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oChef » Five Rivers – San Francisco
Five Rivers - San Francisco
Photo from Five Rivers
Five Rivers at a glance
San Francisco Sunset District
- 🍛 Indian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 14 of the guests
#1630 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#48 Indian Restaurant out of 63 in San Francisco
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
108
Reviews
67.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Generous portions
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- Food safety
- Poor ambiance
The restaurant Five Rivers is an inviting Indian Restaurant located in San Francisco’s vibrant Sunset District. You’ll discover a casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying authentic flavors.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a full meal, this spot offers a diverse menu including vegan and vegetarian options, complemented by wine and beer. It’s a great choice for a relaxed dining experience.
Overview: Introducting Five Rivers
Five Rivers offers a culinary experience centered around its delicious food, with many appreciating the generous portions and rich flavors. It’s a popular spot, especially for those seeking flavorful Indian cuisine, and its efficiency with mobile pickups is often noted.
However, diners should be prepared for potential challenges. Some experiences point to slow service and considerable waiting time, which can impact the overall visit.
While the food shines, these operational aspects are frequently mentioned.
Good
7
out of 10
108
Reviews
67.6%
Satisfaction
30
negative
5
neutral
73
positive
Five Rivers achieves a respectable Restaurant Score of 7, indicating a generally good dining experience, supported by 73 positive observations against 30 negative ones from 108 total customer remarks. However, the Customer Satisfaction stands at 67.6%, which falls into the mixed category, suggesting some areas could use refinement despite the overall positive sentiment.
The culinary offerings are a clear strength, with Food scoring an impressive (8.1). However, Service (4.7) presents a notable challenge, often described as slow.
The Ambience (6.3) is considered moderate, while Value (8.5) is highly regarded, though it receives fewer comments compared to other aspects.
What people like
- Delicious Indian food
- Generous food portions
- Great prices
What people don't like
- Slow, unreliable service
- Foreign objects in food
- Unpleasant atmosphere issues
Five Rivers presents a compelling case for its culinary offerings, especially if you prioritize flavorful Indian dishes and appreciate good value. With a Recommendation Score of 7.3, it’s certainly worth considering for its strengths in the kitchen.
However, be mindful of the potential for slower service and some inconsistencies in the dining environment. If you’re prepared for these aspects, you’ll likely find the food rewarding.
It’s a place that delivers on taste, but patience may be required.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Five Rivers
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 92% of the guests
The food here generally hits the mark, with a strong score of 8.1 and customer satisfaction at 81.3%, indicating a good dining experience. Many rave about the delicious Indian food, generous portions, and incredible flavors. Dishes like the Garlic naan, butter chicken, and curry pizza frequently earn high praise, with 52 positive remarks out of 64 total.
However, a few diners found some dishes a miss or the spices too strong. There were also concerns about small sauce portions and, more critically, a couple of alarming instances of foreign objects like metal or steel wire found in the food, which is definitely a dealbreaker for some (8 negative remarks).
Food
64
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
8
negative
4
neutral
52
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious Indian food
- Generous portions
- Authentic flavors
What people don't like
- Metal found in food
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was exceptional. I found the Indian food to be the best in the area, and I would even go as far as saying it's the best in the entire city. The meal was for dinner and was a take-out order, with the price per person ranging from $10–20.
- butter chickenOur go-to Indian spot offers consistently delicious food. We ordered Garlic naan, butter chicken, paneer saag, and chai, all of which were fantastic. However, the downside is that the service is slooow and unreliable.
- portionsThey were generous with the portions
- Indian foodMy experience at this restaurant was largely defined by the food, which I found to be probably the best Indian food I've ever had. However, the atmosphere could be improved; they need to change the bright white lights inside to something more orange and relaxed.
- Butter ChickenWe ordered their Lamb Tikka Masala, their Butter Chicken, and their chef's bread basket today. The flavor was good. However, while eating through the leftovers today, we found a piece of thin, curled-up metal in the curry.
- Chicken Tikka MasalaChicken tikka masala
- FoodFood:5
- Garlic Samosasgarlic and samosa they are best
- Garlic naanOur go-to Indian spot offers consistently delicious food. We ordered Garlic naan, butter chicken, paneer saag, and chai, all of which were fantastic. However, the downside is that the service is slooow and unreliable.
- Kahari chickenKahari chicken mild... All was soo good.
Frequently criticized
- chicken chikka masala sauceextra small chicken chikka masala sauce
- everythingWe had a mix of curries and rice. They were generous with the portions, however everything was spicy. We didn’t try the Curry Pizza, which seems to be their specialty.
- foodIf I hadn't happened to feel it in my mouth, I would've swallowed it or cut my gums. We had to throw the rest of the food out as we didn't want to risk eating metal.
