Mehfil Indian Cuisine & Bar

Wonderful Indian food. I have been a fan from the start at their Folsom St. location (now closed) My go to for Indian in Pacific Heights. If you love lamb their lamb dishes are wonderful. I also think their chai and salty lassi are especially good. The lunch specials to go are an excellent value and I love to get one to take with me to walk my dog in the park. There is a lot of complexity in the flavors of all the dishes that I have had. The staff is very accommodating re: food preferences and allergies. The atmosphere is relaxed and without pretension. I highly recommend this restaurant and they also do catering. Oh and have some naan for me I am gluten free but it smells so good I feel weepy when it’s served to others. I love to go here before catching a movie at the Clay theater across the street. Can’t go wrong here.

I have always been happily satisfied by the quality of the food, the timeliness in which it is prepared and the ease of service.
I have several favorites; obviously the Chicken Tikka Masala, the Saag Paneer, any of the naan breads and most recently the ‘Steph Curry’. It isn’t on the menu and it isn’t always available. Only one of the owners prepares it and it’s quite good. It has good heat (get it spicy), but the cheese and the onions provide a different texture and a break from the heat. If you can give it a try.
The menu has great variety, but is fairly typical across most Indian restaurants. Food also travels very well if you get carryout.
The owners/​managers are great, the atmosphere is good for a date night and it’s right Fillmore so god spots nearby, albeit few, to go to afterwards.

This place was horrible. We went in at 9 and were trying to order and be quick. The server was rude and trying to rush us to the point of where he didn’t write down the correct order. The portions were ridiculously small and overpriced. The servers were all very awkward and watching us eat and at one point even left the door open to get us to leave. As we were eating, the owner was putting on his jacket and basically walking us out. They close at 10 but were in such a rush to leave they forgot to actual be polite to customers So disappointed. If you can avoid this place, it’s good idea to.

Ordered through Grubhub. The murgh makhani was practically tasteless. The food was edible… but that’s about it. Never eating here again.

Mehfil is delicious. Best North Indian food in San Francisco hands down. The pony tailed owner suggested I try the ‘Steph Curry’ off his secret menu and it blew me away.
I consider myself an aficionado of Indian food (all Indians technically consider themselves steeped in Indian food knowledge) but their saag, chana, and paratha was flavorful, complex and authentic… And the ‘steph’ was unlike anything that I had ever eaten.
Love it!

DELICIOUS !! One of my favorite resturant in the SAN FRANCISCO will be «MEHFIL INDIAN CUISINE&BAR RESTURANT».Because the food quality and quantity Is delicious. Especially my favorite dish is Chicken tikka masala and coming to the staff is very attentive and friendly. They will make you feel very welcome. The inside is always perfectly clean and immaculate with lovely décor. if you live in Flimore and haven’t tried… you must

We live in the up the street and go their at lest 3 times a month. they guys are so nice and the owner always happy. Our out of town guest always insist on going there for the Nan, seafood curry and chicken. They have Paulanger Hefewizen on Tap. yum yum since we can never find it else where. The express lunch in a box to go is a deal for lunch.
check in out… Lauren and John

I have been going to Mehfil for at least a decade, may be more than that. And, it was super exciting when they decided to open one up on Fillmore! This is hands down our go to place for take out or dine in, we go there at least once a week if not more. Food is always super delish, but even more importantly the service. Everyone who works there (including the owner) goes out of their way to make sure you’re having a great experiment. Few of my favorites are pakora, shahi paneer, kofta, black daal and most amazing onion kulcha! I love that it’s not super crowded and you can always get a table and have a chill/​yum dinner while enjoying some great indian music from 90s and people watching on Fillmore :) Oh and their chai is MUST especially on a rainy (well if we still get one of those) and cold days. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!

I’ve been a regular for the take-​out lunch boxes since Mehfil opened at this location several years ago.
The rotation of the lunch box options is good — I think it’s about three weeks before the same item comes up again. I’m a particular fan of Mattar Malai Methi (peas, cream, pistachios — what’s not to love about that combination!), Mirch Baroni (stuffed sweet peppers), Aloo Mattar Masala (peas and potatoes), and Malia Kofta.
The staff are friendly, the service is really quick (I don’t even need to call ahead, the food arrives in a couple of minutes). The spice level is moderately high (for a palate that didn’t grow up with very spicy food), and the flavors are excellent.
The price is right for lunch ($ 5 — cash only, for the lunch boxes). And it’s plenty of food — I nearly always have a little left for a snack in the afternoon, or to take home for later.
Oh, and one final thing — their chai tea ($ 1.50 takeout) is delicious. I’ve tried, but I can’t make my own chai tea taste like this — their mix of spices is well balanced and the tea is hot, sweet and refreshing. I nearly always have two.

