Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Clay Oven – San Francisco
Clay Oven - San Francisco
Photo from Clay Oven
Clay Oven at a glance
San Francisco Saint Francis Wood
- 🍛 Indian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 91 of the guests
#888 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#36 Indian Restaurant out of 63 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
590
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Indian cuisine
- Warm ambiance
- Affordable prices
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Hygiene issues
- Hidden charges
The restaurant Clay Oven is an authentic Indian Restaurant nestled in the charming Saint Francis Wood neighborhood of San Francisco. You’ll discover a culinary journey here, renowned for its exceptional and diverse tea selection.
Whether you’re seeking a cozy meal or a casual dining experience, this spot offers a welcoming atmosphere perfect for any occasion. It’s a fantastic choice for those exploring the vibrant San Francisco food scene.
Overview: Introducting Clay Oven
Clay Oven generally offers a delightful culinary experience, with many appreciating the well-seasoned dishes and the aroma of spices that fills the air. The overall vibe is often described as warm and inviting, making for a pleasant visit.
However, some visits to Clay Oven have been hampered by inconsistent service, with reports of rude staff. There are also occasional concerns regarding cleanliness, such as dirty carafes or lipstick stains on cups, which can detract from the experience.
Good
7.7
out of 10
590
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
108
negative
16
neutral
466
positive
Clay Oven generally performs well, earning a solid restaurant score of 7.7 and a good customer satisfaction rating of 79%. This positive sentiment is built on 466 positive remarks out of 590 total customer observations.
Customers frequently praise the Food (7.9), noting its quality and variety, making it a clear highlight for many diners. The Ambience (8.1) also contributes significantly to the positive experience, often described as happy and inviting.
While Service (7.2) and Value (7.3) are rated as good, there are some mixed opinions. A smaller number of 108 negative comments point to occasional service lapses and concerns about billing accuracy.
What people like
- Delicious Indian food
- Inviting atmosphere
- Good meal value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Cleanliness concerns
- Billing discrepancies
With a recommendation score of 7.8, Clay Oven generally offers a rewarding dining experience, especially for those seeking flavorful Indian cuisine in a pleasant setting. It’s a place where the food often shines, making it a solid choice for a casual meal.
However, be mindful of potential service inconsistencies and double-check your bill. If you prioritize good food and a welcoming atmosphere over flawless service, Clay Oven is certainly worth considering for your next Indian meal.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Clay Oven
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 7.9 and a good customer satisfaction of 80.9%. With 293 positive remarks out of 362 total, many rave about the delicious food, wide variety, and authentic flavors, often praising the generous portion sizes that leave you with leftovers. However, 56 less favorable comments suggest some areas for improvement.
A few diners found dishes oily or undercooked, while others noted a bland taste in certain items or a thin gravy. It seems consistency can sometimes be a challenge, especially with specific preparations.
Food
362
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
56
negative
13
neutral
293
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic, delicious food
- Wide food variety
- Generous portion sizes
What people don't like
- Too oily dishes
- Inconsistent food quality
- Bland taste issues
Often praised
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was excellent, particularly with the lunch buffet. The service was great and the food tasted really good. I especially enjoyed the fish pakora and tandoori chicken.
- lunch buffetMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their excellent lunch buffet. For $16, it offered a fantastic spread including Chicken Tandoori, a chicken curry (which could be korma, tikka masala, or butter chicken), a goat or lamb curry, saag paneer (which was excellent), samosas, various vegetarian curries or stir fries, rice, and naan (regular or garlic).
- naanThis is one of my favorite Indian restaurants to visit when I'm in San Francisco with family. The atmosphere is enhanced by the delicious smell of fresh baked naan and the wonderful aromas from the spices. The dishes are seasoned perfectly, and the staff is very accommodating.
- Indian foodAbsolutely the best Indian food i have had in a long time
- saag paneerWe chose the set menu for 2, priced around $45, and I also ordered a mango lassi. The set menu included chicken tikka, saag paneer, samosas, grilled meat, rice, naan, and dessert. While the naan was too oily for my preference and the chicken tikka a bit too salty, the overall experience offered good value for money, leaving us full with leftovers to take home.
