Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » North India – San Francisco
North India - San Francisco
Photo from North India
North India at a glance
San Francisco Transbay
- 🍛 Indian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 145 of the guests
#1356 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#45 Indian Restaurant out of 63 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
711
Reviews
71.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic food
- Great service
- Good ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Billing issues
- Cleanliness issues
- Vegetarian risk
The restaurant, an inviting Indian Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Transbay neighborhood, offers you a truly authentic culinary journey. You’ll discover a standout feature in its great tea selection, perfect for complementing your meal.
Whether you’re seeking a cozy dinner or a casual lunch, North India provides a trendy yet comfortable atmosphere for you to enjoy.
Overview: Introducting North India
North India offers a dining experience where the culinary creations truly stand out, with many appreciating the authentic flavors and skillful preparation. The restaurant also receives praise for its attentive staff, who often go the extra mile to ensure a pleasant visit.
However, some guests have raised price concerns and noted occasional issues with the overall ambience, suggesting a mixed experience in these areas. While the food and service generally impress, these points are worth considering.
Good
7.3
out of 10
711
Reviews
71.2%
Satisfaction
177
negative
28
neutral
506
positive
North India achieves a respectable overall score of 7.3, indicating a good dining experience, supported by a solid 71.2% customer satisfaction rate. These figures reflect a generally positive sentiment from the 711 opinions gathered, with 506 positive remarks outweighing 177 negative ones.
Looking closer, the Ambience (7.8), Service (7.4), and Food (7.3) all score well, suggesting these are strong points for the restaurant. However, Value (4.4) falls into the average category, indicating that while many enjoy their visit, the pricing or portion sizes don’t always meet expectations.
What people like
- Authentic Indian flavors
- Attentive, friendly service
- Pleasant, warm atmosphere
What people don't like
- Billing discrepancies
- Cleanliness concerns
- Vegetarian cross-contamination
If you’re seeking well-prepared Indian cuisine and appreciate attentive service, North India is certainly worth considering. The kitchen consistently delivers on flavor, making it a reliable choice for those prioritizing taste and hospitality.
However, be mindful of the pricing, as some find it less competitive, and it’s wise to check your bill carefully. With a recommendation score of 7.3, it generally delivers, but a few aspects might require a bit of patience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on North India
Food (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
Diners generally rave about the food here, with a solid 7.3 score and 70.9% customer satisfaction. Many of the 288 positive comments highlight the authentic tasty Indian food, praising its quality and variety, rich flavors, and delicious fresh naan. It seems like a great spot for a flavorful meal!
However, not all experiences were perfect, as seen in 102 negative remarks. Some guests noted a lack of flavor in certain dishes, while others found issues with excessive oil or uncooked naan. A few also mentioned food being salty, suggesting some inconsistency in preparation.
Food
406
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
102
negative
16
neutral
288
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Indian flavors
- Quality and variety
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent flavor
- Excessive oil
- Uncooked food
Often praised
- foodThe chef’s experience truly shines through, making every dish burst with authentic flavor and cooked to perfection. I’d easily rate the food a 10/10. Located in the heart of downtown, this place stands out not only for its taste but also for its ambiance and service.
- Indian foodI believe this is probably the best Indian restaurant in San Francisco, offering authentic Indian food right in downtown SF. It's usually incredibly hard to find flavourful Indian food in this city, but North India gets it just right.
- FoodFood:5
- naanThe biryani, daal, and naan were wonderful
- complimentary dessertThe paneer and naan were delicious and totally hit the spot. The service was also very attentive, and the complimentary dessert they brought out was a fantastic and welcome surprise. I'd definitely go back.
- garlic naanPaired with garlic naan and raita, this was a delicious meal.
- buffetWe tried buffet once and most of the items were tasting good
- gulab jamunThey play fun, upbeat music, and the owner or manager often checks in to make sure everything’s going well. Sometimes they even offer a complimentary dessert (the gulab jamun is insane. Like donut holes but better).
- flavorsI tried the keema naan, chicken makhani, and chicken biryani, and they were honestly way better than most places that just claim to serve Indian food. This spot actually gets the flavors right. They offer a good mix of veg and non-veg North Indian dishes.
