Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Alborz – San Francisco
Alborz - San Francisco
Photo from Alborz
Alborz at a glance
San Francisco Japantown
- 🍚 Persian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 23 of the guests
#2114 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#5 Persian Restaurant out of 6 in San Francisco
Good
6.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
453
Reviews
58.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Generous portions
- Kind service
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- High prices
- Poor ambiance
The Persian restaurant Alborz in San Francisco’s vibrant Japantown neighborhood invites you to discover a culinary journey. If you’re searching for authentic flavors, Alborz Restaurant San Francisco offers a delightful experience.
You’ll find a fantastic array of healthy options, including delicious halal food. Plus, you can enjoy a great tea selection, perfect for complementing your meal.
Whether you prefer to dine-in, grab takeout, or opt for delivery, this spot has you covered.
Overview: Introducting Alborz
Alborz offers a taste of Persian cuisine where the delicious food often stands out, with many appreciating the quality and generous portions. You’ll frequently find the staff described as kind and helpful, contributing positively to the dining experience.
However, the experience at Alborz can be a mixed bag. While the culinary offerings are generally well-received, some diners have encountered inconsistent service and noted challenges with the overall dining environment, including occasional issues with parking or the interior atmosphere.
Good
6.2
out of 10
453
Reviews
58.7%
Satisfaction
159
negative
28
neutral
266
positive
Alborz garners an overall 6.2 score, placing it in the average category, with a 58.7% customer satisfaction rate, indicating a mixed reception. The restaurant’s strongest asset is its Food (6.8), which is frequently praised across 453 customer remarks, comprising 266 positive and 159 negative observations.
This suggests that while the food generally satisfies, there are specific areas that could see improvement. Service (5.9) also falls into the average range, with opinions varying significantly.
Both Ambience (5.2) and Value (5.1) are perceived as average, with some guests finding the pricing reasonable for San Francisco, while others feel it’s a bit high for the quality received. The dining environment, too, has its ups and downs, contributing to the overall moderate scores.
What people like
- Delicious Persian food
- Generous food portions
- Helpful, kind service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- High prices for quality
- Unpleasant dining environment
Alborz presents a compelling option for those seeking authentic Persian flavors, particularly given its solid food reputation. However, be prepared for a potentially uneven experience, as service and the dining environment can be inconsistent.
With a recommendation score of 6.5, it suggests Alborz is worth considering if you prioritize the cuisine above all else. Manage your expectations regarding the overall dining comfort and service consistency, and you might find a satisfying meal.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Alborz
Food (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 92% of the guests
Overall, the food here gets a solid 6.8, landing it in the good category, though customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 63.7%. Many of the 149 positive comments rave about the delicious and authentic Persian kabobs and huge portions, making it a go-to for hearty, flavorful meals. However, some of the 62 negative remarks point to a lack of flavor, dry meat, and inconsistent quality, with a few finding dishes like the rice or certain stews disappointing.
It seems there's room for improvement in consistency across the menu.
Food
234
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
62
negative
23
neutral
149
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious authentic food
- Generous portion sizes
- Great kabobs
What people don't like
- Lack of flavor
- Inconsistent quality
- Dry meat
Often praised
- foodThe food and the service are outstanding
- Persian foodMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the very tasty Persian food, which reminded me of dishes made by my Persian friends. The dining environment was nice, and the service was good.
- koobidehThe koobideh, fesenjan, and kashke-bademjan are my own favorites.
- Persian restaurantI was initially hesitant due to some low star reviews, but I'm so glad I came and tried the food! This is, by far, the best Persian restaurant in SF. I ordered the Ghorme Sabzi, which came with a huge lamb shank, and the Koobideh and Joojeh portions were also incredibly generous and of amazing quality!
- portionsAs it was our first time experiencing true Persian food, our server was very kind and helpful. A fair warning: the portions were HUGE. Even as big eaters, we could have easily split a plate and had more than enough (we did split dessert, though!
