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

See all

The sangria is so good! The bread their sauce is also good. I went there with a friend for finger food or tapas and it was a great time. Definitely try the sangria. read more

Came here to try out a new place with my friend! We got the fried anchovies, tortilla de patata, garlic octopus, and saffron rice to share, which was more than enough for two people- felt really full afterwards. Ambiance is nice, and I really liked the decorations! Service was also good as the server provided us with several food suggestions/recommendations! Food summary: Tortilla de Patata 10/10 Omelette with onion and potato. Very good, and I'd definitely get it again! Was unsure about it at first, but everything works well together and was cooked very well. Definitely my favorite dish from here that I've tried so far. Garlic octopus 9/10 I liked that there were also potatoes included in this. The octopus was a little bit salty, but overall was still very good and had a nice garlicky flavor! Saffron rice (side) 7/10 This was still good, but I did not enjoy it as much as the other dishes. It had a good taste and the rice as well-cooked! Fried anchovies 9/10 Was seasoned and fried well! Reminded me of a different Chinese dish I've had before, so I enjoyed it. Extra: Bread 9/10 Loved the dip that the bread came with. Was a little spicy, but packed with flavor :) read more

Picaro - Fried Anchovies - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Overall: 4.5/5 Food: 5/5 Service: 4/5 Price: 4/5 Cleanliness: 3/5 The food is fantastic! I ordered the Seafood Paella which was really good. I also ordered the Fried Calamari which was delicious! The house garlic sauce is outta here!! The restrooms needed attention though. Not sure how often they clean the restrooms but it's important because it can be indication of the level of cleanliness the staff has. Overall, had a great experience and the food was great! read more

See all

$10 lobster tails are you kidding me?? My fav go to for best priced tapas in the city. The vibes are always high and the service matches. 10/10 would recommend read more

Food and service was excellent and reasonably priced however, parking is challenging in that area.

A fav in the mission! Food: 4.5/5 If coming with a small group, order a few plates and try them all! Very affordable Spanish tapas Recommendations: Pulpo (octopus), gambas (shrimp), fried anchovies, jamon serrano or iberico, lobster tail, croquetas de pollo, paella de mariscos, patatas bravas, garlic shrimp, paella (veggie options too! -- takes awhile to come out) Sangria original (red) is a must esp with a pitcher costing less than $20... Location: 3.5/5 Love that its right across from the Roxie and situated across and between many fun bars. Hate that parking sucks in the mission Service: 3/5 Even with a recommendation at Picaro for 4 on Friday, we ended up waiting for another 30 minutes. Good thing was food came out relatively quickly, except for the paella read more

Picaro - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Had high expectations for this place based on reviews, but I and others in my party thought the food lacked seasoning. A bit pricey all things considered. Service was good and friendly. read more

Food was tasty. Service excellent. No waiting. Super authentic tapas. Solid sangria. read more

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

Just an update: Still, the best food, the best staff, the best ambiance! But let me break it down: Free basket of bread? Who wouldn't want a free bread or food? Lol. Calamares Fritos was good but the dip should be more flavorful. But one of my fave. Pescado Rebozado con Aioli was amazing too. Add on to my fave! As per my boyfriend, Boquerones en Vinagre was okay. He tried the same food in Barcelona, Spain and he said that it's not as sour. Ropa Vieja is great! One of my fave too. Recommendation: For the sauce/ Aioli of Pescado Rebozado and Calamares Fritos - a little more garlic, a hint of Paprika and a hint of Black Pepper would be great(Trust me). For Pescado Rebozado - just want to recommend for the staff to double check on removing the fish bone entirely. I don't mind the fish bone as I grew up with it, but I just want to suggest it as some customer or people out there are too sensitive and complains too much on certain things. Btw, I've been here several times. Overall, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! read more

See all

The food is delicious and their sangria is awesome‍! I always get the seafood paella and order a few Tapas (appetizers) while we wait for the paella. They have many vegetarian options as well. Service is average, but they are also very busy, or at least have been every time I've dined there. Some tables can be a bit cramped, but again, they are usually packed and trying to sit as many people as possible. There's outdoor dining in the front and back of the restaurant. Personally, I do not like sitting in the outdoor areas because servers tend to forget about you. There are two (single) unisex bathrooms, so sometimes there can be a long wait for the restroom. I want to give this place four stars because the food is delicious. Unfortunately, due to the layout and service I'm giving them three stars. I'm trying to be fair and give a well rounded review. If they created a better layout, maybe less tables, and improved their reservation process, things would go much smoother and they'd get that fourth star. read more

Mostly a tapas place with regulars but they do have a few main courses if you want to eat. Across the street from the Roxie Theater, this is a good to go before or after a show. The tapas is 5 star although a bit pricey. The hardware is old & "lived in" and I actually found is charming. Its a place where regulars sit & chat which is lovely. read more

