Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Van Ness – San Francisco
Van Ness - San Francisco
Photo from Van Ness
Van Ness at a glance
San Francisco Hayes Valley
- 🫒 Mediterranean Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 100 of the guests
#322 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#5 Mediterranean Restaurant out of 40 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
445
Reviews
86.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Budget friendly
- Great service
- Tasty food
Frequently criticized
- Poor location
- Inconsistent quality
- Service problems
The Mediterranean restaurant Van Ness in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood offers a delightful culinary escape. You can enjoy a range of healthy and flavorful options, perfect for any time of day.
Whether you’re craving a quick bite or a satisfying meal, this spot has you covered. It’s also a fantastic choice for late-night food, ensuring you always have access to delicious Mediterranean fare when hunger strikes.
Overview: Introducting Van Ness
Van Ness offers a dining experience where the focus is clearly on delivering good value and satisfying meals. Many appreciate the generous portions and how affordable the offerings are, making it a practical choice for a quick and hearty meal.
The establishment consistently provides a welcoming atmosphere, often highlighted by its friendly staff. However, it’s worth noting that the overall setting can sometimes be a mixed bag, with some finding the ambience less appealing due to external factors or occasional noise.
While the food generally receives praise for its flavor and freshness, there are instances where certain dishes or menu clarity could see improvement, suggesting a slight inconsistency.
Excellent
8.4
out of 10
445
Reviews
86.7%
Satisfaction
43
negative
16
neutral
386
positive
Van Ness achieves a solid overall Restaurant Score of 8.4, indicating a generally positive dining experience. This is well-supported by a strong Customer Satisfaction rate of 86.7%, suggesting that most patrons leave content.
These figures reflect a place that consistently meets expectations for many, with both scores falling into the ‘good’ category. Delving deeper, the Service stands out with an impressive (8.7), closely followed by Value (8.5) and Food (8.4), all scoring well.
The Ambience (7.6) also contributes positively, though it’s the lowest of the four. These insights are drawn from a substantial number of customer remarks, with 386 positive observations against 43 negative ones, out of 445 total customer comments.
What people like
- Affordable, generous portions
- Friendly, welcoming service
- Flavorful, fresh food
What people don't like
- Sketchy surrounding area
- Inconsistent food quality
- Occasional service issues
If you’re seeking a spot that prioritizes hearty, flavorful food at a reasonable cost, Van Ness is certainly worth considering. The strong 8.5 Recommendation Score suggests many find it a reliable choice for a satisfying meal, particularly if you appreciate attentive service and good portions.
However, if a pristine or quiet dining environment is your top priority, you might find the ambience less consistent. It’s a place that excels in its core offerings, making it a solid option for those who value substance and friendly interactions over a polished setting.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Mediterranean Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
633
94.5%
- $$
- Seacliff
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mediterranean Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
512
92.2%
- $$
- South Beach
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mediterranean Restaurant
8.5
out of 10
out of 10
433
87.5%
- $$
- Pacific Heights
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mediterranean Restaurant
8.4
out of 10
out of 10
574
86.2%
- $$
- Pacific Heights
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mediterranean Restaurant
8.4
out of 10
out of 10
408
83.8%
- $$
- Richmond District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mediterranean Restaurant
8.4
out of 10
out of 10
447
86.8%
- $$
- Little Saigon
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Van Ness
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, youre in for a treat! With a solid score of 8.4 and customer satisfaction at a high 88.3%, its clear that most diners are leaving happy. Out of 256 total remarks, a whopping 226 praise the delicious, authentic flavors, generous portions, and high-quality ingredients, especially the kebabs and baklava.
However, a small number of 21 negative comments suggest there's still room for improvement. Some experiences mentioned issues with the quality of meat, occasional uncooked food, or a confusing menu, and in a few cases, a lack of distinct flavor.
