Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Tara – San Francisco
Tara - San Francisco
Photo from Tara
Tara at a glance
San Francisco Duboce Triangle
- 🍛 Indian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 104 of the guests
#436 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#24 Indian Restaurant out of 63 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
425
Reviews
82.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality food
- Good service
Frequently criticized
- Authenticity concerns
- Service inconsistency
The restaurant Tara Indian Cuisine, located in San Francisco’s vibrant Duboce Triangle neighborhood, is an Indian Restaurant known for its great tea selection. You can expect a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a meal.
Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a relaxed dinner, or even catering for an event, this spot offers a diverse menu with something for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Tara
Tara offers a generally pleasant dining experience, with many guests praising its terrific food and the overall relaxed atmosphere. You’ll often find the setting comfortable and the decor inviting, making for an enjoyable visit.
While the attentive staff often receives commendation, some diners have noted inconsistencies in certain dishes or service interactions. However, for many, the quality and reasonable pricing make it a worthwhile neighborhood spot.
Excellent
8.2
out of 10
425
Reviews
82.1%
Satisfaction
52
negative
24
neutral
349
positive
Overall, Tara earns a solid 8.2, reflecting a generally positive dining experience, with customer satisfaction standing at a strong 82.1%. This indicates that most patrons leave content.
The restaurant garners considerable feedback, with 425 total comments, including 349 positive remarks against 52 negative ones, painting a clear picture of its strengths. Diving deeper, Service leads with an 8.4, often described as attentive and friendly.
The Ambience also scores well at 8.3, providing a comfortable setting. Food, a central focus for many, achieves an 8.1, frequently noted for its quality.
Finally, Value rounds out the scores at 7.8, with many finding the pricing reasonable for the portions and quality offered.
What people like
- Delicious, quality food
- Attentive, friendly service
- Relaxed, inviting atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food authenticity
- Occasional service issues
- Ambience insect concern
If you’re seeking a comfortable spot with generally well-regarded food and attentive service, Tara is certainly worth considering. With a strong 8.3 recommendation score, it often delivers a satisfying experience, especially for those who appreciate a relaxed setting and flavorful dishes.
However, be mindful that some dishes might not meet expectations for authenticity, and service can occasionally be inconsistent. If you prioritize a consistently authentic Indian culinary journey, you might approach with tempered expectations, but for a pleasant meal out, it’s a solid choice.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tara
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 8.1 and customer satisfaction at 79.4%, its clear many diners are enjoying their meals. Out of 253 opinions, a whopping 201 are positive, praising the "amazing food, " "authentic Indian cuisine, " and "large vegetarian selection.
" Expect delicious, quality food with good portion sizes. However, not every dish is a winner, with 32 negative comments mentioning some items were "bland, " "dry, " or "flavorless. " A few felt certain dishes werent authentic Indian food or lacked the expected flavor.
While these instances are fewer, they suggest some inconsistency in execution.
Food
253
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
32
negative
20
neutral
201
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing food
- Authentic Indian cuisine
- Large vegetarian selection
What people don't like
- Bland, dry dishes
- Not authentic
- Flavorless items
Often praised
- foodVisiting from NOLA and staying across the street at Beck’s, I was intrigued by the menu in the window due to its reasonable prices. My experience was that of a charming and quaint restaurant with terrific food. The Salmon Tikka Masala and Palak Pakora were absolutely DELICIOUS!
- Indian foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the very delicious authentic Indian food, and the food portion is big. The interior design and the staff were very nice.
- Indian restaurantMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I found it to be the best Indian restaurant in the area, consistently serving high quality food. They also offer a good selection of beers and wines.
- chicken tikka masalaThey incorporate influences from Nepalese cuisine, which uniquely enhances each dish while preserving its core elements. I highly recommend the super savory chicken tikka masala and butter chicken, both featuring a subtle cashew blend that elevates them. The creamy baigan bhartha was the best I've ever had in SF.
- butter chickenAll of it was delicious - the butter chicken was very creamy
- food qualityThe meats are good cuts and tenderly stewed, and their naans are flavorful and freshly baked. I highly recommend dining in; food prepared with this much care deserves to be enjoyed fresh.
- mango lassigave me a mango lassi on the house
- FoodFood:5
- Malai KoftaI love to try Malai Koftas at different locations, searching for a good quality one. This Malai Kofta left me pleasantly surprised. It was very flavorful with a delicious texture.
- chicken momosordered the chicken momos, aloo gobi, and aloo paratha. Everything was delicious
Frequently criticized
- foodWe ended up cutting our meal short and leaving quickly because he was such a perv. The food itself was also totally bland; we had to add tons of chutney and salt to bring any flavor to it. This is definitely not the place for authentic Indian food.
- mango lassiThe lassi was not my favorite, it had sort of a fermented or almost sparkling effect
- Chicken 65just spicy with no resemblance to original or the authentic dish
- Garlic naanLiterally cold soft naan with a small amount of garlic spread on it
- Indian foodVery americanized Indian food
- Kadai Chickenthat tasted nothing like Kadai chicken
- Kheer Rice PuddingThe Kheer Rice Pudding was borderline about to be unusable
- Saag paneer"Saag paneer" was very weird and flavorless
- authentic Indian foodThis is definitely not the place to have authentic Indian food
- authentic dishno resemblance to original or the authentic dish
Overall, if you're craving delicious and authentic Indian food with plenty of vegetarian options, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that a few dishes might not hit the mark for everyone, but the general consensus is overwhelmingly positive.
Service (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 69% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 8.4 and customer satisfaction at 84.5%, it's clear that most diners have a good experience. Based on 82 positive remarks out of 97 total, many praise the staff, waiter, and overall hospitality, often highlighting their friendly workers and efficient service for both dining in and takeout.
However, not every interaction is perfect, with 14 negative comments pointing to areas for improvement. Some guests have noted issues with the waiter or customer service, mentioning a bad attitude or difficulties during ordering. While these instances are fewer, they suggest that consistency could be a focus for the team.
Service
97
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
14
negative
1
neutral
82
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Efficient service
- Great hospitality
What people don't like
- Inconsistent attitude
- Communication issues
Often praised
- serviceThe food was mouth-watering, with the Nan and tandoori chicken being particularly outstanding. The test was amazing, complemented by incredible service and mild Hindi music. I found a place where I could feel relaxed.
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was super delicious. The staff are great, and I'm always surprised it’s not more busy. It’s my fav Indian spot in the area, 100% recommended.
- waiterOur waiter was amazing- thoughtful, attentive, and so personable.
- Harpal Singhawesome service by Harpal Singh. Great guy
- ServiceService:5
- hospitalityTara for your hospitality
- peopleThe people are super friendly and fun
- takeoutWe order takeout from here quite frequently and it never disappoints
- 1/2 hourFood came in about 1/2 hour
- Indian food servicebest Indian food service in San Francisco
Frequently criticized
- serviceThis kind of restaurant must be locked immediately. I would not take the risk for your unbelievable service.
- waiterthe waiter took off 10% instead so it was only $4 off
- attitudevery bad attitude I never see in my life
- customer servicecustomer service needs some attention
- orderingNot very pleasant when ordering
- phoneGuy on phone said this is normal
- serverThe server that worked with us was honest to god super creepy
- thank youDidn't say thank you
- utensilsDidn't offer utensils had to ask
- waiterswaiters do not seem to wait on the tables
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly and attentive service, this restaurant is a solid bet. While there might be an occasional hiccup, the overwhelmingly positive feedback suggests youll likely have a great experience, whether you're dining in or grabbing takeout.
Ambience (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot really hits the mark! With a strong score of 8.3, indicating a good experience, and an excellent 90% customer satisfaction, its clear most diners love the atmosphere. Out of 50 total opinions, a whopping 45 praise the interior design, cleanliness, and the relaxed, cozy environment, often enhanced by mild Hindi or Bollywood music.
However, its not entirely perfect, as 3 comments did raise some eyebrows. A couple of guests unfortunately reported seeing insects crossing on the kitchen wall, which is definitely a dealbreaker for some. While these are isolated incidents, they are worth noting for an otherwise highly-rated ambiance.
Ambience
50
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Charming interior design
- Excellent cleanliness
What people don't like
- Insects spotted
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was quite pleasant. On a Thursday night, it was nice and quiet, not very crowded, which made for a relaxed atmosphere. The chicken curry was quite good, and overall, it's a decent spot in the neighborhood for north Indian food.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceThe combination of...ambiance...was perfect
- ambienceThe ambience is super amazing and very classy.
- decorThe decor is clean and comfortable
- experienceGreat restaurant - great experience
- placeThe place was clean and smelled nice.
- Bollywood musicbolleywood music atmosphere also attractive attraction
- Hindi music videosthe Hindi music videos are entertaining
- art piecesbeat the art pieces that you get to view and discuss
Frequently criticized
- experienceAdditionally, none of the meals are served with rice, which is extremely rare for an Indian restaurant. I would seriously avoid this place; it’s just too pricey for a strange and underwhelming experience.
- insectsinsects crossing on the wall of kitchen
- kitchen wallinsect crossing on the wall of kitchen
If youre looking for a place with a charming, clean, and relaxing atmosphere, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. The overall positive feedback on its ambiance suggests youll have a great dining experience, despite a few rare cleanliness concerns.
Value (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! With a solid score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at a fantastic 84%, most folks are thrilled. Many customers, 21 out of 25 comments, rave about the affordable and reasonably priced menu, often highlighting the value for money and generous quality and amount of food.
However, a few voices, 3 to be exact, did find things a bit pricey or expensive for their taste. While overwhelmingly positive, these comments suggest that a couple of items might not hit the mark for everyone, indicating a slight divergence in perception.
Value
25
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value
- Reasonably priced
- Good portions
What people don't like
- Can be pricey
Often praised
- pricesWe had a great dinner here a few weeks ago! The flavor was incredible and at great prices. My only slight feedback is I would have loved for the food to be hotter (temperature wise).
- priceFor dinner, I ordered the chicken momos, aloo gobi, and aloo paratha. Everything was delicious and reasonably priced. I would absolutely come back again.
- affordablereliably delicious and affordable
- businessthey deserve the business
- low priceat a low price
- menumenu in the window intrigued me at how reasonably priced
- price pointMy experience at this restaurant offered decent food with great portion at a good price point. The takeaway packaging was careful and leakproof.
- quality and amount of foodThe price was very reasonable for the quality and amount of food
- reasonably pricedfantastic food that's reasonably priced
- valuerepresents exceptional value
Frequently criticized
- couponthe waiter took off 10% instead so it was only $4 off
- priceKinda expensive
- priceyAdditionally, none of the meals are served with rice, which is extremely rare for an Indian restaurant. I would seriously avoid this place; it’s just too pricey for a strange and underwhelming experience.
If youre looking for a place that generally offers great bang for your buck, this restaurant is a solid choice. Most diners find it affordable and reasonably priced', making it worth a visit for good value, though a few items might feel a bit expensive.
How are the prices at Tara?
On average, you’ll spend around 30 per person – from 104 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For an Indian Restaurant, that’s comfortably mid-range.
Looking at what people usually spend, most diners find themselves in this $21–$30 bracket, showing prices cluster nicely around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 104 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Indian restaurant, offering good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tara
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Indian Food Ever!
My experience at Tara Indian was truly exceptional. I can confidently say it's the best Indian food I've ever had. I used to live nearby and frequented the restaurant often.
Every visit, the food was consistently fresh and flavorful. Tara Indian offers good sized portions, and they are generous with the meat and potatoes, unlike many other Indian restaurants I've tried. Even after moving out of state, I haven't found anything that compares.
I miss dining here and eagerly anticipate my next visit to SF.
- Indian food10
- food9
- sized portions8
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Excellent Hotel Experience
My experience at this hotel was excellent. The staff were both friendly and professional. I found the food to be delicious and clean, and the service was truly outstanding.
I highly recommend this hotel.
- staff10
- food10
- service10
Price per Person
- $81–$90
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Best Indian Cuisine Experience!
My experience at Tara Indian Cuisine was the best I have tried! The people were super friendly and fun, and the food was amazing. My personal favorite on the menu is the kheer.
It wasn't crowded, and the portions were amazing. I had an amazing experience both eating in person and ordering to go. I highly recommend 🤩.
- people10
- food10
- kheer10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Chicken Tikka Masala and Lassi!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic. The Chicken Tikka Masala was great, and the mango lassi was the perfect way to end the meal. I will definitely be back.
- Chicken Tikka Masala9
- mango lassi9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Amazing Tandoori Salmon!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially the food. I was initially unsure about the tandoori salmon, but it turned out to be the best tandoori salmon ever. In fact, it was some of the best Indian food I've ever had.
I ordered the mixed tandoori sampler plate, which arrived sizzling and steaming. While the chicken and lamb were good, the salmon was truly outstanding. I would return just for the tandoori salmon.
I also enjoyed the chicken tikka masala and chicken korma, both of which were delicious. We opted for medium spicy, and it was perfect. The garlic naan and basmati rice were unremarkable.
Overall, it's worth a try for the fantastic food at a reasonably priced meal.
- tandoori salmon10
- Indian food9
- mixed tandoori sampler plate8
What Tara offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- 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
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dietary options are available at Tara Indian Cuisine?
Tara Indian Cuisine offers a wide array of dietary choices to accommodate various preferences. You can find healthy options, alongside dedicated vegan and vegetarian dishes. Additionally, the menu includes halal food, ensuring a diverse and inclusive dining experience for all guests.
What dining services and meal times does Tara Indian Cuisine offer?
At Tara Indian Cuisine, you can enjoy flexible dining services throughout the day. They provide lunch, dinner, and dessert options with comfortable table service. For larger gatherings or events, catering services are also available, bringing their authentic Indian flavors to your special occasion.
How does Tara generally score with customers?
Tara holds a strong overall score of 8.2, with customer satisfaction at 82.1%. Its Service (8.4) and Ambience (8.3) are particularly well-regarded, followed by Food (8.1) and Value (7.8).
Is the food at Tara considered authentic?
Many customers praise the food as delicious and high-quality, with specific dishes like chicken tikka masala and butter chicken receiving commendation. However, some opinions suggest that certain dishes might be Americanized or lack authentic flavor.
What is the service experience like at Tara?
The service at Tara is often described as attentive, friendly, and personable, with staff frequently receiving praise. While most experiences are positive, a few customers have reported occasional inconsistencies or less pleasant interactions.