By far the worst meal I’ve eaten in San Francisco. The shrimp were so overcooked and tasted like giant rubber tires. The shrimp «curry» was liquid and onions. And the mehfil naan that was supposed to come with a variety of spices on it had 4 measly pieces of mint leaves that had been laying out for hours. It was a sad excuse for naan. I don’t typically write negative reviews and for take out I adjust my standards down a great deal but this was such a huge let down that I had to complain publicly. The only good thing was the driver came within the stated time and he seemed like a nice guy.

Mehfil is my favorite North Indian restaurant in the city. The food is always fantastic, and the service excellent, with the Mehfil staff treating us like family. I always bring my family and friends here.
When we don’t have a chance to stop by in person, we also take advantage of their delivery service, which always comes faster than the times that are estimated (less than 30 min usually, 45min if they are very busy). Their catering service for larger groups is also great, their food has been a hit at many large parties we have had.

Best Indian Cuisine place ever!
Good location, Nice staff and food is
awesome!
Thank you for the delicious food. Mehfil rocks

Best Indian Cuisine place ever!
Good location, Nice staff and food is
awesome!
Thankyou for the beautiful food Mehfil

Excellent food. The only true Punjabi Indian restaurant in San Francisco.
Sweet Lassi, channa Saag, and Roti. I crave it often and have it delivered from this location if i can’t get there to dine-​in.

We went to have dinner on Sunday it was excellent. The best Indian food in San Francisco. Their chicken tikka masala and the prawns biryani was very tasty. Naan was so good and soft. Service was excellent and especially the owner Mr Ravi he is the best of all. if you are looking for the the best Indian food please don’t even hesitate just go and try it out! besides the food they have the best customer service ever!!! Also try their Happy hour it’s really nice! the Resturant is so nice and clean and also have a nice full bar and of course the bartender was awesome!!! Thanks to Ravi!

I had a great first experience. I ordered delivery and it came ahead of schedule. The menu is very affordable. Portions are very nicely sized. And most of all, my food was delicious. You can’t ask for more.
I definitely recommend. I thought the Chicken Tikka Masala was amazing. Order with some extra spice!

WAIT A MINUTE!!! Do they REALLY have an Indian restaurant that serves BOMB margaritas?
WTF! Why haven’t any of my dates taken me here before?
I found this restaurant as my SoCal Unilocal lovers came to visit for the 4^th of July weekend and we decided to attend the Fillmore Jazz Festival! As we all know drinks at the festival cost an arm and a damn leg. UGH! So one of my friends peeped a good drink sitting near the bartender and asked where he got the drink from… bartender points to a restaurant and says, «Right there— BINGO… ALL EYES WERE ON Mehfil Indian Cruisine.
We wasted no time and walked over to the restaurant! We walked in and was greeted by the handsome Ravi who I soon found out was the owner of the restaurant! 18 years owning his OWN restaurant! YOU DA MAN Ravi!
We asked about Margarita drinks as I was still confused on how an Indian restaurant could sale margaritas… but little did I know… this restaurant had a nice BIG bar located on the right hand side as soon as you enter…
I RAN to the bar! I was greeted by another handsome man named Max (The bartender). Asked him for a margarita drink and he let me know it was $ 5! Say what? That’s cheap to me! Whoa. COME ON GIVE ME WHAT YOU GOT BAYBEE!
My group and I sat down at a table and was totally awe at the restaurant. The lovely owner Ravi came back to our table and chatted with us about how we found out about the restaurant. After a while he showed us a menu especially created for the Fillmore Jazz Festival Event… NOICEEEE!
I was so excited and knew ACTUALLY what I wanted to order! Chicken Tikka Masala and Naan please! Ravi wasted no time in bringing out our foods. In less than 10 minutes our food was hot and served. I tried to get up to order another one of those good margaritas but Ravi (The owner) insisted that he would tell the bartender exactly what we wanted to order and that all he wanted us to do was enjoy our food! OMGGGG! Where did this lovely man come from! His customer service skills are to the ceiling! I was feeling like a true «Queen» in his restaurant!
After a couple minutes my margarita was on the table and I was eating and drinking in peace!
FOOD:
Was indescribable! Matter of fact, it was DE-​LISH! I definitely recommend the Chicken tikka masala (had all the right spices) and the Naan was fresh as well! My friend ordered the Lamb and that was even tasty! The menu that day was very limited so I was not able to try EVERYTHING I wanted but it definitely gives me a reason to come back to the restaurant.
Ravi and Max BIG SHOUT TO YOU GUYS! You have amazing customer service skills and it was an honor to walk into your restaurant and meet you both! I will definitely be back to try some good food and amazing STRONG drinks! HA!
See you soon Mehfil Indian Cuisine!

