Gola Restaurant SF

We came to GOLA as a group of family and friends, and since the menu isn’t too big, we decided to try almost everything — and honestly, every single dish was amazing. From the lamb and chicken tagines to the grilled branzino and stuffed peppers, everything was full of rich, authentic Tunisian flavor and perfectly cooked. Even the sides like the cauliflower in harissa sauce and homemade bread were outstanding. The service was warm, friendly, and genuine — you can tell everyone there really cares about the food and the guests. The atmosphere felt cozy but elegant, and we left already planning our next visit.

Great ambience and friendly staff. I can’t say the seats near the door against the window are the most comfortable though. The food was flavorful and beautiful. Unfortunately the toasted bread that came with the riblets were incredibly hard and inedible. We also thought the portion sizes were on the smaller end (esp the chicken tangine).

Gola is something special. The food feels deeply authentic to Tunisia—bold, soulful flavors that taste rooted in tradition while still feeling beautifully refined. The seafood is outstanding, incredibly fresh, and prepared in a way that lets the spices and ingredients truly shine. The dessert was the perfect finish—thoughtful, balanced, and memorable. Add to that a warm, energetic vibe and genuinely attentive service, and the whole experience feels both elevated and welcoming. Gola isn’t just a great meal—it feels like a true taste of Tunisia, done with care and confidence. I’ll definitely be back.

really good. at first I was afraid that the entrees were too small, but be not afraid I was enormously satisfied by the end. the waiters also made lots of helpful comments throughout (the flavor is in the skin, eat the lemon in the same bite, etc.) would definitely come back!

Everything was excellent!! We tried the deviled eggs, brik, and lamb stew and all were incredible. Lamb stew had lots of beautifully tender lamb. Even the bread was really something special. Service was impeccable, ambiance delightful and cozy. Will be back and definitely recommend Also - loved that they asked if we were ready for the next course once we had finished our appetizers. Sometimes I do want a break in between, and lots of restaurants in this area will bring out the entrees while you’re still eating appetizers which is a huge pet peeve of mine. Not at Gola - service was delightful

Gola is an amazing gem in SF. Great ambience, inventive food, and attentive staff. But what really stood out was the head chef and owner Rafik. His hospitality and care for our group was top notch. He even went out of his way to fulfill a few unique requests from our group. We have lots of options of where to dine during this holiday season, but Gola is head and shoulders above the rest!

Visited hoping for authentic Tunisian cuisine but was disappointed. The menu lacks traditional Tunisian dishes, and what we ordered (lamb tagine, grilled octopus) was basic despite claims of special spices and preparation. Portions are very small for the premium prices charged. The lamb tagine was bland despite the server mentioning 12 spices, and the octopus was simply grilled with olive oil and salt. MAJOR CONCERN: tip suggestions are calculated based on the total including their 4% "Advantage Program" fee and tax, rather than the standard pre-tax amount. For the price point, expected much better food quality and more honest business practices. Would not recommend or return.

The food was amazing, unique, and truly enjoyed the experience. The chef and owner made the experience even better. Any of the tagines are highly recommended as well as the deviled eggs!

I snagged a same-day reservation at Gola for our party of 8, which was an accomplishment in itself. The interior had dim lighting (which kept getting dimmer) and elegant decor. For drinks, they had a large selection of wine, with a few signature cocktails mixed in. I got the Sidi-Bou cocktail, which was tasty and well-balanced. We also ordered a few starters to share for the table - La Marsa with bread and two orders of Brika au Thon. Both were very tasty! I especially liked the lemon zest and capers cream sauce in the La Marsa and the runny egg in the Brika au Thon. Portion sizes were pretty small, especially for the price. For my entree, I chose the Chicken Tagine. However, by this point in the night, the restaurant started to get pretty busy. There were only two staff members covering the whole front of house, one of which was also the bartender. Getting our entrees took a long time, and it was almost impossible to flag down anyone for water or drink refills. When the rest of the food finally came out, I was surprised by the difference in portion size between the entrees. While the tagines were plenty of food, my friend's Filfil Mehchi was pretty skimpy. I did enjoy my Chicken Tagine, but it wasn't mind-blowing. Getting the check also took a long time, and we were there for over 2 hours, which we didn't expect. Overall, not bad for dinner but the experience didn't quite match the price tag.

