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This was my first time here since I came to celebrate a friend's birthday. All the tapas were delicious and our party over ordered them because when the paella came out, our whole party was pretty much stuffed and full by then (lol). The squid ink seafood paella was ok, as it could have been a more flavorful and crispier at the bottom. Service was wonderful and super friendly!
Came here for late lunch on a Sunday and arrived just in time for happy hour. We split a pitcher of Red sangria (light and fruity) and shared some tapas: - pulpo al ajillo, nicely cooked with potatoes and tender to the touch - olives stuffed with anchovies (I am not a fan of olives but they're my friend's favorite) - rabo de buey or oxtail soup, slowly cooked fattty and delicious in a tasty broth - patatas bravas, a classic Overall, I am shocked I haven't been here before and will definitely be coming back. I liked the large open seating area indoors and I often see folks sitting outside. Would love to try some of their larger plates in another visit. The server was friendly and attentive as well. Paying cash gets a discount but we did not have that.
This is such a great place to hangout with friends. They have a backyard patio if you prefer outdoor. Sometimes, musicians are there playing music as you eat. They have TVs indoor for days when you want to watch some sport games. We can here for lunch when FIFA Cup was playing. The vibe was amazing! The downsize of this place is parking. It will be difficult to find parking if you come during busy hours. Food is delicious! I came here a couple times because the food is just so.... good! Paella is a must order item. Portion size is perfect for a party of 4 since we also ordered other items to share. Forgot to take pictures of other food but no worries. I'll be back again!
I was SUPER impressed with this restaurant. I was in Spain for a while last year and missing true Spanish food recently. The interior is so thoughtfully done here, so many cute little details that really add color to the restaurant and a fun lively vibe. Someone fact check me, but it looks like a restaurant that is well established and has been loved for many years in SF. We went on a Friday and they even had live music right behind us! Food was spectacular especially at this pricepoint. The seafood platter was literally huge and just so much seafood and bursting with flavor. The steak and mushroom dish we got was also insanely good, and shoutout to the grilled artichokes too. That one had a really nice course salt on top that was a great touch. White wine we got was an amazing pairing for everything. Pro tip bring cash for a little discount! Good luck finding parking here though...
We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday and specifically picked this place because it had so many vegetarian friendly options. Since we were a big group, we made a reservation, and when we ended up running a little late, they were kind enough to accommodate us, which we really appreciated. The restaurant itself is super cute and colorful, with such a fun atmosphere. It was extremely busy when we went, so the service was a little slow, but honestly, we didn't mind since we were a big group and were enjoying ourselves. We ordered a bunch of tapas to share, including the Patatas Bravas, Spanish Olives, Tortilla de Patata, and Alcachofas a la Plancha, which was my personal favorite. Everything was really good! We also got the mixed vegetable platter, which was delicious. They brought out some bread and sauce for the table as well, and everything tasted really fresh. For the mains, we got the Vegetable Paella, and it was SO good. The portion was also really generous, which was a nice surprise. They even brought out a small Crema Catalana with a candle for my friend's birthday, which was such a sweet touch. Our host was also incredibly kind and friendly throughout the evening. We had a really great experience and I'd definitely come back, especially for the vegetarian options!
revisited and had the chance to take photos this time - here is what we ordered: two shots of espresso, patatas bravas, jamon iberico, albondigas, boquerones fritos, croquetas de pollo, pulpo al ajillo, paella de carnes y mariscos. from that, I would get the the patatas bravas and pulpo al ajillo again. espresso was strong and smooth. it was super busy but the staff were very accomodating - didn't get our complimentary bread and salsa brava though :') but the food came out super quickly and the table was small so we did not miss the bread too much. the paella did not have a crispy bottom sadly, but i find that it seems hard to find a spot that does this in sf / la. ambience - it can get really loud in here! very jolly though. the inside definitely reminds me of the 2000s at a bar with its warm brown tables, benches, terracotta tiles, the blues yellow orange color palette inside. Parking (felt obligated to mention this as an la gal lol) i personally would not choose to drive and park here as metered/neighborhood parking is pretty limited during peak hours. Def train/bus in, it's very close to many bus stops and 16th/mission.
