Okay the food here is SO good some of the most creative dishes I've had in a while. Everything just hits, no misses at all. Mediterranean menu and the seafood dishes were a straight up standout could not get enough. Didn't get a chance to try the kebabs this time (next visit for sure) but the pasta was great too, and the vegetarian entrée actually surprised me full of flavor, not an afterthought at all. Honestly this is the kind of place where you could just close your eyes and order and still end up happy. Can't wait to go back and work through the rest of the menu. read more

My first time having a more upscale Mediterranean dining experience. The atmosphere is great. The design is very refined without being too pretentious. It's very welcoming as well especially the cushioned seats. Made a reservation ahead of time for a party of four. Tried a variety of items. Octopus and sujuk was interesting. The octopus was tender. The sujuk reminded me of something like chorizo. A little too salty for me though. The breaking bread was amazing, so warm and fluffy. A highlight of the night. Lamb tandoor was tender, but a little too salty for me. There was a good meat to fat ratio which I appreciated. Saffron tahdig came with a cripsy exterior and was super fragrant. The portion was big. Cop sis skewers weren't too gamy and had a nice char. Loved the sauce for the duroc pork cheek souvlaki. Anatolian Erishte was new to me, and I didn't expect the dish to be the amount of creaminess that it was. I'm normally not a fan of baklava just because all of the ones I've tried are always too sweet for me due to the amount of honey. However, the layered baklava was very balanced. The pastry was still flaky and the raspberry provided enough acidity to balance the sweet. Loved the melon and dill bici bici as well. The mix of savory and sweet in a dessert is always appreciated. The cheese was so light, and I loved the labneh jelly. Such a delicate taste with a contrasting strong flavor of the melon and fragrance of the dill. Overall, a solid dinner. read more

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Been high on my list to try and it's a beautiful restaurant. The food is also really artfully plated. We came for brunch and started with breaking bread which had perfectly complemented assortment of flavors paired with the fluffiest of pita bread (AKA chubby pita). Nicely picked veg, olives, a hummus, labneh and the most fantastic beet dip with walnuts. Absolute must...including ordering a second pita to make sure you finish all the dips. Tried the scallop crudo which had nice tomatoes and a light vinaigrette of sorts. Nice and light, very fresh scallop and I couldn't help myself from spooning up the sauce to finish. The kebab pita with fries was very pretty and an interesting way to serve, basically quartered and then dipped in parsley. The kebab was well cooked, slightly pink, but it flet like it needed something else. Maybe some sauce or some veg or pickle. That might have made it even better. The fries were also ok, we actually thought they tasted a little stale, not as fresh/crispy as we would have expected. Service was very god and overall we enjoyed our meal and would love to come back to try more of the menu. Also nice to have so much parking in the Presidio in front which is very convenient. read more

Dalida - scallop crudo - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I LOVED this place!!! It was SO good. The bread that came with the bread platter was soooo fluffy and warm and the hummus was really good even though it supposedly is just normal hummus. The tahdig was also super tasty with the uni and fish on top. The middle Eastern pasta was also quite good and unique tasting! The lamb chops were interesting since they were kinda like meatballs more which made it feel cheaper, but still super tasty. Overall I would love to come back here again and try all the different things on the menu. Highly recommend!! read more

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Celebration lunch with coworkers was a treat! We had a set menu that was beautiful and so tasty! The presentation of the octopus was especially gorgeous. Tahdig was crunchy and delicious. The harissa chicken and gigante beans were tender and juicy. Will definitely be back! read more

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5% surcharge. 5/5: The Kibbe $18 has great flavor. It's very different: it comes inside a fried wheat wrapper. The tahini sauce is also great. 4/5: The saffron Tahdig $14 is even better than it looks. It's probably loaded with oil to make it taste good. 3/5: the wild pistachio coffee $9 is OK. It uses pistachio powder. 2/5: The breaking bread $18 is not impressive. The bread and dip at Oren's Hummus is better. read more

