Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    La Playa

    3.2 (423 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Sports Bars

    La Playa Photos

    LA PLAYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like La Playa

    Recommended Reviews - La Playa

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Diablo shrimp, rice and beans
    Charlotte M.

    My fiancé and I had a little get away weekend and were craving Mexican food. Walking in we were greeted and told we can grab a table then return to the counter the order, simple enough! The staff dropped off our chips and salsa + our drinks. The service was quick. The atmosphere was chill even when it was football Sunday which was nice. We absolutely loved the food. Each item we ordered was flavorful!

    Pollo verde
    Clifford W.

    Parking tight today because nicer weather and surfers in wet suits taking many mall parking spots. Beef enchilada was good, sour cream and guacamole on top in bed of tomato sauce. Chile relleno fill with cheeses inside of Anaheim chile, with sour cream guacamole on top in tomato sauce bed. A little doughy but okay. Fish n chips were still crispy, several pieces of cod, sauces (3) tartar, vinegar, catsup was very good. Flautas (3) rice n beans was very good, crisp, sauced well. Pollo Verde was tasty, sauced with tomatillo sauce, rice n beans and flour tortilla on side. Self service ( get table, get menu, make your order at order desk, pay, get number, server will bring order to table). Ambiance is casual, indoor and outdoor seating.

    Chile verde dinner plate
    Sean F.

    La Playa is the best Mexican food joint in the sleepy little beach town of Pacifica. The quality of food and chill atmosphere make for an enjoyable experience on any evening or weekend, and the staff does a decent job of servicing the register and bringing dishes, chips and salsa, and drinks to guests after they're seated. It can be on the expensive side for Mexican food, but the dishes come with all the accoutrements - rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, lettuce, and really fluffy corn or flour tortillas. The restaurant is situated in a small strip of store fronts and food spots off Highway 1, right by the Pacifica state beach. True to its name, and because it's got a fairly large parking lot for the 6-7 businesses that occupy the space, sometimes it can be tough to find parking on a nice day where everyone wants to be by the water. Still, during regular weekday business hours there's no issue finding a spot to park and walk in. Similarly on a Friday or Saturday night the restaurant can be quite busy, especially since it has a bar area where people can stand and order drinks without being seated, but I've not seen this area become so busy that it's a nuisance to guests who are there to dine. I've read some other reviews complaining about the staff, but I haven't experienced any negativity first hand. The handful of times I've been to La Playa, the man at the front register was smiley and friendly. It should be noted that not all the staff speak English, and that might be the source of some of the "service-related issues" that other reviews complain about. But for me this is a good thing, as I like a Mexican restaurant that employs people who truly get the Mexican food experience. Of course, the food is the spotlight. I typically get the chile verde dinner plate and not only is it quite enormous, but it's some of the best chile verde meat I've had in recent times. It's tender and flavorful with just the right amount of kick. Since it comes with all the sides and some delicious tortillas, I end up eating 5+ tacos that I make myself off the plate every time I go. It's delicious and I leave satisfied every time. Pro-tip: chips and salsa are free, so keep asking for more and more and they'll keep bringing it out. Don't feel bad gorging yourself on their tasty chips.

    Chile verde plate
    Alycia D.

    First impressions walking into this place seemed a bit sketchy. It's a bar full of very loud people in a room that echos. Although the walls are painted beautifully, it seemed like there was dirt marks on the walls. The place looked a bit old and dirty. There's no service available here, you buy your drinks from the bar and order food from the cashier. While there they also cleaned the restrooms, which was nice to know they were clean. But the smell of bleach filled the whole restaurant and was very unappetizing while eating dinner. I was pleasantly surprised by the food! It was very delicious! Everything tasted home made and reminded me of authentic Mexican food. The food made up for the lack of appearance. The chips were stale but the food was hot. I got a green chile platter with rice, beans and fresh tortillas on the side. The beer was also served by the pitchers or in bottles and they had a lot of cocktails to choose from.

    This is how the owner deals with constructive criticism.
    Carson S.

