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    Balboa Cafe

    3.5 (893 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Balboa Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    BALBOA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    calamari, deviled eggs, espresso martinis and fries
    Marina F.

    espresso martinis, deviled eggs and fries are to die for. I recommend this place to people who are going for a san francisco classic or to start their nights out in the marina. the service is always friendly, professional and feels like a friendly place that's also sophisticated. catch your local tech bro here all the time.

    Deviled eggs
    Cece Y.

    I always thought this was a casual lunch spot overcrowded with Marina bros, based solely on its reputation and very casual exterior appearance, but once I walked in, I was surprised to see the interior is more like a classy steakhouse. It makes sense that this is co-owned by Governor Gavin Newsom. Nancy Pelosi happened to be dining here as well. Service was good. My kale salad was delicious. Next time I'll order their famous burger, but will ask if I can have it served on a regular bun instead.

    Ting L.

    In San Francisco sits the timeless Balboa Cafe, a working-man's saloon that first opened its doors in 1913. And today's block-party captured this beautifully: * Me, with a classic drink in hand. * A lively crowd in the Marina district. * Someone ... on the roof keeps it playful and unexpected. Balboa's specialty isn't only the burger on a baguette or the espresso martini craze of today. It's the continuity of place, the sense of belonging and the ties to the neighborhood. Here's to food, cocktails, community... and the roof-spot photographer who makes sure we remember it with a smile.

    Geeta M.

    The best staff and good brunch too. Visit it if you are in San Francisco. The staff definitely gets fifty five stars.

    Shrimp pasta
    Richard W.

    Balboa is located in the Marina district and came recommended to me as a local favorite. It certainly didn't disappoint! Ahi Tuna Cones With chives, served in a thinly shelled mini cone. Needs to be more crunch versus ahi ratio because you eat all the yummy fish at the beginning then you run out at the end (cone isn't big enough to fit in fish at the bottom) Roasted Salmon Swiss chard, English peas, summer squash, miso beurre blanc. Wonderful dish - salmon served with such precise softly textured filet - I feel that it doesn't really need the beurre blanc but I'm a purist. Roasted Broccolini Lemon, garlic, chili crunch goodness - this one disappears fast so enjoy it while it lasts. Service is great - they'll move however fast you want to move and the wine list is impressive. Its versatile vibe allows you to visit for a business lunch or a casual gathering with drinks. That's all

    brussels sprout, fried, crab cake
    Joyce C.

    why is the food sneaky gas here. great vibes came on saturday of st patty weekend in hopes to get stamps earlier (they do not) the brussels sprouts might be the best i've ever had. love the vibes of the espresso martini tower too

    Chicken and Mac and cheese
    Isabella R.

    Unfortunately this place is not a food spot - definitely come for the drinks. I got the braised short ribs, deviled eggs, Mac and cheese, and vegetable soup and it was not worth the hassle. Ambiance is not ideal for a sit down dinner since the bar is pretty active but the ambiance gives original joes vibes. The servers were good and attentive - the food came out rather quick but I will not be coming back for food

    Holiday decor
    Thinh L.

    Although the parking is rough in the area, the walk to the cafe was relaxed. Coming to the entrance, you feel a sense of being invited to a exclusive club that you may enter along with your peers. From the vintage craftsmanship of the bar to the upscale dining setup, you enjoy a bit of exuberance from the people who get this establishment up and running. The food may not have been the delectable but the drinks made up for them. There is a vibe that this is a bar first then sober up with food later. Following this experience, you are within proximity of Fort Mason and other scenery.

    Caesar Salad
    Maricarmen C.

    First time trying this place after reading a lot of good reviews. We went on a Monday for an early dinner with no reservations. We were immediately seated. We tried their smash burger, Caesar salad and their Mangonada drink. Everything was delicious. Service was fast and the restaurant seems pretty spacious with indoor and outdoor seating. There is some street parking nearby. We got lucky and found one right across the street.

    Nirsh A.

    Finally went here not on a weekend night and not just for drinks. lol. Actually got to try the food this time and it was pretty decent. Not the most amazing food but not bad. We all enjoyed what we ordered. We got the roasted chicken, shrimp and Brussel sprouts. Our server was super sweet and attentive overall we had a great experience.

    Brussel sprouts
    Katie R.

