Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Once Upon a Dosa – San Francisco
Once Upon a Dosa - San Francisco
Photo from Once Upon a Dosa
Once Upon a Dosa at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 86 of the guests
#971 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#116 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
487
Reviews
77.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
Overview: Introducting Once Upon a Dosa
Good
7.7
out of 10
487
Reviews
77.4%
Satisfaction
87
negative
23
neutral
377
positive
What people like
What people don't like
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Restaurant
9.4
out of 10
out of 10
283
98.6%
- $$
- Lower Nob Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.4
out of 10
out of 10
307
100%
- $$
- Saint Francis Wood
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.3
out of 10
out of 10
97
99%
- $$
- Telegraph Hill
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.3
out of 10
out of 10
182
96.2%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.3
out of 10
out of 10
249
98.4%
- $$
- Cow Hollow
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Restaurant
9.3
out of 10
out of 10
533
98.1%
- $$
- Marina District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Once Upon a Dosa
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre in for a treat! With a good score of 8 and a good customer satisfaction rating of 81.1%, its clear that diners are largely impressed. Based on 261 positive remarks out of 322 total feedback, many rave about the crispy, delicious dosas and authentic South Indian flavors.
The fresh, high-quality ingredients and tasty creations also frequently earn high praise. However, not every bite is perfect, as noted in 44 negative comments. Some guests found the sambhar or chutneys to be inconsistent or cold, while others felt portion sizes could be more generous.
Specific items like the Chai tea or samosas sometimes missed the mark, with a few remarks about certain dishes lacking flavor or salt.
Food
322
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
44
negative
17
neutral
261
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Crispy, delicious dosas
- Authentic South Indian
- Fresh, high-quality food
What people don't like
- Inconsistent sambhar/chutneys
- Small portion sizes
- Some items lack flavor
Often praised
- foodTheir friendly and attentive service added a personal touch that made the meal even more enjoyable. The food was nothing short of exceptional. Every dish we ordered was incredibly fresh and bursting with authentic South Indian flavors.
- dosasThe front staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive, making the experience feel great from the start. On top of that, the dosas tasted authentic, and the accompanying sambar and chutneys were packed with flavor. A very enjoyable meal in a casual setting.
- dosaOrdered a dosa and idli portion and both were delicious and authentic.
- masala dosaI enjoyed a nice crispy dosa which was prepared quickly. I had a masala dosa which was tasty, and I'm looking forward to trying the dosa with paneer next time.
- South Indian foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found the best South Indian food in all of San Francisco, hands down. I could eat their podi idli every single day; it's too, too good.
- FoodFood is fresh and tasty
- sambarEvery dish we ordered was incredibly fresh and bursting with authentic South Indian flavors. The dosas were perfectly crispy, the chutneys were vibrant and flavorful, and the sambar had just the right balance of spices. It's clear that a lot of care and attention goes into preparing each dish.
- Indian foodIn my 11 years away from India, this was the first time I had the best Indian food. It's a must-visit!
- Masala DosaVada and Masala Dosa, and both were excellent.
- chutneysEvery dish we ordered was incredibly fresh and bursting with authentic South Indian flavors. The dosas were perfectly crispy, the chutneys were vibrant and flavorful, and the sambar had just the right balance of spices. It's clear that a lot of care and attention goes into preparing each dish.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe two staff members in the kitchen seemed completely absorbed and ignored us initially. After we finally placed our order, the food arrived after 15 minutes, but it was cold and flavorless. The staff showed no interest in hospitality, not even offering water.
- sambarThe Medhu vada and idli were great, and the chutney was good too. However, the ghee idli wasn’t that great, and the sambar could have been better. The service was quick, and the place was clean with a nice view and location.
- DosaDosa: Wasn't crispy and didn't have enough filling.
- SambharSambhar can be made more delicious
- chutneythe chutney was pretty cold and not spicy
- chutneysGotta ramp up on the chutneys
- food tasteit failed in food taste
- masala dosamasala dosa but it was taste less due to less salt & spices
- ChaiThey had no Chai
- Chai teaThe Chai tea was not good. It had a strange taste
If you're craving authentic South Indian cuisine, especially delicious and crispy dosas, this place is definitely worth a try. While some side accompaniments or specific drinks might be a hit or miss, the overall food quality and variety are highly regarded. Just manage your expectations for portion sizes on certain items.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 74% of the guests
When it comes to service, it's a bit of a mixed bag, though leaning positive with a 6.9 score and 69.1% customer satisfaction. Out of 110 comments, 76 highlighted the positives, praising the friendly and warm staff, quick service, and even excellent packaging for delivery. However, 33 negative comments reveal some bumps in the road, with concerns about long waiting times, rude staff, and communication issues.
Some experiences even mentioned problems with order delivery and overall customer service.
Service
110
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
33
negative
1
neutral
76
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick, fast service
- Excellent delivery packaging
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude, unhelpful staff
- Poor delivery service
Often praised
- serviceCompared to other places in the Bay Area, the idli and dosa here were exceptional – the idlis were super soft and the dosa was amazingly fresh. The staff were really hospitable, the place was clean, and the service was quick. I was hoping to try their vada as well, perhaps with a combo meal.
- staffThe drinks were light and refreshing. The service was excellent, with friendly, attentive, and genuinely helpful staff who made us feel welcome. The place was spotless, adding to the overall comfort.
- ServiceThe sambhar and coconut chutney were authentic, earning a 4 out of 5 rating. Service was quicker than expected, likely due to fewer customers. Overall, it's a great place to satisfy your dosa craving at a reasonable price for the SF area.
- StaffStaff is so nice and respectful
- JohnJohn who manages the place and is super friendly
- awesome serviceawesome service
- catering service100% recommend once upon a dosa for catering service
- cookThe cook was very polite, easy going
- coordinate everythingThe dinner was brought in with great packaging, using high-quality ingredients, and it arrived on time. I was initially impressed when I called Rukmani only two days before the event and am still in awe at how she managed to coordinate everything so quickly. I don't usually post reviews, but I'm personally very happy with these people and would heartily suggest them for absolutely delicious South Indian vegetarian items!
- correct recommendationsgave the correct recommendations for my mood
Frequently criticized
- staffThe 2 guys didn’t offer water or take any interest in being hospitable
- serviceservice was also rated a 2
- communicationDespite mentioning the call, they refused to seat us. Clear communication would have saved us the hassle—very disappointing, especially with kids in tow.
- waiting timevery slow. Avg order took 30 mins to make
- angry staresThey were observed throwing cutlery at family members when asked. Specifically, one skinny staff member should not be in the service industry, as they were giving angry stares to everyone, suggesting they were unprepared for customers. We visited with family on September 7th at 4: 00 PM.
- cancel the orderUnfortunately, both times, the order wasn't delivered in a timely manner. After waiting for an hour, we had to cancel the order.
- customer experienceprovide a subpar customer experience
- customer servicecustomer service was 0
- kitcheninformed us that the kitchen was closed
- managementWhere is management?
If youre looking for generally quick and friendly service, youll likely be pleased. Just be aware that some guests have experienced longer wait times or communication hiccups, especially with delivery.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.7 score, indicating a good experience, and a solid 77.8% customer satisfaction. Out of 45 opinions, a whopping 35 rave about the vibe, atmosphere, cleanliness, and setting. Guests frequently mention the superb vibe, nice and modern setting, and how spotless the place is, making for a truly welcoming and enjoyable meal.
However, its not all sunshine and roses, with 6 opinions pointing out a few snags. Some found the atmosphere uncomfortably cold due to an always open door, which definitely impacts the dining experience. A few also noted that the ambience was simply not great or that parking' could be tricky, despite others finding plenty.
Ambience
45
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
6
negative
4
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean and welcoming
- Great atmosphere
- Plenty of parking
What people don't like
- Restaurant was cold
- Tricky street parking
- Ambience not great
Often praised
- atmosphereWe had the chicken dosa, egg dosa, and the OG roast. The food was a perfect 5/5, service was a perfect 5/5, and the atmosphere was a perfect 5/5. Highly recommend for vegetarians with a large vegetarian selection.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambienceambience is casual and welcoming
- placeCompared to other places in the Bay Area, the idli and dosa here were exceptional – the idlis were super soft and the dosa was amazingly fresh. The staff were really hospitable, the place was clean, and the service was quick. I was hoping to try their vada as well, perhaps with a combo meal.