This is going to be my first and last visit to Gola - very disappointing on multiple levels. I was excited to try what was advertised as authentic Tunisian cuisine, but left feeling deceived and overcharged. Food Quality & Authenticity Issues: The menu lacks distinctive Tunisian dishes, and what we ordered felt like basic home cooking at restaurant prices. The "Lamb Tagine" that our server claimed contained 12 special spices was surprisingly bland and unremarkable - nothing I couldn't make at home. Traditional tagines should be flavorful and generous in portion, but this fell short on both counts. The grilled octopus was equally disappointing: basic preparation with olive oil, salt, olives and capers over vegetables. Again, tiny portion for the premium price. Pricing & Value: Severely overpriced for what you get. Small portions with no distinctive flavors to justify the cost. Business Practices: What bothered me most was the tip calculation being based on the total AFTER adding their 4% "Advantage Program" fee and 8.63% tax. Reputable restaurants calculate suggested tips on the pre-tax subtotal. This feels like a way to squeeze extra money from customers. Ambiance is nothing special, just like regular restaurant except the seats use some kind of pattern which probably is 'Tunisian' as they claim. Bottom Line: If you're looking for authentic Tunisian food or honest pricing, look elsewhere. Won't be returning.

Unusually, surprisingly good.... made all the better by the fact that I went quite early and had a table with my dog at a sidewalk table. The way the space is utilized makes me imagine the place as noisy when full later in the evening. This is a great place for pairing fresh seafood in the 'appetizer' (what the Italians call primo piatto) with stewed lamb (secondo). The food server (Nadir) was the embodiment of old world reserve. Liked his style a lot.

we had an online pickup order and had to wait for almost 30 minutes but the food was amazing. The lamb tagine falls off the bone and has bone marrow! extremely flavorful and a bit spicy. My second favorite was the octopus, cooked well and came with refreshing frisee salad with capers, lemon, and olives. The cauliflower in harissa sauce was amazing as well, great side veg. Hope they bring back their eggplant side dish as well.

Been walking by this place for quite some time now and finally had a chance to give Gola a try. Reservations are easy peasy, especially for a somewhat last minute booking on a weeknight for a party of 5. Service was fantastic from the moment I walked in to the dinner completion. Our group decided to order all the appetizers on the menu and a couple sides. Surprisingly, I was full by the end of dinner and didn't feel uncomfortable. Every app was delicious, and they didn't skimp on the ingredients. Gola is located in the Mission so parking is pretty much just metered street parking, definitely walking distance from BART. Looking forward to coming back and trying their entrees. #12/2025

We had a big group of 8 to celebrate a friend's birthday on a Tuesday night. It's a beautiful space that is well decorated and inviting! Our server was Nader and we were in good hands with him. He was great at keeping track of our orders and checked in on us throughout the evening. We ordered many cocktails but after the first round, they ran out of Boukha - the Tunisian fig liquor! They ended up substituting it with another liquor but we wanted the full Tunisian experience. Everything we had was delicious - houriya (mashed carrots with garlic and harissa), octopus, branzino, chicken tagine, and roasted eggplant. Would love to come back! Note: If you use credit card to pay for your bill, there is a 4% fee.

Please bear with me while I write this review...I am very much an Asian food girl. Give me dim sum, noodles, and sushi any day and I'll be happy. But if you gave me the option of eating at my favorite dim sum spot or eating at Gola, I would pick Gola. Every. Time. It's hard to use words to describe the feeling I get when I'm eating a Gola. The ambience is gorgeous, sure. Rafik and Nadir are the kindest and most wonderful guys. The presentation is beautiful. But when the food hits my taste buds...I have to close my eyes. I need to savor every flavor and every feeling happening in that moment. The food at Gola is love. It's home. It's comfort. But done in a way that only someone who truly loves the food can do. Rafik can tell me how to make his Kromb a million times over but I could never do it like he does. It's special there. This place is a gem. It's unique. Is it dim sum or noodles? No. It's better. And I never thought I would say that about any restaurant. If you haven't been here yet, stop everything you are doing and go! This is what having an experience with food should be like. Order the Kromb. You've never known cabbage until you've had this dish. Get the Shakshuka. Get some bread. And chow down. Not only are the people amazing here and the decorations beautiful, but I swear the food will change your whole perception of dining out. Gola is comfort elegance all wrapped into beautifully presented dishes. So get your butt in the car and go for what will definitely be one of your most favorite and most memorable meals. And then keep going back for more. And tell Rafik that I say hi lol

Came here with a party of 8 for a friend's birthday party and it was great! Drinks: we ordered a mix of the Farrah goes to Tunisia and the Nights in Tunisia. They were both great (Farrah was nice and light like lemonade, and Nights was heavy on the blackberry which was great) Food: Highlights were the scallops and lamb/chicken tagine - so tender and great to share between two people after apps. I'd say you can pass on the octopus (a little dry and smaller than expected) Highly recommend getting an order of the bread to dip in the tagine (or couscous) Service was great and the locations is super convenient. We bar hopped after and it was only a 15 min walk.

Gola was a nice find in the mission and my first time trying Tunisian cuisine! The ambiance is lively yet dimly lit, it was the perfect way to spend a Friday night for a birthday dinner. Service was attentive and quick, love that they change your plates before entrees We shared several starters around the table, but I would say the deviled eggs were a standout. I can't stop thinking about these - please get them! I got the chicken tangine which was delicious, it was super tender, juicy and perfectly cooked. It had lots of flavor and a bit of spice which was tolerable. I also got a Farah goes to Tunisia cocktail, refreshing with a good citrus flavor. I would definitely come back, I recommend going with a group to try multiple items :)

Lovely dinner here with intense flavors and unusual preparations that we all enjoyed! Spicy dishes were a nice surprise, not too overwhelming. Glad I booked this place for a date night while the kids had other activities - the vibe here was not exactly kid-friendly (not that they would have turned away kids, but no one else brought kids, and the food is pretty "adventurous"). Reservations booked on OpenTable about a week in advance for 5:15pm on a Saturday for two; I edited it to be for group of four just a few days ahead. There were plenty of openings even then. By the time we finished dinner around 7:45pm, the restaurant was pretty busy. The service was professional and helpful. Dinner for 4 adults (3 cocktails, 2 starters, 3 mains, 2 sides, 2 mocktails, 1 tea) cost about $310. COCKTAILS * Hannibal ($17) - 4.5 stars. Really good. * Sidi Bou ($17) - 4 stars. Refreshing but a little booze-forward and simple in flavor. * Night in Tunisia ($17) - 4 stars. STARTERS * Grilled octopus ($19) - 3.5 stars. Good texture but light on flavors. * La Marsa ($18) - 4 stars. Interesting to use a heavy cheese-y sauce with scallops & shrimp, but it worked! PLATES * Filfil Mehchi ($25) - 3.5 stars. The sauce was great with the bread. * Grilled branzino ($27) - 3.5 stars. The branzino was great, nice light crisp. Didn't love the Kefteji mix, seemed like a loosely packed mixture of random things. * Chicken Tagine ($28) - 3.5 stars. Chicken was moist, but this was spicier than expected, not a flavor I'm used to with chicken. SIDES * Roasted eggplant in harissa sauce ($10) - 5 stars. A bit spicy, but this was great! Never had eggplant cooked this way. * Homemade bread ($6) - 4 stars. Fluffy and thick, great for scooping up extra sauce. DESSERT * Backlava ($11) - 4.5 stars. Very tasty & unusual preparation!

Went at 7pm on a Thursday night for a table of 2 and were seated immediately. Staff is friendly, and it's worth asking them how to eat the deviled eggs if you order it. Cozy and well decorated with plenty of space. Deviled eggs - favorite part of the meal. There's so much flavor in one bite, but I won't ruin the surprise! Lamb tangine - cute plating and very flavorful. The meat is so tender it basically melts in your mouth. Bread - crispy and fluffy, would recommend getting it along with the tagine.

Incredible first experience at Gola. Between the service, the ambiance, the food, and the cocktail, you can't go wrong! Started with a cocktail called Farrah goes to Tunisia that had rum and tangerine - it was so refreshing. Next came the Brika au thon. It was crispy filo dough wrap with potatoes, tuna, capers that added a nice pop of salt, and a perfectly runny egg that added a richness to it. The lamb tagine was definitely the star of the show. It was rich and flavorful and the lamb fell off the bone. We got a side of homemade bread which was perfect for soaking up the extra juices - not to mention the caraway seed in it added a nice flavor in itself. From start to finish the staff was friendly and super on top of everything (from suggesting to describing the dishes and keeping our drinks full). It was an excellent experience and we will be returning.

Ambiance is calm and relaxing with pretty carved tables. Only thing some people wouldn't be comfortable with the huge third eye symbol on the wall. Service was exceptional. The gentleman answered all our questions and explained the dishes. He was very attentive eventhough he was managing all the tables. Food we had the -devil eggs (different style with a prawn instead of the yoke)- Another appetizer with shrimp and scallops. Main dish: lamb, peppers, onion, tomato... baked in earthen clay vessel.... this dish was delicious!! Also order the bread, which was perfect to soup up the sauce. All in all...a delightful restaurant with great lamb dish.

