The Prado
1549 el prado in the house of hospitality, +1 619 557-9441, (http://www.cohnrestaurant...). lunch m-f 11:30am-3pm, sa sun 11am-3pm. dinner tu-su from 5pm onward. just about the only full-service restaurant in balboa park save for a couple of places in the zoo, the prado has a diverse menu with appetizers, salads, soups, seafood, pastas, and sandwiches. $11-$40.
Expect food to be overpriced in Balboa Park. Most food options in the park revolve around museum cafes, as there aren't many stand-alone restaurants in the park. You can find a cafe in the Casa de Balboa building, the House of Hospitality, the Natural History Museum, the Science Center, the Old Globe Theater, the Sports Museum, and the Museum of Art. A tea pavilion is located at the Japanese Friendship garden, just south of the House of Hospitality. There are also snack carts located around Balboa Park. The San Diego Zoo also provides a number of eating options.