- FesenjoonAnother favorite is Fesenjoon
- Koobidehthe Koobideh and Joojeh was so large portion
- Persian cuisineI'm not sure why this place has less than 4 stars. It’s a solid spot for Persian cuisine and reasonably priced for San Francisco. I ordered the beef koobideh, and it came out in less than 10 minutes, though I was the only customer.
- appetizersThe appetizers were good
- doughThe dough was quite good
Frequently criticized
- ricele riz devrait resté à l’étuvé un peu plus longtemps
- bargI love Persian food and have had barg many times, but my experience here was disappointing. I had one bite of their barg and couldn't eat anymore; it was gross and didn't taste like beef or lamb, more like nasty mystery meat. My husband and son agreed.
- foodThe food was pre-cooked and then heated up
- food qualityMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the highly priced and low quality food. The kabob was notably not fresh.
- koobidehAwful koobideh was too greasy it wasnt net meat it was some part of fatty meats
- food flavorThe food was lack of any flavor
- joojeh skewersMy experience was disappointing as the joojeh skewers were made of ground chicken instead of chicken thigh pieces, contrary to other photos. They also tasted a bit off and not fresh. The jewelled rice was simply too sweet, and the pistachios were not fresh and crunchy, indicating a lack of balance in flavours.
- meatmost of the meat was dry
- mystery meatI love Persian food and have had barg many times, but my experience here was disappointing. I had one bite of their barg and couldn't eat anymore; it was gross and didn't taste like beef or lamb, more like nasty mystery meat. My husband and son agreed.
- tasteThe taste was completely off—nothing like kebab at all
If you're craving authentic Persian flavors and generous portions, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some dishes might be a bit inconsistent in flavor or quality, so choose wisely.
Service (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to service, opinions are a bit of a mixed bag, with a 5.9 score suggesting its pretty average overall. However, many customers (60 out of 101 comments!) raved about the accommodating and friendly staff who offered a warm welcome and excellent friendly service. Guests often highlighted fast service and servers who were kind and helpful, making for a pleasant experience.
On the flip side, about 39 comments pointed to some significant issues, leading to a 59.4% customer satisfaction, which is quite mixed. Some encountered a rude lady or unfriendly staff attitude, leading to poor customer service. Complaints included long wait times for checks or food, and instances of awful service where staff were perceived as not friendly at all or even rude, ' which certainly dampened the dining experience.
Service
101
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
39
negative
2
neutral
60
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Warm welcome
- Fast service
What people don't like
- Rude staff attitude
- Long wait times
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was marked by incredibly delicious food and good service. While the parking was a significant challenge, it was ultimately worth it for the overall experience.
- staffThe staff was super kind and helpful
- ServiceService:5
- accommodatingThey at accommodating
- addressesstraight addresses
- customer serviceVery perfational customer service
- employeesemployees are always very sweet
- excellent friendly serviceI am so happy that Alborz restaurant on Van Ness Blvd in San Francisco. They have great food and excellent friendly service, and great value for all their menu. I am going to go there, whether for takeout or sit-in, at least 3 times a week.
- excellent serviceprovide excellent service
- exceptional servicethank our waitress Azar for the exceptional service
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe sitting on the table atmosphere was excellent. However, they need to improve the service.
- staffThe staff were not friendly at all and they were really rude
- managermanager said the prices has not been updated for 20 years
- waiterthe waiter brough one in his hand (not even wrapped in a napkin) while water was still dripping off the spoon and he said: "here take it now"
- closing timethey decided to close an hour early
- customer carethey need do more attention about customer care
- customer serviceCustomer Service and Respectful behaves is Super Low
- hosting and servingOnly one person is doing hosting and serving
- ladythe lady open the door being unkind
- offensive commentshe told the other employee “these are Iranian, I don’t expect a lot”
So, whats the verdict on service? It seems to be a bit of a gamble. While you might encounter incredibly friendly and efficient staff, theres a chance you could face rudeness or frustrating delays.
