Saffron

Indian restaurant · San Carlos

Saffron

Indian restaurant · San Carlos

3

1143 San Carlos Ave, San Carlos, CA 94070

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Highlights

Saffron serves artfully presented, vibrant Northern Indian dishes in a chic, sunny space perfect for savoring classic flavors with a modern twist.  

Featured on Michelin
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1143 San Carlos Ave, San Carlos, CA 94070 Get directions

thesaffronrestaurant.com
@saffron_restaurants

$30–50 · Menu

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1143 San Carlos Ave, San Carlos, CA 94070 Get directions

+1 650 593 4269
thesaffronrestaurant.com
@saffron_restaurants

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 2, 2025

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@michelinguide

Saffron

"From the very first moment you walk into this unique Indian gem, you will feel right at home. Ever so transporting, the space is a veritable comfort zone—stylish, breezy, and inviting. Over in the kitchen, the cooks are focused on vibrant and sumptuous renderings from the nation's myriad of regions. While the best dishes tend to be more traditional at heart, they boast a host of intriguing garnishings. Kale pakoras are deep-fried fritters served with onions in a light chickpea batter and a spectrum of chutneys; while lamb curry reveals a leg of lamb slow-braised with over 21 Indian spices.A cool rice pudding, studded with crushed pistachios and fresh strawberries, is sweet, creamy and brimming with a wonderfully warm spice." - Michelin Inspector

https://guide.michelin.com/en/california/us-san-carlos/restaurant/saffron-1196338
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@michelinguide

Coming to America: Ajay Walia

"Many of the dishes that Walia serves at Saffron are influenced by particular places in his hometown of New Delhi. The butter chicken dish [we serve] was invented by a chef close to my childhood home and it was a weekly staple for me. Saffron’s signature dal makhani traces back to [a famous restaurant named] Bukhara in New Delhi, and the lasooni saag paneer [was] inspired by my mom." - Marguerite Imbert

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/people/chef-ajay-walia-rasa-san-francisco
View Postcard for Saffron
@michelinguide

Coming to America: Ajay Walia

"Many of the dishes that Walia serves at Saffron are influenced by particular places in his hometown of New Delhi. The 'butter chicken dish' [we serve] was invented by a chef close to my childhood home and it was a weekly staple for me. Saffron’s signature 'dal makhani' traces back to [a famous restaurant named] Bukhara in New Delhi, and the 'lasooni saag paneer' [was] inspired by my mom." - Marguerite Imbert

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/people/chef-ajay-walia-rasa-san-francisco
View Postcard for Saffron

Tom Hsu

Google
I made a 1230 reservation but we arrived early. We got seated promptly. The decoration is modern, clean and bright. We ordered general tso cauliflower, lamb curry, chicken biryani, and garlic naan. The cauliflower exceeded my expectation. The other dishes were good too. The server is friendly and the restaurant is quiet enough for two of us to carry on good conversation without yelling. All in all. I would recommend coming again.

Oren Williams

Google
Great place. Have ordered from here but never dined-in. Great location with comfortable and attractive seating. The interior gets great sunlight. Went for lunch with my wife and really enjoyed the Jafrani Kofta tali. Vegetarian options were incredible. Mango lassi is slightly different in a slightly foamy, delicious consistency way.

James

Google
A great place to go for lunch as their lunch deal is quite comprehensive. Do note that the prices for their food are on the more expensive side given the small looking portions but the food is surprisingly filling. I will say that their ODS Butter Chicken is the best dish we had, but their General Tso Cauliflower has a unique taste. Their Roomali Roti wasn't as good as I expected and would recommend the Naan instead. Each dish has a great presentation, the plates and napkins look great, and the service is impeccable!

Shrenik Shah

Google
The inner and outside seating is fairly good.. The decor is awesome with good photos and a floral theme.

3dogs1monkey

Google
One benefit of living in the bay area is to be able to enjoy so many delicious ethnic foods because all the best come here to compete and serve. I used to go to Indian Buffets for lunch to try out all different kinds of dishes they had to offer. There are 2 regions Northern and Southern, one may have richer food than others with yogurt and heavy cream which I’m allergic to, others are quite spicy but tasty. My sister took me to this place, northern food, and we had a greatest lunch. There’s no parking, so I had to park on the street a few blocks away. It’s after 1PM so the lunch rush may be over, the place is empty and quiet. Quite clean and airy. The server was quite patient and helpful with me for asking about all the dishes. We ordered butter chicken, spinach vegetable dish, spicy chicken, rice and garlic bread. I thought the butter chicken would be creamy and rich but it was just right and tasty. My spicy chicken was not too spicy and delicious, flavorful perfectly with tender long grain rice that I love, we ordered 2 bowls of rice and finished all LOL. The spinach dish was amazingly excellent. The prices are quite reasonable. Although I thought the dishes are a little small but the sauces are so good with rice and bread. Never had a la cart Indian Food before. Definitely will take my family for dinner when my daughter is back from NY. My son doesn’t like curry but I’m sure something here will please him.

