Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Pagan – San Francisco
Pagan - San Francisco
Photo from Pagan
Pagan at a glance
San Francisco Outer Richmond
- 🍜 Burmese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 44 of the guests
#511 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#3 Burmese Restaurant out of 8 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
346
Reviews
84.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Friendly service
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent quality
- Long waits
- Strong smells
The Burmese restaurant Pagan in San Francisco’s Outer Richmond neighborhood invites you to discover a culinary journey. You’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying authentic flavors.
This spot is known for its great tea selection, offering a delightful complement to your meal. Whether you’re seeking healthy options, vegan choices, or just a quick bite, Pagan provides a welcoming experience for dinner or lunch with table service.
Overview: Introducting Pagan
Pagan offers a culinary experience where the food truly shines, with many praising its authentic flavors and diverse menu. Guests frequently highlight the tea leaf salad and various curries as particularly satisfying.
The service also generally receives positive remarks for its attentiveness. However, some diners have noted inconsistencies in certain dishes and occasional issues with the overall ambience, such as strong cleaning smells.
While the staff is often commended, there are isolated reports of less positive interactions, suggesting some variability in the experience.
Excellent
8.1
out of 10
346
Reviews
84.4%
Satisfaction
34
negative
20
neutral
292
positive
Pagan generally earns a solid reputation, reflected in its overall score of 8.1. Customer satisfaction stands at a commendable 84.4%, indicating that most diners leave pleased with their experience.
This positive sentiment is built upon a substantial base of feedback, with 292 positive remarks outweighing 34 negative ones across 346 total opinions. The culinary offerings are a clear highlight, with Food scoring an impressive (8.6).
Service also performs well at (7.5), often described as friendly and efficient. The Ambience receives a good (7), contributing positively to the dining experience.
While Value at (6.7) is considered good, it’s an area where some customers have expressed minor reservations.
What people like
- Delicious, authentic food
- Attentive, friendly service
- Reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Occasional long waits
- Unpleasant cleaning smells
Pagan presents a compelling culinary offering, and with a recommendation score of 8.4, it’s certainly worth considering. The strengths in its cuisine and generally pleasant service often create a satisfying dining experience for many patrons.
If you prioritize flavorful, authentic dishes and a welcoming atmosphere, Pagan could be a good choice. Be mindful that some experiences mention occasional inconsistencies in food preparation or service wait times, but overall, it delivers a positive meal.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Pagan
Food (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre in for a treat! With an impressive 8.6 score and an excellent 90.1% customer satisfaction, diners consistently rave about the deliciousness. Out of 233 comments, 210 were glowing, highlighting the incredible depth of flavor in their Burmese and Thai dishes, the vegetarian friendly options, and the GIANT portions that leave you happily full.
However, a small handful of the 233 comments (just 11, to be exact) pointed out a few areas for improvement. Some mentioned inconsistent recipes and dishes that were occasionally undercooked or had dry meat. A couple of isolated instances even noted a microwaved dish, ' suggesting that while generally fantastic, there might be rare off-days.
Food
233
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
11
negative
12
neutral
210
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Depth of flavor
- Authentic dishes
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent quality
- Dry/old meat
- Microwaved dishes
Often praised
- foodThe service was fast and great, especially impressive since there was only one person waiting tables. I never had to wait for a water refill, and the food came out quickly. The tea leaf salad was delicious, and the crab Pad Thai was divine!
- tea leaf saladThe tea leaf salad was amazing, in terms of umami depth of flavor
- Burmese foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be the best Burmese food in San Francisco. I highly recommend trying all the soups and the flatbread curry appetizer – they were yummy!
- chicken satayI got the chicken satay — it comes with a side sauce
- mango saladThe lamb was cooked perfectly. I definitely, definitely recommend getting the mango salad. It was a 10/10 experience.
- Burmese and Thai foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed amazing authentic Burmese and Thai food. The catfish curry was a definite highlight, and the chicken satay was delicious.
- Burmese menutry more of the Burmese menu next time
- Chicken KebatOh god, I’m out of vocabulary to describe how incredibly satisfying it was
- Pad ThaiEveryone likes Pad Thai
- Pumpkin Currythe Pumpkin Curry with Scallops or Shrimp is exceptional
Frequently criticized
- Spicy Basil with Crispy PorkSpicy Basil with Crispy Pork...that was a bit *too* crispy.
- beefbeef also tasted old and tough
- chaiChai was watery and had the flavor of those instant mix packets
- chickenChicken tasted very old and was grey
- eggplant tofueggplant tofu was undercooked
- fried dishA little bit on the greasy side, however
- garlic noodlesThe garlic noodles were not as good
- meatThe food was delicious; I ordered the beef kebab (more like stir fry), pumpkin pork stew, garlic noodles, and coconut rice. The garlic noodles were good, but the meat was dry. However, the beef dish had a subtle mint flavor and was mildly spicy, with very flavorful beef.
- microwaved dishMy friend's dish was microwaved, hot on top and cold in the middle
- recipesHowever, I'm not sure if there's a new chef, rotating cooks, or if the recipes have been reworked, but lately, it has been hit or miss for me. The recipes are inconsistent and sometimes not as tasty as they used to be. For example, the pineapple fried rice used to have more of a distinct golden color, and in the past few months, sometimes it has had the color, sometimes it hasn't.
Overall, the food here is a definite winner, offering a fantastic culinary journey through Burmese and Thai flavors. While a tiny fraction of experiences mention minor inconsistencies, the overwhelming sentiment is one of deliciousness and satisfaction. You should absolutely give it a try for a flavorful meal!
Service (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.5 and a customer satisfaction rate of 76.8%, its clear that most diners have a good experience. Out of 56 customer remarks, a whopping 43 were positive, often praising the attentive service, friendly staff, and quick food delivery.
Many appreciated the polite interactions and knowledgeable servers, making for a welcoming visit. However, its not all smooth sailing. The 11 negative comments point to some areas needing attention.
Some guests reported frustrating long waits and questionable service, with issues like order accuracy and forgotten water refills popping up. A few even mentioned concerns about management and uncleared tables, suggesting inconsistencies in the overall waiting experience.
Service
56
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
11
negative
2
neutral
43
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Quick food delivery
- Welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Order accuracy issues
- Water refill neglect
Often praised
- serviceThis practice, while becoming more common for survival, pushes the cost of a typical entree like cashew chicken with rice to about $20+. Despite this pricing aspect, if price is not an issue, the food and service are great.
- staffThe staff was super friendly
- ServiceService:Dine in
- Knowledgeable serverKnowledgeable sever told us a lot about the Burmese dishes.
- attentive serviceloved the attentive service
- briskly affable serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the great food and the briskly affable service. The prices were reasonable, and there was no wait.
- customer serviceThe customer service is great
- felt rushedNever felt rushed.
- food and serviceprefers food and service over profits
- food arrived quicklyMy food arrived quickly
Frequently criticized
- behaviorVery disgusting and dishonest behavior
- customer servicethey yelled and hung up rudely
- long waitslong waits and questionable service
- managementMy experience at the restaurant was marked by bad management. I had to wait for 25 minutes, and it was frustrating to see that customers who finished eating weren’t even cleared.
- order accuracythe order was not what we asked for
- overall waitingEveryone was waiting here
- questionable servicelong waits and questionable service
- table clearingCustomers who finished eating weren’t even cleared
- tipadded a 20% tip on my to go order
- waiting timeWaited for 25 minutes
Overall, the service here leans heavily towards the positive, making it a good bet for a pleasant dining experience. While there are occasional hiccups with wait times or minor order issues, the friendly and attentive staff generally ensure a smooth visit. If youre looking for good service, its definitely worth checking out, just be mindful of potential busy periods.
Ambience (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
The ambience at this spot generally makes a good impression, scoring a solid 7. Many guests rave about the authentic, family-run establishment feel and its fantastic location, especially for museum-goers. With 25 positive remarks out of 37 total, diners frequently highlight the cozy vibe, endearing decoration, and overall welcoming atmosphere.
However, customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 67.6%, indicating some areas for improvement. 8 negative comments point to concerns like a strong smell of cleaning solution, dirty glassware, and occasionally cramped booths. While the overall atmosphere is often praised, these specific details can sometimes detract from the experience.
Ambience
37
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
8
negative
4
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic family vibe
- Great neighborhood location
- Cozy, welcoming decor
What people don't like
- Strong cleaning smell
- Dirty surfaces
- Cramped seating
Often praised
- atmosphereI highly recommend the stuffed appetizer, especially if you are a tofu fan – it was great! The atmosphere was also enjoyable, rated at a 4 out of 5.
- vibeThe vibe is chill but still has a cool, cozy feel.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- aesthetic insideLove the simple but beautiful aesthetic inside
- authentic atmospherean authentic atmosphere
- decornice deco
- endearing decorationendearingly decorated
- experienceIt was a beautiful and delicious meal. The portions are huge, the prices reasonable, and the overall experience perfect. Despite its small size, the restaurant is clearly popular with a lot of business.
- family-run establishmentNice family-run establishment
- friendly placereally friendly place that is very welcoming
Frequently criticized
- ACThe food was great and the price was definitely good for the area. My only complaint was that the AC was off, as I visited on a quite warm day.
- Pine Sol smellentire dining room absolutely reeked of Pine Sol
- cramped boothWhile the soups and Burmese entrees were good pre-pandemic, my recent visit three months ago was disappointing. Upon arriving five minutes after opening, we were asked to sit in a specific cramped booth. Shortly after, we noticed the entire dining room reeked of Pine Sol, a pungent and overwhelming smell.
- glasswareGlassware was dirty
- restaurant cleanlinessThe restaurant is dirty and smelly
- smellSmell was a little strong walking in
- smell of cleaning solutionThe smell of cleaning solution was a little strong
- surfacesAll the surfaces are sticky and dusty
If youre looking for a restaurant with a genuine, local feel and a convenient location, youll likely appreciate the atmosphere here. Just be prepared that some minor cleanliness issues or strong cleaning smells might occasionally arise, so keep that in mind.
Value (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, with a 70% customer satisfaction rating indicating a good experience for many. Out of 20 comments, 14 folks found the pricing quite agreeable, often mentioning price, affordable place, and reasonable prices. Many appreciate the generous portions and delicious food, feeling its definitely worth the cost, especially for the area.
However, the overall score of 6.7 suggests theres still some room for improvement, landing it in the average range. A few of the 4 negative remarks point to issues like charge dispute and the price feeling too high. Some customers were particularly put off by being charged separately for rice, which they felt pushed the total cost of an entree too high for the quality received.
Value
20
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Generous portions
- Affordable food
What people don't like
- Separate rice charge
- Pricey for quality
- Charge disputes
Often praised
- priceThis was a great lunch stop for my museum visit. The food was great and the price was definitely good for the area. My only complaint was that the AC was off, as I visited on a quite warm day.
- pricesIt was a beautiful and delicious meal. The portions are huge, the prices reasonable, and the overall experience perfect. Despite its small size, the restaurant is clearly popular with a lot of business.
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- affordable foodtasty and affordable food
- affordable placea great and affordable place
- reasonable pricesreasonable prices
Frequently criticized
- priceThe chai was watery and had the flavor of instant mix packets. The service was good, but the overall experience was very pricey for the low-quality food.
- charge disputedispute the charge with your bank
- riceThe garlic noodles with pork and cashew chicken were wonderfully cooked. However, I was not thrilled that they charge for rice separately from the entrees. This practice, while becoming more common for survival, pushes the cost of a typical entree like cashew chicken with rice to about $20+.
If youre looking for a place where your money generally goes far, especially for generous portions of tasty food, this spot is often a good bet. Just be aware that some find the pricing a bit steep, particularly when extras like rice are charged separately, which might make you think twice if youre on a tight budget.
How are the prices at Pagan?
You’re looking at roughly 27 per person – reported by 44 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Burmese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners are indeed finding their sweet spot in the 11 – 30 $ range, with a good chunk right around that $21–$30 mark. There are a few who splurge a bit more, but the core experience seems to be right in that comfortable middle.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 44 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Burmese spot in San Francisco. It offers a good balance without breaking the bank for most diners.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Pagan
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
A Neighborhood Gem with Flavorful Surprises
This restaurant is a true neighborhood gem! I was impressed by their dual menus, offering both Burmese and Thai cuisine. From the Burmese menu, the pumpkin stew with shrimp was a standout, perfectly spiced and balanced.
The biryani rice served as a side was absolutely revelatory – one of the best rice dishes I've ever had. The service was exceptionally kind and efficient, and I truly loved the homey atmosphere of the restaurant. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!
- pumpkin stew with shrimp9
- biryani rice10
- service10
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
1
Dishonest tip and dirty restaurant
My experience at this restaurant was very disappointing. They added a 20% tip to my to-go order, on top of the cash tip I had already given. This felt like very disgusting and dishonest behavior.
Furthermore, the restaurant itself was dirty and smelly, with all surfaces feeling sticky and dusty. It's a shame when small businesses resort to such practices, forcing customers to dispute charges with their bank.
- tip1
- behavior1
- restaurant cleanliness1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Best Burmese Food in SF!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be the best Burmese food in San Francisco. I highly recommend trying all the soups and the flatbread curry appetizer – they were yummy!
The service was friendly, and the atmosphere was quiet, contributing to a very pleasant dining experience.
- Burmese food10
- soups9
- flatbread curry appetizer9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Yummy Food, Great Family Spot
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was yummy, and it's a nice family-run establishment. I'll definitely be back for sure.
It's a great place to eat, especially after visiting the art at the Legion of Honor.
- food10
- family-run establishment8
- place to eat8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Absolutely Blown Away by Flavors!
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely incredible! I was completely blown away by the unique flavor profile of the food. I started with the chicken satay, which was served with a delicious side sauce, peanuts, and cucumbers that perfectly complemented the dish.
For my entrée, I had the Chicken Kebat, and I'm struggling to find words to describe how incredibly satisfying it was. The reviewer even offered to Venmo the price back if I didn't like it, emphasizing how good it is! I also enjoyed the coconut rice, which truly made the dish come alive.
This was one of the best dinners I've ever had in SF.
- unique flavor profile10
- chicken satay9
- Chicken Kebat10
What Pagan offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dietary options and offerings can you expect at Pagan Restaurant?
Pagan Restaurant offers a diverse menu with healthy options, vegan options, and vegetarian options to suit various preferences. You can also enjoy small plates, wine, coffee, and beer, making it ideal for a quick bite or a complete dining experience.
What service options, parking, and accessibility features does Pagan Restaurant provide?
Pagan Restaurant offers dine-in, takeout, and delivery services. You’ll find convenient free street parking and a free parking lot. The establishment is wheelchair accessible, with both an accessible entrance and seating, ensuring a comfortable experience for all.
How does Pagan generally perform according to customer feedback?
Pagan holds a good overall score of **8.1**, with customers particularly appreciating the **Food** (8.6) and **Service** (7.5). **Ambience** (7) and **Value** (6.7) also contribute positively to the experience.
What are some standout dishes at Pagan?
Many customers praise the **tea leaf salad** for its depth of flavor and the **mango salad** as a 10/10 experience. The **Pumpkin Curry** with scallops or shrimp is also frequently highlighted as exceptional.
Are there any common issues customers have experienced at Pagan?
Some diners have noted **inconsistent recipes** or food quality, with occasional reports of dishes like beef tasting old. There have also been mentions of **long waits** for service and strong **cleaning smells** impacting the dining atmosphere.