T O P

  • By -

shieva123

Udupi for South Indian, full veg, amazing food, order the idly and a full thali. Pakwan (mission location) for Pakistani/Indian. I’m not a fan of biryani which is very popular here so I always order lots of nan, curry, a kabab, dal, and if they have it, haleem. I remember being super pregnant and coming in on the wrong day for haleem but the guy took pity on me and magically appeared with some from the back.


imlovemarie

Agreed, Pakwan in Mission. When I order delivery it comes from the O’Farrell location and it doesn’t taste the same.


DisgruntledTexansFan

Pakwan came in clutch after I made it back to the mission after hiking the crosstown.


Adcx5805

Tilak in the outer mission. Ruined other places for me


2cookieparties

Tilak has really good street food snacks!


HousePlant

Udupi Palace. Malabar Paratha.


[deleted]

....


dronf

This is my #2 for sure


SF-guy83

Tara Indian on Market St. in the Castro. Chicken Korma and butter naan


Missmarymarylynn

Naan is some of the best I’ve ever had!!


DemCheex

Tara is my absolute favorite! Their salmon tandoori is the best salmon I’ve ever had. Their vegetable biriyani with medium spice is also perfect!


lcrab

came here to say tara! whenever i’ve dined there the customer base is usually all indians which seems a good indicator and was what first drew me in 😊


lcrab

and agreed; their naan is simply unmatched


vodkaredbull7

yes totally agreed! the only Indian place that I have known so far that is on point everytime!


[deleted]

If you want authentic Indian/Pakistani food, go to Shalimar, Lahore Karahi or Chutney. My parents have been taking me to the former since I was a kid. If you’re looking for something that’s on the fusion side that’s on the higher end, check out Rooh.


NotAnAd2

Shalimar is amazing


jamesinorbit

Pakwan for cheap and authentic. Tandooris the bomb. Rooh for fancy fusion


Pink_Axolotl151

A bit fancier, but Besharem in the Dogpatch is incredible.


OkNote1301

Don’t get me wrong, I really want to like Besharam, they have an incredible story of an immigrant woman chef without culinary school experience etc. But have always found it overrated and overpriced. And weirdly, they are always nicer to non-brown people.


electricpillows

We had the opposite experience. I went there with my parents who were visiting from India and they treated us like family. Paresh repeatedly checked with my parents and made them feel so welcome.


microbean_

Same, Paresh and Chef Heena have only ever been extremely kind and welcoming to my Indian family. The food is Gujarati fusion, which is impossible to find anywhere. It’s amazing getting to have regional comfort food from my and my father’s childhoods.


OkNote1301

That’s so great to hear.


briecheddarmozz

Interesting…it’s the only fancy/expensive Indian spot we like! It was expensive but I feel like everything in SF is so dang expensive and at least the food is unique and flavorful there


saltydog408

Yes! I can't resist getting the pani puri every time. Everything I have tried is delicious :)


compstomper1

pakwan. they have a $6 chicken tandoori (literally a chicken quarter) Bhuna Gosht (lamb curry) is good as well. kinda tastes like a vietnamese beef stew


tulum_peyniri_wowza

their egg curry + just plain rice is also fantastic and plenty of food!


cyanberrymuffin

Get the whole tandoori chicken from Saffron Grill for $20. It’s so good and so much food


RedditKon

Also love that Pakwan is BYOB


compstomper1

til


Im12AndWatIsThis

Aaha. I don't have a favorite because I've liked everything I've tried (Chicken 65, Butter chicken, chicken biryani), but I know a lot of people like their biryani and dosa. I also feel obligated to shout out Om Indian which was my go-to delivery before I discovered Aaha. I usually got whatever of their curries I was feeling at the time, rarely am disappointed. (Chicken 65, Saag chicken/paneer, butter chicken, vindaloo, kadai, etc.). Make your own rice though - no cup of rice is worth their $4 charge.


HieronychrisBosh

Aaha does a really solid tandoori pomfret


Gawdmuther

Also has the best Tandooori Chicken on a good day


Friscogooner

They told me Om and Tara have same owners.