Food
256
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
21
negative
9
neutral
226
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, authentic food
- Generous portion sizes
- High quality ingredients
What people don't like
- Meat quality issues
- Occasional uncooked food
- Confusing menu
Often praised
- foodThis is not a fancy place, but for a quick meal the food is of very good quality. I've come here a half dozen times when I'm in the city and the food is consistently delicious and the portions are ample. I particularly recommend the lamb/beef gyro wrap.
- portionsThis is not a fancy place, but for a quick meal the food is of very good quality. I've come here a half dozen times when I'm in the city and the food is consistently delicious and the portions are ample. I particularly recommend the lamb/beef gyro wrap.
- baklavaTheir baklava and cheesecake and Turkish delights are all must try items!
- delicious foodI stopped in town for lunch and had a wonderful experience. Remi runs a beautiful shop with delicious food and amazing hospitality. The combo platter was a great way to try a variety of items, and it did not disappoint.
- wrapsThe dining room is very clean. The food is fresh and flavorful, and the wraps are amazing!
- FoodFood:5
- dessertThe dessert was the most exciting though! Very good quality and taste.
- falafelMy experience at this restaurant was super tasty! I ordered an appetizer platter that served as a nice sampler of baba ganoush, tiziki, hummus, dolmas, salad, and falafel. They have an incredible hot sauce at their tables that complimented the whole dish perfectly.
- hot sauceincredible hot sauce at their tables that complimented the whole dish perfectly
- meatOur family recently visited the Van Ness cafe and had a very good experience. The gyro plate was delicious, with perfectly seasoned meat and fresh ingredients. To top it off, they gave us complimentary tea, which was a delightful surprise.
Frequently criticized
- foodWe really didn't like the food.
- menumenu needs help, severely. It’s confusing
- Adana KabobAdana Kabob was too bad I couldn't eat half of it.
- Mediterranean style plateI didn't get a Mediterranean style plate
- beefBeef and chicken both look bloody
- beef/lamb gyroI got the beef/lamb gyro wasn't impressed more veggies then meat.
- chickenBeef and chicken both look bloody
- extra pitaextra pita. Every. Single. Time. They do not give me the correct amount
- falafel wrapMy friend got a falafel wrap and felt he only got 2 of them and tons of veggies.
- flavorthe flavour wasn't quite there for me
If youre looking for a place with generally delicious, high-quality Mediterranean food and generous portions, this spot is definitely worth trying. While a few minor hiccups like occasional meat quality issues or menu confusion have been noted, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll likely have a satisfying meal.
Service (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 75% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With a fantastic score of 8.7 and a customer satisfaction rate of 89%, its clear most diners have a great experience. Based on 89 positive remarks out of 100, guests frequently praise the friendly staff, attentive service, and welcoming owners who often go above and beyond, ensuring fast service and a pleasant dining experience.
However, its not entirely without its hiccups. A small number of 10 negative comments point to occasional issues like rude weekend staff, an unattended desk, and some delivery orders missing items. While these instances are few, they suggest there might be some inconsistencies, particularly during busier times or with specific staff members.
Service
100
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
89
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Fast, prompt service
- Welcoming owners
What people don't like
- Rude weekend staff
- Unattended desk
- Delivery items missing
Often praised
- serviceThe atmosphere, as always, depends on the day and time; I'm not a fan of noisy or crowded places. So this time it was a bit noisy, but hey, I love the food and the service is definitely spectacular. The staff are very friendly guys.
- staffSo this time it was a bit noisy, but hey, I love the food and the service is definitely spectacular. The staff are very friendly guys. 👌🏽👆🏽 Of the previous staff, only the girl who worked Sundays and the owner were friendly; the other one was terrible.
- ownerTo top it off, they gave us complimentary tea, which was a delightful surprise. The atmosphere was cozy, and the owner was friendly. Highly recommend this spot for anyone craving authentic Mediterranean cuisine.
