Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Peninsula Seafood – San Francisco
Peninsula Seafood - San Francisco
Photo from Peninsula Seafood
Peninsula Seafood at a glance
San Francisco Chinatown
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 59 of the guests
#2341 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#271 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Average
4.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
330
Reviews
35.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality dim sum
- Local atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Billing issues
- Poor service
- Dated interior
The restaurant Peninsula Seafood is a welcoming Chinese restaurant nestled in the vibrant Chinatown neighborhood of San Francisco. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for any meal, whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
This spot is also thoughtfully designed with accessibility in mind, offering wheelchair accessible entrance and seating, ensuring everyone can enjoy a delightful dining experience.
Overview: Introducting Peninsula Seafood
Peninsula Seafood offers a mixed experience. Many appreciate the quality of their dim sum and other dishes, often finding the staff attentive and quick.
It’s a place where locals gather, suggesting a certain authenticity and a family-friendly atmosphere. However, some diners have raised concerns, particularly regarding billing practices.
Instances of being overcharged and the inclusion of an automatic tip without clear disclosure have been noted, which can detract from the overall dining experience.
Average
4.6
out of 10
330
Reviews
35.2%
Satisfaction
186
negative
28
neutral
116
positive
Peninsula Seafood holds an overall score of 4.6, placing it in the average range. However, Customer Satisfaction stands at a poor 35.2%, indicating a notable gap between the general rating and how patrons truly feel.
This discrepancy suggests that while some aspects might be acceptable, significant issues are impacting overall happiness. These insights are drawn from 330 customer remarks, with 116 positive comments and 186 negative ones.
Diving deeper, the Food (5.8) is considered average, suggesting it’s generally acceptable but not a standout. The Ambience (5.6) also falls into the average category, offering a functional but not particularly inspiring setting.
However, both Service (3.9) and Value (2.5) are rated poorly, highlighting areas that frequently disappoint. These lower scores are consistent with the higher volume of negative feedback received.
What people like
- Quality dim sum
- Local, family atmosphere
What people don't like
- Dishonest billing practices
- Slow, poor service
- Dated, unkempt interior
Peninsula Seafood presents a challenging choice. While some find the dim sum appealing and the atmosphere authentically local, the significant concerns around billing practices and service cannot be overlooked.
The Recommendation Score of 4.7 reflects this mixed sentiment. If you prioritize authentic Chinese food and are prepared to meticulously check your bill, it might be worth a visit.
However, if consistent service and transparent pricing are paramount, you might find yourself disappointed. Proceed with caution and clear expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Peninsula Seafood
Food (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.8 and customer satisfaction at 51.4%, based on 146 remarks. Many diners rave about the delicious dim sum, authentic Chinese dishes like spicy lobster and Mongolian Beef, and the generous portions, with 75 positive comments highlighting the quality and taste. However, not everyone leaves fully satisfied.
There are 59 negative remarks pointing to inconsistent food quality, with some dishes described as bland, soggy, or having small portions. Issues like tasteless items, poor quality ingredients, and specific dishes falling short suggest there's room for improvement in consistency.
Food
146
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
59
negative
12
neutral
75
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious dim sum
- Authentic Chinese dishes
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Bland, soggy dishes
- Small portions
Often praised
- foodBe careful to check your bill with them! We are here before checking the reviews and the food was good enough but we were supposed to be charged 41. 50 and she charged us 61.
- dim sumThis restaurant is a great spot for dim sum in Chinatown. I usually don’t encounter a line, even when visiting on a Saturday around lunchtime.
- Dim SumLoved every item we ordered. The Dim Sum
- FoodFood is good
- fried riceMongolian beef and fried rice everything was delicious!!
- mealBest meal I've had in America so far
- Black pepper beefBlack pepper beef were some of the best
- Chinese DimsumChinese Dimsum is good enough with some new styles available
- Chinese foodSome of the best Chinese food I have had
- Chinese-style broccolichinese-style broccoli
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was quite negative. The service was bad, and the food took too long to arrive. I constantly had to flag down the waiter.
- food qualityThe customer was in complete shock and left. The food quality was poor; a beef in soft rice noodle dish arrived with the wrong sauce, and the rest of the dim sum was mediocre. Service was slow, and we had to ask 3 times for water.
