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    Kitava

    4.4 (680 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Kitava Takeout or Delivery

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    KITAVA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Kitava

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    Talia M.

    The food was amazing! Great quality gf food, great portions and was brought up quickly. Staff were super kind, the inside of the restaurant was nice but the location of the restaurant is a little sketchy. Would get it again tho!

    Caili C.

    Really great unassuming casual spot for a healthy bowl/salad in the Mission. It's a hidden spot that opens up to a bright, spacious casual eatery that was surprising to see on Mission St. I was looking for something quick and healthy for a late lunch and Kitava seemed like the perfect spot to pick up food. I got a BYO bowl with paprika chicken, roasted broccoli, and warm mushrooms with a salad greens base and the avocado green goddess dressing. Loved this combination and the fact that the broccoli and mushrooms came out warm! The green goddess dressing was fresh and tangy, perfect on the chicken and veggies. The portion was pretty generous as well. Staff was nice and answered our questions about how a couple of toppings were prepared. Overall great place for something casual and healthy in the Mission.

    Interior
    Brennan S.

    Hidden gem located on 16th and Mission, Kitava is a a great spot if you're looking for a quick, healthy and hearty meal. I got the BYO bowl with Picadillo beef, greens, Brussels sprouts, chimichurri mushrooms and herb ranch- everything was super fresh and I loved the portion size. The restaurant was clean and the staff was really nice. The vibe is laid-back and very chill.

    Axel O.

    Great food, Taste and feels very healthy. I got the sesame chicken bowl and it was delicious. The servers are nice

    Kimchi Mushroom Bowl and Power Bowl
    Chris W.

    Clean and well kept inside, surprising find by 16th and Mission. Person taking order was friendly, love the aesthetics of the remodel after they took over a McDonalds. We ordered: - Power bowl (4/5): Guac and humus were a nice touch, everything tasted fresh - Kimchi mushroom bowl (4/5): Mushrooms were so good here $5-$9 more for meat add ons. Ingredients tasted fresh but felt portions could be slightly bigger for the base price.

    Power Bowl
    Amber C.

    Saw the line for La Taqueria going for miles around the corner so decided to come here instead. Got the power bowl to share. Came out so fast and it was so yummy! Felt so healthy and nutritious. The restaurant itself was very clean and gave green healthy vibes.

    My Sesame Chicken Bowl and side of Chimichurri Mushrooms
    Christina C.

    Recently dined as a party of two before a concert nearby. We beat the dine-in rush (dining in a little after 5P) but plenty of orders for pick-up were flying off the counter. The restaurant was tidy and sleek, something that might fit in well at Saluhall. Service was friendly and prompt, the food came out relatively quick after ordering at the counter. I enjoyed the sesame chicken bowl with a side of chimichurri mushrooms. The chicken was perfectly, lightly battered and moist, the broccoli roasted just right. Eric liked his sweet plantain bowl too. The portions were larger than I expected (nice surprise!) so I didn't need the side of mushrooms. But I'm glad I ordered them because they were delicious too. To drink, I had ordered a bottle of unsweetened green tea and it was nice to be offered a glass to drink it from. (I opted out and drank it from the sealed bottle.) I'll definitely come back if I'm in the area and try other bowls!

    Sesame Chicken Bowl
    Shannon Z.

    When I want to eat something healthy and fast, my go-to for this is Kitava, and they have two locations. The SF location is next to the 16th Street BART station, which used to be a McDonald's. The space has a lot of seating and is bright, warm, and inviting. Everything on the menu is prepared using whole food ingredients which are gluten-free, dairy-free, peanuts-free, and soy-free. One of the oils they use is Palm oil, and this sometimes bothers my digestive system. I am a fan of the sesame chicken bowl ($16), and the evolved caesar salad ($10, which is a more affordable dup. of the vegan caesar salad at Rad Radish). If you have celiacs or any autoimmune disease(s), this place is a must.

    This plantain  bowl  was awesome Normally not a fan of beans however they were AMAZING esp w good rice
    Hélène C.

    I had no idea what to order ... had just driven from Cupertino then walked the parade area was sure busy so looked in after finding on yelp. Super cool mellow vibe / ambiance I needed after crazy outside party in street vibe because of parade. I was greeted by tall guy with so much aloha ... asked him what to order ... he showed me menu ... so I ordered plantain bowl omg haven't had plantains in forever ... when bowl came I wasn't impressed w visuals but wow greens were fresh spectacular flavor. Generally not a fan of beans - they were out of this world !!! W fresh rice & loved the whole experience- i highly recommend this place esp if you are vegan / vegetarian they have also a few other options... the dish came w a sauce ... I didn't even notice till I was finished eating Definitely didn't need sauce . Tasted after w rice was not my flavor - but amazing fresh flavorful food. I don't feel over stuffed it feels healthy & fresh !!! And filling I'll be back

    Timothy N.

    I'm here to tell you that if you're going to treat yourself to good salad, Kitava does it right. I got the power bowl with additional chicken which was just the right amount of food for me as a big eater. It also kept me full for about 6 hours. If you're a small eater you may be able to split it into two meals or a meal and a half. Although pricey, most salad spots priced lower tend to have less quality and quantity. If you get the base salad without an additional protein option, it's actually quite affordable; but as other reviews mentioned the additional protein adds an extra ~5 dollars. For me, since I'm viewing it as a treat, I don't mind paying extra for good quality ingredients and a well balanced nourishing meal.

    Evolved Caesar Salad + Crispy Chicken - Side
    Makayla S.

    I love this place so much!!! One of my favorite Cesar salads in the city. Everything has so much flavor and is such a unique take on a simple Cesar salad. I like to add a side of their crispy chicken nuggets on top. Everything from the dressing to the croutons are 10/10!!!

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    4 years ago

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    Sarah - thanks for your review and feedback!

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    2 years ago

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    Angela - thanks for the feedback and your positive review!

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    1 year ago

    I have only gotten food from here off of DoorDash so I can't speak on their ambiance but their food is good

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    5 years ago

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    Jerry - thanks so much Jerry. We appreciate you!

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    no wait time on a saturday afternoon . touch-less ordering, clean. The food was flavorful. service was quick.

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Casual vegetarian dining. Safe gluten free cuisine. My favorite is the simple side of plantains and kombucha on tap.

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    Jane - thanks for sharing this review!

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    Page 2 of 17

    Ask the Community - Kitava

    Hi! My daughter is allergic to nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, gluten, soy, sesame, coconut, corn, shellfish, green lentils, millet, sorghum, amarynth... could we eat at Kitava? If 'yes', that would be life changing! :)

    That's a long list. The best way to know would be to give them a call and talk to them. They are very good about getting back to you about allergens.

    Are there many nut and mustard free dishes on the menu? Or is there a chance of cross contamination in the kitchen for these ingredients?

    Hi Amy, All our ingredients are listed in detail on our website, so please check there to make sure… