Taksim

"Jewish food is as diasporic as they come, but at least according to some, manti — the plump, stuffed dumplings all the rage in San Francisco Bay Area kitchens in spring 2024 — are a cast in that larger play. Originally found in countries from Uzbekistan to Turkey, these dishes are on the menu at SoMa’s Taksim alongside baklava, Turkish stews, and more." - Eater Staff

"It’s easy to love Taksim. The upscale Turkish restaurant in SoMa from the Lokma people has a large dining space centered around a wood-fired oven, and is pretty enough for an easy weeknight dinner, or meals with coworkers when snacks at the bar just won’t do. The biggest reason to come here is the food, coupled with friendly service. The menu is a mix of mezes and large plates, served with housemade pita—just about everything is what you want to eat over convivial conversation about water signs. The golden branzino is balanced with salty sea beans, the lamb and beef kabob is perfectly cooked, and the plump king shrimp wrapped in finely shredded kadaif are a dream over urfa sweet chili. " - lani conway, julia chen 1

"It’s easy to love Taksim. The upscale Turkish restaurant near Brannan and 4th Streets from the Lokma people has a large dining space centered around a wood-fired oven, and is pretty enough for an easy weeknight dinner, or meals with coworkers when snacks at the bar just won’t do. The biggest reason to come here is the food, coupled with friendly service. The menu is a mix of mezes, salads, housemade breads, and large plates—just about everything is what you want to eat over convivial conversation about water signs. The golden branzino is balanced with salty sea beans, the lamb and beef kabob is perfectly cooked, and the plump king shrimp wrapped in finely shredded kadaif are a dream over sweet pomegranate molasses. And the interesting cocktails infuse Mediterranean ingredients like carob molasses and urfa pepper. " - Julia Chen 1, Lani Conway

"Capacity: 15-145  Taksim is an industrial-ish spot in SoMa with friendly service, a wood-fired oven, and an elevated-yet-casual energy that invites you to show up in anything from a crisp button down to a worn-out band tee. The Turkish restaurant serves great mezes, salads, housemade breads, and a fantastic branzino with sea beans. There’s a range of private dining options, most with accompanying three- and four-course set menus. Book the main dining room (capacity: 45-80 people) or the cozier, light-filled private room on the second floor. The upstairs bar is ideal for mixers of up to 15. " - lani conway

"Taksim is an upscale Turkish restaurant in SoMa that works for casual drinks and some muhammara at the bar, and fancy dinners with a group that’s bigger than a basketball lineup. The multi-level dining room is filled with wooden beams, hanging orb lamps, and tons of natural light—it’s a swanky place to spend a couple of hours discussing summer plans with your coworker’s neighbor. Get the butter-poached king shrimps, which are wrapped in crisp phyllo noodles and served with a drizzle of pomegranate molasses. And know that no group bonding session is complete without the grilled branzino punched up with a side of salty sea beans. " - Julia Chen 1