- teaTasteless from the tea to the rice.
- dim sumThe rest of the dim sum was mediocre
- radish cakeThe shrimp dumplings had a super soggy wrapping that made them impossible to pick up with chopsticks; they literally fell apart. The radish cake was only warm on one side and not crispy.
- BBQ porkBBQ pork was tough and dry
- BBQ pork bunsspring rolls and BBQ pork buns were essentially flavorless and dried out
- Bee’s Nest Taro PuffBee’s Nest Taro Puff which is kind sour
- Chinese broccoliChinese broccoli with oyster sauce had almost no oyster sauce
- FoodVery mediocre. Tasteless from the tea to the rice.
If youre craving classic dim sum and dont mind a bit of a gamble on other dishes, it might be worth a try. However, if consistency and high-quality across the board are your top priorities, you might find the food experience here a bit hit-or-miss.
Service (3.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 69% of the guests
When it comes to service, the feedback paints a picture with significant room for improvement, as reflected by a 3.9 score and a low 25.3% customer satisfaction. Despite this, a handful of guests (19 out of 75 opinions) did appreciate the quick service and found the waitresses and staff to be attentive and professional. However, the majority of experiences (49 negative opinions) highlight considerable challenges.
Many diners reported encountering rude staff, frustratingly long wait times, and feeling ignored. Issues like language barriers and staff having bad attitudes were also frequently mentioned.
Service
75
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
49
negative
7
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Service is quick
- Staff is attentive
What people don't like
- Staff is rude
- Long wait times
- Staff ignores guests
Often praised
- servicethe service is pretty quick
- customer servicethe customer service is amazing
- waitressesphenomenal waitresses that gives their recommendations
- ServiceService:5
- fulfilled all needs and expectationsthey really fulfilled all needed things and expectations
- lineusually isn’t a line
- staffstaff seems to really be on top of things
- waiterWaiter was nice
- waitressthe waitress was nice and attentive
- workersreally really professional workers
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was quite negative. The service was bad, and the food took too long to arrive. I constantly had to flag down the waiter.
- ServiceShe also added her tip without telling us. Service was slow due to only having 3 wait staff during the dinner rush on Chinese New Year.
- ignoring usThe worker lady was ignoring us
- waiterMy experience at the restaurant was challenging due to a significant language barrier. While the waiter was nice, they had no idea what we were saying! Lol
- waitressAdditionally, they charged us for tea, which is something they don't typically do. The waitress who served us was somewhat haughty. We absolutely do not recommend this place.
- Cantonese womanCantonese woman who works there yelled at me repeatedly
- Englishclaimed she couldn't speak English
- attitudegave me a bad attitude
- customer serviceIt seems that good treatment is reserved only for those who appear to speak Chinese. The customer service was extremely bad, and the food was very mediocre. To add insult to injury, this establishment is absolutely deceitful, as they added their own tip to the bill without consent or notice.
- dishonest businessThis felt very SHADY and GREEDY. DEFINITELY A BAD, DISHONEST BUSINESS AND SHOULD BE REPORTED.
If service is a top priority for you, this might not be your best bet. While some positive interactions exist, the overwhelming feedback points to significant issues, making it a potentially disappointing experience.
Ambience (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot offers a mixed bag, scoring an average 5.6. Still, 15 positive opinions out of 30 total highlight a pleasant atmosphere, often described as a family-friendly environment. Guests appreciate the quiet noise level, making it easy to talk, and many find it an authentic, clean restaurant.
On the flip side, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 50%, reflecting some notable drawbacks among the 13 negative comments. The decor is frequently mentioned as dated, with the dining room feeling tired. The bathrooms are a particular pain point, often described as messy and old, and some even noted an unpleasant smell of leftover food or wet carpet.
Ambience
30
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
13
negative
2
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Quiet noise level
- Clean environment
What people don't like
- Messy, old bathrooms
- Dated decor
- Unpleasant interior smell
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:4
- tablesEach table was covered with multilayered plastic tablecloths
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambienceeverything next to the concert was so good [food and ambient
- authentic restaurantglad that we went to an authentic restaurant
- customersNot too many customers in the morning
- family friendly environmentThis is a good little place! You can really tell it's a family friendly environment, and the staff seems to really be on top of things. The chicken foo young was phenomenal.