- Chicken Tikka MasalaThe staff was very friendly, and the food was great. We highly recommend the Chicken Tikka Masala.
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food tasted absolutely devoid of flavor
- food qualitydisappointing, primarily due to the food quality not matching the price
- naantheir naan was not even fully cooked (visible white flour powder)
- portion sizewas served the amount a person wouldn’t even serve a child.
- qualityAs an Indian living abroad in Asia and visiting SF, I was disappointed with the mutton biryani. I ordered a takeout for $17, and while the quantity was huge, the quality was bad. The dish lacked salt and tasted more like masala rice than biryani.
- Bhindi Masalabhindi was chewy, and the stem parts...were included
- FoodFood:1
- dishesSome of the dishes weren’t warmed up
- spiceCould have used a bit more spice
- BiriyaniI visited the restaurant today for some Indian food. I ordered a Biriyani, but what I received was something like a Rice Masala with no resemblance or taste of a Biriyani. The food quality was very poor, as indicated by the low score of 1.
If youre craving authentic Indian cuisine, this place generally delivers with good flavors and variety. While some dishes might occasionally miss the mark on seasoning or oil, its often a solid choice for a satisfying meal.
Service (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 79% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a 7.4 score and a solid 74% customer satisfaction. With 131 positive remarks out of 177 total, many guests rave about the friendly staff, attentive service, and warm hospitality. They often highlight the speed of food arrival and knowledgeable servers, making for a pleasant dining experience.
However, not every interaction is perfect. A smaller number of 43 comments point to occasional unprofessional staff, poor communication, and instances of slow service. Some guests also mentioned concerns about dishonest practices, suggesting there's still room for improvement in consistency.
Service
177
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
43
negative
3
neutral
131
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Attentive service
- Warm hospitality
What people don't like
- Unprofessional staff
- Poor communication
- Slow service
Often praised
- serviceMy partner, who has traveled to India many times, thoroughly enjoyed the food and the wide variety available. I was also greatly satisfied with the taste of food and the great service, especially getting the exact spice level I requested! I would recommend this place to all!
- staffIt’s clear that the chefs put a lot of love and skill into every plate. The service was impeccable, with the staff going above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed. They were attentive without being intrusive, and they made excellent recommendations.
- ServiceService:5
- ownerowner was delightful and provided a personal touch
- customer serviceI found this restaurant on Google and had an exemplary customer service experience. The food was fresh and delicious.
- hospitalityI want to extend a very big thank you to JASHN n PATAM for their wonderful hospitality. Special thanks to Chef Gurudevsingh Ji for making such amazing, tasty food.
- peoplethe people were nice, friendly and caring
- StaffStaff is very friendly
- attention to detailWhat sets North India Restaurant apart is their attention to detail and commitment to quality
- hostThe host was extremely nice and even cracked a joke
Frequently criticized
- serviceDO NOT VISIT this place if you are vegetarian. My paneer makhani had pieces of chicken in it and when pointed out, they were very casual about it and just said sorry. AVOID THIS PLACE IF YOU ARE VEGETARIAN.
- ServiceShe asked politely if she could have less spicy. She received the same dish
- customer servicethe customer service is really bad here
- staffrestaurant staff was unnecessarily rude on the call
- waiterthe “waiter” would just stare at us if we asked for service
- closing timerushed to order as they said they closed at 9:30…. then annoyingly said that they closed at 9:30 around 10 pm
- communicationso awkward and difficult to communicate
- concernTheses guys are not even concerned
- courteousthey are not courteous
- deliveryasked for delivery
Overall, you can expect a generally good service experience here, with many guests praising the friendly and attentive staff. While there are a few reports of inconsistency, the positives strongly outweigh the negatives, making it a place worth trying if service is a priority for you.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 51% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the right notes, earning a good score of 7.8 and a strong customer satisfaction of 81.9%. Many guests rave about the vibrant atmosphere, the delightful music (especially the authentic Indian and Bollywood tunes), and the inviting decor. With 77 positive remarks out of 94, it seems most people really enjoy the overall vibe.
