The food at Parada Walnut Creek is good, but the TV experience is extremely frustrating and poorly thought out--especially given how inconsistent it is with their sister restaurant in Lafayette. Despite having TVs visible in the restaurant, Parada Walnut Creek does not show live sports at all. If you come in hoping to enjoy a game while eating or having drinks, don't bother. The TVs are either off or showing non sports programming, even during major sporting events. This is especially disappointing considering the bar seating and layout suggest that watching a game would be an option. What makes this worse is that the Lafayette location (Barranco) DOES show sports on their TVs, creating a confusing and inconsistent customer experience across the brand. Same ownership, similar cuisine, but completely different policies. If Lafayette can balance food and sports viewing, there's no good reason Walnut Creek can't. At a minimum, this should be clearly communicated. Instead, customers are left guessing--or worse, finding out after they've already ordered. Not everyone wants a "quiet, curated dining experience" all the time, and having TVs but refusing to use them for sports just feels out of touch. If you're looking for great Peruvian food and want to watch a game, go to Lafayette. If you're at Parada Walnut Creek, leave your sports expectations at the door. read more

More on the upscale Peruvian cuisine, Parada serves a semi-decent array of food. This was my first time trying Peruvian food, but unfortunately it did not hit the spot for me. I know that Peruvian food is delicious (based on the numerous suggestions I receive from my colleagues), however, this is unfortunately not the place to try Peruvian food for the first time. Their food is nowhere near terrible at all, but it just didn't stand out enough for me. Just decent all around, but with a higher price point. A common issue around the dishes we tried is the lack of taste. A tad bit more of the basic salt and pepper can elevate the dishes. I'd say their empanadas were my favorite - stuffed and flaky. Customer service was great, no complaints there at all. read more

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I came here with my wife and another couple after getting a recommendation from a close family friend. I had previously always went to Limon for Peruvian food. However, My friend said he thought Parada was better than Limon in Walnut Creek for Peruvian food. So I figured I'd give it a shot and try something new. The ambiance was nice and there was live music being played on a Friday night. We were able to get seated without a reservation. The staff was friendly and attentive. The food wasn't amazing but not really bad either. The empanadas were really good and the corn was good too. In my opinion it's not a good value for what you get here. It was pretty pricey but the portions were very small for $18 to $25 per item. In my opinion they should consider bigger portions to provide a better value for customers. Ultimately, I think it's definitely worth trying. I'm sure there are lots of people that would love this place. It just wasn't a great place for me. read more

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Smaller and intimate restaurant, perfect for date nights or friendly conversation. The drinks are really good and the food was delicious. read more

Parada - Chichamez - Peruvian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

We have come back to Parada several times over the years, and what keeps us coming back are the best empanadas in the county and their incredible ceviche! The cebiche pescado is our favorite of the ceviches, paired with chips. It features the fish of the day, which most of the time when we've ordered has been red snapper. The Empanadas are a must-order here, and you can't go wrong with any of the options. If you want to have them all, like we did, get the Empanada platter! The chicken empanada is our favorite. For entrees, my fiancé and I shared the Pollo a la Brasa and got the whole chicken. Honestly with the side of fries and salad this meal is enough for 3 to 4 people, especially if you had starters / small plates first. All of it was delicious. We had leftovers for both of us, and it was more cost effective than ordering two separate entrees. Don't forget to use the side of sauce with the chicken! Reservations are easy to make, and parking usually isn't too difficult in the area. The only thing that keeps us from coming back more than a couple times a year is how pricey it is - we usually spend a minimum of $100 just on the subtotal for food before drinks, tax, and tip. Service is very good. The outdoor patio is quieter and tables are more spaced out than sitting inside. read more

