Do they have their espresso martinis on tap? Because it was served quickly and efficiently within minutes of ordering -- and that's how you keep customers coming back! We were warmly greeted as we walked up to the front door and I was surprised that we didn't have to wait. There was a corner table at the green banquette next to the bar, which have us a nice view out the window to people watch. Although the place is loud, our seats allowed us to hear each other since we sat side by side at the corner. Our waitress checked in on us right away and was always attentive. We're definitely coming back with more people just to have the espresso martini tower. The cafe has a fun and lively vibe, and you can bring your dog with you and dine outside at the patio tables. The only complaint I had was a fly kept buzzing between the bar and our table, but that's a minor quibble. read more

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We took a walk down Marina District to grab some dinner, but did not have a destination. Balboa Cafe has been there for years (1913 according to the menu) and none of us have tried it, so we decided to check it out! And it was quite busy at 6pm on a Friday. We were able to snag a table for 3 inside without waiting. The menu wasn't too overwhelming with many options, so it didn't take us long to make our choices. We wanted a variety of appetizers and ate family style! All the food came out at once. I'm not quite sure if timing it that way was wise. I think it would have been better to come out with appetizers first, the entrees because some dishes were cold by the time we got to it. And food prepared hot just doesn't taste good cold! ***OUR PICKS*** AHI TUNA CONES ~ Scallions, sesame, sambal chili mayo, soy, pickled fresno chilies, lime. I thought it was bland and needed some more zest to the tuna, or the dressing did not stand out, possibly from too much mayo. Crispy cones, though. 3/5 BUTTERMILK FRIED CALAMARI ~ Spicy marinara, house tartar sauce. The way it was fried, it seemed as if the oil wasn't hot enough, so the flour absorbed more oil than it should. When biting into the calamari, I got a burst of oil. I've had fried calamari without greasiness. This was quite the opposite. 2.5/5 CRISPY BRUSSELS SPROUTS ~ Soy glaze, toasted garlic, lime, sriracha aioli. Another oily-tasting appetizer. No amount of sauces helped cut the grease. 2.5/5 FISH AND CHIPS ~ This was probably the best out of all we had and it was the special for Fridays. The batter was crispy and fish was tender and not overcooked. Fries were also crispy, even though they were like steak fries. Pleasantly surprised that these fries were better than the shoestring fries that came with our burger! 4/5 BALBOA BURGER ON A BAGUETTE ~ house-made pickles & onions butter lettuce, shoestring fries. The 3 of us shared this by cutting it into sections. The burger had more baguette than meat, so we barely tasted the beef. And the bread wasn't toasted so it was cold, dry, hard but chewy. I think sourdough slices would have made it taste better or a brioche bun. It was bland even with jack cheese, as if it wasn't seasoned with salt and pepper. But the burger was cooked perfectly at medium to medium rare, but it needed other saucy condiments to liven it up like some mustard, mayo, or an aioli. Fries were not crispy or crunchy. It's better at McDonald's. 3/5 Although it's been a long-established restaurant, its food was mediocre. We probably should have ordered only entrees or just drinks. Realizing after eating, lots of what we ordered was fried. It was greasier than we wanted and we felt heavy after our meal. Probably our fault for choosing incorrectly. Thankfully, we walked here and we were able to exercise most of it off before going home. The dining area was pretty noisy, so we had to talk louder than normal. It's not a place you should go for conversations. Possibly sitting outside would have been more pleasant; however, it was windy and chilly, our food would have likely been eaten cold. If you're looking for a cocktail without deep conversations, this spot might be for you! It's lively and popular in this neighborhood. But for food, I'd go elsewhere. read more

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Balboa Cafe is one of those places I always seem to end up at, usually more out of circumstance than intention. It's known for its espresso martinis, but honestly, they're underwhelming for the price. Nothing terrible, just flat and forgettable, which makes the premium pricing harder to justify. The outdoor seating is appealing on a sunny Saturday afternoon, but it comes with a strange rule that you can only sit outside if you're not ordering food. That ends up being fine, since the food has never been much of a draw anyway. Once the sun goes down, the appeal drops quickly. It gets cold, crowded, and loud, with people packed in and spilling out, which makes it hard to actually enjoy being there. Will I be back? Probably. It's familiar, it's social, and it's often the default option. Will I enjoy myself? That's less certain. Balboa Cafe fills a role, but it rarely exceeds expectations. read more

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

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. read more

Balboa Cafe - calamari, deviled eggs, espresso martinis and fries - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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. read more

Balboa Cafe - Deviled eggs - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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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. read more

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

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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 read more

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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 read more

