Ate here today on a whim because I've been wanting Indian food and I needed to kill some time. I…read moreordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, an order of rice, and the cheese-stuffed garlic naan. There was a bottle of water on each table. The food came out in three pretty silver bowls. The nice metal bowls added to the experience. The chicken tikka masala was the exact right amount of spice. Not too hot, not too mild. I could taste the butter and the chicken was perfectly cooked and moist. The rice was rice. It was exactly what I expected and cooked fine. The cheese garlic naan tho... good lord I could eat 100 orders of it. Insanely good. So much butter, cheese, garlic, and hot out of the oven (or wherever). I would absolutely order it again. I spent about $30 on everything (16 for entree, 3 for rice, like 5 for naan, then tip). For $30, I was stuffed and it felt like a great value. Ambiance was nice. I already mentioned the bowls, but the music was just Indian bangers. I didn't know any of the songs, but two of them in particular were so good that I wish I had asked what they were. Like electronic Indian party music. So good. Will definitely go again when I have time to kill in the area again.

Went there for a late dinner, as this was one of the only Indian places open at 9pm…read more As we entered, we were very disappointed with the ambiance, especially as they have good overall ratings. Definitely not a place you want to sit down for a meal on a weekend. The kitchen is open too and the utensils looked oily and blackened. The service team seems to be a family and they were very warm but felt something was missing. The food arrived quickly and was good, not great. Revisit score: 1/5

Came in on a Monday night. Quick service, water glasses stayed full, free basket of papadum to…read morestart. The aroma inside is intoxicating in the best ways. We ordered the salmon tandoori and bindhi masala, both exceptional. The salmon was textured on the outside and moist on the inside. Phenomenal Flavors. Does not come with rice so order it as a side if you need or want it. The mango lassi is thick and creamy. And the mango chutney side is an ample portion. Great restaurant

Great food and hospitality. One of my favorite details was the papadum that came out when we sat…read moredown. It was unexpected and felt like such a warm little gesture -- a great way to start the meal. Everything we ordered was flavorful and steaming hot, and the space has a relaxed neighborhood gem vibe. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to. Make a reservation! There were people lining up outside hoping for a walk-in when we were there.

Order the Cod, don't question it just do it. But seriously this place is really good. Everything we…read moreordered was a hit. We started with a giant dosa and the chick pea passion fruit cups (can't remember the name). The potato inside the dosa was a nice surprise and so good, the chick pea cups were a flavor explosion... sweet, spicy, savory. We then moved to the octopus which was so tender, perfectly seasoned and cooked. The lamb dish was very solid, reminded me of the curry that goat curry is traditionally cooked in. Now to the highlight... the COD was to die for. The sauce it comes with, the tenderness, cooked to perfection. Just order it, you won't regret it. We were talking to someone who had been multiple times and he was saying that their seafood is what they are known for, made sense because the octopus and cod were my favorites. They were really busy but our server was really nice and never made us feel rushed. Also the ambiance is really nice and fancy, perfect for a date night with my girlfriend. Cant wait to go back and try more dishes!!!

We reserved in advance and went there to celebrate a birthday. We arrived a few minutes early and…read moreour table was ready. It was dinner time and the restaurant was quite busy and full of people. The place was dimly lit and we would have liked to have been able to see the boho chic decor. Our favorites were (in order, starting with the best liked): 1. White Amrit: a Coconut-based non-alcoholic drink - it was amazing. A must try! 2. Green Mango Shrimp Appam - delicious but will try the separate appam and curry as it gets quite messy to eat 3. Chutney platter - it is served with papadums. Refills of papads are charged separately. The chutneys are quite distinct and its hard to decide which is the favorite. 4. Mulligatawny (lentil) soup - a traditional lentil soup, made quite creamy but was slightly sweeter for my tooth. 5. Vegetable of the day - comes with three vegetables, home-style. Nothing extraordinary but great for a homely taste. Others in my company did not enjoy it as much. 6. Thayir vadai chaat - average 7. Oysters: Others in my company really enjoyed them. 8. Watalappam: the description was more interesting than the taste. Very average. 8. BIRTHDAY surprise: They got us a small cup of sorbet (mango?) with a candle stuck in it as the birthday surprise. It was so DISAPPOINTING. It was just some sweet mush, too sweet and we just couldn't finish it between four of us! Please serve something better if you are going to give a birthday dessert. The service can be better. We were left waiting when we wanted to place the orders for our next courses. Revisit score: 7/10

I've only ordered delivery so far, but it's become my go to place, over the past few months I'm…read moreprobably approaching having ordered it close to 10 times. The food is delicious- my favorites are the Gobi Manchurian and as of today, the Chana Masala. The only thing I've gotten there that I didn't love are the salads, I think they could use a little finesse (seasoning mostly), but I live the huge menu with tons of options, many of which are vegetarian. On top of all this, the prices are completely reasonable, it's a place I can afford to order from repeatedly. Thank you Bir Kitchen!