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Was looking for a new Peruvian restaurant and found it! They have in-door and outdoor seating. It was a little cold, so we chose in-door. We lucked out in getting a table without having a reservation, but part of it was timing. The place git packed not long after we arrived! Everything was so good and so hard to choose a dish! Loved the chicken chicharrones! My ribeye was cooked medium rare to perfection and flavored perfectly! Wife was very pleased with the Lomo Saltado! The drinks packed a great punch! They don't cheat on the alcohol! Go on a date night or with friends! Just go and eat the food! read more

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Great Job! Had a great experience! Sat at the bar and Juan the bartender was awesome! New his stuff, great recommendations and great hospitality! Big octopus fan so of course I had to order the pulpo! Great flavor, great presentation, purple potatoes were done nice! But as octopus can be just a tad chewy! But I would give it a try it's worth it ! Hey it's octopus! read more

Parada - Pulpo a la Parilla( octopus with purple potatoes, salsa fusion, cilantro jalepeno crema - Peruvian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

Parada was just down the street from our hotel. The restaurant has a cute vibe with both indoor and outdoor seating available. We found easy street parking nearby, which was a nice bonus. I was super excited to see Pescado a lo Macho on their menu. Pescado a lo Macho is my all time favorite dish! It did not disappoint. Everything was perfectly cooked and the sauce was so flavorful. What really stood out was a side of rice. It had coconut flakes on top which added a nice texture and subtle sweetness. My fiancé ordered the Lomo Saltado, and he absolutely loved it. It's always great when both meals at the table are hits! The service was great. Staff checked in on us multiple times which made us feel cared for. That personal touch made the experience even more memorable. I would definitely come back next time we are in town . Highly recommend for anyone craving a Peruvian dish! read more

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Nice spot for a lunch and some drinks! Great ambiance and easily seen an located off the street. The service was awesome and very attentive. Good music while we enjoyed our lunch with some adult beverages. Highly recommend the Pollo A La Brasa. read more

Parada - Pollo A La Brasa - Peruvian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

Their lomo saltado is just okay! It had more of a soy sauce taste than anything, it was very overpowering. Their appetizer portions are also incredibly small. Nice ambiance, and good drinks and service otherwise. read more

Delicious!! We plan to go back to try more on the menu. I especially liked the drink, "The Police Officer". People were nice and atmosphere was busy and colorful! read more

Parada - Adobo - Peruvian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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The service and food was amazing! I highly recommend this restaurant to satisfy your Peruvian food craving. read more

Parada - Peruvian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

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Wow!!!! I was staying in Walnut Creek for work and decided to try it out after reading some great reviews. I was greeted by a friendly face who sat me on the patio and immediately got me a glass of water. Diana continued to serve me throughout my meal. She was very attentive and a lot of fun. When you're eating alone, you really appreciate a server who takes a couple extra minutes to engage with you. Not having been exposed to a lot Peruvian food in the past I ordered the Ossobuco as it was listed as a traditional meal & a side of plantains. The meat was incredibly tender and the sauce had a great flavor. I order the Pisco Sour (new favorite) as well as glass of Sangria from the bar, both were outstanding. Love this place, I hope they open one up in Charlotte, NC. read more

What a fantastic place to enjoy dinner, drinks, and laughter with the wonderful people who make Parada such a special spot. The food was absolutely incredible--every single dish we tried was a delight! We were especially lucky to experience a unique twist on Lomo Saltado, swapping steak for salmon. And... wow. My life is forever changed! The flavors paired so naturally, it felt like they were meant to be together. As a pescatarian, it can sometimes be tricky to find traditional dishes that incorporate fish, so this was an extra special treat. Our waitress was phenomenal, making sure we were well taken care of throughout the night. We even stopped by the kitchen to personally thank the chefs for such an unforgettable meal. I truly hope they add the salmon saltado to the menu someday--it's beyond words and something I would love to enjoy again. Huge thanks to Parada for an amazing experience! read more