    Came in for espresso martinis while doing a cross city bar crawl. I'm always hearing how good/popular the espresso martinis are, so there was no doubt this was going to be our Marina stop. It was a gorgeous fall day so the outdoor patio was filled up, but our group of 6 grabbed a spot at the bar to enjoy or drinks. Service from both the hosts and bartenders was warm and welcoming. The espresso martinis were top notch, not too sweet and a good kick of caffeine. We also got some fries and brussels to snack on. Fries reminded me of In-N-Out fries and the brussels were nice and crispy without being burnt. Can't say much about anything else here, but if you love a good tini, gotta check this place out!

    Ahi tuna comes
    Mei L.

    So it was an ok time here. Service was decent but a little lackluster. The mussels were nice and the sliders are great for kids but I'm not sold on the pasta. My daughter was still hungry after. They should have asked about putting spice on the broccolini since we have kids at the table and I wanted them to have vegetables but it was far too spicy for them to eat any. I wish the ahi tuna cones weren't fried. I think I would have enjoyed them better in a seaweed wrap. We just got one kids menu for some reason but at least they got to color on the table paper. Total came out to $115 all in all with three of us eating, my two kiddos and myself. We shouldn't feel hungry after that's for sure. They could probably update the kids pasta to be tastier or have some kind of vegetable?

    Inside bar
    Carolina I.

    When we got here they asked if indoors or out - we said either .. and outside no one came by we had to walk back into the bar because no one helped us . Balboa cafe says they have the best espresso martini in SF -- What a disappointment espresso martinis are lame - they don't even have the beans on top and I've have had better espresso martinis . They have a brunch menu until 3 o'clock w/ limited menu items. If looking for actual food come after 3pm that's when they change the menu with more options.

    Tower of Espresso Martinis.

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    1 month ago

    Such a small amount of food for the price. Host was touching woman who was having stomach problems. Creepy.

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    Balboa Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Balboa Cafe

    Is there a cover charge?

    Not usually

    Is this restaurant open for lunch on Mondays, or open at all?? Open table shows no availability and no one is answering the phones?

    Balboa is open 365 days a year in a normal year. This Monday we had a construction project that was completed, but the smell from some of the materials was offensive so we decided to not open on Monday. In most cases, you can call the restaurant… Read more

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    Rick and Roxy’s - Roxy's disco

    Rick and Roxy’s

    4.5(41 reviews)
    0.1 miMarina/Cow Hollow

    Thanks for waiving the cover for my birthday weekend…read more Vibes are great here, there's a chiller side where you can just sit down, enjoy drinks and play with the board games they provide. The other side is for when you're ready hit the dance floor. Tried their p martini and it was too citrusy and not enough passionfruit flavor for me. Water is very accessible on both sides which is great. Would come again for sure!

    I came to Rick & Roxy's with a 222 group after dinner at nearby Hinodeya. We finished dinner early,…read moreso we were the first ones to arrive, and it was super chill and very empty, which was actually nice not having to compete with a large crowd to order drinks. I was excited to see that the first cocktail listed on the menu was the Porn Star. I don't often see this drink offered, so it was a nice surprise. The version here is mixed with vodka but no bubbles. It's barely noticeable though because they made it into such a fruity concoction, I couldn't even taste the alcohol. My group threw some darts, mingled with and chatted up others as they arrived, and eventually migrated to the nightclub side of the bar. I thought the experience was pretty good at first, but after a while I got bored, so I went to join other friends at White Rabbit and continue the night. I definitely think this is a good bar to include in the rotation for bar hopping nights in the Marina.

    Photos
    Rick and Roxy’s - Kind of a Big Dill

    Kind of a Big Dill

    Rick and Roxy’s
    Rick and Roxy’s

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    Wizards & Wands - Naughty Waffle | ig: whaEVAeats

    Wizards & Wands

    4.1(241 reviews)
    0.1 miMarina/Cow Hollow

    Came here to support my sister, Cuntalina Teeseeee, the girls and I have to say WOW!…read more The drag show was absolutely amazing and full of energy. From start to finish, it had the whole room dancing, clapping and screaming with joy. You can tell how much work goes into these performances and it truly shows. The Harry Potter themed vibe is also super unique. The lighting, the artwork, and the overall atmosphere make this place stand out from your typical drag brunch. If you're a Harry Potter fan, this spot is a must. The food was fresh and delicious, but let's talk about Nate the bartender, super cool, kind and welcoming. He really brings great energy to the space. Definitely try the Love Potion, it's a standout. I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend this place to everyone!