Have you ever eaten the entire thali? Like, ALL of them? I have a confession: I don't normally…read morefinish it, mostly because some of the cups aren't particularly tasty. Bir was different! The service was prompt and I came early so it was quiet. It's nicely lit and not too bright. Very welcoming and intimate. - The dal was thick and spicy (whatever your preference), and the meat on the chicken fell off the bone. - The raita yogurt was rich and not overly sour or watery. - Kheer was also tasty, perfect texture, not too anise forward, bitter, or chunky. * The only reason I give it 4 stars is because the dish could be served with another piece of meat. The chicken leg wasn't very big. Otherwise lovely!!

Got dinner with a friend here and overall had a great experience! The service was great, the food…read moreselections were unique, the dining area was lively, and prices are reasonable. For food we got the following: -Dahi Sev Puri - this was my favorite dish, really fun to eat and great flavors. -Chole Bhature - this was also great! The puffy bread was sooo delicious and the chickpeas were perfectly seasoned and delicious. -Bhel Puri - this dish was unique and was a good size portion, but not as flavorful as the other two dishes. It felt like eating a savory rice crispy cereal, but not in a bad way :P -Garlic Naan - pretty decent but nothing special -Jalebi - I was really excited to try this dessert. I looooved the texture (crunchy outside, with a gooey inside) but the actual flavor was not my favorite. To me, it tasted very similar to chlorinated water, and it was hard to get past that.. There was a different jalebi with a dipping sauce, and I wonder if that would have been better. They were out of it when we went, but I would try it again with that. Overall a really great restaurant, and definitely a place to try out if you're wanting a more unique Indian dining experience!

The food here is incredible!!! Hard to find Indian street food and the shareable plates were…read moreespecially delicious! Service was fast and attentive. The ambiance was not great -- the interior is all hard surfaces, when we went in there happened to be several babies, and their screaming plus the music the restaurant played echoed so much that we kinda hustled to leave because our table of 3 couldn't maintain a conversation. Looking forward to returning at an off-time for a more peaceful experience! Or maybe they will install some soft/absorptive materials :)

I, as a 5th generation Japanese restaurant owner in Tokyo, former largest Indian cashewnut importer…read morein Japan, I have an appreciation for Indian cuisine. I can guarantee you, Apna Chulha will serve you 1st class dining experience. You can be vegan, seafood lover, or meat diner, they have a range of options for you. I went on a weekday, at 10pm, it got filled with very happy Indian groups and families. That should give you a hint. If you had a difficult day, this is the place to go. Your heart will be filled with ease, compassion, harmony, and peace. The owners, the Mrs is from London, a daughter of Californian almond orchard investing family, took my orders and asked many questions and I gave her the freedom to select the dishes for me. The chief chef, the Mr. is from Punjab, India and started his business in London with his brothers. London Indian restaurants experience a high competition there. Their handsome, tall, polite, sharp 2nd son is there helping everyday. They used to own an integrity restaurant in Half Moon Bay. I am a former resident of top of El Granada Blvd. So, I know. Those are picky diners. This is not their first rodeo. They opened this restaurant a few years ago during the toughest time when people were closing restaurants and stores. It's a love and respect filled tight family. They love people and genuinely love serving the best food. I ordered about 8 people worth of food and it added up to be $201 USD. It was It was such a well presented dinner, I tipped $65. ($25 in 5 of my lucky money flowers, $40 in loose cash). It turned out $25 per person + tip. After my dinner, we talked about the food industry and what makes it continue for generations. The Mr. showed me his 30+ year old pan that he's treasured. I'll post the photo of the pan. It was bent with holes in it. He held the now retired pan like it was a baby. This is a high ceiling large restaurant, large windows, with elegant Indian decoration. It is deep, and wide. If you are claustrophobic, you will feel at ease in there. Their toilets are gender separated, large, beautiful, and clean. Any lady will feel comfortable to fix her makeup in there. Mothers will feel comfortable bringing her children to wash their hands. They have a large bar with TV screens which was not in use on the evening I dined. There are 2 seated tables next to the windows for perhaps a romantic dinner date. Stunning plates, proper cloth table napkins, and respectable silverware. You can have a family gathering, birthday, anniversary, corporate party, graduation party, come after a baseball game, just need to delight yourself alone for a breather, or a late night snack after checking into your hotel. Even if you are staying at the Fairmont, Ritz Carlton, Four Season, Intercontinental, Nikko, Hilton, don't go to Indian restaurants near your hotel. It's a 10-15 minute ride, reserve a table at Apna Chulha. At the end of your dinner, order their Samosas to take home. It will be worth your time. Samosas - burst with flavors in your mouth. It will get your appetite going. Spinach curry - deep green, thick with large chunks of cheese. Compliments all their naans. Garlic, Onion, Chili Naans - bite worthy, crispy on the outside, soft in the inside. Substantial flavors. Mango Chicken curry - Takes you to heaven. Lamb curry - the huge lamb chunks melt in your mouth Eggplant curry - fragrance of the eggplant spread in your mouth. Shrimp curry - Those are huge shrimps. I have a big mouth but one shrimp was so big, I couldn't add any naan nor rice with it. Plump, juicy and fresh shrimp. Fish tandoori - fresh, juicy, not over cooked. Mango Lassi - very thick with lots of mango Chai - not over sweetened. can taste all the spices clearly. I had one at the beginning and one at the end.

