Best Chana Masala in San Francisco, California
Royal Indian Cuisine on Fillmore
Address: 1740 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Royal Indian Cuisine on Fillmore in San Francisco, California offers an inviting atmosphere where diners can enjoy authentic North Indian dishes served by attentive and warm staff. The restaurant specializes in classic favorites like butter chicken, biryani, and tandoori dishes, while also offering complimentary papadam with house-made chutneys to start each meal. The cozy neighborhood spot consistently delivers fresh, flavorful food at reasonable prices, making it a reliable choice for both dine-in and takeout experiences in the heart of the city.
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Prices: Many reviews describe the prices as reasonable, affordable, or a bargain.
Staff: Numerous reviews emphasize the friendliness, attentiveness, and excellent service provided by the staff.
Parking: One review mentions metered parking nearby, but there's no information about restaurant-owned parking.
Takeout: Multiple reviews explicitly mention takeout or ordering to-go, indicating that takeout is available.
Vegan: While some vegetarian dishes are mentioned, there's no explicit confirmation of dedicated vegan options in the reviews.
Pakwan Restaurant
Address: 1140 Ocean Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112
Pakwan Restaurant in San Francisco, California, serves up authentic Pakistani and Indian cuisine with generous portions that have earned it a loyal following among locals. The bustling establishment is known for its flavorful biryanis, fresh naan bread, and extensive menu of traditional dishes that pack a spicy punch. While the casual counter-service setup keeps things simple, the restaurant delivers consistently tasty food at reasonable prices, making it a reliable spot for both dine-in and takeout experiences.
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Prices: Many reviews refer to reasonable prices and good value for money.
Staff: Many reviews comment positively on the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff; however, a few mention less-than-stellar service.
Parking: Some reviews mention parking difficulties or limited parking; others do not mention parking at all.
Takeout: Many reviews explicitly mention takeout or picking up orders, indicating that takeout is available.
Vegan: Several reviews specify vegan options, such as vegetable biryani and chana masala.
Pakwan Restaurant
Address: 3182 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Pakwan Restaurant in San Francisco, California serves up authentic Pakistani and Indian cuisine in a casual, no-frills setting. The restaurant is particularly renowned for its generous portions of flavorful biryani and freshly baked naan bread that keeps locals coming back. While the self-service style and basic ambiance are straightforward, the kitchen consistently delivers aromatic curries, tandoori specialties, and other traditional dishes that showcase the rich flavors of South Asian cooking.
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Prices: Many reviews describe the prices as affordable, reasonable, or good value for the quantity and quality of food.
Staff: Numerous reviews comment positively on the friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness of the staff.
Parking: Reviews mention that street parking is available nearby, but it can be challenging to find.
Takeout: Many reviews explicitly mention ordering takeout or delivery, indicating that it is available.
Vegan: Many reviews highlight the availability of vegan options and specify vegan versions of certain dishes.
North India
Address: 123 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Located in North India Restaurant in San Francisco, California, this authentic dining establishment serves up flavorful Indian cuisine with generous portions and customizable spice levels to suit any palate. The welcoming atmosphere features traditional decor and attentive staff who provide warm hospitality while guests enjoy signature dishes like butter chicken, biryani, and freshly baked naan. Patrons particularly praise the rich, creamy curries and tandoori specialties that transport diners straight to the streets of India through their masterful blend of aromatic spices and fresh ingredients.
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Prices: Many reviewers consider the prices reasonable or affordable, particularly in relation to San Francisco's cost of living.
Staff: Numerous reviews highlight the friendliness, attentiveness, and helpfulness of the staff.
Parking: Reviews mention parking challenges and the need to park in nearby lots, but do not indicate parking availability at the restaurant itself.
Takeout: Many reviews explicitly mention ordering takeout or picking up orders.
Vegan: At least one review explicitly mentions vegan options.
Amber India Restaurant
Address: 25 Yerba Buena Ln, San Francisco, CA 94103
Amber India Restaurant in San Francisco, California offers an upscale dining experience with a diverse menu of traditional Indian cuisine served in an elegant setting. The restaurant is particularly known for its extensive weekend buffet featuring made-to-order dosas and specialty dishes like butter chicken, though some diners note the prices run on the higher end. While the attentive service and refined atmosphere draw praise, reviews suggest the food quality can be inconsistent, with some classics hitting the mark while other dishes may need fine-tuning.
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Prices: Many reviews criticize the high prices, indicating the restaurant is not considered affordable.
Staff: The reviews frequently praise the attentiveness and friendliness of the staff.
Parking: Some reviews mention parking challenges, while others do not discuss parking.