Sankha Hota

Google
The best Indian food we have had in the bay area. We went twice with two groups of friends and all of us liked it. Food is really tasty and unlike in many other Indian restaurants, not overwhelmed with chilly, therefore not spicy (hot) but spicy in the proper way. Excellent balance of the taste and relatively quick service. Price wise the dishes cost above average but not overly pricey. This is now our go to place whenever friends visit us and want to taste Indian foods.

amrita kahlon

Google
Excellent food and excellent service. There are very few fine dine Indian restaurants preserving authentic Indian taste and Saffron is one of them. They not only got the flavors right, they also serve it in an aesthetically pleasing form. Highly recommend.

Ganesh Ramanathan

Google
One of the best tasting North Indian food in the Bay area. Great Service as well. We had their vegetarian thali - which was fabulous. The Dahi aloo puri and the pot of chai was excellent as well
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Rustam K.

Yelp
This people are great , clean and the food is good too, one of my friends always told me that he goes here to eat and I never tried before but this time I did try and I didn't get get Good place for sure
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Arthi K.

Yelp
Cute date night spot! We had a reservation for 6:45 on a Friday night but, but we probably didn't need one. It filled up a little more towards 7:30. Food is flavorful but quite mild, could use some more spice. The jafrezi kofta is a favorite of ours. Garlic naan is some of the best looking I've seen - it looks so tempting, it should be in a magazine. The coolers are a tasty zero-proof treat, but I think $10 is a little pricey. I like the number of appetizers they have!
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Priyanka S.

Yelp
I came to Saffron for a work lunch and it was decent indian food. That being said the flavors were definitely toned down and not as spicy as I would have preferred and did not stand out. My team decided to order the pav baji as well as the paratha, butter chicken and other chicken currys. All of the currys were creamy and solid but incredibly mild tasting and lacked a depth of flavor. The paratha also was not very crispy and was quite oily. The highlight of the entire meal was the pav baji which had a little more flavor in the tamarind sauce pairing. All in all if you are looking for good indian food, there are definitely better places to try.
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Rick P.

Yelp
Saffron in San Carlos is our family's favorite spot for Indian food in the Bay Area. We've tried so many places, especially around the Peninsula and SF, and this one always delivers. The food is consistently fantastic--favorites include the General Tso's Cauliflower and Onion Pakoras for appetizers, and mains like the Butter Chicken, Saag Paneer, and Malai Kofta. Even the desserts, like the Rasmalai and Golab Jamun, are a big hit. It's also super kid-friendly, which makes it perfect for a family lunch or evening meal. The service is quick and friendly, and the clean, modern space feels welcoming without being too formal. We all leave happy every time. So good.
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Aarti K.

Yelp
Service was excellent- everyone is friendly and knowledgeable. Nice ambience with tactful decor. Food was presented creatively. The dahi aloo puri was flavorful, as were the masala fries. I tried the ODS butter chicken with garlic naan. The chicken was high quality and tasted great. The dish was supposed to be spicy, but was gravy was on the sweeter side. If the dish was spicier, it would have been that much better. The bhatura for the chole/chana bhature was cooked to perfection and not oily. Overall, great flavors and presentation. If you like spicy food, I would suggest asking them to make it spicy.
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Amrita P.

Yelp
Visited Saffron for the first time today. We went in for Chai (tea) and some snacks and ordered more dinner dishes. The food was delicious, well balanced in flavors and with a modern presentation to authentic Indian dishes. The place is on the upscale side, airy and bright. Service was quick, and attentive. Definitely going back soon.
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Firdaus K.

Yelp
I was apprehensive visiting Saffron because a year or so back I had ordered delivery from this place and they were bad. Nevertheless I ventured into the restaurant and was surprised by the simplicity and great smiling faces. Great ambience. I asked the server for recommendation and he was more than forthcoming, much to my delight. I tried all the dishes he recommended and they did not disappoint. The chicken slider was absolutely yummy!! Kheer was amazing and reminded me of my mums cooking. Overall absolutely gorgeous experience and will definitely visit yet again.
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Praveen S.

