Wow! Picaro is known for its paella and tapas. I got the seafood paella and it flavorful and cooked perfectly. I would love more lobster, but beggars cant be choosers. Plus, I think it would rack up the price. Also, their sangria was delicious. Our waiter was friendly and attentive, making sure I felt comfortable and I appreciated that. This comes with complimentary bread and sauce. If you're even lucky, there's a mariachi band that comes around playing music and this adds extra fun to the experience. Amazing food and atmosphere...what more could you ask? read more

Picaro - Seafood Paella - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

the food and service was great! unfortunately i got mild food poisoning from the oysters :( would still recommend the paella & the garlic octopus was amazing. the $5 sangria were surprisingly strong. it was overall a good experience, just the one off from the oysters read more

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The food was really good I ordered calamari, Carnitas lobster tail mushrooms, and two crafts of sangria. Everything went off great however I noticed the first order of calamari. I didn't receive and thinking that it would come. I got the calamari, and then, for some reason, it never came of the food started arriving, drank the whole craft of sangria, which was amazing and my friends and I had a wonderful time. Decided to stay a little longer and order another craft of sangria finish that off left had a wonderful experience. The following week I noticed that I never received the calamari which was the first thing I ordered and in doing so I thought I would go back in. Let the Resturant now and get my $10 back a point entering I spoke to the entry person who called over manager and spoke to the manager and told him of the situation he questioned me why didn't say anything before I said I realize at the beginning, but I figured it would come out after finishing up one craft the sangria and the great conversation I had and finishing out the second one. I totally forgot until I looked at my bill. Unfortunately, I was made to feel like I was trying to get over on an appetizer, but I just wanted to pay for what I received and then the manager whoever he was said to me, you know next time just make make sure you look over your receipt no apology just made me laugh feeling some kind of way about returning read more

Our party of 6, ordered 1) Albóndigas 2) Gambas al Ajillo 3) Trucha Plancha 4) Tortilla de Patata 5) Pimientos de Padrón 6) Patatas Aioli 7) Espárragos a la Plancha and a pitcher of Sangria. We shared all the dishes and the unanimous verdict was, everyone enjoyed these dishes. Gambas and Trucha are my favorites. The service was very good. Good ambiance. read more

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This little spot has been one of my special after movie treats for a while . They have a nice menu with seafood and paella . Spanish cuisine about anything you desire. There own sangria and a happy hour and a discount for cash not much but it's ok. The waiters are pleasant and considerate and helpful. I love their romesco sauce and their mussels , calamari and soups . Lovely outdoor seating and a back patio area . Don't forget about the Flan !!! read more

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Visited with friends and the restaurant was very accommodating. It felt like a homey, mom and pop restaurant in Spain. Everything was made fresh or seemed fresh. Our favorites were the patatas bravas on the happy hour menu and the sangria...pitcher. Tried the tortilla de patatas and that was pretty bomb. Bread had the same dipping sauce as patatas bravas. Pro tip: if you're craving paella, order it first because like most places that make it, it takes a while. The seafood paella was flavorful but lacking the crispiness on the bottom. read more

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A steal for the price! Picaro is a classic SF spot, not super fancy but solid food and truly great prices. Came here for a birthday brunch (highly recommend uber for the area), it was easy to make a reservation for a large party, and I think half of the restaurant was booked out for an event as well. It was a little cold in the restaurant that day (it was December!), enough we all kept our jackets on, but the sangria warmed us up. Each item has a cash price, but even the regular prices are great. The hh sangria was a hit, 1-6pm on weekends for $16.64 per pitcher! Easily shareable with friends. Some other hits were: - the meat Paella (surprisingly, considering we usually prefer a black paella) - garlic shrimp (delicious sauce) If youre craving good tapas and paella for a price that won't break the bank, this is the spot!! read more

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Long overdue review. Right off Valencia and 16th, Picaro is always a reliable and convenient Mission district choice. Spanish TAPAS! The menu selection is extensive, with plenty of protein- rich dishes. 2-3 tapas for 2 people is more than enough, if the choices include items such as tortilla de patata (eggs + potatoes) and gambas al ajillo (large shrimp portion with plenty of olive oil). Meals are served with a bread basket and salsa brava. The sauce has a smoky heat that really wakes up the appetite. The interior has a rustic ambiance with Picasso posters, flamenco accents and vintage style prints with a nostalgic old world charm. I love this place! read more

