Highlights
- Great dessert
- Great coffee
- Great wine list
oChef » Parallel 37 – San Francisco
Parallel 37 - San Francisco
Photo from Parallel 37
Parallel 37 at a glance
San Francisco South of Market
- 🍔 American Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $51–$60
mentioned by 11 of the guests
#1154 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#47 American Restaurant out of 121 in San Francisco
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
139
Reviews
74.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Attentive service
- Quality cuisine
Frequently criticized
- High cost
- Ambiance issues
The restaurant Parallel 37, an exquisite American Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant South of Market neighborhood, invites you to a truly memorable dining experience. You’ll discover an upscale, romantic, and cozy atmosphere, perfect for enjoying their highly-praised great dessert.
This trendy spot is ideal for any occasion, from a casual lunch to a special dinner, offering a fantastic wine list and great coffee to complement your meal.
Overview: Introducting Parallel 37
Parallel 37 offers a dining experience where thoughtful service often shines, with staff going the extra mile for special occasions. While the food receives considerable praise for its quality and preparation, some aspects of the dining environment can feel less refined.
However, guests should be mindful of the cost, as the value proposition is a recurring point of contention. Despite some concerns about the setting and certain menu items, many find the culinary offerings to be a highlight, making it a place with distinct strengths and areas for improvement.
Good
7.5
out of 10
139
Reviews
74.8%
Satisfaction
24
negative
11
neutral
104
positive
Parallel 37 holds a respectable overall score of 7.5, indicating a generally good dining experience. Customer satisfaction stands at 74.8%, aligning well with the overall positive sentiment.
With 139 customer remarks, including 104 positive and 24 negative observations, there’s a solid foundation for these assessments. The culinary offerings are a strong point, with Food scoring (7.8), reflecting many positive comments on dishes like the 32 Day Dry Aged Ribeye and Sashimi of Hamachi.
Service also performs well at (8.4), often described as friendly and attentive. Ambience is rated (7.6), generally appreciated for its decor, but Value (4.4) is a clear area for improvement, frequently cited for its high prices.
What people like
- Exceptional service gestures
- High-quality main dishes
- Pleasant decor and setting
What people don't like
- High price point
- Inconsistent ambiance lighting
- Subpar breakfast coffee
For those seeking a refined meal with attentive service and standout main courses, Parallel 37 presents a compelling option. The restaurant earns a solid recommendation score of 7.7, suggesting it’s generally a worthwhile visit, especially if the culinary experience is your top priority.
However, be prepared for a significant investment, as the value proposition is a consistent concern. If you prioritize an intimate atmosphere or are sensitive to pricing, you might find aspects less appealing.
Consider it for special occasions where excellent food and service take precedence.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Parallel 37
Food (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
The food here generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at a strong 80.5%. Many guests rave about the excellent flavors, beautiful food presentation, and impressive tasting menus, especially the delightful desserts. Out of 77 total comments, 62 were glowing about the culinary experience.
However, not all experiences are perfect. Some diners noted a decline in quality, citing inferior ingredients and occasional poor presentation. The coffee often receives criticism for being downright bad, and a few found the menu limited, with even basic items like bread sometimes missing.
Food
77
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
8
negative
7
neutral
62
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent flavors
- Beautiful presentation
- Delicious desserts
What people don't like
- Bad coffee
- Inferior ingredients
- Limited menu
Often praised
- food5 stars for all of it: the food
- breakfastWe have been staying here overnight from Saturday to Sunday for some years, attending SF Opera and having Sunday breakfast. The Ritz used to offer either a free breakfast or points for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum members, and we always chose the breakfast, which before the pandemic was excellent and beautifully presented. The coffee was downright bad, tasting as if it had been sitting on a burner for some time; but I could order tea.
- wine selectionThe service is casual and unpretentious, and the portions are perfectly sized, focusing on a 3-course experience rather than an overwhelming amount. They also have a great wine selection and pairing. I consider it an understated hidden gem in SF.
- 32 DAY DRY AGED RIBEYE32 DAY DRY AGED RIBEYE ... Wow. Just the most tender, perfectly aged and grilled steak, heaven in every bite.
- 6 coursesI Loved all 6 course.
- Chef's menuShe was RIGHT I Loved all 6 course.
- Fair GameFair Game which was great
- HAND CUT LINGUINIHAND CUT LINGUINI ... Very nice. ... still well balanced and flavorful.
- LambLamb and pork loin was amazing
- SASHIMI OF HAMACHISASHIMI OF HAMACHI ... Bomb dot com. The sashimi melts in your mouth, so tender and fresh.
Frequently criticized
- coffeeThe Ritz used to offer either a free breakfast or points for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum members, and we always chose the breakfast, which before the pandemic was excellent and beautifully presented. The coffee was downright bad, tasting as if it had been sitting on a burner for some time; but I could order tea. The Ritz no longer offers the free breakfast, and the food has taken a sharp turn for the worse--inferior ingredients, zero attention to plating.