    We originally wanted to go to Burger Board but due to the area being so close to the beach, it was extremely busy and there wasn't seating for our large party. So we decided to go to La Playa instead because it was a bit emptier. When you walk up, they tell you to order at the counter and then find whatever table is available. You block the exit as you're standing at the counter looking at the menu so lots of people will be sliding by you to leave, which is okay, but you can't help feeling a bit in the way. As a Type 1 diabetic, I asked if there was nutrition information available so I could count carbohydrates correctly. I was shut down immediately with a "No. We don't do that here." That was a little off-putting to me, especially with the rude delivery of the man standing behind the register, but I shook it off and proceeded to order the Grilled Chicken dinner plate with a salad (which they only charge 1.25 for and it is good!!!) If you're lactose intolerant, beware that they do add cheese to this salad, yet another thing they don't put on the menu that could cause a problem for those with food sensitivity. My family pushed some tables together and we were able to sit comfortably and enjoy the ambiance of the restaurant while we waited. The food came out pretty quickly and the food runner was amazing, dashing around and handing everyone their orders. Those of us who ordered waters did have to wait an additional five minutes after the food was served to get our drinks, even after reminding the food runner, but he was so busy that it was understandable that he forgot. He seemed to be the only person coming out from behind the counter to help guests so shout out to him! Our table ordered a variety of dishes: the nachos, the burgers and fries, and the bean and cheese burrito. I have to admit, the food was pretty good! 7.5/10. However, the service is why I knocked my review down to three stars. I think this restaurant could benefit from a more traditional, sit-down kind of service and it would allow the awesome food runner to become an even more awesome server and receive tips for his hard work. Secondly, the front of house guy who takes orders needs a bit more customer service training because his gruff demeanor and dismissal of me when I asked for help navigating my disability is the thing that I will remember the most from this experience. For those with diabetes, food allergies, or other sensitivities - this might not be the best spot for you as they will not provide any nutritional info about what they're serving. For those who can process food regularly and aren't looking for a dining experience where you have a waiter - you will enjoy yourself! Edit: Based on the other reviews, I knew the owner was rude but wow! Dropping my review to two stars. You clearly took what you wanted from this review rather than reading the facts stated. 1. It was carbohydrate content, not calories, that I needed. 2. There was no line out the door. There were people leaving the restaurant, but my family were the only people coming in to order. We were nothing less than kind and patient, it was your employee who was curt. 3. If you cannot accept constructive criticism about your business without becoming defensive and rude, you are going to continue to lose customers and get horrible reviews. Your explanation about a lack of employees makes sense (especially based on the way you're accused of treating them) and would have sufficed without the "don't tell me how to run my business" tacked on the end. I hope God continues to bless your business and move in your life because the attitude that you have is truly deplorable.

    Shrimp & Fried Fish Super Tacos
    Joanna D.

    When you enter, you pay first then seat yourself. Pay in cash to avoid a 4% charge on your card. There is 2 separate lines, one for the food, the other for the bar in the back. Bring another person with you at the bar if you have more than 2 drinks or the pitcher for help to bring back to the table. As for the food, I thought they would be small but they're actually big which is great but I should have just ordered one super taco. Taste is good & crunchy. The design of this restaurant is cultural & nice.

    Carne Asada Salad with slices tomatoes and avocados on a bed of lettuce with ranch dressing.
    Cid Y.

    This time, unlike the last, I remembered to take out my camera before l dug into eat my meal, and the fellow at the table next to me asked if he could take a picture too, to send to his girlfriend! Once again, l could only finish half, so l'll have more for the next day again.

    nachos in a styrofoam container

    See all

    2 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 6
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Ed T.
    0
    97
    393

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Victor G.
    27
    186
    30

    2 years ago

    Rude staff with overpriced subpar food. The place is a dump and there are far better places in Pacifica to get a taco.

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dana A.
    28
    149
    227

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Arlene M.
    17
    191
    5

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dee S.
    0
    23
    9

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Helpful 14
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jille E.
    196
    46
    8

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Food arrived cold, and they seem understaffed. It's nice inside but unfortunately the food isn't the best.

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 6
    Love this 2
    Oh no 3
    Photo of Dale Y.
    209
    37
    12

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 3
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    3 words: that was shitty. Fake cheese, fake chicken, green sauce from a jar. Wow. Never again. Wish I could get my $70 back.

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 3
    Photo of Aida P.
    0
    14
    22

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike F.
    3
    78
    15

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Darin E.
    106
    28
    8

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of K W.
    246
    5
    2

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Thank you!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robert S.
    53
    18
    15

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Super friendly staff, delicious and ginormous burrito, and lots of seating available during lunch on a Sunday. Definitely going again!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 4
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D H.
    2
    62
    3

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of La P.

    La P.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lauren D.
    1
    191
    135

    2 years ago

    Chicken quesadilla is really greasy but good. This is a great spot for drinks or dinner with the family.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of L G.
    0
    26
    0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of MA J.
    0
    10
    0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 11

    Ask the Community - La Playa

    Are they making corned beef and cabbage burritos this year for St. Patrick's Day?

