My wife, son and I had high hopes for this new restaurant, operated by the same people who run La Costanera near Half Moon Bay. The latter is a memorable dining experience because of its overall excellence. Parada Kitchen is also memorable, but for the wrong reasons. Our reservation, made in advance of their initial opening, was for 7 p.m. Saturday night. We arrived 10 minutes early. We were seated at 7:35 p.m. after several inaccurate assurances that our table was just about ready. The service was spotty throughout, including "gone missing" moments we had to end by flagging down the waitress and by "brain failure" whereby my side order of vegetables (half my meal) never came. We were done by 8:40 p.m. for a meal that should have taken at most half the time. So service and organization get an "F". As for the food, when it finally appeared - separated for the 3 of us by between 3 and 10 minutes - it was also spotty. My wife's paella was quite good; the cerviche fresh but otherwise undistinguished. My son's seared Ahi was good enough but, as he said, lacked anything to distinguish it from the same dish in a multitude of other places for less money. My empanada con pollo was small, as expected, well seasoned, but lacked one crucial ingredient - pollo. Maybe it was pureed or something, but when I opened the empanada before eating it I was able to find only two tiny paper thin strands of what was recognizable as chicken. (If I gave our housecat that amount of chicken as a table scrap she would move out and find a more hospitable family.) Unbelievable! And when they forgot to bring my vegetables (and at this point I wasn't going to remind them) it meant for me a nearly two hour stay to eat one virtually meatless empanada. Environment: Chairs were hard and lacked lower back support; our table had to be adjusted by the staff so that it wouldn't rock back and forth; the lights overhead flickered through half the meal; and the volume was deafening. I am a generous tipper, often giving 20 to 25%. I gave zero tip this time. No sense rewarding failed performance. In fairness, this was a first weekend for this restaurant, and there are bound to be some glitches. But for two average sized entres, my empanada, the cerviche, a bar drink apiece for my wife and son (I drank water), $105 with no tip was still a poor value overall. I looked at other dishes served to other patrons, several I had considered ordering. When I saw what they were was glad I had not ordered them. They were pretty but the contents seemed at least 20% overpriced. But for the fact that my wife liked her paella and the bar drinks were OK, this would have been a one star ranking. All in all a major disappointment. I hope they get their act together. They come from better stock than this. read more

$35 SNACK! We went here for light lunch/snack today at about 3. Street parking was available, as expected. We opted for outdoor seating. The little outdoor area was quiet and pleasant visually. We decided to order the Cebiche Mixto, along with the Yucca Balls, which our waiter recommended. He told us in passing that he would bring us some yucca chips, as this is what most people eat with the ceviche. In about 5 minutes, the ceviche was brought out along with the yucca balls. Both were presented beautifully. I could've done with the ceviche being cut into smaller pieces, as they were difficult to scoop up the sometime twisted, small chips. Other than that though, it was perfection on a plate. The seafood along with the vegetables (onions and big kernel corn is all I remember) was fresh tasting and refreshing with its cool temperature. The juice at the bottom of the plate is a combination of lime juice and the seafood drippings was tasty. We scooped up and put some on every chip we ate. Too bad I had a cut on my lip that day. Burned like hell every time I took a bite. I held back the tears and kept my eating because it was worth it. The ceviche was definitely a 5 star dish. On to the yucca balls. These 4 golf ball sized fried spheres were garnished beautifully with sauce, herbs, and even flowers petals. Before even tasting I strongly regretted the purchase($13;) with $2 more, We could've gotten another ceviche. So reluctantly I picked one up. Instead of being fried to a crisp, the exterior was soggy. The ball itself was very doughy in texture and had an unpleasant sweet taste, most easily comparable to corn dog batter . The ham and cheese didn't help any; the cheese was just cheese and the ham tasted like basic lunch meat. The next time our waiter came, I straight up told him I didn't like the yucca balls. He apologized and took it off the tab, which we thanked him for. We devoured the delicious shrimp, mussels, calamari, and clams piece by piece, eventually running out of the yucca chips. We kindly asked for some more, thinking it would be included in the ceviche experience. He brought us the chips promptly with a smile. We finished up, very satisfied with the meal experience; neither one of us had eaten ceviche in a while. When we got the check, we were very disappointed to see we had been charged $9 for chips. It wasn't on the menu and our server didn't notify of this charge either time. This quickly turned a small snack into a $35 meal. Kinda ruined the whole vibe. Overall, a good experience in a good atmosphere. Might have to get takeout next time if they're gonna charge $9 for chips. Ridiculous!! Atmosphere:4/5 Service:4/5 Price point:2/5 Ceviche:5/5 Yucca Balls:1/5 read more

My recent visit to Parada left much to be desired, as my dining experience was far from enjoyable. There were several aspects that contributed to my dissatisfaction, making it difficult for me to recommend this restaurant. First and foremost, the noise level inside Parada was incredibly high. Conversations and background noise seemed to amplify, making it difficult to hold a conversation without raising our voices. This added a layer of discomfort to the dining experience and made it challenging to relax and enjoy our meal. Furthermore, the chairs in the restaurant were extremely screechy when they were moved across the floor. Each time someone shifted or adjusted their seating, the piercing sound echoed throughout the space. It was both annoying and disruptive, detracting from the overall ambiance. The most frustrating part of our experience was when we discovered that Parada had run out of rice after we had already ordered entrees that traditionally come with rice. We were not informed about this before placing our orders, and it was only when our food arrived that we were asked if we wanted fries or potatoes instead. Confused by the sudden change, we asked our server if we could order something else, to which she responded that she would consult the chef. However, within minutes, she returned with two bowls of rice, contradicting the previous statement that they had run out. This inconsistency left us puzzled and questioning the transparency of the restaurant. Communication and consistency are key in providing a satisfactory dining experience, and unfortunately, Parada fell short in both areas. The combination of the loud environment, screechy chairs, and the rice incident made for an unpleasant evening. While I appreciate the effort to resolve the rice issue, the confusion surrounding it left a sour taste in my mouth. Considering my experience, I cannot confidently recommend Parada. With the noise level and the lack of attention to detail, there are better dining options available that can provide a more enjoyable and consistent experience. read more

My parents and I accidentally found this gem. We indulged in a five-star dining experience at this Peruvian restaurant. It was nothing short of exquisite. From the moment I stepped in, the ambiance exuded sophistication and warmth. Each dish was a masterful blend of flavors, showcasing the richness and diversity of Peruvian cuisine. The presentation was impeccable, elevating the dining experience to a true culinary journey. The attentive service only added to the overall enjoyment, making it a memorable evening that I can't wait to repeat!! The restaurant's commitment to PURITY shone through in every aspect of the dining experience. From ingredients to immaculate cleanliness of the kitchen and dining area, every detail reflected a dedication to maintaining the highest standards of quality. It was evident that purity was not just a goal, but a fundamental principle guiding every aspect of the restaurant's operation! ( from the staff that work there to the food to the overall vibe! Don't conform to change!) The yuca frita at this restaurant is simply amazing! Crispy on the outside, yet soft and fluffy on the inside, each bite is a burst of flavor and texture. Served with a tantalizing dipping sauce, it's a delightful combination of savory and satisfying. A must-try for anyone visiting this establishment! The vegetarian paella bursts with vibrant flavors, showcasing a medley of fresh vegetables, fragrant saffron, and perfectly cooked rice. Each bite is a harmonious blend of savory goodness, creating a dish that's both satisfying and wholesome. A delightful choice for vegetarians and paella enthusiasts alike!! Absolute love. Live music and great drinks also! read more

