is ran by a manager skilled in the art of defrauding patrons, way to go. It would have costed nothing to take at least half or even better, comp it because we would have came back. Also we still tipped the waitress our full 18% because we aren't low class scummy people. Js read more

Balboa Cafe - What the menu given to us described the paella as - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I was very excited to try this place after reading online that Balboa Cafe has one of the best burgers in the bay area. Truthfully, the burger didn't quite live up to the expectation for me. It was a bit dry and the buttery pickles provided the majority of the flavor. The baguette was too hard and difficult to bite into and just isn't my idea of a great fit for a burger. While innovative it didn't do it for me. With that being said, Oxana, our server was amazing, friendly and attentive. She made the experience. Drinks arrived very fast and were delicious. We had the Spiced Cranberry Cooler which is titos vodka, spiced vanilla syrup, cranberry juice, soda and lime. It was pretty good, a bit heavy on vanilla but delicious. I also absolutely LOVED the calamari. It was exceptional. They were generous with the portion sizing and the additions of scallions and hot peppers were a nice touch. My friend ordered the squash ravioli with a creamy kale sauce and shrimp. This dish is the way to go over the burger. Atmosphere and service made the experience 5-star. read more

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Visited balboa with my partner for his first time this past weekend for brunch. Can't believe this is the same balboa I used to frequent in the past. The restaurant was freezing inside. So cold the servers were wearing jackets. We asked to be sat inside because it was cold outside-but outside might have been warmer with the heaters. We were also seated in front of a door that was constantly being open and left open. It was maybe 55°. We didn't see our server once we placed our order. We came for brunch and only able to order one drink. My partner had no drink once our meal came out, not even water was refilled. We were checked on more by the security than any actual server or employee of the restaurant. The food is nothing to write home about and I would not recommend coming here. The clam chowder was our experience only saving grace. Eggs Benedict-nothing special. Waffle-dry and dense like a heavy sponge. Chicken sandwich-not as described; hot sauce EVERYWHERE Double Bloody Mary cost the same amount as 2 Bloody Mary without the extra tomato juice, don't waste your money, was barely drinkable. I added a photo below where you can clearly see my partner's empty champagne flute. For over $150 we expect better than this. read more

Balboa Cafe - Empty champagne flute - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Cute place to come enjoy their Espressotini (espresso martini)! This place definitely gets busy on weekend nights, so if you aren't a big fan of crowds, maybe come during different hours. Indoor can get pretty crowded but they also have an outdoor patio area with seating and heaters. Balboa is a cute place to come and hangout up with friends and meet new people! read more

Balboa Cafe - Espressotini - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I know we all left SF and went to Miami for "culture" or a functioning competent govt. I miss Balboa though...where else can I serve a $40 piece of salmon to my poodle while my bf tweets a "thread" about some fake money coin he is trying to pump to his crypto bros. Seriously, get the martini. Sit outside and eat half the salmon and give the other half to you dog. Also psa marina folks we are driving teslas now so leave your range sport in Tahoe..fossil fuels are tacky read more

Although the menu does not call out gluten free options, the deviled eggs, risotto & Sunday (without the shortbread) can be made gluten free. I am giving this restaurant 3 stars because I ordered a drink, it came with a bug floating in it, I sent it back and they returned the same drink with the same bug saying that it was remade. Stay away from the bar area. read more

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I had really high hopes in Balboa, having heard about it for years and never having been. We reserved for Christmas Dinner and when we arrived it was packed. Immediately the host was very off putting and quite unprofessional. She took her time, lacked communication in telling us she'd be back to help us (the server came by to tell us at the host stand with the rest of the line behind us). When we were finally sat we were told that she'd bring menus later- super weird. Thinking she forgot as we had a window view of the host stand, I got up to ask. She told me she didn't have any. Then after I sat back down she reached under the host stand and produced some menus. Besides the host, the service was great. We started with Espresso Martinis which were phenomenal. We ordered the Calamari and Caesar Salads which were both delivered at the same time. The Calamari was cold and chewy and not good at all. The Caesar was way over dressed with a thick mayo like dressing that lacked any real taste of a Caesar. Very disappointing. With it being a Christmas we didn't know what to expect with the menu or a special or Prie Fixe, but it was menu only- so we thought. The table sat after and beside us was offered a Prime Rib Special. For entrees we ordered the Salmon and the Mushroom Risotto with Shrimp added. Both were very nice plates full of flavor and what seemed to be quality ingredients. We then had the Apple Crisp for dessert and it too was great. I'd say overall, this place is decent for the Marina locals that are looking for a drink and a quick bite that's slightly elevated, but if you're making this a destination for dinner, you'd be better off finding something else great in the city. I'd come back for the Espresso Martini only. Having a restaurant background, I'd say that the staff needs some training on professionalism and consistency with an emphasis on quality service. The expo in the kitchen should never let an app get that cold and still be served. read more

