Pakwan
41 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/sanfrancisco, r/AskSF30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 21 threads.
What people say, in short
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.
Address
Pakwan Restaurant, 3182 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
At a glance
- Price
- Budget
- Signature dishes
- Biryani
- Best for
- Budget
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Pakwan, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/themouth in r/sanfrancisco · Apr 2025
Calls Pakwan an old-school favorite just around the corner.
- Recommendsu/cogitoergognome in r/sanfrancisco · Apr 2025
Says Pakwan was their old go-to and does a busy delivery trade.
- Recommendsu/ladybug_000 in r/AskSF · Nov 2024
Recommends the Ocean Avenue branch for Pakistani and Indian food.
- Recommendsu/MrFoget in r/sanfrancisco · Aug 2025
Lists it among the few Indian spots they've enjoyed here.
- Recommendsu/GoatLegRedux in r/sanfrancisco · Mar 2025
Labels Pakwan Pakistani and says it is hard to beat.
- Recommendsu/OwnFun4911 in r/sanfrancisco · Aug 2025
Simply names it as an answer with no added detail.
- Recommendsu/Historical-Eagle-777 in r/AskSF · Jan 2024taste
Has only been to the Tenderloin one and calls it delicious.
- Recommendsu/ProfessionalBet7171 in r/AskSF · Jun 2026taste
Says it is good too, listed after naming Aaha.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/space-cowgorl in r/sanfrancisco · Aug 2025
Gives it an honorable mention behind their top two picks.
- Recommendsu/RyeInSF in r/sanfrancisco · Aug 2025
Says they agree Pakwan is good, alongside another pick.
- Recommendsu/Curiousnotlikeacat in r/AskSF · Jun 2026
Lists it among recommended options.
- Recommendsu/security_ai in r/AskSF · Mar 2025
Names Pakwaan at 16th and Valencia as a place to order from; says it's technically Pakistani.
- Recommendsu/ThirdGenNihilist in r/AskSF · Nov 2024taste
Names Pakwan, located in the Mission, when asked for spicy Indian food.
- Recommendsu/meow_meow_2024 in r/AskSF · Nov 2024taste
Adores the saag paneer and finds it authentic.
- Recommendsu/sintra26 in r/sanfrancisco · Oct 2025taste
Says someone from Punjab praised Pakwan as delicious.
- Recommendsu/bowiesashes in r/sanfrancisco · Aug 2025
Names Pakwan as a second pick alongside Dancing Yak.
- Recommendsu/NomNomNavigator in r/sanfrancisco · Aug 2025
Included this San Francisco branch in a ranked halal list, placed fourth.
- Recommendsu/now___here in r/AskSF · Jan 2024
Seconds Pakwan and notes there is one in the Mission.
- Recommendsu/Remarkable_Host6827 in r/sanfrancisco · Feb 2026
Reports no bad visits and likes the 16th Street branch, though ranks Shalimar higher.
- Recommendsu/fattyboombatty79 in r/sanfrancisco · Aug 2025
Names Pakwan when asked for halal Indian restaurant recommendations.
- Recommendsu/Lakeside_gais in r/AskSF · Jan 2024
Surprised no one named Pakwan; calls it casual and quite spicy.
- Recommendsu/_commenter in r/AskSF · Oct 2026taste
Suggests Pakwan's paneer makhani, calling it less oily than the earlier pick.
- Recommendsu/riverdaughter99 in r/AskSF · May 2026taste
Named this Valencia spot and praised its biryani.
- Recommendsu/Ititmore in r/AskSF · May 2026value
Called it a strong value pick for haleem among Tenderloin places.
- Mixedu/joshisinsf in r/sanfrancisco · Aug 2025taste
Calls it hit or miss; the chicken is sometimes dry and overdone.
- Caveatu/MooshuCat in r/AskSF · Jan 2024ambience
Implies Pakwan doesn't suit a special-occasion meal.
- Recommendsu/xilvar in r/AskSF · Dec 2023portion
Says they're fond of it; portions suit one person and it's relatively affordable.
- Recommendsu/ien71 in r/sanfrancisco · May 2025taste
Says their goat biryani ranks top and servings are generous.
- Recommendsu/Mundane-Bookkeeper12 in r/sanfrancisco · Mar 2025
Agrees with the Pakwan recommendation above.
- Caveatu/lj_wanderlust in r/AskSF · Oct 2026taste
Can't judge the paneer, but finds everything else at this place very greasy.
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Freshness
Details last checked 13 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.