Best Lentil Soup in San Francisco, California
1
Sumac | Modern Street Food
Mediterranean restaurant, Catering food and drink supplier, Caterer, Halal restaurant, Delivery Restaurant, Takeout Restaurant, Soup restaurant, Turkish restaurant, Vegan restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant
Price Range: $$
Address: 1096 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Sumac | Modern Street Food in San Francisco, California serves up a delightful mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine with a focus on fresh, healthy ingredients and generous portions. The restaurant specializes in falafel, lentil dishes, and flavorful dips like hummus and muhammara, all served with warm pita bread in a casual takeout-only setting. Their menu caters well to both meat-lovers and vegetarians alike, featuring popular items like their chicken rice bowls, red lentil balls, and house-made sauces that keep locals coming back for more.
Known For
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Portion Sizes: Many reviewers comment on the generous portion sizes, often describing the portions as "huge," "ample," "big," and "filling."
Prices: Some reviewers find the prices to be high or overpriced, while others feel the prices are reasonable or fair for the quality and quantity of food. Several consider the food worth the price.
Parking: The reviews do not provide information on whether the restaurant has parking or the parking situation.
2
El Mansour Restaurant
Moroccan restaurant, Halal restaurant, Restaurant
Price Range: $$
Address: 3119 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121
El Mansour Restaurant in San Francisco, California, offers an immersive Moroccan dining experience complete with traditional decor and nightly belly dancing entertainment. The restaurant serves a five-course prix fixe menu featuring authentic dishes like tender lamb, flavorful kabobs, and house-made baklava, while the attentive staff creates a welcoming atmosphere with traditional hand-washing ceremonies and mint tea service. The intimate space transports diners to Morocco with its ornate furnishings and low seating arrangements, though reservations are recommended as it tends to fill up quickly during peak hours.
Known For
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Portion Sizes: Many reviewers described the portion sizes as generous.
Prices: Reviews on affordability are mixed; some found it overpriced while others felt it was reasonably priced or worth the cost for the experience.
Parking: Street parking is available, but there is no designated restaurant parking lot.
3
Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill
Middle Eastern restaurant, Halal restaurant
Price Range: $$
Address: 1599 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Abu Salim Middle Eastern Grill in San Francisco, California, serves up authentic Palestinian cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the heart of the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. The restaurant is known for its standout dishes including house-made falafel, creamy hummus served with warm pita bread, and perfectly seasoned shawarma and kabob plates that keep locals coming back. The generous portion sizes and friendly, attentive service from the staff create an inviting dining experience where guests are treated like family while enjoying traditional Middle Eastern flavors.
Known For
Not Noted
Portion Sizes: Numerous reviews emphasize the generous portion sizes, often suggesting that dishes are large enough for two people to share. This is consistently cited as a positive aspect of the dining experience.
Prices: Many reviewers comment on the reasonable or affordable prices, especially considering the portion sizes and location. Several refer to it as a good value or a good deal.
Parking: One review mentions difficulty with parking on weekends, suggesting limited or challenging parking availability in the immediate vicinity.
4
SAJJ Mediterranean (SF SoMa)
Mediterranean restaurant, Halal restaurant, Health food restaurant, Middle Eastern restaurant, Salad shop, Sandwich shop
Price Range: $
Address: 636 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
SAJJ Mediterranean (SF SoMa) in San Francisco, California offers a fast-casual dining experience with a diverse menu of Mediterranean favorites served in a build-your-own style format. The restaurant is known for its fresh ingredients and generous portions, featuring everything from falafel and shawarma bowls to wraps and salads, all complemented by their signature complimentary lentil soup. The establishment maintains a casual, cafeteria-style atmosphere where diners can customize their meals with various toppings and sauces, making it a popular lunch spot for locals seeking halal Mediterranean cuisine.
Known For
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Portion Sizes: Many reviews praise the generous portion sizes, describing them as "huge," "generous," and "big," often mentioning enough food for two meals. However, some mention receiving less than expected, particularly with falafel.
Prices: Reviews on affordability are mixed. Some reviewers find the prices reasonable or affordable, especially considering the portion sizes. Others find the food overpriced, especially in comparison to other Mediterranean restaurants or given the perceived quality.
Parking: One review mentions that parking may be an issue in the downtown location.
5
Red Chilli Halal
Pakistani restaurant, Halal restaurant, Indian restaurant, Nepalese restaurant, Vegan restaurant
Price Range: $
Address: 522 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Red Chilli Halal in San Francisco, California, is a family-owned establishment serving authentic Pakistani and Indian cuisine in a cozy, no-frills setting. The restaurant is renowned for its generous portions of freshly prepared dishes, including their standout lamb curries, biryani, and tandoori specialties served with complimentary chai tea. While situated in a bustling downtown location with limited parking, the warm hospitality from the staff and reasonable prices make it a cherished spot for those seeking authentic halal food.
