Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
oChef » Burma Love – San Francisco
Burma Love - San Francisco
Photo from Burma Love
Burma Love at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- 🍜 Asian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $51–$60
mentioned by 106 of the guests
#1925 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#22 Asian Restaurant out of 22 in San Francisco
Good
6.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
658
Reviews
63.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Distinctive flavors
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Attentive staff
Frequently criticized
- High cost
- Service issues
- Reservation problems
The Asian restaurant Burma Love in San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square neighborhood offers you a truly memorable dining experience. You’ll discover a trendy atmosphere perfect for a casual meal or a special occasion.
With a focus on authentic flavors and a wide array of healthy options, this spot invites you to explore the rich culinary traditions of Burma. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a delightful dinner, you’ll find something to savor here.
Overview: Introducting Burma Love
Burma Love offers a compelling experience, particularly with its well-regarded food. Guests often praise the distinctive flavors, with the tea leaf salad and garlic noodles frequently mentioned as standouts.
The inviting atmosphere also contributes positively to the dining experience. However, the overall value proposition at Burma Love appears to be a point of contention, with many finding the offerings somewhat overpriced.
While the service can be attentive, some experiences suggest inconsistencies, particularly regarding wait times and reservation handling.
Good
6.6
out of 10
658
Reviews
63.7%
Satisfaction
197
negative
42
neutral
419
positive
Burma Love holds an overall score of 6.6, placing it in the average category, with Customer Satisfaction at 63.7%, indicating a mixed reception. This assessment is drawn from 658 customer opinions, comprising 419 positive and 197 negative remarks.
It suggests that while many find aspects enjoyable, there are notable areas for improvement. Diving deeper, the Food (7.2) and Ambience (7.0) are clearly strong points, consistently receiving good marks from patrons.
However, Service (5.7) falls into the average range, and Value (3.1) is a significant concern, rated as poor. This breakdown highlights where the restaurant excels and where it struggles to meet expectations.
What people like
- Distinctive food flavors
- Pleasant dining atmosphere
- Attentive staff
What people don't like
- High overall cost
- Service inconsistencies
- Reservation difficulties
With a Recommendation Score of 6.9, Burma Love presents a mixed but generally appealing proposition. If you prioritize a pleasant setting and distinctive flavors, particularly the tea leaf salad, it could be a worthwhile visit.
However, be prepared for a potentially higher bill and occasional service hiccups. It’s a place that shines in its culinary offerings and ambiance, but might require some patience regarding its value and operational consistency.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Burma Love
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 92% of the guests
The food at this spot generally hits the mark, earning a good score of 7.2. With 270 positive remarks, many rave about the authentic Burmese food, especially the famous Tea Leaf Salad, amazing flavors, and excellent vegetarian options. It seems there's a lot to love on the menu, from noodles to diverse curries.
However, customer satisfaction is a mixed 69.6%, with 86 negative comments pointing to some inconsistencies. Concerns include dishes being too greasy or bland, a general lack of flavor, and occasionally small portion sizes, suggesting some dishes might miss the mark or not be as authentic as expected.
Food
388
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
86
negative
32
neutral
270
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing flavors
- Tea Leaf Salad
- Vegetarian options
What people don't like
- Dishes too greasy
- Lack flavor
- Small portions
Often praised
- foodIt was good, but not worth that price. The atmosphere was a 5/5, and the food itself was a 4/5, but the pricing and the concept of the mains made it a less than ideal experience.
- tea leaf saladI always love the tea leaf salad. The restaurant offers lots of vegetarian options.
- Burmese foodThis was our first time trying Burmese food and we are hooked!
- coconut ricecoconut rice and flatbread are excellent carbs
- FoodFood was AMAZING
- Tea Leaf SaladThe highlights were the Tea Leaf Salad
- cocktailsThe cocktails are top notch
- flavorsI have only eaten Burmese food once or twice before going to Burma Love, but I really enjoyed our recent dinner there. The atmosphere was great (elegant, not noisy), the service was very attentive and the food was consistently good (high quality, interesting flavors). In my opinion the desserts were the best part of the meal but everything was very tasty.
- garlic noodlesgarlic noodles es what you want seriously very good
- dishesThe space was beautiful, and the food was absolutely stunning. I visited with a large work group, and we ordered a wide variety of dishes to cater to different palates. Every dish was nicely presented, but the flavors truly knocked it out of the park.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe setting was gorgeous and the service was solid. However, the food was lacking in flavor, despite being nicely presented. We tried the Tea Salad, which was just okay, along with Sesame Chicken, garlic noodles with shrimp, and fried rice.
