Indian restaurants in San Francisco

60 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Ocean Indian Cuisine, and those who name a location mean the Geary one in the Richmond. Several single out the naan, including the gluten-free version, and some praise the value. Some mention the momo. Caveats are scattered: one commenter finds the seasoning light, one calls the malai kofta flavorless, one says the decor isn't ideal for a special occasion, and some note the portions are generous.

Geary

57 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Keeva Indian Kitchen on Clement Street in the Richmond, and many call the food delicious. A few single out the palak chaat, some mention the naan, and two praise how fresh and distinct the spices taste. Several name it their favorite Indian place in the city. One commenter says the medium spice level runs very hot, one rates it above typical San Francisco Indian food but wants more char on the kebabs, and one found it underwhelming and not very flavorful.

Clement St Richmond

41 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Pakwan, a Pakistani restaurant that people also suggest for Indian food. Commenters mention several locations; the 16th Street branch in the Mission is the one they name most, while others point to the Tenderloin and Ocean Avenue branches. Two praise the biryani and some call it good value. One commenter finds it hit or miss, with chicken sometimes dry, one finds everything but the paneer very greasy, and one implies it doesn't suit a special-occasion meal.

38 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Aaha, a Mission restaurant on 17th Street, and several describe the food as spicy or hot. Some say the biryani is good, while one found it bad from a small sample, though they liked the thin naans. One commenter says recent visits felt inconsistent and watered down, and one who loved it says a dish they wanted was dropped from the menu.

Mission

32 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Udupi Palace, a vegetarian South Indian restaurant on Valencia Street in the Mission. A few mention the dosa, and some call it a favorite or go-to. Three commenters were less impressed: one found the food just okay though it has South Indian dishes uncommon elsewhere, and two say a past visit left them disappointed or unimpressed.

Valencia

31 people recommendvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF, r/bayarea

Most commenters recommend Kolapasi, a South Indian restaurant in the Mission. Several call it authentic or legit, and several name it a favorite or regular go-to. One commenter finds it hit or miss, though it still satisfies a South Indian craving, and one notes the medium spice setting is fairly hot.

Mission

31 people recommend, 6 warn against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Copra, many of them for a fancy or special-occasion meal, and a few describe it as modern or creative Indian cooking. Two recommend the black cod and two the appam. Several call it pricey, including one who found the required set menu too costly for a large group. Two commenters report poor service on a visit, one calls it very overrated, and another agrees with a warning against it.

27 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Jalebi Street in the Haight, and many single out the jalebi, with some saying it is best fresh and two pointing to it served with rabdi. A few recommend it for chaat and some for the chole bhature. A couple of commenters say the menu leans toward snacks and lacks non-veg dishes, one says the pani puri is poor, and one criticizes the service and line while saying the food was good.

Haight

23 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Besharam, a vegetarian Indian restaurant in Dogpatch, and many call it great or fantastic. Some note it is vegetarian, and a few describe it as less traditional, with one calling it a Westernized take and another disputing that label. One commenter says it does not serve traditional chaat, and one finds the spicing and overall taste dull and says it suits non-Indian diners.

19 people recommendvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Tilak, in Bernal Heights, and several name it their top pick, favorite or a regular. Two praise the saag paneer, and some note it is a trip from elsewhere in the city. One commenter says it is not fancy but the food is excellent, one says the heat is strong enough that even the mild level was too much for their kids, and one relays a friend's view that it is just okay.

Bernal

17 people recommendvia r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Zante's, and many praise its Indian pizza; two praise its seasoning and two mention the dipping sauces. Several pick it up to go, though one says takeout can skimp on sauce and one finds the atmosphere rough. Two say recent visits tasted less good or under-seasoned, and a few rank other places above it.

Mission

17 people recommend, 7 warn against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Apna Chulha on Valencia Street, and many point to its lunch buffet as good value. Several call it great, amazing or fantastic, one calling it their favorite Indian place and one the top Indian spot in the city, while a few say the bar area or formal look hurt the atmosphere. Others are less convinced: two say the food is mediocre or does not stand out, one found it overpriced for small portions, one found the naan and baingan bharta disappointing, and two call it among the worst or horrible.

Valencia St

16 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Roti Indian Bistro, and those who name a location mean West Portal. Two call it among the best Indian food in the city, and two mention that it brings real spice, with one suggesting asking for it spicy. One commenter praises the palak paneer and garlic naan.

West Portal

16 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Rooh, many of them for upscale dinners or special occasions, and a few describe the cooking as fusion or inventive. Rooh has other branches; the one listed here is the San Francisco restaurant, which commenters name. A few like the drinks. Two say it has slipped over time, one finds it fancy and tasty but less authentic, and one finds the mains weak though they recommend the appetizers and drinks.

16 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Raavi, a North Indian restaurant, and many call it affordable or good value. Some mention its lunch specials, and one says the menu is entirely northern Indian. Two commenters find the food sometimes oily, and one says a visit was the worst Indian meal they have had.

Financial District

15 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Aditi, a Mission restaurant, and many praise the biryani, with one calling the Vijayawada chicken biryani the top pick and another recommending the boneless chicken biryani. Two list it among cheap Indian options, and some point to its spice or Andhra-style heat. One commenter says to skip it, ranking it last of three Mission spots.

Mission

14 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskSF, r/vegetarian, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Chaat Corner, which has more than one outlet; the one listed here is the 3rd Street branch near Folsom, which commenters name. Two praise the dahi batata sev puri, two like its dosa options and two mention the combo meals, while one recommends it for late-night eating. Opinions are mixed: two find the vada pav weak, two find the rest of the menu average or bland, one calls it hit or miss, one says it has declined since they last went, and one found the veg chow mein disappointing.

3rd and Folsom

14 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF, r/vegetarian

Most commenters recommend Nepa Indian Cuisine, and those who name a location mean the Divisadero restaurant. Two call it the best Indian food they have had or found, and some say they love it or call it awesome. Some have reservations: one calls it only marginally good because other local Indian places are worse, and one lists it among disappointing options, saying a friend thought only the naan was good.

Divisadero

13 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Rose Indian Cuisine, and those who name a location mean the Inner Sunset spot on 9th Avenue. Some say they eat there regularly, and one says the food and service are both excellent. One recommends it for spicy food and warns that very spicy orders are intense, and one urges trying the pakoras. Two had mixed views: one found it decent but not especially memorable, and one found it somewhat close to an old favorite but lacking in spice complexity.

Inner Sunset

13 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Diwali, a Mission restaurant that some describe as South Indian or Andhra-style, and several call the food tasty or good. Three mention dosa, including one who loves a pepper-style chicken dosa and gongura biryani and thinks it may be the best South Indian food in the city. Two had mixed views: one found the food excellent but the service poor, and one found a delivered vindaloo fairly average.

Mission

12 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Shalimar, a Pakistani restaurant on Jones Street in the Tenderloin that people also suggest for Indian food. Two are long-standing fans with no bad visits, and two call it good value or affordable. Two commenters note it can be oily or rich, with one saying friends read the oil on top as a sign of quality.

Tenderloin

12 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Tara Indian Cuisine, and commenters place it on Market Street in the Castro. Some call it great or excellent, and two call it their go-to or a longtime staple. One commenter says its sambar is the best they have had at a restaurant while noting the menu leans toward fusion rather than traditional cooking, one calls the korma their favorite thing there, and one found the veggie curry excellent. One who likes it for takeout says the decor and ambience still lack.

Market St

12 people recommend, 5 warn against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Many commenters recommend Amber India, a North Indian restaurant near Yerba Buena Lane, and a few suggest it for a special night out. Many also call it pricey, with one saying it is far too expensive and another saying it is costly but not overpriced. One commenter feels it falls short on authenticity, one says the food quality has dropped, and one says not to rate it, finding the drinks only passable.

10 people recommendvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Chutney, on Jones Street in the Tenderloin, and two point to its value, one for generous portions and the other for haleem. One calls it their surprising favorite, and one says a recent visit made them rethink their loyalty to Shalimar. One commenter was a bit let down recently, finding the gravy too thin though the flavors were fine.

Tenderloin

10 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Tiya, a high-end Indian restaurant, and a few call it amazing or excellent. Two praise the tasting menu, and some note it is expensive. Two commenters are unimpressed, one calling it overrated and somewhat bland and one listing it among mediocre places.

9 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

People recommend Kinara, a fusion kitchen on Geary Street whose food one commenter describes as Indian with Pakistani-style flavours. Two name it first on their lists of Indian places, and one who has tried most options ranks it clearly on top. One says it makes the best Indian pizza and suggests the mango dhamaka pizza, one gives extra credit to the chili paneer, and one says the to-go pizzas are larger than dine-in ones.

9 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

People recommend Mission Curry House, an Indian restaurant in the Mission. Two call it their go-to or the first place they crave after long trips away, though one says it is not the city's best. One says its chicken tikka masala is the best they have tried around the Bay and the lunch special is excellent value.

9 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Kasa Indian Eatery, which has more than one location; commenters name the Polk Street and Castro ones, and the one listed here is the Castro location. Some call the food good or delicious, and two note it sells thali plates. Two commenters who had only seen the menu or photos say its kathi rolls are not traditional ones, and one who ate there found the basic roll small but rated it above average for San Francisco Indian food. One calls it very casual and one calls it overpriced.

Castro

7 people recommendvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Commenters recommend Sewa on Clement Street in the Richmond, which serves Indian and Nepalese food. Two say it is reliably or consistently good, one calls it a favorite, and one says it has more vegetable options. One suggests its mild option, which has no chili, for a child who avoids spicy food.

Clement

7 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Commenters recommend Castro Indian Restaurant. Two call it solid or not bad, one calls it a clear improvement on an older restaurant there and thinks it is among the best they have tried in the city, one says it is still amazing, and one rates it the best dosa spot in the city.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Viva Goa, an Indian restaurant, though most simply name it as an answer. One says it is very spicy, one likes the samosas but has not been in a long time, and one says it used to be the best but quality dropped after a recipe change.

Lombard

7 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Dancing Yak, a Nepalese restaurant whose cooking two commenters say overlaps with northern Indian food. Two mention its naan, though one says it may be thinner and crisper than some would want. One says the food is great but often loud, one calls a meal there the worst they have had with no flavor, and one says quality has been uneven lately and stopped going.

6 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Noori, a Pakistani and Indian restaurant on Irving Street in the Sunset. One says everything was delicious after a visit, and one recommends it for its food. One commenter who usually gets food from there thinks Indian food in the city lags behind the South Bay.

Irving

6 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

People recommend Bir Kitchen in the Mission, which one commenter calls a Nepali place. Some praise its biryani, one saying it is underrated with very large portions and the other naming it their favorite, and one who has been to the Mission spot rates its aloo gobhi highly.

Mission

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend India Clay Oven on Clement Street in the Richmond. One calls it pretty good, one says they love it, and one suggests it for UK-style spice, finding Bay Area curries too sweet by comparison. One commenter says it used to be amazing but a recent order was awful.

Clement

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Mr. Singh's Curry Pizza, and those who name a location mean the Sunset shop. A few say the food tastes good, one ranks it above Zante's, and one is not sure it is the best but says it satisfies and urges trying it. One commenter liked it a year earlier but found recent visits disappointing.

Sunset

5 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Most commenters recommend Om, and those who name a location mean the Haight Street restaurant. One says nothing compares to it, one calls it the clear choice, and one recommends it for takeout. One loves its chana masala, eggplant dish, kadai paneer and paneer pakora. One commenter found it decent but not especially memorable.

Haight

5 people recommendvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Commenters recommend Mashaallah Halal, a Pakistani restaurant that people also name as a halal Indian option, on 5th Street. Two call it very good or praise it strongly, and one enthusiastically urges skeptics to try it. One says it moved out of a food court into its own space. The praise is brief, with no specific dishes described.

5 people recommendvia r/AskSF, r/sanfrancisco

Commenters recommend Tadka on 24th Street. One ranks it near the top of their favorite Indian places in the city for its flavors, one says it has the best chicken korma they have eaten, one likes the pizza while admitting limited Indian-food expertise, and one likes the fresh chopped herbs and green onions on top.

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF

Most commenters recommend Al Hamra, and the one who names a location says 16th Street. One calls its CTM burrito excellent and a good deal, one prefers it to Zante's, and one calls it a favorite. One commenter who picked up regularly says phone orders often did not reach the kitchen, so they stopped going.

16th