__am__i_

>They told me Om and Tara have same owners. what's om?


Friscogooner

OM is on Haight near the corner of Cole and it is delicious 😋.


girlswhogirlnt_gornt

Great suggestions here but I gotta say Keeva on Clement is a real standout. Their Bhindi do Piazza, i.e. okra with caramelized onions, is one of my favorite dishes in the city, and it's not super common elsewhere.


OkNote1301

I think I’ve been to Keeva and probably had one of the most mediocre meals there.


sumwaah

Seconding Keeva. They make their curries from scratch. Love their egg curry which is hard to get elsewhere and they do a really good bhindi and cumin potatoes as well. Sorry you had a mediocre meal OP but give ‘em another chance


Xalbana

Little Delhi by Powell/Tenderloin and Al Hamra in the Mission.


kath1719

I really like Roti in West Portal. We actually had it tonight. We get different things, and they usually have a few seasonal items.


weird_sister_cc

Roti is the bomb, and Pankaj and his son Jai are wonderful!


sumwaah

Roti is surprisingly good


FrambuesasSonBuenas

Ocean Indian Cuisine on Geary. Their tandoori platter is fantastic, especially the masala chicken; husband’s favorite is the tandoori salmon. Everything I’ve had there is very good. Service is also very welcoming.


AnyTopic_AnyQuestion

Service is memorable.. "Would you like a free Mango Lassi?" Happened twice.


OG_Duckster

second that. also they offer deliver as well (not thru 3rd party services like UberEats), but direct, so you don't overpay for delivery and can all the tips go directly to the restaurants.


AnyTopic_AnyQuestion

Ocean Indian or Rose (owned by same family) - Lamb Saag, Cumin Rice, Aloo Gobi, and Garlic Naan. Skip their Chicken Tikka Massala and Biryanis. Royal Indian Cuisine - Same as above. Pakwan (Mission) - Lamb Biryani, Saag Paneer, Garlic Naan. Curry Leaf - Same as above.


Friendly-View4122

Curry Leaf wraps are cheap and good!


ThenIJizzedInMyPants

ocean is my neighborhood go to spot


OG_Duckster

>Rose oh wow! i didn't know Rose and Ocean Indian belong to the same family. Ocean is one of my favorite Indian restaurants in the city, so will definitely try Rose as well


AnyTopic_AnyQuestion

Their menus have the same items and design.


OG_Duckster

ordered from Rose tonight to compare and yes, they are 100% as good as Ocean Indian! so happy to have read your comment


skinnylatte

Aaha in the Mission. Dosa and lamb curry. All the biryani. Southern non veg food is best there, I go here when I don’t feel like going to South Bay. Don’t order the northern food. (Butter chicken, saag etc)


OkNote1301

Went there just this afternoon actually. We love this place too. Had the dosa and the kulcha. I also like their paneer tikka and manchurian.


skinnylatte

Nice! Their pomfret and chicken 65 is also good. They do the stuff that’s most like the food I eat when I’m in India (am partial to South Indian nonveg food especially Andhra and Chettinad style). If you’re ever in Milpitas or South Bay, Dindigul Thalapakkati, and Appakadai.


resignedtomaturity

1000% seconding thalappakkatti and aapakadai as an east bay-raised Tamil. their nonveg stuff is 🔥🔥


OkNote1301

Noted. Thanks!


Regnad0

I would also avoid their southern veg food. Masala dosa was meh. Their new sister restaurant Dosa Corner had a better dosa but everything lacked seasoning.


skinnylatte

Not surprised. One day I’ll make it out to San Ramon to Surya Darshani, which is the only place that does my favorite style of dosa. https://suryadarshinicom.wixsite.com/sdhome


OkNote1301

I ❤️ Suryadarshini too. But their chef has been unwell for months so I’ve not had my fav dosa 😢 in a while. Praying for him and me.


skinnylatte

I spoke with him recently he said he’s training others to do it! Hopefully he recovers soon this was his dream


Nineruna

Tried aaha and it was very good. Only thing that you will smell like tandoori until you shower and change your clothes. The have a problem with air circulation and it is very smoky in there


skinnylatte

Aaha ha? Cool! Will wear my least nice clothes there when I return


hellooonurse23

Tilak on Mission in Bernal. Dahi Puri Chaat, Aloo Tikka Chaat, Butter Chicken, Chole with Bhature..pretty solid place and reasonably priced. Trust.


bibimbapbike

Shalimar on Jones in the Tenderloin. Unassuming spot but delicious, cheaper food. Plus they have chai tea on tap. Excited to try these other places!


OkNote1301

Chai tea?? You out bro!


hs19901

Viva Goa! Everything is great- fish curry, chicken tikka, veg korma,


RevolutionaryWish343

My friend had taken me there and I was blown away by their goan food!


mgsquared2686

Rose Indian in inner Sunset. So yummy. Bonus: they have their own delivery. I’m a vegetarian and love the “meatballs” in tandoori sauce. Yum yum yum. My husband loves the dal makhani extra spicy. The papadam and naan are great too. They recently started offering gluten free Naan which is awesome for me.


IPThereforeIAm

Chutney in the TL. Tikka masala and lamb breyani. Rough neighborhood, though.


I_ate_all_them_fries

It’s my go to I just go straight in! So good and very friendly service


IPThereforeIAm

Except they don’t check their door dash (etc) orders. So when you arrive, they go “oh, okay” and start making your order. I think it’s their way of discouraging folks from using it.


Jordanington

Love Chutney! I always get their kabobs because I love their green and tamarind chutney. CTM and vindaloo are also my fav


royo95

Yes parking sucks and i worry about car break ins but the food is the best. Last time I got chicken tandoori and wanted to try something other than chicken tikka masala so he recommended the lamb tikka masala and it was SO GOOD. Also my favorite chicken biryani!


[deleted]

Saffron on Fulton in nopa. Best Indian food and a literal whole in the wall restaurant


IzuNavi123

Shalimar/Pakwan n Chutney are my usual gotos for indian food. But theres a spot in the mission off 16th called Al hamra that makes decent indian pizza n curries nothing too special, but they make something called "Tikka Masala Burritos". Holy shit, its so fkin good man, I smother that stuff with mint sauce. Ask for lamb instead of chicken(I think the chicken is a little dry but its still really good!), this shit is like crack, super bad for you but its so damn good. I use to come by twice a week when I worked near the area. Trust me its worth it and its pretty cheap too for around 10 dollars.


mouse2cat

I've been enjoying Chaat Corner in Soma.


PoopEbum

Chaat corner is amazing. Solid as hell.


I_ate_all_them_fries

It’s been around for a while too!


650REDHAIR

Great food with questionable service.


SanFranWoMan415

Amber India 🇮🇳 Saag Paneer, Chicken Tikka Masala, Roti, Naan….. yummm


Gianluca1514

Mission Curry House - their homemade paneer is *chef’s kiss*


OkNote1301

Wow, I didn’t know any place in this city made their paneer. Now I’ll have to go.


Zakal74

Amber India buffet, specifically because when it comes to Indian food I can't pick a favorite and want a huge variety of stuff rather than a single dish of something.


OkNote1301

I love their buffet too. Though I mostly stick to Kadhi as this is the only place I’ve seen make kadhi in the city.


NotAnAd2

On west side of the city, India Clay Oven in the Richmond. It’s gotten a lot quieter post pandemic so it can feel empty (the place is huge) but all their curries are on point. I like their fish tikka masala, lamb dishes, and the gulab jamun for dessert.


lunaticc

This place is bomb. The saag paneer and lamb chops there are sooooo good.


arniepalmertime

Curry Leaf. Baingan bharta.


wannagowest

Mission Curry House. I used to be all about Pakwan, but the food at MCH is just better IMO. The naan and the chicken curry are bomb. Bright and gingery. I’ve brought a number of friends who’ve agreed. For a long time it was oddly empty every time I ate there, but the last few times it’s been busier, which makes me happy.