- ServiceService:5
- customer servicethe customer service is top-notch they really make you feel welcome
- fast serviceFast service
- peoplewonderful people
- waiting timeWaited less than five minutes
- Friendly serviceFriendly service
- MuratMurat helped a lot for the food
Frequently criticized
- serviceVery bad service
- delivery ordersconsistently leave out items when I order delivery
- deskDesk not attended
- restroom policymake you buy before you can tinkle lol I hate that
- staffStaff take their anger out on customers
- utensilsNo utensils provided
- waiting timeslow to make after 45 minutes
- waterOnly the table was a little dirty. I asked for water and waited for a glass, but it didn't come. Everything else was great.
- weekend staffMy experience at this restaurant was marred by the horribly rude weekend staff. The desk was not attended, and the staff seemed to take their anger out on customers.
Overall, the service here is a major highlight, making it well worth a visit. You can generally expect a warm welcome and efficient attention, though be aware that a few experiences mention issues with weekend staff or delivery. For a consistently pleasant dining experience, this place is definitely worth trying.
Ambience (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.6 and customer satisfaction at 76.6%, it's clear most folks enjoy the atmosphere. Many of the 49 positive comments praise the atmosphere, cleanliness, comfy seating, and the overall cozy place feel, making it a welcoming refuge for many.
However, out of 64 total comments, there are 11 negative remarks that point to some areas for improvement. A few patrons noted issues with the dining area and bathroom cleanliness, while others found the alley or parking situation less than ideal, suggesting the location can sometimes be a bit challenging.
Ambience
64
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
11
negative
4
neutral
49
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean atmosphere
- Cozy seating
- Welcoming vibe
What people don't like
- Dirty dining area
- Sketchy alley location
- Challenging parking
Often praised
- atmosphereTo top it off, they gave us complimentary tea, which was a delightful surprise. The atmosphere was cozy, and the owner was friendly. Highly recommend this spot for anyone craving authentic Mediterranean cuisine.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- comfy seatingMy experience at this cafe was wonderful. The delicious food, the Old World atmosphere, and the comfy seating created a fantastic dining experience. The friendly staff made it our favorite restaurant in the neighborhood.
- dining areaThe staff were lovely, and the food was excellent. I also appreciated the clean restroom and the welcoming and relaxing dining area. I highly recommend this place!
- placeThe place itself was small and cozy
- Old World atmospherethe Old World atmosphere
- PlacePlace is clean and well maintained
- Turkish gemA Turkish gem on Van Ness
- bathroomit had a super clean bathroom
- beautiful shopRemi runs a beautiful shop
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- alleyto the alley it was tent city so a little sketchy.
- atmosphereAtmosphere:1
- bathroomThe dining area and the bathroom could be a little bit cleaner.
- cleanlinessCleanliness 2/5
- dining areaThe dining area and the bathroom could be a little bit cleaner.
- homeless encampment alleywayadjacent a homeless encampment alleyway
- locationLocation 2/5
- parkingParking can be a challenge
- screen with fireDer Screen mit einem brennenden Feuer enpfanden wir unpassend
If youre looking for a generally pleasant and clean environment with a good vibe, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that a few minor issues like parking or occasional cleanliness in specific areas might pop up, but they dont seem to detract from the overall positive experience for most.
Value (8.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to Value, this spot truly shines! With a fantastic score of 8.5 and a customer satisfaction rate of 88%, its clear guests feel theyre getting their moneys worth. Out of 25 comments, a whopping 22 rave about the affordable prices, worth it experience, and generous portions that offer excellent value for money .
However, not every experience is perfect. There was one lone voice among the 25 comments that felt their order was a waste of money . While this is a very isolated incident, its worth noting that occasionally, expectations might not align with the perceived value.
Value
25
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
1
negative
2
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great value
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Perceived poor value
Often praised
- pricecheap with $52 For 2 x Main Course 2x Cola and a tzatziki
- pricesthe prices are super reasonable for the quality
- affordabilityThe staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming, contributing to a delightful dining atmosphere. The food was not only delicious but also very affordable. I highly recommend giving this place a try.
- affordableaffordable at the same time
- affordable pricesThey also offer a fantastic selection of Turkish desserts. The high quality of the food is matched by its affordable prices. We hope this café will be around for years.
- amount of foodThe amount of food you get for the price is amazing
- cheap and fast foodcheap and fast food in the neighbourhood.
- low priceTo top it off, the meal included a small hot tea that was refilled. Overall, it was great food, good service, and a low price!
- price of foodprice of food, portion sizes, quality, and overall cleanliness
- value for moneyPaid $20 for a meal that was so big it lasted me two meals
Frequently criticized
- waste of moneymy order waste of money
If youre searching for a place where your wallet will be as happy as your taste buds, this restaurant is definitely worth a try. With overwhelmingly positive feedback on its affordability and portion sizes, youre likely to find great bang for your buck here.
How are the prices at Van Ness?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 100 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Mediterranean Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average spend is 22$, it’s interesting to see that most guests actually spend a bit less, often in the $11–$20 range, indicating a good mix of budget-friendly and slightly higher-end options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 100 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 Mediterranean spot. It offers flexibility, catering to both those looking for a quick, affordable bite and those ready to splurge a little more.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Van Ness
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great Food, Late Hours, Friendly Service!
I absolutely LOVE this place! The bowls are really good and served in big portions. It's great that they are open late, and parking is usually easy to find after 10 PM.
The service is also good; they are always really friendly. I highly recommend!
- bowls9
- big portions9
- open late8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Food, Great Service!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. The food was delicious and offered ample options. The owner, Vedat, provided excellent service, getting our food to us in a timely manner and even offering a cup of tea.
I will definitely be returning when I'm in the area.
- food9
- ample options8
- owner10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Mediterranean Food, Must-Try Baklava
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I tried the Mediterranean platter, which was huge and incredibly delicious. The kebabs were perfectly soft and juicy.
I highly recommend trying the baklava; it's a must-try dessert. The atmosphere and service were both rated a perfect 5, and the food also received a 5-star rating. I was somewhat recommended vegetarian options, and they do have a vegetarian menu or section available.
The price per person is estimated between $20–30, and there was no wait time during my lunch visit.
- Mediterranean platter9
- kebabs9
- baklava10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Exceptional Service and Delicious Food!
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely amazing! I was blown away by the exceptional service. The staff were incredibly attentive and knowledgeable, going above and beyond to ensure everyone had a great experience.
The food was also absolutely delicious. To top it off, the complimentary Turkish tea served with delightful sweets was the perfect touch. I'll definitely be returning soon!
😊☺️
- exceptional service10
- attentive staff9
- knowledgeable staff9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Amazing food, friendly staff, cozy atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was amazing! The foods were packed with flavor and super fresh, and the portions were generous. The staff were really friendly and made me feel welcome right away.
It’s a very cozy place but the food honestly hits the spot every time.
- foods10
- portions9
- staff10
What Van Ness offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of delicious and diverse food options can you find at Van Ness Cafe & Gyros?
At Van Ness Cafe & Gyros, you’ll discover a rich selection of Mediterranean dishes. They offer healthy options, vegan options, vegetarian options, and halal food, ensuring there’s something for every dietary preference. You can also enjoy coffee, small plates, and quick bites, perfect for any craving.
Is Van Ness Cafe & Gyros accessible for everyone and a good spot for families?
Absolutely! Van Ness Cafe & Gyros is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, seating, and restrooms. For families, it’s considered good for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs to ensure a comfortable dining experience for your little ones.
How does Van Ness rate overall?
Van Ness holds a strong overall Restaurant Score of **8.4**, with high marks for **Service** (8.7), **Value** (8.5), and **Food** (8.4). Its **Ambience** (7.6) is also considered good, contributing to a positive customer experience.
What do customers appreciate most about Van Ness?
Many customers highlight the **affordable prices** and generous **amount of food** as key strengths. The **friendly staff** and **delicious food**, particularly the **wraps** and **baklava**, also receive frequent praise.
Are there any common concerns about Van Ness?
Some patrons have noted issues with the **ambience**, specifically the **sketchy alley** nearby and occasional **cleanliness** concerns. There are also mentions of **inconsistent food** quality and occasional **service** problems like missing items or rude staff.