Made a reservation ahead of time because we were craving paella! They do have a disclaimer on the menu that their paella takes at least 30 minutes, so definitely order some appetizers in the meantime (and try not to filling up before the paella gets here!) I'm a seafood lover, so I really optimized for more seafood: seafood paella, fried calamari, and fried anchovies. It's a pretty heavy meal (maybe should have ordered some veggie tapas) but really satisfying.
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?
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.
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!
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.
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!!
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.
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
3 years ago
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
7 months ago
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
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
9 months ago
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
8 months ago
9 months ago
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
3 years ago
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
1 year ago
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
2 years ago
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
1 year ago
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
Went here on a Thursday around 620pm. Was able to get a table for 2 without a reservation. They had a lot of seats available inside and outside, but it started to get busy around 730. I've eaten here before, but this review will be about my experience on that day. We ordered the Parrillada, which a meat platter over potatoes. Overall, the dish was super meat heavy! It said it's good for 2-3 people but I believe it's good for 4-5 people. It was huge! My favorite parts of the dish was the sausage and potatoes. It was seasoned perfectly and sooo good. The rest was okay and the chicken was dry. Honestly I wouldn't order this again. Too much meat. We had a lot to take home. We also had the red sangria pitcher which was perfect for 2. Sweet and fruity tasting! I would recommend ordering the tapas and paella instead of a big meat platter. But my friends favorite was the Parrillada, so to each their own! read more
10 months ago
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
2 years ago
Go for the paella! Delicious & plentiful portion. Many tapas options to choose from as well, which were reasonably priced. A live mariachi band made this experience even more fun! Would be ideal location for groups to split the dishes & sangria pitchers. read more
Great food and vibes, would highly recommend for Spanish tapas in the city! Been here many times and the food always delivers. Some of my favorites are the chorizo, chicken croquettes, garlic shrimp, and fried calamari. All of the food is so well seasoned, I've had very few dishes I didn't like. I also really like the sharing nature of tapas so you can try more things and makes it a great place for groups. They give complimentary bread with patatas bravas sauce which is so good. Picaro is pretty reasonably priced per dish considering the quality of the food + decent portions. They also have happy hour from 4-7pm, which includes their Sangria which is also pretty tasty. Overall, one of my favorite Spanish places in the city, would recommend. read more
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
2 years ago
Came here for a birthday dinner for my cousins! The place was booming and had a really lively energy. The service was great and fast as well! I lovedddd the oysters! The only downside is the surrounding area outside felt a bit unsafe. Parking was super hard as well, but I guess that's anywhere in the city! 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
2 years ago
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
10 months ago
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3 years ago
I wouldn't say this is your upscale Spanish tapas place but for the price you pay, it is worth enduring the fruit flies for it. - basket of bread with sauce: that sauce was gorgeous. - sangria: I actually like the white ones more than the red. - garlic sauté mushrooms: star of the show. Very very flavourful and garlicky. Had to order 2 of it. - garlic shrimp: very good and very fresh. However, the back of the shrimp strip was not removed, which I didn't mind, but just in case you do. - lobster: very juicy and not overcooked. Definitely a highlight. - oxtail stew: meat was fell-off-the-bone tender. - papaya: rice was very flavourful and well cooked. A bit salty so make sure you share with others and eat smaller portions of it. Some other items to note: - green beans: It was good. Healthy - potato brava: it was ok. Sauce was good - tortilla: a bit bland. Eggs and potatoes are well cooked tho Everything came out very fast. read more
2 years ago