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If I could give 0 stars, I would. I've been to this place a couple times within the last year or so, and after this past visit, would make it my last. I'm a local and both myself and family have been coming to this spot for years, and yesterday I was greeted by a rude host and even ruder service. A simple drink order came in after 30-40 minutes, and the bill came in without even asking for it. We were spoken to very condescendingly. To add, it was a slow weekend, not crowded whatsoever. Very sad and disappointing. We will not be coming here again. read more

Great food! Great hospitality! Espresso Martini is superb. Attentive staff. It was worth the 45 min wait. read more

Balboa Cafe - Calamari and Ahi Tuna Nachos. Huge portions!! - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I used to go to Balboa all the time but haven't been there is 3 +/- years. Good news all the great things about Balboa haven't changed. And they are working on improving the things that made me stop going. What has always been great about Balboa is the bar tenders. They work their asses off and pour great drinks. The bar can get crowded if you go at the wrong time but they manage the bar well. If the bar isn't slammed they are Johnny-on-the-spot and get your drinks quick. They aren't super talkative but know the answers to your questions and will participate in your conversation if you want. To me PERFECT. They pour stiff drinks. What has also always been great is the burger. The Balboa Burger rocks! The baguette is delicious but to me a little hard to chew. Get the burger on a bun (not on the menu) but it is insane. All the goodness of the perfectly cooked and salted ground beef but not the hard crust of the baguette. Grilled artichokes are an added bonus. Fries always rock. Everything else is ok. read more

Balboa Cafe - Pro move. Get the burger on a bun not a baguette! - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This food is better than the Ritz Carlton. Everything was so fresh and tasty. And it's very healthy. They don't add all this extra crap to make it taste good. They are just great chefs. Sid was our server. Ask for him. He's is a class act and so nice and thoughtful. He will make your day! read more

Great spot for a casual or business lunch. I enjoyed the espresso martini and calamari. I would probably pass on the burger and go for the chopped salad. Will need to go back to try other things on menu. read more

Ahhh I used to love Balboa. It was my favorite place to bring people for a drink and end up having so many we would stay for dinner. However, the place has changed! They have a cute martini garden/parklet but now each seat is by reservation only. If the inside bar area is busy (which it always is) I would always take my espresso martini outside. But now you have to put your name in with the hostess so who will give you a dirty look and never come back to help you. So many of the outdoor tables and chairs sat empty and people around us were like "hey why won't they seat us" so we all just stood around holding our one drink and unable to order food because we couldn't get a table! Security will literally usher you away from sitting down anywhere but the hosts won't ever come back to seat people. For an hour we watched at least 25 people wait for a seat and at least 4 tables it empty. Make it make sense and change the process! read more

Wow, have not been here in years, but passed by on a beautiful SF day today and coaxed the hubs to sit outside and have an early dinner. I'm on a mission to re-try all the classic SF restaurants. This did not disappoint! Burger fantastic as I remembered; Caesar salad perfect and the service was professional and made the experience! No hidden service fees, just a fantastic meal, fun scene, delicious food and great drinks. Perfect old school SF! read more

Balboa cafe is known for their espresso martinis. It's the place to go for a drink outside with you're friends. It has a great ambiance to relax with your friends. The service is very attentive. It's great for a day drink. read more

Balboa Cafe - Espresso martinis - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

Excellent service. When my burger was not served medium rare, waiter gladly redid the order and comped burger. Ketchup and mustard was not served with burger but the grilled onions make it special the way I like it. French onion soup among the best I have tried served with sourdough bread and butter. Waiter very friendly. read more

Can only really attest to the espresso martinis, but man are they good. The service is also top tier. Came to experience Balboa on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and brought my dog. They immediately brought him a dog bowl with water which was so appreciated. The ambiance is stellar. Surrounded by like minded individuals just trying to enjoy the day! We had a lot of fun and really loved how nice it was outside! read more

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Balboa Cafe + their Espressotinis are SF staples. A few coworkers and I popped by on a Tuesday afternoon and had a pleasant time! We each ordered an Espressotini and sat outside, which made the perfect backdrop for a sunny afternoon in the Marina. The drinks were quite strong (but also highly priced) -- would come back if I'm in the area! read more

Balboa Cafe - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I Was in town from Los Angeles with my boyfriend and was strongly recommended to come check out this restaurant for brunch and cocktails! The salad was delicious and the portion size for perfect for one. The salmon was a crispy nice size for one as well. I Had to order their Bloody Mary because that is one of their famous drinks They are also know for their Expresso martinis, which I did not order, but others around ordered then and they looks delicious. A trendy vibe. read more