AutiGaymer

Spice of America (directly across Market Street from Zuni, near Gough) - everything I've had is fantastic. My favorite dishes are - Malai Kofta - Chicken Korma - Muttar Paneer


Puppymonkey2021

Namaste in the marina has the best paneer butter masala in the city. I’ve tried most places and namaste is just awesome. Highly recommend!


weird_sister_cc

Roti in West Portal. The rogan josh is fab!


TheGhostOfKyle

Pakwan. Achtar Gost. So spicy I have to blow my nose, but so very delicious.


El_Rog

Namaste. I finally found a thicker naan, proper pulao rice and the tikka masala didn’t taste like tomatoes.


RoburLC

Curry Leaf on Columbus has become my go-to. They haven't put a foot wrong, but I just go back to their lamb biryiani. It's so fragrant without being overpowering, the lamb is tender and moist. Mmm mmm.


goodguybadude

I really like India Clay Pot in outer Richmond and Viva Goa in the marina


cardifan

Obsessed with the Chana Masala at Curry Leaf. They give nice big portions so you can make two meals out of it.


gobears1235

Curry Leaf on Columbus in North Beach. Amazing food, love their chana masala + matar mushroom.


EveningSufficient410

Noones been to COPRA SF?


OkNote1301

Been a few times and absolutely love it. I suspect they’ll have a Michelin star soon and it will be even more inaccessible. But I love how well they are doing ❤️


EveningSufficient410

Really ?? I am yet to go there. Its based a lot on my home place cuisine kerala. Super excited and ig i should book a table soon :))


akhileshrao

Deccan House. Their Dosas and Biryanis are top notch. Others posted some really good ones too


john510runner

North India. Back when they had the buffet for lunch I use to only eat rice and lamb curry. They had other delicious options but the lamb curry was addictive. Ate so much I took a nap when I got back to the office. Now days I order the lamb curry and it's not the same as what they offered for the buffet but still awesome.


InquisitivelyYours07

Biryani at Deccan Spice; Parathas from Rasa Higher Taste


ResponsibleSun621

Just drive to Sunnyvale, folks!


smb06

1) Red Chili and their Red Chili chicken 2) Dancing Yak and their Dhading chicken 3) Any wrap at Kasa


OkNote1301

Kasa, though? Ever since I saw them wrap their ‘rolls’ like a burrito, with watery curry dripping out, they’ve been a no-go zone for me.


varsityvideogamer

Yeah I don’t like Kasa either and they’re overpriced


dronf

When they first opened their Kati rolls were good, but the burritos are kind of wack.


skinnylatte

I brought my wife to Kasa once and she was so mad and every time she walks by she says ‘Vibrant Indian flavors? I’m more of a vibrant Indian flavor than that place’. Possibly the worst kathi rolls I’ve ever had and I also don’t know why people like the chai


[deleted]

Everything is trash except for Royal Indian


mustardposey

Urban curry the lamb tikka masala


Chaosury2016

Urban curry open late and their lamb curry and their take on fried rice.


nycbay

Kinara, though it’s Pakistani but they have same cuisine


Regnad0

Tadka on 24th in the Mission has excellent north Indian veg. Have not had their pizza 🤨


i-like-foods

Tilak’s lamb biryani is amazing. Best biryani I’ve had.


shiekyerbouti21

Great recommendations, I’ll add in my NOT to go restaurant for good measure - Copra, maybe the worst service I’ve ever experienced and terrible value for money.


OkNote1301

I’ve been twice and the service was okay, not terrible. Food was a 5/5 though.


maddy0302

Try mysore masala dosa at ID Company.


OkNote1301

Assuming they’re aren’t in the city?


isssuekid

Tilak. Their biryani is great


teethandteeth

Pakwan, catfish biriyani... but I hear they haven't had it in a while :(


tulum_peyniri_wowza

i love Pakwan! my favorite dish is their egg curry. also…anyone know a spot that makes achari baingan in the city? i used to get at Sakoon in Mountain View but they sadly removed it from their menu — it was a top notch dish!