Yelp
Great food! Small but spacious space. Centrally located in San Carlos. Quantity is decent. Quality is awesome! Service is quick, friendly and courteous. One of the few places with good North Indian dishes, particularly naan. Our favorite place for celebrating anniversaries and birthdays.
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Louis L.

Yelp
One benefit of living in the bay area is to be able to enjoy so many delicious ethnic foods because all the best come here to compete and serve. I used to go to Indian Buffets for lunch to try out all different kinds of dishes they had to offer. There are 2 regions Northern and Southern, one may have richer food than others with yogurt and heavy cream which I'm allergic to, others are quite spicy but tasty. My sister took me to this place, northern food, and we had a greatest lunch. There's no parking, so I had to park on the street a few blocks away. It's after 1PM so the lunch rush may be over, the place is empty and quiet. Quite clean and airy. The server was quite patient and helpful with me for asking about all the dishes. We ordered butter chicken, spinach vegetable dish, spicy chicken, rice and garlic bread. I thought the butter chicken would be creamy and rich but it was just right and tasty. My spicy chicken was not too spicy and delicious, flavorful perfectly with tender long grain rice that I love, we ordered 2 bowls of rice and finished all LOL. The spinach dish was amazingly excellent. The prices are quite reasonable. Although I thought the dishes are a little small but the sauces are so good with rice and bread. Never had a la cart Indian Food before. Definitely will take my family for dinner when my daughter is back from NY. My son doesn't like curry but I'm sure something here will please him.
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Meena B.

Yelp
Location: Downtown San Carlos, parking is street side. Not very parking friendly. So consider some extra time to look for parking. Make reservations and go if going on a weekend. So you will be seated right away. Pricing: $$$ Ambience: very clean, bright and nice set up. Very nice lighting. Tastefully done. Bathroom is clean. Staff and Service: We got seated right away because we had reservations. But it took almost 15 minutes before someone came to take orders. Orders also took 20 Minutes. Waiter though was very attentive and responded to small requests very promptly. Food: small menu but ample choices. We had masala limca soda which tastes nice. Mango lassi was fluffy and tasty. My husband had thali with Paneet kofta curry. Thali had dal, rice, 1 dessert, raita, pappad, salad, mixed veg curry, naan and kofta curry. Kofta curry was very delicious. Rest of the dishes were tasty as well. Thali was served on a stainless steel plate layered with real fresh banana leaf which was a good surprise. Bhel puri was nice but had peanuts and roasted chana dal which gives unwanted bite. Chana Bhatura was also tasty. Aloo paratha was the only disappointment as it was made with all purpose flour instead of wheat flour. But the filling was good. All dishes were presented very well. Overall very good food. Menu is not kids friendly. This place is also not very big group friendly. Definitely give this place a try
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Cindy L.

Yelp
Chicken Tikka Masala 3 not tender Shrimp Tandoori 3 spicy Cheese Naan 4 can't taste the cheese Mango Lassi 5
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Charlotte I.

Yelp
Saffron's butter chicken is to die for! We stopped by to try out their Holi special menu and ordered a mixture of specials and classics to share. Other than the butter chicken, I also loved the thandai drink and lal maas (spicy mutton curry). I didn't order it today, but their saffron daal makhani single-handedly convinced me that lentils can be delicious. I definitely recommend coming with a group and eating family style so you can try as many things as possible. I usually go to the Burlingame location, and the menus seem to differ a bit, but the food quality is still impeccable. This location also feels a bit more lively and casual, but in a comforting way. The service was a little spotty, but I'll chalk it up to it being a busy Friday night.
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Manan D.