Parada is a Peruvian restaurant on the border of Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek not far from the Pleasant Hill Bart Station. I spent a month traveling in Peru and truly enjoyed the variety of flavors in their food. There is free parking across the street and easy to find parking on the streets. Although they offer a full bar, at our event only the Pisco Sour was served and it was delicious, a combination of Pisco Porton, lime, egg whites, sugar, and cinnamon. Pisco is made from grapes and the drink is similar to a margarita. We were served a small samplings of their menu including a wonderfully spicy cebiche pescado-chunks of fresh fish of the day in a aji rocot leche de tigre sauce. The skewer of beef or chicken anticucho inspired by the street food in Peru did not inspire. It was tasteless. Skip it. The tequenos, crispy wontons filled with shrimp, Oaxaca cheese and topped with powdered sugar also missed the mark. I wasn't sure if they were supposed to be a dessert or an appetizer. The Bolitas de Yucca were amazing-crisy yucca balls stuffed with chorizo and raisins with a rocato aioli dip. The final tasting was of the Alfajores Carlitos, a Peruvian artisan cookie of shortbread filled with dulce d leche and dusted with powdered sugar. These cookies are to die for! They actually melt in your mouth. There is outside seating on the street patio, the inside of the restaurant looked casual and was busy with happy customers. Service is sweet and swift. We didn't taste enough variety to get a good feel for their offerings. I'll go back to try the Camarones al Ajo or the Langostino Crocantes. I will definitely order a Pisco Sour, cebiche and cookies. read more

Unfortunately I couldn't give them zero. Very disappointed to say the least, I went here after being recommended and will most likely not be back. I did go around 5:30 to order dinner to go and am pretty sure I was just served left over lunch at dinner prices. I tried the Aji de gallina and the rice which is a big part of the meal tasted like it had been sitting around all day and the breast of chicken was all bone and extremely bland. I have had way better chicken from Safeway and that is a low bar to compare too. Furthermore they had a sign out side for Happy Hour empanadas for $4.00 which isn't what brought me in but figured I might as well try one since I love empanadas. I will say I was warned by the waitress that they were small but I tried one anyway. Again disappointed when I opened the box and had half an empanada staring at me..... Really they cut one in half. If you're going to advertise happy hour the half price is usually due to the slow time of day not that they are serving food that has been cut in half. If that is what you are going to do at least write empanada 1/2s on the board to save the disappointment. Or make smaller ones. The reason I was so mad about this is because when you cut an empanada in half all the heat escapes. I was pretty hungry so I ate the 1/2 on the road after pulling out of the parking lot. Not even 5mins after getting my food it was cold. I will say the dough was sweet and tasty and a hot full one would probably be pretty good. One other positive was the friendly service the hostesses and waitress were very pleasant unfortunately not the food. read more

I visited this restaurant on Monday, September 28, 2026. The food was absolutely delicious and was not the problem at all. Unfortunately, the service left a lot to be desired. The server who attended to us, Catherine, took quite a while to greet us, never offered or refilled our water, rarely checked on our table, and left dirty appetizer plates cluttering the table. However, the main reason for this review is a serious issue with my bill. Due to the poor service, I manually adjusted the tip and wrote down $5, but I did not ask for a physical copy of the receipt at that moment. The next day, my workplace required the physical receipt, so I returned to the restaurant to request a copy. It was then that I discovered they had altered my receipt, changing the tip amount from $5 to $8. When I immediately checked my bank account, the transaction was still pending for the original, correct amount. However, two days later, once the charge was fully cleared and posted, I confirmed that they had officially processed the unauthorized higher amount. While a $3 difference might seem small, this is a major issue of honesty, ethics, and transparency. If you visit this restaurant, I strongly recommend demanding a copy of your final receipt on the spot and carefully checking your bank statement a few days later to ensure you aren't being overcharged. Im attaching photos of the altered receipt as evidence. read more