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The five stars is for their espresso martinis. Best in the city. Also tried their breakfast sandwich for the first time and it was to impress! Not my favorite service or atmosphere but if you're trying to Sunday Funday, this is your spot. read more

Balboa Cafe - Breakfast sandwich - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

We had a great dinner here. The place was packed and the crowd was lively, but we loved the energy. My salmon was perfect and the drinks outstanding. We can't wait to go back. read more

sadly the Espresso Martinis they are known for don't have the classic 3 beans. Disappointing

Packed for outdoor dining on a Friday night. Our wait was 30 minutes. Indoor dining had no wait. Food is the same. Burger on a baguette never changes and is always reliable. I wish they would change the French Frys to another vendor. They're obviously bought in bulk, probably frozen and then deep fried. Calamari was cooked perfectly. Wine list is okay, specialty drinks very good. read more

Stopped here for brunch on our Saturday morning walk and I'm so glad we did. Great menu with a delightful variety of choices. Chef Goran delivered our dishes personally and they really hit the spot. Staff were so nice. Outdoor dining available and dog friendly. Recommended! read more

Balboa Cafe - That's a great fill! - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great place , Freindly staff, clean and sanitized between customers. Nice menu options at moderate prices . We enjoyed the famous deviled eggs super delicious, salmon salad and delicious margaritas . Fun location to walk around and explore shops . We will definitely return and recommend a visit. read more

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Poke cones and calamari were so good! Costumer service was great. We sat outside near the heaters. It was perfect.

I rarely write reviews but this week's dinner at Balboa left me shaking my head. What the heck happened to this place? We are longtime Balboa goers and over time, we've noticed a general decline in food and service while the general crowd has morphed into packs of the 3+ espresso martini drinking crowd. We had dinner at the bar this week and it was awful. The service was non-existent. The bar was full while not busy. We had to ask to be served a good 10 minutes after sitting down. No acknowledgment, no contact, nothing. Three behind the bar (I won't name names, but we know who they are) literally just chatted and messed around while spending time just hanging with a few regulars at one end of the bar. Two bartenders took our drink order and both literally forgot to make them. Had to ask for the drinks again and then flag someone down again for a menu. The food came out and the steak was so grisly and sad, it reminded me of being on a bad cruise. Not kidding. The chicken was so dry, flavorless and boring I couldn't have cared less if I ate it. No check back on how the food was, did we want another drink...nothing. Half the Christmas lights were out over the bar so the whole scene and food just felt dated, sad and we couldn't wait to leave. I am so sad for what used to be such a fun and great experience. read more

A go to, no explanation needed. If you can, find a table inside! Espressotinis are incredible and so are the tuna nachos. Arnold Palmers are also solid! A great spot to soak up the sunshine and watch a Derby or game! read more

When you go to a bar, especially a bar in the Marina, its better to keep expectations low. It's likely crowded, difficult to get to, and slow in service. Yet, the entire time I was at Balboa Cafe, I kept asking our table: "why is everything we're eating and drinking so damn good?" And it wasn't wholly because didn't expect much and was pleasantly surprised. First thing's first- the espresso martini with tequila is undoubtedly my new favorite drink. They're not ordered as frequently as the traditional ones with vodka, so they're not stored in a well- they're made to order. And the tequila adds such a nice smokiness that pairs with the coffee flavors that makes you want to drink 5 more. This is honestly a standard for me now, and I can imagine future bartender's faces when I ask them for this change. Secondly, the food was also surprisingly delicious. The pot pie didn't get soggy, the macaroni and cheese wasn't baked to the point of being dried out, and the fries were crispy even half an hour after they got to our table. Why does this bar do so well in its food and drinks? They don't have to at all, but doing so is going to have me thinking about going back every week for the next month or two. Yes, the crowd on a Saturday evening is going to make service slower than you'd like, but that's nothing new. Where Balboa Cafe does shine is the unexpectedly high quality and care put into what they serve, and that's what makes them stand out among all your options in the area. read more

I like the interior of the Balboa Cafe, but have never been overwhelmed by the food. Today, a friend suggested I go there for brunch. It was dreadful. Sat at the bar and the bartenders were very nice. But, there was only one other person there when I got there at noon. I have never had eggs benedict this bad in my life. The eggs were undercooked, there was a white sauce, (not Hollandaise sauce) and the English muffin was so tough I could not eat it. Never again. read more