Ambience 5 stars: This place has a great vibe - I liked the interior design and it had a pulse. Service 5 stars: The service was great - staff were nice & friendly. Our waiter was attentive but also gave us space to enjoy our meal. Cocktails 5 stars: they were great all around. I had sidi-bou & loved it. Friends also tried Nights in Tunisia & Boukha-rita and enjoyed them. Food 4 stars: Overall the food had great flavors and spices. This was a new cuisine for us and we really enjoyed it. - Bread: their bread is really good. Highly recommend specially with some appetizers. - Houriya: unexpectedly good. Very flavorful. While significant carrot flavor it was more complex than smashed carrot. - Tunisian Deviled Eggs: tasty! The shrimp had great flavor and was cooked perfectly. And the egg & shrimp were pretty complimentary. La Marsa: such a delicious dish. The seafood was cooked just perfectly and the sauce was sooo good. We kept dipping the bread in the sauce. - Filfil Mehchi: it had a good flavor. I enjoyed the tomato sauce a lot. The ground beef had good flavor but was a bit too much for me. - Chicken Tagine: very flavorful, with a good kick. Really enjoyed it. - Lamb Tagine: the lamb was cooked well and was soft. It came with veggies that was nice. - Grilled Bronzino: The fish was cooked nicely and had good flavor. The mixed veggie next to it was interesting & tasty. - Couscous: it was pretty standard - Eggplant side dish: it was so yum. I love eggplant and this had great flavor with spices and all. - Tunisian Baklava: delicious! Flaky dough and nice creamy syrup with lots of nuts. Really enjoyed it. Very sweet though. - Orange Blossom: the creme brûlé was also very tasty, not overly sweet. It had great soft texture.

Me and my wife really enjoyed the vibe and the food at Gola Tunisian restaurant.. service was quick and amazing. Our favorite was the lamb tajine very well seasoned and lamb was cooked until perfection!

great service, fun spread, wasn't hard to get a reservation during the weekdays, and the deviled eggs were a different take to the usual (they had shrimp on top). loved the grilled octopus as well!

Our group had an amazing experience:) the service was great, the food was soo delicious!

We really enjoyed Gola! - Owner is lovely and chatty - They have a cool Tunisian fig brandy - Food is super tasty, if a bit expensive - Parklet has heaters and is comfy

Cozy spot with a cool vibe. The busy but personable owner stopped by to check in on us as we were enjoying our unique meal. Three of us ordered a number of dishes and enjoyed every bite. The deviled eggs were unique and tasty. A perfect start. We then had the grilled branzino. Go good portion that was juicy and flavorful. The lamb tagine served in the gola vessel was delicious. An order of the house bread is essential to sop up the yummy gravy. Dessert flavored with orange blossom water with hazelnuts was excellent. Rich and creamy and shareable for 2-3 people. Only disappointment was they were not serving cocktails that night. What? They looked so interesting.

Yesterday evening I ate her with a friend of mine. We arrived around 6:15pm without reservation and the restaurant was almost empty, but they asked us to seat at the bar (then I understood why, the restaurant was full then with people that reserved a table in advanced). Speaking of food we ordered the grilled octopus and the vegetarian main (stuffed eggplant) with the bread as a side. The octopus was just ok, it wasn't very soft (and it was cold when it arrived). The eggplant was very very spicy, I can handle the spicy but that one was high level. We ate it but I wasn't very happy about it! I think the spicy just covered the flavor of the other stuff. We just liked the bread. Drinks were ok and also the environment (not loud so that a good thing). Maybe we just chose the wrong items, I don't know. And it was a little bit pricey for what we got.