Known For
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Portion Sizes: Many reviewers comment on the generous portion sizes, often noting that the food could easily feed multiple people, and many reviews mention taking leftovers home.
Prices: Numerous reviews describe the prices as affordable, cheap, reasonable, or economical, highlighting the good value for money.
Parking: Parking is described as a challenge due to the location and lack of parking spaces. Many reviews mention the parking as a negative aspect.
6
TRULY Mediterranean
Mediterranean restaurant, Falafel restaurant, Greek restaurant, Halal restaurant, Health food restaurant, Kebab shop, Lebanese restaurant, Syrian restaurant, Turkish restaurant
Price Range: $
Address: 3109 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
TRULY Mediterranean, located in San Francisco, California, stands as a long-running establishment serving up authentic Middle Eastern fare with their renowned falafel and shawarma wraps taking center stage. The restaurant specializes in freshly made Mediterranean classics, including lamb and chicken shawarma, kufta kebabs, and their signature crispy falafel, all served with house-made sauces and traditional sides. While operating from a modest space with limited seating, this casual eatery has maintained a loyal following for over three decades with its consistently flavorful dishes and generous portions.
Known For
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Portion Sizes: Many reviews comment on generous portion sizes, particularly regarding wraps and platters.
Prices: Reviewers generally consider the prices affordable and fair for the quality and quantity of food.
Parking: One review mentions parking as a problem, but other reviews do not discuss parking.
7
Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen
Mediterranean restaurant, Halal restaurant, Turkish restaurant
Price Range: $$
Address: 2164 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen in San Francisco, California offers a diverse menu of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine in a clean, modern setting. The restaurant serves fresh-made staples like gyros, kabobs, and hummus with warm pita bread, though portion sizes and pricing can be inconsistent. While most patrons enjoy the authentic flavors and friendly service, the dining experience can vary depending on the time of visit and staff working that day.
Known For
Not Noted
Portion Sizes: Opinions on portion sizes are mixed. Some reviewers find the portions generous and filling, while others describe them as small, skimpy, or too little for the price.
Prices: Reviewers have mixed opinions on the affordability of the restaurant's prices. Some find the prices reasonable or acceptable, while others consider them high or overpriced for the portion sizes.
Parking: The reviews do not provide information about parking availability or the parking situation.
8
Bistro Mediterraneo
Halal restaurant, Deli
Price Range: $
Address: 2955 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121
Bistro Mediterraneo in San Francisco, California, is a charming Mediterranean eatery that serves up a variety of authentic dishes ranging from gyros and falafel to shawarma and traditional soups. The cozy establishment doubles as a small market, offering imported goods and sweets while maintaining a reputation for consistently friendly service and welcoming atmosphere. The menu features generous portions of freshly prepared Mediterranean classics, with their gyros, falafel wraps, and house-made hummus being particular standouts among regular customers.
Known For
Not Noted
Portion Sizes: Reviews on portion sizes are mixed. Some describe portions as generous and others as average or even small, suggesting variability in portion sizes or individual perception.
Prices: Many reviewers comment on the affordable prices and good value, especially considering the quantity of food received. However, there are some mentions of it being average priced.
Parking: One review mentions that parking is not too bad for being in SF. No other reviews discuss parking.
9
Se7enbuds Restaurant
Persian restaurant, Afghan restaurant, Halal restaurant, Mediterranean restaurant
Price Range: $$
Address: 1426 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Se7enbuds Restaurant in San Francisco, California, offers an authentic blend of Afghan and Persian cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere along Polk Street. The establishment is known for its signature dishes including tender lamb kabobs, flavorful mantu dumplings, and aromatic rice dishes, all prepared with traditional spices and halal ingredients. The restaurant combines friendly service with generous portion sizes, making it a hidden gem for both casual diners and those seeking authentic Middle Eastern flavors in a clean, casual setting.
Known For
Not Noted
Portion Sizes: Many reviewers emphasize the generous portion sizes, describing them as "huge", "substantial", and "large". This is a frequently cited positive aspect of the dining experience.
Prices: Many reviewers comment on the affordable prices and good value, especially considering the large portion sizes. The restaurant is described as offering "good prices", "reasonable prices", and "prices below SF averages".
Parking: One review mentions street parking as "pay parking". There is no information about dedicated restaurant parking.