Love this place. Really hidden gem in Rockridge. Food is delicious. Service is good and friendly. read more

Gave us food poisoning. We know it was this meal for a fact. Spent $100 on a simple dinner for two people and ended up sick. We won't be back. read more

Omg. Omg. Omg. YUM. Saffron Kitchen will be on a regular rotation for me going forward. I've only had Afghani food once or twice, but this is another level. The menu has plenty of options but they all fit onto one page; I am not a fan of menus that go on for 3-4 pages. Also, there are many beverage choices, and their cocktails are pretty good. The steamed dumplings - the Mantu - was heavenly. I am a discerning Chinese dumpling eater, and I was over the moon with every bite of this dish. I had to refrain from licking the plate. Of course, we had to have lamb, and we struggled to decide because there were so many options. We landed on the lamb kabob; my friend and I kept cutting the lamb into smaller and smaller pieces so we could have more and more bites to savor. Then we had a veggie sampler because we couldn't decide which veggie we wanted. We got to taste the eggplant, the spinach, and the butternut squash. Everything was great, but the butternut squash shined. The restaurant has so many beautiful spaces to dine. First, there is a fancy parklet and patio area set a level below the street for those who want to dine outside in the fresh air. Inside, there is a main dining section that is cozy and comfortable, with a decent bar. There also is a pretty stunning private dining room. The service was the highlight. Our server was extremely attentive, and other wait staff checked in on us. If you're not familiar with Afghan food, the staff will be more than delighted to explain it to you. You'll be missing out if you don't try it! Finally, the prices are incredibly reasonable for what they offer you. What a welcome addition to the community. read more

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Truly an underrated gem!! Amazing staff and service as well as a beautiful space for a midday lunch/celebration or a romantic date night. The food is some of the best Afghan/Mediterranean food I've had and compares to home for me. I would eat here once a week if I could and there's nothing I wouldn't recommend!! I always can't wait to go back and tell other people about it in the area read more

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Very sweet older man was our server for the night. He might have been the owner. Welcoming vibes, smiled a lot, checked in on us frequently. Ordered the Combination Kabobs ($23). Comes with chicken and beef. The chicken was good, but the beef was likely overcooked and a bit dry. Baghlava & Ice Cream ($12) - nice combo of the warm baklava and cold ice cream. read more

Saffron Kitchen - Combination Kabobs ($23) - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

What went well, you ask? EVERYTHING! I'm going back as soon as I can. Food, greeting, Attention, price. My salmon was exquisite. I would have paid twice as much at any other restaurant. Portion sizes were perfect. My guest from D C was incredibly impressed with his lamb dish. Wow!!!! read more

Mediocre food at overloaded prices! The ambiance is ok and the waiters are polite. The combo platters are the best deal. If you get individual dishes, they cost 20% more than the platters read more

I would give Saffron Kitchen 20 stars if I could. The food and service from this place was absolutely phenomenal. Our household loves mediterranean food, so after a long day of shopping on College Avenue, it only made sense that we would stop here for dinner. The moment I walked in, I was awestruck by the beauty of the restaurant's design and architecture. The inside is absolutely gorgeous. The owner warmly approached me with a smile and took my order. He also patiently answered any questions that I had about the dishes and helped me make a decision about what to purchase. We settled on chicken and shrimp kebabs, as well as qurma. Everything was delicious! I can't wait to come back. read more

Surprisingly delicious! We have been meaning to try this place for a while now, and happened to be in Rockridge so stopped by for dinner. We ordered salmon kebabs, a number of different hardy lentil and potato soups, dumplings, a Mediterranean salad, and a number of other items. Everything was uniquely delicious and well seasoned. Service was prompt and attentive, and we enjoyed the outdoor seating. Don't miss it!! read more

Food was delicious and portions were large. Service was great - attentive staff with good recommendations. Ambiance was nice with modern touches and pleasant background music. read more

Food, staff, ambience is great David a bartender/waiter is divine The food is delicious and so healthy read more

Every time I've eaten here, I've left happy. First came here for lunch with a work group. I was blown away (those chutneys!). Since then, I've come back several times. Brought my wife, brought my mother... we all loved our meals. I've had the samosa, bolani and mantu apps. Main dishes, I've had the kabobs, shish leek and qurma dishes...all so good. I'll be there again soon... read more

Service ok But food was bad. Really really bad approximation of Afghani food. Disappointed. read more

I got the charbroiled chicken kabob plate and my friend got the mantu and butternut squash with meat sauce. I realized I'm not a huge fan of charbroiled chicken because it tasted a bit burnt but that's just a personal preference. My dish was a little dry, but the sauces on the side helped with that. The mantu was delicious and I would highly recommend it. The lamb dumplings paired with this yogurt sauce were amazing--I don't think I've ever had anything like that before. I'm not particularly into butternut squash, so I didn't enjoy that dish as much, but I liked how creamy it was. read more

Saffron Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

Fantastic staff, Great Happy hour and yummy food. Try their special cocktail by master mixologist, Jesse. We will definitely be back. read more

Saffron Kitchen - Yummy - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

Good food and atmosphere - service was also very good. Prices are a little high for a couple of skewers. Convenient to BART

Just okay with several annoyances. The okay part is the food and quiet ambience. I had to ask for water 3 times No complimentary bread on table We were splitting an entree but not provided with additional plate Bloody Mary very heavy on worchester sauce. Won't return read more

The food is delicious, and the ambience is wonderful. Lovely owner who comes to check on clients and we also get takeout all the time and always really good with very generous portions. Such a great addition in Rockridge. read more

A Magical Evening at Saffron Kitchen Saffron Kitchen truly exceeded my expectations and delivered the most top-notch dining experience I've had in quite a while. From the moment I approached the entrance, standing outside in the chilly night air and light rain while waiting for my dining companion, a kind and welcoming gentleman invited me inside to wait in the warm, cozy, and spacious dining area. As I entered, I noticed my dining companion was already seated at a lovely window-facing table for two, beautifully adorned with fresh linens, utensils, and a carafe of water. The service throughout the evening was consistently friendly and attentive, with at least four different staff members seamlessly working the dining room as an efficient and cheerful team. They were engaging and accommodating without hovering or making us feel rushed, even though it was a pretty full house. Making reservations for a Friday night was definitely the right call (thanks to my dining companion who made them that very afternoon). The staff was incredible, and the food was equally amazing. I ordered the vegetarian combo, which included deliciously prepared vegetables--perfectly seasoned butternut squash, spinach, and eggplant--each served as separate helpings alongside fluffy basmati rice and delectable naan bread. My dining companion opted for the king salmon kebabs, which were infused with an incredible grill flavor and served with a different type of seasoned basmati rice and naan bread. Alongside our meals, we received condiments of mint, a tangy tzatziki-like sauce, and a spicy sauce--perfect for dipping our bread or adding a delightful kick to our dishes. We started our meal with their house-made red sangria, which was fresh, delicious, and beautifully complex with notes of citrus, brandy, and triple sec. We lingered over dessert, savoring the Firni, a creamy, fresh, and delicately sweet pudding with a satisfying crunch from almonds and a sprinkle of chopped pistachios on top. Everything was fantastic, and the impeccable service only elevated the experience. We were so impressed that we've already made plans to return later this month with our spouses for a double date! If you're looking for an extraordinary dining experience, with lovely staff, a clean, warm, relaxing vibe and delicious, freshly prepared Mediterranean dishes, Saffron Kitchen is the place. read more

Lovely Afghani restaurant in Rockridge, steps from the bart station! Plenty of vegetarian options! For appetizers we got the crispy eggplant pakora with a creamy yogurt sauce, and potato bolani. I had trouble deciding what to get for main so went with the Vegetarian combo-- tasty and vibrant! I even enjoyed the leftovers later at home. Staff were attentive and helpful. The restaurant feels a bit more formal and prices align with that. I've already recommended this place to friends! read more

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indian food was aromatic and flavorful. service was knowledgeable about menu items. place has warm inviting ambiance. good spot for authentic indian cooking. read more

So incredibly delicious!!! I thought about my meal there for weeks after and even ordered takeout. Everything is so tender and well-seasoned. I've tried the salmon, koobideh, and mantu. Bread comes with main dishes and was crispy and soft and fragrant. Literally everything was exceptional. read more

Had a great lunch today, ordered a few dishes and everything came out delicious Service was good and quick, even though a few groups of people came at the same time. If you are in the area, this is great stop for lunch or dinner read more

Saffron Kitchen - Food was so good, we cleaned out our plates - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

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Wonderful Afghan food with excellent friendly service. Indoor and outdoor dinning available. I recommend you give it a try.

Yesterday my boyfriend and I ate here for a late lunch. We were in the mood for middle eastern food but wanted to try something new and Saffron Kitchens good reviews made us come here. I immediately loved the decor and outdoor seating because on every table was Rumi quotes. We ordered the potato pakora and chive dumplings with meat sauce. Both were 10/10 for flavor and texture! We were so impressed at the flavor and it got even better when they brought out the 3 different chutneys! For our main we ordered the chicken kabob plate and it was also tasty, but we both agreed the appetizers were our favorite. The charbroiled taste was good but was almost too much. We also ordered a mango lassi (sooo good!) and Turkish tea (very light flavor). Our server was friendly and helpful and we felt very attended too. We are already talking about when we can come again to try more of the menu! read more

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Sweet Lord this is the food here is amazing. It is great for ambiance and a date and service is amazing but.... The food is really remarkable. read more

Can't believe it took so long for me to discover this fantastic Afghan/Mediterranean restaurant located in Rockridge. The aushak dumpling was so soft/chewy/flavorful and the lamb kabob tender/juicy. I don't know how they do it. They bring you a saucer of three different chutneys, each amazing in their own way. You'll have to resist the urge to take each one as a shot. Only downside is parking can be difficult in this area, so you may spend some time driving down residential side streets. Sorry no pics, ate too quickly. read more