It’s so lovely when Unilocal’s Northern Elite’s collab– with So Cal– Elites. The result is a sensational let alone unforgettable dining experience!!!
So I/​we located Mehfil on a whim while attending the annual Fillmore Jazz Event this past weekend. Yall’ already know, Kenny Ken– goes ballz’ out for his jazz!!!
While there were several concession stands all around, boasting absurdly long lines let alone overpriced «specialty» cuisines, I just happened to smell the wafting aroma of what appeared to have been something being prepared to absolute perfection.
Like the the Fruit Loop (s) commercials, I was compelled to channel my inner Toucan Sam and «Follow my nose…»!
(…sighs) My nostrils have yet to disappoint. Perhaps it’s due to my weekly nose hair trimming but that’s neither here nor there…
The result of such ^ was our having made our way to a less crowded (until we arrived and folks’ caught wind of the $ 5 cocktail/​margarita/​Bloody Mary specials, at least) Indian «Daria-​i-​Noorin» in the rough.
Feel free to Wikipedia that ^ as it doesn’t even begin to adequately modify our outstanding experience here!!! The food and drinks arrived promptly and were served with a bit of flare completely separating this place from the competition.
Heaven help us!
The margaritas at Mehfil didn’t disappoint either which was a pleasant surprise as who really expects for a place specializing in «authentic» Indian cuisine to have perfected booze as well???
Yezzir. This was quite a lovely surprise. I/​we downed 3 margaritas a piece and departed feeling quite sexy!!!, but not before stopping for a quick photo montage with the owner. Rafi… or was it Ravi?, who greeted us personally and made certain that we were taken complete care of. Talk about being the host with the MOST!!!
After meeting my friend and newfound addition to the family, Porsche C., unbeknownst to Rafi, he may have just acquired a NEW WIFE!!!
#mail-​order-​brides
SHOUT OUT TO RAFI/​RAVI!!! You kick butt bro!
From what I’ve read and browsed, there are a few additional Mehfil cuisine locations and ya’ best believe that I/​we plan to visit each of them upon every trip out to this city! Until then, Rafi can just overnight me a plate of the chicken and/​or lamb tikka marsala!!!
Wait a sec-​. WTF?!
Porsche!!! I’m going to murder you!!! SMFH. She posted the pix’ before I could review, Photoshop and approve. GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Mehfil used to be my favorite Indian place for delivery. This past Monday, May 25^th around 7:30pm, I completely changed my mind when the roommate and I ordered through GrubHub (
).
*Samosa: a crispy flour pastry stuffed with potatoes, peas and coriander seeds ($ 4.50)
These are still good. The samosas are huge. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
*Chicken Tikka Masala: tandoori baked chicken breast cooked in a smooth nutty curry with a touch of saffron, onions, ginger, garlic, vine ripened tomatoes and spices, served with Indian basmati rice ($ 12.95)
Sooo bad! This was super watery. Like they had run out of tikka masala and decided to thin out what was left for their remaining orders? I was very disappointed. And the rice was bad too. It was clumping together. We just threw it away at the end of our meal.
*Murag Makhani: shredded chicken cooked with red onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, cardamoms, cinnamon, mace flower, low fat cream and butter (also known as butter chicken, served with Indian basmati rice ($ 12.95)
This was a little better, but had the opposite problem of the tikka masala. This was super thick! The perfect consistency would have been a combination of this and the other curry. At least the butter chicken had flavor.
*Mehil-​E-​Naan: white flour bread dressed with mint leaves, coriander, and jalapenos, baked in tandoor ($ 3.50)
There were no jalapenos or mint for that matter, so I’m not sure we got the right naan. But it was soft and chewy and a good standard piece of naan.
*Garlic Naan: white flour bread garnished with freshly chopped garlic in tandoor ($ 3.50)
My favorite out of the three breads we ordered. Could have used a little more garlic, but it still added that nice savory flavor.
*Aloo Kulcha: white flour bread stuffed with lightly spiced potatoes baked in tandoor ($ 3.95)
The roommate wanted to try another bread and decided on this one. The potato wasn’t as much of a stuffing to me as it was incorporated into the bread. It wasn’t my favorite as the bread is very dense due to the potato.
Very disappointing. And their food is on the pricier side! I will probably not be ordering from Mehfil again. Time to find a new favorite Indian delivery joint!

This place is great! Family owned restaurant and everyone is super friendly. Great service. Ideal for casual low-​key dinner or take-​out!
We typically get the cucumber salad, samosas, chicken tikka masala, rice and garlic naan.
We’ve been pretty much everywhere on Fillmore… from State Bird Provisions, to Fresca, Jane, Roam, La Med, etc. The people here are the friendliest hands down.