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A Refreshing Mediterranean Gem in the Presidio Tucked inside a beautifully renovated Presidio building, Dalida is an absolute delight that brings a fresh and modern take on Mediterranean cuisine. The setting blends comfort with a refined touch-perfect for a relaxed lunch or special outing. The Octopus and Sujuk dish truly impressed me-unlike anything I have seen before! A delicate, paper thin layer of octopus topped almost like a mosaic with crushed olive-caper and pork sujuk sauce. The flavor combination was bold, balanced, and uniquely creative. Their signature chubby pita bread with two styles of hummus and yogurt, alongside pickled carrot, pepper was divine. Soft, chewy and perfectly complimented by the vibrant dips. I also loved the seasonal salad with thin slices of persimmon and nuts-light,crisp, and refreshing, an excellent palate cleanser. For dessert, the Chocolate Fig Rollet was a show stopper-a date walnut roll cake with walnut crumble, fig aigre-doux and saffron ice cream. The textures and flavors danced together beautifully-rich, nutty, and fragrant with a hint of spice. Another refreshing dessert option is the Pink Lady Apple sherbet. A perfect finish after an artful meal. The menu covers ocean, garden, land, pasta and Chef's recommendations. The chef there appeared in Top Chef in the Food Network, and other accolades received. Their cocktail and mock tail menu would keep family members all very happy. Overall, Dalida offers an exceptional dining experience. Innovative dishes, fresh ingredients, friendly staff and a relaxed yet quality atmosphere. A wonderful addition to San Francisco's dining scene. After your meal, take a leisurely stroll through Presidio park nearby-where you can enjoy stunning views of Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Palace of Fine Art dome. It is the perfect way to complete a memorable San Francisco afternoon. read more

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Dalida just keeps getting better! We went for a last-minute late lunch today, and it totally exceeded my expectations. The spot is so pretty--you can take a nice walk on the promenade afterward. We started with the winter salad, which had the perfect mix of flavors--bitter radicchio, sweet sugared walnuts, preserved lemon, feta, pepitas, and even little edible flowers. So good! For mains, he got the Arayes Kebab (pita stuffed with beef kebab, shatta emulsion, chives, and guindilla peppers), and I had the sunchoke vegetarian kebab with a light spread of lemony hummus. I thought it was a meat skewer at first, but it was actually a smoky, flavorful sunchoke--so creative! Service was great, and everything felt relaxed but special. We ordered from the regular dinner menu instead of the lunch course menu, but I might try that next time. Highly recommend--make a reservation and enjoy! read more

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I've had this restaurant saved for several years and last night I finally tried it with no reservations for the three of us, we were able to eat at the bar. We ordered many dishes to share and enjoyed all of it, maybe too much. I'm actually glad we were seated at the bar because the cocktails coming from here were so beautiful I decided to order one, even though I had come in saying I wouldn't drink tonight, it was delicious. The atmosphere is minimal sheik, and nice service. read more

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Lovely restaurant in the Presidio! Dinner reservations were easy to make online. There's a good amount of paid street parking and parking lots nearby so parking shouldn't be an issue. For dinner, we ordered the Raw Diver Scallops, Little Gems Salad, side of Pita, Grapeleaf Duck Dolmas, and Carob pasta. I liked all the dishes we had! The highlights for me were the scallops (fresh and "juicy"), the grapeleaf dolmas (paired so well with the persimmon slices and pomegranate), and the carob pasta (unique shape). The only thing I genuinely did not enjoy was the non alcoholic Seasonal Gazoz drink. It was way too sweet and syrupy. Please take this off the menu. Otherwise, would be decent at 10% sweetness. Service was attentive but not intrusive. Great atmosphere and decor inside and out. Modern Mediterranean vibes. Would recommend for a special occasion! read more

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My friend and I came here for brunch. We had both perused the menu, and we really wanted to try a myriad of things. We ended up settling on: *Breaking bread - while I loved the muhammara, I found the overall plate semi lacking and honestly, would have skipped it. But mostly, that's because it was just filler things. *Crispy poached eggs - these were delicious and absolute perfection! Bonus points for the chubby pita. *Octopus and sujuk - this was special! I've never seen octopus cut up this way, and it was absolutely delicious! *Stuffed Atayef - we finished with this and it was really good. We also got the pistachio coffee was delicious (and I wish it was 2-3 times the size!), and I also got the Layla (delicious, I'm a sucker for anything black currant!) and my friend got the Golden Fleece (this was very interesting and savory). Overall, the food was good, and I'd love to come try more things. read more

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Thoroughly enjoyed my dinner here! Came here to celebrate a friend's birthday. Dalida definitely has the ambiance for a special occasion. It was packed on a Tuesday evening. Everything was so delicious! Service was welcoming and the food came out quickly. What we ordered (* for favorites!): - Octopus and Sujuk - Breaking Bread* - the chubby pita is so soft and flavorful! The dips were incredible. We ordered an extra pita to finish the dips. - Duroc Pork Cheek Souvlaki* - so tender and delicious. - Fattoush Salad - 12 Hour Lamb Shoulder Tandoor - Saffron Tahdig* - so good. crispy, flavorful rice, you don't find this dish too often! - Shoestring fries For dessert, we ordered the chocolate persimmon rollet, warm irmik helvase cobbler, and kabakli ekmek tatlisi. They had a complimentary chocolate dessert for my friend's birthday. The desserts weren't our favorites, but they were definitely unique! They were also good sized portions. read more