Yelp
Came here for a big dinner after a day of wine tasting in Sonoma and Napa. I had heard that this is one of the best Indian restaurants in the area, so I tried many different items. We started with apps - paneer tikka and Gobi Manchurian, which for some silly reason is called "General Tso's Cauliflower" lol. If it helps make people try Gobi Manchurian I guess go for it . Both were fantastic! We also got the pani puri, which is a favorite of mine and yet not something you often see on a restaurant menu. While it tasted good, we only got 6 puris for a table of 4, and there was way more pani leftover at the end. Also, the puris were too big to fit in our mouths in one bite, which made the whole experience messy. This dish needs work - I suggest a basket of about 15 smaller puris rather than the way it was served here. Sometimes substance matters more than style . We then got the butter chicken and malai kofta, which again were superbly flavorful and served beautifully. Again, there should have been more chicken and especially kofta. There were only 2 kofta pieces cut into halves! So everyone only got half a Kofta, which I think is a bit silly. We had to order a chicken 65 too as we were still hungry, and this ended up actually being one of my favorite items. It was served dry instead of the usual red and saucy style, but it was still nice and spicy. The breading was crispy but the chicken itself was still soft and moist. And this dish actually had quite a good portion size. Overall, I do think they need to work on the portion sizing, as it was a bit annoying especially for the kofta and pani puri. However, the food itself was delicious and beautifully presented, the restaurant had a nice cozy ambiance, and the staff were quick and friendly. So, I still give this a strong recommendation and 5 stars. If they fix their portion sizing/servings it can truly be one of the best if not THE best Indian restaurant in the Bay.
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Marcello G.

Yelp
This might be the best Indian restaurant I've experienced in the US, rivaling even those in Asia. While it's slightly pricey and the portions could be a bit larger, the food is absolutely phenomenal. The ambiance is pleasant, and the staff are courteous, attentive, and friendly. An absolute must-visit!
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Warren L.

Yelp
Indian food is one of my favorites to eat. Came here with coworkers for lunch. They ordered several things I never tried. Everything was splendid and had the amazing Indian spices. I got the chicken biryani and man was it flavorful. They did on skimp on the chicken either. It's a little bit on the mid range price but very good! I tried a thumbs up soda and it was basically a soda with spices in it. Very interesting haha. The staff was accommodating and inside the place was very clean
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Uday M.

Yelp
Have been to the Burlingame location several times, but first time eating at San Carlos, which has an entirely different menu. To start, we had the chaat (really nice touch the the saffron yogurt). For mains, we shared the Jafrani Kofta (excellent flavor and well made kofta balls) and the Mushroom Xacuti from the special Goa menu (definitely different but overall just okay). The mango lassi which was advertised as "fluffy" was a bit too thick, but they do have a handful of beers on tap which was nice. For dessert, we got the Serradura also from the Goa menu ($, tasted more like a European dessert and definitely skippable). Having sampled both, I would likely return to the Burlingame location due to their menu offerings.
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Hina M.

Yelp
I would highly recommend this beautiful restaurant for an outstanding Indian meal. The food here made me remember my Home, me and my friends had a great experience here- top notch service, marvellous food and great ambience too. 6 of us visited saffron on a Saturday afternoon and our server greeted us so warmly. We came a bit late and our server was kind enough to accommodate all our requests and even serve us food when the kitchen was officially closed. We ordered chicken 65 and chatpatta aloo for the starters. Both these dishes were so crisp and flavourful. For the main course we got the our Delhi style butter chicken, daal makhani, paneer butter masala and the traditional lamb curry. All of the dishes were exceptional. We enjoyed every bite honestly. My favourite was the butter chicken, I'm from Delhi and it really did remind me of the kind of butter chicken I use to have at home. Every dish was unique, so flavourful and balanced. For the deserts we got the kulfi- different versions. The rose one was my absolute favourite. This is one of the best Indian restaurants in the Bay Area and it's worth visiting 100%. I would come back here for sure with more friends. Loved everything about this place from start to finish!
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Ellen H.

Yelp
Fun and creative take on some Indian classics. A regular in our dining/treat yourself rotation. Favorites: - General Tso's Cauliflower: so tangy, just the right heat. - Tandoori Paneer: Their paneer is soft and moist even after a go in the oven. The ratio bell pepper/onion and paneer is a little off though. They can definitely put some more paneer on there. - Paneer butter masala: Can't go wrong with this, hits the spot and spiced to perfection. - Their little bottles of champagne. Not cheap but so cute and just the right amount. They also offer good brunch options during the weekend. Service is attentive. The restaurant is nicely decorated.
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Aayusha B.

Yelp
Great experience, with amazing ambiance, and superb service. Appetizers are more top-notch than entrees, I would say. Overall, a must-try place while in the Bay Area
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Meenakshi T.

Yelp
We came here for a friend's birthday. We reserved the center spot for our brunch. The service and ambience was wonderful, but if I am honest I have had better Desi Khana (no offense but I make better Anda Bhurji and Maggi). Here's my read of the food from favorite to least favorite 1) Baingan Bharta with the tandoori roti -- yum! 2) General Tso's Cauliflower - crisp with a light garlicky batter 3) Gobi Paratha (brunch menu) - with raita and pickle - homey and comforting! 4) Anda Bhurji -- meh! I specifically asked them to make it spicy for me with more green chillies and it was still very bland. Like I said before I make an anda bhurji every weekend and I make it waaaay better 5) Masala Maggi - this was honestly terrible, we got it for the birthday girl and she wasn't able to eat beyond 1 spoon What we loved was the special way they put a candle for our birthday girl on the gulab jamoon and sang her Happy Birthday! The service here was SO GOOD -- I will definitely be back again.
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Thao T.

Yelp
The butter chicken, tikka masala and samosas are bomb! Also the mango lassi and lychee drinks were sooo good! Went well with our food. 10/10 would come back again, i want to try the tandoori chicken
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Shari D.

Yelp
The samosas and garlic Naan was one of the best I've ever had. Must get! The butter chicken was made with white meat and the chicken masala had dark meat. Both were really good. Flavorful and creamy. The restaurant is clean and looks very modern.
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Vinayak S.

Yelp
Loved the food - especially dahi sev puri, vada paav, rava shrimp fry and kofta Curry. Great customer service. Chef stopped by to chat. We will visit again.
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Prasanna S.

Yelp
Saffron's new branch in San Carlos impresses with a North Indian-focused menu and a welcoming ambiance. We started with the Lamb Slider, which was tender and juicy, and the Rawa Fried Shrimp, which was perfectly crispy. The Black pepper Chicken Tikka could have been more flavorful. For the main course, I had the Chicken Biryani served with raita, which was well-prepared. The service was prompt, and the prices were reasonable compared to similar places. More seafood options would have made the selection better. Saffron San Carlos is a great spot for North Indian cuisine, and I highly recommend trying it out!
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Ani R.

Yelp
My partner has a chickpea allergy, and we made sure to communicate this to the waiter. This marked his first attempt at embracing Indian cuisine at a restaurant in many years, as he's typically cautious due to concerns about chickpea traces. Importantly, he did it for me, acknowledging my deep love for Indian food and the joy I find in dining at Indian restaurants. Having visited Saffron once before, this occasion was particularly special as I introduced my partner to the experience. Our selections for the evening included butter chicken, plain rice, and garlic naan. Consulting the waiter, we sought recommendations for safe options and the mildest chicken dish, considering our aversion to spiciness. The waiter suggested the butter chicken. While everything was delicious, I found the butter chicken a bit spicier than I would have liked, hoping for the kind of spice level I can get at Zareens. Despite this, both of us thoroughly enjoyed the meal! What sets Saffron apart for me is its ambiance. It exudes a peaceful and open vibe, creating the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner. This tranquility is a departure from the bustling atmosphere of many Indian restaurants I typically favor. The warm lighting and overall calmness provided ample time for my partner and me to savor not only the food but also each other's company. However, despite our enjoyment of the meal, my partner experienced an upset stomach the next day. I felt a bit disheartened, though I don't attribute it to the restaurant, seeing as he has a sensitive stomach. I just had hoped for a positive re-introduction to Indian restaurant cuisine for him, as I genuinely want him to explore and find comfort in eating out. Our quest for a suitable Indian restaurant continues! Nevertheless, I would still return to Saffron on my own, appreciating its yummy food, and peaceful ambiance.
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Karne N.

Yelp
I have tried to reach Saffron through their email contact and through the reservation contact. I have also asked for a manager to call me and nothing has happened. Therefore, I am forced to put my complaint on Yelp. We love Saffron. We love the food. But I am so annoyed at the way my issue was handled that I'm going to set that aside. Last week I ordered dinner for four and spent 140+ dollars total with tip. I tried numerous times to put my order online, which is what I usually do, but it did not work. The site kept saying I could only review the food I could not order the food. I called the restaurant and explained that their site was not working and said I had a coupon I wanted to use. The young man told me to place my order over the phone and bring the coupon in which I did. I was then told the 20% off coupon could not be utilized because I had not ordered online. Do you have any idea how frustrating this is? The lack of response is also frustrating as the coupon was a "reward" for being a loyal customer.
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Rugved V.

Yelp
Service and food has gone down, prices have gone up. We came here on diwali night to celebrate festivities, no one even wished happy diwali. It was very under staffed, it took them 20 min to take our order. After the wait they tell us they had mix up in communication and there was no diwali menu. They sent out diwali email asking customers to reserve the table and now on the diwali night they didn't have Diwali menu. This is a joke, how are they running this restaurant? For prices and ambiance like saffron, I am expecting way better service. This is 3rd strike, I would not be coming here again.
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Nixon J.