If you're willing to take that risk for potentially great food, go for it, but be prepared for a mixed experience.
Ambience (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
It seems the vibe here is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.2 indicating an average experience, and customer satisfaction sitting at a 47.5% mixed rating. Many guests appreciate the pleasant dining environment, often described as a quiet place perfect for conversation, with good cleanliness and natural light. These positive observations come from 38 pieces of feedback.
However, 39 other opinions highlight some significant drawbacks. Concerns frequently arise about unpleasant smells, unclean bathrooms, and outdated decor. Some even mentioned the restaurant being cold or having bugs, suggesting there's definitely room for improvement in the overall atmosphere, based on a total of 80 customer comments.
Ambience
80
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
39
negative
3
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quiet conversation
- Clean dining area
- Natural light
What people don't like
- Unclean restrooms
- Unpleasant smells
- Outdated decor
Often praised
- atmosphereThe food was delicious and made right, as confirmed by an Iranian. The service was excellent, and the atmosphere in the beautiful dining room on Van Ness was also rated highly. This is a place that deserves more love!
- placeThe place was quiet at that time but reasonably pleasant
- ambianceThe ambiance is nice.
- cleanlinessMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I found the space to be very good and very clean. The Iranian foods were very good, and the prices were also good.
- environmentnice and peaceful environment
- restaurantDepending on what time of the day you go, the service ranges from sorta okay to excellent. The food is good, and it's a very nice restaurant, but it's definitely not the BEST Persian food in SF.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambienceAmbience and casual pop are very nice
- best patogh and diningBEST PATOGH AND DINING
- conversationgreat for having conversation and meeting friends
Frequently criticized
- bathroomThe food was okay, but the service was awful. Additionally, the decor needs updating, especially the bathroom.
- ambianceLes points négatifs sont : l’ambiance
- atmospherecolder inside than outside
- closing timeIf they close early why put as 10pm
- parkinghard to find parking lot
- smellIt smells bad in there. the smell was so bad.
- Persian writingthere was no Persian writing, only American
- air conditionerHowever, the dining environment was less than ideal. The restaurant was cold, and there was no air conditioner, which significantly impacted the comfort. Additionally, the shared restroom with another restaurant was not clean enough.
- bugsBugs around me, on my table, food
- bugs flying aroundbugs flying around my table
If youre seeking a quiet spot for conversation and dont mind potentially encountering some cleanliness or decor issues, this place might be worth a try. However, if a pristine and consistently comfortable ambience is a must-have, you might find yourself a bit disappointed.
Value (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.1 and customer satisfaction sitting at 50%. Many folks found the experience to be quite reasonable, praising the price, reasonably priced options, and even calling it great value for the amount of food you get. Some even felt it was worth it despite the cost, especially considering the location.
However, an equal number of voices (19 positive vs. 19 negative opinions out of 38 total) felt differently. Concerns were raised about the prices being pricey or even overcharged, with some noting discrepancies between online prices and the actual food price in the restaurant. There were also mentions of unexpected charges, making the overall value for money questionable for some.
Value
38
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
19
negative
0
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable pricing
- Worth the price
- Great menu value
What people don't like
- Online price discrepancies
- Overpriced food
- Billing issues
Often praised
- pricesreasonably prices for San Francisco
- priceWhat an excellent and affordable restaurant serving Middle Eastern/Persian food in a busy San Francisco neighborhood! We ended up coming here because the sushi place we wanted to go to was closed, and by that happy accident, we found this gem.
- reasonably pricedPretty reasonably priced
- amount of foodthe amount of food for such a price is amazing
- billThe bill was decent
- cuisineLa cuisine ca vaut son prix
- foodtheir food is cheaper
- great valuegreat value for all their menu
- price levelthe prize level good for San Francisco
- price rangegood in this price range
Frequently criticized
- priceI had the worst koobideh I have ever tasted, and I've had koobideh served in schools in Iran that were better. Furthermore, the restaurant is so expensive for this quality of food.
- pricesthe prices too high for the food quality
- food priceThe food was overpriced
- mast mosirthe mast mosir costed 8 dollars
- menumenu at the restaurant the price was almost double
- money and timewaste your money and time!!!!
- online pricesdont believe the online prices
- overchargedrestaurant had charged my master-card 10$ more
- prices in the restaurantits 50% more in the restaurant
- priceypretty pricey for what it is
This place offers an average value experience, so its a bit of a gamble. If youre looking for a potentially good deal, especially for the portion sizes, it might be worth a try. However, be prepared for prices that might feel a bit high or differ from what you expect online.
How are the prices at Alborz?
You’re looking at roughly 41 per person – reported by 23 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Persian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits here, our data shows a good mix of experiences, with many guests spending less, often in the $21–$30 range, alongside those opting for a more premium meal.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 23 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Persian restaurant in San Francisco, offering good value for a mid-range dining experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Alborz
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Best Persian Food in SF!
I was initially hesitant due to some low star reviews, but I'm so glad I came and tried the food! This is, by far, the best Persian restaurant in SF. I ordered the Ghorme Sabzi, which came with a huge lamb shank, and the Koobideh and Joojeh portions were also incredibly generous and of amazing quality!
- Ghorme Sabzi9
- lamb shack9
- Koobideh9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
9
Delicious Koobide and Barg, Great Value!
Having lived in the USA for over 14 years, I can confidently say that I've never had Koobide and Barg as delicious as here, not even in Iran. The amount of food for the price is also amazing. Furthermore, the staff are very generous.
The only issue is the location, which makes finding parking difficult.
- Koobide and Barg10
- amount of food9
- staff9
- location3
- parking3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Authentic Persian Cuisine, Highly Recommended!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! We ordered the koobideh, and it was truly the best we've had. The quality of the food was exceptional, and the staff were friendly.
The atmosphere was also a highlight, rated a perfect 5, and it was quiet, making conversation easy.
- koobideh10
- food quality9
- staff9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Underrated Gem with Delicious Food
This place is so under-rated! The staff were great and the food was delicious. I highly suggest the “tah dig with gheyme” and also the “koobideh”.
I also tried the “koo koo sabzi”, “ghormeh”, and “joojeh kabab”, but they could be better.
- staff9
- food9
- tah dig with gheyme9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
8
Solid Persian Spot in SF
I'm not sure why this place has less than 4 stars. It’s a solid spot for Persian cuisine and reasonably priced for San Francisco. I ordered the beef koobideh, and it came out in less than 10 minutes, though I was the only customer.
They even bring out bread and butter, plus onions and sabzi, which many places skimp on. All in all, a good experience, and I’ll come back when I’m in town.
- Persian cuisine8
- prices8
- beef koobideh9
What Alborz offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of food and drink options are available at Alborz Restaurant San Francisco?
At Alborz Restaurant San Francisco, you can savor authentic Persian cuisine with a focus on healthy options and halal food. The establishment also offers a diverse beverage menu, including wine, coffee, beer, and a great tea selection. Small plates are available for those who enjoy sharing or lighter bites.
What are the service and accessibility features at Alborz Restaurant San Francisco?
Alborz Restaurant San Francisco provides flexible service options, allowing you to dine-in, order takeout, or arrange for delivery. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring an accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. Reservations are accepted, making it easy to plan your visit.
How does Alborz generally perform?
Alborz holds a 6.2 overall score, indicating an average experience. While Food (6.8) is a strong point, Service (5.9), Ambience (5.2), and Value (5.1) are more moderate.
What are the highlights of Alborz's cuisine?
Many diners appreciate the tasty Persian food and generous portions , with dishes like koobideh and ghorme sabzi often receiving praise for their quality.
Are there any common concerns at Alborz?
Some customers have noted inconsistent service , with instances of rude staff . Additionally, issues like parking challenges , unpleasant smells , or cold dining areas have been mentioned.