Came here based on a friends rec and it was poppin! Dinner service had no wait though cause it seems like most people just come here for drinks. Regardless, we were still able to get drinks and the espresso martini was so good. In terms of food, we got the chimchurri fries, calamari, and I got the baguette burger. Everything was really tasty! And the burger actually exceeded my expectations - there were pickles and the meat was cooked really well. The bread being a baguette actually worked really well too! Overall would come back again and nice vibes for a fun night out!

This fancy lookin spot is just another watering hole. You can hang out and drink inside or out which is nice. You will meet some interesting people of all ages and backgrounds. The bouncer in the front makes it feel secure. The bartenders know how to make a drink. Good times overall!

The Classic Balboa Cafe was established in 1913 and it's a timeless spot. It's one of the few places where you can still experience the old-world charm of San Francisco. It's been a favorite for many generations. An old polished bar which a packed cocktail menu. As for the food, it never disappoints. I'm particularly fond of their salads--always fresh, crisp, and perfectly balanced. The sandwiches are equally impressive. It's a classic.

I finally had a chance to try the famous chicken paillard, only available on Wednesdays, which was delicious! We started our meal with drinks (I had the famous espressotini, which was pretty good & my friend had a non-alcoholic margarita), & shared arancini & ahi tuna cones as appetizers. Both appetizers were good but we preferred the arancini. We shared the chicken paillard, which they were nice to split into 2 portions on 2 plates & also shared the mussels. The chicken was soooo good & famous for a reason. The mussels were very good, perfectly cooked & seasoned. We finished off with creme brûlée for dessert, a perfect portion to share. Service was excellent. The hostess, food server & food runners were attentive & friendly. We sat outside with 2 heaters because I'm currently dog sitting. This place is usually pretty crazy packed on weekend evenings whenever I've walked by so I'll stick to weeknights for dinner or maybe a weekend brunch.

Balboa Cafe entrees tasted so fresh and delicious tonight! First time visiting!!! MUST GO ON A WEDNESDAY!!! Chicken main course was delicious. Which is only served on Wednesdays. Super fancy names. Luckily, I let a friend order for us. The spaghetti corn balls filled with risotto were sooo amazing and presentation was decadent. Poke was okay. Mussels eyyy. And dessert really hit the spot!!! Vanilla crème brûlée! The food runners were really attentive. Server tonight was just okay but the quality of the food made up for mediocre waiter service. Overall, 5-star experience for the food. Most of all, I appreciate the food runners, chefs, dog treats, and lavender-scented elegant soap.

I came here on a weekend and it was packed! So many people inside and outdoors during around 4-5pm, LOTSS of young adults I didn't see many families there. Many were having dinner and others where there at the bar hanging out getting drinks kr waiting for there drinks to take to the outdoor seating area. (bar is first come first serve) I was told that the espresso martini was their most popular drink so my friends and I ordered some and they were great! I saw them brew the coffee right in front of me and i also substituted the vodka for tequila. I would say it is pricey but I had to try one at least once!

This place is quite a vibe on a weekday or weekend afternoon for drinks and food. The food is good, but nothing special so what I really recommend is going for an espresso martini. They have one of the best in San Francisco.

Balboa Cafe is the perfect place for cocktails and a girl dinner! Ambiance & Service: We arrived at 6:30 PM on a Friday and were seated immediately without a reservation. The bar is busy and the restaurant has a lively atmosphere! Our server was excellent--attentive and relaxed. Food & Drink: - Espresso Martini: One of the best I've ever had! Perfect balance of sweet and bitter. - Corn Arancini: Our favorite app! Perfectly fried with creamy rice and sweet corn inside. The tomato jam added a tangy balance. - Brussels Sprouts: Crunchy, savory, and very tasty sauce! - Chimichurri Fries: Good but not amazing--we wished they were a bit crispier. TL;DR: Great spot for cocktails and a lively atmosphere. Must-try the Espresso Martini and Corn Arancini!

We had a Mama/Son date here last week! He asked if I've ever been and I said I don't think so, until we pulled up and the place looked super familiar! I remembered and have to say that when my husband and I came right after Covid, I didn't really care for it, maybe because we sat outside? I don't remember the reason but I wasn't too happy, service wasn't up to par that day! Or it could be just the menu was limited because of the stupid Covid! But Mama/Son date day sure made up for it! We walked up and were immediately greeted by the happiest host I've ever met and the manager was with him too! Both smiling n so welcoming! He asked us where we wanted to sit and I immediately remembered I didn't want to sit outside! He sat us inside and the server immediately showed up took our drink order! I have to say while our server was very kind and attentive when she was at the table, there were long periods where she should have seen we needed refills as I didn't want to waive her down! But when she noticed she came over! The food we had was scrumptious! I will order the CobbSalad again, the Poké cones were delicious but would have loved mow maybe cause I'm Sāmoan and could eat a boat load in a sitting ha ha! My son loved his cheeseburger but didn't care for the fries! My Fish and chips was yum n plentiful that I brought them home! Manager noticed we barely touched the broccolini came over and asked if it was ok and when I said it was way too spicy, he took it off the bill! I didn't ask him to do that but I appreciated it at the same time! It was delicious but too spicy for me but if that's your cup of tea please order it! The busboys? Now they were on point!! I didn't have cash that day but would have gladly slipped them some if I did like I always do! Always keep a little cash on you so you can slip to the bus boys because they work just as hard if not harder than the servers! Will we go back? 1000% YES!

While in San Francisco, I stumbled into Balboa Cafe after a long day of walking around. I wasn't sure what to expect since I randomly found the place on Yelp. Inside, it has a beautiful wood bar with stained glass inlays and a large dining room surrounding it. The outside section seemed to be popular with the younger, day drinking crowd. I sat at the bar and quickly realized this place is a locals hangout. The front of house host was great - I love being greeted with a bit of sass. Everyone was super friendly including the bartender. He told me he had worked there for 8 years and they even had a back of house person who had been there for over 20 years. I got a few glasses of Albariño wine, a chicken caesar salad, and some chimichurri french fries. Everything was delicious! I definitely stayed way longer than I bargained for, and drank a few more glasses of wine than I planned, but it was a great experience. I'm not someone who usually gravitates towards the Marina District while in SF but this place might have just made it onto my itinerary for future visits.