    For the muggles who are Harry Potter fans, this themed bar is the place for you!…read more I've been meaning to try this place out and stumbled upon it when we saw a line outside of Westwood. The themeing is so on point inside! Some of their drinks are interactive which adds on to the themes. My friend thought the wands were available for show and borrow and got charged $20 for the wand xD I gotta say the night we went, bartender was pretty slow... it almost felt like he forgot our order bc it would take a while and when finished making drinks it was actually another groups order. The bartender wasn't super busy either. The drinks were hit or miss, espresso martini they had on the menu is probably premade bc I asked to change the liquor and he said I wouldn't be getting the one that's on the menu. Tried the one on the menu and lowkey hated it, tastes watered down and bitter. Although I tried my friends "butterbeer" cocktail and omfg if you have to order something get that. It was so good. Drink costs were about $16-$18. For me, it was nice to try and a fun experience! But probably one and done ToT

    Photos
    Wizards & Wands - Polly potion

    Polly potion

    Wizards & Wands - Wizard Rock Cake | ig: whaEVAeats

    Wizard Rock Cake | ig: whaEVAeats

    Wizards & Wands - Love Potion | ig: whaEVAeats

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    Love Potion | ig: whaEVAeats

    Westwood - chicken tenders

    Westwood

    3.8(310 reviews)
    0.1 miMarina/Cow Hollow
    $$

    Fun place great service! Love the variety from the two floors :). This is amazing place. Everyone…read moreis so friendly here like the vibe is just immaculate everyone's having so much fun. I would love to come back here again like me and my friends are having so much fun right now.

    Big screen T.V's! Big bar! Big bull to ride! BIG FLAVOR!…read more I came here on 11/24/25 to an invite-only event for Barefoot Wines, but Westwood provided the food. The event, Wine & Wings, wouldn't have been much without the chicken wings to say the least. And, whoever is back there frying the chicken, THANK YOU! It was fried hard, but still juicy and flavorful. I enjoyed: lemon pepper (soo good), buffalo, sticky mango, and there was one other flavor...but I forgot. All of them were flavorful, but lemon pepper stole my heart. I also snatched a taste of their fried cheese sticks and fries. There's not much to say about it-it's fries! The bathroom was extremely clean-which is huge for me.And ALL the bartenders were super friendly. Parking- GEEEKKKK! I had to circle the block twice and ended up parking 2 blocks away. I guess that's the typical parking situation in the City so, yeah. Before leaving, I briefly chatted with the owners (a man and a woman) who was also very customer-focused and friendly. Even during the full wing-rush hour. Ha! Overall, I'd go back.....via public transportation. I'll add videos/pictures a little later.

    Photos
    Westwood - Bull riding machine

    Bull riding machine

    Westwood - The most sweetest, best bartender EVER!!

    The most sweetest, best bartender EVER!!

    Westwood - Serving over 150 Whiskeys!

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    Serving over 150 Whiskeys!

    Mistletoe - Holiday cocktails

    Mistletoe

    4.3(15 reviews)
    0.1 miMarina/Cow Hollow

    Wow! The crew at Mistletoe really knows how to get you in the holiday spirit. Put this spot at the…read moretop of your list for Christmas celebrations, and order from their specialty cocktail menu. Do not miss ordering a shot of their Let it Snow... and sit at the bar so you can get the fun surprise. I savored their rum, hot cocoa and toasted marshmallow cocktail; the warmth and flavors really hit the spot. The Christmas decor here is on point; they nailed it! Must experience this place. I spoke with the owner directly; great guy who has put a lot of work into this place and it shows. He has three locations in SF (this is a review for the Sutter street iteration), and I'm going to visit them all. Try to go on a week night when it's less crowded. They host official Santa Con shenanigans, so it's gonna get crowded this weekend. For good reason.

    Not like last year…read more Bestie and I were here last night for my birthday. The bartenders were not nice. The ambience was hostile, a bit aggressive. Definitely not Christmasy. The fluorescent lights were on bright so it drowned out the Christmas lights. This place did a snow show last year. I asked about it, got a lecture and no snow. Worst of all, they played extremely loud, annoying Hallmark movie, Lifetime channel basic white broad Christmas songs. With some skrillex mixed it. Weird. The other girlies started leaving. The drinks are delicious, especially Santa's Grog. But they ran out of it at 6pm. The Christmas decorations lacked spirit and soul. Hoping for better next year.

    Photos
    Mistletoe
    Mistletoe - The bar

    The bar

    Mistletoe - Tabletop fireplaces!

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    Tabletop fireplaces!