Made reservations for 3 on a Saturday night arrived a few minutes early and was seated upon arrival. The restaurant had a few other guests but lots of open tables seemed available. Drink: Nights in Tunisa - nice and light, the boukha which the server mentioned was a fig brandy lent a subtle sweet fig flavor, could have used a touch more lime but pretty good overall Food: Tunisian deviled eggs - good, comes three pieces per order, shrimp and egg were well prepared, herb sauce was a nice touch, could have used a a pinch of salt to finish Kromb - a charred wedge of cabbage was really tender and sweet, served on top of a creamy bean puree and spicy harissa, nice combo of flavors and texture Chicken Tajine - super tender falling off the pieces of chicken stewed with potato, peppers, olives, shallots and currents, a warm hearty dish, with lots of the tajine braising liquid, wish the veggies were cut into smaller pieces for easier sharing but very tasty Stuffed eggplant - a seasoned rice stuffed inside a grilled eggplant, baked with cheese and served with a tomato pepper sauce, nice hearty portion, wish this had a touch more salt Housemade bread - great for soaking up the braising liquid from the tajine, crisp yet fluffy flatbread, similar to an airy thin crust pizza dough Service was good, servers were really knowledgeable about the menu and told us a bit about the Tunisian cuisine. Water was refilled regularly, and we got new share plates going from appetizers to mains which was a nice touch. Did take a little while to get the check but otherwise great service. Overall enjoyed the meal at Gola, warm and friendly service along with warm and comforting Tunisian cuisine. A solid meal, worth a try.

The food was fantastic but the service was unnecessarily rude, unthoughtful and made us feel unwelcome. Not only did we get moved tables, have a drink spilled over one of us (without comping the drink), then asked how did we book a table as they were meant to be closed; then a party of the servers friends asked us to leave the table while we were paying ready for a party- which they are no doubt also unlicensed to be holding at their restaurant. Have never not tipped before but the service was completely unprofessional. there are plenty of other restaurants to eat at in the mission so I will not be returning.

Went to Gola for a special occasion dinner with my partner and we were both very impressed with the food and ambiance. For starters we got the Deviled Eggs that came with roasted shrimp. The egg was alright but the shrimp was delicious and had a nice tang. For drinks we got a glass of red wine and a cocktail called Nights in Tunisia which was Boukha, muddled blackberries, lemon juice and mint syrup. The wine was good and the cocktail was a little sweet. For mains we got the lamb tagine which blew our minds! It was so succulent and the meat fell off the bone. We also got the Chreime fish stew which was v tomato forward and tangy and yummy. It went really well with the warm homemade bread we got. The restaurant also played some nice music which added to the vibe. Some criticisms: We felt a little pressured by our waiter to get more deviled eggs and to order the bread. Additionally while the lamb tagine itself was great I wished the veggies on the side got some love too. But I would come back here again for a special occasion and maybe not order the eggs lol

Now I know next to nothing about Tunisia. Africa's northernmost point is there. Luscious 1960's film star Claudia Cardinale is from there. And that concludes my knowledge of Tunisia. The closest I've gotten was Morocco, and oh yeah, I've been to Aziza and Mourad. From what I could tell, there are some similarities in North African cuisine. I also found out this is the only Tunisian restaurant in town, so I felt a need to broaden my horizons as I was sauntering in the Mission. Dare I go in as a solitary diner and risk the humiliation of having them take a place setting away? Yes, I dared as I was seated between mouthy coworkers and two couples on date night. Oh who cares, the menu looked appetizing. I decided to go for the satisfying $29 Lamb Tagine, which was a generous shank with a long bone surrounded by potato, shallots, peppers, and olives in a preserved lemon & turmeric sauce (photo: https://yelp.to/j9tx6Wtp17). That was more than enough for me, so I skipped the appetizers and the desserts. But I left room for the $9 Pearl Couscous (photo: https://yelp.to/kr1oKZTNxb). I'm only human. FOOD - 5 stars...the lamb was meltably delicious and so was the couscous AMBIANCE - 4.5 stars...atmospheric without going overboard SERVICE - 4 stars...the server was polite... my clothes didn't scream "big tipper!" so I got lucky TOTAL - 5 stars...now I've had Tunisian food...I felt like Claudia Cardinale RELATED - Exploring the Mission? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2NHtst6

Octopus salad, and the houriya were good appetizers. You have to buy bread for the houriya which we found strange considering it's a dip. The lamb tagine was excellent. Super flavorful and tender. Bar was closed on a Saturday was 7 so didn't get to try their cocktails. Great service and ambiance.

We loved Gola! I was glad we made a reservation because it was totally packed when we got there on a Saturday night (a great sign). The comforting atmosphere was evident right as we stepped in, and the Tunisian art and artifacts strewn throughout the restaurant transported me out of the Mission. To start, we got the La Marsa (scallops & shrimp in a turmeric, lemon zest, and caper sauce) with the homemade bread. The shrimp and scallops were fantastic, and the sauce had subtle but delicious flavors. I definitely recommend to get the bread to accompany the dish, so that you can sop up the rest of the delicious sauce. For entrees we got the Chreime and Chicken Tagine. Both were very good and provided nice flavor variations, but we especially loved the chreime with its slightly spicy and aromatic flavor. Next time we will get another side of homemade bread or the couscous to go with, as it would have been nice to have something to soak up the extra sauce with. Having not tried Tunisian food before, I loved the meal at Gola. Each dish was super flavorful and light, and left me wanting to try the rest of the menu.

