Highlights
- Great wine list
- Great tea selection
oChef » Maykadeh – San Francisco
Maykadeh - San Francisco
Photo from Maykadeh
Maykadeh at a glance
San Francisco Telegraph Hill
- 🍚 Persian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $51–$60
mentioned by 105 of the guests
#2299 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#6 Persian Restaurant out of 6 in San Francisco
Average
5.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
661
Reviews
40.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic flavors
- Generous portions
- Cozy ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Poor value
- Inconsistent service
- Parking issues
The restaurant Maykadeh, a delightful Persian Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Telegraph Hill neighborhood, invites you to experience a culinary journey. You’ll discover a truly authentic atmosphere, perfect for a casual meal or a romantic evening.
This spot is particularly known for its great wine list, offering a sophisticated selection to complement your meal. Whether you’re seeking healthy options, organic dishes, or vegetarian choices, you’ll find something to savor here.
Overview: Introducting Maykadeh
Maykadeh offers a taste of Persian cuisine, with many appreciating the authentic flavors and generous portions. The inviting atmosphere, often enhanced by Persian music, contributes positively to the dining experience.
However, some guests have found the overall value to be a point of contention. While the food itself receives praise for its quality, concerns about the price and certain aspects of the service have been noted.
Guests have experienced issues with staff attitude and billing, which can detract from an otherwise pleasant meal.
Average
5.1
out of 10
661
Reviews
40.5%
Satisfaction
345
negative
48
neutral
268
positive
Overall, Maykadeh holds an average standing with a Restaurant Score of 5.1. Customer feedback, based on 661 opinions, indicates a Customer Satisfaction of 40.5%, placing it in the mixed category.
While there are 268 positive remarks, 345 negative comments suggest areas needing attention. This balance points to an experience that can vary significantly.
Delving deeper, the Food (5.6) is the most discussed aspect, generally landing in the average range, though some find it quite good. Service (4.7) also falls into the average category, with a notable number of negative experiences.
The Ambience (6.3) fares slightly better, often described as pleasant. However, Value (2.3) is consistently rated as poor, indicating a significant concern for many patrons.
What people like
- Authentic Persian flavors
- Generous food portions
- Cozy Persian ambiance
What people don't like
- Poor value for money
- Inconsistent service quality
- Parking difficulties
With a Recommendation Score of 5.1, Maykadeh presents a mixed dining prospect. If you prioritize authentic Persian flavors and a pleasant atmosphere, it might be worth a visit.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and a price point that many find challenging. Ultimately, your experience here could be a bit of a gamble.
While the food has its moments, the significant concerns around value and service mean it’s not a universally recommended spot. Consider it if you’re specifically craving Persian cuisine and are willing to overlook some drawbacks.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Maykadeh
Food (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot offers a mixed bag of culinary experiences. Many diners rave about the authentic Persian cuisine, highlighting delicious options like lamb chops, Soltani Kebab, and big portions that often lead to tasty leftovers. With 166 positive remarks, theres a clear appreciation for the flavorful dishes and quality ingredients.
However, the food experience isnt consistently stellar, reflected in an average score of 5.6 and mixed customer satisfaction at 46.6%. With 158 negative comments, some guests encountered issues like smelly meat, a complete lack of flavor, or even undercooked dishes, suggesting a need for more consistent preparation and quality control.
Food
356
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
158
negative
32
neutral
166
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Persian flavors
- Delicious kebabs
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Lack of flavor
- Undercooked dishes
Often praised
- foodI hadn't been here in years, but I just found the address in an old rolodex because it is so good! The food was excellent, earning a perfect score.
- Persian foodI particularly appreciate that when ordering the kebab, they include the traditional Persian sides of fresh onion, herbs, and bread, along with butter. This restaurant is a true gem, especially since there aren't many places in the Bay Area offering real Persian food.
- portionsThe portions are massive, easily 2-3 meals in one!
- FoodFood:5
- Soltani KebabOur experience was centered around their meats, though vegetarian options are available. The Soltani Kebab was a recommended dish. The overall experience was rated a 3 out of 5 for food, service, and atmosphere, with a price range of $50–100 per person for dinner.
- food qualitysame food quality and taste
- lamb chopsthe lamb chops are the star of the show
- mealI had an amazing experience at this restaurant. The food was absolutely delicious, and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal.
