oChef » Souvla – San Francisco

Souvla - San Francisco

Greek Restaurant Souvla in San Francisco
Photo from Souvla
How do the guests rate it?
Souvla at a glance
San Francisco Hayes Valley
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 116 of the guests
#1320 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#6 Greek Restaurant out of 10 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
7.3
Food
7.5
Service
7.4
Ambience
5.7
Value
484

Reviews

72.1%

Satisfaction

Often praised
  • Quick service
  • Delicious food
  • Charming atmosphere
Frequently criticized
  • High prices
  • Limited seating
  • Inconsistent quality

The Greek restaurant Souvla in San Francisco’s vibrant Hayes Valley neighborhood offers a truly memorable dining experience. You’ll discover a trendy yet casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.

Known for its delicious and healthy options, including organic and vegetarian choices, it’s a go-to spot for fresh Mediterranean flavors. Whether you’re seeking a cozy dinner or a casual lunch, this spot provides a welcoming setting for you to enjoy authentic Greek cuisine.

Overview: Introducting Souvla

Souvla generally offers a positive dining experience, with many guests appreciating the quality of the food and the efficient service. However, some have noted concerns regarding value and occasional issues with the overall atmosphere.

The bright, modern ambience often receives praise for being a clean and charming space. Yet, there are mentions of limited seating and parking challenges that can sometimes impact the dining experience.

Good
7.3 out of 10
484

Reviews

72.1%

Satisfaction

112

negative

23

neutral

349

positive

Souvla holds a solid overall 7.3 score, indicating a generally good experience for most diners. Customer satisfaction stands at a respectable 72.1%, suggesting that a majority leave content.

This feedback comes from 484 total opinions, with 349 positive and 112 negative, providing a robust picture. Diving deeper, Food leads the way with a strong (7.3) score, reflecting its central role in positive feedback.

Service also performs well (7.5), often described as friendly and quick. The Ambience (7.4) is generally well-regarded, though Value (5.7) is a point where opinions are more divided, falling into the average range.

What people like
  • Friendly, quick service
  • Delicious, fresh food
  • Charming, clean atmosphere
What people don't like
  • Perceived high prices
  • Limited seating
  • Inconsistent food quality

Souvla offers a compelling option for those seeking quality Greek-inspired dishes served with efficiency. While the value might be a point of contention for some, the overall positive feedback on the food and service makes it worth considering.

With a 7.4 recommendation score, it suggests that many find it a worthwhile visit. If you prioritize a pleasant atmosphere and prompt service alongside your meal, Souvla is likely to satisfy, provided you’re mindful of the pricing.

Similar Restaurants in San Francisco

Verdict: Our expert take on Souvla

Food (7.3 out of 10)

mentioned by 99% of the guests

It looks like the food here generally hits the spot, earning a good score of 7.3 and a good customer satisfaction of 72.2%. Many diners rave about the deliciousness and freshness, with 236 positive comments praising items like the amazing frozen Greek yogurt, fresh ingredients, and tasty salads and juicy potatoes. However, not everyone is completely won over, with 75 comments noting some areas for improvement.

Concerns include occasional dry meat, a lack of flavor in some dishes, stingy portions, and food being overly oily.

7.3 Food

327

Reviews

72%

Satisfaction

75

negative

16

neutral

236

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Amazing frozen yogurt
  • Fresh, quality ingredients
  • Delicious salads
What people don't like
  • Dry, bland meat
  • Small portions
  • Overly oily food

Often praised

  • food
  • frozen yogurt
  • chicken salad
  • fries
  • salads
  • Food
  • chicken
  • lamb
  • menu
  • pork salad

Frequently criticized

  • chicken
  • food
  • lamb
  • lamb salad
  • lamb sandwich
  • orange
  • sandwich
  • sauce
  • wraps
  • Baklava crumbs

Overall, the food here is a solid choice, especially if youre keen on fresh ingredients and their standout frozen Greek yogurt. Just be mindful that some dishes might lack flavor or be a bit dry, and portions could be smaller than expected. Its definitely worth a try for the highlights!

Service (7.5 out of 10)

mentioned by 56% of the guests

When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.5 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 76.5%, guests often rave about the staff being super friendly and the service speed being impressively quick. Many appreciate the quick place vibe and even mention a generous server making their visit special, with 62 positive remarks out of 81 overall.

