Had high expectations for this place based on reviews, but I and others in my party thought the food lacked seasoning. A bit pricey all things considered. Service was good and friendly. read more

Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 3.5/5 Overall: A good selection of tapas to choose from. Would I come back: It's my go to for tapas in the city. The extended review... Food: 4/5 - Got a mixture of things and all of them were all very tasty. The good thing is you can order many things to taste. Of them I always get the Spanish Tortilla which is an egg and potato dish. Service: 4/5 - Friendly and attentive service. Ambiance: 3.5/5 - There are times when a band will come in and walk throughout the restaurant playing loud music. That's one thing I can do without. read more

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The sangria is where it's at here! It would be great if they had a more sophisticated wine list. But we can overlook that as they do allow you to bring wine in for a decent corkage fee. We had a few appetizers: 1. Morcilla Sauteed Spanish blood sausage. $8.25 Delicious and not oily at all! 2. Pinchos Pork kebabs on a bed of Spanish rice. $8.00 Delicious you can taste the charbroiled finish and again bold in flavor. We wish we had this restaurant in miami. It's affordable and authentic. read more

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Went to Picaro with the boy during a San Francisco day trip and decided to grab a late snacky lunch here! This place has been on my list for a while and I'm glad I got to try it out. This place is a cute Spanish tapas place with great prices, big portions and lots of heart. The service was homely and I enjoyed it. For the food we ordered: * chicken croquettes - these were crispy, creamy, chickeny goodness * patatas bravas - the boy really loved this as did I - the crispy potatoes with the orange sauce is beyond me in terms of how delicious this is! I wish I could have more always * gambas ajillo - this is also garlic shrimp and it's absolutely delicious. Shrimp in a buttery sauce I absolutely enjoyed this. We enjoyed dunking the free bread they gave us in this sauce and it was yummy Overall the food was delicious and I would recommend others to visit! read more

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We were in San Francisco area for vacation. Thanks to Yelp, we found this amazing place! We came here two days in a row. You could tell how much we love this place. The decor here was cool, tables were a little bit old. However, the food was great. So who cares. The pricing here is really affordable given the quality of food. The paella dish was okay, not wow. We loved the Parrillada meat plate. That was bomb, so flavorful and plenty of meat, the potatoes underneath absorbed all the juice from the meat and veggies (chef's kiss). We were still thinking about it from time to time after we dined there a few months ago. I wish they're keeping up with the quality and pricing . Will definitely go back when we're in the area again. read more

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I been here a few time through out the last 7 years, the sangria pitcher during happy hour is cheap! Love it! And the food is very decent. Since they been there for a long time, so the environment seems old, but vibe is good. Great services and decent price. read more

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The pulpo al ajillo and cola de lagosta were my best dishes. The octopus was soft and tasty. Unfortunately the rest was a little underwhelming. The gambas were very greasy and looked like they were cooked from frozen. The rice overcooked with insufficient flavor.The price was actually fair for San Francisco standards but probably wouldn't come back read more

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This is a GEM of a Spanish tapas place. In the midst of all the inflated prices and often disappointing food quality throughout San Francisco's 'elite' restaurants - this little piece of Spanish heaven somehow manages to maintain its authentic vibes, great food and amazing prices!! Situated in the heart of mission - you'll be in for a treat. Stop by for a 20$ pitcher of red or white sangria and/or tapas! Lots to choose from here. I promise, even if you're not into tapas, this place will make you smile. Cheers read more

Picaro - 20$ sangria pitchers! - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here for my brother's birthday. It was BUSY on a Saturday evening but luckily we had reservations. The food here is so good! We ordered a few pitchers of sangrias. It wasn't too sweet and I love that it wasn't overfilled with too much fruit. And even though it was soooo busy, our servers were so attentive! The nice thing about the paella is that you could order different portions. For dinner we shared a bunch of stuff: Patatas Bravas Morcilla- Black sausage: I know it sounds weird but it was DELICIOUS! Jamon Serrano En Pan Con Tomate Sopa De Marisco: OMG I would totally come back just to get this soup! Paella de arroz Negro: I love squid ink so this was my favorite! Paella de Carne: Everyone else you wasn't into seafood absolutely loved this one! To top it off, this place has a little mariachi band that goes around the restaurant to play music. It is very loud inside, even without the music so make sure you're okay with that. But the food was so good here. This is a must! read more

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A great spot for Spanish tapas!! The food comes out quick and order a ton to sample a little bit of everything! If you want paella, bring a huge group to share since it comes out large. The sangria is good and pairs well with the food. Most of my favorite tapas contain meat so maybe not the best spot for vegetarians. Be adventurous and try the oxtail soup! The seafood is fresh and delicious as well. I like getting the oysters, shrimp with garlic butter, croquetas and more! read more

Picaro - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great food and live music! They had a wonderful guitarist the night we were there. Food was delicious and service was lightning fast. We had the tortilla, the chorizo, and a delicious steak and mushroom dish that was probably my favorite. The only improvement I could suggest would be to the bathrooms. They were very clean but the door locks were not the most secure. read more

Went to Picaro to celebrate my birthday, and it was amazing! The food tasted just like being in Spain -- full of authentic flavors and cooked perfectly. Portions were huge, and everything we tried was absolutely delicious. The seafood was incredibly fresh, and the warm, lively atmosphere made the night even better. The place was packed, which says a lot. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Pretty much what everyone else said... the brava is amazing, the tapas are varied & super tasty (have never gotten a dud so go for whatever strikes your fancy that day); the sangrias are proper & the vibe is happening. Service has always been prompt & friendly. Regular haunt for us. read more

Had a great time trying different tapas at Picaro. My favorites were the chicken croquettes and potato omelette. Chicken croquettes were crunchy and had a creamy chicken filling. Potato omelette had a delicious garlic aioli. Though we would skip the stews. The rabbit stew was heavy with oregano and meat was very dry (should have known as its rabbit). Clams were not very large nor flavorful. Some hits and misses. They have a huge menu, including paellas. Will be back to try more! read more

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Went there last night with son, granddaughter, grandson, son's GF, ex-hubby and his wife (yeah, we're a Happy Friendly Family!) to celebrate my son's and ex-hubby's birthdays. The food was fantastic. We had a yummy seafood paella and a huge assortment of tapas that ranged from "really good" to "to die for" (the lobster tail). And yes, we appreciated the complimentary bread and dipping sauce. The service was friendly, attentive, and extremely patient with our many questions about their Gi-normous menu choices. Sadly for hearing-impaired Me, the noise level (which as I age is the most important aspect of the ambiance) made it impossible for me to participate in any substantive conversation. I'm nowheres near "deaf" but like many of my fellow septuagenarians need hearing aids, and regardless of setting them on "speech and noise" (maybe I should have tried "airplane" mode?) and playing with the volume for each ear, I couldn't understand much of anything anyone said unless they were sitting right next to me or shouting at me from directly across the table. I'll admit, though, that it didn't occur to my son when he made the reservation to ask whether they had a quieter area of the restaurant that could accommodate seven, so if someone in your party is a bit hearing-impaired I'd recommend you ask the when you make the reservation. read more

Went here on a Thursday around 620pm. Was able to get a table for 2 without a reservation. They had a lot of seats available inside and outside, but it started to get busy around 730. I've eaten here before, but this review will be about my experience on that day. We ordered the Parrillada, which a meat platter over potatoes. Overall, the dish was super meat heavy! It said it's good for 2-3 people but I believe it's good for 4-5 people. It was huge! My favorite parts of the dish was the sausage and potatoes. It was seasoned perfectly and sooo good. The rest was okay and the chicken was dry. Honestly I wouldn't order this again. Too much meat. We had a lot to take home. We also had the red sangria pitcher which was perfect for 2. Sweet and fruity tasting! I would recommend ordering the tapas and paella instead of a big meat platter. But my friends favorite was the Parrillada, so to each their own! read more

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Go for the paella! Delicious & plentiful portion. Many tapas options to choose from as well, which were reasonably priced. A live mariachi band made this experience even more fun! Would be ideal location for groups to split the dishes & sangria pitchers. read more

Picaro - Carne paella - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great food and always get a seat on time! I highly recommend this place! The food and sangria are very good. The paella meets American style way of cooking. read more

Nice restaurant. Delicious food The servers are so sweet and friendly. I had to wait for the Paella I am thankful that they game me bread. I t so good. It came with a tasty dip and it made it easy for me to not be too hungry. The Paella was divine. I am for sure going back. read more

Picaro - Paella de Carne y Mariscos - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great food and vibes, would highly recommend for Spanish tapas in the city! Been here many times and the food always delivers. Some of my favorites are the chorizo, chicken croquettes, garlic shrimp, and fried calamari. All of the food is so well seasoned, I've had very few dishes I didn't like. I also really like the sharing nature of tapas so you can try more things and makes it a great place for groups. They give complimentary bread with patatas bravas sauce which is so good. Picaro is pretty reasonably priced per dish considering the quality of the food + decent portions. They also have happy hour from 4-7pm, which includes their Sangria which is also pretty tasty. Overall, one of my favorite Spanish places in the city, would recommend. read more

Picaro - Chorizo Fried calamari Garlic shrimp Chicken croquettes Free bread with patatas bravas sauce - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

A really amazing tapas place with a great staff who are fast and attentive. Also a cool looking spot with ample room . The portions are generous and always delicious. Your meal comes with a bread appetizer with a great slightly spicy orange sauce I highly recommend. Everything I have had has been amazing. Although their paella has been raved about I fear it's too much for one person. You definitely want to hit this spot (especially good for groups as you can try alternate dishes. This place has been around for a long time for good reason. read more

If you want the best Spanish food in the city, come here. You also can't beat their prices. Happy hour is $4 a glass for sangria--which is nice and light, but the alcohol definitely sneaks up on you so be careful. We also ordered the patatas bravas which had the best sauce, it was amazing. We also ordered the seafood platter which was impeccable. And dipping the seafood in the patatas bravas sauce was next level amazing. And they do not skimp on the seafood here. Just 10/10 all around. Literally my new favorite seafood place in the city, and can't beat the price with tip at $70 (we also have a ton of leftovers). read more

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Wow! The service here was amazing! The food was nothing less than astounding. Best Spanish food I've had and I've eaten in Barcelona. The patatas bravas sauce was as incredible and garlic forward as everyone says. The mariscana (seafood) platter was a true treat and I highly recommend it. The sangria is great and the price can't be beat on happy hour. The pricing generally is great; definitely the best bang for your buck. The atmosphere really feels like a northern Spanish cafe which is I think what they are going for. It's can't recommend this place enough. Bring cash! There is a ~5% discount for cash. read more

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Came here for a birthday dinner for my cousins! The place was booming and had a really lively energy. The service was great and fast as well! I lovedddd the oysters! The only downside is the surrounding area outside felt a bit unsafe. Parking was super hard as well, but I guess that's anywhere in the city! read more

Picaro - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here with a larger party for a birthday and we all had a good time! The tapas tasted authentic, were a reasonable price, and the group loved the live music and atmosphere. Would recommend the tortilla española, the seafood paella, croquetas de pollo, and the flan. Also every sauce that came with the dishes was delicious. I'm already looking forward to coming back and trying other tapas! read more

It's a very lively restaurant, so think twice before coming here for a romantic date or an intimate night out. They have an extensive menu and are done family-style, so come prepared to share a bunch of dishes. We ordered a variety of tapas and seafood paella. The standout from the tapas we ordered was the oysters, which surprised me. They were incredibly fresh, sweet, and creamy. However, the other tapas, grilled papers, artichokes, spicy potatoes, beet salad, and calamari were okay. They were definitely not anything to write home about. The seafood paella was just okay, too. The serving size for 6 was absolutely massive. However, the flavor was a bit bland compared to other paellas. It's not good, but it's not bad, either. Overall, if you're looking for a place to have a big party or catch up with friends over finger foods and tapas, this place might be worth considering. But as mentioned, don't expect to be blown away by the food. read more

I absolutely love Picaro. I first came here in 2017 for a friend's birthday with a big group, so got to work through lots of the menu. Over the summer I re-discovered Picaro post pandemic and have brought both friends and family here a few times this year. This place is an institution. Amazing service and old school, authentic comfortable ambiance in a city that keeps getting shinier and flashier. The price point is fantastic, especially during happy hour. They pack so much flavor into their dishes. We love the patatas bravas, pulpo al ajillo, morcilla, and the albondigas. Don't skip out on the oysters and sangria for happy hour. Afterwards, you can pop a block over to ABV for a cocktail or easily walk back to Bart. Lately when family is in town we opt for Picaro, even over fine dining and trendier options. Can't wait to come back over the holidays with the parents! read more

Came for a second visit, hoping for as good as the first time, and instead it was even better. I ordered the paella again but asked for a crispier bottom, and they delivered. They knew exactly what I was talking about. It wasn't perfect (some bits were over charred and some of the seafood was a little drier), but nearly so. For those that expect or prefer soccarat/crispy rice with their paella, they can do that. Again, flavor was spot on. Again, couldn't finish my food despite not spending much. The wine was so smooth and one of the best I've had (so much so that I wrote down the name so I can get a bottle for home) and yet so affordable. This place continues to be a gem. read more

Every time we go to this place, it's hands down a great experience. The food!!! The service!!! Would highly recommend this place!! read more

I wouldn't say this is your upscale Spanish tapas place but for the price you pay, it is worth enduring the fruit flies for it. - basket of bread with sauce: that sauce was gorgeous. - sangria: I actually like the white ones more than the red. - garlic sauté mushrooms: star of the show. Very very flavourful and garlicky. Had to order 2 of it. - garlic shrimp: very good and very fresh. However, the back of the shrimp strip was not removed, which I didn't mind, but just in case you do. - lobster: very juicy and not overcooked. Definitely a highlight. - oxtail stew: meat was fell-off-the-bone tender. - papaya: rice was very flavourful and well cooked. A bit salty so make sure you share with others and eat smaller portions of it. Some other items to note: - green beans: It was good. Healthy - potato brava: it was ok. Sauce was good - tortilla: a bit bland. Eggs and potatoes are well cooked tho Everything came out very fast. read more

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The grilled calamari is my favorite. I've ordered it many times. Yesterday, I got a promo on a combination meal through DoorDash. I had to get the grilled calamari. I chose potatoes and cabbage as sides. Thanks for the savings. read more

Picaro - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Amazing paella! This is comfort food at its best! Very family oriented place to eat. Nothing fancy, just amazing authentic flavors. The servings are very large. For a family of 5, ordering 2 paellas, 1 seafood platter and calamari, we were able to take home and have another complete meal. The service is very good! Everyone is very friendly. They have a great menu that will please everyone! Kid approved! read more

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When coming here, you must always have a reservation just because the space is fairly small and people usually go with a party. And just like as we came for my sister's birthday and we were a fairly small party, but yeah, we were all squeezed onto a table . We don't mind , because the food and drinks are amazing here. This is definitely a San Francisco staple for Latin America style paella, which we love, and we love that they have different variations and styles of a paella for all types of food, restrictions, or people who are picky eaters read more

OMG - LOVE this place! We were waiting for a film showing at the Roxie and sat outside Picaro watching the Roxie's previous showing exiting the theater and was able to jump in line once the line started forming. For that, awesome location. Food is also surprisingly solid too. The setting really reminds me of sitting at an outdoor cafe in Spain or Portugal eating tapas and sipping wine. read more

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Food (4/5): Food was overall delicious. We enjoyed the paella, oysters, prosciutto, sausages, and so on. The oysters were a bit small and had a grimy feel but everything else was solid. The Paella had good flavor and fresh seafood. Service (5/5): Helpful and friendly service with the server being flexible and informative. Ambiance (4/5): At first I was a bit hesitant because the surrounding area seemed sketchy. However, the ambiance of the restaurant itself ended up being great. It felt like an authentic place with solid food. read more

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Picaro is such a lovely and inviting spot for group dinners! The paella doesn't miss and it fills the table up easily. The service is always kind, though food can be a bit of a wait (~20min) especially if you order paella. read more

Picaro - Paella de Carne y Mariscos - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

I dined in with my girlfriend an hour before closing, 9pm. Was seated, poured water and given bread with sauce, promptly. The spread was delicious!! Red beet salad, potatoes with garlic mayonnaise, sautéed spanish sausage, fried calamari, and a few other items. So delicious!! I enjoyed the interior decor too. Really unique and tasteful decorations! The food was served within about 10-15 minutes of ordering. I enjoyed my visit to Picaro. read more

Picaro - Dinner! - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

TL:DR; If you're a group of 6, a 4 person paella is enough if you are ordering other tapas! $19 pitcher for sangria! My boyfriend and I have been here a few times and loved every experience. Food is great, service is quick, and we always welcome the mariachi singers for a song or two-- it really adds to the Mexican ambience. It does not have the most beautiful tables, decor, interior, etc like a lot of new and hot restaurants but to be honest, that's how you know the food will be good :) read more

Picaro - Paella De Carne - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

We were in spain last year this time for three weeks , and I have been telling people that we never had a bad meal. Well the food we had last night was every bit as good as every bit of food we had in spain, We had potatos with Aoli , asperagus, fried artichokes, squid a la plancha and octopus the same, and every bit was delicious. And the good news is ,there are more sea food and vegetable items on the menu. We drove in from Marin, but was worth it. It is my new touchstone restaurant. Get in there. Also read Irene X's review. read more

We went to Spain last May and wanted to find a good spot in the city for tapas and sangria and stumbled on Picaro. We came here on a Friday evening. It was lively with loud music and busy! Food came out quickly and all the tapas dishes were delicious! Highlights: the clams, the croquetas, and the lobster tail! Sangria pitcher was solid. Would come back here again! read more

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