- garlic naangarlic naan which were also very good
- samosasWe chose the set menu for 2, priced around $45, and I also ordered a mango lassi. The set menu included chicken tikka, saag paneer, samosas, grilled meat, rice, naan, and dessert. While the naan was too oily for my preference and the chicken tikka a bit too salty, the overall experience offered good value for money, leaving us full with leftovers to take home.
- tandoori chickentandoori chicken were delicious
- FoodFood:5
- dessertMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was excellent, even including a complementary dessert. I was also impressed by how insanely cheap the drinks were.
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food was definitely not worth the wait.
- naanEven after trying to dump some out, there was still a considerable amount and what I did manage to dump stained my sink. The naan was also incredibly oily. The rice was supposed to have peas and did not.
- riceThe naan was also incredibly oily. The rice was supposed to have peas and did not. All in all a bad experience and waste of money.
- FoodFood:1
- Indian foodI've never had indian food so devoid of any other ingredients before
- Biriyanithis dishes is not acceptable as Biriyani
- Chicken Makhniless than one chicken breast worth of chicken across 3 orders of the Makhni
- Every dishEvery dish we ordered was awful, really really awful
- Saag PaneerThe Saag Paneer was super salty
- buffetnot much food available in the buffet
Overall, the food here is a strong contender, offering many delicious and authentic options. While there might be occasional hiccups with oiliness or consistency, the generous portions and variety make it worth exploring for a satisfying meal.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place generally hits the mark with a solid score of 7.2 and a customer satisfaction rate of 71.8%. Many of the 89 positive comments highlight the friendly staff, quick service, and attentive nature of the team, including the owner and staff. Guests frequently praise the excellent and amazing service, often noting how accommodating and kind everyone is.
However, based on 34 negative comments out of 124 total, there are some areas for improvement. Concerns include frustrating waiting time for food, issues with staff attitude and customer service, and occasional communication hurdles due to staff not speaking good English. Some experiences mention unprofessionalism, being ignored, or even missing items from takeout orders.
Service
124
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
34
negative
1
neutral
89
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick service
- Accommodating owners
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude staff attitude
- Poor communication
Often praised
- serviceThe food was outstanding, and the service was fantastic. I can confidently say this is the best Indian food I’ve had in San Francisco in 5 years, matched by the best service. The staff were very nice and kind people.
- staffThe atmosphere is enhanced by the delicious smell of fresh baked naan and the wonderful aromas from the spices. The dishes are seasoned perfectly, and the staff is very accommodating. I highly recommend the chicken tikka masala or tandoori chicken, especially with a side of your favorite naan selection.
- ServiceThe only exception was the Hyderabadi chicken curry; while the taste was good, the gravy was a bit too thin for my liking and lacked the rich, thick consistency I was expecting. Service, however, was absolutely outstanding. The staff was attentive, welcoming, and even offered us a complimentary dessert, which was a lovely surprise.
- customer serviceamazing customer service such kind people
- chefThe chef is a good person understanding
- deliverythe delivery is also very quick
- peopleVery nice and kind people
- Jash AnpreetOur server Jash Anpreet was AMAZING
- Mahavir SinghMahavir Singh does a great job with bringing the food out
- NormanNorman is such a lovely and kind person
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was marred by the extremely rude front man. I was expecting good service, but he seemed "mad as hell" and "mad as a cat. " Due to his demeanor, I didn't even place an order.
- waiting timeThe owner said nothing, just took it away and brought us ice cream – ridiculous! It took over 40 minutes to start getting food, and they served the rice last, long after the main dishes. We were about to leave when food started arriving.
- ServiceService:1
- customer serviceAbsolutely atrocious customer service
- serverThe restaurant added the tip themselves, which was unexpected. We did not want to tip further because the server was very blunt. Overall, a very poor experience.
- cheat customersThey should not cheat customer
- deliverythey delivered 1 hr late to me too
- englishThey speak little english
- front manthe front man is so rude!