- vibeGreat vibe to the place
- Free parking lotParking options:Free parking lot
- INDIAN GEMhidden INDIAN GEM
- Plenty of parkingParking space:Plenty of parking
- awesome placeAwesome place
- casual settingenjoyable meal in a casual setting
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereatmosphere received a 2
- ambienceambience is not great
- doordue to the always open door
- parkingThe service was quick, and the place was clean with a nice view and location. It’s in a busy area, so there’s no parking lot; we had to park on the street, which was a bit tricky. Overall, everything was good except for the sambar and ghee idli.
- restaurantrestaurant was uncomfortably cold
Overall, if you're looking for a clean, welcoming place with a good vibe, this restaurant is a strong contender. Just be aware that a few guests have experienced issues with the temperature or tricky street parking, which might affect your comfort.
Value (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners found the pricing to be quite fair. Among 10 comments, 5 positive remarks noted it wasnt too costly or very expensive, with some even highlighting prices were on the lower side or well priced. This contributes to an average score of 5.8, though customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 50%.
However, not everyone agreed, as 4 negative opinions pointed to concerns about the cost. Some felt it was a fairly expensive meal, while others found certain items to be ridiculously priced. The term overpriced also popped up, suggesting that for some, the value didnt quite align with the experience.
Value
10
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Well priced food
- Reasonable cost
What people don't like
- Fairly expensive meal
- Some items overpriced
Often praised
- costlyIt wasn't too costly as well.
- expensiveIt wasn't very expensive either
- priceMy experience at this self-serve restaurant was fantastic! The food taste is amazing and it's well priced, not super charged like other places. The atmosphere was also a highlight, rated a 5, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk.
- pricesTheir prices are on the lower-side compared to most other restaurants
- reasonable priceat a reasonable price for the SF area.
Frequently criticized
- expensive mealThe food was tasty and offered an interesting twist on dosa. However, the portion size was disappointingly small, especially considering the fairly expensive meal. I also encountered an issue with service; I asked for utensils but did not receive any.
- full service menu costfull service menu cost
- overpricedThis place is a bit overpriced
- price14 dollars for a dosa of this quality is ridiculous
Value here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. If youre looking for something thats generally well-priced and not overly expensive, you might be pleasantly surprised. However, be mindful that some dishes could feel a bit overpriced for what you get, so choose wisely.
How are the prices at Once Upon a Dosa?
On average, you’ll spend around 25 per person – from 86 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Restaurant, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Interestingly, while the average is 25, a good number of diners actually spend less, with a strong cluster of prices in the $11–$20 range. This means there’s a nice mix of options, from more budget-friendly to slightly higher-end experiences.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 86 most recent reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a mid-range Restaurant, we feel the pricing is quite fair. It seems to offer good value, especially with options available for various spending levels.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Once Upon a Dosa
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
5
Flavorless Food, Great Service
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the service was exceptional, with a perfect score of 5, the food was quite disappointing. I ordered the masala dosa, but it lacked salt and spices, making it taste rather bland.
It seems like they forgot the spices altogether. I would recommend this place to friends who don't enjoy spicy food 🌶️ 😆.
- service10
- masala dosa3
- salt & spices2
- food3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Authentic South Indian Dosa!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially for someone like me who is South Indian. I was thrilled to find dosa that tastes exactly like home. The food was incredibly authentic and delicious, with every bite packed with flavor.
The staff was very welcoming and pleasant. I highly recommend this place for South Indian food.
- dosa10
- food10
- flavor10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Authentic Dosas and Genuine Service!
My friends and I had lunch here, and the food truly shines! The dosas were authentically delicious, and the sambar and chutneys were full of flavor. Beyond the great meal, this is a place with genuine service; the food was served fast & we were very well taken care of 😊.
- food10
- dosas10
- sambar and chutneys9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Authentic South Indian Delights
My experience at this restaurant was a solid choice for South Indian food. The front staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive, making the experience feel great from the start. On top of that, the dosas tasted authentic, and the accompanying sambar and chutneys were packed with flavor.
A very enjoyable meal in a casual setting.
- front staff10
- dosas9
- sambar and chutneys9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
9
Excellent South Indian Food Boost!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I tried the takeout masala dosas, which were excellent. I also noted their innovative and tasty looking waffle bowls.
This spot is a badly needed boost to SF's lack of good South Indian food.
- masala dosas9
- waffle bowls8
- South Indian food9
What Once Upon a Dosa offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Kids' menu
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Catering
Service Options
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual