Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (17) service (7) chicken (6) curry (6) naan (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Leonard Suguitan (. 1 year ago on Google
    Hey folks, hope all is well. Given that more restaurants are opening back up in SF 🌁 it's time to explore again. I've heard from people I've met that Pakwan makes the best biryani in Tenderloin neighborhood, so we wanted to try it. Since we did takeout, can't talk about the dine-in experience, but I can talk about the food. Ordered the chicken 🍗 biryani, traditional beef 🍖 curry, and the garlic naan. The biryani was hearty, tasty, and definitely worth a trip in the future. The beef curry was good, however, it was a lil bit oily for our taste. If I were to change anything about that dish, it'd be to reduce the ratio of oil to curry 🍛. The garlic naan was seasoned well. It was light, crispy, and went great with the curry. If you do go dine-in, know that parking is tough in the area, and the neighborhood has its challenges. I'd suggest going during the day, because the night brings concern, especially if you're travelling with a family. Enjoy!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Solo T. 1 year ago on Google
    I visited Pakwan last night for Dinner which situated on 501 O Farrell St. i ordered Garlic naan , Tandoori fish , and Chana masala( Chickpea). All items were so very delicious and tasty i can't explain more. Its one of the best taste i had tasted in America. i travelled whole world, i am foody. But This food was best ever from any restaurent. Dinning arrangement here is just normal and simple not high level. But food is Awesome ! Person on reception is very nice guy named AARSH Service is very good. Must Must Visit Restaurent . i will give 9/10 Rating.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 ABHIJAY P. 2 years ago on Google
    Went here or dinner, luckily it wasn't very crowded and got our order in 10 min. We had paneer Tikka Masala, nan and tandoor roti. Paneer Tikka Masala taste was good but paneer was fried unevenly and some pieces were hard. Garlic naan was very good. Tandoor roti was made from wheat, so a little try and hard compared to the one with all purpose flour. Overall a good place for Indian food.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Gregor H. 2 years ago on Google
    Great stop for a late night Indian/Pakistani food fix. Order at the counter but quite efficient. Cashier was very good about asking for vaccine cards and asking customers to wear masks when not seated. Naan was tasty. Rice a bit clumpy, but Baingan Bharta was alright.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Arzina A. 1 year ago on Google
    The food, service, and cleanliness is on point. We ordered the following: Nihari 5/5, Goat Biryani 4/5, Chicken Seekh Kabob 5/5, Beef Seekh Kabob 4/5, and Chicken Boti Boneless 4/5. The food is definitely worth driving down to downtown to. I would recommend this to everyone 💯!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Syed F. 2 years ago on Google
    First and foremost the woman who works at the register needs to get fired asap. She provided us with the worst customer service ever at a restaurant. She was rude, hostile and carrying an attitude. After we paid for our order she was asking us for our vaccine cards which we don't mind showing at all as we all respect the laws. But the way she was asking was downright disrespectful. Why will you take our money first and then ask us for vaccine cards instead of doing it the other way around!. On top of that she didn't even ask the white people for their cards, it's funny that she has some vendetta against people of color when she herself is a person of color. Plus the whole dining area was filthy and tables were not clean. She was on her phone the entire time while she was suppose to be cleaning the tables instead. She kept touching her mask,phone and then was touching the food Disgusting!. The cooks were constantly cooking while she was on her phone.The food was fine. Never going back again. Hopefully the owner gets rid of this mannerless person or teaches her how to do her job otherwise they will keep losing customers.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Haseeb M. 1 year ago on Google
    Possibly the Best Pakistani food I have had in the US. Was really craving some desi food on my trip to SF and this place did more than hit the spot. Each rice grain of biryani had flavor. The chicken was nice and stringy as you pulled it apart. The tandoori chicken was unimaginably good. Loved their yellow daal too! It was so good I went back for dinner the same day. Look no further if you want authentic good tasting and quality Pakistani food in SF. NOTE- the area around the restaurant isn’t the greatest, so keep that in mind when traveling!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Fizza F. 8 months ago on Google
    Came here for halwa puri which was quite average, halwa was nice not too sweet. Affordable and hearty portions, but would love some more spice. Biryani meat was cooked well but also lacked flavour.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rahul K. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the best places to try Indian food. The gravy is perfect and the masalas r in the right portion. Get their garlic naan. They do have dine-in but it is self service.

  • 5/5 Mikail F. 1 year ago on Google
    The food is HALAL. The food were really good. The portion size were huge. We ordered the Hyderabadi biriyani which is good for 2 people followed by chicken kadai and achari Ghost which was good enough for 5 people all together. The food tasted really good and the service was very fast.

  • 5/5 MS t. 1 year ago on Google
    I went in midweek so there was no rush. I got fresh cooked Goat Karahi which wasn't spicy for my taste Buds but it was evenly cooked except the bottom. I loved the ambiance and service. The staff was cooperative to me. It's little expensive but worth a money

  • 3/5 Luke H. 1 year ago on Google
    The lamb ghosht curry was literally to die for, it was so delicious. However the chicken tikka masala tasted like pasta sauce and was quite watery. Rice and garlic naan was delicious. Reasonably priced, order at the counter, quick service.

  • 4/5 Ameya B. 1 year ago on Google
    My friend and I grabbed quick dinner here after having a few drinks next door at Bourbon and Branch and at around 8:30 pm, the place was slightly packed on a Wed evening. We placed an order for Paneer Tikka Roll ($10), Goat Biryani ($17), and Vegetable Biryani ($16). Food was ready within 20 minutes of ordering and it's a self serve setup. Food was absolutely excellent, especially both Biryani's... very flavorful and good portions. Between the Kati Roll and our Biryani's, we could only finish half of our Biryani's. Veggie biryani had plenty of cauliflower, carrots, and maybe ba paneer here and there! Noise level was on the lower side. Go here for their excellent food!

  • 5/5 Donna F. 6 months ago on Google
    Come here for the nihari which is a curry beef stew. They nailed it. The chicken tiki Masala was good. Garlic Naan and rice completed a satisfying meal at a good price. Don't come if you don't feel comfortable in a tough neighborhood like the tenderloin. But if you do, the staff is friendly and you will be rewarded with a great meal.

  • 2/5 Ninja R. 4 months ago on Google
    It's approaching winter and I look forward to a hot meal at dinnertime. Nothing I ordered was served hot. The bearded Indian man at the counter made a song and dance about my request to reheat the food, even denying it was cold. I can handle bad service if the food makes up for it. Unfortunately, on this occasion, this was not the case. The Nihari Curry had no depth of flavor; bland. Order the Tandoori Chicken Breast instead.

  • 4/5 Syed F. 5 months ago on Google
    Food is similar to Mumbai or Pakistani food, do not expect it to be as good as Hyderabadi food


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Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Halal food
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Catering
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery

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