Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Palmyra – San Francisco
Palmyra - San Francisco
Photo from Palmyra
Palmyra at a glance
San Francisco Western Addition
- 🥙 Syrian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 99 of the guests
#146 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#1 Syrian Restaurant out of 1 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
550
Reviews
91.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great service
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Long waits
- Dry chicken
The restaurant Palmyra brings authentic Syrian flavors to San Francisco’s vibrant Western Addition neighborhood. You’ll discover a welcoming spot where healthy options and vegan choices are readily available, ensuring there’s something delicious for every palate.
This Syrian restaurant also prides itself on its accessibility, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance for all guests. Whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Palmyra offers a casual and comfortable dining experience.
Overview: Introducting Palmyra
Palmyra offers a generally positive dining experience, with many guests praising the warm hospitality and attentive staff. The food receives consistent acclaim, often described as fresh and delicious, making it a reliable choice for Mediterranean cuisine.
However, some visits have seen minor issues, such as occasional wait times for orders and a few comments about the seating. Despite these small points, the overall impression points to a welcoming establishment.
Excellent
8.7
out of 10
550
Reviews
91.3%
Satisfaction
36
negative
12
neutral
502
positive
Palmyra earns a solid overall score of 8.7, reflecting a generally good experience for most patrons. This is further supported by an excellent Customer Satisfaction rate of 91.3%, indicating that the vast majority of diners leave content.
These figures are drawn from a substantial 550 customer observations, with 502 positive remarks outweighing 36 negative ones. Delving into specifics, Service stands out as excellent (9.2), often highlighted for its welcoming nature.
Ambience (8.7) and Food (8.6) also score well, suggesting a pleasant environment and satisfying dishes. While Value (8.1) is good, it’s slightly lower than the other aspects, yet still contributes positively to the overall impression.
What people like
- Exceptional service and hospitality
- Fresh, delicious falafel and shawarma
- Very reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Occasional wait times
- Some dry chicken dishes
- Inaccurate opening times
If you’re seeking a place with genuinely warm service and consistently satisfying Mediterranean fare, Palmyra is certainly worth considering. Its strong Recommendation Score of 8.9 suggests many diners would happily return, especially those who appreciate good value.
While minor inconsistencies like occasional wait times or specific dish preparations might arise, they don’t overshadow the overall positive experience. Palmyra offers a reliable and enjoyable meal, making it a solid choice for a casual outing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Palmyra
Food (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines! With an impressive score of 8.6 and a customer satisfaction of 89.9%, it's clear diners are consistently delighted. Based on 319 positive remarks, guests rave about the authentic Syrian flavors, especially praising the delicious falafel, Syrian shawarma, and creamy hummus.
Many highlight the fresh ingredients and generous portion sizes, making every meal a satisfying experience. However, out of 355 total remarks, 26 comments point to a few areas for improvement. Some patrons occasionally found the chicken to be dry or overcooked, and a few mentioned that certain desserts were overly sweet.
There were also isolated instances of inconsistent portion sizes or specific dishes not meeting expectations, like the Syrian wrap.
Food
355
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
26
negative
10
neutral
319
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Syrian flavors
- Fresh, delicious food
- Excellent falafel & hummus
What people don't like
- Dry or overcooked meat
- Inconsistent portion sizes
- Desserts overly sweet
Often praised
- foodMy experience at Palmyra was incredibly positive. It's a yummy place with consistently great food and service. I especially loved their falafel, which I'd describe as goated.
- hummusI've been a loyal customer for years, and their falafels are always freshly made and served piping hot. They are perfectly complemented by delicious hummus and cucumber salad. I also love their shawarma wraps, and the platters and rotisserie chicken meals are great to share.
- falafelMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, primarily due to their greatest falafel in the world. I'm not typically a falafel enthusiast, but the falafel here is so so good.
- baklavaI also love their shawarma wraps, and the platters and rotisserie chicken meals are great to share. I always make sure to get a few extra falafel and baklava to go.
- falafelsMy experience at Palmyra has been consistently excellent, especially for their absolute favorite falafels. I've been a loyal customer for years, and their falafels are always freshly made and served piping hot.
- shawarmaMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially when it came to their shawarma. The reviewer stated, "Their shawarma cannot get any better! " For those who prefer a specific shawarma build, the reviewer shared a helpful tip: "If you want a shawarma just with pickle, chicken, garlic sauce and fries, ask for Syrian!
- FoodFood was rated a 4 out of 5
- Mediterranean foodbest Mediterranean food I've ever tasted
- lamb shawarmaGreat lamb shawarma’s tasted several other dishes
- garlic sauceThe falafels were incredibly tender, truly melt-in-your-mouth. They were served with an amazing garlic sauce and hot sauce, which complemented the falafels perfectly. The service was also excellent, and I felt very welcome throughout my meal.
Frequently criticized
- chickenthe chicken in the Chicken Shawarma Platter was a bit dry
- meatlater found out they sell beer and wine in that same store, which means the restaurant provides haram stuff
- portion sizePorsion was smaller than usual in US.