- localsKnew we picked a good spot when it was full of locals. Enjoyed cashew chicken and mu shu pork.
- locals like itlocals like it because of how they're always around
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
Frequently criticized
- decorDecor could use some updating - very dated
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- BathroomBathroom is kind of messy and old style
- ParkingParking will be a challenge
- authentic experiencepeople saying this is an “authentic” experience
- bathroomsThe food itself was mediocre at best. Additionally, the bathrooms were in rough shape, and the decor felt dated. Overall, there are much better dining options available, and I recommend going elsewhere.
- customersthe customers were terrible
- dining roomThe dining room is tired
- hole in the wall restaurantsusually love hole in the wall restaurants but in this case it’s just not worth it
- interiorInterior smells like wet carpet. It is in need of serious cleaning
If youre looking for a quiet, family-friendly spot and dont mind a bit of dated charm, this place might work for you. However, be prepared for potentially messy bathrooms and an interior that could use a refresh. It's a mixed experience, so manage your expectations.
Value (2.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a puzzle, with 79 customer observations painting a mixed picture. While a small number of guests (7) genuinely appreciated the affordable and great price options, leading to a surprisingly good customer satisfaction of 8.9, the overall sentiment around pricing is quite poor. The value score sits at a low 2.5, largely driven by 65 negative comments.
Many diners were caught off guard by mandatory tips, hidden prices, service charges, and incorrect bills. It seems you really need to scrutinize your bill here to avoid unexpected surprises.
Value
79
Reviews
8%
Satisfaction
65
negative
7
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable base prices
What people don't like
- Mandatory service fees
- Hidden charges
- Incorrect billing
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was really good for the price. It's clear that locals like it because it's always busy.
- food priceFood price is good too
- great pricewhich i think is a great price
- pricesthe prices are affordable
- single itemtheir single item is cheaper than other two
- value for moneyPreis/Leistungsverhältnis mäßig wirklich toll
Frequently criticized
- billMy experience at this restaurant was marred by fraudulent billing. They do not itemize your bill, and instead, they presented a bill where they overcharged me by $50-$60. I strongly advise anyone eating here to keep a running tab of what you order and its cost.
- tipWe never asked for rice; she asked what kind of rice we wanted. She also added her tip without telling us. Service was slow due to only having 3 wait staff during the dinner rush on Chinese New Year.
- pricecursing when he was not happy with the price
- tipstips are automatic and I have no choice
- dinner$100 for a super crazy dinner for 3 people with only 3 dishes
- overchargedthis place overcharged a ridiculous amount
- pricingIn the end, my meal ended up having an automatic 18 percent tip, which they never indicated anywhere. The food itself isn’t special; it’s just normal dim sum, which doesn’t at all make the pricing worth it. Looking through all the other past reviews from years ago, they have the same complaints, which shows they’ve been able to get away with this, and it needs to stop.
- teaThey added a dish to our order that we didn't request, and nobody ended up eating it because it was unappetizing. Additionally, they charged us for tea, which is something they don't typically do. The waitress who served us was somewhat haughty.
- $25 for an appetizer sized chow miencharged $25 for an appetizer sized chow mien
- 14% tipautomatically added a 14% tip when paying by card
If you're considering this spot, be prepared to meticulously check your bill for unexpected service charges or mandatory tips. While some find the base prices affordable, the potential for hidden fees means the final cost can be a real surprise. Proceed with caution and a keen eye on the numbers.
How are the prices at Peninsula Seafood?
You’re looking at roughly 39 per person – reported by 59 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is around 39, it’s interesting to see that many guests actually spend a bit less, with a good number of prices clustering in the $21–$30 range, suggesting a nice mix of options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 59 reviews.
Compare this restaurant’s value for money against similar places in San Francisco.
For a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, wed say the pricing feels fair. It offers a good mid-range experience, and its helpful to know there are options for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Peninsula Seafood
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Tour Group
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
2
Beware of Card Payment Scams
My experience at this restaurant was marred by an attempt to fiddle with card payments. While the food was okay and arrived in a reasonable time, the service during payment was highly suspect. The waitress initially tried to process a bill of $507.
10 instead of the correct $50. 71. When I questioned it, she then presented only tip options, claiming they were automatic and non-negotiable.
This escalated when a manager intervened and did the same. After a heated exchange, they eventually relented, and the tips were no longer automatic. I urge others to be vigilant when paying the bill, as it seems to be a tactic to overcharge unsuspecting tourists.
- food5
- card payments1
- bill1
- tip amounts1
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Hidden Fees and Unpleasant Surprise
Warning ⚠️, they will charge an extra service fee, plus 18% on tip. I suggest you choose another place. My ticket was $25, and the lady pushed it up to $39.
When I asked, she told me it was because of an extra charge of service for each person in our party of 3, plus an 18% tip. I can pay $200 for a good dinner, but I don't like when places like this steal any dollar from you by adding imaginary fees.
- extra service Fee1
- 18 % on Tip1
- extra charge of service1
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Overpriced and Underwhelming Experience
I rarely write reviews, but I felt compelled to share my experience at this restaurant. Like many others have noted, this place overcharged a ridiculous amount and automatically included the tip without any clear indication. The prices on both the regular and dim sum menus were suspiciously hidden.
Normally, when the quality is high, the price is justified, but here, as the reviews suggest, the food was below average. The service should have been a red flag from the start; the staff were constantly ignoring us and seemed to go out of their way to give us the least amount of attention possible. While I understand that San Francisco has high inflation, for the price paid, one would expect amazing food.
Those claiming this is an "authentic" experience are clearly trying to rationalize eating at this sorry excuse of a restaurant. I usually enjoy "hole in the wall" places, but this one is simply not worth it. I strongly advise going to other Chinese restaurants and avoiding this one at all costs!
- overcharged1
- automatically included the tip1
- hidden prices2
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Hidden Fees and Average Dim Sum
I rarely have harsh reviews for restaurants, and I don't want to be too negative for small businesses, but how this restaurant operates needs to be exposed. First off, they hide the dim sum prices and don't show you what they're charging. In the end, my meal ended up having an automatic 18 percent tip, which they never indicated anywhere.
The food itself isn’t special; it’s just normal dim sum, which doesn’t at all make the pricing worth it. Looking through all the other past reviews from years ago, they have the same complaints, which shows they’ve been able to get away with this, and it needs to stop. The service was eh; the male server who seemed to be the manager was good at paying attention, but the rest of the staff was ignoring me left and right.
Definitely not worth an 18 percent tip! There are plenty of other places nearby to eat at, so save the trouble and go there.
- food5
- service5
- dim sum prices2
- automatic 18 percent tip1
- pricing2
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Overpriced and Poor Service
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. The food was mediocre, and the service was bad. To make matters worse, the pricing was ridiculous, with the establishment overcharging for everything and attempting to conceal it.
I would advise others to save their money and patronize the other small businesses in Chinatown, where you can at least expect decent food, even if it's also overpriced.
- decent food5
- food2
- service1
- pricing1
What Peninsula Seafood offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Peninsula Seafood Restaurant accessible for all guests?
Yes, Peninsula Seafood is committed to inclusivity. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating, ensuring a comfortable dining experience for everyone. They also provide high chairs for families with children.
What dining options and services does Peninsula Seafood Restaurant offer?
At Peninsula Seafood, you can enjoy a variety of dining options, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner with table service. They also accept reservations, making it easy for you to plan your visit. Takeout is available if you prefer to enjoy your meal elsewhere.
How does Peninsula Seafood rate overall, and what are its strengths and weaknesses?
Peninsula Seafood holds an overall score of 4.6. Its Food (5.8) and Ambience (5.6) are average, but Service (3.9) and Value (2.5) are areas needing significant improvement.
What do customers say about the food at Peninsula Seafood?
While some find the dim sum and other dishes quite good, others describe the food quality as inconsistent or mediocre, with specific complaints about certain items being tasteless or poorly prepared.
Should I be concerned about the billing practices at Peninsula Seafood?
Yes, many customers have reported being overcharged or having automatic tips added to their bill without prior notification. It’s advisable to carefully review your bill before paying.