- greetingNever greeted
Overall, the service here leans positive, with many guests enjoying friendly and efficient interactions. With a good score of 7.2 and 71.8% satisfaction, it's often a good bet for attentive staff and quick food. However, be aware of potential delays or communication issues that some customers have faced.
Ambience (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
When it comes to the atmosphere, this spot generally hits all the right notes! With a solid score of 8.1 and customer satisfaction at a high 84.5%, most diners found the vibe and atmosphere to be warm and inviting. Many appreciated the music and cozy ambiance, noting its a "great place" for a "date night" with "art on the walls" and a "beautiful dining room, " based on 49 positive remarks.
However, its not entirely without its quirks. Out of 58 total comments, 8 pointed out some areas for improvement, with a few guests mentioning cleanliness concerns like dirty dishes or a lipstick-stained chai cup. Some also felt the interiors were a little outdated, and a couple even noted visible staff arguments, which can certainly break the mood.
Ambience
58
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
49
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Inviting atmosphere
- Perfect vibe
- Beautiful interior
What people don't like
- Cleanliness concerns
- Outdated interiors
- Visible staff arguments
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's an affordable and family-friendly spot located on the edge of Western Portal. Despite being a small operation, the service was quick.
- restaurantWe visited this restaurant to celebrate Mother's Day and were absolutely amazed. It's the most beautiful restaurant we have ever seen, with exquisite art on the walls, stunning ceilings, white tablecloths, red napkins, and fresh roses on every table. The food was spectacular, and the service was out of this world.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambienceHappy ambience with Indian music
- ambianceand with a great ambiance too!
- vibeIt's the best I've had in the city. The staff is kind, and the vibe is warm. The flavor profile was both balanced and abundant.
- aroma of spicesaroma of spices fills the air
- aromas from the spicearomas from the spice are wonderful
- art on the wallsart on the walls is exquisite
- ceilingsBeautiful ceilings
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- CleanlinessCleanliness is questionable
- atmosphereAtmosphere:2
- carafeThe carafe was clearly dirty when filled with water.
- chai cupMy chai cup had lipstick stain on them
- dishesDirty dishes
- interiorsinteriors are a little outdated
- staff argumentsThey were having arguments about deliveries in the middle of the restaurant.
Overall, if youre looking for a place with a generally warm, inviting atmosphere and a good vibe for a pleasant meal or date night, this restaurant is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that a few minor cleanliness issues or outdated decor might occasionally pop up, but they dont seem to overshadow the overall positive experience for most.
Value (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a solid score of 7.3. Most diners walk away feeling pretty good about their experience, with customer satisfaction sitting at a healthy 76.1%. Many appreciate the reasonable prices, affordable Indian food, and often mention it as value for money or a great deal, especially for their generous portions and special offers.
Out of 46 total opinions, 35 were positive, highlighting that you can often get a lot for your money here. However, not everyone feels they got a fair shake, with 10 negative comments among the 46. Some guests have raised concerns about the bill total not matching expectations, leading to feelings of money waste or even being scammed. There were also mentions of certain items being overpriced, like drinks, which can impact the overall perception of price and value.
Value
46
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great deals
- Good portion sizes
What people don't like
- Unexpected charges
- Billing discrepancies
Often praised
- priceCan’t complain about the price for what you get.
- valueMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! We ordered the clay oven thali for two, which was both delicious and a great value. The spinach paneer was excellent; you could truly taste the spinach.
- Price per personThey have a lunch buffet for only $16
- great dealWe found the food to be delicious. We would recommend the dinner for 2, which was a great deal at around $45. There was so much food!
- lunch buffetan absolute great way to get in and try multiple different dishes for an affordable price.
- pricesThe owner and servers were incredibly friendly, and the servings were large. I found the prices affordable, and the happy ambience, complete with Indian music, made for a pleasant experience. I'm grateful to have found such a warm and welcoming place on a Friday night.
- $36 for 2 people36$ for 2 people
- affordablevery affordable
- affordable Indian foodVery good option for affordable Indian food
- buffetBuffett is worth for $17
Frequently criticized
- priceDiet coke can costs $1 and i paid $4 for each lemonade
- bill totalthe bill total was 35 dollars and some cents But the amount that got deducted from our card was 41 dollars
- bottled waterhe charged us for it
- checkThe owner / manager brought our check and said here's your bill.
- moneyThe rice was supposed to have peas and did not. All in all a bad experience and waste of money. I will not be ordering again.
- money wasteI literally had to throw food, money waste
- scammedIt's not fun to eat when you've been scammed
- tipThey added the tip by themselves
If you're looking for good Indian food without breaking the bank, especially with their deals and buffets, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be sure to double-check your bill, as a few guests have noted discrepancies that soured their experience.
How are the prices at Clay Oven?
You’re looking at roughly 31 per person – reported by 91 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 hovers around 31, it’s interesting to note that most guests actually spend less, often in the 11 – 30 $ range, suggesting a nice spread of options from more budget-friendly to a few premium choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 91 reviews.
Compare the value for money of this restaurant against similar ones in San Francisco.
Overall, for an Indian Restaurant, we think the pricing feels quite fair. There’s a good mix of options, allowing guests to enjoy a meal that fits both their budget and their craving.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Clay Oven
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Excellent Food and Service, Will Return!
My experience at this restaurant was excellent. The food and service were both top-notch. We tried all the dishes and found them to be good, with the Okra and tandoori chicken being particularly noteworthy.
We finished our meal with some chai and Kheer. I will definitely be coming again.
- food10
- service10
- Okra9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Service and Food
My experience at the restaurant was excellent. The service was outstanding, with Mahavir providing exceptional attention. Chef Narindar prepared the food exactly as requested, and the quality was very good.
- service10
- food9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Indian Buffet Experience
My family and I were craving Indian food and stumbled upon Clay Oven in West Portal. They offer a lunch buffet that is available until 2: 30 PM. Upon entering, we were greeted by friendly staff.
We were offered a choice between à la carte and the buffet, and we opted for the buffet. The foods were fresh and hot, with a great variety including goat, beef, and pork. While I wasn't familiar with all the names, they were helpfully described.
The spice level was just right, making it delicious! This is definitely a place we would come back to.
- friendly staff10
- foods9
- variety9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Amazing Lunch Buffet with Great Veggie Options!
We got so lucky finding this amazing lunch buffet. I found a ton of great veggie options. The food was super tasty and flavorful!
I will definitely be back!
- veggie options9
- food10
- lunch buffet9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
New Lunch Buffet Variety is Surprisingly Good
My experience at the restaurant was a pleasant surprise! The lunch buffet has a new variety that is surprisingly good. The ingredients were fresh and very flavorful.
We enjoyed it very much.
- lunch buffet9
- ingredients9
- food9
What Clay Oven 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
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- All you can eat
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dietary options and special offerings can you find at Clay Oven Indian Restaurant?
At Clay Oven Indian Restaurant, you’ll discover a wide array of choices including healthy options, vegan options, and vegetarian options. They also serve halal food and small plates, alongside an all-you-can-eat option. You can enjoy wine, coffee, and beer with your meal.
What are the parking, accessibility, and service options available at Clay Oven Indian Restaurant?
Clay Oven Indian Restaurant offers convenient free street parking and paid street parking, with usually plenty of spots available. The establishment is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, seating, and restroom. For service, you can choose from dine-in, takeout, delivery, or no-contact delivery.
How does Clay Oven generally perform across different aspects?
Clay Oven holds a restaurant score of **7.7**, indicating a good overall experience. Its strengths lie in **Ambience** (8.1) and **Food** (7.9), with **Value** (7.3) and **Service** (7.2) also rated positively.
What do customers particularly enjoy about the food at Clay Oven?
Many customers praise the delicious and well-seasoned Indian dishes, often highlighting the fresh baked naan and the aromatic spices. The lunch buffet is also frequently mentioned as a great way to sample various items.
Are there any common issues or concerns reported by diners?
Some diners have reported inconsistent service, including instances of rude staff or long waiting times. There have also been occasional mentions of cleanliness issues and discrepancies with billing.