One of my friends insisted me to try "Parada: New Peruwhich I noticed was that price was bit unreasonable. I know rent is perhaps expensive (few prime estate next to the Bart Station!), but all same, I also went to a Peruvian tapas bar in San Francisco (Limon Rotisserie, if you are wondering), and I felt like I got additional bang for my buck in city than here...and I feel like its normally other way around. Parking wasn't a problem there as the parking lot was way too big and even in the peak hours you will easily find the place to park your vehicle. Decor is eclectic and trendy but in very stylish way. They also have outside seating which is eccentric when weather is bright and sunny as Walnut Creek is known for. We came on Monday evening so it was not too crowded. We ordered fried chicken (chicharron de pollo), fried yucca balls and ceviche. Ceviche was fresh, good, though chunks were quite bigger than I usually like for raw fish. Also, we had to ask numerous times for yucca chips to escort this. However, flavors were out of this world. Chicharron de pollo just came with four bite sized pieces of chicken. It came with marinated red onion which was very thin sliced and made it look very yummy and mouthwatering. Also, yucca balls were quite enjoyable. I will definitely come here again and again. read more

This past Friday, I had the pleasure of taking my Spanish 4 students on a special outing to enjoy authentic Peruvian cuisine after spending time in class learning about the rich history and diverse culinary traditions of Peru. The experience was truly extraordinary. The food was not only delicious, with bold and unique flavors, but also beautifully presented. Every dish told a story, and it was a joy to see my students so engaged and enthusiastic about trying something new. The service was outstanding--warm, welcoming, and attentive from start to finish. My students all had a fantastic time, and the experience sparked meaningful conversations back in the classroom as we reflected on the cultural connections and what we had learned. Many of them, like me, are already hoping to return soon, this time with our families. A heartfelt thank-you to Giorgio and Diana for helping to create such a memorable and enriching learning opportunity. Your hospitality and dedication made this more than just a meal--it became an extension of our classroom and a celebration of culture through food. read more

Este restaurante le cambió todo al sabor perúano . Me molesta cuando algún cocinero perúano se le ocurre que está en su potestad de cambiar el sabor a nuestras comidas típicas para entrar a un diferente mercado . Las comidas del Perú y sus recetas que datan en muchos casos de varios siglos se deben respetar "parada " pervivían restaurant . Me sentí que me habían tomado el pelo , el aguadito parecía una sopa menestron sin fideos ( toda aguada , liquida y sin mucho arroz ) También probé los anticuchos y estaban delgaditos , secos por qué estaban sobrecocidos . El ceviche de mi hermano fue súper chiquito con las justas se veían 4 o 5 pedazos pequeños de pescado . En resumen , la comida acá no me pareció auténtica. Qué este review sirva para que eviten cambiar las recetas típicas del Perú , admiro la intención del restaurante parada de llevar nuestra comida a otros países pero cambiar las recetas y sabores para vender y agradar al paladar americano no es ético . read more

There is free parking across the street and easy to find parking on the streets. Although they offer a full bar, at our event only the Pisco Sour was served and it was delicious, a combination of Pisco Porton, lime, egg whites, sugar, and cinnamon. Pisco is made from grapes and the drink is similar to a margarita. We were served a small samplings of their menu including a wonderfully spicy cebiche pescado-chunks of fresh fish of the day in a aji rocot leche de tigre sauce. The skewer of beef or chicken anticucho inspired by the street food in Peru did not inspire.The tequenos, crispy wontons filled with shrimp, Oaxaca cheese and topped with powdered sugar also missed the mark. The Bolitas de Yucca were amazing-crisy yucca balls stuffed with chorizo and raisins with a rocato aioli dip. There is outside seating on the street patio, the inside of the restaurant looked casual and was busy with happy customers. read more

I recently dined at Parada, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was warm and personal, creating a welcoming atmosphere that instantly put me at ease. The cocktail menu was a delightful surprise, full of creative options. I chose the "Mixed Emotions" drink, and it was absolutely lovely and refreshing--a perfect start to the evening. Our server was a perfect gentleman and perfectly attentive. Great service with a smile, that made you feel like they're happy to see you. The food was nothing short of fantastic. The rice and chicken were perfectly cooked, with a blend of spices that elevated every bite. It's no exaggeration to say it was the best food I've ever had. I'm already looking forward to my next visit. Highly recommend. PS - The shortbread cookies with dolce de leché filling were an excellent finisher to the entire meal. read more