- flavorWe tried the Tea Salad, which was just okay, along with Sesame Chicken, garlic noodles with shrimp, and fried rice. The portions were generous, and the noodles and rice were cooked well, but they too were lacking in flavor or nuance. The chicken had the most flavor of the dishes we tried, but it was unfortunately dry.
- tea leaf saladtea leaf salad had dried shrimp for a vegetarian dish
- chickenexcept for the chicken. It was a little dry
- dishesWe had to explain to two different servers that we were still waiting, only to receive lukewarm fried banana and melted ice cream. Moreover, the dishes were too salty, necessitating copious amounts of water to wash down. In short, Burma Love started with promise but ended with disappointment.
- food qualityIt wasn't too busy on a Friday night, with tons of DoorDash pickups. I would not come back for the food, but I would return for the cocktails. Overall, it felt too expensive for the quality and flavor received.
- fried bananareceive lukewarm fried banana and melted ice cream
- garlic noodlessevere food poisoning after the garlic noodles
- greaseThe potatoes were barely cooked and flavorless, and the coconut was basically raw. Everything was dripping with grease. While the atmosphere and service were decent, they were lacking for the prices charged.
- meatThe appetizers were fine, but all the entrees sucked. They had no flavor, and the meat was dry as hell. Even the tap water wasn't cold.
If you're keen to explore authentic Burmese cuisine and enjoy bold flavors, especially the Tea Leaf Salad, this place is worth a try. Just be aware that some dishes might be a bit greasy or lack the punch you expect, so choose wisely.
Service (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 69% of the guests
When it comes to service, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.7 putting it squarely in the average range. Many guests praised the 75 positive remarks, highlighting "friendly staff, " "attentive service, " and "quick" delivery of food, with some even mentioning "accommodating" customisations. It seems when theyre on, theyre really on!
However, the customer satisfaction sits at 53.2%, indicating a mixed experience for many. Out of 61 negative remarks, common complaints included "slow service, " "unresponsive staff, " and "miscommunication" leading to wrong orders. Some even reported "rude" attitudes, suggesting theres definitely room for improvement in consistency.
Service
141
Reviews
53%
Satisfaction
61
negative
5
neutral
75
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick service
- Accommodating requests
What people don't like
- Slow, unresponsive service
- Miscommunication issues
- Rude staff
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! Everything was delicious and the service was great. I ordered the tea leaf salad, spicy chicken, and coconut rice, and all of them were to die for!
- staffThe staff works as a team- so you’re never looking for your server.
- Serviceexcellent Service
- bartenderWhile the coconut curry chicken noodle soup was just average and incredibly oily, failing to live up to its presentation, the service was excellent. The bartender was super caring and friendly, contributing to an excellent atmosphere. The spot feels like a great place for an upscale, family-style meal with a group.
- wait timeWait time:Up to 10 min
- AngelinaAngelina was the best part of the entire night
- FoodFood came out in less than 10 minutes!
- blanketsto help my children stay warm.
- customer servicereceived amazing customer service
- customisationsstaff is accommodating enough to suggest customisations
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe hibiscus basil martini provided a fleeting moment of delight, followed by the exceptional shrimp cake som tom, which showcased the kitchen's talent. However, my optimism dwindled with each passing moment of subpar service and miscommunication. The beef curry and lamb kebat, accompanied by coconut rice, offered fleeting moments of satisfaction, but even these were overshadowed by the disappointing dessert experience.
- managerThe food was absolutely fantastic, truly a highlight of the meal. However, the service was quite slow, and it felt like even the manager forgot about us. Despite the service issues, the place is cozy, even with deliveries happening through the front during lunch.
- serverseeing that the server brought the wrong order to another table
- waiterI was excited to try Burma Love for dinner, but my excitement faded as I encountered several letdowns. Even though I had a reservation and got seated quickly, my enthusiasm waned when our waiter seemed unsure about the menu. The table was sticky, and we didn't get our water refilled, which was strange for a quiet Thursday night.
- waiting timeFor our dinner for two, one of us received their meal super fast. After a grueling 8 minutes of waiting for the other meal, we inquired and were told it was mistakenly given to another table. Apologies were offered, along with a promise to replace it right away.
- serversThe dessert took a whopping 30 minutes to arrive. We had to explain to two different servers that we were still waiting, only to receive lukewarm fried banana and melted ice cream. Moreover, the dishes were too salty, necessitating copious amounts of water to wash down.
- staffI had a reservation and arrived just 12 minutes late due to unavoidable circumstances. To my surprise, the staff flatly refused to honour the booking, showing zero flexibility or courtesy. There was no prior communication about cancelling our booking, nor was there any attempt to accommodate us despite the restaurant not appearing full.
- wait staffwait staff could not have been less impressive
- AI phone receptionistI love Burma Love, but I am so disappointed by the AI phone receptionist. I accidentally ordered takeout on Grubhub from the downtown location.