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The seafood was absolutely delicious, the flavors tasted authentic, and the customer service was amazing from start to finish. Everything tasted fresh and well prepared, and you can tell they really care about the quality of the food and the experience. Definitely some of the best seafood I've had in a while. I'll definitely be coming back soon! read more

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Picaro is one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco. Not fancy, and full of charm and tasty delights, this place is conveniently located about 1 1/2 blocks from 16th and Mission BART station. Service was super polite but just a tad on the slow side, but we were not in a rush so it was not a problem. Usually come here in large groups, for which it is an excellent venue -- but this time it was date night with my wife. We stuck to tapas since it was an early dinner before a movie, but their entrees and platters are all excellent. This time we did morcilla, papas bravas, jamón ibérico, and grilled mussels. You really can't go wrong with anything, but their salsa brava and morcilla are the best I've ever had. read more

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Came here for a birthday dinner with a group of six and had a really lovely experience overall. Pícaros is a solid spot for Spanish food in SF, especially if you're dining with a group and want to share. We ordered a great mix of dishes: the seafood paella was the star of the table--flavorful, well-seasoned, and generous enough for sharing. The chorizo with Spanish olives was a perfect starter, simple but satisfying. The albondigas were comforting and hearty, and the patatas bravas hit the spot with their crispy texture and sauce. The carne asada plate was tasty and filling, and the potato cake was a nice addition to round things out. Service was friendly and accommodating for a birthday dinner, and the atmosphere felt warm and lively without being too loud. They even let us cut the cake we brought which was nice. All in all, a great place for group dinners, celebrations, and sharing plates. I'd definitely come back. read more

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This spot is super lively and fun for dinner with a group of friends. They have sangria and lots of fun drinks. There are so many tapas to choose from and the seafood was really tasty! They had the crema cataluna which is a lemony Spanish version of creme brulee. I haven't had it since being in Spain - so good! read more

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Good for large parties and trying different Spanish dishes. Food was good but not outstanding -- my table found ourselves having to add more seasoning to a lot of the dishes. Overall good place to try. read more

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Good food and vibes great happy hour. Highly recommend the garlic chicken entré, easily the best thing we had Tapas: Mushrooms, excellent Shrimp, good Potatoes, meh Chicken Croquettes, good Paella: Seafood, I thought it was good. Mixed reviews from the group, mainly on the lack of seasoning Dessert: Flan/Creme brûlée, very good Churros & ice crea, meh read more

Picaro - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

You really can't beat the value here, especially if you come during happy hour -- a carafe of sangria is like $15! Even if you don't come then, the food and drink prices are reasonable and the portions are large. Paella for 2 can def feed more than 2 if you order other tapas. I always enjoy the grilled artichoke and grilled octopus. Also liked the beet salad for some veg. Service is minimal but gets the job done. read more

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I really wanted to love this place because it's such a cute neighborly spot. We ordered a bottle of Spanish red wine to share which was great. We ordered the garlic shrimp which was fine. Their seafood paella looked promising but the seafood was really overcooked sadly. Honestly the best part is their bravas sauce that comes with their bread. That sauce I would buy by the bucketload. read more

Picaro - Paella - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Hidden gem alert Picaro on Valencia & 16th = Mission magic Tapas musts: Crispy salmon strips Patata aioli Salted mushrooms Fresh sangria (so good!) Desserts that seal the deal: chocolate mousse, Café Nero, & caramel flan Trendy vibes, amazing service, super affordable, and every bite = delicious. Mission's go-to spot. #MissionEats #SFfoodie #TapasTime #HiddenGem read more

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Tapas is my jam and this is a solid place for the Spanish foods I crave, especially if you're looking for a casual ambience. We've come here a few times over the years and gotten a variety of foods including the paella, gazpacho, patatas bravas, tortilla espana, ensalada mixta... the list goes on. All the food is satisfying and the drink selection is good. Two down falls are the lack of churros con chocolate on the menu and there was a friendly cockroach trying to join our dinner. It's naive to think any building in the city doesn't have cockroaches but to be visited by one while eating never sets a good tone. lol read more

Picaro - Ensalada Mixta, pan, y Aceitunas Rellenas de Anchoa - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's been a while but the food was the similar as it was in years past. I used to frequent this spot but stopped coming so often since SF has so much to choose from. I wanted to have a food I craved & knew would hit the spot. At picaro it's good enough to return but does not wow me. It's tasty yeah, flavorful and all but prices are higher & food quality has gone down a bit. I may have ordered the wrong combination of plates or it was an off night perhaps. Food 3/5 Service 4.5/5 Ambiance4/5 read more

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Big menu lots to choose from! Tapas, paellas, sangria, wines The complimentary French bread with orange sauce is fantastic! May need to get refills if your table loves it that much Paella you can choose for 2 or 4 or 6 people. The larger the paella the better deal but really, you'll likely order tapas too so don't need that much read more

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Picaro is the traditional, no-frills Spanish restaurant that San Francisco needs. The service is spectacular, the environment references Spanish artists, and the food is spectacular. I could've celebrated my most recent birthday at numerous more "name brand" restaurants - Kokkari, Gary Danko, Che Fico - but Picaro was the perfect fit because of its quality and simplicity. Sensational. read more

Great Peruvian food with amazing flavor, good sangria, and overall good vibes. I recommend the potatoes and paella for sure!! The place feels super homey and welcoming, and the service is great. Parking can be a bit of a hassle, but there's a parking garage nearby so it's not too bad. Definitely a spot I'd come back to! read more

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I can't say enough about our first visit to Picaro! We celebrated my brother's birthday with a huge group,about 30 of us, and from start to finish, it was a spectacular experience. We kicked things off at the bar with their incredible sangria, which was a perfect start. Then, we were seated at this long table, and it was like a parade of flavors. The garlic dip that came with the bread was unreal, I put it on everything! For tapas, we had the potatoes (so garlicky), sausage, asparagus, and broccoli, all fantastic. And then, the paella! We got four different kinds: a meat paella, a fish paella, a mixed paella, and a veggie paella. Each one was a knockout, I'm not usually a paella fan, but now I am! The staff were amazing, so attentive, constantly refilling waters and sauce when we asked. I just need to know what was in that garlic sauce,it was a game changer! I highly recommend Picaro for any special occasion or just a fantastic meal, I'll definitely be back! read more

Picaro - Paella - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

So happy we popped into this Mission staple for dinner; so nice to see food and drinks at reasonable prices! Sangria was tasty and on happy hour was only $4.50 a glass. All wines were under $9 per glass and even though some missed the mark the Rioja was lovely. Food highlights for us were the grilled mussels (Mejillones Plancha ($10)) and octopus in garlic sauce (Pulpo al ajillo ($11)). Mushrooms, shrimp and sardines were all tasty as well. Other tables ordered paella which looks like their speciality. Service was great and atmosphere was fun. Will come back and enjoy this affordable tapas restaurant again ! read more

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1st time back in a while, still the same great tasting food, sangria and service. We always ordered the same when come. No complains here. A little advice, if you are going to order any of the Paellas, make sure you order that 1st, because it usually takes about 30 minutes to cook. Anyone like Spanish Tapas, you need to try this place!!! You wont be disappointed!!! read more

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I've been here before, but didn't remember and I didn't write a review. I just got back from Spain (including Valencia, the birthplace of paella) and was jonesing for some tapas and paella. We had a couple of dishes, including Iberico jamón and the great seafood paella with squid ink. It was pretty good and I'd come back next time I need my fix of Spanish food! read more

Food -5/5 love their spicy Potato bravas , olives and sauted mushroom dishes. Their sangria is really refreshing with the addition of fruit bits in the drink. Ambiance- nice Spanish decor but can get a little noisy even on a week night. Service 5/5 excellent! They went out of the way to accomodate our needs to split the bills three way since it was a work+personal related expenses. And produced personalized bill sand receipts which is rare to find these days. Thank you read more

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While the food was good here, I think the atmosphere of the restaurant brings it down a peg. We came in on a Saturday night, and it was bustling for sure. When we walked in, it wasn't clear who or where we were supposed to check in with. We kind of awkwardly waited around for a long time until someone noticed us and asked for our name. For food, we ordered the jamon iberico, jamon serrano, seafood paella, patatas bravas, spanish tortilla, calamari frito, croquetas, and a pitcher of sangria. The sangria was really sweet and refreshing. The jamon was good, kind of what you'd expect. Nothing exciting to report for the calamari. The paella was good, but needed a little more saffron and spices in my opinion; the seafood was really small though, and I did have one dead inedible mussel in my portion. Spanish tortilla was pretty good. The croquetas were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, no complaints. My issue with the patatas bravas was that you have to choose between the garlic aioli and the bravas sauce; in most restaurants it's served with both. Since it was missing the aioli, the bravas sauce just tasted of heat, and was missing the cooling component. The service was just okay. When they brought us the waters, one of the glasses was really dirty, and you could clearly see a lipstick stain on it still. The restaurant itself was incredibly stuffy and hot, even on a Saturday night in SF. They had a live musician playing right behind us, so we literally couldn't hear anything. He then went table to table, not sure if he was asking for song requests or a tip, but that was a bit of a turn off. Even after he stopped playing, the restaurant was so loud that the server would have to lean in just to hear us order. I'm sorry, but if your server can't hear you, the restaurant is too loud. While the food was good, the restaurant's atmosphere and lack of cleanliness really turned me off. read more

Picaro - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The tapas were delicious and offered a variety of many, different taste experiences - like dim sum! The Spanish tapas were muy delicioso! We could not decide on a favorite! The chili peppers were good, so were the meatballs, shrimp, cheese, pupusa I think it was, iberico, etc! Sangria was dangerously gone too! I would try it all! In this shared, family style setting, we got full off of the tapas. The family style decor was very nice and felt very welcoming too - cozy. read more

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I used to live on the same street as this place back in 2023 and would always walk past it, intrigued by the large paellas. When my boyfriend said he was in the mood for a paella, I quickly remembered the place that I used to walk by so frequently. We took the bart into the city and walked over from 16th and Mission. We ordered the Paella de Mariscos, a rabbit stew on the side, and a glass of sangria for the sake of happy hour. The rabbit stew came out first, and it was interesting. I don't believe I'd ever had rabbit meat prior to eating this dish, but it wasn't my favorite. My boyfriend said it just tasted like thyme since there was too much of it, but a piece of the meat that I ate near the bone was actually cold like it hadn't been cooked through so that was definitely concerning. The sangria was fine, not anything that I would usually get but it was easy to drink. The Paella de Mariscos was quite underwhelming though. I first introduced my boyfriend to paella in San Diego and the one we were served here paled significantly in comparison. Even in the photos, the shrimp on top appear completely unseasoned and not charred at all and the rice is hardly crispy only on the bottom. The bell peppers were limp and I ended up picking them out. My boyfriend was especially unimpressed by the peas, but at this point we were not about to let the meal ruin the rest of our Friday night. Our server was friendly and I'll admit that we downplayed our true feelings about the dishes when he came over to check in. Looking at photos from other reviewers I would hesitate to say much good about the Paella de Mariscos since all the shrimp and rice look the same as what we were served. I'm inclined to believe there are some better dishes on the menu here, just wouldn't return to have the rabbit stew or seafood paella again. read more

I came here with a friend for the first time a couple of weeks ago & was delighted to see how much value we got for what we paid! We love that because each dish wasn't priced so high, we were able to try plenty of different foods, with a good mix of protein, greens, vegetables, and carbs. My favorite dish was the pulpo (octopus). It was super filling & for around $11-12, that is a steal in this city!! I love to dine out on my own as well, and I'd strongly consider coming back here to order a few dishes for myself. The non-pretentious & calm environment also makes it a perfectly good place to enjoy a slow night to yourself or enjoy a few hours chit chatting with a friend as I did! Also, with so many affordable options on the menu, it was great to bring my pescatarian-curious (mostly vegetarian) friend here - something on the menu for all of us! read more

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One of my absolute favorite tapas restaurants in SF. They literally have the best Brava sauce on the planet and the best Sangria. The way the infuse the flavor of garlic on their dishes is so satisfying yet not overwhelming. The chicken and rice is so comforting. The cabbage , the perfectly fried calamari, the prawns in garlic butter sauce it is truly a great dining experience. The service is always friendly and attentive. The atmospheric the daytime is a lot more tame than at night. At night it comes to life with Mariachis and singing and dancing! read more

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My favorite Spanish restaurant in the city and one of my top places to eat in SF. I just needed a quick bite and a glass of sangria, and found out they have a new drink menu. I will try a cocktail next time. As always, Patatas Bravas were well cooked and crispy, aioli and sauce were perfect. read more

Picaro - Red sangria, Patatas Alioli Patatas Alioli - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Finally, a gem in the Mission that doesn't nickle-and-dime you to death! Picaro is exactly what I've been searching for: authentic Spanish tapas, generous portions, reasonable prices, and a fun, unpretentious vibe. The atmosphere immediately transports you to Spain - warm, relaxed, and buzzing with energy from a crowd that's there for good food and good times, not to be seen. What we ordered: The Pulpo Al Ajillo (Garlic Octopus) at $13 was absolutely delicious - perfectly tender octopus served with scallop potatoes that soaked up all that garlicky goodness. We meant to order the Rabbit Stew but our server brought the Rabo de Toro (Oxtail Stew) instead at $13.43. Happy accident! The oxtail was incredibly flavorful and fall-off-the-bone tender. The Grilled Trout ($19.24) with stewed zucchini and salad was a solid choice. The fish was tender though slightly bland, but the sides were tasty. For dessert, the Flan ($7.28) was phenomenal - creamy, perfectly caramelized, and the ideal ending to our meal. We also shared a Sangria Pitcher ($16.84) that hit the spot. Service: Friendly and attentive, even with the mix-up on our order. No pretension, just genuine hospitality. They charge 4% more for credit cards versus cash, but here's the thing - in a city where nearly every restaurant slaps you with a 4-7% "SF Mandate" fee, Picaro doesn't do that. The prices you see are honest prices for honest food. In an era where SF restaurants are finding every excuse to pad the bill, Picaro is a refreshing throwback to what dining out should be: delicious food, fair prices, and a great time. Definitely recommended! read more

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such good paella for an affordable price, me and my friends came here and the service was quick and lovely, we got one big paella and we all left super full. will be coming back read more

Picaro - Paella de Carne y Mariscos - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Couple of weeks ago when one of my friends came to visit, I took her on a Waymo from her Union Square hotel to Picaro in the Mission. Not too many people in the restaurant that day, but I think there was a birthday party in the back of the restaurant. The service was great. Our waitress was very friendly. My friend was surprised at how tasty the food was (tapas) and how affordable everything was. We had a great time catching up. We especially enjoyed the yummy garlic shrimp. Ambiance is casual friendly vibes. Located on 16th St & Valencia. read more

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Sooooo good! Who doesn't love Tapas? This place feels like an authentic tapas restaurant. The sangria flows and food is delicious. Perfect bites of Spanish flair, with great prices to match. Can't wait to go back! read more

I finally had the opportunity to try Picaro after hearing high praises from a friend. Picaro offers delicious Spanish food at a reasonable price for San Francisco. The restaurant itself is very spacious and is suitable for small to large parties. Staff are welcoming, accommodating, attentive, and service is excellent. We started the meal with complimentary bread and bravas sauce. The sauce is addictive and can be eaten with everything and anything. The garlic octopus (pulpo al ajillo) and shrimp (gambas a la plancha) were tender and well-seasoned. The seafood paella was flavorful and topped with a generous portion of fresh calamari, shrimp, clams, and mussels. Picaro offers a plethora of dishes suitable for meat eaters, vegetarians, and pescatarians. Dishes are easily shareable for the table. Overall, I had a great first experience dining at Picaro and am excited to return and to continue exploring their menu. read more

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I came here with two other people and we ordered the seafood paella to share. Unfortunately, like other reviewers mentioned, it really lacked seasoning. The dish looked nice but the flavor just wasn't there :( it tasted pretty bland overall. Pictures look better than it taste. read more

Decent place for tapas and Paella but nothing out of this world. I enjoyed the tortilla de patata and glad I tried it over the usual patatas bravado. Paella was a bit on the dry side as well as the pork skewers. I wouldn't order that or the octopus again as I was underwhelmed. The food came out pretty quick because we were there for an early dinner, once it started getting busy around 6:30PM, the waiters didn't really come by anymore and it was extremely loud in the restaurant. One thing that bothered me was how stuffy and hot the restaurant was. We even sat by the window with it open but I was still very uncomfortable. It made my clothes very very smelly when I left. Definitely not my go to place, but I feel like there aren't too many great options in the city, especially ones that aren't over the top and over priced. read more

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