- Chicken ShawarmaChicken Shawarma was bad - chicken tasted a day old
- Syrian wrapThe Syrian wrap was a major disappointment.
- all the ordersAll the orders have changed
- amount of foodThe food was overcooked and hard to chew. Additionally, the price felt too high compared to the amount of food served.
- beer and winethey sell beer and wine in that same store, which means the restaurant provides haram stuff
- boiled potatoesIt was filled with 60% boiled potatoes (instead of fries).
- chicken shawarma platterThe quantity of everything in the platter was very small for the price.
If you're seeking authentic, fresh Syrian cuisine with standout falafel and hummus, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that while generally excellent, there might be occasional inconsistencies with meat dryness or dessert sweetness.
Service (9.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.2 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 95.6%, its clear guests feel well taken care of. Out of 113 comments, a whopping 108 rave about the incredibly friendly staff, the welcoming vibe, and the exceptional owner and staff, often highlighting their genuine hospitality.
However, its not entirely without its minor hiccups. A handful of the 113 comments (just 5, to be exact) did mention concerns about waiting time and occasional issues with takeout service. While these instances seem rare, its something to keep in mind if youre in a rush.
Service
113
Reviews
95%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
108
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Excellent hospitality
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Takeout service issues
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was truly exceptional. It's a neighborhood gem offering fantastic quality and service. The food here brought back vivid memories of traveling to Damascus as a child and the amazing meals I ate in Syria.
- staffThe staff (Br Yasir) was incredibly welcoming and attentive
- ServiceI found it to be a great place to go for lunch and dinner. While the food and atmosphere were rated a 4 out of 5, and the service also received a 4, I was unsure about their evening closing time. The Lamb Kebab was a recommended dish, and the price per person was between $10–20.
- peopleThe people there were all incredibly kind and accommodating
- ownerI absolutely loved the place. The owner is the nicest man, and the food is truly delicious. I highly recommend the whole chicken; it's perfectly crispy on the outside and incredibly juicy inside, which I can only describe as sheer heaven.
- welcomeThis is a small restaurant with a very good welcome, perfect for enjoying Mediterranean food. I had the tomato salad, tabbouleh, and falafel, all at a reasonable price.
- deliveryPalmyra catered our luncheon for 25 people, and it was a fantastic experience. The food was delicious, and the delivery was spot-on. The staff was pleasant and helpful throughout the event.
- hospitalityThank you for the hospitality.
- Middle Eastern hospitalityI highly recommend this spot if you want to be well-fed and taken care of. It's a perfect example of why Middle Eastern hospitality is top tier💅🏼.
- StaffStaff (owners?) were so welcoming and accommodating.
Frequently criticized
- lieNo need for them to lie
- opening timeSaying they open at 9am, at 9:30am it was closed
- take out serviceService for take out was not
- wait timeI waited 25 minutes for one kebab plate
- waiting timeI waited for 15 minutes
Overall, if you value a warm welcome and genuinely kind people, this spot is definitely worth a visit. You can expect top-notch hospitality, though be prepared for a potential short wait during busy times, especially for takeout.
Ambience (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
Lets talk vibes! The ambience here is definitely a highlight, scoring a solid 8.7 and boasting an excellent 94.3% customer satisfaction. With 50 positive remarks out of 53 total, its clear most folks love the atmosphere, finding it a cozy place with spacious seating and a generally calm environment.
Many describe it as welcoming, homey, and even funky, making it a local favorite. However, a couple of observations suggest there's a tiny bit of room for improvement. Out of 53 comments, only 2 were negative, touching on minor points like the signage needing to be more visible and some of the seats showing a bit of wear and tear.
Nothing major, but worth a note.
Ambience
53
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
2
negative
1
neutral
50
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, inviting atmosphere
- Spacious seating
- Calm environment
What people don't like
- Worn seats
- Poor signage
Often praised
- atmosphereI had the falafel platter, and everything was incredibly fresh, well-made, and simply yummy. The staff was lovely, and I really enjoyed the casual, order-at-the-counter, and easy-going atmosphere.
- AtmosphereI found it to be a great place to go for lunch and dinner. While the food and atmosphere were rated a 4 out of 5, and the service also received a 4, I was unsure about their evening closing time. The Lamb Kebab was a recommended dish, and the price per person was between $10–20.
- placethe place is spacious
- environmentThe restaurant offers a cozy and inviting environment
- Mediterranean atmosphereune atmosphère bien méditerranéenne
- ambiancewarm, Syrian-inspired ambiance enhances the experience
- authentic placegreat and authentic place
- boothI had the crescent shaped booth all to myself
- calm environmentcalm envoirment which I like d it.
- casual atmospherecasual atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- seatsthe seats have been well worn and need a bit of work
- signageif you can make your signage any bigger or more visible
If youre looking for a spot with a great atmosphere, this place is definitely worth checking out. Youll likely find it cozy, spacious, and inviting, perfect for a relaxed meal. Just don't expect brand-new seating or super prominent signage.
Value (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! Customers consistently rave about the affordable and reasonably priced dishes, often describing them as great value and even inexpensive. With a solid score of 8.1 and customer satisfaction at a fantastic 86.2%, its clear most diners feel theyre getting a lot for their money, based on 25 positive remarks.