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Dalida got me saying holy-fa that Mediterranean food was so good - and it's on the recommended list by the Michelin Guide. SERVICE Genuine hospitality from patient, attentive, helpful, knowledgeable staff. AMBIANCE Refined yet relaxed FOOD 5/5 Octopus & Sujuk w crispy lavash bread crackers: cooked, chilled, sliced octopus laid out like a work of art, then topped with a tangy olive-caper dressing and savory pork sujuk sauce 5/5 Kaymak aka clotted cream gelato: super thick, creamy, and the perfect level of sweetness for me read more

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Wow I am not a Mediterranean food fan and I can't wait to go back. We came at lunch on a Friday with a reservation and sat inside though outside was absolutely stunning too. We did a series of small plates as a group but the top hits were the breaking bread app, the octopus, and the saffron rice. They also had a pre-fix menu that was reasonably priced for lunch around $45 for three courses. It's a paid parking situation though it was readily available on a Friday - I can imagine it's busier on weekends. The menu is a little spendy but honestly worth it! read more

Dalida - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Booked a table at Dalida for dinner and was wildly impressed with everything. Since we noted that we were celebrating an anniversary on our reservation, they gifted us a glass of bubbles in the beginning, which was a thoughtful start to a meal with incredible service. We ordered the chef's menu and it came with a huge variety of foods for not a crazy price compared to other high-scale restaurants. It started off with a few small bites that were all delicious. The fried fish (9/10) had a light, crisp fry with a creamy dill-forward sauce. The heirloom melon & halloumi (9.5/10) was a shocking surprise since it doesn't sound like the most complex combo, but the melon was vibrantly sweet and juicy, with the cheese being the perfect cut to the sweetness. The mussels stuffed with rice (8.5/10) were a rich, savory bite and were also dill-forward, a switch-up from the less savory previous bites. The yellowtail spoons (10/10) were amazing. The yellowtail was so refreshing, and the sesame sauce really provided a sourness that complemented the clean taste. It was very green onion-forward and was the best bite to just sit in your mouth and investigate all the layers. The Octopus and Sujuk (7.5/10) was one of the dishes we were most hyped for, and it was solid but not exceptional. The octopus was perfectly cooked and tender, and the flavor provided from the olive caper and sujuk sauce gave it a deeply savory, Mediterranean profile. The sujuk tasted very similar to Indian spices and was not something I taste typically in European cuisine, but it added a bold surprise to the dish. I think my only complaint with it is that it was too large of a dish, and after a while, the taste was very monotonous. I think a smaller portion with a few bites could have left a better memory in my head, but since we spent a while eating it, the taste became a little basic and underwhelming. The Breaking Bread (10/10) was the highlight of our meal. This is by far the best pita I have ever had; it's insane how fluffy it is. The three dips accompanied were all fantastic: the hummus was so creamy and delicious, the smoked yogurt had a bright acidity and a gentle spice, and the muhammara was so smoky. I could go back just for the pita and leave happy every time. The Fattoush Salad was also surprisingly standout (9/10); the tomatoes were perfectly ripe and added a nice silkiness, the balsamic added a tangy balance, and the nuts helped provide a great crunch to add texture. Finally, getting to the main, it was their Dry-Aged NY Strip with the seasonal vegetable (bell pepper) and Saffron Tahdig. The peppers (7/10) was a nicely done vegetable-forward side and came with a creamy mint sauce. Not the star but a great side. The NY Strip (9.5/10) was done extremely well--cooked perfectly, exceptionally tender, and the sauces on the sides gave a excellent range of flavor while keeping the beef the star. It's not the most complicated dish but is very simple and made flawlessly. The Saffron Tahdig (10/10) was shockingly also one of our favorite things. Not expecting much, this rice was so addicting. It had an enticing aroma, a rich buttery flavor, and the perfectly crunchy top made it so craveable. We could not stop eating it; it was insane how good a side of rice could be. The desserts with the chef's menu in general were just okay. Not the highlight compared to everything else but was a soothing finish to a fantastic experience. The Chicorée mousse (8.5/10) was so smooth, decadent, and had a nice hazelnut peanut-buttery taste--my favorite dessert out of the three. The cubes (6.5/10) were like a nutty sesame fudge that was good but had a similar texture to cookie dough, so it was a little unexpected. Very simple and bare bones. Finally, the chocolate dish (7/10) was a sort of chocolate cake with whipped cream and a chocolate sauce. It was the most reminiscent of a classic restaurant chocolate cake or brownie and was just a simple dessert beautifully executed. A lot of the other desserts on their menu looked more interesting, and I'd definitely be curious to try them next time. I have to say this was one of the best meals I've had in the city. I would recommend it to literally anyone. The vegetables they use are vibrant, and you can tell they use the best options for the season. The profiles they build in every bite are extraordinary. My favorite dishes were the yellowtail spoons, the Breaking Bread, and surprisingly the rice lol, but I didn't have a single bad bite. I also just found out they received a Michelin plaque, which is well-deserved and fitting. Exceptional service, beautiful scenery, mouth-breaking food... I will definitely be back to try everything else read more