See all

Oh, Picaro. How I dream of that salsa brava... I mean, I really do. That red sauce is one of my top five sauces of all time, in the world. It's kind of upsetting, really. If you love garlic, you'll love their salsa brava. I also love their tapas. I highly recommend: - broccoli (!!) - asparagus (!) - artichoke (!!) - patatas bravas (!) - green beans - tortilla espanola - sangriaaaa, red or white(!) - crema catalana (!!) The paella takes 30min to come out, and as a vegetarian, I didn't really think their veggie one was worth it. I'd much rather nibble on a variety of other plates, rather than fill up on paella. The QR codes at the tables are for menus only, so you'll still have to figure out a way to split the check upon payment. The service is generally pretty good, but you might have to flag down a waiter to get more water/etc. Picaro deserves all the love and hype it gets. I regularly take out-of-towners here, and celebrate birthdays here, and really I'll take any excuse to eat an unholy amount of that red sauce. I'd exercise caution if you are prone to heartburn though. read more

This place was so packed it was so incredibly loud I could barely hear my friend. I think we both had to yell at each other lol. Food was good but I don't think we did the best selection. The aioli sauce is to die for but I wasn't crazy about the way the patatas were cooked. No seasoning almost. Chicken croquettes were a miss. Rabbit stew was good and interesting, enjoyed the sauce but was kind of dry and tough. The fried fish strips were a winner though read more

Picaro - Rabbit stew, Patatas Aioli, - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Pretty much what everyone else said... the brava is amazing, the tapas are varied & super tasty (have never gotten a dud so go for whatever strikes your fancy that day); the sangrias are proper & the vibe is happening. Service has always been prompt & friendly. Regular haunt for us. read more

The service was great and the food was amazing! We tried several different things and everything was so good, can't wait to try more! Will definitely be going back! read more

I been here a few time through out the last 7 years, the sangria pitcher during happy hour is cheap! Love it! And the food is very decent. Since they been there for a long time, so the environment seems old, but vibe is good. Great services and decent price. read more

See all

What a throwback. I remember vividly just a few years ago when I first moved to SF and Yelp was not even an app installed on my phone, I dined in at this Tapas place with a great romesco sauce. As a non yelper then, I failed to "document" the food, not even the name of the place. Fast forward to 2024, my date took me to Picaro for some tapas and drinks. My heart skipped a beat because I instantly recognized it as we entered the door. My joy was short-lived though as the basket of bread came with romesco sauce no more but rather with a salsa brava. I might be mistaken but I know it just isn't the same sauce they used to serve. It was good (and spicy) however wasn't the one I've been dreaming of going back to for years. We ordered a bunch, 6 tapas to be exact and a couple of white sangrias - Tapas : Patatas Bravas - perfectly fried potatoes with crispy edges while still soft on the center. These paired well with the spicy sauce. Pulpo Al Ajillo - octopus is difficult to cook and yet it came out soft and flavorful. Some parts were slimy though, I am not sure if that was intentional. Boquerones Fritos - fried anchovies were meaty and tender Miyagi oysters - small oysters with zero to mild brininess Champiñones Al Ajillo - meaty fungi with a hint of garlic Mejillones ala Vinaigrette - steamed mussels with diced tomatoes and vinegar base sauce We did not order paella this time. We somehow ended up getting a bunch of tapas which we later realized was too much for a group of 2. Service is great. Staff is very attentive. They always check on you and refill your glass of water and take empty plates. Overall, a pretty solid time at Picaro. A nice nightcap to kickoff the weekend. read more

See all

I'm surprised that Picaro has so many 5-star reviews. I thought the paella was just okay. We got the vegetarian paella, carne and the seafood. Protein portions are generous but the rice just was not that flavorful and could have been more spicier imo. The complimentary bread and salsa was divine and service was great, as mentioned on the menu, we had to wait ~30 minutes for the paellas to be ready. Parking can be difficult and we had to do some rounds for street parking. read more

See all

A great spot for Spanish tapas!! The food comes out quick and order a ton to sample a little bit of everything! If you want paella, bring a huge group to share since it comes out large. The sangria is good and pairs well with the food. Most of my favorite tapas contain meat so maybe not the best spot for vegetarians. Be adventurous and try the oxtail soup! The seafood is fresh and delicious as well. I like getting the oysters, shrimp with garlic butter, croquetas and more! read more

Picaro - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Went to Picaro to celebrate my birthday, and it was amazing! The food tasted just like being in Spain -- full of authentic flavors and cooked perfectly. Portions were huge, and everything we tried was absolutely delicious. The seafood was incredibly fresh, and the warm, lively atmosphere made the night even better. The place was packed, which says a lot. Can't wait to go back! read more