However, out of 29 total opinions, a few voices mention that the price sometimes felt a bit high for the portion size. These 3 negative comments suggest that while generally excellent, there might be specific dishes where the quantity doesn't quite match the cost.
Value
29
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great value
- Reasonably priced food
What people don't like
- Small portions for price
Often praised
- priceThis shows they truly care about their customers. The food is solid, reasonable, and healthy. I'll definitely be back, largely because of their awesome attitudes.
- pricesthe prices are very reasonable
- affordableMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful! I enjoyed delicious Syrian food that was affordable for the neighborhood. The warm service truly reminded me of Damascus.
- Price per personWhile the food and atmosphere were rated a 4 out of 5, and the service also received a 4, I was unsure about their evening closing time. The Lamb Kebab was a recommended dish, and the price per person was between $10–20.
- Reasonably pricedReasonably priced
- great valuesuch a great value
- inexpensivehow inexpensive the food was.
- reasonable priceMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful. I enjoyed the delicious fresh food, which was also at a very reasonable price. I loved this place and will definitely be back again.
- super fair pricesThey offer all around Super fair prices
- valueincredible value
Frequently criticized
- priceThe quantity of everything in the platter was very small for the price.
- portion sizePortion is smaller for the price.
If you're looking for a place where your money goes a long way, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Most diners find the prices incredibly fair for the quality, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious foodies. Just be mindful that a couple of dishes might have smaller portions than expected for their cost.
How are the prices at Palmyra?
You’re looking at roughly 18 $ per person – reported by 99 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Syrian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most folks stick to this $11–$20 sweet spot, showing a clear focus on consistent pricing, with only a handful venturing into higher-priced dishes.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 99 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Syrian Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers good value without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for a delicious meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Palmyra
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Syrian Food & Welcoming Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. The food was absolutely delicious, and the staff treated me like I was at home, making them very friendly. The tables were large, and the space was pleasant.
They also offer a great variety of Syrian dishes on their menu.
- food10
- staff10
- tables8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
8
Delicious Falafel Wrap & Friendly Service
I would definitely come back here and get the falafel wrap again! It offered a great combination of flavors and textures, making it very enjoyable. I ordered online for pickup and noted my allergy; the man behind the cash register was good about checking in with me, ensuring I felt secure in my order.
I could tell the service is very friendly and personable. Although I was in a rush, I would have engaged in a chat if I had more time. The restaurant has lots of indoor seating and a bit of outdoor seating.
A suggestion for the business: if you could make your signage bigger and more visible, especially being on a corner, I think it would attract more business. I followed Google Maps but still walked right past it and had to backtrack because the signage wasn't very visible. Another friend who frequents this area mentioned she's been around a lot of places and never knew a Mediterranean place was nearby.
You have great food – advertise more boldly if possible!
- falafel wrap9
- combination of flavors and textures9
- man behind the cash register9
- signage3
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
10
Amazing Value and Service!
My experience at this restaurant was a 10/5! It was a true treat to find a place offering such wonderful service, quality food, and incredible value in the city. I can't wait to come back all the time.
I only wish they had more locations or offered delivery. Well done!
- service10
- quality food10
- value10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Food, Welcoming Atmosphere
I highly recommend this restaurant! I visit often because it offers great food, kind hosts, and ample space/seating. It's a very comfortable place to eat, sit and read, or chat with friends.
I've tried the rotisserie chicken, lamb shawarma, and kofta platter – all were delicious, though my personal favorite is the lamb shawarma. A special shout out goes to the cashier worker/server who is always warm, smiling, and extremely welcoming! I really appreciate his kindness and hard work.
The owner is also lovely.
- rotisserie chicken8
- lamb shawarma10
- kofta platter8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Flavorful Halal Mediterranean Cuisine!
My experience at this restaurant was incredibly flavorful! I had their rotisserie and shawarma, and everything was so good and full of taste. The staff was also very humble and cordial.
I would definitely recommend this place if you are looking for authentic halal Mediterranean cuisine!
- rotisserie9
- shawarma9
- authentic halal Mediterranean cuisine10
What Palmyra offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dietary options and beverages can you find at Palmyra?
At Palmyra, you’ll discover a diverse menu featuring healthy options, vegan options, and vegetarian options to suit various dietary preferences. To complement your meal, the restaurant offers a selection of wine, beer, and coffee, alongside small plates perfect for sharing.
What service options and accessibility features does Palmyra offer?
Palmyra provides convenient service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, and dine-in. For accessibility, you’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests.
What are the standout features of Palmyra?
Palmyra is frequently praised for its exceptional service and warm hospitality, alongside its fresh and delicious falafel and shawarma.
Is Palmyra considered good value for money?
Yes, many customers highlight Palmyra’s very reasonable prices, making it an affordable option for quality Mediterranean food.
How does Palmyra rate overall, and what are its key strengths?
Palmyra holds a strong overall score of **8.7**. Its highest marks are for **Service** (9.2), followed by **Ambience** (8.7) and **Food** (8.6), with **Value** also scoring well at (8.1).