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Beautiful restaurant in the Presidio perfect for brunch. Really enjoyed the gorgeous plant & light-filled space and natural themed decor. Been wanting to come here forever since watching chef laura's season on Top Chef and randomly meeting her brother in law at his restaurant in CDMX (small world haha.) Highlight of the food was the chubby pita that came with the tepsi kebabi. That warm, fluffy, thick pita could pair well with truly anything. The tepsi kebabi itself reminded me of a loco moco but with delicious middle eastern flavors. Truly exceptional service - we had the nicest & smiliest server ever; she was so sweet and really attentive! read more

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We came to the Presidio to try Dalida for brunch and were excited for the trendy Eastern Mediterranean food here. The restaurant is gorgeous outside and there are a few tables outside on the patio out front as well if you want to eat outside on a nice day. For food we shared the Breaking Bread, Octopus & Sujuk, and Fried Quail & Bouikos. The Breaking Bread came first with the chubby pita bread and an assortment of dips -- hummus, muhammara, and smoked yogurt. Loved the creamy hummus and nutty muhammara to dip the bread in and the pita itself was so nice and fluffy. I enjoyed the thinly sliced octopus topped with sujuk (a pork sausage sauce) but the octopus itself was a bit tough and dry the way it was prepared. The texture was a bit disappointing and overall I wish the flavor was punchier, especially when eating on a cracker. The fried quail was pretty good as well and definitely a filling dish with the bouikos which reminded me of cheese biscuits on the side. We were stuffed sharing the 3 plates between two people and while I enjoyed the food, I wish the flavors were punchier. Definitely worth a try if you're in the Presidio -- the area around is also beautiful for a post-meal stroll with gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge. read more

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We decided to try Dalida at the last minute and arrived 10 minutes before they opened for dinner on a weekend. Luckily we were able to snag two bar seats without a reservation but it seemed like that is not the norm. Everything we ordered was excellent! The cured trout was really enhanced by the mandarin oranges which I didn't expect. The Breaking Bread was a highlight, particularly the chubby pita and smoked yogurt. The kebab meat was juicy and flavorful. We also enjoyed the cocktails and Greek wine. All in all, I would gladly come back (with a reservation)! read more

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Dalida was on my list to check out for their brunch, but I ended up trying them out for dinner instead! We ordered the octopus and bread for starters, both of which were the stars of the show. I really liked how flavorful both of these options were (albeit not a huge fan of the olives that came with the dip). The reason for the 3 star review as opposed to 4 was the entree course. We shared the 12 hour lamb & tahdig, both of which were too salty and slightly bland in my opinion. I didn't think the lamb had much flavor outside of the salt, but it was cooked very well and was nice and tender. Overall after such a strong and flavorful start, I felt the meal fell flat where it should've been strongest. We didn't stick around for dessert, but maybe another time if I'm ever back! read more

Interesting location right in the Presidio with delicious food and great service. It's decorated well inside with some seating outside as well, and they have an extensive drink menu (though I did not have a drink). It's pricey, so this is definitely for more special occasions. Out of everything we ordered, the breaking bread was the standout. Personally, I probably won't order the pasta again. Overall, great for an elevated date night or a special occasion. read more

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Came here to celebrate my brother's birthday dinner. Made a reservation in advance. Surprisingly full on a weeknight. My favorite dishes were the kayseri manti, octopus, fries, duck dolmas, and the "breaking bread" dips. I don't recommend the lamb chops it was so dry and not that flavorful and I would also pass on the oysters as well since it wasn't that amazing. The baklava here isn't your typical baklava - hard pass on that as well. The ambiance here is very basic they should put a little tlc into their decor as well and make the restaurant more aesthetic. The dining seats here aren't that comfortable either. Other than that our server was super nice, but overall it was a ok experience. read more

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Cute spot! Nice ambiance, servers were a little lax but once we mentioned we had somewhere to be they were very fast and helpful. Expensive! Was not ready for that! That being said, the three cheapo meals we got were still delish. I would've loved one more kibbe, and my aunt would've appreciated the dressing on the side, but besides that it was a good experience. (Ok but look how tiny that coke bottle was, and for $6!) read more

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I've been wanting to stop into Dalida for a few months now and I was excited to finally try them out this weekend. Sadly when you walk in the front of house process is just is not what you would expect from a restaurant of this caliber. It seems to be run off of two tablets with some confusion with no wait times given. After being seated, we quickly put in our drink orders but I asked for a bit more time to review the menu (a mistake). Even though it may sound gauche, I (who am familiar with Turkish cuisine) would have loved pictures of the dishes somewhere online, because I just did not know what to expect from the menu descriptions. After quite a bit of time we finally flagged down the server to place our order and I went the Fried Quail and Bouikos and my husband the Turkish Flatbread which was very similar to Turkish pide with an over easy egg on top. The honey and I enjoyed our meals quite a bit and it was a wonderful surprise that the sujuk in the flatbread (pide) was not a lackluster American sujuk, but more closely resembled what we're used to in İzmir. Drinks wise I ordered the pistachio coffee (absolutely delicious) as well as a mint tea, and the honey ordered a drink with mastic liquor. I asked the server what the brand was for the liquor (I have adored mastiha since a trip to Chios several years back) but he couldn't tell me, and when I made small talk later and guessed it was Skinos, he said he would ask the bar, but we never got an answer. It honestly wasn't a surprise as by that point our visit had multiple noticeable long service gaps. I was even interested in dessert but after another long wait and never being offered a dessert menu I finally just gave up and flagged him down to ask for the check. All in all, I would definitely love to come back for dinner and their midye dolma, but the service wasn't great and definitely brought down what was otherwise a five star meal. read more

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It was a lovely experience from start to finish. The staff was incredibly friendly and accommodating, and the service was great. The food was delicious--our favorites were the octopus & sujuk, cop sis skewers and the manti. The ambiance was also super charming, nestled in the middle of a park surrounded by greenery. We'd definitely come back! read more

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My friend and I came here for dinner on a Sunday evening to celebrate my birthday a few days early. We had the good fortune of sitting at the chefs counter where we got to watch a lot of the magic happen! I love that this restaurant has this option and that we could see some of the cooking taking place. We decided to order a few items and share them all. By the recommendation of our server we had the octopus and the chubby pita sampler. We also had lamb pasta, roasted cauliflower, and a mixed green salad. This restaurant was definitely a highlight for me! For dessert, we decided to indulge ourselves in the kunefe. My friend is Palestinian and had high expectations and was pleasantly surprised by how much she enjoyed it (of course I enjoyed it because it's one of my favorite desserts lol). I did see that people who appeared to be at the restaurant celebrating their birthday received a dessert with a candle on it, and I was disappointed that one didn't get dropped off at our table for me - specifically the dessert that we ordered but with a candle on top. But perhaps we had to vocalize the request to make it happen? It is such a small piece to note compared to such a grand and fantastic dinner. I've mentioned to a few people that they need to check out this restaurant on their next visit to the city. I may have to join them when they come lol read more

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the food was fantastic! every dish was a hit. if i had to pick some highlights: - breaking bread: chubby pita was soft and fluffy and the hummus was standout - octopus and sujuk: such a great combo, the sujuk really made the dish but the crackers included were so good also - lamb shoulder tandoor: the lamb was super tender and perfect ratio of fat/meat our wine recommendation also paired really well with the food, ended up with a bottle of armenian pinot noir. desserts were all good and each were very unique and distinctive. because i was so full from the meal, I preferred the baklava as a lighter and more refreshing option. read more

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We've visited Dalida a handful of times over the last several years and it continues to impress. Set in a beautiful dining room facing the Presidio parade lawn. We usually opt for the chefs tasting menu when we visit so we get to try the seasonal dishes. The service is prompt and attentive and the servers explain every dish as they arrive. Their coctail menu is unique and inventive, the wine list highlights the regions the restaurant represents. I can confidently recommend Dalida to anyone who is looking for an amazing dinner experience. read more