- foodThe coffee was downright bad, tasting as if it had been sitting on a burner for some time; but I could order tea. The Ritz no longer offers the free breakfast, and the food has taken a sharp turn for the worse--inferior ingredients, zero attention to plating. The coffee is still terrible.
- breadnot even a piece of bread!
- menuMenu was very limited
- presentationserved with poor presentation. The meat looked limp and unappealing
- room for improvementHowever, the tuna tartare was just average, and the salad, while good, was overdressed. Overall, there is a lot of room for improvement.
Overall, the food here is a good bet, especially if youre looking for well-crafted dishes and excellent flavors. While some aspects like the coffee or occasional presentation issues might disappoint, the high satisfaction suggests youll likely have a great meal.
Service (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines with a fantastic 8.4 score and an impressive 85.7% customer satisfaction! Guests consistently rave about the attentive, friendly staff and the great, often world-class service. Many appreciate the personal touches, like handwritten cards and little surprises, making every visit feel special.
With 24 positive remarks, its clear the team goes above and beyond. However, its not entirely flawless. A couple of guests (2 out of 28 comments) did experience some hiccups, mentioning instances of bad service due to being understaffed.
There were also notes about a decline in consistency for specific requests, suggesting that while generally excellent, there might be occasional slips in attention to detail. These are minor points, but worth noting.
Service
28
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
2
negative
2
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Personalized guest touches
- World-class service
What people don't like
- Occasional understaffing
- Inconsistent service delivery
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant for our anniversary was a mixed bag. The service was excellent, and they even provided a complimentary glass of champagne and a small dessert to celebrate our special occasion. However, the food was moderate, and the ambiance was poor.
- staffSuper friendly down to earth staff
- casual serviceambiance, casual service
- chefThe chef was very hands on
- great servicealways expect the great service from the Ritz
- handwritten cardthey gave us a hand written card signed by the staff 💕
- little touchesit's the little touches the hostess greeted us and remembered our name
- pastry chefShe looks like she enjoys her work alot
- personalMega nettes Personal
- responseRéponse rapide par mail
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service used to be excellent--we had a standing note for a tea kettle and mugs to be put in our room, and this used to happen. No longer--we called the desk on the last two occasions of our stays, and they were never brought up. Points off.
Overall, the service here is a major highlight, with guests frequently praising the attentive and personal approach. While there are a couple of isolated reports of understaffing or inconsistency, these seem to be exceptions. If you value excellent, personalized service, this place is definitely worth a visit.
Ambience (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! With a good score of 7.6 and 77.8% customer satisfaction, many guests rave about the beautiful setting, cute place, and chic atmosphere. Out of 18 total comments, 14 were positive, highlighting the lovely decor and even a perfect noise factor, making it a top-notch experience.
However, not everyone was completely charmed. A few of the 4 negative remarks pointed out that the ambiance was poor, with overly bright lighting creating an atmosphere more akin to a hotel buffet than a cozy dining experience. Some felt something was missing, suggesting there's room for improvement in creating a more satisfying feel.
Ambience
18
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Beautiful setting
- Chic atmosphere
- Perfect noise factor
What people don't like
- Poor ambiance
- Overly bright lighting
- Hotel buffet feel
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was also top-notch
- ambiancethe ambiance is not as grand as the lounge, but it clean, attractive, and pleasant
- ambienceThe setting of this restaurant located at the Ritz is beautiful!
- decor5 stars for all of it: the decor
- decor and ambianceThe decor and ambiance were nice
- hidden gemThey also have a great wine selection and pairing. I consider it an understated hidden gem in SF. I've dined here twice, and both meals and the service were excellent and consistent.
- neighborhoodin a great neighborhood!
- noise factornoise factor was perfect
- placeSuch a cute place!
- restaurant ambianceso was the restaurant
Frequently criticized
- ambianceambiance was poor. The lighting was overly bright
- atmosphereatmosphere was more hotel buffet
- experiencesomething was missing from the experience to make me feel satisfied
- lightingHowever, the food was moderate, and the ambiance was poor. The lighting was overly bright, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a hotel buffet than a cozy, romantic setting.
If youre looking for a generally beautiful and chic setting with a good noise level, youll likely enjoy the atmosphere here. However, if bright lighting and a less intimate feel are dealbreakers for you, you might find the ambiance a bit lacking.
Value (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners have found reasons to smile, with 4 positive pieces of feedback out of 16 total comments. Many appreciate the overall cost and dinner value, noting that the cost is worth the presentation and work and its often considered the best all-around dinner value for your buck. Some even found it affordable and felt its worth it.
The overall score for value sits at an average 4.4. However, the picture isnt entirely rosy, with 10 negative remarks painting a different story. Many felt the restaurant was overpriced, citing insane prices and concerns about money and service tax.
