Highlights
- Great dessert
- Live music
- Great wine list
- Great tea selection
oChef » Al-Masri – San Francisco
Al-Masri - San Francisco
Photo from Al-Masri
Al-Masri at a glance
San Francisco Outer Richmond
- 🥙 Egyptian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 12 of the guests
#2128 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#1 Egyptian Restaurant out of 1 in San Francisco
Good
6.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
224
Reviews
57.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Lively entertainment
- Friendly hospitality
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent food
- Value concerns
The restaurant Al-Masri Egyptian Restaurant, located in San Francisco’s vibrant Outer Richmond, invites you to a truly immersive dining experience. You’ll discover a cozy atmosphere where the rich aromas of traditional dishes fill the air.
Imagine enjoying a delightful dinner with the captivating sounds of live music, making your evening truly memorable. This spot is perfect for those seeking a unique culinary journey, offering a taste of Egypt right in the heart of the city.
Overview: Introducting Al-Masri
Al-Masri offers a distinctive dining experience, often praised for its lively atmosphere and engaging entertainment. Guests frequently highlight the friendly service, contributing to a welcoming environment that many find appealing.
However, the culinary journey can be a bit of a mixed bag. While some dishes are noted for being flavorful, there are recurring concerns about the overall consistency and whether the offerings justify the cost, with some finding it overpriced.
Good
6.1
out of 10
224
Reviews
57.6%
Satisfaction
88
negative
7
neutral
129
positive
Al-Masri garners an overall Restaurant Score of 6.1, placing it in the average range, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 57.6%. This assessment is drawn from 224 customer observations, comprising 129 positive and 88 negative remarks, indicating a somewhat divided opinion among diners.
Looking closer at specific aspects, the Ambience (7.6) clearly stands out as a strong point, often celebrated for its vibrant entertainment. However, the Food (5.8) and Service (5.1) hover around average, suggesting areas where experiences can vary.
The Value (3.9) is a particular weak spot, frequently cited as needing significant improvement.
What people like
- Lively entertainment
- Friendly hospitality
- Flavorful dishes
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Value concerns
- Slow service
If you’re seeking an evening centered around vibrant entertainment and a unique atmosphere, Al-Masri could be a suitable choice. The engaging performances and welcoming staff often create a memorable experience, making it a destination for a lively night out.
However, with a Recommendation Score of 6.1, it’s wise to manage expectations regarding the culinary consistency and overall value. While some dishes hit the mark, others may fall short, and the pricing structure has been a point of contention for many.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Al-Masri
Food (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, theres definitely a lot to appreciate! Many diners (55 out of 99 comments) raved about the authentic Egyptian food, especially praising the baklava as the best theyve ever had. Youll find vibrant flavors and generous portions that leave a good impression, contributing to an overall score of 5.8 and a customer satisfaction of 55.6%.
However, its not all sunshine and pyramids. A significant number of guests (42 comments) found the food quality inconsistent, with complaints about dry lamb and old rice. Some dishes were described as bland or not truly authentic Egyptian, indicating a mixed experience despite the positive feedback.
Food
99
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
42
negative
2
neutral
55
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Best baklava ever
- Vibrant flavors
- Delicious skewed lamb
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Bland dishes served
- Questionable authenticity
Often praised
- foodWhile it was slightly expensive for the food, the inclusion of a belly dance performance justified the cost, as some of it likely goes towards the performers. The food itself was flavorful, and the baklava was pretty much the best I have ever had. The restaurant is very inclusive of its performers, featuring ladies of different skill levels and ages, all of whom are accepted and supported.
- riceMy experience was centered around the Grilled Chicken Skewer Rice Bowl. This dish was a complete package, featuring tender chicken on a stick, creamy hummus, soft pita, fluffy rice, and a fresh salad. It was everything I could have wanted and more.
- baklavaWe stumbled upon this place during a walk and decided to try some baklava. It was the best baklava of my life. I want them for every party forever!
