Highlights
- Great dessert
oChef » Souvla – San Francisco
Souvla - San Francisco
Photo from Souvla
Souvla at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🫒 Greek Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 81 of the guests
#1374 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#5 Greek Restaurant out of 10 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
399
Reviews
70.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh flavors
- Quick service
Frequently criticized
- Price concerns
- Service model
The restaurant Souvla in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District offers you an authentic Greek dining experience. You’ll discover a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner.
Known for its great dessert, this Greek restaurant provides healthy options alongside delicious traditional flavors. Whether you’re looking for vegetarian choices or halal food, you’ll find something to satisfy your cravings here.
Overview: Introducting Souvla
Souvla offers a generally pleasant dining experience, often highlighted by its fresh and flavorful food. Many appreciate the efficient and friendly service, which contributes to a welcoming atmosphere.
However, some guests have noted concerns regarding the overall value for money. While the ambiance is often described as appealing with its cool decor, the service model, particularly around counter interactions, has drawn some criticism.
Despite these points, Souvla manages to deliver a satisfying meal for many patrons.
Good
7.3
out of 10
399
Reviews
70.7%
Satisfaction
82
negative
35
neutral
282
positive
Souvla achieves a respectable overall score of 7.3, indicating a good performance, and boasts a Customer Satisfaction of 70.7%, which is also considered good. This positive sentiment is drawn from a substantial 399 customer opinions, with 282 positive remarks outweighing 82 negative ones.
The restaurant’s strongest asset is its Food, scoring an impressive (7.5), frequently praised for its quality and taste. Both Service (7.2) and Ambience (7.2) also perform well, contributing significantly to the positive experience.
However, Value (4.9) stands out as an area needing attention, falling into the average range.
What people like
- Fresh, flavorful food
- Friendly, quick service
- Pleasant ambiance
What people don't like
- Value for money
- Service model issues
- Crowded dining space
Souvla presents itself as a solid choice for those seeking quality Greek-inspired dishes in a lively setting. With a strong Recommendation Score of 7.7, it’s clear that many diners leave satisfied, particularly with the food and overall atmosphere.
If you prioritize fresh ingredients and efficient service over strict budget considerations, Souvla is certainly worth a visit. However, be mindful of the counter-service style and potential for a bustling environment, which might not suit everyone’s preference.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Souvla
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
The food here generally hits the mark, boasting a solid score of 7.5 and a commendable customer satisfaction rate of 74.1%, indicating a good dining experience overall. Many rave about the fresh salads, delicious frozen Greek yogurt, and flavorful lamb, with 203 positive remarks out of 274 total comments, highlighting items like the Greek fries and baklava greek yogurt. However, not every dish is a winner, as 49 negative opinions point to occasional issues.
Some diners found the meat to be dry or tough, while others mentioned bland chicken and a limited menu. While the fries are often praised, some felt the overall quality could be inconsistent, with a few noting a lack of Greek taste in certain items.
Food
274
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
49
negative
22
neutral
203
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, flavorful salads
- Delicious frozen yogurt
- Tender lamb, great fries
What people don't like
- Dry, tough meat
- Limited menu options
- Bland chicken
Often praised
- foodMy wife and I have been regularly eating here for about 10 years. We absolutely love it and it's our "go-to" spot whenever we don’t want to cook and want something consistently satisfying. We also enjoy treating ourselves to their yogurt with baklava.
- frozen yogurtLove their frozen yogurt, not too sweet, has the original notes of sour yogurt, and has a slight bite.
- saladsThe salads here are always so fresh and flavorful.
- frozen Greek yogurtfrozen Greek yogurt with olive oil and salt! The sweet and salt tanginess is perfect
- lambthe chicken and lamb were well cooked
- saladthis place won our hearts and stomachs. Perfectly balanced flavors
- FoodFood:5
- chicken saladhighly recommend the chicken salad
- flavorsThe flavors were more complex
- food qualityMy experience at this restaurant was marked by high food quality, which was a definite highlight. However, the place was too crowded, likely a consequence of its popularity.
