Great food, and a welcoming atmosphere! The flavors were amazing, and everything tasted fresh and authentic. The staff was friendly and attentive. Definitely a spot I'd recommend if you're looking for delicious Indian food in San Francisco! Chef Raj was so kind will definitely back to see him again read more

Quite good food, fast service, would go back again. The sea bass was incredible - a must try if you like seafood, but if you don't like spice be aware it's hot! Butter chicken - good in flavor - but had that quality of acidity that you know you're getting heartburn for the rest of the night. Roti - it wasn't roti, it was naan. I don't know if that's an oversight or an accident, or if they're basically the same. I could have asked but I didn't really worry about it because we were so hungry and there was also a building fire alarm during our dinner (absolutely no weight on this review at all, because why would it be lol!) read more

The inside is a lot larger than it looks from the outside! The staff were also very kind, especially the guy who helped pack our to-gos and brought out the food. He was genuinely the nicest person ever, so nothing but positive things to say about him. The food itself was beautiful presentation-wise, especially the biryani and the way they serve it, which I posted a video of. But in terms of taste, I would say everything was pretty mediocre. I think they focus more on the aesthetics of the food than the flavor. I was really looking forward to some authentic Indian food, but I thought nothing was really spicy and everything lacked depth of flavor. I hate to say that about any business, but my friend and I both agreed that the food was lacking that flavor punch. Personally, I wouldn't come back. But if you're someone who likes your Indian food more on the milder side and not as punchy, then maybe this is the place for you. read more

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The atmosphere at Amber Indian Restaurant is cozy and inviting, but unfortunately, I can't say the same about the food. I tried the Chili Chicken 65, and it was quite dry. The Butter Chicken was also disappointing--the sauce had more of a thick, paste-like texture, and the spices were so overpowering that they took away from the actual flavor of the chicken. There were definitely some highlights. The Mango Lassi was great, and the Garlic Naan was excellent--served warm, fluffy, and fresh. For dessert, we ordered the Gulab Jamun, which came with four pieces. Based on the uniform texture and shape, they didn't seem house-made to me. For the price, I think the presentation could have been elevated a bit. Even serving two pieces with a scoop of ice cream and a nicer plate presentation would have made it feel more worthwhile. Overall, the cozy atmosphere and a few good items earned it three stars, but the main dishes just didn't hit the mark for me. I don't personally plan on coming back, but I do wish the restaurant and their team the best of luck. read more

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We went there to celebrate our anniversary, but we left feeling completely dissatisfied and disappointed. The food and service were where we were most let down. While placing our order, we asked the server which curry was on the spicier side. He suggested the baingan curry, so we ordered that along with the kofta curry, garlic naan, shorba soup, and two beverages: the Amber Blush and a mango mojito. Drinks - Not recommended. Both were extremely watered down. If I had to choose, the mango mojito was a 2/10, while the Amber Blush was a 0/10. Food & Service - The shorba soup was good (8/10), and the garlic naan was fantastic (10/10). However, the rest of the meal was a major disappointment. The server initially brought us the wrong dish--bhindi instead of baingan. When we pointed out the error, he actually asked if we would just accept the bhindi instead. When we insisted on getting what we ordered, he furiously snatched the dish away. Five minutes later, he returned to tell us the chef said the baingan curry couldn't be made spicy and would actually be on the sweeter side. Keep in mind, this was the exact dish *he* had recommended as spicier in the first place. When he asked if a sweet curry would work, we had to decline. While all this back-and-forth occurred, we dug into our kofta curry because we were starving. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing 4/10, completely lacking flavor. To top it all off, despite being there for our anniversary dinner, we didn't receive a single gesture of basic hospitality, not even a simple "happy anniversary." Overall Experience: 2/10 - We will never go back and cannot recommend this place to family or friends. read more

Wow! I was super impressed by this restaurant. The ambiance is incredible and the food was super tasty. The staff was friendly from the moment we walked in. The price was appropriate given the location. I'll definitely be back. read more