- attitudeThere was no prior communication about cancelling our booking, nor was there any attempt to accommodate us despite the restaurant not appearing full. This kind of rigid and inhospitable attitude is unacceptable, especially for a place that expects customers to plan ahead and make reservations. Would not recommend—plenty of other restaurants treat their guests with more basic decency.
If youre looking for a place with consistently stellar service, you might find it hit or miss here. While many rave about the friendly and quick staff, be prepared for the possibility of slower or less attentive moments. Its worth a try if youre flexible, but dont go in expecting perfection every time.
Ambience (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 56% of the guests
Alright, lets talk vibes! The ambience here generally hits the mark, scoring a solid 7 and leaving 72.2% of customers quite pleased. With 70 positive remarks out of 97 total, guests frequently praise the decor, atmosphere, interior design, and vibe, describing the space as clean, modern, inviting, and perfect for anything from a date night to a larger group dinner.
Its often highlighted as a beautiful and stylish setting. However, its not all sunshine and roses. 23 negative comments point to some concerns, particularly around the shady area or awful area of its location, raising personal safety worries. Some also found the music too loud or the table space a bit squished, impacting conversation and comfort.
These aspects suggest theres room for improvement in certain areas.
Ambience
97
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
23
negative
4
neutral
70
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Stylish decor
- Inviting atmosphere
- Good for groups
What people don't like
- Sketchy neighborhood
- Loud music
- Uncomfortable seating
Often praised
- atmosphereThis spot is the ultimate destination for those craving a taste of Westernized Burmese cuisine in the realm of Asian dining. With its inviting and cozy atmosphere, it's sure to capture the hearts of Asian food enthusiasts.
- Atmosphereexcellent Atmosphere
- ambianceMy experience at this restaurant offered tasty gluten-free Burmese food in a nice ambiance. However, I found it to be overpriced for what it is.
- decorThe decor and custom wallpaper in the restaurant are superb.
- placenice, quiet and very clean place
- ambienceambience and the service explains that factor
- aestheticOverall beautiful aesthetic and good selection of tasty Burmese food.
- authentic Burmese vibesIt also seemed healthy and balanced. The restaurant itself has great authentic Burmese vibes and is a convenient location, making it a great choice for lunch or dinner with friends.
- convenient locationin a convenient location
- courtyardthe little courtyard that the resto is in is all good
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereIt was entirely lacking in spice or heat. The space is brightly lit and not very conducive to lingering over a meal, which, to be fair, is not something you would want to do here.
- musicthe music was a negative. Too loud
- COVID safetyForced 5 sick people with covid to come eat
- India's bordersIndia is connected to Burma on the left border, it is not China.
- ambience and neighbourhoodambience and neighbourhood was VERY scary
- awful arealocation of this restaurant is in an awful area
- bell aggressivelyringing the bell aggressively super loud
- conversation and foodWe can’t even focus on our conversation and food
- heat lampRegardless, I took it home and it was delish for lunch the next day! We were initially seated outside, but the heat lamp above us was out of order. Since it was January in SF and "freaking cold" 🥶, we asked to be moved indoors.
- menu mapPlease fix the map in your menu.
If you're looking for a place with generally good vibes and a stylish setting, this spot is likely to please. Just be mindful of the neighborhood and potential noise levels, especially if you prefer a quieter, more intimate experience.
Value (3.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
While the overall sentiment leans negative, a few diners found the price point to be unmatched or the prices very reasonable for San Francisco, even if the cost was pricey but worth every penny. Based on 4 positive remarks, some feel they got good value. However, the score of 3.1 (poor) and 12.5% customer satisfaction suggest this is a rare sentiment.
On the flip side, a significant 27 negative comments highlight concerns about value. Many found the experience overpriced and expensive, with prices adding up quickly. Frequent complaints mention various additional charges like service charge, gratuity, and staff wellness fee, making the final bill much higher than expected.
Value
32
Reviews
12%
Satisfaction
27
negative
1
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Worth every penny
- Reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Often overpriced
- Unexpected fees
- Not worth cost
Often praised
- costthe cost of all of this d'lishness was pricey but worth every penny
- pricecame out to $90/person with tip included.
- price pointunmatched at this price point
- pricesVery reasonable prices for San Francisco
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant offered tasty gluten-free Burmese food in a nice ambiance. However, I found it to be overpriced for what it is. The recommended Spicy Noodles with Chicken were good, and the atmosphere was rated a 4, while service received a 3.
- pricesEverything was dripping with grease. While the atmosphere and service were decent, they were lacking for the prices charged.