Came here to celebrate a birthday and very much enjoyed the "Let us cook for you" menu! 5 courses, everything was very interesting and delicious. Only misses of the night were the date cake during dessert and the bread/ rice item that came with our entree. I was so full though, I certainly didn't need either. The meat entree itself was delicious and beautifully cooked, and the strawberry jasmine sorbet with dessert was excellent as well! My favorite dish was the short rib pasta course, delicious! read more

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We had such a wonderful time at Dalida last year celebrating our 20th that we decided to run it back for our 21st! It was so good that it was the first time that we've ever repeated a restaurant for an anniversary date! I was hesitant that the second experience would live up to the first but it totally did and then some! We arrived 1.5 hours early to explore the Presidio - IMO the best and most beautiful part of San Francisco - and walked down to the Golden Gate Bridge and Beach where on an uncharacteristically immaculate, windless, perfectly baby bear (not too hot, not too cold, juuuuuust right) warm day we saw people body boarding and water skimming, stopping by the Korean War Memorial and the National Cemetery where endless rows of Korean War Vets killed in the line of duty are buried. The experience at Dalida is like a good dream that you don't want to end. If you go to Dalida, you might as well make a day out of it...we briefly stopped at Inspiration Point for a quick photo but you could also visit the Walt Disney Museum, the Lucas Film Lobby, the Palace of Fine Arts, take a quick stroll through Lover's Lane, visit the Presidio Officer's Club, or just hang out on the immaculate lawn across the street beforehand. It's housed in these stunning red brick buildings (where soldiers used to live in wartime) that make for some spectacular photos. From the marvelous front of house (shout out bubbly Meredith & kind Jackie) to the excellent service (shout out to Johana or Jo who was like one of the best servers we've ever had to the point of being memorable...perfectly personable without a hint of pretentiousness, warm, accommodating, and really knowledgeable about the finer points of the meal). We were lucky that Top Chef Season 21: Wisconsin 4th place finisher & Co-Head Chef Laura Ozyilmaz happened to be in the kitchen that day as we got her to sign a photo that we took with her last year. (I LOVE TOP CHEF so this was really cool!). She's so unbelievably down to earth friendly and passionate about her food. This would all be nothing without the FOOD. Last year we got the tasting menu and we got it again! It was a perfect blend of it's greatest hits and all new food we haven't tried before. The only things that were repeated from last year were the Fattoush Salad with crispy cucumbers, juicy flavorful heirloom tomatoes (WOW), sweet apricots, parsley, crispy pita croutons, candied walnuts, and tangy pomegranate molasses dressing (so perfectly balanced with amazing texture...a recurring theme throughout the meal) and the memorable Breaking Bread which should be renamed Breaking Bad because I think their Chubby Pita (hands down the best I've ever had) is laced with Walter White's crack or something man b/c it's soooo good. Accompanying the puffy pita is the best and smoothest hummus I've ever had, something called Muhammara which is a delicious, sweet roasted red pepper spread with walnuts, smoked yogurt (another WOW), punchy olives, and refreshing pickles. Welcome snacks included something called Sabzi (very herbacious and floral), an amazing Octopus Panipuri with Mint Chutney, and Mussels stuffed with rice. No misses here...everything is distinctive, exploding with flavor, and delights with various textures. Next came a crunchy Kibbeh with either curried lamb or beef (I forget)...it came with a Tahini sauce with a smiley face dollop of balsamic. =) This was followed up with a delightful carob pasta with pork shoulder...the flavor on this dish wasn't like an explosion per se and was more muted compared to the other dishes but it was hearty and reminded me of a good Italian ragout dish. It was still excellent and a delightful contrast to the rest of the meal. Then came the highlight and star of the show: a completely succulent, I-don't-need-teeth-to-chew pork collar which was impossibly fatty and unctuous and tender, accompanied by this appropriately tangy pomegranate sauce that got back on the flavor bomb.com train. What came with it was a complete surprise. I forget what the Turkish name of the dish was but it was like a Rice Wellington! The fragrant rice inside was flavored with dill and sweet Turkish Apricots and was baked inside this perfectly crunchy, flaky, buttery puff pastry...another WOW dish I've never had before and bet you haven't either! We also ordered a side of the crispy buttery Persian Tahdig rice that we enjoyed so much last year but that didn't come with the tasting menu this year (order it if it's not on the Tasting Menu). Dessert was the unique sticky Turkish Ice Cream that we remembered so fondly from last year and craved again since, a refreshing and not-too-sweet Strawberry Jasmine Sorbet, Sesame "Halva", and a chocolate cake with honeycomb ice cream. Everything on the menu is unique, creative, whimsical, rooted in Chef Sayat's Turkish, Greek, Armenian, Jewish, Persian, and Arabic (!) heritage, flavor bomb.com, and simple food elevated to something memorable. read more

