Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Sweet Lime – San Francisco
Sweet Lime - San Francisco
Photo from Sweet Lime
Sweet Lime at a glance
San Francisco Lower Pacific Heights
- 🌶️ Thai Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 55 of the guests
#482 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#9 Thai Restaurant out of 46 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
399
Reviews
84.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic flavors
- Attentive staff
- Clean atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- High prices
- Kitchen cleanliness
The restaurant Sweet Lime is a delightful Thai restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Lower Pacific Heights. You’ll discover a cozy and casual spot perfect for a relaxed meal.
Beyond the authentic flavors, you’ll appreciate their great tea selection, offering a unique complement to your dining experience. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner, this welcoming establishment promises a memorable visit.
Overview: Introducting Sweet Lime
Sweet Lime offers a compelling experience, primarily driven by its flavorful Thai cuisine. Many guests appreciate the authentic Thai dishes and the overall quality of the food, which often leaves a lasting impression.
However, some experiences with service have been less consistent, occasionally leading to frustration. The atmosphere at Sweet Lime is generally well-received, described as clean and inviting, contributing positively to the dining experience.
While the price is often considered fair for the quality, a few patrons have found certain items a bit expensive, suggesting a slight inconsistency in perceived value.
Excellent
8.2
out of 10
399
Reviews
84.7%
Satisfaction
50
negative
11
neutral
338
positive
Sweet Lime achieves a solid overall score of 8.2 out of 10, indicating a good dining experience, complemented by a strong 84.7% customer satisfaction rate. This positive sentiment is drawn from 338 positive remarks against 50 negative ones, out of 399 total customer comments.
The Food (8.6) stands out as the highest-rated aspect, consistently praised for its quality and taste. The Ambience (8.1) also contributes significantly to the positive experience, creating a pleasant setting for diners.
While Service (7.7) is generally good, it shows some room for improvement compared to the top categories. The Value (5.1) score, however, sits in the average range, suggesting that while many find it reasonable, it’s not a universal highlight for all patrons.
What people like
- Authentic Thai flavors
- Attentive, kind staff
- Inviting, clean atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service speed
- Perceived high prices
- Kitchen cleanliness concerns
If you’re seeking authentic and flavorful Thai food in a pleasant setting, Sweet Lime is certainly worth considering. The strong 8.5 recommendation score reflects a generally positive consensus, particularly for those prioritizing culinary quality and a welcoming atmosphere.
However, be mindful that service can occasionally be inconsistent, and some menu items might feel a bit pricey. It’s a good choice for a satisfying meal, but managing expectations regarding service speed or specific item costs could enhance your visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Sweet Lime
Food (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines, boasting a 8.6 score and a fantastic 89.9% customer satisfaction. Diners consistently rave about the vibrant authentic flavors and creative delicious dishes, with many highlighting excellent gluten-free options and generous portions. From beloved curries to the famous Pad Thai and Khao Soi, the culinary experience here is a definite hit, based on 214 positive remarks.
However, a few diners, in 19 negative comments, noted some minor hiccups. Concerns occasionally arose regarding small dessert portions, particularly for the mango sticky rice, and some found the rice quality or cost to be a slight letdown. A couple of experiences mentioned overcooked meat or a weak Thai Ice Tea, suggesting there's a little room for fine-tuning.
Food
238
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
19
negative
5
neutral
214
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Vibrant authentic flavors
- Creative delicious dishes
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Small dessert portions
- Inconsistent rice quality
- Weak Thai tea
Often praised
- foodI couldn’t help but lick the plate because the flavors were out of this world, perfectly balanced, and left me craving more. This place has redefined my expectations for great food. I would pair it with a nice wine, and the dessert is a must-try, not heavy at all.
- Thai foodit was very tasty, similar to the local food in Thailand
- dishesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! We were absolutely blown away by the fresh and flavorful dishes. Each dish was clearly made and presented with care.
- Pad ThaiPad Thai and Pad See Ew were both great
- Khao SoiI ordered the Khao Soi and it was pretty good
- portionsThe portions are enormous, enough to feed around 2 people
- FoodFood:5
- Pad Kee Maohighly recommend the Pad Kee Mao
- curriesThe curries at this Thai restaurant are some of the best I've ever had.
- green currygreen curry were some of our highlights
Frequently criticized
- foodFood wasn't that good either.
- riceMy rice wasn't even brown, it was purple.
- Papaya saladSalad was bad
- Thai Ice TeaThe Thai Ice Tea is kind of watered down here
- Thai yellow curryThai curry had potatoes and carrots and the taste was not worth the money
- Yellow Curry Lambthe taste was a bit of a disappointment for me.
- egg noodlesI wish that they gave more egg noodles
- food qualityfood quality was very bad
- green curryI don’t recommend curry
- jasmine riceRice was burnt and not at all jasmine rice
If youre looking for a place with genuinely delicious and authentic Thai food, this restaurant is a strong contender. While a few minor points like dessert portions or rice quality might pop up, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youre in for a flavorful treat. Definitely worth trying for a great Thai meal!