Yelp
Title: Rainbow After Rain: Saffron's Culinary Odyssey Three Words: Exquisite, Enchanting, Memorable At Saffron, amidst the gentle patter of rain in San Carlos, every dish is a masterpiece. The Traditional Lamb Curry and Old Deli Style Butter Chicken are not merely served; they are presented with an elegance that mirrors the artistry behind their creation. Each bite is a revelation of flavors, deeply rooted in Indian culinary tradition, yet elevated by a contemporary touch. The Basmati Rice, fluffy and aromatic, serves as the perfect canvas for these vibrant dishes. Crisp Papad and a bold Spicy Chili Chutney complement the entrees, adding layers of texture and heat that tantalize the palate. The ambiance, enriched by the subtle accent of a rainbow framing the early spring evening, envelops diners in a cocoon of warmth and sophistication. The meticulous attention to detail in the presentation of the food--each plate a tableau of color and creativity--echoes the restaurant's commitment to excellence. Service at Saffron is nothing short of impeccable. The staff, attired in outfits that pay homage to their rich cultural heritage, move with a grace and efficiency that enhances the dining experience. Their knowledge and passion for the cuisine shine through in every interaction, making guests feel valued and well-cared for. As the meal unfolds, the rainy backdrop and the promise of a rainbow add a poetic dimension to the evening, reminding us that food is not just sustenance; it is an experience, a journey that can transport us to distant lands and times. Saffron, with its exquisite blend of food, service, and ambiance, invites us on this journey, offering a taste of India that is as memorable as it is delicious. In this haven, where culinary excellence meets heartfelt hospitality, every visit is an occasion, every dish a celebration of the rich tapestry of Indian cuisine.
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Sam S.

Yelp
Never had Indian food that I can remember but had to give it a try after walking past the San Carlos Saffron restaurant and enjoying all the good smells coming from inside. We were greeted by a server named Bijay who was from Nepal. I told him we were inexperienced Indian food eaters and he immediately said "not to worry" because he would be happy to help us with ordering the foods we would enjoy. Allowing us time to review the menu, we eventually had an order to run by him. After listening to our choices of food......he smiled and said we all did good....but recommended a few changes to balance out the meal. We agreed to let him run with it and after enjoying a nice glass of wine the food was presented in great fashion...the colors, the smells and definitely the tastes were outstanding. Just as I write this review my mouth begins to water ....craving another dinner at Saffron - San Carlos. Great place, great food, great service....what else can a customer ask for. I will be back with more of my friends to enjoy the great tastes of Indian food from Saffron-San Carlos. Bijay was a great help..... thank you.
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Shirin B.

Yelp
Great ambiance and service however you can find more flavorful Indian food other places in the bay. Came here for a birthday dinner and got a couple of staples including gobi (cauliflower) and that was one of the better dishes we got. The drinks are actually delicious. The mango lassi was a classic and their thandai's are very refreshing. Their paneer was a little too tomato-heavy for my liking but the chicken biryani was pretty good. I would say this place is great for a fancy Indian food night out but be sure to ask the waiter what the most popular ordered items are and play it safe.
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Ash D.

Yelp
Really excited to try this place after I read all the raving reviews but we weren't too impressed with the food. For appetizers we got the lamb meatballs and fried fish. The lamb meatballs were really flavorful but the fried fish lacked flavor and wasn't anything special at all. For main food we got the butter chicken, kofta curry, shrimp curry and lamb curry. Everything was good but nothing great. All the curries tasted pretty much the same and we felt that everything had too much cream in it. Overall felt that we could get this type of food at any other Indian restaurant. The service was really great. Our server was amazing and attentive. The restaurant has outdoor and indoor seating but we opted to sit inside since it was raining a bit. The restaurant is clean and spacious
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Kent L.

Yelp
Clean and classy interior that borders casual and fine dining with attentive and friendly wait staff/service. I really enjoyed and would return for the mango lassi ($6?). The puri (I call them Indian-style nachos) was amazing and I would absolutely return to have it again. Eating the puri feels like putting a flavor bomb into your mouth and the flavors of the puri here are intense in the most wonderful way. It is a bit pricey ($12 for 5 puri?). We also had one of their curries (I forget if it was butter chicken or tiki masala) for around $21. The curry itself was very good (so much so that the left over curry was brought home and I cooked it with some ground turkey and rice for a large second meal) and had a pleasant smoky flavor to it, but the chicken was unfortunately very dry. Portions were quite small for $21 and you have to order rice or naan separately for $4-5. I would come back and would recommend the food here, just come knowing that the price may be a bit high and the portions may be a bit small, but the flavors are excellent.