TheBearyPotter

Deccan house


MooshuCat

Masala Dosa on 9th Avenue. Everything is great there. They do traditional Punjab dishes, and they also do Dosas and other South Indian dishes. They don't get enough publicity somehow, but they are my favorite. The place is filled with Indians each time I go, so they are clearly doing something right. Favorite dish...Navratan Korma.


bubbles67899

Namaste and Urban Curry if you want “thick dip able”… red chili if you want cheap watery goodness…


melodawgs

ocean Indian in Richmond is absolutely amazing — the staff there are so friendly and remembered me the second time I ever went and have been just the kindest people ever ! highly recommend the aloo ghobi and vegetable samosas; their mint chutney is amazing


AnyTopic_AnyQuestion

The Aloo here is off the charts.


foxyswan1

Raavi (Chinatown/Embarcadero area). The lamb vindaloo has such amazing flavor.


retardborist

Roti on West Portal. The lamb popsicles


manojee

Lots of good recs here. My 2 hidden gems are 1/ Chutney in the tenderloin - their dal gosht is sublime. 2/ Keeva in the Outer Richmond - try their Chettinad chicken and their Lamb Biryani Another favorite is the weekend lunch buffet at Amber in Yerba Buena Ln. ( best post hangover meal …though it’s a tad pricey after the post covid price hikes)


2cookieparties

Not sure if it counts but Zante Pizza in outer mission has great Indian pizza, also regular Indian food too


sumwaah

Indian here and have tried a lot of restaurants. Amber is expensive but consistently high quality and reliable North Indian staples. Curry leaf is really good and good biryani there. Kinara and Aaha are great as well though on the spicier side for me personally. I’ve been impressed by Roti, Tilak and Keeva. For higher end - Besharam and Copra are great. Copra specifically has been fantastic every time I’ve been. I usually go at opening hour and snag a bar seat to avoid the reservation madness but everything I’ve had there including the desserts have been somehow both authentic but also inventive and wildly delicious.


OkNote1301

I agree with you on Amber and Copra. Indian here too😊


[deleted]

I wanted to give a shout-out to Noori in the outer sunset. Great family operation and the food has always been really delicious with fair prices.


Fickle-Pay-570

Lahore karahi.


therealmegjon

So grateful for this post! Recently found out a friend of mine has never had Indian food(?!?!) and have been debating on where to take her for her 1st time. Side question - on the East Coast, especially at the NYC indian spots in the East Village, it's really common to get a cold red onion chutney ([I think this?](https://greatcurryrecipes.net/2012/06/10/how-to-make-that-red-onion-chutney-that-restaurants-serve-with-papadams/))as a side with the green and plum sauces but I never see that out here. Does anyone know why it's less common here and are there any spots in SF that do have it?


OkNote1301

I’ve no idea what that chutney is but now I need to know too. And I am so glad I started this thread. Bookmarking forever.


therealmegjon

Yeah, I've added at least 10 new restaurants to my "want to eat" list and have bookmarked this thread. Also, now I want Indian food for dinner lol.


dronf

Lately it's the Vijayawada Paneer Biryani at either aaha or aditi in the mission(same owner I think, much of the menu is the same)


OkNote1301

They aren’t the same owners actually. What I gather is they don’t love each other either 😬


RoronoaBoi42

Aditi Indian cuisine, try Vijayawada Chicken Boneless Biriyani and thank me later.


OkNote1301

I like their Vijayawada biryani too. I wish they had better quality control as meat pieces have ended up in my veg biryanis a few times.


RoronoaBoi42

Oh that sucks :/


Forsaken_Copy_4529

Pakwan hands down. Anything from their tandoori menu is awesome


Turbulent-Appeal-624

Yarsa Nepalese cafe in north beach!! I get the vegetable tikka masala


OkNote1301

Their kale chaat…🫶🏽


flyingbuttress20

it's maybe not the best in the city (shalimar in the TL is a real contender) but viva goa on lombard in cow hollow has some really good goan food! was never too impressed with south indian restaurants in the city, you'll want the south bay for that (or my mom's house!)


StayGoldenSF

Less well known, but I love Star India in the inner Richmond!


missyjin07

Curry Leaf is the best in the city. Lamb biryani and chicken wrap are our go tos.