Service (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
The service here generally shines brightly, with a solid score of 7.7 and customer satisfaction hitting a strong 76.9%. Based on 60 positive remarks out of 78 total comments, guests frequently rave about the friendly staff, attentive service, and how everything went smoothly, often noting no wait times and great recommendations. However, not every experience is perfect.
There were 17 negative remarks highlighting slow service and instances of waiting for my food for extended periods. Some also mentioned limited staff impacting seating and service, and a lack of apologies or explanation when things went awry, alongside issues with misleading hours.
Service
78
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
17
negative
1
neutral
60
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick service
- Smooth experience
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Long food waits
- Limited staff
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the delicious food and the good service. I tried the Thai basil fried rice with shrimps and the Miang Kum, and I was very pleased with both dishes.
- staffThe service is just as impressive. The staff are attentive, kind, and welcoming, making me feel right at home and truly going out of their way to ensure a great experience. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfect for a casual lunch, a relaxed dinner, or even takeout.
- ServiceMy server gave me a little dish of their house made hot sauce
- wait timeThe food was super delicious, and the staff was incredibly friendly. We were relieved to find there was no wait at all, especially after seeing the long line at the restaurant across the street. Sweet Lime serves high-quality Thai food.
- everything went smoothlyeverything went very smoothly and there was nothing to complain about
- foodfood came out quickly.
- good servicethe service was good
- great recommendationsgave great recommendations on what to choose
- hostsThe hosts were very prompt and had masks on :) 👍 👍
- lovely serviceimpressed with the lovely service
Frequently criticized
- serviceservice was equally terrible
- apologiesNo apologies or explanation
- explanationNo apologies or explanation
- hoursMisleading hours on google if you are not accepting customers
- limited stafflimited staff made the seating and service a bit slow
- opening hoursthey open at 5 which is different from what was indicated on Google maps
- order arrivalmy order arrived about 15 min late
- restroom accessthey don’t even let you use restroom
- seating and serviceseating and service a bit slow
- serverShe replied she was still on her break. I just wish she could have been more compassionate. It was a shame, as this was the same server who was usually so pleasant when I dine in or get takeout.
Overall, if youre looking for a place with generally warm and efficient service, this spot is usually a great bet. While a few folks have hit snags with slower moments or staffing, the vast majority leave happy. Its worth trying, but be prepared for a potential wait during peak times.
Ambience (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this place really shines! With a strong score of 8.1 and a fantastic 85.5% customer satisfaction, its clear most diners love the atmosphere. Out of 69 opinions, a whopping 59 were positive, praising the delightful atmosphere, beautiful decor, and overall cleanliness.
Many highlighted the great location, outdoor seating, and even a live guitarist, creating truly good vibes. However, its not entirely perfect. A small handful of 6 opinions mentioned a few drawbacks, including a bit of an odd smell and some finding the restaurant size to be quite small.
While these are minor points compared to the overwhelming positives, its worth keeping in mind if youre sensitive to such details.
Ambience
69
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
6
negative
4
neutral
59
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delightful atmosphere
- Beautiful decor
- Immaculate cleanliness
What people don't like
- Odd smell
- Small restaurant size
Often praised
- atmosphereThe food is authentic Thai, full of flavor yet light and delicious. The place is nice, clean, with a nice atmosphere.
- ambianceThe dishes were authentic and bursting with flavor. The service was friendly and prompt, and the ambiance truly made us feel like we were in Thailand. It's a great value for the quality of food.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- cleanlinessThe ambience was refreshing, featuring fresh and light colors with a modern vibe. It was very clean, and the tables were already set and ready for guests. We were walk-ins, and it wasn't too busy.
- placeThe food is authentic Thai, full of flavor yet light and delicious. The place is nice, clean, with a nice atmosphere.
- ambienceThe ambience was refreshing with fresh and light colors
- decorFrom the decor to the quality and flavors of the food
- restaurantmodern restaurant that was recently remodeled
- Outdoor seatingOutdoor seating on a mid-summer night
- ambiance and decorSome of my highlights include the Nam Tok Neua appetizer 🤯🤤, the chef's special Khao Soi, and the Pad Kee Mao noodles. You're guaranteed a good time with better food, complemented by a classy ambiance and decor.
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereAtmosphere:1
- kitchenfilthiest kitchen i have seen
- odd smellthere was a bit of an odd smell
- restaurant sizeVery small restaurant
If youre looking for a spot with a great atmosphere, beautiful decor, and a clean, inviting feel, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. The positive vibes and high satisfaction suggest youll have a lovely experience, despite a few minor concerns about space or occasional smells.
Value (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 15% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems like a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.1, placing it squarely in the average range. Many customers found the prices to be fair, noting that it was worth it and offered great value for the quality of food. These positive sentiments, often highlighting prices and value for quality, come from 5 positive opinions out of 14 total comments.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a poor 35.7%, indicating significant room for improvement. Several comments expressed that it was a little pricey or not really value worthy, with some feeling it was expensive Thai food. Key negative terms like price, value, and even specific items like tofu and rice were mentioned in 8 negative opinions, suggesting that while some find it reasonable, others feel they're spending good money without getting enough in return.