- riceWhile I should have been wary of the hummus, it was not good. The kebob was also not good, though the rice was nice. I would not recommend this restaurant and will never return.
- Middle Eastern foodI enjoyed delicious kebabs and authentic Persian flavors. The great service and cozy vibe made it a truly worthwhile visit, especially if you're craving quality Middle Eastern food.
Frequently criticized
- foodWhen in San Francisco, even though Lavash Persian restaurant has a smaller menu, that would be a much better option. Sorry, but thirty plus years is too long for a restaurant owner not to improve their food and restaurant.
- food qualityThe koobideh we ordered was disappointing; the ingredients were not meat-based and seemed to be filled with flour. The cost was surprisingly high given the poor quality and quantity of the food. For 2 koobideh, 1 Salad Shirazi, and 1 Coke, the bill came to $96!
- koobidehthe koobideh we ordered was far from authentic – the ingredients were not meat-based and filled with flour
- riceThis food must have been cooked either in a pan or oven, which would not qualify for Kabob. The awful flavor, melted butter on the chicken, and terrible quality rice, plus a weird tasting "grilled tomato" were disappointing. There was no salt on anything, even the yogurt drink.
- KoobidehMy experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. The food was below average; the Koobideh was tough and the rice was tasteless. To make matters worse, they charged me $24 for a tip without asking.
- Persian foodwhat a shame to call whatever it was Persian food
- meatthe meat as so much meat tenderizer in it you lose any of the actual flavor.
- Bargthe Barg you can tell is warmed up and not fresh
- KabobMy husband and I each ordered the Cornish hen; his had some green paste on it, and mine didn't. This food must have been cooked either in a pan or oven, which would not qualify for Kabob. The awful flavor, melted butter on the chicken, and terrible quality rice, plus a weird tasting "grilled tomato" were disappointing.
- chickenthe chicken and the sauce was a little weak
If you're craving authentic Persian flavors and generous portions, this place might hit the spot, but be prepared for a potentially inconsistent experience. It could be a delicious meal, or you might encounter dishes that fall short on quality and taste.
Service (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
While the service here garners an average score of 4.7, many guests have praised the staff for being friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, often providing great recommendations. The owner and waiters frequently receive kudos for making experiences enjoyable, with 52 positive remarks out of 134 total opinions highlighting these pleasant interactions. However, the customer satisfaction sits at a poor 38.8%, largely due to numerous complaints about rude and unprofessional staff attitudes.
Issues like slow service, dismissive waitresses, and even instances of staff self-tipping or forgotten orders are frequently mentioned in the 74 negative comments, suggesting significant room for improvement.
Service
134
Reviews
38%
Satisfaction
74
negative
8
neutral
52
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Knowledgeable recommendations
- Owner cares for guests
What people don't like
- Rude, dismissive staff
- Unprofessional attitude
- Slow, careless service
Often praised
- serviceconsistently delivered high-quality service
- staffThe staff is friendly,attentive n knowledgeable
- ServiceService:4
- ownerMy wife and I had a very good meal here. The staff was very friendly, and I had the opportunity to speak with the owner. Overall, highly recommended.
- StaffStaff is wonderful
- cakelet us to bring the cake with us
- deliverygot it pretty quickly
- employeesThe owner and the employees were very nice
- experienceI had an amazing experience
- fast serviceThe service is fast
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service really took away from the experience. Our waitress had a very intense attitude
- staffThe lamb stew lacked flavour and depth. The service was quite bad, and the staff had a very mean attitude. We left no tip because of the terrible service, and the staff automatically added a tip later, as seen on my credit card statement.
- waitressIt was overpriced for the value offered, and the service left much to be desired. Adding to my frustration, I had to constantly shoo away flies while eating, and the waitress was nowhere to be found. Also, even a public bathroom maintains better hygiene than the restroom here when I went to wash my hands.
- customer service" This comment was confusing and irrelevant to the restaurant's identity. The food was super mediocre, and the customer service was terrible. I would never return to this restaurant and would not recommend it to anyone else.
- ownerthe owner has the audacity to tell someone at a table next to me that this is the way we have operated for 41 years.