However, it's not always smooth sailing. A few experiences point to bad service or frustrating waiting time, especially concerning online orders where no one answers phone calls. Some guests also faced issues with incomplete order deliveries, accounting for 17 negative comments.

It seems communication and order accuracy can sometimes be a hurdle.

7.5 Service

81

Reviews

76%

Satisfaction

17

negative

2

neutral

62

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Fast service
  • Friendly staff
  • Quick food delivery
What people don't like
  • Unresponsive phone
  • Incomplete orders
  • Long lines

Often praised

  • service
  • staff
  • Service
  • employees
  • Employees
  • Food
  • Wait time
  • accompany
  • attention
  • boys

Frequently criticized

  • service
  • account review
  • bad service
  • contact the restaurant
  • customer support
  • delivery status
  • incomplete order
  • line
  • no one answers phone
  • order

Overall, if youre looking for a place with generally fast and friendly service, youll likely be pleased. Just be aware that some online ordering and communication hiccups have been reported, so perhaps dining in or being prepared for potential delivery issues might be wise.

Ambience (7.4 out of 10)

mentioned by 38% of the guests

When it comes to ambience, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a 7.4 score and a solid 72.1% customer satisfaction. Many of the 44 positive comments, from 61 pieces of feedback, praise the inviting atmosphere and cool vibe, especially highlighting the ample outdoor seating. Guests appreciate the cleanliness and the overall charming space, making it a pleasant place to hang out.

However, its not without its quirks, as 14 negative remarks point out. Some found the atmosphere lacking or the outside seating area less than ideal. A common concern is the limited seating, which can feel cramped, and the potential for it to get loud.

Parking can also be a challenge, and the single shared restroom isnt always convenient.

7.4 Ambience

61

Reviews

72%

Satisfaction

14

negative

3

neutral

44

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Inviting atmosphere
  • Ample outdoor seating
  • Clean and charming
What people don't like
  • Limited seating
  • Can get loud
  • Difficult parking

Often praised

  • atmosphere
  • Atmosphere
  • seating
  • space
  • vibe
  • bathrooms
  • clean place
  • cleanliness
  • cool spot
  • cosy spot

Frequently criticized

  • atmosphere
  • parking space
  • seating
  • date spot
  • indoor seating
  • limited seating
  • loud
  • outside seating area
  • parking
  • shared restroom

If you're looking for a spot with a generally inviting and clean atmosphere, especially with good outdoor seating, this place is worth a visit. Just be prepared for potentially limited seating and a bit of noise, and plan your parking ahead of time.

Value (5.7 out of 10)

mentioned by 13% of the guests

When it comes to value, many diners found things to cheer about, with 7 positive comments out of 15 total. Guests often mentioned finding affordable prices and a fair price for their meals, with some even noting a 10% discount available. They felt they got a very reasonable price for what you get, suggesting that even if it leaned on the expensive side, it was still worth it!

However, the picture isnt entirely rosy, as the value score sits at an average 5.7, and customer satisfaction is a bit mixed at 46.7%. With 6 negative comments, some felt that the prices are too high and that it was over expensive. Specific complaints included portions are small and expensive and even a charge for utensils, making some items like a pita wrap' feel excessive.

5.7 Value

15

Reviews

46%

Satisfaction

6

negative

2

neutral

7

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Affordable prices
  • Worth the price
  • Discount offered
What people don't like
  • Prices too high
  • Small portions
  • Utensil charge

Often praised

  • price
  • 10% discount
  • affordable prices
  • fair price
  • prices

Frequently criticized

  • price
  • over expensive
  • pita wrap
  • prices
  • utensils

Overall, the value here is a bit of a mixed bag. While many find the prices reasonable for the quality, be aware that some items might feel overpriced or portions small. If youre looking for good food and dont mind potentially paying a bit more, it could be worth it, but keep an eye on the menu for potential surprises.

How are the prices at Souvla?

You’re looking at roughly 21 per person – reported by 116 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Greek Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.

While the average is 21, many guests actually spend a bit less, with most prices clustering between 11 – 30 $. This suggests a good mix of accessible options and slightly higher-priced dishes.

Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 116 reviews.

See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.

Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Greek Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers good value, especially with many options available in the mid-range.

Customer Reviews: what people think about Souvla

Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Regular Visit
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Paul B.
Review date: 10/26/2025
9
Excellent Food, Clean Bathrooms
My experience at this restaurant was excellent. It's one of my go-to spots in San Francisco. The food was excellent and tasted fresh. The bathrooms were also very good, rated 4/5. They were clean and well-equipped, maintaining the restaurant's theme and aesthetic. For hand drying, they use Dyson air blades instead of paper towels.
  • food10
  • bathrooms8
  • theme and aesthetic8
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Noise Level
  • Quiet
Charles
Review date: 10/23/2025
10
Amazing Frozen Yogurt!
I visited this place because my friend told me that their amazing frozen yogurt is a total crush. He was totally right because it was amazing!
  • frozen yogurt10
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Gonca K.
Review date: 10/17/2025
2
Disappointing Souvlaki Experience
My experience at the restaurant was far from satisfactory. The 'Yunan souvlaki' was nothing like the real thing; it was a very bland wrap. Instead of chicken döner, it seemed like they used boiled chicken, which was tasteless and bland. It bore no resemblance to the original dish. Furthermore, the addition of orange inside was completely irrelevant and detracted from the dish. The atmosphere was rated a 2, and service a 3, with parking being difficult to find.
  • service3
  • Yunan souvlaki1
  • wrap1
  • boiled chicken1
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Jon H.
Review date: 10/15/2025
1
Unsatisfying Meal, Cold Fries, Stale Chicken
My experience at this restaurant was incredibly unsatisfying. It's never a good sign when your order arrives right behind you as you're walking to the table. The fries were cold, and the sandwich tasted like 3-day-old prepared chicken. It was gross, and I hope I don't get sick.
  • fries2
  • sandwich1
  • meal1
Price per Person
  • $41–$50
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Couple
Group Size
  • Couple
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Brendan H.
Review date: 10/15/2025
10
Absolutely Fantastic Food and Experience!
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely fantastic. The freshness and quality of the food were exceptional. We shared the pork salad, which was delicious, along with the Greek fries with garlic dipping sauce. For dessert, we enjoyed the Greek yogurt with baklava crumbles. I definitely recommend this place!
  • freshness10
  • quality of the food10
  • pork salad9

What Souvla offers

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom

Crowd

  • Family-friendly
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Transgender safespace
  • Tourists

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • Good for kids
  • High chairs

Popular for

  • Dinner
  • Lunch
  • Solo dining

Amenities

  • Gender-neutral restroom
  • Restroom

Offerings

  • Healthy options
  • Vegan options
  • Quick bite
  • Wine
  • Beer
  • Organic dishes
  • Vegetarian options
  • Alcohol

Dining options

  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Counter service
  • Dessert
  • Dinner
  • Seating
  • Lunch

Service Options

  • No-contact delivery
  • Takeout
  • Outdoor seating
  • Dine-in
  • Delivery

Parking

  • Usually difficult to find a space
  • Free street parking
  • Paid street parking

Atmosphere

  • Cozy
  • Casual
  • Trendy

FAQs

What dietary options and beverages are available at Souvla?
Souvla caters to various dietary needs, offering healthy, organic, vegetarian, and vegan options. For beverages, you can enjoy a selection of wine, beer, and other alcoholic drinks. This ensures a satisfying experience for you, whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a full meal.
Souvla offers dine-in, takeout, delivery, and no-contact delivery, with outdoor seating available. The atmosphere is cozy, casual, and trendy. For accessibility, you’ll find a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, making it a welcoming spot for all guests.
Souvla has a strong overall score of **7.3** and a customer satisfaction rate of **72.1%**, indicating a generally positive experience for most diners.
Customers frequently praise the **Service** (7.5) for being friendly and quick, and the **Ambience** (7.4) for its charming and clean environment. The **Food** (7.3) is also a consistent highlight.
Some customers express concerns about the **Value** (5.7), citing prices as a bit high. Additionally, issues like limited seating and parking can sometimes impact the overall experience.
Loading map…
Location
517 Hayes St, 94102 San Francisco
Opening hours
Monday – Sunday
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM