Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Mehfil – San Francisco
Mehfil - San Francisco
Photo from Mehfil
Mehfil at a glance
San Francisco Transbay
- 🍛 Indian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 81 of the guests
#1002 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#38 Indian Restaurant out of 63 in San Francisco
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
479
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful food
- Welcoming staff
- Affordable options
Frequently criticized
- Extra charges
- Unpleasant smell
- Worn appearance
The restaurant Mehfil, an Indian restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Transbay neighborhood, invites you to a casual dining experience. At Mehfil Indian Cuisine, you’ll discover a truly authentic taste of India, complemented by a standout feature: a great tea selection.
Whether you’re seeking a quick bite or a leisurely dinner, this spot offers a welcoming atmosphere for all. It’s a place where you can unwind and savor delicious flavors.
Overview: Introducting Mehfil
Mehfil offers a compelling experience, particularly with its well-regarded food and attentive staff. Many appreciate the flavorful curries and the welcoming nature of the team.
However, some diners have noted concerns regarding certain aspects of their visit, suggesting a mixed overall impression. While the restaurant provides an affordable meal for many, there are occasional issues with unexpected service charges or billing clarity.
The atmosphere, though generally pleasant, has received some criticism for its smelly restaurant aspect, indicating areas for improvement.
Good
7.6
out of 10
479
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
82
negative
28
neutral
369
positive
Overall, Mehfil achieves a solid 7.6 out of 10, with customer satisfaction sitting at a good 77%. This indicates a generally positive dining experience for most.
The Food (8) stands out as a strong point, frequently praised for its quality and variety. Similarly, the Service (7.9) receives high marks, with many guests commending the attentive and welcoming staff.
These positive sentiments are reflected in the 369 positive opinions out of 479 total. However, there’s a bit of a drop-off when it comes to Value (6.5) and Ambience (6.1).
While many find the pricing reasonable, some negative feedback points to concerns about additional charges. The atmosphere, though not universally disliked, has room for improvement, with 82 negative opinions touching on aspects like appearance and occasional smells.
It seems these areas could benefit from some attention to elevate the overall experience.
What people like
- Flavorful Indian food
- Attentive, welcoming staff
- Affordable meal options
What people don't like
- Unexpected extra charges
- Unpleasant restaurant smell
- Worn interior/exterior
Mehfil presents a compelling option for those seeking well-prepared Indian cuisine and friendly service. With a strong recommendation score of 7.9, it’s clear many diners leave satisfied.
If you prioritize tasty dishes and a welcoming atmosphere, this spot is certainly worth considering for your next meal. However, be mindful of potential extra charges and the occasional feedback regarding the restaurant’s upkeep.
While the food and service generally impress, these minor points could affect your overall experience. It’s a place with definite strengths, but a few areas could use refinement.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Mehfil
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
The food at this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a solid 8 score and a fantastic 81.7% customer satisfaction! With 232 positive remarks out of 284 total comments, many rave about the authentic Indian food, highlighting flavorful dishes like chicken tikka masala and generous portions that truly satisfy. However, its not without its hiccups, as 37 comments point to areas for improvement.
Some experiences mention inconsistent food quality, including undercooked items or occasionally small portion sizes, which can be a bit of a letdown when youre expecting a perfect meal.
Food
284
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
37
negative
15
neutral
232
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Indian flavors
- Flavorful dishes
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Undercooked food
- Poor food quality
- Small portions
Often praised
- foodThis felt like false advertising, and I was disappointed that they weren't available during dinner time. The food was great, and the service was super fast. However, due to the misleading flyers, I will never go back or recommend this place.
- chicken tikka masalaI reluctantly ordered the chicken tikka masala because I didn’t want to be cliché, but I’m glad I did. It was very good. I also had the samosas and they were amazing.
- naanif I’m feeling a little extra hungry I’ll add naan
- Indian foodMy experience at this restaurant was great. I found it to be a great place for some good Indian food. I would definitely return when in the area.
- FoodFood:5
- garlic naanI ordered garlic naan and veggie tiki masala and really, it was delicous
- curriesThe curries are creamy, flavorful and wholesome
- dishesIt's a cute and comfortable local spot. The dishes are a good size to share, which is especially great for lunch. I was also pleased to find lots of vegetarian options that can be made vegan.
- lunch specialsThe food is consistently good! I have tried most of the lunch specials and liked all of them. The price is phenomenal.
- vegetarian optionsThe dishes are a good size to share, which is especially great for lunch. I was also pleased to find lots of vegetarian options that can be made vegan.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food was terrible
- chickenThe chicken tasted like it was defrosted or just overcooked with a rubbery texture
- food qualityBad food is an understatement. Nothing that came out of the kitchen looked fresh.
- lambThe lamb was overcooked close to being chewy.
- naancharged me $4+ for that without saying it was different
- Briyanimade a fried chicken rice and served me as Briyani
- FoodFood was pathetic doesn’t taste good
- Indian foodI know what Indian food should taste like
- Prawns curryExcept in the Prawns curry they could have been ground as was picking twigs out of my mouth.
- butter naanThe butter naan was flat and chewy
If you're craving authentic Indian flavors and generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that a few experiences mention inconsistent food quality or smaller portions, so manage your expectations for a consistently perfect meal.
Service (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 67% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.9 and a fantastic 81% customer satisfaction, its clear many diners have had great experiences. Out of 100 opinions, 81 praise the friendly staff, welcoming owners, and attentive and quick service, making you feel right at home.
However, its not always perfect. There are 13 opinions noting some hiccups, with mentions of slow service, bad customer service, and even issues with waiters or forgotten cutlery. While these are fewer, they suggest there's still a little room for improvement to ensure everyone leaves happy.
Service
100
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
13
negative
6
neutral
81
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, welcoming team
- Quick, efficient service
- Attentive, helpful staff
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Rude customer service
- Missing cutlery
Often praised
- serviceThis felt like false advertising, and I was disappointed that they weren't available during dinner time. The food was great, and the service was super fast. However, due to the misleading flyers, I will never go back or recommend this place.
- staffwelcomed us with a big smile! The food was super good and the service excellent.
- ServiceService:5
- ownerThe owner personally does the job!!!
- ownersowners are super nice and welcoming
- serverThe server was very kind and understanding
- peopleheart warming people
- GaganaGagana is always so helpful
- Sardar ji on the front deskSardar ji on the front desk is a very nice person, very welcoming and soft spoken
- accommodatingvery nice and very accommodating too
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was pretty atrocious
- ServiceService was not good
- customer serviceBad and rude customer service.
- cutlerydidn't include cutlery I asked for
- hospitalityThe team at Mehfil needs to learn about hospitality
- restroomwhen my friend who was waiting with me but didn’t order wanted to use the restroom, they said he couldn’t
- waitertold it to the waiter I was totally ignored
Overall, if you're looking for a place with genuinely warm and efficient service, this spot is usually a great bet. While a few experiences mention slow or rude service, the overwhelming sentiment points to a friendly and attentive team, making it worth a visit.
Ambience (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, many guests found the atmosphere quite pleasant, with 28 positive remarks out of 46 total opinions. Youll often hear praise for the atmosphere, decor, and cleanliness, with some calling it a comfortable and casual restaurant or a perfect downtown spot. While the overall score for ambience sits at an average 6.1, theres definitely a good vibe here, often highlighted by background music and comfortable seating.
However, its not all sunshine and roses, with 15 negative comments. Some diners noted issues with the outer look, an unhygienic feel, or even a smelly restaurant. The customer satisfaction for ambience is a mixed 60.9%, suggesting theres room for improvement in consistency, especially regarding the environment and overall appearance.
A few even mentioned vulgar Hindi songs impacting the atmosphere.
Ambience
46
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
15
negative
3
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Comfortable seating
- Pleasant decor
- Clean environment
What people don't like
- Unappealing exterior
- Unpleasant smells
- Hygiene concerns
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmosphereA very comfortable and casual restaurant
- decordecor was modern and chic
- ambianceadmired the ambiance of the restaurant
- ambienceGreat ambience
- aromaIt smelled sooo good
- background musicThis is my go-to place for daily chai on the days I come to work in FiDi. The food is amazing as well, especially with the background music of 80-90s Bollywood music :) Must try!
- clean placeit is a clean place.
- cleanlinessVery clean
- conversations of other dinersconversations of other diners created a pleasant hum of noise
Frequently criticized
- atmospheredidn't like the atmosphere
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- appearanceThe place does not look like the photos from other reviewers, it’s pretty warn
- environmentthe environment was unpleasant
- internal placeinternal place is little dull.
- outer lookthe outer look of the place is not appealing
- outside seatingthe outside is pretty beat up
- parkingparking is little difficult
- smelling insideIt’s was smelling inside the restaurant
- smelly restaurantsmelly restaurant
If youre looking for a generally comfortable spot with good decor and music, youll likely enjoy the vibe here. However, be aware that some experiences mention cleanliness issues or an unappealing exterior, so it might be a bit of a gamble.
Value (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a mixed picture, with a score of 6.5 (average) and customer satisfaction sitting at 57.1% (mixed). Many diners rave about the price and economical options, especially for lunch and affordable meal deals. Out of 28 positive remarks, folks often mention phenomenal prices, great value for money, and incredibly affordable lunch boxes.
However, not everyone is thrilled, with 17 negative comments pointing to issues like tax , service charge , and surprise charges . Some feel there's a lack of transparency in billing , with extra fees for things like rice or card payments , and even included gratuity causing frustration.
Value
49
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
17
negative
4
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Economical lunch options
- Affordable meal prices
- Great value for money
What people don't like
- Hidden service charges
- Billing transparency issues
- Extra card fees
Often praised
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was overall positive regarding the food and price. The food was okay, and the price was reasonable. However, the billing process was a bit confusing.
- pricesThe prices are comparatively cheap
- $10 for a currythe $10 for a curry
- $30 dinner nightThe lamb and chicken were super succulent, and I couldn’t get enough of the raita! I will definitely come back for a <$30 dinner night.
- Reasonably pricedReasonably priced
- affordable mealoffering this affordable meal
- economicalreally economical
- fairly priced lunchesthis is the most fairly priced lunch you’ll find in the city
- food for the price and speedfood for the price and speed was great
- inexpensivefood is very tasty, inexpensive
Frequently criticized
- service chargeservice charge 18% for dine-in
- breakdownif you do not ask for a breakdown
- card paymentsIf you’re paying by card be prepared to pay and extra $1-$2
- chargesCharges are a bit higher side
- deduct moneydeduct money before giving billing
- false advertisingdisappointed that they weren't available during dinner time. This felt like false advertising
- fried chicken riceit is 16 $
- included gratuityI found the food to be good, with some specialties that stood out. However, I would advise diners to watch out for the included gratuity already on the bill.
- onions and chiliescharged $2.00 for onions and chilies
- ricecharge extra for rice
If you're looking for an affordable lunch, especially their lunch box deals, this place offers solid value. Just be mindful of potential extra charges and clarify billing details, particularly if paying by card or dining in.
How are the prices at Mehfil?
You’re looking at roughly 25 per person – reported by 81 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For an Indian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While many guests spend in the $11–$20 to $21–$30 range, there’s also a good spread of higher-priced options for those looking to splurge a bit.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 81 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Indian restaurant in San Francisco. It offers good value for a mid-range experience, with options for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Mehfil
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
1
Terrible Indian Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant was the worst, not even deserving one star. The customer service was bad and rude. As an Indian, I know what authentic Indian food should taste like in terms of quality and quantity.
I ordered three items, and all were undercooked. To make matters worse, the screen was playing vulgar Hindi songs. I absolutely do not recommend this place, especially from an Indian perspective.
- customer service1
- Indian food2
- quality2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
3
Decent Food, Terrible Service
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was decent, not the best I've had, but acceptable. The lunch box offered good value for money.
However, the service was pretty atrocious. They advertised $1 roti, but when I asked for it, they offered naan and charged over $4 without mentioning the difference. Since it was takeaway and I paid upfront, I noticed the discrepancy.
When I asked them to cancel the naan, they claimed it was already made fresh and couldn't be canceled, despite the short exchange time. Furthermore, when my friend wanted to use the restroom, they were denied access. Ultimately, it's up to you how much you value service; I'll likely go elsewhere, but at least I was fed without food poisoning.
- food6
- lunch box8
- roti5
- service2
- naan2
- restroom1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Terrific Food and Service!
We arrived at the end of the day and were still served, which was very nice. The food was also terrific. The naan was perfection, and the samosa was large, crispy, and filled with fresh veggies.
The tamarind sauce was exceptional. My husband, who is gluten-free, loved everything. We will definitely go again.
- food10
- naan10
- samosa9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Good Food and Service
I visited this restaurant for lunch and ordered the chicken vindaloo and garlic naan. The food was good, and the service was good too. It's a well-maintained restaurant.
- chicken vindaloo7
- garlic naan7
- food7
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
3
Expensive Tax, Okay Food
My experience at this restaurant was marked by a surprisingly high tax amount. For a bill of $43, I ended up paying an additional $14 in tax, bringing the total to $57. While the food received a score of 4, the service and atmosphere were rated at 1.
The overall value felt questionable due to the unexpected tax.
- food8
- tax2
- service1
- atmosphere1
What Mehfil offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and dietary choices can you find at Mehfil Indian Cuisine?
At Mehfil Indian Cuisine, you can enjoy lunch, dinner, and dessert with table service. The menu boasts a wide array of offerings including healthy options, vegan options, vegetarian options, and halal food, ensuring there’s something delicious for every preference.
What service options and accessibility features does Mehfil Indian Cuisine provide?
Mehfil Indian Cuisine offers convenient service options like dine-in, takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup. For your comfort, the restaurant features a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating, making it a welcoming and accessible spot for everyone.
How does Mehfil generally perform according to customer feedback?
Mehfil holds a good overall score of 7.6 out of 10, with customer satisfaction at 77%. Its **Food** (8) and **Service** (7.9) are highly rated, while **Value** (6.5) and **Ambience** (6.1) are seen as areas with room for improvement.
What do customers particularly enjoy about Mehfil's food?
Diners frequently praise Mehfil for its flavorful Indian food, highlighting dishes like the **chicken tikka masala** and creamy **curries**. Many also appreciate the good size of the dishes and the availability of **vegetarian options**.
Are there any common concerns or dealbreakers at Mehfil?
Some customers have noted issues with unexpected **service charges** or additional costs for items like rice. There are also occasional comments about the restaurant’s **appearance** and an unpleasant **smell** inside.