    Bar Darling - Mijo Mijo: Vodka w/ tomato, basil, bell pepper, citrus ($14) + Diet Coke ($4)

    Bar Darling

    4.4(62 reviews)
    0.3 miMarina/Cow Hollow

    Peacekeeper is one of my favorite bars in the city for the past decade, and when I found out Bar…read moreDarling is part of the same family, I knew I was in the right place. After a park day at the Presidio, we wanted to move the party and we decided on Bar Darling. It was a Saturday afternoon and it was jam packed. Luckily we were able to get some space in the alley way for us to order drinks from our server. We've been on a Friday around 5pm on another day, it wasn't as busy, so definitely a great place to start and maybe end the night. In a time where craft cocktails have gotten really expensive, Bar Darling offers craft cocktails (their signature cocktails) all for $14 each. If you know Peacekeeper, you know there's a lot of thought and imagination that goes into their drinks and it definitely shows here. My favorites were the Mama J (tequila based) and the Jaji (mezcal based). The aesthetic and vibes of this place is 10/10. Definitely great for a group of friends and/or date night!

    Visited on a busy Saturday evening with a group of six colleagues for drinks. The main bar area was…read morecompletely full when we arrived, but the staff helpfully directed us to an additional seating area in back, worth knowing if you're planning to stop by on a weekend. I'll note that the promotional photos online give a somewhat misleading impression of the ambiance. The actual interior is considerably more modest and utilitarian than advertised. We ended up seated outdoors beneath one of those industrial heat lamps, which was blasting uncomfortably hot air until our server kindly switched it off at our request. That said, the service was efficient and attentive. Our drinks arrived promptly despite the crowd, and the staff managed the busy room well. Nothing particularly memorable about the experience, but perfectly adequate for a casual evening out. A solid four out of five stars.

    Photos
    Bar Darling - Amazing lounge vibes

    Amazing lounge vibes

    Bar Darling - Brand new opening!  Took these right when the bar was getting opened!

    Brand new opening! Took these right when the bar was getting opened!

    Bar Darling - Killer bar

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    Killer bar

    White Rabbit - Vinyl/ DJ/ dance floor

    White Rabbit

    2.8(107 reviews)
    0.0 miMarina/Cow Hollow

    A little underwhelming…read more My friends and I stumbled across White Rabbit on St. Patrick's Day when the neighboring place was too busy. We should have known that this wasn't the most popping spot considering the holiday and how we pranced in without too much of a fight. It was rather empty when we were there. It felt like more of an empty room that just so happened to be a bar. Things just seemed spaced out awkwardly with furniture that didn't go well together. It was rather quiet too. I could not even tell you what music was playing because I could not even hear it. I do appreciate that the place was festively decorated though. It was perfectly on theme for St. Patrick's Day. The bartenders were super friendly here. My friends and I were trying to take a picture together and the bartender kindly snapped some shots of us (both horizontal and vertical pics...chef's kiss). We ordered a round of their Jameson Jell-O shots and they were super good. I'd be curious to come back on a typical weekend night to get a sense of their atmosphere in a different setting.