Frequently criticized
- meatI tried the pork souvlaki pita and juicy potatoes. The pork souvlaki was alright; to be honest, I wished the meat was more flavorful and it was a touch dry, needing more tzatziki in the pita. However, the juicy potatoes were delicious, packed with flavor and perfectly seasoned.
- pitaThe pita was not grilled or heated at all
- chickenThe chicken was overcooked and tasteless.
- food qualityThe lamb meat was also tough and chewy. I'm shocked by the high ratings, as the overall experience was lackluster and the poor quality did not justify the high cost.
- friesthey stiffed me my fries
- saladCan we normalize paying staff at counter service places a living wage? I'm done with iPads asking us to subsidize wages when I spent $20 on a salad that I had to walk up to order.
- Greek tasteattempt at fusion without any Greek taste
- baklavabaklava is too sweet for my like
- bits of meatTough overcooked little bits of meat
- bland chickenoffset the bland chicken, but nope
If you're craving fresh, flavorful Greek salads, tender lamb, or a delightful frozen Greek yogurt, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some experiences mention dry meat or a less diverse menu, so stick to their well-loved specialties for the best meal.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
The service here generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 7.2. Many guests rave about the friendly service and quick service, often highlighting the helpful staff and efficient delivery or online order experience. Based on 38 positive remarks out of 55 total, it seems the team often goes above and beyond, even providing thoughtful touches like water jugs and a pour your own water station.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 69.1%, indicating some areas for improvement. A few of the 14 negative comments point to issues with the service model, particularly the use of iPads for tipping at the counter. There were also instances of staff ignoring customers, forgotten dishes, and a lack of response when trying to get a hold of anyone for issues.
Service
55
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
14
negative
3
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Quick service
- Efficient delivery
What people don't like
- Inconsistent counter service
- Poor issue resolution
- Tipping pressure
Often praised
- serviceThe service was very friendly and fast
- staffstaff were very friendly and welcoming
- ServiceService:5
- order at the counterThis is a order at the counter style service
- quick serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed an excellent elevated salad, and the quick service was a definite plus. It was great to have water jugs for the table, and the overall great service made for a perfect meal.
- deliveryThe Avgo soup and baklava loaded frozen yogurt were bomb and worth the price. The online order experience was quick, and the delivery was prompt.
- delivery processThe delivery process was quick and efficient.
- friendly servicefriendly service
- great serviceI enjoyed an excellent elevated salad, and the quick service was a definite plus. It was great to have water jugs for the table, and the overall great service made for a perfect meal. The outdoor seating was also ideal.
- happy and helpful staffallowing for happy and helpful staff!
Frequently criticized
- servicechecking on every single other person in the restaurant before coming to the window in the slowest way possible
- counter serviceprompted for a 20% tip for counter service didn’t sit right
- forgot a dishThey forgot a dish but I didn’t realize
- get a hold of anyoneThey forgot a dish, but I didn’t realize until I had left the store. There’s no way to get a hold of anyone – they don’t return phone calls. They just keep your money.
- iPadsI’m so done with iPads that ask us to subsidize their wages
- order pick-upHad to do an order pick-up
- phone ordersWish you could take phone orders.
- return phone callsThey forgot a dish, but I didn’t realize until I had left the store. There’s no way to get a hold of anyone – they don’t return phone calls. They just keep your money.
- service modelHowever, I have concerns regarding the service model. Can we normalize paying staff at counter service places a living wage? I'm done with iPads asking us to subsidize wages when I spent $20 on a salad that I had to walk up to order.
- staff memberThe staff member saw me and took extreme care in ignoring me
If youre looking for generally friendly and quick service, especially for online orders or delivery, this place is often a good bet. However, be aware that the counter service experience can be a bit inconsistent, with some guests encountering issues like forgotten items or communication difficulties. Its worth trying if you prioritize speed and a generally pleasant interaction, but manage expectations for potential hiccups.
Ambience (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.2, the ambience is rated as good, and customer satisfaction sits at a respectable 69.4%, which is a mixed bag but leans positively. Many of the 34 positive comments rave about the atmosphere, outdoor seating, and decor, often highlighting the cleanliness and charming setting that makes you want to linger.
Think beautiful restaurants with high ceilings and a welcoming feel. However, its not all sunshine and roses, as 8 negative comments point out some areas for improvement. Concerns often revolve around seating limitations, with some finding the space too crowded.
A few folks also mentioned issues like cigarette smell and music being a bit too loud, which can definitely impact the overall experience if youre sensitive to those things.
Ambience
49
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
8
negative
7
neutral
34
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Charming atmosphere
- Great outdoor seating
- Clean, beautiful decor
What people don't like
- Limited seating
- Can be crowded
- Loud music
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was also top-notch
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambiencereally appreciate the ambience
- Valencia StreetValencia Street, 集藝術文藝、復古、嬉皮、古著、家居、香薰
- ambianceGreat ambiance
- beautiful restaurantin a beautiful restaurant
- candles at each tableCandles at each table are a nice touch
- cleanlinessClean and pleasant
- decornoticed how it had cool decor and an interesting design
- high ceilingswith high ceilings
Frequently criticized
- cigarette smellvery strong with of cigarette smell
- crowdedMy experience at this restaurant was marked by high food quality, which was a definite highlight. However, the place was too crowded, likely a consequence of its popularity. They absolutely need to expand the space to accommodate more guests comfortably.
- decordecorated in an unattractive way
- limited seating areaLimited seating area
- musicMusic is kind of loud
- seatingNot a lot of seating
- second hand smokeinhaling that second hand smoke especially while they're trying to enjoy their food
- spaceneed to expand it
If you're looking for a place with a generally good atmosphere and charming decor, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that it can get a bit crowded, and some minor issues like noise or limited seating might pop up, so pick your timing wisely!
Value (4.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
When it comes to value, some customers find the price to be quite reasonable, often mentioning a good price value and feeling it's the right price for what you get. Many appreciate that delicious items like soup and frozen yogurt are considered worth the cost, and even small additions like Greek-style fries are seen as a no-brainer, making the overall experience feel like a good deal. However, the sentiment shifts dramatically for others, with a significant number of concerns about things being pricey or really expensive.
Many feel they are charged extra for various items or that the food costs way too much for the quality, leading to a poor customer satisfaction of just 33.3%. This mixed bag of opinions results in an average score of 4.9 out of 10, based on 21 customer remarks.
Value
21
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
11
negative
3
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good price value
- Worth the cost
- Right price point
What people don't like
- Too expensive
- Frequent upcharges
- Poor quality for price
Often praised
- priceMy experience was great! The Avgo soup and baklava loaded frozen yogurt were bomb and worth the price. The online order experience was quick, and the delivery was prompt.
- good price valuedelicious and for a good price value
- right priceright place right price
- salad price17$/salad and 5$/side. Very good!
- side price17$/salad and 5$/side. Very good!
Frequently criticized
- priceFor the price, it doesn’t live up to the hype
- charged extraCharged extra for ketchup
- cheese and yogurt removedwon’t give you a discount for having the cheese and yogurt removed
- half the ingredients removedhalf the ingredients removed and still pay $2 extra dollars
- keep your moneyThere’s no way to get a hold of anyone – they don’t return phone calls. They just keep your money. Shameful.
- paying staffHowever, I have concerns regarding the service model. Can we normalize paying staff at counter service places a living wage? I'm done with iPads asking us to subsidize wages when I spent $20 on a salad that I had to walk up to order.
- priceya little little pricey
- saladpricey at 16 bucks for a salad
- takeout stylereally expensive for takeout style
- vegan meat replacementup charge you for the vegan meat replacement
If youre considering this spot, be prepared for a mixed bag on value. While some find certain items to be a good deal, many others feel the prices are quite steep for whats offered, especially with extra charges. It might be worth trying if youre selective, but dont expect universal agreement on its affordability.
How are the prices at Souvla?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 81 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Greek Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Digging into the details, most guests tend to spend between $11–$20 and $21–$30, showing a nice cluster around this average, with plenty of delicious options that feel just right.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 81 reviews.
See how this restaurant stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco when it comes to value for money.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Greek spot in San Francisco. It offers good value without being overly expensive.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Souvla
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Obsessed with Rotisserie Chicken!
I am absolutely obsessed with this restaurant! My experience was fantastic, especially with their rotisserie chicken, salads, pita bread, and frozen yogurt. If I lived closer, I would be there all the time.
The food and service were both rated a perfect 5 out of 5, and the atmosphere was a solid 4. The price per person is between $20–30, and they offer a vegetarian menu or section, which is highly recommended for vegetarians. It's a great spot for lunch.
- rotisserie chicken10
- salads10
- pita bread10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Salad, Worth the Price!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I was looking for a nice, light salad, and this place truly won my hearts and stomachs. The salad had perfectly balanced flavors and was not overly dressed.
Both the chicken and lamb were well cooked, and the juicy potatoes were also delicious. For $17 per salad and $5 per side, I found it to be very good value. The service was excellent (5/5), the atmosphere was great (5/5), and the food was outstanding (5/5).
There was no wait time.
- salad9
- flavors9
- dressing8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Valencia Street: A Pleasant Surprise in SF
While waiting for my early morning flight with many hours to spare, I decided to visit the highly recommended Valencia Street in the city center. It's a vibrant area filled with artistic, bohemian, and hippie vibes, featuring vintage shops, home goods, and aromatherapy stores. There are also many restaurants, which helped to change my negative impression of SF.
😅 🌟 Must-try yogurt ice cream: 'Souvia'. I ordered the premium version with honeycomb, Baklava Crumbles & honey syrup for $8. The yogurt itself is refreshingly tart, which explains its popularity.
Personally, I think the original flavor is sufficient. It's one of the top-rated spots on this street. 📍758 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 🌟 Must-buy chocolate souvenir: 'Dandelion Chocolate'.
This is a local San Francisco chocolate brand known for its small-batch, single-origin production. The shop's interior is beautifully decorated, offering delicious coffee and various desserts for dine-in. They have a wide selection of souvenirs, and you can try samples of everything!
📍740 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
- yogurt ice cream8
- Baklava Crumbles & honey syrup7
- original flavor6
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Delivery
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
7
Good food, but missing fries
My experience at the restaurant was a mixed bag. I really liked their food, giving it a perfect score. However, when I ordered to go, they unfortunately stiffed me my fries.
This was a disappointing aspect of the service.
- food10
- fries2
- to go3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
7
Good Food, Great Ambiance
My experience at this restaurant was good, with very fresh flavors. However, I felt the food was something I could easily make at home, which is why I'm giving it three stars. I did really appreciate the ambience; it's rare to find a counter-serve fast-casual restaurant that doesn't feel rushed.
Here, I felt comfortable enough to sit down and stay a while. The candles at each table were a nice touch.
- flavors7
- food5
- ambience9
What Souvla offers
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Souvla in San Francisco?
At Souvla, you’ll find a casual and trendy Greek restaurant in the Mission District. You can enjoy dine-in, outdoor seating, or convenient delivery, including no-contact options. They serve lunch and dinner, offer counter service, and it’s a good spot if you’re dining with kids.
What are the menu highlights and amenities available at Souvla?
Souvla offers you delicious Greek cuisine with healthy, vegetarian, and halal food options. You can enjoy wine or beer with your meal, and don’t miss their great dessert. For your convenience, free Wi-Fi is available, and you can pay with credit cards, debit cards, or NFC mobile payments.
How does Souvla generally perform?
Souvla achieves a good overall score of 7.3, with Customer Satisfaction at 70.7%. Its Food (7.5) is a highlight, supported by good Service (7.2) and Ambience (7.2), though Value (4.9) is an area for improvement.
What do customers appreciate most about Souvla's food?
Diners frequently commend Souvla’s food for its freshness, balanced flavors, and high quality. Specific items like salads and frozen yogurt often receive positive mentions for being consistently satisfying.
Are there any common concerns regarding Souvla's service or value?
Some customers have noted issues with the service model, particularly around tipping for counter service and occasional forgotten items. The value proposition is also a point of discussion, with some finding the prices a bit high for the dining style.