- phone personThe food was bad, but the person who answered the phone was horrible. She was so unprofessional & ignorant. There is no way I would order again.
- serverserver was showing me where to sign as she putting the bill down. She was waiting over me to sign without taking a step back
- charge from my card tipThey do not ask from me They charge from my card tip
- customer timeDO NOT ACCEPT ANY CUSTOMER AFTER 10-10:30 pm IF YOUR RESTAURANT IS IN HURRY TO CLOSE IT OUT. RESPECT YOUR CUSTOMERS TIME
- defensive staffthe women on the other end was very defensive
If youre considering a visit, be aware that service can be a mixed bag; some find it excellent, while others encounter significant issues. It might be worth trying if youre prepared for potential inconsistencies, but don't expect consistently stellar hospitality.
Ambience (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6.3 with customer satisfaction at a mixed 55.6%. Many guests loved the jazz show, seating outside, and the cozy and inviting atmosphere, often praising the old vibe and Persian music. With 45 positive remarks out of 81 total, theres definitely a charm that resonates with some.
However, not everyone was swept away. A significant 31 negative comments point to an underwhelming decor and atmosphere, with some finding the music too loud or the parking situation a real headache. Concerns about cleanliness, including dirty chairs and tables, flies, and even the restroom, also popped up, suggesting theres room for improvement in maintaining that inviting feel.
Ambience
81
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
31
negative
5
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, inviting atmosphere
- Live jazz/Persian music
- Charming old vibe
What people don't like
- Underwhelming decor
- Difficult parking
- Cleanliness issues
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was cozy and inviting
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- ambianceloved the Persian music and ambiance
- ambiencethe ambience in the restaurant is very nice
- Excellent placeExcellent place
- Persian musicReally loved the Persian music
- best placeBest place I've been too
- burgundy canopyI love the gold embroidery on its burgundy canopy
- cleanvery clean
- decorwarm and inviting decor that sets the tone
Frequently criticized
- parkingparking is not something restaurant has any control over, but it is down right ridiculous
- atmospherewhole in the wall vibe atmosphere
- ambiencenot for ambience
- parking spaceThe restaurant does not offer parking space
- placeThe place is a bit rundown could use some renovation
- tablesThere was three total tables with customers in the entire restaurant
- Parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- Persian atmosphereexpecting an inviting Persian atmosphere but it was anything but
- ambianceThe ambiance lacks the authentic Persian atmosphere
- chairs and tablesMy experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. The place was dirty, with disgusting chairs and tables. The food was awful, and unfortunately, we all got COVID after our visit.
If youre looking for a place with a unique, cozy atmosphere and enjoy live music or a classic vibe, it might be worth a visit. Just be prepared for potential parking challenges and dont expect pristine decor or spotless facilities.
Value (2.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
A few guests found some silver linings regarding value, noting a fair value to enjoyment ratio and appreciating good price and reasonable prices for delightful dishes and good portions. These 5 positive remarks, out of 90 total, suggest that a small number of diners felt they got decent quality for their money. However, the overwhelming majority, with 82 negative opinions, felt the value was severely lacking.
Many described the experience as expensive and overpriced, frequently mentioning hidden charges, mandatory service charge, and costly valet parking. This contributes to a poor overall score of 2.3 and a very low customer satisfaction of 5.6%, indicating most felt it was simply not worth it.
Value
90
Reviews
5%
Satisfaction
82
negative
3
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair value to enjoyment
What people don't like
- High prices
- Hidden charges
- Mandatory service fees
Often praised
- PricesPrice are good too
- good priceEvery dish was a delight; we tried everything from typical meats to drinks only known there. What we enjoyed most was the seasoning and all for a very good price. An excellent place, I recommend it one hundred percent.
- priceIt was not too pricy if you compare the portion size and the quality
- pricesprices are reasonable
- value to enjoyment ratiovalue to enjoyment ratio was fair
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant has unfortunately declined. It used to be a good place for a Persian meal, but now the food has no flavor and is definitely overpriced. It tastes like any other Persian restaurant in San Jose now, indicating a significant drop in quality.
- pricesthe prices charged for these portions are disproportionately high
- tipThe service was quite bad, and the staff had a very mean attitude. We left no tip because of the terrible service, and the staff automatically added a tip later, as seen on my credit card statement.
