Restaurante El Patio Del Balmoral
Dine in San José at this restaurant with outdoor seating. Features cocktails & group-friendly options. Rated 3.9 stars. Discover a welcoming spot for your next meal.
About Restaurante El Patio Del Balmoral
Nestled in San José's vibrant El Carmen district, this establishment offers a pleasant dining experience with its inviting outdoor seating. While the reviews are mixed, many patrons appreciate the opportunity to enjoy a meal in a relaxed setting, especially with the availability of cocktails. The restaurant is well-suited for groups and offers the convenience of reservations. With a solid 3.9-star rating from over 1300 reviews, it remains a popular choice for those seeking a place to gather and enjoy a meal in the heart of the city. The $$ price range makes it accessible for a variety of budgets.
Restaurant Analysis
Restaurant Characteristics
This restaurant has been analyzed using our formula-based system to help you understand its key features and match it with your dining preferences.
Price Range (Moderate)
Moderate pricing ($$) - Mid-range restaurants with good value
Meal Time (dinner)
This restaurant primarily serves dinner. Based on opening hours.
Group Size (Groups Welcome)
Welcomes large groups and families. Great for group dining.
Atmosphere (Outdoor)
Al fresco dining with outdoor seating
Dining Style (Flexible)
Flexible options. Reservations available but not required.
Features & Amenities
This restaurant offers: Outdoor Seating, Cocktails, Beer, Wine, Coffee, Family Friendly, Dog Friendly, Groups Welcome, Reservations
Set your restaurant preferences in your profile to see how well this restaurant matches your dining style.
Why Travelers Love Restaurante El
Sourced from recent guest feedback and verified reviews.
👎🏼😬 Don't do it! Slowest service and the food was weird. Would not go back. After 1 hour, I was served the bottle of San Pellegrino I ordered. There's no menu of cocktails, they suggested a pina colada, which came 25 minutes later and had the consistency of a thick, bland smoothie. The carrots and celery with ranch that accompany the chicken wings were the puniest shavings of carrot and celery and the ranch was weird too. The celery and carrot sticks were short, limp, and razor thin. It's like I was served vegetable shavings dipped in weird ranch. A confounding and disappointing experience. Nice ambiance though. Our hotel recommended this place for dinner. It was good. I was a little surprised by what I had got for a caprese pizza but it was different but in a good way. I also got the passion fruit cheesecake which was really good. The service was relatively quick. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the local area. El Patio is a really good casual restaurant right downtown. The front of the restaurant opens too a pedestrian Street so there is great people watching here if you sit upfront. Food is great and they have a large selection of mostly Costa Rican dishes.
Find the Restaurant
Where to Find Them
Av. Central, San José, El Carmen, 10101, Costa Rica
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Recent Reviews
Julia H.
November 8, 2025
👎🏼😬 Don't do it! Slowest service and the food was weird. Would not go back. After 1 hour, I was served the bottle of San Pellegrino I ordered. There's no menu of cocktails, they suggested a pina colada, which came 25 minutes later and had the consistency of a thick, bland smoothie. The carrots and celery with ranch that accompany the chicken wings were the puniest shavings of carrot and celery and the ranch was weird too. The celery and carrot sticks were short, limp, and razor thin. It's like I was served vegetable shavings dipped in weird ranch. A confounding and disappointing experience. Nice ambiance though.
Felicia
July 1, 2025
Our hotel recommended this place for dinner. It was good. I was a little surprised by what I had got for a caprese pizza but it was different but in a good way. I also got the passion fruit cheesecake which was really good. The service was relatively quick. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the local area.
Steve T.
July 7, 2025
El Patio is a really good casual restaurant right downtown. The front of the restaurant opens too a pedestrian Street so there is great people watching here if you sit upfront. Food is great and they have a large selection of mostly Costa Rican dishes.
I D.
July 6, 2025
The food was fresh and tasty but a bit differently prepared than what I was use to. Music was great, the beer was cold, and the service was nice and with a smile.
Twin T.
October 27, 2025
Perfect casual lunch spot close to shopping and nice hotels. Open to the street for a nice breeze but separated. Wide variety of food.
What to Expect
Features and amenities that make Restaurante El special
Outdoor Seating
Cocktails
Beer
Wine
Coffee
Family Friendly
Dog Friendly
Groups Welcome
Reservations
Practical Information
Everything you need to know before you visit
Payment Options
Parking
Accessibility
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