However, a small number of 12 negative comments point to some areas needing attention. Concerns about cleanliness were raised, specifically regarding washrooms and dirty tablecloths, along with mentions of an unpleasant smell. Some also found the space a bit cramped or noted issues with the AC, suggesting there's room for improvement in these specific aspects.
Ambience
94
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
12
negative
5
neutral
77
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Music Selection
- Warm Ambiance
- Great for Date Nights
What people don't like
- Filthy Washrooms
- Dirty Tablecloths
- Unpleasant Smell
Often praised
- atmosphereThis place offers a beautiful warm atmosphere, perfect for both social gatherings and intimate dates. My partner, who has traveled to India many times, thoroughly enjoyed the food and the wide variety available.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambienceloved the ambience as the owner was delightful
- musicInside, the vibe is great. They play fun, upbeat music, and the owner or manager often checks in to make sure everything’s going well. Sometimes they even offer a complimentary dessert (the gulab jamun is insane.
- ambianceWe loved every bit of the ambiance
- experiencehad the loveliest experience
- Bollywood rap music videosThe Bollywood rap music videos on the TV cracked me up
- Bollywood songsAtmosphere was also very nice with bollywood songs
- Indian musicThe perfect quintessential Indian music playing in the restaurant.
- Indian restaurantMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I found it to be a very authentic Indian restaurant. I had an amazing lentil daal and rice 👌🏻 which was so delicious.
Frequently criticized
- ACNo AC
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- cleanlinesscleanliness etc.
- crampedPlace is cramped as well
- dirty floornoticed that he floor was dirty
- dirty water pitchersWe got dirty water pitchers
- entranceThough Enterance is ordinary and not that impressive
- hair on tableclothnoticed a hair on the white tablecloth
- particular tableforced us to sit at a particular table (uncomfortable for us)
- smellthe place generally smelled
If you're looking for a lively spot with great Indian music and a warm atmosphere, this place is generally a good bet. Just be aware that a few guests have noted minor issues with cleanliness or space, so manage your expectations on those fronts.
Value (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
When it comes to value, the restaurant scores an average 4.4, with some diners finding the experience truly worth it thanks to affordable prices. Based on 10 positive remarks out of 34 total comments, many appreciated the reasonable cost, making it a potential spot for budget-friendly meals. However, the poor 29.4% customer satisfaction suggests significant concerns.
With 20 negative comments, many pointed to issues like being on the pricey side for portion sizes, encountering false/higher charges, and frustration with an outdated menu leading to unexpected costs. It seems value can be quite inconsistent here.
Value
34
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
20
negative
4
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Worth the cost
What people don't like
- Pricey for portions
- False/higher charges
- Outdated menu prices
Often praised
- pricedefinitely not pricey compared to other India restaurants
- pricesThe prices are very reasonable as well.
- PricePrice seems about average for the area
- affordablelunchbox is affordable
- affordable pricevery affordable price
- worth itSpecial thanks to Chef Gurudevsingh Ji for making such amazing, tasty food. Yes, it’s expensive, but totally worth it. The quantity of food served is also fair and good.
Frequently criticized
- priceThe food quality at the buffet was average if not less. There wasn't a lot of variety considering the price of $27/person.
- $17takeout for $17, the quantity was huge, but the quality was bad
- additional 10%server added an additional 10%
- billmake it seem like the total bill is "Pre-Tip"
- billingincreased the amount without my knowledge while billing
- false/higher chargeI'm unfortunately leaving a low rating due to the server's behavior and a false/higher charge. The server forced us to sit at a particular table, which was uncomfortable, even though the place was empty at 9: 30 PM.
- food priceThe food is a little expensive
- frozen samosasthe frozen samosas were eight dollars for two frozen ones
- listed pricesThe menu listed items and prices that are no longer offered. When I pointed this out, they refused to honor the listed prices or offer any discount for their error. The food quality was also just 'meh'.
- moneyI spent ₹250 from my pocket, but the food was so bad that even that person would come. Please don't waste your money. Go to another restaurant.