Yes, another solid restaurant for me. I had the Lamb and Spinach Qurma and it was good. I did add one of the three starter sauces (yogurt) for the lamb and that enhanced the flavors. My hubby had the Combination Kabob and he liked it. However, he does prefer the Kabobs at Persian Nights Restaurant in Oakland. The Eggplants Pakora was perfectly creamy and fried. Lastly, I love that the restaurant is spacious, it set a nice mood for me to connect with my bestie. Note: They have a $25 corkage fee. read more

So good! These photos were from the beginning and end of meal. During the meal was too distracted by the yumminess. Food was amazing - mantu was yummy, eggplant pakora - SO GOOD ordered like two extra times more...butternut squash - so good. Lamb kebab... banging everything was so good and the owners were so awesome and accommodating. Thanks for having us and making this a great meal and time! read more

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This is the best meal I've had in a very long time!! The hosts are incredibly personable, make great recommendations, and the chef even came out to greet us because we were absolutely floored by the food. The qabuli pallaw with chicken just melts in your mouth, the eggplants are perfectly creamy and spiced, and the bread! I could eat infinite amounts. We also tried the Aushak which is delightful! We also tried the Ferni for dessert and it was mind-boggling. Please eat here! At least once a week! read more

Saffron Kitchen - Qabuli Pallaw, Aushak, Side of Eggplants - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

Delicious food, ambience and service! The family has a long history in the Afghan food community. Highly recommended!

To start, my partner and I came here for a nice Valentine's day's dinner. To our surprise, they were not offering the typical menu and instead offered a limited $65 per person menu with few options. The " Valentine's Menu" included a glass of champagne, a rose, an appetizer, main course, and dessert. We were not given champagne nor a rose. Understandably, the kitchen was backed up so our appetizers took a while to come. However, a separate party that arrived after us received their food before us. Our food arrived, I ordered the dumplings that were slightly overcooked. My partner's choice was cooked well. After finishing the appetizers we decided to just ask for our champagne, not only did they not give us the champagne to begin with they took almost 15 minutes to give us our glasses ( at this point the rush was gone). We received our food and my partner ordered the lamb shank and it tasted great, I ordered the beef kebab and the beef was great but the rice was dry as heck and the veggies were bland as hell. At this point we had been there for 1.5 hours where our reservation was at 7:30. Our waitress never asked how our food was... shocker. We'd had enough and took our dessert to go. To make a long story short, definitely skip this place on your next date night there's far better places to go that cost significantly less. Will not be back!! read more

Tasty Afghan food, comfortable dining room, and delicious non-alcoholic mocktails. I've been back a few times.

Enjoyed a pleasant lunch with 6 of us at table, sharing dishes amongst ourselves. Each dish was delicious and beautifully presented. Mocktails were fun to watch being prepared and tasty too. Service professionals were helpful, kind, joyful and non-intrusive. I appreciated eating on a white tablecloth with cloth napkins. The chef or manager (?) visited our table a few times, first to make recommendations and answer questions, then to check on our reactions. Charming comfortable ambience. Prices were good value. read more

Really good. I had the Salmon Kara'e. All the ingredients were very fresh, perfectly cooked, and there was just what I like, a variety of exotic mild spices. My dining companions liked their dishes a lot too. The pomegranate gelato was incredibly good--our server said they had to try 5 times with their ice cream supplier to get the recipe just right. The outdoor patio is right next to busy College Ave, but being below street level keeps the noise from being obtrusive. read more

We ate at Saffron Kitchen on Valentine's Day. Though the staff was a bit overwhelmed & tables were kind of smushed together, the food & experience were still great. The waitress didn't seem super familiar with the cuisine (didn't know ingredients or how to pronounce dishes) but was friendly, helpful & attentive. Lamb shank was served off the bone which was a first for us, but the flavors were good. We also ordered the chicken skewers. The meat was tender and moist. The staff gave my wife a rose. That was a classy, thoughtful gift. We had an enjoyable experience and look forward to returning. read more

Saffron Kitchen is conveniently located in the Rockridge neighborhood. The service is good. We were warmly greeted, immediately, and encouraged to sit wherever we wanted. The Greek salad was AWESOME. The veggies were fresh and delish. I ordered the combo kebab and it was meh. The steak was a bit overcooked and the chicken was a bit dry. The sauces helped. I was expecting saffron rice, but the rice had other distinct flavors that I wasn't fond of. The bread was fresh and tasty. Nice ambience and a great place for people watching. read more

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amazing waiters, delicious food (sweet yams were heavenly), free dessert for my best friend's bday, and an overall beautiful place for a celebration, date or any nice dinner. amazing! read more

Lovely little restaurant for a warm day. Outdoor seating and very open indoor seating. Food was nice. Ordered 4 appetizers to share with a friend. They were all kinda similar, but well prepared. Service was attentive. read more

Saffron Kitchen - Mediterranean Near Me - Oakland, California

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The ambience is more sports bar than you would expect for this delicious food. But that's OK!! Food is great and the service is prompt and polite. read more