I reserved their beautiful private room for a luncheon for my non-profit. The owner couldn't have been more cooperative and anxious to please, providing an amazing mouthwatering menu with the variety and pricing that met our needs. Our guests were delighted by the warmth and hospitality of the owner, who came into our room to tell us about the meal he was preparing. He also told us about his background in Afghanistan, where his businesses trained and supported dozens of women and their families, providing them with childcare and fair wages for their services. This was more than a delicious meal - it was a rare opportunity to experience the true richness of the Afghan culture and the bounty of its culinary repertoire. read more

My friend and I randomly stumbled upon this absolute gem. We loved that the restaurant is below street level. This was some of the best Afghani food I've had with friendly service too. The food was perfectly aromatic and fresh -- it will not leave you feeling heavy and greasy inside. Main entrees (not pictured): chicken kabob plate. The potato bolani is a must!! read more

Saffron Kitchen - Appetizers: Potato Bolani (left) - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

open concept with a slightly below street level view of College Ave... warm, inviting. and comfortable, slightly sprawling spot with plenty of seating. Very well-prepared, seasoned and served mix of afghan and mediterranean foods... the aushak dumplings and eggplant qorma were highlights. We'd happily return when in the area. read more

$26+tt Aushak (Leak+green onion dumplings with meat sauce): excellent, especially with the accompanying hot sauces. Not fully convinced it's worth it but dumplings are certainly labor intensive. And the atmosphere is definitely upscale. read more

Saffron Kitchen - AUSHAK ENTREE - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

Butternut squash was delicious. The lamb shank was so soft and tender, and the juices mixed in with the rice added a lot of flavor. I split this meal with a friend and we were stuffed. The lamb kabob was kinda dry and the bread was okay. Not the stars of the show. Service was okay. We were there during a live music performance so we requested a table far away so we could talk. Music was good though and it seemed like a mix of employees and patrons were dancing? read more

Saffron Kitchen - SIDE OF BUTTERNUT SQUASH - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

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Came here for Oakland Resturaunt Week for 4 course tasting in March and honestly the atmosphere alone made me want to stay longer. The service stood out because Jesse was friendly and attentive. 1st Course- Champagne 2nd Course - Potato Pakora 3rd Course - Salmon Kebab w/ Rice and Vegetables 4th Course - Ferni The space felt calm with lots of natural lighting and beautiful plants. Overall, I'd come back for the potato pakora, which is crispy and savory. Perfect for solo date or catch up with friends! read more

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Love this place for dinner! The mantu dumplings are a wonderful appetizer and shish leek beef delicious. Usually I get lamb but I wanted to try something new and yes the shish leek is incredible. The cauliflower qurma and saffron lentil soup are also filling and delicious. Thank you for offering a kids menu so we are able to order a chicken kabob plate for kids. They were such fans of the food. I've been here three times now and each time I am impressed! There's something so cozy about the restaurant space, and always so lively, in the Rockridge neighborhood. read more

This was my first time ever eating at this restaurant and from once a separate told us we got there just in time. We had ourselves an early dinner around 3 PM and he said the restaurant had just cleared out. Apparently they were packed for lunch!! I've never had a style of food before so I asked my boyfriend what I should order since he likes the style. He actually ordered me a chicken curry dish and himself another meat dish, but I can't remember what it was called. Both items as well as appetizer it was delicious! I should've taken a picture of the items we ordered for the appetizer since it was a three portion combo plate, but the pictures are below! Ambience was very relaxed and I really like how there was a half steps down into a little patio area so it seemed like you were almost underground, but you could see out. It was cute watching people walk their dogs and families ride their bike bikes. I will definitely want to come back here and get and buy more dishes! read more

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Another solid meal from a great restaurant in the heart of Oakland. The chicken kabab and beef kabab are my favorite meals! The rice is soft and delicious, and be sure to ask for the various sauces. The staff was friendly and there are plenty of tables but it's good to have a reservation. read more

Saffron Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

The mango lassi (drink), eggplant pakora (appetizer), and pistachio gelato (dessert) are great! I also like the bread (side),the yogurt sauce, and green sauce. The rest of the food was alright, no complaints but not amazing. The service is very slow. They are likely understaffed. The place is nice though. read more

This place was absolutely amazing! The food was delicious, fresh, and perfectly prepared. The service was excellent--everyone was friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The atmosphere was also very nice and comfortable. Everything from the food to the service exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be coming back again! read more

Saffron Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

Authentic Afghan restaurant with great variety of cuisines. Full bar with bar seating, high tables, indoor and odor seating and space for private party. Service was quick and responsive. Foods were delicious and fresh. Combination plate has all sort of kababs with delicious ghabele polo (seasoned rice). Good for groups, couples, date night, meetup and kids. Accessible with ramp, paid and free street parking available. read more

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We ordered a bunch of food to be delivered. Food arrived quite warm, however, - the potato bolanis did not travel well. The bola I had become soggy and the stuffing was spilling out - so hard to eat. - the chicken kabob was delicious - the filet mignon kabobs were tough and needed a knife - the kohbideh kabobs had disintegrated but were tasty - the Baba Ganoush portion seemed small for its price $12.50 - three tiny sauce containers for all this food, left us wanting! There was plenty of rice and bread. This was our first time order. Will try dining-in next time. read more

We originally planned on takeout from Saffron, but the aroma when we walked in to pick up our food convinced us to eat there instead. The staff was accommodating, setting us up with a table and water service despite our last-minute switch. I eat a lot of Middle Eastern food and their lamb shank ranks among the best I've had. The sauce had incredible depth and whatever they cooked the lamb in penetrated the meat perfectly. Unlike other places that overcook lamb shank until it's dry and stringy, this was succulent - clearly they know how to properly cook it rather than just boiling it to submission. The rice was well-seasoned, and the lamb kabob was juicy, tender, and perfectly spiced. The firnee dessert was far too sweet for our liking. The service was excellent - even though we'd originally ordered takeout, they treated us like regular dine-in customers and kept our waters full. This was meant to be just one stop on our East Bay food crawl I took my cousin on and we intended to taste a few bites and take the rest home, but the food was so good we couldn't help finishing everything there. Will definitely return! read more

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I don't have Afghan food very often, it's not super common to find. Love that Oakland has this spot! Parking was pretty difficult to find so we parked a few blocks away. We came here for my brother's birthday, from what we saw, there was a main restaurant and then a separate smaller room next door with additional seating. We were seated in the smaller room, which was nice and more intimate. We order the mantu, eggplant pakora, and aushak for appetizers. Everything was so well seasoned and delicious. The eggplant pakora was my personal favorite. My dad ordered the salmon kara'e. We all split the kobideh kebab and shola. Servings were incredibly generous. Atmosphere was nice, service was good. They seemed pretty busy on this day so it was a little slow but didn't make the experience any less pleasant. Absolutely lovely meal and I would come back! Thank you for the hospitality and delicious food! read more

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Went for an early birthday dinner on a weekday and we were sat right away. Service was quick and they had great recommendations. Drinks (both amazing flavors, comes in a full tea pot so can share with the table) 10/10 Turkish black tea 10/10 saffron cardamom green tea Appetizer 8/10 Potato bolani - great flavor, sauces tasted very good with it 9/10 Mantu - perfectly seasoned and cooked! Loved the sauce on the dumplings Main -9/10 Lamb Kabob- flavor of the char was very nice, vegetables were cooked perfectly, rice paired well. The sauces in the table also complemented the meal well -8/10 Lamb Shank - full of delicious flavors, rice was amazing read more

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Such an amazing meal with amazing company. Starting off with Mantu app: steamed dumplings. They were so delicious we ordered another plate! A few other entrees and finished with baklava of course. Service was great and the outside seating was lovely on a warm evening read more

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We first visited Saffron Kitchen, shortly after they open their restaurant, about two years ago. We were walking on College Avenue and the aromas from their kitchen was so tantalizing that we walked in and had a fabulous lunch. As we were leaving , we met Akbar, the owner and told him that as residents of New York City we were really impressed by his fabulous menu. We returned a few more times and had many fantastic dinners but had not returned until this evening ( two years later). When we walked into Saffron kitchen with a 7pm reservation, Akbar greeted us by our names with big hugs! I was astonished that he not only remembered us but was very touched that he recalled our names! He even remembered some of our children as well as our grandson. However, most importantly, his appetizers and entrees were even more delicious than we imagined possible. Over the last two years Saffron kitchen has expanded and now has a designated party room, which was booked with very large gathering. We chatted with one of the bartenders, Cody, who was very knowledgeable and made great drinks! And while we had spent over two weeks traveling in Southern California, none of the meals we had at any restaurants, compared to our absolutely wonderful dining experience we had here this evening! Please make a reservation to guarantee that you won't have to wait to be seated and I promise you, you'll be delighted with your dining experience at the fabulous Saffron Kitchen! read more

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Cool spot that is kind of hidden one floor below street level. Friendly staff will find you a table (they have both inside and outside seating). We tried the chickpea samosas, the chicken kabob, and the vegetarian eggplant qurma. We also added some cardamom green tea. I really enjoyed the samosas, each of the four fritters had a thick and crunchy coating, with chickpea goodness within. They offer three different sauces for dipping. The chicken kabob is well-marinated and very juicy. It comes with some grilled onions and tomato, bread, plus a side of brown rice. The eggplant qurma is doused in a thick white sauce, and comes with its own side of bread and rice. There's definitely a lot of rice involved. But the dishes are flavorful and you can use the rice to soak it all up. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to dessert, but it looked promising! I recommend making the stop the next time you are in the Rockridge area. read more

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Delicious food. I had a party of 14 people and the food was as expected. Dessert was delicious. The price is also good.

Middle Eastern Food - Saffron Kitchen is a hidden gem in rockridge with amazing happy hour and main meal options ! I came here with my sister and we ordered the filet mignon, potato pakora, samosas, 2 sangrias and salad! Service was 5 star and Bar tender was amazing ! Highly recommended and look forward to coming back everything was chefs kiss !! read more

Saffron Kitchen - FILLET MIGNON BEEF KABOB - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

Such a wonderful dinner experience! Everything we ordered was delicious--the mantu, mezze platter, kabobs, milk pudding, and pistachio ice cream with baklava were all outstanding. So much flavor, fresh ingredients, and beautifully prepared dishes. The staff were also fantastic--friendly, attentive, and welcoming. We'll definitely be back! read more

Saffron Kitchen - Mezze platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

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Saffron Kitchen has an extraordinary selection of kabobs including filet mignon, chicken breasts and salmon (in order of my top three favorite). The presentation ALMOST rivals the sensational savory seasoning that never fades with each new bite. All kabobs are offered with the option of basmati rice with a splash of vivid, yellow color on top. The roasted vegetables are a fresh-tasting variety that are sautéed to Al dente perfection (tender but still firm). Service staff are consistently friendly, seem to enjoy their work and are knowledgeable about menu options. The restaurant atmosphere is spacious with ample outdoor and indoor seating options. Street parking is easily accessible and with a lot of options within walking distance from the restaurant. Their baklava can't be passed up for dessert! read more

This continues to be one of my favorites. We ordered take-out last night and everything was fresh, hot and phenomenal. My current favorite is the salmon kabob. Cooked to perfection, fantastic rice and appetizers and the sauces! I use them judiciously and then use them again the next day or two with food I make. I would buy them if they came in jars. Highly recommended. read more

I've always driven by this restaurant on College Ave and I can finally say that I've tried it and it's phenomenal. All the staff are super friendly and attentive. The place itself is very spacious with seating indoors and a patio outdoors. We ordered two appetizers, the samosas and the potato pakora. It was cooked perfectly and so flavorful! We then split the filet mignon beef kabob. It was the perfect amount to share. It came with a hefty portion of rice, a side of vegetables and a slice of very light and airy bread. Don't forget to try the sauces that come on the side! One of my new favorite restaurants! read more

Saffron Kitchen - POTATO PAKORA and SAMOSAS - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

I had to come back and say how impressed I am by this business. My one feedback about the bathroom being my review to 4 stars was met with welcome arms. This feedback resulted in a full bathroom renovation by the owners and a message of gratitude for being honest. I have updated to 5 stars because I am blown away by their level of care and appreciation for customer. Taking accountability and listening to the people who frequent their establishment. I love a business who takes pride in their reputation by uplifting their standards. Lastly, ALL the food we ate was outstanding and authentic. read more

Saffron Kitchen opened in The Golden Squirrel's vacated space. Setups the same. decor changed. Offerings (Afghan inspired): Happy Hour, entrees, salads, appetizers, sides, booze. Sips: Cavit Provincia Di Pavia Pinot Noir (14) -passed on Bogle, Fetzer wines. The price of a glass buys a bottle at any liquor store. -wine tastes better than any of the food. -initially inquired about beer flights. Bartender gaslighted me, saying they never had it. Pics on S.F.'s website proves him wrong. 1 year ago HH. Bites: Potato & Eggplant Pakora (8 each) -veggie inside barely noticeable. Probably melted ala veggies in pupusa. Roasted bell peppers, tomatos nice. -baked, drizzle with yogurt. Meat sauce pour covers baked pakoras. Underwhelming. No pizzaz. -Never seen in typical Afghan eatery. Beef skewer (10) -"dry, chewy" was my answer to bartender when he asked how I liked it. -very large beef chucks, unevenly cooked. Moist sections not juicy. Beef not marinated? Yogurt, cilantro chutney, tomato chutney the dips. Took leftovers home. Ate it later. Felt acidity in stomach. Was ready to barf. Didn't. Lost my appetite rest of day. *recent HH menu more expensive, not posted on website. No deals on alcohol. **doubtful repeat. Bartender disappears after bringing food. Doing something in corner, tossing & catching aluminum shakers. read more

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Ambience of the place is really nice! In a nice area near rockridge, and service is really sweet. The food wasn't the most spicy, and I found that out of the 3 chicken dishes we ordered, all of them felt the same (just a curry mush). The kebabs were pretty good tho, and I would go just for them! read more

Saffron Kitchen - TRADITIONAL QURMA - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

I recently tried Saffron Kitchen with a buddy (bring friends and try more food haha). We ended up grabbing the Salmon Kara'e and Beef Qurma as well as the spinach. My personal favorite was the salmon dish which had a rich, tomato based sauce that was well seasoned and brightened the dish. I was also surprised with how tasty the spinach was. The spinach contained garlic and a solid mix of spices to balance it out. I thought the beef was alright, although I do think it was a bit overcooked. Still, the sauce and accompanying veggies rounded it out. Our server was friendly and attentive and the restaurant atmosphere was calm and relaxed. This is a good place to bring folks if you want to catch up. Overall, I thought this was a good meal. If you want to give Afghan food a try, then maybe consider checking out Saffron Kitchen! read more

Saffron Kitchen - Beef Qurma. - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

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Coji was a wonderful manager and host! The food was delicious, staff was friendly and the ambiance was lovely! Will definitely be coming back! Thanks Akbar for the wonderful meal! read more

Huge thank you to Akbar and team. We hosted a family baby shower, about 50 people, at Saffron Kitchen. Our guest were all happy about the ambiance at the venue and gave us many glowing reviews about Saffron's wonderful foods. Setting up the event with Akbar was very simple and took a load off of us. Akbar let us come in early the morning of to decorate and ensure there was enough food for all guests through the event. We would definitely recommend Saffron!! read more

Delicious food and excellent service! For a large group of people the restaurant staff did great service!!

This place was actually amazing and so happy I came across it as it's so close and just a little further down College Ave. The atmosphere was warm and calming w/ great service! We came in towards the end of the night and the staff were still supper accommodating. Every dish was amazing and so flavorful. I got the Qabuli Pallaw which was so flavorful w/ the fragrant rice & perfectly cooked chicken. The dumpling appetizer was so good and the potato app was like a deconstructed samosa that was flaky & buttery. The pistachio ice cream was also super good so definitely get that if you have room for dessert! I will definitely be back read more

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Food service and ambiance are really good here. This place has seen a pub for the past few decades first Barkleys for a long time then the Golden Squirrel, it's no longer a sports bar lot pub so I wanted to check it out. I had a few lamb kabobs and a mixed appetizer plate, it was really good. Sauces were all interesting and delicious, lamb was tender and I was happy roe discover that the beer selection is still really good. They had both types of Trumet and lots of other local microbrew options. Service was excellent manager from Afghanistan Koja and local bar tender David were great. read more

Saffron Kitchen - Mixed vegetarian appetizers and lamb skewers - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

This restaurant had such amazing service and food! I love the shola and chicken kabob! read more

Saffron Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

Came here with friends. Our table of 6 ranged in age from 10 to 91. Everyone was quite pleased with their order. We ordered the lamb kebab, salmon kebab (kids portion), traditional chicken Qurma, potato (vegetarian) Qurma, and the lamb shank. The vegetables that came with the kebabs and Qurma were seasoned well. The recipients of the lamb and salmon were ecstatic with their orders. The recipients of the Qurma were also pleased. Food was delicious, fresh and well seasoned. The favorite mocktail was delicious as was the Mango lassi. Staff were friendly and attentive. And shout out to the other diner who helped prevent my friend from tripping. read more

Stopped by Saffron Kitchen for dinner with a friend and it was a great experience. We both ordered kabob plates and shared the potato bolani appetizer. The chicken kabob was tasty and I enjoyed it with the yogurt sauce and rice. The bolani was flavorful and had a good filling and also paired well with the yogurt sauce. The customer service was excellent and attentive. I thought the cost of the kabob dishes were slightly higher than expected. Overall, it was an awesome, enjoyable meal, and I'd definitely return again possibly for lunch or happy hour. read more

Saffron Kitchen - CHICKEN KABOB - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

What a wonderful dining experience! The outdoor seating / patio is nice especially when the weather outside is sunny and warm. (The entire surrounding neighborhood is nice tbh) We ordered the eggplant pakora as an appetizer and the chicken/beef combination to share. Overall the food was good. A step up above other local spots perhaps. The presentation is a nice touch. The sauces (ranging from mild to spicier) is also a nice to have. Food wise, the pakora was the star of the show: crunchy, not dry, saucy .. Overall I would say this is a good and peaceful date spot or a place you can take your friends / family. Then you can go to the Trader Joe's / Philz / or Boba Guys after :) read more

Saffron Kitchen - EGGPLANTS PAKORA - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

TLDR: adequate mediterranean (3.5) would go back if in the area Visit 4/12 Food Samosa 3/5 - as expected Seafood Combo 3.5/5 - Fresh, better than adequate Chicken Kebab 3.5/5 - as expected+ Service: Takeout, no issues, substitution request honored Ambiance: airy serene seating area, mostly filled tables read more

Very nice service and enjoyed my time here. It's located in a nice little area of rock ridge called elmwood. The food was good. My friend said the salmon was great. My plate was alright, a bit dry for my taste and I would've liked more protein. A bit pricey as well. Overall a good spot. read more

Saffron Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

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