    Yes! If u follow us on Instagram or FB- Laplaya restaurant we post. Thanks!!

    View All 2 Questions

    You might also consider

    Norman Rose Tavern - Truffle Devil Egg

    Norman Rose Tavern

    3.8(875 reviews)
    50.0 mi
    $$

    I had an amazing experience at Norman Rose Tavern. As someone who's been on the hunt for truly good…read morefish and chips, I can finally say I found something worth calling the real deal. The fish was perfectly cooked, and the portion size felt fair for the price. The staff struck a great balance -- friendly and attentive without constantly interrupting the meal to ask if everything was okay. It made the whole experience feel relaxed and enjoyable. At one point, the music was slightly loud for my liking. Another guest politely mentioned it, and the staff immediately turned it down and made sure everyone was comfortable. That kind of responsiveness really stood out. What truly went above and beyond was what happened after I left. I had forgotten my hat on the seat, and instead of just putting it in lost and found, our waiter actually ran out of the restaurant and caught up with me before I crossed the street to the parking area. That level of care is rare and genuinely appreciated. Overall, this was a 10/10 experience. I'd absolutely bring my family here -- kids included -- and would recommend it to anyone considering stopping by. .

    Let's just say the food is good - the service sucks- that's being nice …read more So here we go- We were seated in the corner which was actually nice away from people and it was better for us to talk. So we thought- to my left was glass and seated there was a couple- it was a little uncomfortable - they can do something about that - a little Curtain - some steamed something ? we were looking at each other and it was kinda different . Not bad - not good - just different . We waited 10 full minutes before someone came over and brought two small waters which is ok- and then left - at least he said hi. Our waitress then showed up and didn't say her name - and asked us if we were ready - and then we ordered - I was in mid sentence and looking down and then swoop - the menu was gone - I guess I didn't want to add to my order- Our food came out and the Calimari was good, a decent portion, a bit salty - but - it was good . Then came our food - I got the short ribs - I will say it was really good and the meat just shredded nicely ....it was exceptional actually. My brother got the salmon and I will say it was delicious-- both were small portions with a big price - that's Napa . I don't know how it was 140$ for dinner - for two- but it is what it is. Then we were asked for dessert - a menu came and we waited it took a while for our server to come back - and since we waited so long we were turned off to get dessert ... so we went to Annette's up the street . No worries there is always something around the corner . If you read my review.. you will see she never checked on us - she did come back to get a drink refill - and that's it.. It's the 16$ an hour plus tips I guess... bad service for she will get paid anyway- service used to be important - now it's devices- it seems like she was looking at her device the whole time - the little computer they used to order the food. Maybe that's how they run the place .. it wasn't busy- it looked steady - but not busy tonight 3/7 around 730 pm... No one came by to say hi, or to welcome us in. Maybe at the desk ,, the hostesses . Maybe.. but during our stay - no one Napa is dying - bad service and good food - it doesn't mix well and let's say there are other options- I'll be taking those options in the future - look around you may find something you like - the food is good here - yes it's - the service - stinks - It's a cute place inside - neat- clean - plenty of room- The menu printing is way too small - I had a hard time reading it - possibly size 6 lettering .. I don't know - I'm not an expert on font size - I am an expert on reading - and it was hard to do -

    Photos
    Norman Rose Tavern - Bar and Christmas tree

    Bar and Christmas tree

    Norman Rose Tavern - Fried Chicken Sandwich

    Fried Chicken Sandwich

    Norman Rose Tavern - Mussels

    See all

    Mussels

    Nickies

    Nickies

    3.9(460 reviews)
    12.9 miLower Haight, Hayes Valley
    $$

    Y'know, I've never been in here for a drink, much less a beer. Shocker, I know. That's because when…read moreI walk on Haight, as I often do, I usually go from the Upper to the Lower. That means when I'm shuffling toward Market Street and happen to be in the mood for a cocktail, I would've already made my stop in the Upper Haight at spots like Zam Zam or The Mad Dog in the Fog. So I'd be fully snockered by the time I get to this block. At least that's my story. However, even without a booze break, I still get hungry, especially on my way home in the late afternoon. I figured this would be the place to get a good pub burger, and I was right. They offer four burgers, and I went with the $18 Mushroom Swiss Burger. Accompanied by fries, the beef was medium rare and juicy in a fluffy brioche bun with aioli, sautéed mushrooms, melted Swiss, tomato, and lettuce (Photo 7). Standard, I know, but tasty and satisfying. FOOD - 4 stars...the kind of pub burger I wanted AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...friendly tavern, will stick around some other time SERVICE - 4 stars...quite efficient bartender TOTAL - 4 stars...i might stop for a cocktail next time RELATED - Exploring the Haight? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/OS5C2LmQbq

    Stopped here while walking around the neighborhood on a warm weekday - San Francisco was in the…read moremiddle of a heat wave, so it felt like the perfect excuse to stop for a cold beer (or three). I actually used to live in the neighborhood and the last time I came here was back in the '80s, and it's great to see that it really hasn't changed much at all. The bartender was friendly and they had a good selection of beers on tap and in bottles. I stuck with beer, while my wife ordered a vodka soda and appreciated the generous pour. Overall, a great neighborhood bar to cool off and relax. Nice to see some places in the city stay true to themselves

    Photos
    Nickies - Bar view.

    Bar view.

    Nickies
    Nickies - Hibiscus Margarita

    See all

    Hibiscus Margarita

    Flatiron - The Bulgogi tacos were even better than delicious

    Flatiron

    3.9(445 reviews)
    26.0 mi
    $$

    Straight up real deal: nice vibe, great service... (Please note that there are new owners and…read morerecently took over in the last few months. Therefore, pricing here could be inaccurate.) Excellent spot for watching the Warriors. Elevated bar food with great pricing. Me likes the Grilled Broccolini in black truffle salsa verde. Doesn't everybody love tater tot's? Nice tap beer selection and full bar. Best hang in Downtown San Rafael... Gets better with each visit ! Bombdigity! Love this joint!!!!

    We really enjoyed this place. We found it while visiting and wanted to watch games. It's a small…read morebar in size but the excitement was electrifying in there. The main entrance room has a bar with seating, some side high top tables, some lower tables, and a high communal table. The next room has lower tables, 5 higher tables seating 4 people each, a larger table that had chairs and a booth side, lower large table. Lots of TVs around the entire place. The food is pretty good. We enjoyed a couple appetizers (bulgogi fries and chili lime cauliflower) and then their wings. Friends ordered nachos, but didn't finish them...the cheese was a cheese sauce so the chips were soggy. Our server was fantastic. She was very friendly, helpful, and very attentive despite having so many tables and it being packed. I'd go back here again, but I'd go earlier just to ensure a table.

    Photos
    Flatiron - Inside at bar

    Inside at bar

    Flatiron - Absolutely delicious cauliflower appetizer

    Absolutely delicious cauliflower appetizer

    Flatiron - Francisco saying farewell!  Great waiter!!

    See all

    Francisco saying farewell! Great waiter!!

    BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Pazookie!

    BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

    2.8(2.2k reviews)
    31.8 mi
    $$

    BJ's is a decent place to grab food with a bunch of friends, but it has mediocre food and service…read more My friends and I come here occasionally to celebrate birthdays as they have a lot of room. We made our reservations online and had no hassle with it. Parking can get very full at peak hours, but they also have valet parking. The interior has a dim sports bar vibe, and there were a couple of TVs playing sport games. I usually get the weekend prime rib special, which is a salad/soup, two sides, prime rib and a pizzokie. It is honestly a lot of food for a fair price. Unfortunately, the food always takes a while to arrive, as service is slow. The waiters also don't come by very often, which makes it hard to get water refills or utensils. The prime rib itself is okay at best. It is definitely not bad by any means but it's also doesn't have that "wow" factor. The asparagus and grilled veggies appetizers weren't that bad, but I felt like the grilled cauliflower was undercooked. I recommend getting the pastas instead. One time I got the Chicken Alfredo, and I was pleasantly surprised by it. One of the trademarks of BJs is their "pizzokie", which is a giant cookie with ice cream on top. It is honestly quite good, as the cookies are baked perfectly and they give a lot of ice cream. It is a heavy dessert though, and I recommend having two people to finish it. Overall, BJs is an allright place if you want to get dinner with a bunch of friends without the hassle of waiting or lack of space. If you're looking for somewhere to eat for a smaller group though, I think there could be better options in the area.

    Unfortunately this location has lost its touch. I went with my wife & she got so sick & we did…read morenoticed the food look very unhealthy. We won't be going back. Quality has gone really bad.

    Photos
    BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Inside (1/31/23)

    Inside (1/31/23)

    BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - New New Orleans Jambalaya

    New New Orleans Jambalaya

    BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Alabama Sunset Cocktail

    See all

    Alabama Sunset Cocktail

    La Playa - mexican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...