See all

Great food and always get a seat on time! I highly recommend this place! The food and sangria are very good. The paella meets American style way of cooking. read more

The food is always on point. Flavors, amounts, presentation and more. We've been going there for the past 3 to 4 years and so far no disappointment. Great place read more

Very crowded and takes a while to be seated and you're seated so close to the others. If you don't mind sitting close to others, this is a place for good food and good tapas. The Sangria is delicious. The place isn't fancy, just a simple restaurant with old chairs and nothing is updated. The staff is friendly. read more

Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 3.5/5 Overall: A good selection of tapas to choose from. Would I come back: It's my go to for tapas in the city. The extended review... Food: 4/5 - Got a mixture of things and all of them were all very tasty. The good thing is you can order many things to taste. Of them I always get the Spanish Tortilla which is an egg and potato dish. Service: 4/5 - Friendly and attentive service. Ambiance: 3.5/5 - There are times when a band will come in and walk throughout the restaurant playing loud music. That's one thing I can do without. read more

See all

The sangria is where it's at here! It would be great if they had a more sophisticated wine list. But we can overlook that as they do allow you to bring wine in for a decent corkage fee. We had a few appetizers: 1. Morcilla Sauteed Spanish blood sausage. $8.25 Delicious and not oily at all! 2. Pinchos Pork kebabs on a bed of Spanish rice. $8.00 Delicious you can taste the charbroiled finish and again bold in flavor. We wish we had this restaurant in miami. It's affordable and authentic. read more

See all

Went to Picaro with the boy during a San Francisco day trip and decided to grab a late snacky lunch here! This place has been on my list for a while and I'm glad I got to try it out. This place is a cute Spanish tapas place with great prices, big portions and lots of heart. The service was homely and I enjoyed it. For the food we ordered: * chicken croquettes - these were crispy, creamy, chickeny goodness * patatas bravas - the boy really loved this as did I - the crispy potatoes with the orange sauce is beyond me in terms of how delicious this is! I wish I could have more always * gambas ajillo - this is also garlic shrimp and it's absolutely delicious. Shrimp in a buttery sauce I absolutely enjoyed this. We enjoyed dunking the free bread they gave us in this sauce and it was yummy Overall the food was delicious and I would recommend others to visit! read more

See all

Had a great time trying different tapas at Picaro. My favorites were the chicken croquettes and potato omelette. Chicken croquettes were crunchy and had a creamy chicken filling. Potato omelette had a delicious garlic aioli. Though we would skip the stews. The rabbit stew was heavy with oregano and meat was very dry (should have known as its rabbit). Clams were not very large nor flavorful. Some hits and misses. They have a huge menu, including paellas. Will be back to try more! read more

See all

Went there last night with son, granddaughter, grandson, son's GF, ex-hubby and his wife (yeah, we're a Happy Friendly Family!) to celebrate my son's and ex-hubby's birthdays. The food was fantastic. We had a yummy seafood paella and a huge assortment of tapas that ranged from "really good" to "to die for" (the lobster tail). And yes, we appreciated the complimentary bread and dipping sauce. The service was friendly, attentive, and extremely patient with our many questions about their Gi-normous menu choices. Sadly for hearing-impaired Me, the noise level (which as I age is the most important aspect of the ambiance) made it impossible for me to participate in any substantive conversation. I'm nowheres near "deaf" but like many of my fellow septuagenarians need hearing aids, and regardless of setting them on "speech and noise" (maybe I should have tried "airplane" mode?) and playing with the volume for each ear, I couldn't understand much of anything anyone said unless they were sitting right next to me or shouting at me from directly across the table. I'll admit, though, that it didn't occur to my son when he made the reservation to ask whether they had a quieter area of the restaurant that could accommodate seven, so if someone in your party is a bit hearing-impaired I'd recommend you ask the when you make the reservation. read more

We made reservations but ended up walking in earlier and were seated quickly without issue. Food Seafood Paella tasty but I've had tastier paella, however they didn't skimp on the seafood Bread Whatever sauce it came with was incredible. Drinks - pitchers of white sangria which were delicious. The service was top notch. Our server was very attentive and helpful. Parking was treacherous on a Sunday night. We drove around multiple times for parking but I would think that's expected considering the neighborhood. My friend that suggested coming here during the week when there is a live band. I will be back to experience that and the happy hour specials that look promising. read more

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

We were in San Francisco area for vacation. Thanks to Yelp, we found this amazing place! We came here two days in a row. You could tell how much we love this place. The decor here was cool, tables were a little bit old. However, the food was great. So who cares. The pricing here is really affordable given the quality of food. The paella dish was okay, not wow. We loved the Parrillada meat plate. That was bomb, so flavorful and plenty of meat, the potatoes underneath absorbed all the juice from the meat and veggies (chef's kiss). We were still thinking about it from time to time after we dined there a few months ago. I wish they're keeping up with the quality and pricing . Will definitely go back when we're in the area again. read more