The grilled calamari is my favorite. I've ordered it many times. Yesterday, I got a promo on a combination meal through DoorDash. I had to get the grilled calamari. I chose potatoes and cabbage as sides. Thanks for the savings. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Customer service and ambiance were amazing. Servers were always very attentive and kind. However the food left me somewhat disappointed. If I were to go back I'd definitely have to try new tapas as I only truly enjoyed 2/6 tapas we ordered. All the desserts we tried were great, especially the crema catalana. read more
2 years ago
Amazing paella! This is comfort food at its best! Very family oriented place to eat. Nothing fancy, just amazing authentic flavors. The servings are very large. For a family of 5, ordering 2 paellas, 1 seafood platter and calamari, we were able to take home and have another complete meal. The service is very good! Everyone is very friendly. They have a great menu that will please everyone! Kid approved! read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
OMG - LOVE this place! We were waiting for a film showing at the Roxie and sat outside Picaro watching the Roxie's previous showing exiting the theater and was able to jump in line once the line started forming. For that, awesome location. Food is also surprisingly solid too. The setting really reminds me of sitting at an outdoor cafe in Spain or Portugal eating tapas and sipping wine. read more
Food (4/5): Food was overall delicious. We enjoyed the paella, oysters, prosciutto, sausages, and so on. The oysters were a bit small and had a grimy feel but everything else was solid. The Paella had good flavor and fresh seafood. Service (5/5): Helpful and friendly service with the server being flexible and informative. Ambiance (4/5): At first I was a bit hesitant because the surrounding area seemed sketchy. However, the ambiance of the restaurant itself ended up being great. It felt like an authentic place with solid food. read more
2 years ago
I dined in with my girlfriend an hour before closing, 9pm. Was seated, poured water and given bread with sauce, promptly. The spread was delicious!! Red beet salad, potatoes with garlic mayonnaise, sautéed spanish sausage, fried calamari, and a few other items. So delicious!! I enjoyed the interior decor too. Really unique and tasteful decorations! The food was served within about 10-15 minutes of ordering. I enjoyed my visit to Picaro. read more
3 years ago
TL:DR; If you're a group of 6, a 4 person paella is enough if you are ordering other tapas! $19 pitcher for sangria! My boyfriend and I have been here a few times and loved every experience. Food is great, service is quick, and we always welcome the mariachi singers for a song or two-- it really adds to the Mexican ambience. It does not have the most beautiful tables, decor, interior, etc like a lot of new and hot restaurants but to be honest, that's how you know the food will be good :) read more
More info about Picaro
3120 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94103
Mission
Directions
(415) 909-4537
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https://picarocafe.com
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Ask the Community - Picaro
How is parking?
There really is no parking Whenever I go to Picaro I always arrive and the part by Uber…
Which days and what time is the flamenco show?
Hello Olaf, Thank you for interest in Picaro. Unfortunately, we do not have any Flamenco shows at the moment. But that's something that we are considering bringing back in a near future.
Is there a flamenco show Saturday? Or when is there music?
I have visited the restaurant on Saturday's and am not aware of a flamenco show. There are musicians that regularly come in to the restaurant to play for guests, and typically float table to table for tips -- they take requests.
What vegan options you have?
Hello Corey! Most of out vegetarian tapas are vegan such as mushrooms with garlic, grilled artichokes, asparagus, brocolli with almonds, our delicious spicy potatoes, just to mention a few. Our vegetarian paella is also 100% vegan.
What days and times are the happy hour?
Hello Bessie, We have happy hour day: Sunday to Thursday from opening time until 7:00 pm…
Is proof of vaccination still required to dine in?
No, you can walk in and be seated
What's the Christmas timing?
We'll be open on the 24th from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. We'll be closed on the 25th.
How do I order takeout? The phone number listed here does not work.
For pick up, you can order online at picarocafe.com You get 4.00% discount if you pay with cash.
Has Picaro opened for outdoor dining?
What specials are there for mothers day?
Hi Curtis, We'll be having our regular menu for Mother's day. Sangria will be on "Happy Hour" from 3:00 pm to 7:00pm ($14 a carafe). Thank you for your question and interest.
Can you make reservations?
Yes you can! They take reservations, and if you're going on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, I'd recommend having one!
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
105 reviews that are not currently recommended
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