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My first encounter with Peruvian cuisine felt like stepping into a Van Gogh painting -- vivid, layered, and alive. I ordered the Pescado a la Plancha, grilled fish of the day with roasted veggies and chimichurri, and when the plate arrived, I looked up from my phone and simply said, "Wow." The presentation alone could have triggered dopamine release -- color, symmetry, and surprise all firing in sequence. The sauce, red and creamy, reminded me of Thai curry -- familiar yet foreign. The umami was soft-spoken but confident, lingering just enough to activate both taste and memory networks, those same regions that make nostalgia taste like home. Each bite was a gentle conversation between my neurons and my childhood comfort zones. I paired it with The Old Fashion Way (1880) -- brown spirit, sugar, water, bitters. It was smooth but assertive, with a whisper of citrus that grounded the experience like a steady heartbeat. One was enough -- just like one unforgettable painting. And then came the live guitar -- the auditory brushstroke that turned dinner into memory. Suddenly, the room filled; conversation and laughter merged into a kind of neural symphony. A first taste of Peru that felt like synesthesia -- where flavor meets color, sound meets emotion, and the mind quietly says, "I'll remember this one. Getting here was effortless -- it's right by a BART station, a few steps from the platform to the plate. Convenience meets curiosity. read more

Parada - The Old Fashion Way (1880) -- smooth, citrus-kissed, the kind of drink that teaches patience. One glass was enough to slow time. - Peruvian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

NOTE: This is attached to the Avalon apartment complex. Parking may be difficult to find. I've been a few times with family to Parada. Can't speak to its authenticity, but as a newbie to Peruvian food, it's delicious ^_^ Their appetizers are amazing. Service is always exceedingly attentive and courteous. I don't think I've ever sat without water or clean dishes/cutlery for more than 5 mins. Some favorites: - ELOTE DE LA CALLE (TBF I love corn everything, so of course love their herbed butter, on-cob version) - EMPANADA PLATTER (corn cheese FTW) - Any cebiche dish (perfectly sour and savory) The only issue I have is that their chicken is always dry. SO DRY. I've had several chicken dishes and run into the same issue. I'm not sure if it's a cultural thing or the chef's preference, but it's not my favorite texture. read more

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First to start off! I would like to say this place is cute and small! The apps came out rather fast and this is what we thought. Ceviche sampler platter with yucca chips... This was good but the tuna was definitely the best out of the three. We did not care for the ceviche misto. Yucca chips were very good! 3.5/5 The empanadas were very good! Everything was warm and fresh It came with pork,corn &cheese, mushroom, and chicken. Our favorites were the chicken and mushroom! 4.5/5 Yucca fries They had a mint and cream sauce to dip in sooo good! 5/5 Lomo salado We were a little disappointed we waited almost an hour for this and the steak bites were so chewy were couldn't even eat it unfortunately. The flavor was so good tho. 1.5/5 Service is good and no they did not charge us for water! We also got a Pisco sour & punch.. I could probably do without the next time. read more

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Love coming here with mama friends on ballet days (tutu school across the street) with our kids to get their rotisserie chicken, or kids mac and cheese. My favorite is the empanada sampler platter. Be mindful that it's an additional charge for extra salsa or sauces - we only found out afterwards when we received the bill (and after we ordered a bunch for the table and all the guests dining with us). Wish they communicated that with us when ordering. Other than that, yummy food for both adults and kids, and convenient location! read more

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We love coming here! Great drink menu with the best Pisco sour! Attentive staff and the energy in the restaurant is always electric! read more

Came here for Valentine's Day dinner. The hosts were pretty welcoming. We had a reservation so didn't wait at all. It was a cold night, but we still ate i. the patio area which had a few heaters so it was comfortable. The empanadas appetizer and my husbands steak were delicious! But my plate was more of an appetizer sampler, didn't realize it was all fried. It was ok, just not what I was expecting. But overall it was a nice dining experience. read more

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On another random dining hunt we came across Parada. Nicely appointed restaurant with lots of seating, some on an outdoor covered patio. We chose to dine inside. The music was a bit loud and Latin EDM seemed to be the house choice. The food... Was amazing!! We sincerely enjoyed the Adobo and the Paella dishes, both were really wonderful. I also strongly recommend the dessert sampler because you get a taste of several delicious sweets. The service was friendly, quick and efficient but it was also a quiet late lunch for us so YMMV. Still loved this place and would recommend it to anyone looking for a unique dining experience. read more

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Great atmosphere and great food. Highly recommend the empanada platter! Service was a bit slow but food made it worth the wait. read more

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This is a cool spot in Walnut Creek. I was in the area for a meeting and walked over here for dinner with some friends. First off, there was live Latin music which was great. The food was consistently good. I would recommend the ceviche, elote, plantains and the aji de gallina. Service was attentive and speedy. read more

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The service was top tier. Lots of suggestions. Food portions were large everything was authentic. Only con is its very loud in there

Seafood is not fresh. We ordered tuna tartare and it had gone very very off (fishy odor, fishy taste). They had no business serving it. We spit it out and sent it back. Ordered paella. Flavor of rice were good but seafood was off. Not inedible but not fresh. Vegetable saltado was good but too pricey for vegtables, fries and rice ($24) Noise level is high, need sound absorption like rugs or wall panels, noise bounces around. Service was great. This place would be much better served keeping to home style prices and food rather than trying to go the fine dning route. Ambience is not fine dining. read more

I went on a Saturday evening with my girlfriend. It took at least 20 minutes for someone to come to the table when the restaurant was not busy at all. She had the lomo saltado. I had the adobo (listed as pork shoulder on the menu). We shared empanadas and the pork ribs appetizer. The biggest issue was the adobo. I was served a pork shank covered in what tasted like Tabasco sauce. I asked the waitress what it is and she didn't really know. "Ribs". "Leg". "Ribs and leg"???? I explained to her on the menu it said pork shoulder and they clearly gave me a shank. They took it off the bill no problem. The lomo saltado was standard. The empanadas were just okay, not a lot of flavor. The mushroom one was the best to me. My girlfriend liked the corn the best. The pork ribs were tender but covered in what tasted like watered down sweet baby rays. Nice ambiance. Overall the food was boring, service was poor, and I felt like they tried to defraud me on the pork shoulder. read more

Parada - Adobo (pork shank) - Peruvian Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

Let me start by saying the service was exceptional and the team was very attentive. Multiple plate changes and my water glass was never empty. Kudos to the wait staff. Sadly, the food let me down in taste, texture and flavor. We tried all the recommended items and out of the 14 items ordered only a few stuck out as memorable and something I would order again. The items I would definitely order again: Cebiche Tuna, avoid the sampler and just get the tuna. Also order the house made chips, not sure what else you would eat the ceviche with?!? Just don't forget the chips. 8/10 Fried Sweet Plantain, exceptional and a great flavor and cooked perfectly. 7/10 Empanada Corn Trio, fluffy and flaky empanadas that highlight the flavor of the corn. 8/10 Tequenos were unique and the cheese with the crispy shell were very tasty and a table favorite. 9/10 The rest of the items I would not order again. The Pulpo a La Parilla was like eating a family of baby octopus heads and all. We love Pulpo but this style was not to our liking. 3/10 Lomo Saltado was decent but felt like something I would make at home. 4/10 Desserts were a big miss, in the past we loved the churros, they had great flavor and the chocolate sauce was reminiscent of Spain. Sadly not a single chocolate dessert in the menu. I loved this place when it opened, maybe I was just feeling nostalgic but this place was better left in my memories. Maybe I'll try it again in a few years. read more

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We here on a Saturday to celebrate my mom's birthday. Food was 5-stars! Had the Lomo Saltado, Emplanada platter, beet salad, sweet potato fries, seafood paella and grilled octopus. All were cooked to perfection. Service was 2 stars! We noted on our reservation that it was for a birthday, but there was ZERO acknowledgment of that. We had to flag down waiters many times to refill our drinks. And to add insult to injury, when it came time to close the bill, the lowest tip amount defaulted to 20%.... My personal rule-of-thumb is 15% at the start and the tip amount will go up or down, depending on how the meal goes. Ambiance was nice, though a little loud for my taste. It was hard for the 4 of us to chat. read more