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This upscale Indian spot was so good! The butter chicken was a favorite, with amazing flavor and a sauce that was just right, not too watery or too thick. The Awadhi Lamb Biryani was delicious too, and I loved the crispy naan on top of the rice. The staff were so kind and welcoming, checking in to make sure we had everything we needed and packing our leftovers neatly to go. Inside, the lighting is nicely dimmed, and the atmosphere feels chill but a little fancy. Between the delicious food and the attentive service, it felt worth the price. read more

Amber India - Chicken Butter Chicken - Indian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I mainly come here for work dinners and brunches, but Amber never disappoints. Great service, ambiance, and location (near so many buses and BART and bike lanes.) The lunch buffet is delicious. I love their lamb and sauces. Prices can be steep but portions are filling. Sauces are complex. read more

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Being a long time fan of their Mountainview location perhaps I was predestined to like their food here, I think The place was well kept. Food tasted very good. Spice level was a bit mild. I am ok with it as such. Service was pretty good and fast. Plantain kofta curry was well made. Roties and biryani were pretty tasty too. The items are a bit too pricey, as can be expected of in the city I would think. For a special dinner it is a good option. read more

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We tried our standard favorites from butter chicken to bhindi masala and enjoyed everything. Our friends were new to Indian food and also loved the palaak chaat and cauliflower appetizer. Only complaint is that rice is priced separately. You know an ethnic restaurant is going to be good when most of the customers are from that area. Service was great and the interior is beautiful. read more

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We were invited by a friend for lunch. He wanted steak but his favorite place was only open at night. So my husband recommended Amber. It's been years since I last ate here. They charge about $48 for the buffet lunch. A lot of selections but I head towards the main course. Butter chicken, a few deep fried appetizers, some noodles, tandoori chicken and rice. My companions started with dosas and a few side light bites. I was already full and didn't want anymore heavy dishes so I opted for dessert after. The others filled up with the main courses and later desserts. At this point they were all stuffed. I didn't think my choices were worth $48 but I was done. Finished off with a nice cup of Indian tea. Come here with a big appetite and skip breakfast. read more

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Looking for a yummy and quick lunch, because we were all very hungry. And one reason we went here was we could smell it from around the block! Looked up were that Indian food smell might be coming from... ooh Amber India right around the corner! Perfect! And they were serving a lunch buffet. This made it easy for a fast order and everyone in our party found choices to make one happy. I'd be interested to come for a regular meal at dinner. Ended up being a lovely meal with desserts included, service very attentive. If I was in the area again I'd definitely stop back in. read more

Amber India - Smorgasbord lunch-delish - Indian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I came here because I love Indian food and the food here tasted really good. The chicken dish was nice and hot and was sizzling . The service was very friendly and attentive to my wishes. The ambiance of the place was very fancy for an Indian restaurant. I highly recommend this place. I give them 5 stars ! read more

Amber India - Restaurant - Indian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This is a five star restaurant. Food is excellent. Ambience is lovely. Kind, helpful and polite staff. I highly recommend the lunch buffet. Convenient location right outside the Yerba Buena Gardens by Market Street in downtown San Francisco. read more

We discovered Amber while strolling from Yerba Buena and are so glad we stopped in. The ambiance is stylish and modern, with lighting that sets the perfect mood for an intimate dinner. Sandeep and his team delivered first-class service: attentive, welcoming, and genuinely made us feel taken care of throughout the evening. The food was excellent across the board. Standouts included the crispy fried spinach, a variety of fresh naan, flavorful tandoori chicken, and fun, tasty pani puri. The butter chicken was rich and satisfying, and we wrapped it all up with delicious desserts. Drinks were just as good, from Taj Mahal beer to their well-crafted cocktails. Overall, a fantastic dining experience with great food, service, and atmosphere. Definitely a spot we'd return to. read more