River B.

Yelp
Came on Christmas Eve with a 3-generation party of seven people, including several with food allergies, two teens and a hard of hearing grandfather. Not only was the food absolutely beautiful and delicious, but the staff was incredibly gracious, patient, and helpful. I wish I lived in the area; I would be back all the time. Definitely planning to stop my next time through town.
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Bhanusri S.

Yelp
Food - What a wonderful quality meal that was which was pretty to the eyes too. We had the black pepper chicken Tikka Kabob, jaffrani Malai kofta, rumali roti, onion naan & a minty lemonade. Except the drink, everything was perfect. The drink was average & tasted like sugar syrup, would skip it next time. The chicken kabob I would say is the best I have had in the US so far - charred, juicy & tasty! Malai kofta was so rich & creamy, the rumali roti and naan were perfect accompaniments to it. Ambience - The decor is Soo beautiful. It's modern & elegant. The indoor plants theme is such a different vibe for an Indian restaurant. Definitely I would recommend dressing up for a special dinner and clicking pics. Service - Was quick, polite & respectful. Nothing to complain about I would love to go back again for a weekend brunch!
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Otome H.

Yelp
I ordered lachha paratha and they gave me roti. The roti was really average too. I don't think its right to charge $6 for basic roti and call it lachha paratha. The butter chicken was fine, but if you are charging $25 for a single serving, fine isn't enough. It didn't taste any different from any other butter chicken, whether it was the gravy or the chicken, and the quantity was very small. I wanted either more in size or something special in the taste. Even the presentation was nothing special. 2 stars because at least it tasted alright. But I was really tempted to give 1 star because it only tasted alright for the cost.

Divya V.

Yelp
I'm writing a review after many years of dining at Saffron. I went in last night (October 5,2024). I was highly disappointed with the experience: service, food and ambiance. 1. First they asked me to sit outside with 85 F and no fan or any other cooling system. I decided to wait the long wait and finally got a table after 35 minutes (expected without reservation) 2. The restaurant was too loud and I could hear everybody but the server. 3. Then I learned that the restaurant had gone tapas style, less food for more money strategy. sorry didn't work well with my idea. 4. The paneer tikka is grilled paneer now. Wow! It should not be served then, please. 5. The food quantity has gone down with the ever increasing price. Yes it's business but be HONEST in what you do. I'm sure this was my last visit. I will not miss you Saffron.
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Prachee R.

Yelp
Went there for Lunch and food was ok kind. I ordered chana bhatura and it was not enough for 1 person and I ordered extra bhatura which came so late that I almost lost my appetite. My husband ordered Fried chicken was too dry and oily. Didn't like it. Servers are very courteous and it was a decent restaurant. Overall not a good experience and it was too pricy for that kind of food.
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Derek S.

Yelp
Came by for dinner the other night and it was a decent experience. Made a reservation via Resy and our table was ready upon arrival. They do require a credit card to hold a table and there's also a charge if the reservation is cancelled within 24 hours and/or the number of diners is reduced... Parking is available on the street. The menu for the San Carlos branch is slightly different than the Burlingame one. Started off with the onion bhaji and it was a lightly fried onion that was lightly battered. Quite tasty. The samosa was filled with potatoes which was on the blander side. The butter chicken was decent with chunks of chicken thighs swimming in curry. The garlic naans were fresh out of the oven too. Service by the staff throughout the evening was decent. Some staff even more a mask. ~$40/head after tax and gratuity for dinner.
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Sumedha R.

Yelp
Saffron has some of the best Indian food in the Bay Area. Anything that comes out of their Tandoor is amazing! But for me the main test of an Indian restaurant is their dal. And they get it just right.
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Ahana D.

Yelp
We have been here several times here. The service is always awesome and the food is pretty great but definitely on the pricier side. Yesterday we celebrated Valentine's Day here. We made reservations on Resy. It was completely packed but the food still came out quick. It was our first time trying the onion bhaji and it was just okay. The general Tso's cauliflower was good. The cheese naan, the roomali roti and the dal makhni were great! The gulab jamun for dessert was warm, soft and just melted in my mouth! So good!! While some dishes were a miss, it was overall an enjoyable experience ;)
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Harish J.

Yelp
I'm rounding down from 3.4 for this review. The look and feel of the place is meticulously crafted and the service was pretty decent. When it comes to food, three things generally matter - presentation, aroma and taste. The way the food was presented was on point and raised our expectations but the aroma and taste dampened our excitement. This is one of the few places in the bay that seemed to have roomali roti on the menu. While I tempered my expectations, I was still quite disappointed when I took the first bite of the roti, as it was quite heavy to bite into. The kale pakora was definitely the star of the show.
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sonia c.

Yelp
Food is great , great Ambiance ,but waiters rush too much, I met a friend after so many months, so we were talking and eating slow . Waiter keep asking us how is everything , after we said food is great , they kept asking we still working on it or they want us to pack then we were eating our dinner they were keep asking again and again if they want to pack our food. We felt rushed , looks like they wanted as to eat quickly and get out of there. The funny thing was they just open an hour ago and they were not even busy there were only 3 tables with customers I don't understand reason for rushing us. Again food is really good place is nice and clean , food presentation is amazing. If you are just looking for good food, good place this is great spot, if you want to have conversation with your friends, then this is not the place. Business should understand they should at least give an hour for each table to settle down , chat with friends n to enjoy food. After an hour you can start rushing.

Romaldo M.

Yelp
Me and my cousin had stop by saffron to munch some easy to go meal. We had General tso cauliflower, chili chicken, rawa fried shrimp, chicken and lamb slider. Everything thing was very delicious. And service was top notch. Romeo and Suraj gave us excellent service and very friendly stuff.

Anand D.

Yelp
Really good dining experience. Waiting staff had really good recommendations and service. Have recommended this place to friends and family looking for authentic Indian food. Looking forward to next visit with larger group.
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Karishma G.

Yelp
Came here for a family dinner and didn't know what to expect, since I had never heard of this place. We walked in and were seated immediately. There was only one family seated in the corner of the restaurant. We got seated across the room from them. It seemed like a spacious restaurant, but that's probably because it was empty. After scanning the menu, we ordered the Lamb Meatballs and Fried Fish as appetizers. I loved how soft yet flavorful the meatballs were. They also had a bit of a kick to them, which I appreciated. I didn't try the fish, but my family said it was ok. It didn't have much flavor. Next we ordered, the Lamb Curry, Butter Chicken, Kofta and Shrimp Curry. They were all mediocre. It seemed like they were all made of the same base. The only ingredient that separated these dishes were the protein we chose. I have had far better Indian food at plenty of other restaurants, so I wouldn't recommend you go out of your way for this place.
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Cynthia L.

Yelp
I really liked the food here. I ordered the chicken biryani and it was one of the better ones that I have had. The service was pretty good. The reason why I docked a star was because my friend's butter chicken was quite cold when he received it and we had to send it back to the kitchen. It seemed like they gave him a brand new one but it was a little weird they would serve cold butter chicken. My other friend's shrimp curry was also a little warm (not hot). The other thing I noticed at this place was that they called a pilsner a lager on their menu. That's just a minor mistake though. Overall, this place was pretty good though I wouldn't drive out the way just to come here.
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Lachmin S.

Yelp
I was frustrated to learn upon arrival that items showing on the Yelp menu aren't actually offered here. I was told certain dishes like Chana bhatura are weekend only dishes. Disappointing. *1/31/24 Update* Though my initial rating was 3 stars due to disappointment of menu inaccuracy, I have to admit, the saag paneer and naan was the best I've ever had in my life, including my mom's saag paneer! Also, though the veggie dish was pricy, it was well worth the cost as I was able to take half of it home and purchased a naan to go. I was worried the naan would be leathery the next day but no, I broke it in half and popped it in the toaster and it came out as if it was just made fresh! I am definitely going to be back for more and tell everyone I know. :)
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Niyati S.

Yelp
We picked this place for my husband's birthday celebration and it was worth it! Loved their ambiance - each corner was beautifully decorated. We tried most of all that they had on their vegetarian menu. Their presentation and quantity for each dish was on point! Loved their paneer tikka and Malai Kofta (the best I have had so far in the bay area). Very friendly staff and they served us a "special dessert" to celebrate my husband's birthday. Reserving that 1 star as we were very disappointed with their Paneer Subji, too tangy and liquidly. All in all, a must try!

Ashish G.

Yelp
Amazing food, great service, good location, good ambiance. Black pepper chicken is the best I have ever had