Amazing and authentic food! We got the fish stew and the half chicken and they were both fantastic. The servers were nice and the ambiance was top notch. Dinged one star because the $9 spring water was kind of snuck in there when they asked "do you want still or sparkling water?" read more

I've been coming here for over a year. Everything been great till my recent visit . We ordered a beets salad . It was my first time trying that dish . It was so sweet. We couldn't get past one bite . There was nothing in the description suggests it being sweet. The dressing that comes with it was lime vinaigrette, I believe. So we told our waitress and she discount one dollars out of the bill. Not sure what one dollar would do when a dish cost 16. I'm not the type to ever send food back but I felt like the dish didn't taste like what it described I should at least get more discount than one dollar . Especially if I've been going there regularly for over a year . Pretty disappointed. read more

We took a break from hosting the family holiday dinner and celebrated at Parada restaurant! Nicely decorated and brightly lit space, giving a warm and lively atmosphere. However, we did notice the walls did not absorb any noise, so it echoed and amplified any noise from the kitchen and dining area. It can get pretty loud. The waiter was friendly and welcoming. But we found it odd that he wrote down the orders and appetizers for 1/3 of the table and took our menus away even though we only ordered our appetizers. Amazingly, our food was served without big gaps between dishes. There were more than a dozen of us, so I was only able to take pictures of the dishes closest to me and the items I personally ordered. Appetizers: Tuna tartar: Delightful dish! We enjoyed the tuna and the house-made yuca chips. The chips were thin and crispy. Great for scooping up tuna! The wine soaked pears complemented the tuna tartar nicely. 5/5 Cebiche Mixto: An assortment of seafood. A tasty, tangy dish! 4/5 Pescado a la Plancha (grilled fish of the day which was swordfish): It was cooked perfectly and seasoned just right. Just a tad small in portion. Appetizers are a must to complete a meal unless you're not too hungry. 4/5 Sangria: The fruit and wine had a good balance. It wasn't overly sweet. It tasted like it should. Perfect! 5/5 Lomo Saltado: a few ordered this and it's a favorite that they always order this when they're here. I tried a piece of their meat and it was juicy and flavorful! I understand why they enjoy this dish so much! 5/5 Seco de Cordero: lamb shank with cilantro sauce. The meat was flavorful, tender, and almost off the bone. But the shank itself was quite small. My bf was expecting a bigger bone. 4/5 Unfortunately, like most restaurants these days, portions have become smaller. However, we appreciated the interesting and unique pairings on each plate. Everything was colorful and visually appealing to delight the senses of our palate and eyes. We had a great Christmas meal here! read more

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I ate here a couple months ago, the service was ok but the food is not authentic Peruvian food, is more like a fusion between Peruvian and other cuisines. Is you really know how the Peruvian food is, this is not your place. We order like 10 different dishes 4 out of 10 were ok the other we didn't like it. The price is too expensive for food that doesn't taste like Peruvian food. The place was good but doesn't worth when the food is not was supposed to be. read more

Please keep the chef special Australian lamb chops with 3 double cuts ! It's a hit ! Nice acidity and sweetness ! Shout out to Parada staff ! Food and service is always a 10/10 read more

Drinks ordered: cucumber sour & Cuban lover - both were very refreshing and strong Food: - Cebiche Chino - Peruano: super fresh and I loved that it had a small wheel of sweet potato and other textual components likes hominy and peanuts. It added wonderful texture to the flavor. - empanada trip: cheese and corn, chicken and beef. The dough was buttery and flakey. Very fluffy with great fillings in all three - scallops carlito: I would skip this in my opinion. While it was very delicious, it was rather expensive for 4 scallops and no real carb or veggie to complement it. I would've paid the price if it had more to it than just a few pieces of hominy. - tequenos / and / fried plantains: I'm reviewing these together because both had very similar tastes and components. While I loved both, I would pick one or the other for my next visit. We sat outside when it was cold and raining, but it was well covered and they had heat lamps. I didn't even need a jacket. Our server was knowledgeable with the menu and revisited our table frequently to check on us. read more