We popped into balboa around 8pm on a Thursday night and it was starting fill up fast! Definitely recommend their espresso martinis on tap, it's pretty strong but it's perfectly balanced, def worth the hype. Also recommend the spliced cranberry cooler! It's cranberry with vanilla syrup and the vanilla is so subtle and makes the drink totally unique! We originally intended to just stand around the bar with our drinks but the food looked to tempting to resist, so we caved and asked for a table, which they were able to get us pretty quick. We got the spicy tuna nachos and for the price, it was definitely a hearty plate. The vibe is definitely a bar around 8pm where everyone is standing and mingling, but there's a separate area just for dining if you prefer to sit and eat with your friends. The staff is super friendly and the bartenders and nice and chatty as expected haha read more

Balboa Cafe - Spicy tuna nachos - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

I had the most amazing experience here (that almost sucked but thanks to my incredible servers the day was saved) i have been working so much and needed some "me time" and just happened to stumble across this place while walking around. I was sat immediately even though they were packed and I got a spot outside like I requested. My first server Sergio was so sweet, professional and accommodating to my picky eating and was able to substitute everything I asked for. I had a Bellini that was very tasty and the salmon with asparagus & Mac and cheese - BOMB AF! SOOOO GOOD! The best salmon I've ever had, the skin was really crispy and overall delicious. Sergio had to transfer tables and then I had the lovely Mariah as my second server, she was so sweet and their transition was seamless, she asked if I needed anything and was just amazing. So here's where things took a turn - I was enjoying my meal alone and this weirdo dude grabbed a drink from the bar inside and proceeded come over to my table outside and harass me like this was a nightclub in Vegas or something. He basically helped himself to join me where I was sitting - I will never understand why some men think it's okay to both women who are alone and trying to enjoy themselves. I literally almost got up and asked for the check because I was so uncomfortable and just wanted to enjoy my meal. The guy asked me to watch his drink and said he'd be back and while he was gone I talked to Sergio and he was ON IT and made sure to let security know and that he'd be watching out for me. Mariah was made aware of the situation and she made me feel so comfortable - well the creep came back and Mariah handled it so slick and professionally and he left. I truly can't thank Mariah and Sergio enough not only for providing EXCEPTIONAL service but for making me feel incredibly safe and seen. These two are gems and I'm so appreciative for both of them. I will definitely be back. Btw the desert menu is a freaking DREAM like holy sh** I had to pick 2 because everything looked so good read more

Balboa Café was pretty good service was great. The only thing wouldn't recommended is corndogs first, my first corndog was overcooked and the second corndog was frozen. The lady was really nice and she offered to remake the over cooked one and then after we complained about the frozen one she offered again, but we just decided to take it off of our bill otherwise good place. read more

Came in for dinner finally. Food was really good! Service was excellent! The host Kelly was soooo sweet! She really made us feel welcomed and right at home as soon as we walked in the door. She was amazing! Everything was excellent! Clientele was pretty much what you would expect for the marina. A lot of Self entitlement and a few Karen's. But it did make for fun people watching! LOL. But all in all it was a lovely dinner and will totally be returning. read more

C'mon people this what a neighborhood tavern feels like. This is not well worn by design but rather by longevity and everything about it is timeless. It's the West Coast version of NYs iconic Minetta Tavern. It's the perfect package of bar, food and good looking people. It's a standalone model at the very top Shoutout to bartender Brian. Slammed when we arrived but still kept moving, serving and smiling. Really upbeat good service. read more

10/10! One of my favorite places when coming to town! Our bartender, Gustavo, had the best customer service and took great care of us! The food was amazing, and the ambiance was perfect. Can't wait to come back! read more

I went to Balboa cafe and the waitresses accosted me about not tipping enough. I ended up tipped 10% (after a mediocre experience) and the waitress confronted me that I didn't tip enough and I didn't personally feel safe with the experience. read more

I just had one of the my most entertaining evenings at the Balboa Cafe! Mark met me at the door, and while I was awaiting my date, his super fun nature shined. By the time he showed me to my table, we were roaring. When my gorgeous date arrived, he made her feel like $1 million in loose change and told her "Honey I love your shoes, can I try those on? I want two pair, just like that!!!!!" Now, we are all laughing. There was a minor bobble on the food service and Dave, who is fantastic, squared it away. At the Balboa Café be prepared for a wonderful time. I guarantee you will love it! read more

Still good food after all these years and service is great. But subtract 1* for absurdly high prices - $200 to feed hamburgers to a family of 4 (no alcohol) and 1* for obnoxious loud bar patrons. read more

Shocked that in my dozens of visits over many years I've never reviewed Balboa. This bar/restaurant is the definition of a staple for the Marina. Great bar that always has plenty of people watching. The manager Boon is great. The food is also really good. Whether you're looking for a great meal or a fun night out for drinks this is your spot. read more

Balboa Cafe - The Mac n cheese was awesome! - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California