Balboa Cafe - SF

4.7

18 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Lively
Great for brunch
Good for special occasions

Established in 1913 (making it one of the oldest saloons in San Francisco), the PlumpJack Balboa Cafe continues its tradition as the "in" place to eat, drink and make merry.

The elegant bar and interior decor remain relatively untouched, retaining the magic of times gone by, while the menu offers both treasured favorites and savory new dishes. On any given day -- for lunch, brunch, cocktails, or dinner couples, singles, old-timers and newcomers can be found reveling in the joyful din of this San Francisco icon.

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Californian, Comfort Food
Hours of operation
Wed–Sun 3:00 pm–4:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Wed–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(415) 921-3944
Website
https://www.balboacafesf.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Catering
PlumpJack Catering specializes in unique and innovative catered events. We can provide a diverse catering menu to choose from, plus full-staffing and rental coordination for your gathering, whether an intimate affair or an elaborate celebration. We have a dedicated and professional staff that will deliver an individualized experience based on your specific needs and desires. Sample menus are available upon request and a dedicated member of our team will always work closely with you to ensure a flawless event.
Private party facilities
Please contact the Restaurant directly regarding Group Dining.

Location
3199 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
Neighborhood
Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
Cross street
Greenwich Street
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

The best places to grab a drink in San Francisco

What 18 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.7

4.7 based on all time ratings

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Energetic

18 Reviews

m
morgan
Los Angeles
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on December 4, 2021
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The new parklet seating area had a wonderful view overlooking an overflowing dumpster. Other than that, food and service were great as always!
Is this helpful?
AP
AllyP
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 18, 2021
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Nothing like Balbs
Is this helpful?
s
susan
Central Coast
20 reviews
4.0
20 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2020
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Food excellent, wait staff excellent, hostess not so friendly,
Is this helpful?
MA
MaryAnneS
New York City
8 reviews
3.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 19, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
I reserved two months in advance, when we arrived, we had a table by the door. I had requested the window or quiet table in the back. The hostess was not happy because she had reserved her own clientele special tables, and was resistant, short tempered, frowned, it was an embarrassing to my guests and me, she unpoologetically said at the end “I’m sorry for being such a bear with you” She was a blonde hostess, she has been there a long time, used to be a waitress, she knew me. I will not go back
1 person found this helpful
SM
SusanM
San Francisco
34 reviews
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on November 21, 2019
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Birthday celebration for a friend, and it was great! Food was so tasty, server was super friendly. Really, really good...
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AD
AndrewD
San Francisco
20 reviews
3.0
20 reviews
Dined on August 13, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Pretty loud for a lunch middle of the week and the waitstaff made several food mistakes.
Is this helpful?
RH
RowH
Minneapolis
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on March 31, 2019
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Prime rib was not good, not much flavor. It is a nice, classic San Francisco , cow hollow institution.
1 person found this helpful
GM
GeriM
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, friendly waitstaff, superb ambiance. Book a table soon!
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C
Cricket
Portland
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on April 1, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Great bar; good cocktails and wine selection. Very accommodating to our pace and a delicious meal was enjoyed by all six our our party.
1 person found this helpful
p
ple2you
San Francisco
51 reviews
5.0
51 reviews
Dined on January 28, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a warm welcome and friendly service.
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FAQs

Balboa Cafe - SF offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (415) 921-3944.

Balboa Cafe - SF is rated 4.7 stars by 18 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

3199 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94123

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Greenwich Street
Neighborhood
Marina / Cow Hollow / Presidio
Hours of operation
Wed–Sun 3:00 pm–4:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Wed–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Californian, Comfort Food
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.balboacafesf.com/
Phone number
(415) 921-3944
Catering
PlumpJack Catering specializes in unique and innovative catered events. We can provide a diverse catering menu to choose from, plus full-staffing and rental coordination for your gathering, whether an intimate affair or an elaborate celebration. We have a dedicated and professional staff that will deliver an individualized experience based on your specific needs and desires. Sample menus are available upon request and a dedicated member of our team will always work closely with you to ensure a flawless event.
Private party facilities
Please contact the Restaurant directly regarding Group Dining.

Featured in

The best places to grab a drink in San Francisco

Balboa Cafe - SF

Not available on OpenTable

Order delivery or takeout

There’s more to explore

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

The best places to grab a drink in San Francisco

Menu

What 18 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

Does Balboa Cafe - SF offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Balboa Cafe - SF restaurant rated?

Is Balboa Cafe - SF currently accepting reservations?

Not available on OpenTable

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

The best places to grab a drink in San Francisco