Balboa Cafe - brussels sprout, fried, crab cake - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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 read more

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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. read more

Balboa Cafe - Holiday decor - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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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. read more

Balboa Cafe - Caesar Salad - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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. read more

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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! read more

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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? read more

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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. read more

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Dinner at Balboa Café felt like stepping into old-school San Francisco charm. The Cobb Salad was crisp and satisfying, the mussels marinière were pure comfort, and the cocktails hit just right! --smooth Old Fashioned for the classic vibes and a French Gimlet that was dangerously easy to sip. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to! read more

The service was pretty good at this bar/restaurant because it was actually really busy on a Friday night and extremely packed. The only reason that I gave it a three-star review was because it was so loud. Our party of 11 couldn't really talk to each other without shouting. The food overall is pretty nice. There's a lot of appetizers, entrees, and they have a really big drinks menu. It's more of a bar look. A lot of young adults go here. Service was really quick and you could make a reservation in advance, but the line was going out the door. Probably not the best place to park, but it's located in Pacific Heights, which is a pretty safe area to walk around if you are there. If you're coming here not on a busy night or the weekend, you might be able to get some pretty nice entrees. But honestly, a lot of the people that we were with weren't there on a Friday night to eat. They were mostly there to drink. They have this tower of espresso martinis (blurry photo) that's actually really popular but shareable among a really big group of people. They also had pretty decent finger food, and I felt like the prices weren't unreasonable for San Francisco, especially in the tech scene. But, you know, your average appetizer was probably at least $15, and entrees could definitely get more expensive depending on what you ordered. We ate some really good bread, and they also had some nice tuna appetizer things. read more

Balboa Cafe - Tower of Espresso Martinis. - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

We stopped by for dinner and drinks on a Sunday afternoon around 5pm. We were sat outside on the patio which the stalls were too high and it was uncomfortable. Unfortunately our waitress hardly checked on us so it got too late and cold to order dinner and we just ended up going somewhere else after our appetizers and drinks. We did get to try a couple things: -Espresso Martini (4/5) Pretty good but I have had better -French fries (5/5) Crunchy exterior soft interior, just how I like them. -Bacon & Cheddar Croquette (5/5) I really enjoyed this. Like fried mashed potatoes with crispy prosciutto. Delicious I'd stop by if I was in the area again and was able to get a regular table outside or sit inside. read more

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The service and the house are very friendly and very nice. I was under the influence that this is one of the best Espresso martini on social media. The answer is false at least not the one that I have at that time the it tastes water down coffee with alcohol. My friend got the margarita and it taste pretty good. Then we got the chicken sandwich wrap with french fries I would say it's OK. It's not like extraordinary good. The french fries have a nice crunch to it. Lastly, I got the Horchata martini, because the espresso martini tastes horrible, but this tastes phenomenal! It's amazingly good! Just to be fair next time, I will order more items just to give a full valuation of this place, but the time when I went, it didn't view the hype that I was getting on social media. read more

Balboa Cafe - Horchata martini - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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One star I had a very disappointing and uncomfortable experience at Balboa Cafe in San Francisco. I went with friends during Santa Con. Initially, we were told Santa hats weren't allowed, which was fine we decided to go outside and hang out the same way other patrons were. One friend went inside to get drinks while the rest of us waited outside. What was not fine was what happened next. Despite complying, our group (all people of color) was repeatedly harassed by their security team approached at least five separate times while standing outside doing nothing disruptive. At the same time, there were multiple other patrons around us, dressed in similar or even more elaborate Santa outfits, who were white and were drinking and completely ignored by security. The repeated targeting felt like clear profiling. It escalated to the point where one security guard clenched his fists and acted aggressively, making the situation feel unsafe and intimidating for no reason. We were singled out while others around us were left alone, and the difference in treatment was impossible to ignore. This was an obvious case of discriminatory behavior and a horrible experience overall. I would strongly caution people of color before coming here. No one should feel harassed or threatened simply for standing outside a bar while others are treated differently. read more

Finally got to sit and eat here. Not just drink espresso martini! They were great bites: Calamari, bread, deviled eggs. I loved the burger! Like sourdough bread! Thick just meat! Pickles good ! I also enjoyed the Panna cotta mmm salted caramel was a hit! I really loved the salad too apparently house made sauce all popular bites here! Service was kind and friendly! Staff from the host ti the food runners and bussers. The restroom is clean love the wood! Interior is great. Late night it gets noisy tho. Hella folx! Packed spot was honored to get a table! read more

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

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Still excellent food after all these years. Weekend brunch today was great. Park in the Lombard parking garage or you will be driving in circles. read more

I will never go back there. My friends and I tried to enjoy a happy hour drink before dinner elsewhere. Bartender was so slow and made 2 rounds of other customers drinks and ran credit cards before finishing my order. Then we were told Can't stand here, the entire length of the bar. it was ridiculous. Drinks were meh. There has to be a better place to grab a drink in SF. Highly recommend looking elsewhere as this place sucks. read more

Great place to go good atmosphere good people nice place to hang out!!!! if you're bringing people from out of town, that would be a great place to take them too one Hospitality just a great atmosphere read more

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. read more

Balboa Cafe - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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. read more

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The original reason my friends and I came here was to try the espresso martinis, since it's what they're known for apparently, but the drink in general just doesn't sit well with my body. Thus, when I tried my friend's drink I thought it was just alright, but I'm probably not the best person to ask. Nonetheless, the deviled eggs had a touch I hadn't had before with their pickled onions. Now I want every deviled egg to have it. The chicken and farro bowl was equally as delicious. I needed something light and this was just that. The myriad of ingredients all looked and tasted fresh. I don't even like olives, but they were mixed in so well. The chicken however was average. My Paloma had a bit of a smoky taste, which makes me believe it had mezcal tequila which I don't care for, but smokiness wasn't as strong as I've had in the past which I appreciate. This place is definitely good and was worth trying, but the price was just a bit too high for me given what we ordered. Service was great though so nothing to complain about there. read more

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Came here on a Tuesday afternoon for drinks and overall quite a solid experience. We managed to snag some stools outdoor and enjoyed the nice weather. The espressotini was quite solid but I wished there was more of the espresso flavor (especially with the beans). However, I did like the crispness from the spritz as it was very light and refreshing. The service was pretty solid nothing to complain or rave about. It will be definitely on my bucket list to return and try their food! read more

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

Love the service here!!!!! Best espresso martini in the city by far. I usually do not like espresso martinis, but I do really enjoy it here. Also have tried a cosmopolitan, hugo spritz and gin and tonic here which all were great. They play fun music and have a large interior and exterior where it is great to catch up with friends. I have not tried their food, but it is on my bucket list to come here for dinner! This is an iconic SF spot that is a must try. read more

We love Balboa Cafe, the ambiance is amazing and the espresso martinis are top tier here! The food was delicious, we usually get appetizers here but decided to get full meals this time and it did not disappoint. The server we had was not the best, but the man who seated us was incredible. Will definitely be back! read more

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Ever got kicked out the bar because the bartender messed up your drink and threw a tantrum about it? I came here on a Thursday night with my group which was relatively busy. Ordered a drink with the bartender which he misheard for an old fashioned.. Messed up my drink? Not a big deal, already told him I was going to pay for it since I felt bad that he was the only bartender making drinks but he tells me he didn't mess up and it's what I ordered. This sassy little man proceeds to toss out my drink and tells me "You're done." Then has my group and me removed from the bar. My man if you ever read this, maybe you should look into getting a job as an librarian since you can't seem to handle stress in a customer service based job.. Shortly after leaving while still standing outside of the bar, another guy also got kicked out.. I found this to be quite funny actually. How are you getting upset at your customers because you can't handle your job? In a service based industry too is mind boggling to me. read more

Popular place in the evenings, most people come here for the espresso martinis so had to give that a try. Was quite disappointed - they only shake for a few seconds and don't even add any beans on top, taste itself is quite sweet and lacking quality espresso notes. They can likely dial back the Mr black liquor. Bartender was a bit rude too. The place across the street has much better espresso martinis and not nearly as crowded. read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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Great food and a really nice atmosphere. Saiid our server, helped me choose from the menu and was extremely professional. He made the whole experience even better. read more

Came in Sunday afternoon for their famous espresso martini and it didn't disappoint! The drink was smooth and velvety! read more

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

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5 for the food! This is the best Caesar I've had to date! Really well balanced dressing, lots of really tangy cheese. My partner loved the braised short rib, he said it was very tender with a sweet tangy gravy sauce. The carrot puree that came with it was life changing, very flavorful with a nice acidity from the mushrooms. We got their famous espresso martini. It smelled amazing and had good foam, but tasted a little watery. The interior was really nice for a date night, I didn't realize that the inside was so historic. The service was a bit inattentive, but we did come late on a Friday night where it seems to turn into more of a busy bar scene read more

Balboa Cafe - Braised short rib - Bars Near Me - San Francisco, California

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MARTINI TOWER Here's was you do- order 12 espresso martinis and have so much fun!! I love that there is so much indoor and outdoor places to hang. Littleeee chilly outside but I also chose to go in the winter hehe read more

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