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I visited Parada on a late Friday night with my four littles just to grab what I thought would be a hearty dinner. We tried many things on the menu between us 5 we had three appetizers and 3 full meals. Everything seemed to be in small bites with not much variety in flavor. The bill however was a large one and based on the amount of food our table received and the fact that we had to go get a MEAL after was a bit much. We spent over $150 to leave hungry and dissatisfied. Also WC has all these charges that they add to your bill for "convienience" it's odd. I also thought it odd to add gratuity to a bill for a mom and four children but that was fine. I would have tipped more as the service was fast but ok. We won't visit again. read more

Enjoyed a Saturday lunch with my daughter. Had the delicious strawberry lemonade band the corn-cheese empanadas which were so light and refreshing! For the main, we shared the arroz con vegetable (paella) - satisfying and delicious , generous portions. Ended with the chocolate tuxedo bomb for dessert- amazing. Service was excellent and friendly. Enjoy! read more

Food, service, and vibes were all there. We arrived Saturday night with no reservation and it was wonderful got our romantic date out.

Drinks: The Pisco Sour (could have used some ice) & Sangria was SO tasty, but unfortunately no happy hour to look forward to in the future. First time customers, went with friends celebrating an birthday that was noted it on the reservation but it was not acknowledged in any way. Huge disappointment. Tap water is served with no ice, hard to get refills. Empanadas were good as a start. We all had the Chicken, sauces were bland. The Tacu Tacu side dish the exactly the same, little flavor, but filling. The tiny cup of yellow bland sauce served with the chicken (two tbsp?) was not enough, asked for more just to moisten the dry chicken and was charged $1.50 per tiny cup. There was a brown sauce but have no idea what it was as server put it down & our waiter never came back to ask or check on us. Spring lettuce salad was dismal. Would not return to Parada for food, and without a happy hour would not even be interested for more $18 drinks. read more

We've probably eaten there five or six times never had a problem. The staff is always super friendly and nice, but I ordered the lamb chops tonight and they were so overcooked and dry could not finish. I brought it up to the manager's attention and all he could say was, can I get you a dessert. Our bill was $180. I still tipped 35 because the waiter was great however, the manager dropped the ball and we will never go there again probably won't bother them because they look pretty busy and that's OK. That just was my experience. read more

I visited parada for the first time. I had a great experience. Though the restaurant itself was full, and loud, it was still a pleasure to be sat down and enjoy the good food. To start off, the food was amazing. flavorful, hot, fresh. No notes of disappointment, I want to eat that food all over again. The waiter was very friendly, quick, and knowledgeable of the restaurants menu and drinks. I appreciate that. but what really set off the night as being a fantastic one, was the host. I believe he said his name was Diego, I hope I'm not wrong. He was immediately welcoming upon entering the restaurant even though they were already packed full. I didn't have a reservation but it was just myself and he made it work and found a comfortable seat for me. Along with the waiter he made sure to do his rounds of checking on the tables. I'm not sure if he was the manager as well but nonetheless throughout the night I decided to catch his attention and tell him how wonderful everything had been. We ended up talking about of many things, but towards the ending of that conversation I was showing so much appreciation for the night I just had. Everything was fantastic but he really made a mark on ensuring my night was pleasurable, so much so that I decided to hop on yelp for once and leave them this review. I've never left a review for any where before, but my experience here, from the good food, good music, friendly vibes, to being able to converse with the staff, it left a positive mark on me and I absolutely can not wait to visit again and enjoy another evening at this fine establishment. Thank you so much for the wonderful night. read more