Takeout: While many reviews focus on dine-in experiences, there is no explicit mention of takeout availability.
Vegan: Reviews mention vegan dishes, such as the Vegan/Gluten-Free Thali.
Viva Goa Indian Cuisine
Address: 2420 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Viva Goa Indian Cuisine in San Francisco, California offers an authentic blend of Goan and North Indian dishes in a cozy Marina District setting. The restaurant specializes in flavorful curries, fresh tandoori dishes, and house specialties like their popular chicken tikka masala and garlic naan, all prepared with traditional spices and cooking methods. The welcoming neighborhood spot consistently delivers quality Indian fare at reasonable prices, making it a go-to destination for both dine-in and takeout customers seeking delicious Indian cuisine in the city.
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Prices: Many reviews describe the prices as reasonable, affordable, or a good value, especially considering the location.
Staff: Numerous reviews highlight the friendly, attentive, and welcoming nature of the staff.
Parking: Some reviews mention street parking availability.
Takeout: Multiple reviews explicitly mention ordering takeout, confirming its availability.
Vegan: Several reviews mention vegan dishes like vegan biryani, indicating the restaurant offers vegan options.
Curry Leaf
Address: 943 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Curry Leaf in San Francisco, California, offers an authentic Indian and Pakistani dining experience in a casual, no-frills setting where customers enjoy self-service convenience. The restaurant is particularly renowned for its flavorful biryani, tandoori dishes, and freshly baked naan bread, all served at reasonable prices that make it a popular spot among locals and tourists alike. While the atmosphere may be simple, the focus is clearly on delivering delicious, home-style cooking that keeps patrons coming back for more, especially for their signature dishes like chicken tikka masala and various curry options.
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Not Noted
Prices: Many reviews emphasize the affordable and reasonable prices of the food.
Staff: Numerous reviews describe the staff as friendly, attentive, and helpful.
Parking: Reviews mention street parking as an option, but it is often full and may require paid parking.
Takeout: Multiple reviews explicitly mention ordering takeout, and others discuss the restaurant's popularity for takeout orders.
Vegan: While some dishes may be adaptable for vegan diets, there is no explicit mention of dedicated vegan options.
Indian Oven Restaurant
Address: 233 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Located in San Francisco, California, Indian Oven Restaurant serves up authentic North Indian cuisine in a warm and inviting atmosphere with attentive service. The restaurant specializes in classic dishes like chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, and garlic naan, with portions that are generous and reasonably priced for the city. The friendly staff provides exceptional hospitality while the kitchen prepares made-to-order dishes with traditional spices and cooking methods, including fresh naan baked in their tandoor oven.
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Prices: Many reviews highlight the reasonable or affordable prices.
Staff: Numerous reviews emphasize the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff.
Parking: Parking is not discussed in the provided reviews.
Takeout: Multiple reviews explicitly mention takeout.
Vegan: Several reviews specify the availability of vegetarian and vegan options.
Raavi North Indian Cuisine
Address: 533 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Raavi North Indian Cuisine in San Francisco, California offers a casual dining experience with a diverse menu of traditional Indian dishes served in a no-frills setting. The restaurant is known for its affordable prices and generous portions, featuring popular items like chicken tikka masala, various naan breads, and vegetarian options accompanied by complimentary masala chai. Though the atmosphere is simple with counter service, the establishment maintains clean dining spaces with both indoor and outdoor seating available for guests.
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Prices: Many reviews emphasize the affordability and reasonable prices of the food.
Staff: While some reviews mention rude or unhelpful staff, a significant number praise the staff for being friendly, attentive, and helpful.
Parking: One review mentions limited parking across the street, but most reviews make no mention of parking, indicating that on-site parking is not available.
Takeout: Multiple reviews explicitly mention ordering food for takeout, indicating that takeout is available.
Vegan: Several reviews highlight vegetarian options, and at least one review specifically mentions delicious vegetarian food. The menu includes many dishes suitable for vegetarians, however there is no explicit confirmation of vegan options.
Udupi Palace
Address: 1007 1/2 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Udupi Palace in San Francisco, California serves up authentic South Indian vegetarian cuisine in a casual, no-frills setting. Their extensive menu features crispy dosas, flavorful thalis, and other regional specialties complemented by housemade chutneys and sambar. Despite the small space and sometimes hectic service, the restaurant draws crowds for its generous portions, reasonable prices, and commitment to traditional vegetarian cooking methods.
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Prices: Many reviewers mention reasonable or affordable prices.
Staff: While some reviews mention difficulties with service, others praise the staff for being friendly, attentive, and quick.
Parking: Several reviews mention parking difficulties, implying parking is not readily available at the restaurant.