You must NOT GO here! :) Because I want to be able to go here again! If you and everybody else starts going here then I won't be able to get a table...but then again, I should be more generous...SO GO! I've been to Piqueos in Bernal/SF and its fabulous Peruvian and their addition to Walnut Creek (With a reported up and coming location in Lafayette to follow) is similarly amazing! We had the spicy tune ceviche (5Star), the potato causitas, and the chicken empanada! OMG fabulous food at reasonable prices. I've been to lots of fancy food places at the highest end and am always impressed when a moderately priced place rivals the quality, tastiness and creativity. Fantastic Staff! Everyone was friendly, thoughtful and went the extra step to make us feel "at home" and taken care of! Cant wait to go again! read more

My family went out to dine here tonight without a reservation. There were 6 of us so we were afraid there wouldn't be enough room. We immediately were accommodated with a table. Our host and servers were superb with their services. I was surprised and thankful they even took us in. Everything from the seating to the food came really fast. The cebiche was perfectly cooked and the beef heart skewers did not disappoint. We topped off our night with some alfajores for dessert and they just melted in my mouth. The food was cooked to perfection and the service was at its best considering the fact that they're a new restaurant and were packed with people. Overall a great experience. I will definitely come back and recommend it to all of my friends. This is definitely the place to be in Walnut Creek. read more

Came back to this place after a long time, before as soon as you walk in the door you could feel a good vibe (something that tell you that people was happy of working here and customers were having a great time), food was excellent and customer service was always lacking...... Now is totally different, as soon as you go through the door you don't feel the same vibe, service is ok but food is not good at all. Ask for anticuchos and they were ok but the potato was completely raw in the middle (you even could see the different colors of it) and the pollo a la brasa was cold and had no flavor at all (before you could lick your fingers after finishing eating)...... Well I hope they comeback to their old ways when everything was much better for the customers and not only for their pockets...... read more

This is the worst restaurant I've eaten in the east bay so far. We were literally made to feel bad for putting the waitresses out from the conversations they would much rather be having over with the kitchen staff, and the food was like a punishment. Even the hostess looked like she was chewing on wasps! The food was extremely overpriced - my dish was literally served with a scattering of frozen cheap chunky fries. I haven't eaten those since I was a child. Overpriced alcohol too considering we had to fight for the attention of a waitress just for water refills. And half the tables were empty (I'm sympathetic to staff if the place is busy) Zero tip and I would passionately recommend not visiting this place. read more

I have had the pleasure of trying many Peruvian restaurants around the bay, and I must say that the one I visited recently really stands out from the rest. On my first visit, I was absolutely delighted by the flavors that were presented to me. The anticuchos were cooked to perfection, the aji de gallina was incredibly flavorful, and the pollo a la brasa was great - it had a more parrillada-style taste, but it was still delicious. The pulpito was something new to me, but the mashed potatoes reminded me of my grandmother's cooking. The desserts and chicha were also outstanding - I can't wait to go back! I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for the best Peruvian food around the bay. read more

This place is so overrated!! If you want to spend hella money on very small portion of mediocre food that comes with no sides, then this is the spot. There's so much better quality restaurants out there with these prices that will actually serve a full meal that will fill you up. This place serves dinner price $$$ for appetizer food size, and I mean small little bites of nothing. The only good thing is the staff is very friendly, other than that. They need to make major changes to their menu's, portion size and prices. You guys are not a 5 Star Fine Dinning Restaurant, please don't set your price as if you are esp b/c the food is not that great. Very Disappointing read more

We've been coming here for quite some time. The food is usually fresh, but the service is inconsistent, and depending on who cooks your pizza, the final product may not be as good. Pizzas should be cooked with passion, yet some employees approach it like an assembly line. I asked for a little more cheese last night since the person put a tiny amount in the centre and refused to spread it around. Then I was stingy with the vegetables, which resulted in bald areas all over the pizza once it was done. This isn't always the case, but it does happen more often than I'd want. Despite this, we keep returning, but I'd want to make a suggestion. read more