- chickenIt’s got chicken (on a stick)
- coffeesaving grace was perhaps the coffee
- good foodgood food come together
- great foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! If you are looking for awesome Arabic music and great food with a cozy vibe, come here!
- Great FoodGreat 👍 Food
- Grilled Chicken Skewer Rice Bowlreally liked the Grilled Chicken Skewer Rice Bowl
- Samak Bil TamarhindiSamak Bil Tamarhindi, a popular dish that was super delicious
Frequently criticized
- foodWe opted for the buffet, and it felt as though the food was put together last minute. The variety of options was limited, and the food was served cold. The presentation also raised concerns about sanitation, with plastic lids on dishes left half-open, causing the food to cool down rapidly.
- food qualityFirst of all, the food they serve is not Egyptian at aaaaaall! Moreover, the food quality is terrible and so overpriced. Talking about the dancer, miserable.
- ricethe rice was beyond bland.
- $25 buffet dinnerexpecting live entertainment and a $25 buffet dinner only to be told this is not happening
- Egyptian foodno idea what egyption food looks like. Its looks egyption food but taist was somthing els
- Egyptian restaurantnot even Egyptian food !!
- Kosharyit had nothing related with koshry from the taste
- alcohol selectionalcohol selection is a bit lacking
- buffet replenishmentthey won't bring more food in a buffet until asked to
- chick peasno chick peas
So, should you go? If youre looking for a taste of authentic Egyptian flavors and dont mind a potentially inconsistent experience, it might be worth a try for those standout dishes. Just be prepared that some aspects of the food might not hit the mark for everyone.
Service (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
When it comes to service, there's a definite split in experiences. Many guests rave about the warm welcome, highlighting the friendly staff, kind hosts, and exceptional hospitality. From wonderful owners to attentive waitresses and even engaging performers, 16 positive remarks out of 37 overall sentiments point to moments where the service truly shone, making for a great entire experience.
However, the service here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.1 (average) and customer satisfaction at 43.2% (mixed). A significant 20 negative comments frequently mention slow service, long waiting times for food, and issues with orders. Some even encountered rude wait staff or workers, making for a less-than-ideal quality of service and leaving many feeling frustrated.
Service
37
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
20
negative
1
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Exceptional hospitality
- Wonderful owner
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Rude staff
- Long waiting times
Often praised
- serviceThe place itself is cute, and I enjoyed the student belly dancers. The service was friendly, and the food was tasty. However, the alcohol selection was a bit lacking, and the table setup felt a bit roughshod.
- BobBob is really nice!
- Chef SousanChef Sousan is the best
- ServiceService:5
- entire experienceI loved the entire experience
- everyoneEveryone here is so wonderful
- everyone happyIt's my favorite place to go for food, music, and dance. The owner is a wonderful person who genuinely wants to make sure everyone is happy.
- hospitalityThe hospitality was exceptional
- hostThe host was very kind and helpful
- ownerowner is a wonderful person
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe belly dancers were mediocre, with only one being enjoyable to watch. Furthermore, the service was very slow, unless you had a personal connection with the waiter. I would not return.
- chefThe chef was American white woman claiming she is Egyptian and she doing it perfectly
- business hoursJust look up their business hours before you go
- city requirementshe said it was a requirement from the city.
- food took longFood took long to come out
- hoursI Ubered across town to find out that the restaurant was "closed"! They really need to UPDATE their hours. It was a complete waste of time and money.
- meet-updrove 30+ minutes here for a meet-up that I had rsvp
- operating hoursThe food quality has changed significantly; it used to be great, but now I feel the restaurant has lost its focus. Furthermore, their operating hours are very unusual, as they only open a few days a week at 5 pm. This makes it difficult to plan a visit, and I question what kind of business this is.
- orderalways got our order wrong
- quality of serviceHer aggressive demeanor was a stark contrast to the nice and friendly waitress. Overall, it was a horrible experience from the food to the quality of service.
If youre looking for a place with potentially warm hospitality and engaging hosts, you might find a pleasant surprise. However, be prepared for the possibility of slow service and longer waits, as its a common point of contention for many diners.
Ambience (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
The ambience here truly shines, with a solid score of 7.6 and 77.9% customer satisfaction! Many of the 53 positive reviews highlight the fantastic Arabic music, captivating belly dancers, and the overall cozy, unique aesthetic. Its praised for its vibrant live entertainment and cultural experience.
Yet, its not without its drawbacks. The 13 negative comments mention the live performances can be a distraction, with some finding the noise level too high. A few also felt the belly dancers were mediocre or that the place had lost its charm.
Ambience
68
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
13
negative
2
neutral
53
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Live entertainment
- Vibrant atmosphere
- Unique aesthetic
What people don't like
- Loud noise
- Performance distraction
- Mediocre dancers
Often praised
- belly dancersMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The place itself is cute, and I enjoyed the student belly dancers. The service was friendly, and the food was tasty.
- entertainmentGo for the entertainment, not the food.
- musicMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. I highly recommend going when the belly dancers are performing, as it creates a very lively atmosphere with great music and performances. However, the food was quite disappointing, scoring only a 2 out of 5.
- belly dancingThey had live music and belly dancing
- live musicThe belly dancing show was non-stop and the food was good. The $25 buffet with live music is a deal you can't beat.
- atmosphereyou feel like you’re stepping into Egypt.
- belly dancing performancelive band and belly dancing performance was fantastic
- belly dancing shownon stop belly dancing show
- live bandlive band and belly dancing performance was fantastic
- Arabic musicMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! If you are looking for awesome Arabic music and great food with a cozy vibe, come here!
Frequently criticized
- dancerMoreover, the food quality is terrible and so overpriced. Talking about the dancer, miserable.
- atmospheremore lively atmosphere, which was not present
- belly dancersbelly dancers were very mediocre
- belly dancingBelly dancing, not so much
- charmthe place lost all its charm
- dancesThe dances were long and were a constant source of distraction
- distractiona constant source of distraction for our dinner
- live entertainmentexpecting live entertainment and a $25 buffet dinner only to be told this is not happening
- live showhad a live show to the past and felt uncomfortable
- noise levelit was way too loud in there
If you're after a lively, culturally rich evening with engaging live entertainment, this place is a strong contender. Just be mindful that the vibrant atmosphere can sometimes mean a higher noise level or distracting performances. Go for the show!
Value (3.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few diners found some bright spots, noting reasonable prices and even calling it worth every penny. With 5 positive remarks out of 20 total, some appreciated the overall value, especially mentioning a specific $25 buffet as a good deal. However, the general sentiment leans heavily towards disappointment, with 13 negative remarks.
Many felt the experience was overpriced and even a waste of money, citing unexpected seating charges and automatic gratuity. This is clearly reflected in a score of 3.9 and a customer satisfaction of just 25%, both indicating a poor perception of value.
Value
20
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
13
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Worth every penny
- Reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Overpriced experience
- Hidden charges
- Waste of money
Often praised
- $25 buffetgood food 25$ buffet
- priceWorth every penny
- pricesNothing wrong with prices
- reasonable pricesreasonable prices
- valueOverall, great value.
Frequently criticized
- priceFirst of all, the food they serve is not Egyptian at aaaaaall! Moreover, the food quality is terrible and so overpriced. Talking about the dancer, miserable.
- 120 USD120usd for nothing
- automatic gratuitythere was a 20% gratuity already on the check.
- expensiveThe service was bad, the portions were small, and the food was not good. It was also very expensive compared to other halal food options. I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
- menutheir menu said 18% for groups of 4 or more
- overpricedso over priced
- seating chargeMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. I was surprised by an unexpected seating charge. The food was very bland, lacking any real flavor.
- waste of moneyWaste of time and money
- waste of timeWaste of time and money
If youre weighing the cost, this spot might be a gamble, as many found it significantly "overpriced" with hidden fees. While a few found it "worth every penny, " the overwhelming sentiment suggests you might end up feeling its a waste of money. Proceed with caution if budget is a concern.
