Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Mashaallah – San Francisco
Mashaallah - San Francisco
Photo from Mashaallah
Mashaallah at a glance
San Francisco West SoMa
- 🍛 Pakistani Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 79 of the guests
#415 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#3 Pakistani Restaurant out of 9 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
456
Reviews
84.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Great service
- Fair value
Frequently criticized
- Mall setting
- Price inconsistency
- Minor food flaws
The Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food Restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere in San Francisco’s vibrant West SoMa neighborhood. You’ll find a casual spot perfect for enjoying healthy options, small plates, and vegetarian choices.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a full meal, this Pakistani restaurant provides a genuine taste of the cuisine. It’s a great choice for a relaxed dining experience in the city.
Overview: Introducting Mashaallah
Mashaallah offers a culinary experience where the focus is clearly on the plate, delivering “delicious and spicy” dishes that often feature “tender lamb/chicken. ” Patrons frequently highlight the “attentive, friendly service” from a staff eager to assist, creating a welcoming atmosphere despite its setting.
However, the dining experience isn’t without its minor drawbacks. While the food shines, some guests have noted specific issues like “sticky and cold rice” or the occasional “dry chicken.
” The location within a “dead shopping mall” also contributes to an ambience that might not appeal to everyone.
Excellent
8.2
out of 10
456
Reviews
84.6%
Satisfaction
59
negative
11
neutral
386
positive
Mashaallah garners a strong overall score of 8.2, supported by a solid 84.6% customer satisfaction rate. The restaurant truly excels in its Service (8.6) and Food (8.4), which are consistently praised across 386 positive comments.
These high marks reflect a commitment to quality and guest care that resonates deeply with diners. While Ambience (7.1) is generally good, the Value (6.5) score indicates a more mixed reception, with some finding it average.
Out of 456 total opinions, 59 negative remarks often touch upon these areas, suggesting that while the core offerings are strong, there’s room for improvement in perceived value and the overall dining environment.
What people like
- Flavorful, tender food
- Attentive, kind service
- Good portion value
What people don't like
- Food court setting
- Inconsistent value
- Specific dish issues
If your priority is excellent food and genuinely kind service, Mashaallah is certainly worth considering. With a strong recommendation score of 8.4, it delivers on its core promise of flavorful, well-prepared dishes and a hospitable team.
However, approach with realistic expectations regarding the setting and occasional value discrepancies. It’s a solid choice for a satisfying meal where the culinary experience and warm interactions take precedence over a lavish dining environment.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Mashaallah
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot is truly shining! With a fantastic score of 8.4 and a stellar customer satisfaction of 87.3%, its clear diners are loving whats on their plates. Out of 306 comments, a whopping 267 rave about the authentic Pakistani food, praising its flavorful dishes, tender lamb, and fresh ingredients.
Expect a delicious and satisfying experience! However, it's not entirely without its bumps, as 33 comments did point out some areas for improvement. A few diners mentioned food that lacked flavor, while others encountered issues like rock hard meat or greasy bread.
There was even an unfortunate report of hair in food, which is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Food
306
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
33
negative
6
neutral
267
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Pakistani food
- Flavorful, tender meat
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Lacked flavor
- Hair in food
- Rock hard meat
Often praised
- foodThe staff were friendly and helpful, even when I was being the most indecisive person imaginable. The food is delicious and spicy, and the portions are super generous. A perfect affordable lunch spot in downtown San Francisco.
- FoodMy experience at this restaurant was unpretentious and simply delicious! I had the Palak Paneer and Channa Masala vegetarian combo, two of my favorite dishes, and they were amazing.
- Lamb KormaBoth the lamb and chicken were very tender, and the flavor and spice level were perfect.
- Pakistani foodMy daughter and I were looking for a quick bite at San Francisco Centre and discovered a hidden gem in SF offering the most fantastic Pakistani food. I ordered a plate with three options: Palak Paneer, Bengan Bharat (eggplant), and Chana Masala.
- chicken tikka masalachicken tikka masala for quite some time and this place does not disappoint!