Value
14
Reviews
35%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fairly priced
- Worth it
- Quality food value
What people don't like
- A bit pricey
- Not value worthy
- Rice not included
Often praised
- pricethe price is very reason
- pricesfairly priced
- value for qualityGreat value for the quality of food
- worth itbut worth it
Frequently criticized
- priceA little pricey
- billit can take some time to get your bill
- ricehow you gonna serve curry without providing rice for free
- spending good moneywhen your spending good money
- tofuThe tofu was a bit pricy at $18
- valuenot really value worthy.
If you're looking for a place where the quality might justify the cost for some, it could be worth a try. However, be prepared that others have found the pricing a bit steep, especially for certain items or if you expect rice included with your curry.
How are the prices at Sweet Lime?
You’re looking at roughly 29 per person – reported by 55 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Thai Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most folks tend to spend right around this average, though we do see a good mix of diners opting for both slightly cheaper and more premium experiences.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 55 reviews.
How this Thai Restaurant in San Francisco stacks up against similar spots on value for money.
Overall, for a Thai Restaurant, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It offers a good balance, catering to both those looking for a solid mid-range meal and those willing to splurge a bit more.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Sweet Lime
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Thai Food Hit the Spot!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I ordered the Thai Iced Coffee, which was perfectly balanced and not overly sweet, just how I prefer it. The Spicy Thai Fried Rice and Fresh Spring Rolls were also excellent and truly hit the spot.
A great addition was the house-made hot sauce with fish sauce and red chilies, provided by my server in a small dish. The Service, Atmosphere, and Food all received a perfect 5/5 rating.
- Thai Iced Coffee9
- Spicy Thai Fried Rice10
- Fresh Spring Rolls10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Delicious Thai Food & Friendly Staff
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I love eating here once a week. The Thai food is delicious, and the staff are always so friendly.
I highly recommend this place, especially for vegetarians.
- Thai food10
- staff10
- Recommendation for vegetarians9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Sweet Lime Thai Cuisine: A True Gem!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My experience at Sweet Lime Thai Cuisine has been exceptional, quickly making it one of my favorite spots. The food is absolutely incredible; every dish is full of flavor, fresh, and beautifully balanced. You can truly taste the quality and care that goes into the cooking.
The service is just as impressive. The staff are attentive, kind, and welcoming, making me feel right at home and truly going out of their way to ensure a great experience. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfect for a casual lunch, a relaxed dinner, or even takeout.
Everything about this restaurant feels thoughtful and well done. I highly recommend Sweet Lime Thai Cuisine to anyone who loves authentic, delicious Thai food served with heart. It’s a true gem that deserves all the stars!
- food10
- quality10
- service10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Unacceptable restroom policy
My experience at this restaurant was very disappointing. Despite spending good money and being one of only two parties dining, we were denied access to the restroom. We were told we had to go somewhere else.
This is unacceptable, especially when the restaurant was completely empty. The service was terrible, and the atmosphere was clearly impacted by this policy. While the food was rated a 2, the overall experience was severely negative due to the lack of basic amenities and poor service.
- restaurant is completely empty5
- food2
- restroom access1
- spending good money2
- service1
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing Thai Food Experience
My experience at this restaurant was very disappointing, primarily due to the food quality. We ordered Papaya salad, Thai yellow curry, and jasmine rice. The Papaya salad was bad.
The Thai curry contained potatoes and carrots, and its taste was not worth the money. To top it off, the rice was burnt and was not at all jasmine rice. The food was a significant letdown.
- Papaya salad2
- Thai yellow curry3
- jasmine rice1
What Sweet Lime offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Beer
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and accessibility features can you expect at Sweet Lime Thai Cuisine?
At Sweet Lime Thai Cuisine, you’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for any occasion. The restaurant is also committed to accessibility, offering wheelchair accessible restrooms and seating to ensure a comfortable experience for all guests.
Does Sweet Lime Thai Cuisine cater to specific dietary needs and what service options are available?
Yes, Sweet Lime Thai Cuisine provides a variety of healthy and vegetarian options to suit different preferences. For your convenience, you can choose from dine-in, takeout, or delivery services, making it easy to enjoy their delicious offerings.
How does Sweet Lime generally perform according to customer feedback?
Sweet Lime holds a strong overall score of 8.2 out of 10, with 84.7% customer satisfaction. Its Food (8.6) is highly praised, followed by its Ambience (8.1) and Service (7.7). Value (5.1) is considered average.
What do customers appreciate most about Sweet Lime's food?
Customers frequently commend Sweet Lime for its authentic Thai flavors, describing dishes as fresh, flavorful, and well-balanced. Many highlight the quality of the curries and popular items like Pad Thai and Pad Kee Mao.
Are there any common concerns or areas for improvement at Sweet Lime?
Some customers have noted inconsistencies with service, including slow seating or order arrival, and occasional issues with staff attentiveness. There are also mentions of certain items being a little pricey and isolated concerns about kitchen cleanliness.