With a customer satisfaction of only 25%, which is considered poor, its clear that for many, the experience left them feeling super underwhelmed and they didnt get their moneys worth for the cost.
Value
16
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
10
negative
2
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Best dinner value
- Worth the cost
What people don't like
- Way too overpriced
- Not worth money
- Insane prices
Often praised
- costCost is worth the presentation and work
- dinner valuebest all-around dinner value for your buck
- happy hourfound that it was affordable
- priceit's worth it.
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at the restaurant left me feeling super underwhelmed. While I might have ordered incorrectly, for the price and location, I was expecting a lot more. The cheese plate was very good, with delicious options and a honey foam that was really interesting.
- pricesI had an excellent experience here, but the prices are outlandish! With so much delicious food in San Francisco, I'd recommend coming here with a hotel credit and trying it because the food is good.
- insane pricesWith so much delicious food in San Francisco, I'd recommend coming here with a hotel credit and trying it because the food is good. Without a hotel credit, I'd skip it, as it's not worth the insane prices.
- mealstheir overpriced meals
- moneyshelling out the money for a restaurant in the Ritz
- overpricedit's definitely overpriced. A way too much overpriced
- service taxtheir imposed high service / large table tax
- value for moneyfor the cost, you won't get nearly your money's worth
If youre looking for an affordable meal, this spot might be a hit or miss, as opinions on value are quite divided. While some find it worth the cost, many others feel its significantly overpriced, especially without a hotel credit.
How are the prices at Parallel 37?
You’re looking at roughly 55 per person – reported by 11 diners. That puts it in the $51–$60 category. For an American Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, prices are quite spread out. Some guests enjoy a more budget-friendly meal, while others opt for a more premium experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 11 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for an American Restaurant in San Francisco. It seems to offer options for different budgets, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Parallel 37
Price per Person
- $81–$90
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Good food, but too expensive
I had an excellent experience here, but the prices are outlandish! With so much delicious food in San Francisco, I'd recommend coming here with a hotel credit and trying it because the food is good. Without a hotel credit, I'd skip it, as it's not worth the insane prices.
- food9
- prices2
- insane prices1
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
9
Excellent Service and Delicious Food!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The team was top-notch and very attentive. My takeaway order was prepared on time, and I received a quick response via email.
The food was also delicious. Overall, a really great experience! :)
- team10
- takeaway order9
- response9
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
9
Exquisite Experience Worth the Splurge
My experience at this restaurant was overall exquisite. The service was amazing, complemented by a lovely atmosphere and decor. I had the best omelet of my life, and the pancakes had a perfect texture with a wonderful flavor combination.
The fresh orange juice and cappuccino were both absolutely stellar. While it is expensive, costing $120 including tip for two, it's worth it if you can afford it. Dining credits through Bonvoy helped offset the cost.
A special touch was the hostess greeting us and remembering our names upon departure.
- service10
- atmosphere9
- omelet10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
9
Great Ritz Location, Good Food
My experience at this restaurant, located within the Ritz, was positive. It was eligible for me to use my $40 guest food credit. The food was good, earning a 4 out of 5.
The service was excellent, rated at 5 out of 5, and the atmosphere was also top-notch with a score of 5 out of 5. The price per person was between $20–30.
- food8
- service10
- atmosphere10
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Beautiful Place, Overpriced Food
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The atmosphere was beautiful, and the food was good, earning a solid 4 out of 5. However, I agree with other reviewers that it is definitely overpriced, perhaps even too much so.
I believe the service and the presentation of the food should be elevated to match the price point.
- atmosphere10
- food8
- service6
- overpriced2
What Parallel 37 offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Brunch reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Checks
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Atmosphere
- Upscale
- Romantic
- Cozy
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options does Parallel 37 offer?
You’ll discover an upscale, romantic, cozy, and trendy atmosphere at Parallel 37. Dining options include breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, all with comfortable seating and table service. Their celebrated dessert menu is a highlight you won’t want to miss.
Are there accessible options and family-friendly features at Parallel 37?
Yes, Parallel 37 offers wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms for your convenience. It’s also good for kids, providing high chairs for families. For those with pets, dogs are welcome in the designated outside dining areas.
What is the overall dining experience like at Parallel 37?
Parallel 37 generally offers a good dining experience, with an overall score of 7.5. Food is rated 7.8, Service 8.4, and Ambience 7.6, while Value stands at 4.4.
What do customers particularly enjoy about Parallel 37?
Guests frequently praise the attentive and personal service, often noting special touches like complimentary champagne or handwritten cards. The food, especially dishes like the 32 Day Dry Aged Ribeye and Sashimi of Hamachi, also receives high marks for quality.
Are there any common criticisms regarding Parallel 37?
The primary concern for many diners is the value, with prices often described as high or overpriced. Some also note issues with the ambiance, citing overly bright lighting, and specific menu items like the breakfast coffee have received negative feedback.