- lambThe food was incredible. Both the lamb and chicken were very tender, and the flavor and spice level were perfect. The owners weren't there, but the people working there were very welcoming and helpful.
- biryaniI like their biryani at least 70% percent Karachi taste
- chaiThe food was excellent, with the biryani being particularly flavorful and generously portioned. We also enjoyed the Chapli kabob, whole wheat paratha, and chai. Everything was cooked perfectly.
- lamb kormalamb korma, chicken tikka masala, and aloo paratha are must-try
- lamb shanklamb shank which was suggested by the owner
Frequently criticized
- ricethe rice was sticky and cold
- beeffelt the beef was a little rubbery
- Chicken TikkaChicken Tikka was not done in a clay oven
- Chicken Tikka Masalathe chicken was dry
- Lamb Oilcooked in the Lamb Oil, had some strong odor and taste into it
- Lamb shankLamb shank and chicken tikka both were cooked in the Lamb Oil
- Saag paneerSaag paneer was like creamed spinach without the milk
- Spices or Masalas or Lemonshad no Spices or Masalas or Lemons into it which made it basically Tasteless
- breadThe bread was super greasy
- channa masalano channa masala
If youre craving authentic, flavorful Pakistani cuisine with generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try. While there are a few isolated concerns about consistency, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youre in for a delicious meal.
Service (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With a strong score of 8.6 and customer satisfaction at 89.5%, its clear most diners have a great experience. Out of 86 comments, a whopping 77 rave about the "staff, " "owner, " and their "warm hospitality" and "exceptional service.
" Guests consistently praise the friendly, welcoming, and genuinely helpful team who make them feel like family. However, its not entirely without its bumps. There were 9 negative comments, often mentioning issues with staff regarding order accuracy or being stingy with extras.
A few also noted a lack of clear contact or complaint channels, suggesting there's a little room for improvement in handling occasional hiccups.
Service
86
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
9
negative
0
neutral
77
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Exceptional service
- Caring, generous owners
What people don't like
- Order accuracy issues
- Limited contact options
- Stingy with extras
Often praised
- serviceThe service was attentive, friendly, and genuinely eager
- staffI had the yummiest meal, with their dal, mixed veggies, naan, and chicken dishes all being incredible. The staff was also so kind and helpful, providing absolutely wonderful customer service. While the price isn't terrible and the location is great, it's situated in the middle of the SF Centre food court.
- ServiceService:5
- ownerThe portion is quite big, the meat is super juicy & tender, and the spice is like curry but has more layers. I've gone back 4 times already in a few weeks, and the owner is so nice; they kept giving me naan on the house, and I get blessings for my days. That feels wonderful.
- ownersPlus, they were customising for their valued customers too (the aalu paratha wasn't on their menu, but they made it for a family). The owners were just so pleasing and sweet. Allah bless you!
- customer serviceI had the yummiest meal, with their dal, mixed veggies, naan, and chicken dishes all being incredible. The staff was also so kind and helpful, providing absolutely wonderful customer service. While the price isn't terrible and the location is great, it's situated in the middle of the SF Centre food court.
- waitwould wait 15 min as they had to prepare from scratch, I of course accepted, was worth it
- ChefVery humble Chef.
- Costumer servicereally good Costumer service
- Mum shows prideThe food is very tasty, fresh, and has that homecooked feel. It's a friendly family-run establishment, and Mum shows pride in her dishes. Highly recommended.
Frequently criticized
- staffwhen we told the staff about it, they offer a free soda
- contact or complaintNo way to contact or complaint
- extra sauceextremely stingy in giving extra sauce
- fake high reviewsI strongly advise saving your time and money. I felt baited by the fake high reviews. We ordered multiple dishes, and unfortunately, nothing was appetizing.
- orderthey didn’t focusing I ordered 6 regular Nan and 2 garlic Nan but when I opened my order at home there was 8 regular Nan they forgot to put garlic Nan
- replace the foodnor replace the food
- return moneywouldn't return money
- servicethe experience with their staff was a damper
Overall, you can expect a truly warm and attentive experience here, making it a great choice if service is a top priority for you. While there are minor reports of order mix-ups or communication issues, the overwhelming sentiment points to a staff that genuinely cares and goes the extra mile.
Ambience (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
Alright, let's talk about the vibe! This spot has a good score of 7.1 for ambience, though customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 64.3%. Based on 27 positive remarks out of 42 total comments, many folks really appreciate the warm, welcoming atmosphere, often describing it as a surprising find with a clean interior and lots of seating, including a covered patio.
However, the 10 negative comments highlight some significant drawbacks. The biggest concern seems to be the dead shopping mall location and the depressing food court setting, which some found to have really weird vibes and not the most gorgeous aesthetic. There were also mentions of difficulty with parking, contributing to a less-than-ideal overall experience.
Ambience
42
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
10
negative
5
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Warm, welcoming vibe
- Clean interior
- Good seating options
What people don't like
- Dead mall location
- Depressing food court
- Not gorgeous setting
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere was very pleasant
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- cleanlinessvery cleanly done too
- food court gemMy experience at this incredible food court gem was fantastic! We love their rich, flavorful Pakistani Halal food.
- interiorThe owner is very cheerful and friendly lol. Also, the kitchen and interior are clean ~~ Everyone should come. Oh, they recently reopened, so I took a picture of the entrance.
- kitchenThe owner is very cheerful and friendly lol. Also, the kitchen and interior are clean ~~ Everyone should come. Oh, they recently reopened, so I took a picture of the entrance.
- locationit's also in a great location
- noise levelQuiet, easy to talk
- patiohas a patio that is covered btw
- placePlace is kept clean
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereTo compound the issues, the rice was sticky and cold. The overall food quality was poor, and the atmosphere was also a significant letdown.
- San Francisco CentreWalking into the (sad) San Francisco Centre, one might be tempted to turn back.
- dead shopping mallI thoroughly enjoyed the chicken biryani, which was superbbbbb. However, I am sad that this restaurant is located in a very dead shopping mall where no one goes. I hope the owner takes the restaurant to a hyped and popular place.
- food courtthe food court had really weird vibes
- parkingSomewhat difficult to find parking
- plastic utensilsThe lamb chops were uncooked, and when we informed the staff, they offered a free soda – a big joke. Eating rock hard cooked meat with plastic utensils was a terrible experience. The rice was overcooked, and the parathas were cooked in smelly oil.
- settingnot the most gorgeous setting
So, should you go? If you can look past the less-than-stellar surroundings of a quiet mall food court, you'll likely find a surprisingly warm and clean spot inside. But if a vibrant, upscale setting is crucial for your dining experience, this might not be the place for you.
Value (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6.5. Many customers appreciate the good price, value for money, and finding it an affordable lunch spot with reasonable pricing. With 15 positive sentiments out of 22 total, it seems many feel they get a fair deal, especially for combos and generous serving sizes.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 68.2%, indicating some room for improvement. There are 7 negative comments, with some finding the prices to be more expensive than expected. Concerns were raised about the cost of certain entree items and lunch special not always feeling worth the price.
Value
22
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good food, good price
- Combos offer value
- Affordable lunch spot
What people don't like
- Entrees feel expensive
- Small portions for price
- Lunch special not worth
Often praised
- priceThey offer great options for vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike. With good portions and fantastic flavors at a reasonable price, it's hard to ask for more.
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- affordable lunch spotA perfect affordable lunch spot
- comboscombos offer good value
- fair pricesfair prices, and halal certification
- good pricegood food for a good price
- price rangeset at an extremely fair price range
- reasonable pricingAmazing food with reasonable pricing
- valueI ordered via Uber Eats and had a great experience with the food. The dishes were flavorful and fresh, offering great value for the price. My only suggestion for improvement would be to consider charging $1-2 more and increasing the rice portion.
- value for moneyIn a city like San Francisco with so many food options, coming here is a must! Pho has become so expensive lately, so I don't go often, but here, the value for money is good considering San Francisco's prices. I also recommend the Mango Lassi~ I only tried the beef and chicken, but I might come back just to try the lamb.
Frequently criticized
- Parathais significantly more expensive at $10 each
- entreeFor $18 entree i expect better
- entree and breadCost about $28 for the entree and bread
- lunch specialnot worth the $23 I spent on the lunch special
- price32 dollars for handfull rice and leg piece
- pricesThe prices are more expensive
- pricingdue to the mall's pricing strategy
If youre looking for an affordable lunch or good combo deals, youll likely find decent value here. Just be mindful that some individual entrees might feel a bit pricey for the portion, so choose wisely to get the most bang for your buck.
How are the prices at Mashaallah?
You’re looking at roughly 23 per person – reported by 79 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Pakistani Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, we see a good mix: while many guests spend in the $11–$20 range, there’s also a solid group in the $21–$30 bracket, with a few venturing into higher price points. This suggests a menu that caters to various budgets.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 79 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Pakistani restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance, allowing guests to enjoy a delicious meal without necessarily breaking the bank, while also having options for those who want to splurge a little.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Mashaallah
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Scrumptious Pakistani Food in SOMA
I had a great experience at this new Pakistani food joint in SOMA. The tikka masala was delicious, and the naan bread was amazing. It was truly scrumptious!
- tikka masala9
- naan bread9
- Pakistani food8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Excellent Biryani and Friendly Service!
My experience at this restaurant was excellent, primarily as a to-go place. I had some of the best boneless chicken biryani I've ever tasted, and the accompanying sauce was amazing. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, and the place was kept clean.
It's a great spot for delicious food to go.
- boneless chicken biryani10
- sauce9
- staff10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Authentic Pakistani Food - Best in SF!
During my two-day visit to San Francisco, I was craving authentic Pakistani food, and this restaurant delivered exactly that. They are simply the best. I highly recommend trying their Halal Lamb Korma.
The atmosphere and service were both excellent, rated 5 out of 5. The vegetarian options were clearly labeled and highly recommended for vegetarians. The meal was for lunch, and the price per person was between $10–20.
- authentic Pakistani food10
- Halal Lamb Korma10
- vegetarian dishes9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Must-Visit Gem in San Francisco!
This is the #1 best food I've had in San Francisco. I came here based on the Google rating, and it was genuinely delicious and generous. In a city like San Francisco with so many food options, coming here is a must!
Pho has become so expensive lately, so I don't go often, but here, the value for money is good considering San Francisco's prices. I also recommend the Mango Lassi~ I only tried the beef and chicken, but I might come back just to try the lamb. The owner is very cheerful and friendly lol.
Also, the kitchen and interior are clean ~~ Everyone should come. Oh, they recently reopened, so I took a picture of the entrance.
- food10
- portion9
- value for money8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Delicious Food, Great Service & Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely delicious! The food was flavorful, and the staff was incredibly helpful and human. I've followed them from their previous location at the mall to this full establishment, which even boasts a covered patio.
They offer great options for vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike. With good portions and fantastic flavors at a reasonable price, it's hard to ask for more.
- food10
- staff10
- patio8
What Mashaallah offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food Restaurant?
At Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food Restaurant, you can enjoy a variety of dining experiences, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, with comfortable seating or counter service. They also offer convenient catering, takeout, and delivery services, ensuring you can savor their delicious Pakistani cuisine wherever you are.
Does Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food Restaurant offer accessibility features and convenient parking?
Yes, Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food Restaurant is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. For your convenience, parking options include a paid parking lot, free street parking, and paid street parking, making your visit hassle-free in West SoMa.
How does Mashaallah generally perform?
Mashaallah achieves a strong overall score of 8.2. Its Service (8.6) and Food (8.4) are particularly well-regarded, while Ambience (7.1) is good, and Value (6.5) is considered average.
What do customers appreciate most about Mashaallah's food?
Customers frequently praise the food for being “delicious and spicy,” with “tender lamb/chicken” and “flavorful” dishes like biryani and lamb korma often highlighted as standout items.
Are there any common concerns regarding Mashaallah's dining experience?
Some patrons note the “food court” setting and “dead shopping mall” location as a drawback, and there are occasional mentions of “inconsistent value” or specific issues like “sticky and cold rice”.