Takeout: Multiple reviews explicitly mention ordering takeout or having takeout experiences.
Vegan: A significant number of reviews highlight the restaurant's many vegan options and its popularity among vegans.
Noori Pakistani & Indian Cuisine - SF
Address: 1924 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122
Noori Pakistani & Indian Cuisine in San Francisco, California, offers an authentic blend of South Asian flavors in a welcoming neighborhood setting. The restaurant is known for its diverse menu featuring well-executed classics like chicken tikka masala, freshly baked naan, and various curry dishes, all served by attentive staff who create a warm dining experience. While the interior might be simple, the establishment makes up for it with consistently flavorful dishes at reasonable prices, earning its reputation as a reliable local favorite for both dine-in and takeout options.
Known For
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Prices: Many reviews mention affordable or reasonable prices.
Staff: Numerous reviews praise the friendly, attentive, and welcoming staff.
Parking: The reviews do not provide information about parking availability.
Takeout: Multiple reviews mention ordering takeout or picking up DoorDash orders, indicating takeout is available.
Vegan: Several reviews highlight the presence of vegan options, such as vegan pakora and mushroom mutter.
Zante Pizza & Indian Cuisine
Address: 3489 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Zante Pizza & Indian Cuisine in San Francisco, California offers a unique fusion experience combining traditional Indian flavors with Italian-style pizzas, creating their signature Indian pizzas that have become a local favorite. The restaurant's menu features an innovative blend of cuisines, with standout items including their paneer tikka masala pizza and vegan options that have earned praise for their flavorful combinations. The family-run establishment maintains a casual, no-frills atmosphere where the focus is squarely on their distinctive food offerings, though service can vary during busy periods.
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Prices: Reviews offer mixed opinions on pricing, with some describing it as decent or fair and others mentioning that it is pricey.
Staff: Many reviews praise the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff.
Parking: One review mentions parking challenges, while another states that they 'had luck on Cortland,' suggesting parking is available nearby but may be difficult.
Takeout: Many reviews explicitly mention ordering takeout, indicating that it is available.
Vegan: Several reviews highlight the restaurant's vegan pizza options.
Masala Dosa
Address: 1375 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
Masala Dosa in San Francisco, California, offers a diverse menu of North and South Indian cuisine with their signature dosas being a standout favorite among patrons. The restaurant features a welcoming atmosphere with attentive service, though parking can be challenging in the area. From perfectly crispy dosas to flavorful biryanis and rich curries, the kitchen consistently delivers authentic dishes that keep locals coming back for both dine-in and takeout experiences.
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Prices: Some reviews mention pricing as "reasonable" or "decent", while others find it slightly high, suggesting a mixed experience.
Staff: Many reviews praise the staff for being friendly, attentive, and helpful, however, some reviewers experienced rudeness.
Parking: Several reviews mention parking issues, indicating limited or inconvenient parking availability.
Takeout: Multiple reviews explicitly mention ordering takeout, indicating that it is available.
Vegan: Multiple reviews highlight vegan options like the spring dosa and mention vegan-friendly labeling, indicating availability of vegan dishes.
Pakwan Restaurant - Tenderloin
Address: 501 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Pakwan Restaurant - Tenderloin in San Francisco, California offers authentic Pakistani and Indian cuisine in a no-frills setting known for its flavorful biryani and curry dishes. The restaurant serves generous portions at reasonable prices, with their garlic naan and various curry options consistently receiving praise from regulars. While located in a challenging neighborhood with limited parking, the casual establishment makes up for its modest ambiance with tasty, home-style cooking that keeps customers coming back despite the area's drawbacks.
Known For
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Prices: Many reviews describe the prices as reasonable or affordable.
Staff: Reviews provide mixed feedback on staff friendliness; some praise the staff, while others note issues with service or cleanliness.
Parking: Reviews indicate that parking is difficult in the area due to the location.
Takeout: Multiple reviews mention ordering food "to go," indicating takeout is available.
Vegan: Several reviews explicitly mention vegan options.
Mehfil Indian Cuisine
Address: 88 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Mehfil Indian Cuisine in San Francisco, California serves up authentic North Indian fare in a casual downtown setting with quick, friendly service. The restaurant is particularly known for its chicken tikka masala and other curry dishes, which regulars praise for their rich, flavorful sauces and generous portions. Their affordable lunch specials and takeout options make this hidden gem a popular spot for downtown workers seeking quality Indian food at reasonable prices.
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Prices: Many reviews cite the affordable prices as a significant positive aspect of the restaurant.
Staff: Numerous reviews describe the staff as friendly, attentive, and welcoming.
Parking: One review mentions parking is difficult due to the downtown location.
