Restaurants in Balboa Park

Unique Dining Experiences to choose from...

Albert's Restaurant, located near Gorilla Tropics at the San Diego Zoo, offers a wide range of entrees including pasta, steak, seafood, pizza, salad, and sandwiches, as well as a children's menu. This full-service eatery and bar is located amidst a tropical garden, and offers indoor and outdoor dining. Albert's is open year-round for lunch and serves dinner during the summer's "Nighttime Zoo" experience. The restaurant is named after a famous zoo resident, Albert the Gorilla, who died in 1979. Please call (619) 685-3200 for reservations.

Cafe in the Park is a delightful, friendly cafe located in the lobby of the Casa de Balboa. Breakfast snacks, freshly made sandwiches, espresso drinks, iced teas, soft drinks, and ice cream are served. Open Monday 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Public information, (619) 237-0322.

Galileo Café offers a healthful alternative to traditional fast food. Our menu includes soups, sandwiches, and pastries as well as specialty wood-fired pizzas and salads from Pizza Nova. Located off of the new east rotunda in the the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center with tables outside next to the fountain. Opens daily at 9:30 a.m. Closing hours depend on theater show schedule, but generally open in the evenings Wednesday through Saturday. Public information (619) 238-1233.

Lady Carolyn's Pub is the Old Globe Theatre's outdoor food and beverage pavilion. Try one of our hearty soups in a sourdough bread tureen; a cool, crisp salad; or a warm fruit crumble. Sip on an icy juice squeeze, a rich cappuccino, a robust Merlot, or a steaming Irish coffee. Stop by and see our show-stopping specials. Pub opens at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday-Friday and at 1:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closing hours depend on theatre show schedule. Public information (619) 231-1941, ext. 2751.

The Prado Restaurant at Balboa Park, located in the recently renovated House of Hospitality, is a full-service restaurant offering indoor and outdoor seating and is open daily for lunch and dinner. The unique decor blends the historical aspects of the House of Hospitality and whimsical accessories inspired by the Park museum collection areas. The diverse Latin-Italian fusion cuisine includes an array of appetizers, salads, panini sandwiches and imaginative entree selections. The lounge combines a tapas menu with a wide variety of margaritas and other beverages. Lunch hours are Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Dinner hours start at 5:00 p.m. and there are extended lunch and dinner hours in the lounge. Reservation are accepted and recommended, please call (619) 557-9441.

Waters Café @ SDMA The San Diego Museum of Art has partnered with Water's Fine Catering to open a new café in the Sculpture Court. Building on Waters' award-winning reputation for creating fresh, natural gourmet dishes, Waters Café @ SDMA offers handcrafted soups and breads, lively salads, unique sandwiches, and tempting desserts. A casual, family-friendly eating experience, Waters Café @ SDMA, is open Tuesday throught Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For information, please call (619) 237-0675 for reservations.

The Tea Pavilion at the Japanese Friendship Garden serves traditional Japanese green tea, herbal and specialty teas as well as sushi made fresh daily, Japanese noodles, rice, miso soup, salads and snacks. Enjoy the magnificent views from inside the Tea Pavilion or from the outdoor courtyard and deck. Unique imported food, beverages and gifts, as well as imported bulk teas, are available for purchase. The Tea Pavilion is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, later during the summer months. For information please call (619) 231-0048.

Time Out Café, located in the new Hall of Champions Sports Museum, is a full-service delicatessen offering a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches named for some of San Diego's greatest athletes. You can sit in our cool and comfortable indoor dining area or on our outdoor benches and even phone-in orders "to-go" if you're in a rush. If you need a sports news fix, your favorite satellite sports channel is beamed to televisions within the cafe. Beer and wine service is also available. Open daily 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Public information, (619) 702-6240.

Village Grill, located on the corner of Village Place and Old Globe Way, serves great pizza, hotdogs, hamburgers, and other fast food items which are made on site. Sit at the tile-decorated tables under the shady umbrellas and enjoy casual dining and people watching. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; to 5:00 p.m. in the summer. Public Information (619) 702-2428

Snack carts along the Prado and Speckles Organ Pavilion serve hotdogs, ice cream, nachos and soda.