- billThey gave us a bill of $54 and charged us $68.50
- parkingthey charge you 25 bucks for the parking
- service feeThe server then added a $20 service fee, bringing the total to $141. ***It's better you told your customer about your services fee before order. *** This lack of transparency regarding the service fee was a significant issue.
- Price per person$50 for kabob? To begin with that's the most offensive thing.
- foodThe food is a tad bit on the costly side
- parking scamrunning a major parking scam outside
- priceyThis place is definitely very pricey
If you're considering this spot, be prepared for potentially high costs and unexpected fees. While a few found decent value, the vast majority felt it was overpriced and not worth the money, especially with added charges. Proceed with caution if budget is a concern.
How are the prices at Maykadeh?
You’re looking at roughly 54 per person – reported by 105 diners. That puts it in the $51–$60 category. For a Persian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the full picture, prices are quite spread out, showing a healthy mix of both more budget-friendly and more premium dining experiences.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 105 reviews.
Comparing the value for money of this restaurant to similar ones in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Persian Restaurant, especially considering the variety of experiences available at different price points.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Maykadeh
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Decline in Persian Cuisine
My experience at this restaurant has unfortunately declined. It used to be a good place for a Persian meal, but now the food has no flavor and is definitely overpriced. It tastes like any other Persian restaurant in San Jose now, indicating a significant drop in quality.
I don't see myself returning.
- food flavor2
- price2
- quality meal1
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
7
Authentic Iranian Food with Service Drawbacks
My experience at this restaurant offered authentic Iranian cuisine at standard San Francisco prices. The food quality was excellent, though the portions were petite, which was perfect for someone who isn’t a big eater. The service was attentive and pleasant.
However, I’d probably think twice about returning, mostly due to the parking situation and the overall feel of the area.
- Iranian cuisine9
- food quality9
- portions6
- parking situation3
- feel of the area4
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Horrible People and Parking Scam
My experience at this restaurant was HORRIBLE. The people were super disrespectful and ruined any sense of humanity and community. They are running a major parking scam outside.
I strongly advise against giving them your money. ZERO STARS!
- people1
- parking scam1
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Solid Persian Food and Wonderful Staff
I've been coming here since I was a kid. My experience was great, with solid Persian food served in a great environment. The staff is wonderful.
- Persian food9
- environment9
- Staff10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
2
Rude Staff, Mediocre Food, High Prices
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The wait time was acceptable, but only because the establishment was nearly empty, which I now understand why. The staff were incredibly rude and unwelcoming.
The service felt careless, as if we were an inconvenience. The food was mediocre, especially considering the ridiculously high prices. To add insult to injury, an 18% tip was automatically added to the bill for service that was absolutely awful, even though we typically tip more than 18% but dislike being forced.
I would not recommend this place.
- wait time5
- staff1
- service1
- food2
What Maykadeh offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Crowd
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Organic dishes
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
- Romantic
FAQs
What kind of dining experience and atmosphere can you expect at Maykadeh?
At Maykadeh, you can anticipate a dining experience that blends casual comfort with a touch of romance, making it trendy yet inviting. You’ll find table service available for lunch and dinner, with seating options to suit your preference. Dinner reservations are recommended to ensure your spot, especially if you’re planning a special evening.
Does Maykadeh cater to specific dietary needs or preferences?
Absolutely! Maykadeh is committed to offering diverse choices. You’ll find a range of healthy options, organic dishes, and delicious vegetarian options on the menu. For those seeking Halal food, that is also available, ensuring a welcoming experience for various dietary requirements.
What is the overall dining experience like at Maykadeh?
Maykadeh has an overall Restaurant Score of 5.1 and Customer Satisfaction of 40.5%. While the Food (5.6) and Ambience (6.3) are generally average, Service (4.7) and especially Value (2.3) are areas where many customers express dissatisfaction.
Are there common complaints about Maykadeh's pricing?
Yes, many customers find the restaurant to be quite pricey, with concerns about high costs, disproportionate portions for the price, and unexpected service fees. Some also mention issues with parking charges.
What do customers appreciate most about Maykadeh?
Patrons often praise the authentic Persian flavors, generous food portions, and the cozy, inviting ambiance, sometimes highlighted by traditional Persian music.