Takeout: Multiple reviews explicitly state that takeout is available.
Vegan: One review mentions a vegan dish was successfully prepared upon request; another review notes that many vegetarian options can be made vegan.
Little Delhi
Address: 83 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Little Delhi, nestled in San Francisco, California, serves up traditional Indian cuisine in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere with Bollywood music playing in the background. The menu features a range of authentic dishes from creamy curries to tandoori specialties, with their garlic naan and dal makhani being particular standouts among regular patrons. Though located in a busy urban area, the restaurant maintains a family-style warmth with attentive service and generous portions that keep locals coming back for more.
Known For
Not Noted
Prices: Reviews are mixed; some find the prices reasonable or affordable while others find them high or expensive given the quality or portion size.
Staff: Many reviews mention friendly and attentive staff, but there are also some that mention issues with service.
Parking: One review mentions paid street parking nearby.
Takeout: Multiple reviews mention ordering food for takeout.
Vegan: Some reviews mention vegetarian options like vegetable biryani, malai kofta, and others. However, there is no specific mention of exclusively vegan dishes.
Besharam
Address: 1275 Minnesota St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Located in San Francisco, California, Besharam offers a creative twist on traditional Gujarati cuisine with a fully vegetarian menu that includes innovative dishes like their signature cheesy garlic naan and malai kofta. The restaurant's modern interpretations of Indian street food and regional specialties are served in an industrial-chic setting, though portion sizes tend to run small for the upscale pricing. Despite mixed reviews about service, the establishment stands out for its unique cocktail program and contemporary takes on classic flavors, earning praise for dishes that blend authentic tastes with contemporary presentation.
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Prices: A significant portion of the reviews criticize the high prices relative to portion sizes and overall quality, indicating that the prices are not affordable for many.
Staff: Reviews on staff friendliness and attentiveness are mixed, with some praising the service while others describe it as rude, inattentive, or pushy.
Parking: Several reviews mention easy parking, while others do not.
Takeout: The reviews do not specify whether takeout is available.
Vegan: Many reviews emphasize the restaurant's extensive vegan options and praise their quality.
Kasa Indian Eatery
Address: 4001 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
Kasa Indian Eatery in San Francisco, California, offers a modern twist on traditional Indian cuisine with their signature kati rolls and thali platters served in a casual, vibrant atmosphere. Their menu highlights include perfectly spiced chicken tikka masala, fresh-baked naan, and an authentic masala chai that regulars rave about. The friendly staff and quick service make this Castro neighborhood spot ideal for both dine-in meals and takeout, though some find the seating arrangements a bit basic for extended stays.
Known For
Not Noted
Prices: Many reviews describe the prices as affordable or reasonable.
Staff: Numerous reviews describe the staff as friendly, attentive, and helpful.
Parking: One review mentions that parking is easy.
Takeout: Reviews mention takeout multiple times.
Vegan: Several reviews highlight the availability of vegan options, such as vegan Kati rolls and thali plates.
Deccan House
Address: 1142 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Deccan House in San Francisco, California offers a diverse menu of South Indian specialties, including their signature dosas, biryani, and traditional curries served in a cozy setting with booth seating. The restaurant specializes in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, with particular attention to their house-made chutneys and authentic spice blends. While service can be variable, the establishment has gained a following for its flavorful dishes like keema dosa, chicken tikka masala, and their selection of Indo-Chinese fusion items.
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Prices: The reviews contain conflicting opinions about pricing, with some describing prices as high or overcharged, while others find the food affordable.
Staff: The reviews are mixed regarding staff friendliness and attentiveness, with some praising the service and others describing staff as rude or inattentive.
Parking: The reviews do not provide information about parking availability.
Takeout: Multiple reviews explicitly state that takeout is available.
Vegan: Several reviews mention vegetarian dishes, and one specifically mentions it being good for vegetarians.
Kasa Indian Eatery
Address: 1356 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Kasa Indian Eatery in San Francisco, California is a casual quick-service restaurant offering a modern take on traditional Indian cuisine. The menu features popular items like chicken tikka masala, samosas, and kati rolls, along with a selection of vegetarian options and their highly praised house-made chai. The friendly staff provides efficient counter service in a clean, relaxed atmosphere that draws both locals and visitors looking for flavorful Indian food on the go.
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Not Noted
Prices: Opinions on pricing vary; some find it affordable for the portion sizes, while others consider it expensive.
Staff: Many reviews praise the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff, but some mention negative experiences.
Parking: The reviews provide no information about parking availability.
Takeout: Multiple reviews explicitly mention ordering food for takeout or delivery.
Vegan: Several reviews specifically mention the availability of clearly marked vegan options.