- metal in the curryfound a piece of thin curled up metal in the curry
- other dishestwo of them were a miss
- small pizzawait around 35 minutes for a SMALL pizza
- spicesIt's clear that the chefs are trying. I love this kind of traditional food, but the spices were too strong for me.
- steel wirepiece of steel wire inside an order of naan
Overall, the food here is largely a hit, especially for authentic Indian cuisine with generous portions and rich flavors. While some found dishes too spicy, the main concern is the rare but serious issue of foreign objects. It's worth trying for the taste, but proceed with a little caution.
Service (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
While customer satisfaction sits at a 37%, indicating a poor experience for many, there are definite bright spots in the service, which scores an 4.7. Guests have praised attentive servers, very nice workers, and efficient staff, often finding the service amazing and relatively quick. Out of 27 total comments, 10 positive ones highlight these good interactions, especially with staff and mobile pickups.
However, the service often falls short, with 17 negative comments out of 27 total. Many customers report significant waiting times and slow service speed, with some staff behind the counter being inattentive or unprofessional. Experiences include waiting 30-50 minutes for food, pre-orders not being started, and waiters disappearing, making service feel nonexistent and unreliable.
Service
27
Reviews
37%
Satisfaction
17
negative
0
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, efficient staff
- Quick mobile pickups
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Slow service speed
- Unprofessional customer service
Often praised
- serviceThe service was amazing
- ServiceService:5
- call and text methey called and texted me
- calling ordersrecommend calling orders in
- mobile pickupsThe food was excellent, and our server's attentiveness more than compensated for the temporary lack of atmosphere. The popularity of the place was evident even upon arrival, with six mobile pickups double-parked outside, indicating its strong demand.
- serverthe server more than made up
- staffThe staff was very efficient, attentive and cooperative
- workersVery nice workers
Frequently criticized
- serviceWe ordered Garlic naan, butter chicken, paneer saag, and chai, all of which were fantastic. However, the downside is that the service is slooow and unreliable. We've learned to add 40 minutes to the estimated wait time, which helps manage expectations and leads to a happier experience.
- waiting timeI had pre-ordered it with plenty of time, and when I arrived, they hadn’t even started making it. I had to wait even longer to get it. Nobody should have to wait that long for their food.
- customer serviceunprofessional customer service
- instructionsthey not follow my instructions
- online siteissue with their online site not receiving orders
- other dishesThe other dishes don't come out that quickly either!
- ownersBeware of the owners of this restaurant
- service speedThe speed is too slow.
- staffSome of the people who worked there kept mean mugging me
- staff behind the counterstaff behind the counter waited several minutes before asking me
This place is a bit of a gamble when it comes to service. While some guests praise the attentive staff, be prepared for potentially long waiting times and inconsistent service speed. If youre not in a rush and can tolerate some unpredictability, it might be worth a try, but dont expect lightning-fast service.
Ambience (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the vibe! The ambience here gets an average score of 6.3, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 60%. Many guests really appreciate the atmosphere, noting the ample seating, including nice booth options, and how super clean the place feels inside.
The dining room looks brand new, and its beautiful location, complete with TVs for sports, makes it a family favorite and a great addition to the community, according to 9 positive pieces of feedback. However, theres definitely room for improvement, as 5 negative comments highlight some significant issues. Some visitors were put off by the entire place smelling like an outhouse, and one even mentioned a glass so dirty it had to be sent back.
The bright white lights were also a turn-off for some, with suggestions for a more relaxed, orange glow, not to mention concerns about construction and even long-term rodent infestation issues.
Ambience
15
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Super clean place
- Nice booth seating
- Great location
What people don't like
- Smelled like outhouse
- Rodent infestation
- Dirty glass
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- TVs for sportsseveral TVs for sports.
- addition to the communityAwesome addition to the community!
- booth seatingnice booth seating
- dining roomThe dining room is really cool - looks brand new
- family favoriteA family favorite
- locationit is situated at a very beautiful location
- seatingLot a seating inside that you can’t see from looking in the door.
- super clean placesuper clean place inside
Frequently criticized
- constructionundergoing construction
- glass was so dirtythe glass was so dirty with particles we had to send it back
- lightsMy experience at this restaurant was largely defined by the food, which I found to be probably the best Indian food I've ever had. However, the atmosphere could be improved; they need to change the bright white lights inside to something more orange and relaxed.
- rodent infestationlong term rodent infestation issues
- smelled like an outhouseThe entire place smelled like an outhouse
If youre looking for a clean spot with good seating and a lively sports atmosphere, you might find the ambience quite pleasant. However, be aware that some serious cleanliness and odor issues have been reported, which could definitely impact your experience. Its a bit of a gamble on the overall vibe.
Value (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 8% of the guests
If youre looking for a place that truly delivers on value, youre in for a treat! Diners consistently praise the great prices and mention that prices were reasonable, making every penny count. With an excellent 100% customer satisfaction and a good 8.5 score for value, its clear theyve got their pricing just right, according to 2 positive remarks.
What's truly remarkable is the complete absence of any negative feedback concerning value. Out of 2 total comments, there were absolutely no complaints about the pricing, which speaks volumes about their commitment to affordability.
Value
2
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great prices
What people don't like
Often praised
- pricesgreat prices
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If getting good value for your money is a priority, this place is definitely worth checking out. With universally praised reasonable prices and excellent customer satisfaction, you can expect to feel like you got a great deal. It's a clear win for your wallet!
How are the prices at Five Rivers?
You’re looking at roughly 27 per person – reported by 14 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.
Interestingly, while the average is 27, many guests actually spent less, with a good number falling into the $11–$20 range. This suggests there are plenty of budget-friendly options, even though a few higher-end experiences pull the overall average up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 14 reviews.
How this Indian restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Indian Restaurant, especially given the flexibility in spending. You can likely find a great meal whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a more indulgent experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Five Rivers
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
1
Metal Found in Food - Unsafe Experience
We ordered their Lamb Tikka Masala, their Butter Chicken, and their chef's bread basket today. The flavor was good. However, while eating through the leftovers today, we found a piece of thin, curled-up metal in the curry.
I do not think it's safe to eat from this establishment when you have to worry about eating metal. If I hadn't happened to feel it in my mouth, I would've swallowed it or cut my gums. We had to throw the rest of the food out as we didn't want to risk eating metal.
- Lamb Tikka Masala7
- Butter Chicken7
- metal in the curry1
- food1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
7
Delicious Food, But Beware of Past Issues
My experience at Five Rivers Indian Cuisine was a mixed bag. While the food orders have consistently been delicious, there was a concerning incident where a piece of steel wire was found inside an order of naan, likely from cleaning the cooking equipment. Despite this, the food itself has been very good.
The service is solid and relatively quick, though not outstanding. I suggest giving them a try, but be aware of the owners' history with their previous Westlake Shopping Center location, which reportedly closed due to long-term rodent infestation issues.
- food orders8
- naan5
- service7
- steel wire2
- owners3
- rodent infestation1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Slow service, long wait
My experience at the restaurant was marked by slow service. I had to wait for half an hour before receiving my meal.
- service speed2
- waiting time2
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
1
Worst Service and Incorrect Order
My experience at this restaurant was the worst service ever. I ordered from the other location (314 Westlake Center, Daly City, CA 94015) via DoorDash, and they always send my food correctly. However, this Judah location failed to follow my instructions.
My order was supposed to be no rice and extra small chicken tikka masala sauce, but they did not adhere to these requests. The customer service was unprofessional, and they ignored my specific instructions. I do not recommend wasting your time here.
- service1
- customer service1
- instructions1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Excellent Food, Service Overcomes Construction
Despite the restaurant undergoing construction due to its recent reopening, my experience was overwhelmingly positive. The food was excellent, and our server's attentiveness more than compensated for the temporary lack of atmosphere. The popularity of the place was evident even upon arrival, with six mobile pickups double-parked outside, indicating its strong demand.
- food10
- server9
- atmosphere5
- construction4
What Five Rivers offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Vegan options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Catering
- Dessert
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and services does Five Rivers Indian Cuisine provide?
At Five Rivers Indian Cuisine, you can enjoy a range of dining options including lunch, dinner, and dessert. They also offer catering services for your special events, alongside convenient no-contact delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, and dine-in.
Are there vegetarian, vegan, or alcoholic beverage options available at Five Rivers Indian Cuisine?
Yes, Five Rivers Indian Cuisine caters to various preferences with a selection of vegetarian and vegan options. You can also complement your meal with alcoholic beverages, including wine and beer, or opt for small plates for a quick bite.
How does Five Rivers perform overall, and what are its key strengths and weaknesses?
Five Rivers holds a Restaurant Score of 7, indicating a good experience. Its main strength is Food (8.1), while Value (8.5) is also highly rated. However, Service (4.7) is a notable area for improvement, and Ambience (6.3) is moderate.
What can I expect from the food at Five Rivers?
Customers frequently praise the delicious food and generous portions, with many considering it high-quality Indian cuisine. Popular items include Garlic naan, butter chicken, paneer saag, and Kahari chicken.
Is the service at Five Rivers generally efficient?
While some staff are described as attentive and cooperative, many customers report slow service and significant waiting time. It’s an aspect that frequently receives criticism.