Apna Chulha Date: Friday, August 26, 2026…read more $20 Lunch Buffet - All You Can Eat, daily from 11:00 AM-2:30 PM This was my third time eating at Apna Chulha, but my first time trying their lunch buffet. Before our visit, I emailed the restaurant to make a reservation and asked what would be served. The restaurant replied that the buffet would include Tandoori Chicken, Butter Chicken, Goat Curry, and Fish Pakora, while the vegetarian options rotate daily. They also mentioned that almost all the food is prepared mild. It was our usual get-together, and it was the first time for all of my friends to try the lunch buffet at this restaurant. Lunch buffet items included: * Paneer Makhani * Fish * Goat Curry * Butter Chicken * Tandoori Chicken * Aloo Gobi * Egg Roll * Rice * Naan * French Fries * And several other dishes Some of the buffet items didn't have name signs, so I wasn't always sure what I was eating. There were also a few items that weren't available when we first arrived, so we had to wait for them to be replenished. I liked the Tandoori Chicken and Butter Chicken. The Paneer Makhani was just okay. The vegetables were also just okay, and because there weren't any signs, I wasn't sure what some of the vegetable dishes were. The two desserts were a little too sweet for me. Although the restaurant mentioned that almost all the food was prepared mild, some of the dishes were actually spicy and not mild. Our group had mixed opinions about the buffet. A few of us, including myself, don't eat spicy food, so the difference in spice levels was noticeable. The restaurant also offered us free chai tea, which was a nice gesture. Overall, I would say the owner was trying his very best. He was the only person working in the restaurant during our visit. He was making the Tandoori Chicken, preparing and serving food behind the counter, bringing water and drinks, and bringing extra plates for the buffet. With one person handling so many things, it was understandable that some food needed time to be replenished. For $20, the all-you-can-eat buffet is a reasonable option, especially if you want to try several different Indian dishes. I hope they can add clear labels for the buffet items, indicate which dishes are spicy, and keep the food replenished more consistently as the restaurant gets busier. Lastly, I'll come back and give the lunch buffet another try.

Loved loved the food here! My friend recommended Pakwan cause I was craving South Asian food. We…read moregot the goat biryani, saag paneer, tikka masala paneer and garlic naan to share. Everything was delicious, especially the goat biryani which was so flavorful and the goat was super tender. I love goat and was excited to see it on their specials menu. I hope they keep this around. Both paneer dishes were great and flavorful and the garlic naan was the perfect accompaniment. I'll definitely be back and will have to get takeout at least the next time I have a craving for biryani!

A few friends tout this as one of the best Pakistani restaurants in the Bay...and I concur! We…read moreshared a few mains but the chicken biryani really hit the spot. Super aromatic, huge portions (perfect for leftovers the next day), and a good amount of chicken--and definitely get this with a side of their garlic naan Everything is mostly self-service, and staff are super nice + accommodating. Plenty of seating inside with lots of tables, and food came out within 5-10 mins

Came here after seeing the RM art exhibit. We got the North India Thali Dinner for 2 for only $62…read more We got Papadum Vegetable samosa Tandoori chicken Boti Kabab Chicken Tikka Masala Saag Paneer Nan Rice Kheer. All that delicious food for $62. They give you alot and ended up taking some home. The owner also gave us a complimentary Mango Lassi. Which was delicious. I got a Taj Mahal beer which was good. They also give you some mint water as well. Service was great too. I look forward to coming back again.

First discovered this place during Covid (right after lockdown restrictions starting being lifted)…read moreduring a weekend getaway. Every time we come visit SanFran this place is our number one spot that we insist on working into our trip. The food is always top quality and the flavor profiles are the best. We've only got one place back in Denver that comes a tiny bit close- but it's never quite as good as North India here in SFO. This time I got Lamb Pasanda mild and Kabuli naan, he got Chicken Tika Masala hot and regular naan

One of our favorite Indian places in San Francisco, especially their chole bhature. We also like…read moretheir chutneys and dosas. Ambiance is alright, very down to earth. The food and service are great. The prices are decent and serving sizes are satisfying. Revisit score: 5/5

I am a frequenter at this establishment- fairly close to where I live, and I am south indian so…read morethis is peak comfort food. I have tried most of their idli/vada/dosa/uthappam plates - generously portioned, not too spicy, great chutney selection, and served quickly. Place can get busy on the weekends, but getting a table on weeknights is chill. 10/10 would go back!

Hidden gem of a restaurant! We just stumbled upon the restaurant by chance while walking down the…read morestreet, and were surprised how delicious the food was and how nice the staff were. Can't wait to come back the next time I'm in SF

Service was excellent - Dennis was very attentive and we felt well looked after. I am gluten free…read moreand was pleased to have the option of gf naan. We loved the complimentary entree of spicy cauliflower! We ordered lamb Rogan Josh snd aloo gobi, medium. Pleasantly surprised by the heat, can't imagine what hot would've done to us. Thank you for a lovely dinner out! Diana