- billpresented with a $600 dollar bill for what should've been a $150 meal
- 20% gratuityadded a 20% gratuity to our bill
- 25% tip for 5 peoplein total 25% tip for 5 people
- 5% staff wellness feePLUS 5% staff wellness fee
- charged a lotThe food was quite boring to taste, although I acknowledge that this might be authentic Burmese cuisine. Ultimately, I felt I had been charged a lot for dull fare.
- costdon’t think not was worth the cost
- expensivevery expensive for what they are offering
- fineMy experience at Burma Love was incredibly disappointing and frankly, shocking. My friend and her friends had COVID, and when we tried to cancel our 12-person dinner reservation, Burma Love threatened us with a $300 fine, citing their policy. We couldn't afford that, so the sick individuals ended up attending, while others avoided it like the plague.
If youre considering this spot, be prepared for a potentially high bill, as many feel its overpriced and additional fees are common. While a few found it worth every penny, the overwhelming feedback suggests the value for money is poor. Go in with your eyes open, or perhaps look elsewhere if budget is a primary concern.
How are the prices at Burma Love?
You’re looking at roughly 53 per person – reported by 106 diners. That puts it in the $51–$60 category. For an Asian Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, it’s quite a mix! While the average is around 53, we see a good number of guests enjoying meals in the $21–$30 and $41–$50 ranges, suggesting there are options for both more budget-conscious diners and those looking for a slightly more premium experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 106 reviews.
Comparing value for money: how this restaurant stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the variety in spending, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for an Asian Restaurant in San Francisco. It seems to offer something for different budgets, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Burma Love
10
Absolutely Amazing Experience!
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely amazing! Everything about it was fantastic, and I would definitely go back.
- Everything10
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointed by AI Receptionist
I love Burma Love, but I am so disappointed by the AI phone receptionist. I accidentally ordered takeout on Grubhub from the downtown location. Within seconds, I tried calling to cancel this and could not get through to anyone.
I would be happy to remove this review if you can please cancel that order for Antonio at 8 PM on 10/10.
- AI phone receptionist1
- order cancellation1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
10
Amazing Food and Service!
I came in and ordered food to go. I received amazing customer service even though I wasn’t going to be dining in. The staff was polite and friendly.
The food was AMAZING. Eat here now.
- customer service10
- staff9
- Food10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
8
Great Food, Forget Utensils!
I was super excited to try Burma Love because we've been huge fans of their salad. However, let me paint a picture of our takeout experience. Imagine riding your bike across San Francisco to pick up your order before getting on the train.
Knowing you still have about 2 miles of riding left, you choose drier options to minimize mess. Upon getting on the train, locking your bike, and ready to dig in, you discover. No utensils!
You're left with the choice of staring at your food for the hour-long ride or eating with your hands. While using sauce lids helps shove food into your mouth faster, you end up with greasy fingers and broken lids. Despite this, I was so satisfied with the food – it's 10/10!
But please, for the love of Burma, if you order takeout, make sure you get utensils. Burma Love, we love you, but please pack utensils for our takeout orders.
- salad10
- food experience10
- utensils1
- takeout1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
1
Terrible Service, Unacceptable Experience
My experience at this restaurant was marked by terrible service. After being seated at our reserved table, we waited 15 minutes without receiving a menu. When a server finally approached to take drink orders, the lack of menus, the unhappy demeanor of a nearby couple, and witnessing a server bring the wrong order to another table, all suggested significant issues.
It appeared there was only one waiter managing the floor. Given the prices, I expected much better service. It was absolutely unacceptable, especially compared to the service at a nearby fast-food burger joint.
We will never return.
- service1
- menu1
- server2
What Burma Love offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- 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
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Vegan options
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Private dining room
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dietary options does Burma Love offer you?
At Burma Love, you’ll find a diverse menu catering to various dietary preferences. You can enjoy healthy options, along with dedicated vegan and vegetarian choices. They also provide a selection of small plates perfect for sharing.
Can you make reservations and what's the atmosphere like at Burma Love?
Yes, Burma Love accepts reservations, and dinner reservations are recommended to secure your spot. You’ll experience a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere, making it an inviting place for both planned dinners and spontaneous visits.
How does Burma Love score across different aspects?
Burma Love has an overall score of 6.6, with customer satisfaction at 63.7%. Its strengths lie in Food (7.2) and Ambience (7.0), while Service (5.7) is average and Value (3.1) is a notable concern.
What do customers enjoy most about Burma Love?
Customers frequently praise the distinctive food flavors and the inviting atmosphere, often highlighting dishes like the tea leaf salad and garlic noodles.
What are the main concerns customers have about Burma Love?
The primary concerns revolve around the perceived high cost and value, as well as occasional inconsistencies in service, including issues with reservations.