This restaurant has such a refined but down to earth atmosphere. It's quite busy on the weekends, so I'd recommend making a reservation. For food, we ordered the Breaking Bread and Fattoush salad - both tasted so fresh and had amazing flavors. We also ordered the Aleppo half chicken and the squash dolmas. The chicken was well cooked and tasty but didn't wow me, so I'd order a different main next time. Next time I visit, I'd love to try their brunch! read more

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First off, I love a restaurant with a chef's counter, which is exactly what we booked. We went on a Thursday night and it was packed, but the energy was amazing! Overall, such a great experience. Every single staff member showed top-notch hospitality. We started with the breaking bread (hummus and pita) sooo good then the California tahdig (beautifully presented) and the Cypriot lamb chops. We also got lucky that the wine director helped us pick the perfect bottle to pair with our dishes. Both executive chefs were there and even took time to say hi, which was so thoughtful considering how slammed they were. I will definitely be back, it was such a night! An upscale Mediterranean experience that really stands out in the SF area. read more

Food: 4.5/5 Drinks: 4.4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Overall:4.5/5 SF is starting to have quite a few Mediterranean/Turkish restaurants that are making it to my top list. I was a big fan of Taksim and Aziza, and now we should add Dalida to the list. A solid Mediterranean/Turkish restaurant. The cocktail menu is pretty exciting, and most of us were happy with our orders. I didn't get to try the wine, but options were plentiful. Ambience is a bit underwhelming, there is nothing special about the decor and tables are a bit too close to each other. Foodwise we were pretty happy with our choices and it was the best part of the experience. I had the sampler appetizer and their amazing pita bread. The salad with this old dressing and the beef skewers, which were my favorite. As for the main dish, we tried the lamb shoulder saffron tahdig, which is a must-have. Overall, the service was great, the food was lovely, and we had a great time. Highly recommend it. read more

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Amazing meal! The pita bread was so soft and warm - def a must get here. We also got the fish, beet salad and scallop crudo, and duck. The appetizers were really refreshing and mains were really filling. I would come back to try other dishes read more

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My family and I had a wonderful experience at Dalida. The service was attentive and the staff took great care of us. I accidentally booked the reservation on the wrong day and didn't notice until the day before. The restaurant was understanding and kindly waived the cancellation fee for the wrong date. We were able to book another reservation for the correct day. We decided to do the tasting menu. It was a great variety of dishes, and there was so much food! The standout dish was the pork. It was tender and had great flavor. We also really enjoyed the chubby pita. It was soft and had a nice chewy texture. It was fun to eat it with the hummus, red pepper dip, and smoked yogurt dip. The desserts were just okay but overall we really enjoyed our meal. I hope this restaurant gets more recognition as it is well deserved. read more

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Awesome! Food was amazing and the beautiful decor just added to the experience! Our server was in it!

They were able to accommodate us last minute on the infamous blackout day. We were surprised they had power and at how delicious the meal was. Ive been to dalida a few times but their new tasting menu was fantastic and the best way to enjoy their delicious food. Servers were extremely nice and attentive. Very cool vibe inside as well. The steak, and caviar service were standouts for me. read more

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Last night we had an excellent celebratory dinner at Dalida with 3 omnivores and 1 vegan (myself). Dalida is serving up delicious and diverse dishes from the Eastern Mediterranean, with plenty of vegan or veganizable options celebrating the beauty of vegetables. We started with the "breaking bread" appetizer, which came with the world's best pita (supremely fluffy, I seriously considered asking for more to bring home with me) and a variety of dips (the yogurt dip is not vegan but everything else is - muhammara, hummus, baba ganoush, pickles, marinated olives). This is a must order!! For starters we also got the beet fattoush (red and golden beets, walnuts, parsley, pita croutons, pomegranate molasses) and the sunchoke kebab (caramelized sunchokes with Georgian satsebeli glaze, sunchoke garlic toum, pickled turnips), both of which were delicious and unique and beautifully presented. For mains, the omnivores had the Aleppo chicken and the lamb shoulder and thoroughly enjoyed their meals. We also had a vegan version of the Anatolian erishte (forest mushrooms, winter squash, hazelnuts, spiced tomato sauce) and a side of broiled cauliflower (harissa spiced, dates, rose dukkah) and fries. The cauliflower was delightful and well seasoned, and while I enjoyed the interesting mushrooms and the flavor of the pasta, I believe they had to substitute in a gluten free pasta to make it vegan and it was just not as tasty, texturally speaking. As a vegan I would recommend sticking with the small plates! For drinks, I tried a cocktail "p.s. I love you" (mahia, feijoa distillate, clarified passionfruit, paradiso aperitif, passionberry, champagne acid) - the passionfruit bubbles were so fun! And the "Layla" mocktail (pine needle smoked tea, clarified black currant and urfa biber shrub, wild thyme, sansho peppercorn) - lovely smoky and tart! All in all it was a scrumptious special meal with special people. The restaurant was warmly lit and inviting, and our servers swapped out partway through but they were all helpful and friendly. I highly recommend Dalida for omnivores and vegans alike! read more