Amber India - Indian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Amber Indian restaurant is one of the best!! The survive was outstanding!! The whole tram service was great!! I ate 2 whole plates and went for dessert! We will be back really soon. Thank you all for being here! read more

Amber India is always highly regarded for its authentic North Indian dishes and remains one of my "go-to" restaurants in San Francisco. The Papdi chat was crispy in texture, light and pleasantly sweet because of its mango chutney filling. My duck kappa starter was also crispy and the curry paste surrounding the meat bone was mild spicy and had balanced flavors. I thoroughly enjoyed the Peshwari (coconut) Nan bread. My lamb kehbab was complimented by a sweet tamarind and a refreshing mint sauce. The small salad and side of quinoa were equally delicious with the sauces and seekh kehbab. The restaurant's temperature felt chilly inside so I'd recommend that management increase the heating, particularly during San Francisco's windy days. The service was relatively efficient and ambiance quiet. read more

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We chose Amber for a quick lunch with our two young children because we liked the ambiance and wanted a comfortable family dining experience. Since we were planning to stop by a chocolate shop afterward for dessert, we decided to order à la carte instead of the buffet. We were seated at a table at the end of the restaurant, which was perfectly fine. The food itself was very good, and we enjoyed what we ordered. Unfortunately, throughout our meal, we felt repeatedly rushed. While our daughter was still actively eating, multiple staff members kept coming by to ask whether we were done. By the end of our meal, at least five different people had asked us the same question. It honestly felt like we were being hurried because we had chosen the à la carte option instead of the buffet. If customers ordering à la carte during buffet hours are expected to finish quickly, perhaps the restaurant should reconsider offering that option during those times. To be fair, one staff member did apologize after my husband pointed out that several people had already asked if we were finished despite our daughter still eating. However, the overall experience felt uncomfortable and disappointing, especially when dining with small children. We came expecting a relaxed family lunch, enjoyed the food, but left feeling unwelcome. read more

Upscale Indian. This used to be an our go to place when I visited SFO for work. Have had a few office parties here. Revisited after a decade for a family holiday dinner. The Palak chat still holds, but the rest of the food was a disaster. The Curries - Lamb Laal Mass had chunks of insipid (frozen?) lamb pieces & the Delhi Chicken curry was just a sorry excuse. Apart from being inauthentic & weird tasting, they were loaded with Salt. We actually packed it so that we can fix it at home. The Lamb Biryani was pretty mid. Even the Tandoori Roti & Garlic Naan were half of regular sizes & quite average. I never knew you could screw up a fresh lime soda. Pretty dissapointing. The prices have doubled & the quality halved. Service was quick, but without a smile. It's sad to see the decline of such a vaunted establishment. I sincerely hope they do a serious taste review & bounce back in this era of Michelin competitions. read more

Delicious!! I was with a huge party of 16 so the food did take awhile to come out, very very understandable but overall this was such a yummy amazing experience. Literally everything was SO GOOD. Unfortunately I dug right into everything and completely forgot to take pictures but I can assure you absolutely everything was delicious. For my entree I did get the chicken biryani which was huge. I wish they would've warned us before hand that one chicken biryani was enough to feed like 3 people lol but was still delicious. The server was great and came around quite frequently and the atmosphere was pretty dimly lit. Great place and would definitely come back again! read more

Amber India - Murgh Parda Biryani - Indian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Colleague brought us here and spoke highly of the signature dish - Palak chaat. It's like lightly battered spinach leafs with an amazing tamarind sauce, yogurt sauce, and some sort of green sauce, topped with pomegranate seeds. The textures and flavors are amazing. It's been living rent free in my head since. The chicken we got, lamb chops, and curry were all done really well. Restaurant layout is a little odd to me, but very spacious. Location is by Yerba Buena. Parking will be difficult, easier to go by public transportation or ride share. Must try! read more

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We came here on a week night and it was not as busy at 5 pm but the place was pretty packed when we left around 7:30 pm. This is an upscale Indian restaurant that costs a pretty penny. For two people with drinks and two appetizers and two entrees it cost almost $90 a person. We ordered the samosas, cheese naan, garlic naan, chicken tikka masala, and the palak paneer. Everything was very good quality and pretty tasty. I do think that the palak paneer and the samosas were more on the bland side and could have had a little more flavor. But the naan and the chicken tikka masala had such good flavor. Everything was tasty and the service was great. I would come back and try other things. read more

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It's very nice inside but pricey! Our waiter was very friendly and accommodating. The food was delicious albeit a little salty and portions were quite small. read more

On our recent SF trip, we came here for lunch. It is a buffet during this hour. The selection was decent with more non-meat dishes than meat dishes. The flavors were ok also. All in all, I was underwhelmed. I was expecting a more flavorful, upscale cuisine. Service was also proper. Ambiance was pleasant, especially after more guests showed up. read more

Amber India blends authentic Indian flavors with a refined, modern touch. The vegetarian menu is a standout bright, varied, and thoughtfully prepared. The biriyani was exceptional: fragrant, well-spiced, and cooked to perfection. The atmosphere is polished and suitable for a special night out or business dinner, though it can get quite lively and a bit loud which was likely amplified by Dreamforce crowds, or perhaps the restaurant's regular evening energy. Reservations are advisable, especially during peak hours or weekends; a quick call ahead can help you secure a quieter window if you prefer a calmer experience. Note that it's a bit pricey, but the quality and technique make it worth it. Overall, Amber India delivers on flavor and technique, with a busy, vibrant scene that's well worth a visit for lovers of Indian cuisine and inventive fusion alike. read more

Amber India - Indian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Food was decent. Service was on time and good. We had a calm team dining experience. Ambiance was nice but it got hot in the reserves area. Ventilation can be improved for private party rooms. read more

The butter chicken arrives like a warm painting, layers of umami unfolding with every bite -- savory, creamy, and perfectly balanced. The thinly chopped green chili peppers add a hint of spark, awakening those tiny receptor cells on your tongue that translate chemistry into emotion. Pair it with a cold mango lassi, and it's pure nostalgia -- the kind that takes you straight back to boarding school in India, when food was comfort, color, and memory all in one. The flavor consistency here is art in itself -- steady brushstrokes across every plate. The staff are attentive without intrusion, detailed in their care, efficient in timing. The atmosphere hums softly in the background, letting your senses do the talking. A place where science meets soul -- and taste becomes a Van Gogh sky inside your mouth. read more

Amber India - Butter chicken, paratha, and basmati rice. - Indian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I am vegetarian so this review is for veg dishes only. The ambiance is great. Service is excellent and staff really cared about us. Had a formal meeting lunch here. The veg buffet with a drink etc was over 50 usd per person. Food was not appetizing at all. Mastar paneer tasted like an overdose of masala. Desserts were good. Saffron rice section was empty but white rice had one in 1000 grains which looked saffron. read more

Great food, but not the standout Indian it used to be. Server forgot a dish we ordered but otherwise service was excellent. Nice interior but loud tech bros drinking a couple of booths over were a bit much to handle, but it's to be expected after work near the Financial District. read more

Chana chat was the best Fish was great Shrimp was meh it's frozen I never expected it to be frozen in sf as we tried other places in sf and shrimp were fresh Veggie kabob okay Palak chaat was good Daal was good Spinach roti was good. Service great Ambiance lovely nice and dark read more

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Came to Amber India on a weekday for dinner with a friend. The service was friendly and attentive, which was nice. The restaurant was pretty quiet and spacious as well. We ordered 2 dishes, butter chicken and saag paneer, and 1 thing of rice which we ended up getting a second one of. The flavors of the dishes were pretty good but didn't come out hot enough in my opinion, soon they were cold and not as tasty to eat. I was also unaware of how expensive dinner is here, having only been here for lunch before. Butter chicken for $30! That seems much more expensive than other sit down Indian places I like in San Francisco. Without drinks, appetizers, or naan (only rice and the two curries) our total after tipping was $100. Normally I would expect to receive a lot more food for that amount of money. I probably would not return for dinner only because of the price, but I recommend the lunch buffet here. read more

Amber India - Butter Chicken, Saag Paneer - Indian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Me and my sister had a lovely evening at Amber India, we had Shrimp Balchao as appetizer it was absolutely delicious and gave us a great impression of their cuisine. For our entree we got Chana Masala, Lamb biryani with the classic naan. We were more than satisfied we are huge fans of Indian food and we could tell this was great quality. Our server Velington was very kind with the best recommendations. Chef Ram is an amazing cook and I'm glad I got to meet him. And of course for dessert we got Classic Indian rice pudding, we ate the entire plate it was delicious. I will definitely be returning to Amber India very soon!! read more

Amber India - Indian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great food. Beautiful lighting. Friendly staff. It was just a few blocks from our hotel & was a great find! read more

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The palak chaat was incredible!! I highly recommend that dish! The cauliflower was good but the sauce was a little too tangy for my taste. I was excited to try the kale kofta and they were good but the kofta were too big and it felt like the kofta to sauce ratio was off. The restaurant was busy on a Thursday night but it wasn't loud or overwhelming. The space is bigger than it seems from the entrance. Our server was attentive and checked in on us after every course. I would come back to try more options. read more

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I recently dined with a group of 10. The interior is beautiful and the service was great for our large group. Several of us ordered mango lassis which we quite enjoyed - not too sweet or salty. I also ordered the Tandoori Chicken and Feta & Onion Kulcha for myself. The chicken was mostly well-marinated, but some pieces were dry inside and it seemed like a small portion for the price. I also felt that the kulcha was a bit heavy on the feta and light on the onions for my taste. read more

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The mixed veggie korma, yuzu chicken curry, and assorted bread basket was fantastic and more than enough to share with my friend. The curry has enough spice to satisfy my desire for hot food, but not turn off someone with more mild taste. I would suggest rice with it though - to help with the sauce. The variety of breads were great. read more

The service here is the big selling point. Extremely prompt, attentive, and proactive. They deserve every penny you're paying for the meal. The place is kept clean and spacious. The big misfortune of the locale is the that a lot of the food is just alright. We'll start good to bad. The naan is great here. The only issue is that they bring it out to you so you'll have to wait on them to get more naan. The butter chicken is excellent but I've had better butter chicken for a lower price at other places. The dosa station guy is chill if you like dosa. Drinks come with the buffet. The mimosa is a mango one but you could t really taste it. The sweet lassi is also pretty plain. The mango lassi is good though. Their dessert bar is bountieous and they have a great bit of vegetarian options. But there were only 5 non-veg options, one of which is fish, and only two were good. The fish is meh. The butter chick is great. The goat was meh. Then there were two chicken wings options?! For a meal that's just about $50/person, that's just not good enough. It's a shame because this place is so great everywhere else but the food is a bit lacking for the price. read more

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Went there on Saturday evening and got a table instantly. It got busy around 8pm so probably it's better to use reservation, especially for bigger parties. The place is very spacious, has several large areas and all of them are very cosy and intimate. I liked the menu, as it wasn't too large and it was pretty easy to find what you're in the mood for and make an order. We went with Tandoori Chicken, Malabari shrimp and Garden collage from tandoori. All the dishes were delicious and the presentation was great too. The service was also good. We had our water refilled without having to ask and our waiters were knowledgeable and friendly. I'm definitely putting this place to my to-go list for Indian food and can recommend it for cosy dining experience in SF downt read more

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We loved our experience at Amber, San Francisco. A beautiful inside space with inviting layout. Deepak and his team were amazing and so attentive to detail and made sure we had an enjoyable experience. The food, including the live dosa bar was delicious and memorable. Thoroughly enjoyed our time here and would recommend. read more

I visited this restaurant with my friends last week. Nice ambience, excellent food, great hospitality and service.