How are the prices at Al-Masri?
You’re looking at roughly 39 per person – reported by 12 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For an Egyptian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 39, many guests actually spend less, with a good chunk finding options in the $21–$30 range. There are also some premium choices that pull the overall average up, showing a nice spread of pricing.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 12 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for an Egyptian restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good range of options, making it a solid choice for a satisfying meal without necessarily splurging.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Al-Masri
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Extremely Disappointing Arabic Cuisine Experience
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely disappointing. The food was very mediocre and not at all close to authentic Arabic cuisine. The hummus was yucky; I’ve had better from a grocery store.
The main course lacked any taste. The only saving grace was perhaps the coffee. I will never ever go back again.
- coffee7
- food1
- hummus1
- main course1
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing Experience with Food and Billing
I visited this restaurant last Friday with two friends. Despite the place being nearly empty, with only one other patron, the food took a surprisingly long time to arrive and was not good. It seemed like only the rice was prepared fresh, and much of the food had a bitter taste.
To add to the disappointment, a 20% gratuity was automatically added to our bill. When we questioned the waitress about this for a group of three, as their menu stated 18% for groups of four or more, she claimed it was a city requirement. A friend living in San Francisco confirmed this is not a rule.
Overall, it was a very disappointing experience.
- rice5
- food2
- waiting time3
- automatic gratuity2
Price per Person
- $81–$90
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Loud
7
Lively Atmosphere, Disappointing Food
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. I highly recommend going when the belly dancers are performing, as it creates a very lively atmosphere with great music and performances. However, the food was quite disappointing, scoring only a 2 out of 5.
While the atmosphere and service were excellent (both rated 5/5), the culinary aspect did not meet expectations for a dinner priced between $50-100 per person.
- belly dancers10
- atmosphere10
- music8
- food2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Charming Egyptian Restaurant with Fantastic Entertainment
My experience at this charming Egyptian restaurant was wonderful. I was very glad we went. The restaurant offered a unique blend of vibrant flavors and a cozy ambiance.
The live band and belly dancing performance were fantastic!
- vibrant flavors9
- cozy ambiance9
- live band10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Coffee and Welcoming Host!
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. The host was incredibly kind and helpful. Even though we arrived as they were getting busy and had a prix fixe dinner menu, they still accommodated our request for a small snack.
The coffee was EXCELLENT! We also enjoyed the live music and belly dancing – thank you for the show. We had a great time and wished we could have stayed longer.
- host10
- coffee10
- live music9
What Al-Masri offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- All you can eat
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Organic dishes
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Romantic
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Al-Masri Egyptian Restaurant?
At Al-Masri, you’ll step into a romantic, cozy, and casual setting, perfect for dinner. You can enjoy captivating live music and explore their great wine list or extensive tea selection. With table service and recommended dinner reservations, you’re set for a delightful and authentic Egyptian evening.
Does Al-Masri Egyptian Restaurant cater to specific dietary needs or offer diverse options?
Yes, Al-Masri offers a wide range of options to suit various preferences. You’ll find healthy options, vegan options, vegetarian options, and organic dishes on their menu. They also serve halal food, small plates, and an ‘all you can eat’ option, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
What is the overall dining experience like at Al-Masri?
Al-Masri offers an average dining experience with a Restaurant Score of 6.1. While the Ambience (7.6) stands out, Food (5.8) and Service (5.1) are average, and Value (3.9) is a notable concern.
Is Al-Masri a good place for entertainment?
Yes, many guests appreciate the lively atmosphere, belly dancers, and live music, which are frequently mentioned as positive aspects of the experience.
How is the food quality at Al-Masri?
Opinions on the food are mixed. While some found dishes like the baklava and Grilled Chicken Skewer Rice Bowl flavorful, others reported the food to be inconsistent, bland, or not authentic.