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What a great experience! My wife and I had dinner tonight at the bar of Dalida. We tried to make a reservation a few weeks ago and was informed that they were booked. I had no idea this Top Chef alum's restaurant was so popular to be booked up on a Wednesday night. But after dining here, I totally understand. We arrived at the opening of their dinner service at 5 pm hoping to get a seat at the bar, and we were successful. The 3 bar tenders: Valentina, Donnie, and Derek all contributed to our super positive experience. I feel weird calling them bar tenders...because they were so much more. Not only were they expert mixologists, they knew all aspects of the food and dessert menu. Giving us guidance throughout our meal. All 3 were personable and excellent hosts. The Food: We started with the grilled oysters Suleyman (10/5) to pair with our expertly made cocktails. The grilled oysters were so good, we ordered a second plate of oysters. Amazing! We then ordered Aroyas Kebab (5/5) - a beef kofta of sorts cooked within a pita. Also very good. The other shared dish we ordered was a lamb dumpling dish called Kayseri Manti (7/5). Ground lamb and spices in a fresh pasta served in a Mediterranean flavored tomato sauce with a soft savory cheese on top. Another home run. Dessert? Heck yeah! We shared the layered baklava (5/5) and kaymak marash ice cream (5/5). These were both recommended by Donnie, our mixologist for extraordinaire. We accompanied our dessert with another refreshing cocktail, the Lemon Kalimera (5/5). It's clear from my super positive comments that we really enjoyed our experience at Dalida. The tasty and unique food, inventive cocktails, expert service, and attention to detail makes this restaurant very special. I regret that we don't live closer so we could become 'regulars' at Dalida. It's that special. Check it out! read more

Dalida is an exceptional restaurant and my favorite Turkish/Middle Eastern restaurant in San Francisco. The space is large, airy, and charming. The architecture is (as expected), similar to Farley Bar in Cavallo Point, but has some nice art deco touches and a stunning floral mural against the back wall. But the food is what is truly exceptional here. We ordered the octopus carpaccio to start: the octopus was tender, perfectly seasoned, and had a delicious olive tapenade and pork sujuk sauce that was flavorful (potentially accented with some sumac). The breaking bread course came next and everything was the best possible version: the pita was potentially the best I've had in the US, the hummus had extraordinary flavor and texture, and the muhammera was a delicious surprise (I had never had it before). This was my second favorite thing because... ...we also got the Saffron Tahdig, and this was beyond. It had been perfectly crisped, creating a thin crunchy web of rice. Yet the middle was soft and buttery, flavorful with the perfect amount of Saffron. I could not stop eating this dish: the last bite was as intoxicating as the first. I audibly groaned with pleasure when I ate it, and I cleaned the plate before they took it away. Also great was the Fattoush Salad and the Mandi. But I cannot stop thinking about that Tahdig. I hope to go back and order the other half of the menu. And of course, the Tahdig. read more

Dalida - Bread course and Fattoush salad - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I wanted to try out this place after seeing it on Check Please, Bay Area. In my group, we tried the Grapeleaf Duck Dolmas, Kayseri Manti, Swordfish Souvlaki, Saffron Tahdig, and Baklava. The Dolmas were fresh and warm. The Kayseri Manti were small lamb dumplings, tasty but not a large volume of food. Alone by itself, the plate might not fill you up, but get the Tahdig too to share, and you will be fine. I had the Swordfish and liked it a lot. Each piece had a bay leaf and a small lemon chunk next to it. The main room is rustic with large windows. Our server was engaging. You won't get large portions for the price, so be prepared. read more