    My friend Denise and I were talking a walk after dinner, and we passed this place. What drew us…read morein, was the music, which I will expand upon later because it was mood shifting in an everlasting way. Denise was indulging me, and I, on vacation, was looking for a place to pip and bop. We stepped in, not knowing much about the place. We soon found out the name of the establishment: White Rabbit, which automatically made me want to see a Red Queen and Hookah smoking bug. But I saw none. What I saw was a chic spot, with space to dance, sit, sip, mingle, and other such items, but nothing that proclaimed that this White Rabbit belonged to the Alice-in-Wonderland-Universe of known fame. To be fair, there was a mural that was a focal point of the place, which did give Alice vibes in a strong way. However, this mural also did not depict the Alice of Wonderland that Disney allowed us to imagine, instead it gave us Alice gone vogue. The Alice mural (as pictured) has a twenty something girl, with flowing hair, of different shades of blonde and autumn. The girl was looking aimlessly to the horizon. Her eyes were blank yet full of wonder and fully open to an unseen opportunity that she can only love from afar. Her white rabbit had a third eye, and in one hand, she was holding a sweet pop that took the shape of a mushroom and was elegantly oozing with melting pink cream. The picture had become an editorialize version of Alice in a Wonderland that was more modern haute than traditional elevation. I would have preferred an experience that saw a performer dressed as the Mad Hatter and another like the Cheshire Cat. Thus, this vibe claims the name of the White Rabbit but does not deliver an Alice-esque experience. I would have like to know the ambiance of a bar Called Poe's Raven so my imagination can adequately manage its future responsibilities. I went during the days after Christmas, and before New Year's so there was not a lot of people there. This also explains why there is a Grinch and light up tree inflatables around. I can imagine that without the festive decorations, of the season, this bar is a chic cocktail bar where people go to meet and chill, and not discuss the symbolism of the Walrus, the Carpenter, or Anne Hathaway's portrayal of the White Queen. Meaning it is a place to have a good time, not live in deep dialogue. I had three drinks for 16 each. They were strong, well-crafted, and I had three, which says I liked them. I could have had more but my friend Denise was not in the party vibe. And now to the music which was the reason I was excited to write this Yelp. There were three DJ's in the house. The DJ's made Cake Walk, an artist collective who combine rhythm, time, work, and beat and remix (or maybe even update) classics of the 90's and 2000's. In a phrase, they make sweet honey for the ear drums that invite dancing, and general movement thats speaks life into a night- they just carried a good beat along! Denise, who only drank water, and I were vibing to the music, she was sitting, I was not. One of the three DJ's came along to us. His name was Landon, and he was just as nice, sweet, and uplifting, as his and his friend's music. We had conversations about our roles in the world, and how each of them mattered in a specific way. He invited me to party in San Diego. It might not happen, it likely will not, but at least, I believe it could. This was inclusion practiced to a grand degree, in a bar that could be a lounge or club, depending on the night. I want to stress that Denise and I went in because of the music, we stayed cause the place was cool and had drinks that were solid, but it was Landon, and the other DJ's who made the night into a party. For people who are not party dawgs, being escorted into the laser-filled moments of a night, is priceless. Additionally, he invited me to the DJ machine- record spinner? Not sure. And I touch some buttons. Honestly, it looked like a space ship shuttle, with all its button and knobs but I know it is not. I am just trying to describe what I saw based on my knowledge on these machines, which is basically zil. As Landon, and his two co DJ's spun and turned knobs, what seemed to be their parents rolled in. They were dancing, they were taking pictures, I got to see a moment of familial support, in a way I had not seen before. I mean I do not know how many parents would go and party for a quick two minutes when their children were spinning records for a crowd of less than 5 goers. But seeing it was quiet beautiful as all youth deserve to be supported by people who love them unconditionally. And on this night I got to see this promise fulfilled in dance. As I was dancing by myself, Landon came to my side. I started to make the make it rain move, you know pretending that I have enough singles on one hand to just dispense them into the air. And when I did that Landon started to follow the singles dropping with his eyes, expression and movements! Umph!!!

    Photos
    White Rabbit - Inside/seating

    Inside/seating

    White Rabbit - White Rabbit, on Mission Street kitty corner from Cortland.

    White Rabbit, on Mission Street kitty corner from Cortland.

    White Rabbit - Bar

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    Bar

    The Brixton - Sushi Stacks Spicy Tuna

    The Brixton

    3.3(945 reviews)
    0.1 miMarina/Cow Hollow
    $$

    I've been coming to this space since it was "Left at Albuquerque", and wow, what an upgrade. The…read moreBrixton is a classy higher-end spot that is perfect for larger groups or family gatherings. They offer a huge variety of New American fare with generous shareable portions or small plates. The layout was well thought out as every table is comfortable and offers visitors enough room to play musical chairs for those large group meetups. The Brixton gets busy fairly often, but again, the layout and spacing makes it such that you can hear everyone in your party without screaming. The food is great, and I've yet to find a dish that I wouldn't resoundingly recommend. The servers are knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. The Brixton is always on my recommendation list as a place to hang out in the Marina/Cow Hollow area.

    I had high expectations. But I also knew it was a Saturday night and moreover Valentine's Day. It…read morewas extraordinarily loud. We asked for a quiet table and they found us one. But it was still hard to hear each other across the table. My husband had a drink at the bar. He ordered a second at the table and they brought him a third. We ordered wontons that never arrived. He ordered a salad with his hamburger and they brought him fries. The food was delicious. Dessert was disappointed. We ordered an apple pie but it was more like a pop tart. All pastry and only a tiny bit of apples. Our server was very helpful and accommodating. I understand that the kitchen was slammed. But I always wonder when the wait staff who takes your order is not the one delivering your food. That's where the mistakes happen. My scallops were delicious. All four tiny ones. Next time we'll come when it's hopefully quieter.

    Photos
    The Brixton - Martini tower

    Martini tower

    The Brixton - Tataki Salad: Seared Sesame Crusted Ahi

    Tataki Salad: Seared Sesame Crusted Ahi

    The Brixton - Cafe Seating

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    Cafe Seating

    Balboa Cafe - bars - Updated May 2026

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