Located on Valencia in what I would say a prime part of the mission, this new restaurant is the only Tunisian restaurant that I know of in sf. It's upscale, cozy, and intimate. Great date night spot to show someone you know a thing or two about food and atmosphere. The music is also great- creates a vibe of a foreign land. The portions are sizes are decent and well presented. The octopus appetizer is great- littered with green olives and micro greens. I also really enjoyed the Cherime which was spicy, acidic and tomatoey. Kind of like a shashuka with seafood in it. Finally the lamb tagine was filling, well presented and nourishing. Overall service was great. The only thing that I wasn't particularly fond of was the dessert, which was a baklava. Next time I will try something else but I am certain to come back. True 4.5 out of 5 stars.

We had a great meal here on a Friday night! Excellent cocktails, delicious food, good (though inconsistent) service, and lovely ambiance! My husband and I both enjoyed our cocktails, and the food was excellent! The deviled eggs were good, the chicken tagine was wonderful, and the chreime (a seafood stew type dish) was quite good too. The service started off strong, but as they got busier, they forgot about us. We would have ordered another round of drinks and dessert had we been asked, but we ended up asking for our check instead, after waiting for a while. The space is lovely and well-appointed and the bar area is gorgeous. Overall, we are glad to have Gola in the Mission and are hopeful their service will improve as they work out the kinks.

Our party of 6 had a magical time at Gola. The food was delicious, with the la marsa seafood dish and the lamb tagine particular highlights for us. The Brika Au Thon was the crowd fav though, so much so that we ordered another round. The hospitality was also attentive, warm, and overall outstanding. While the dining room is elegant and not overtly designed to be 'kid-friendly', we had our 2 young children with us for a Friday night dinner, and they were welcomed with genuine delight. Our evening felt like being somewhere comfortably familiar while also feeling special. I would highly recommend a visit!

Nice place, nice staff, reasonable prices. But first, we were never offered a cocktail menu despite the description in Yelp saying "creative cocktails". Do they serve cocktails? Also I was a little disappointed with the flavors. Not bad just underwhelming.

We enjoyed this restaurant. Decor and music made it feel like we were in Tunisia (or at least the Middle East somewhere). We loved the deviled eggs and the scallops appetizer. Be aware that the scallops appetizer has a few small scallops and lots of yummy sauce for dipping, not big tender scallops like we are used to. But it had a great flavor and I liked it; I would've preferred the menu to say the scallops are small to set expectations. The chicken tagline was super tasty but didn't necessarily knock my socks off. Our companions had the lamb tagline and really enjoyed it. The eggplant was a nice shared side. Our waiter was good, friendly, and was knowledgeable and helpful about which items were gluten free and which weren't. Our drinks were great and use real liquor. I would definitely go back and try the other entrees.

I came here with a group of friends last night. It was a wonderful experience to try Tunisian food for the first time. It was delicious! In addition to making us feel incredibly special, the owner and his staff were incredibly kind and not to mention the dessert was amazing! Without a doubt, I would suggest this location! ***cocktails were a plus!

We came here with friends and our baby. The staff were exceptional, very attentive and went beyond to accommodate us. Our group enjoys Tunisian cuisine and it's so nice to have something in the city. The food is excellent, the brick au thon and the tagine so comforting, definitely order the bread with every course.

This restaurant was a sweet surprise introduced to me by a friend, and it was my first time trying Tunisian food -- 10/10 delicious! We started with some drinks ofc. I ordered the Farita bc I'm a tequila girlie (this cocktail also had grapefruit so I was hooked right away bc I am also a Paloma girlie). I also wanted to try the Farik because I love hibiscus but I'll need to come back to try it next time. Our friendly waiter recommended the Bouhka-rita which contained Bouhka (a Tunisian vodka distilled from figs) and had an actual fig as a garnish! Honestly one of my fave cocktails I've ever had. The food was also delicious but I got caught up in chatting with friends and wasn't able to take any photos. I ordered an appetizer (I wish I remembered the name) but it had shrimp and scallops in a creamy lemon caper sauce which I ate with their bread. The ambience was elegant but chill with fascinating designs--I especially liked their etched wooden tables. Our servers were lovely, friendly, and informative! I'll definitely be coming back again to try more of the menu.