If youre considering this place for value, proceed with caution. While some find the prices fair, a significant number of guests have faced issues with unexpected charges or felt portions didnt justify the cost. It might be worth a try if you're careful, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies.
How are the prices at North India?
You’re looking at roughly 34 per person – reported by 145 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For an Indian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 34, it’s interesting to note that most diners actually spend a bit less, clustering around the $21–$30 mark. This suggests a nice mix, with options for those looking for a more budget-friendly meal and others happy to splurge a little more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 145 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s an Indian Restaurant in San Francisco, and the average spend is 34 with many spending less, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers good value for a city like San Francisco, especially with options for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about North India
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Tasty Indian Food, Great Service
My experience at this restaurant has consistently been positive. The food is always very tasty, and I've noticed the interior of the North Indian section has improved significantly since my last visit. While crowds in this part of downtown haven't fully returned, I'm seeing North Indian getting quite busy.
The service is always fantastic and friendly. It's definitely my go-to neighborhood Indian cuisine locale.
- food9
- interior8
- crowds6
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Sweet Diwali Treat with Great Quality Food
My experience at this restaurant was quite pleasant, especially as the owner was very sweet and offered us a complimentary dessert to celebrate Diwali. While the food is a little expensive, the quality is very good. I'd recommend giving it a try if you're in Downtown SF and craving Indian food.
- complimentary dessert10
- food quality8
- food price4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Tasty Indian Food with Great Atmosphere
I had a late dinner with my friends and my experience was very positive. The dishes were very tasty and authentic, and the atmosphere was great. The service was friendly, especially from our waiter.
I particularly enjoyed the Vegetable Briyani, which had a good amount of vegetables and paneer. The Garlic naan was incredibly soft and fluffy, and the Tandoori roti was optimally prepared. The only area for improvement was the Fish tikka masala, as the fish cubes were a bit thick and lacked masala infusion.
We were served complimentary gulab jamun, which was perfect in both sweet and texture; I will definitely try the jamuns again next time. I would recommend this place for Indian food near the Moscone center.
- Vegetable Briyani9
- Garlic naan10
- Tandoori roti8
- Fish tikka masala4
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Flavorless Food, Waste of Money
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. The food tasted absolutely devoid of flavor. I spent ₹250 from my pocket, but the food was so bad that even that person would come.
Please don't waste your money. Go to another restaurant.
- food1
- money1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Late Night Desi Gem!
Late night desi food is one of the biggest blessings of God, if one exists. I couldn't resist walking in to this establishment, just from finding it open at 10: 30 pm. The food was authentic, the service was warm and friendly, and the atmosphere was upscale and clean (rare for Desi places).
The music was delightful. They even gave me a free gulab jaman dessert. 😍
- food10
- service9
- atmosphere9
What North India offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Late-night food
- Happy hour drinks
- All you can eat
- Vegan options
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining experience and atmosphere can you expect at North India in San Francisco?
At North India, you’ll find a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for various dining occasions. You can enjoy lunch, dinner, or even brunch with table service. The restaurant also offers late-night food and happy hour drinks, ensuring a delightful experience for you.
Does North India cater to specific dietary needs and what unique offerings are available?
Yes, North India is very accommodating, offering you a wide range of choices including healthy options, vegan options, vegetarian options, and Halal food. You can also indulge in an all-you-can-eat experience, small plates, or choose from a selection of wine, beer, coffee, and cocktails.
How does North India generally score with customers?
North India holds a good overall score of 7.3, with customer satisfaction at 71.2%. Customers particularly appreciate the Ambience (7.8), Service (7.4), and Food (7.3), though Value (4.4) is considered average.
What do customers enjoy most about the food at North India?
Many customers praise North India for its authentic Indian flavors, noting that dishes are cooked to perfection and the restaurant ‘gets the flavors right’. Specific items like naan, biryani, and Chicken Tikka Masala are frequently highlighted as delicious.
Are there any common issues or concerns reported by diners?
Some diners have reported concerns regarding billing discrepancies, including false or higher charges. There are also occasional mentions of cleanliness issues within the restaurant, and a serious concern about potential cross-contamination for vegetarian dishes.