See all

The pulpo al ajillo and cola de lagosta were my best dishes. The octopus was soft and tasty. Unfortunately the rest was a little underwhelming. The gambas were very greasy and looked like they were cooked from frozen. The rice overcooked with insufficient flavor.The price was actually fair for San Francisco standards but probably wouldn't come back read more

See all

Nice restaurant. Delicious food The servers are so sweet and friendly. I had to wait for the Paella I am thankful that they game me bread. I t so good. It came with a tasty dip and it made it easy for me to not be too hungry. The Paella was divine. I am for sure going back. read more

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

See all

This is a GEM of a Spanish tapas place. In the midst of all the inflated prices and often disappointing food quality throughout San Francisco's 'elite' restaurants - this little piece of Spanish heaven somehow manages to maintain its authentic vibes, great food and amazing prices!! Situated in the heart of mission - you'll be in for a treat. Stop by for a 20$ pitcher of red or white sangria and/or tapas! Lots to choose from here. I promise, even if you're not into tapas, this place will make you smile. Cheers read more

Picaro - 20$ sangria pitchers! - Spanish Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here for my brother's birthday. It was BUSY on a Saturday evening but luckily we had reservations. The food here is so good! We ordered a few pitchers of sangrias. It wasn't too sweet and I love that it wasn't overfilled with too much fruit. And even though it was soooo busy, our servers were so attentive! The nice thing about the paella is that you could order different portions. For dinner we shared a bunch of stuff: Patatas Bravas Morcilla- Black sausage: I know it sounds weird but it was DELICIOUS! Jamon Serrano En Pan Con Tomate Sopa De Marisco: OMG I would totally come back just to get this soup! Paella de arroz Negro: I love squid ink so this was my favorite! Paella de Carne: Everyone else you wasn't into seafood absolutely loved this one! To top it off, this place has a little mariachi band that goes around the restaurant to play music. It is very loud inside, even without the music so make sure you're okay with that. But the food was so good here. This is a must! read more

See all

A really amazing tapas place with a great staff who are fast and attentive. Also a cool looking spot with ample room . The portions are generous and always delicious. Your meal comes with a bread appetizer with a great slightly spicy orange sauce I highly recommend. Everything I have had has been amazing. Although their paella has been raved about I fear it's too much for one person. You definitely want to hit this spot (especially good for groups as you can try alternate dishes. This place has been around for a long time for good reason. read more

Came here with a larger party for a birthday and we all had a good time! The tapas tasted authentic, were a reasonable price, and the group loved the live music and atmosphere. Would recommend the tortilla española, the seafood paella, croquetas de pollo, and the flan. Also every sauce that came with the dishes was delicious. I'm already looking forward to coming back and trying other tapas! read more

If you want the best Spanish food in the city, come here. You also can't beat their prices. Happy hour is $4 a glass for sangria--which is nice and light, but the alcohol definitely sneaks up on you so be careful. We also ordered the patatas bravas which had the best sauce, it was amazing. We also ordered the seafood platter which was impeccable. And dipping the seafood in the patatas bravas sauce was next level amazing. And they do not skimp on the seafood here. Just 10/10 all around. Literally my new favorite seafood place in the city, and can't beat the price with tip at $70 (we also have a ton of leftovers). read more

See all

Wow! The service here was amazing! The food was nothing less than astounding. Best Spanish food I've had and I've eaten in Barcelona. The patatas bravas sauce was as incredible and garlic forward as everyone says. The mariscana (seafood) platter was a true treat and I highly recommend it. The sangria is great and the price can't be beat on happy hour. The pricing generally is great; definitely the best bang for your buck. The atmosphere really feels like a northern Spanish cafe which is I think what they are going for. It's can't recommend this place enough. Bring cash! There is a ~5% discount for cash. read more

See all

I absolutely love Picaro. I first came here in 2017 for a friend's birthday with a big group, so got to work through lots of the menu. Over the summer I re-discovered Picaro post pandemic and have brought both friends and family here a few times this year. This place is an institution. Amazing service and old school, authentic comfortable ambiance in a city that keeps getting shinier and flashier. The price point is fantastic, especially during happy hour. They pack so much flavor into their dishes. We love the patatas bravas, pulpo al ajillo, morcilla, and the albondigas. Don't skip out on the oysters and sangria for happy hour. Afterwards, you can pop a block over to ABV for a cocktail or easily walk back to Bart. Lately when family is in town we opt for Picaro, even over fine dining and trendier options. Can't wait to come back over the holidays with the parents! read more