Despite the San Francisco Health Department's continued refusal to allow Gola's chef-owner to serve food in any of the 180 gola (clay pots from Tunisia) he imported specifically for this purpose, a perfectly acceptable alternative has been found: serve excellent food in a less dramatic presentation and the results will prove equally satisfying. Though I'll admit that reading about the chef-owner's vision for the gola sounds stunning, exotic, and compelling, the food is all of those things even when served in the usual bowls, saucers, and plates. Four of us were left quite impressed with Gola's excellence in both hospitality and food. Because we tried almost the entire menu I feel well qualified to report a fondness for the following appetizers and entrees, all of which I'd happily re-order on a return visit: * Kromb (a cabbage dish, $16); * La Marsa (a creamy scallop/shrimp dish, $18); * Brika au Thon (a filo dough wrapped combination of ingredients, $15); * Grilled Octopus ($18); * Chreime (a delicious seafood stew, $28); * Lamb Tagine ($31); and * Grilled Branzino (though the actual fish was quite small,$26). The homemade Tunisian bread ($6) that accompanied all of this was a perfect accompaniment, especially for sopping up some of the La Marsa sauce. Excellence in service seems to have become a rarity post-pandemic but Gola is inspiring hope for its permanent return. After ordering a bottle of wine, two different samples were brought to the table to allow a tasting prior to an uncorking. With dessert came a round of sparkling wine on the house. And a great house music track played throughout my meal at decibels that were easy to converse above. Gola is a winning combination of everything I want in a restaurant, especially one enjoyed for a special occasion. I loved it and have difficulty imagining that anyone else will feel differently.

Found this place through Eater and decided to try it. I was surprised to see their menu was still a soft opening window since it looks like it's been open for at least two months. Nights in Tunisia - not super sweet and the flavors were balanced well. I highly recommend their cocktails. Brika au Thon - for $15, it felt a little overpriced compared to the lamb riblets for $17. It was flavorful but everything was very wet and mushy from the runny egg. Homemade bread - it was crunchy on the outside and a little soft on the inside. It was similar to a ciabatta. I wish it came with something to dip with. Chicken tagine - the sauce was super salty on its own but it worked with the chicken since it didn't have flavor. The chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I thought it was interesting to have a whole potato, whole shallot, and whole tomato. Eggplant - the eggplant was probably my favorite. The rice was flavorful! The tomato based sauce was good especially paired with the rice, but the sauce was lukewarm.

Amazing spot, the chef is incredibly talented. I dislike sea food but I will say the octopus and shallots hit the spot . He knows how to make every dish complement each other will definitely come again . Great for bday dinners

We went to this restaurant for a rare date night and it didn't disappoint at all. Every item that we ordered was prepared with all the love and care that a master of Tunisian and North African cuisine could deliver. The service is amazing. Our server was very thorough and thoughtful in his recommendations. Highly recommend for any special occasion.

Great service; food was good but didn't find any dish uniquely Tunisian. My favorite was actually the octopus salad. If you get the Lamb riblet, please take out the bones first! The server recommends you to eat the lamb like a crostini and I didn't realize there were bones attached before I bit into it.

4.5 STARS Soft Opening... SF's only Tunisian resto just opened today! Gola is open for takeout and indoor dining. Someone burned their parklet three days before opening so outdoor seating is delayed. M E N U Tunisian fare, think Mediterranean x North African cuisine. Limited soft opening menu with eight items + two desserts: https://tinyurl.com/2zm9t98u. Stews cooked in gola clay pots to come in 2-3 weeks. Full bar! Cocktail menu: https://tinyurl.com/4yz3w6w7. D R I N K S / F O O D * Vesper, Tito's ($12): https://tinyurl.com/bdf7d2kh Solid and stiff. * Alex: Vodka, Elderflower, Lime, Mint ($15): https://tinyurl.com/2e6fm9jx *** Upgrade to top shelf Easy to drink and very refreshing; reminds me of a mojito x gimlet but with vodka. * Tunisian Deviled Eggs w/ machwiya mix, topped w/ roasted shrimp ($15): https://tinyurl.com/5r9d7fhd Delicious - the deviled eggs were filled with a spiced Tunisian salad (grilled veggies, tomatoes, peppers), laid atop a bed of creamy aioli and crowned with a nicely spiced shrimp. * Lamb Riblet: Braised then baked lamb riblets w/ olive oil basil pesto sauce ($17): https://tinyurl.com/38apmx7f Fall-off-the-bone, meltingly soft lamb riblets topped with a herbaceous pesto. * Chreime: Red Snapper & Shrimp Stew, sherry tomatoes, in a slightly spicy sauce ($19): https://tinyurl.com/yx9ve66x Hearty stew with moist and flaky red snapper and baby shrimp. Mildly spiced. Served with BOMB housemade flatbread, think a Tunisian naan with a puffed crust. Soft, chewy, and satisfying. This is going to be one of four of their housemade breads. * Brika au Thon: Fried filo dough stuffed w/ seasoned mashed potato, red onion, fresh parsley, parmesan cheese, tuna conserva, soft egg yolk ($13): https://tinyurl.com/bdeh9au7 Liquid gold oozing out of the crispy pastry shell...enuff said. S E R V I C E Friendly and attentive. The owner took the time to present and explain each dish that arrived to our table. A M B I A N C E Date night vibes with 14-15 two tops, communal standing table, and bar seating. P A R K I N G Difficult street parking. Parking garage 1.5 blocks away on 21st and Bartlett. Overall, Gola is a welcome addition to the city. Looking forward to trying their gola stews and mezze!

Ate here during soft opening. Food is definitely unique, only Tunisian place in SF. The owner is super friendly and cool and had great recommendations. The Farik mixed drink is fabulous. The lamb riblers are also superb. The environment is super cool - good lighting, great decorations and overall vibe. Would come again - especially as they are updating the menu.

No taste while eating, after taste when done. So disappointing, been wanting to try forever, finally did, not good at all.

Found this place on Yelp, and came here for dinner before a show nearby to try some Tunisian food. We made a reservation on OpenTable, but there was virtually no one when we got there around 6pm, though it slowly filled up. The interior was pretty nice, with a nice ambiance for a date or a dinner with friends. They still had the soft opening menu. Since we didn't want to get too much food, we just got the Lamb Riblets and Chreime with one order of bread. The lamb was really nice and soft, and paired well with the crostinis. The chreime was similar to a tomato-based seafood stew, not too rich. The bread had a nice chew and helped fill us up. The food was great overall, the only downside is that I thought the portions would be a bit bigger, we definitely would not be full if we didn't get that bread. The service was great, they weren't too pushy and helped us quickly with anything. Overall, pretty good place for dinner, just be prepared to order some bread or a little more food if you want to be full.

Lovely food. My favorite is the Shrimp Deviled Eggs, the Chreime with Red Snapper, and the cocktail Farah Goes to Tunisia. Interior is also lovely and a bit dim with arabic house ambiance music. Service is amazing. Our server was very professional and checked up on us all the time. We've also met the owner Rafik and he was very welcoming.

Hipster spot were my first impressions walking in here. Met up with some friends for a birthday for Tunisian food here. I've never had Tunisian food before, this spot is located in the Mission District and parking here is quite difficult especially if you have a big car, I circled around for a good 30 minutes. Anyways, we stared off with a couple of rounds of drinks which were all really good. We got a wide range of dishes, we got some salads and all seafood, with octopus, shrimp and we got the fried fish. Along with another dish where you dip the pita bread. The service was great and it's nice and cosy in there.

This is a must go! Food is really good and super cozy restaurant, perfect combination for a good night. You must try the branzino and octopus! My favorite! Went last night with a girlfriend and we tried few dishes.. Eggplant and lamb tagine were really good. Loved the drinks too. You need to try the Boukha-Rita! Service is impeccabile. Everybody is super attentive. Ask for Raphael.. He is great and makes good drinks! Even the chef walks by every table and help the staff. Highly recommended to visit Gola and can't wait to try their brunch next!

I unfortunately forgot to take food pictures of this place when I went for dinner with the gals. But I still wanted to write a review. Remember to make reservations as places like these do get booked. We got a lovely booth area by the door, which was so nice when we got all our meals, we were able to share and easily enjoy our conversation without moving or taking over someone. This food is a little different than I expected, but it wasn't bad. I did rate it 5/5 because they were super nice and very polite. The food was more 3/5.

Delicious food, tasty creative cocktails. Went for brunch. Shakshuka was full of flavor. Flatbread was perfect. Great friendly service. Can't wait to go back for dinner and try the tagine.

The food is exquisite. Get the bricka and eat with two hands. The lamb stuffed peppers are unique and special. Get the carrotb dip and bread.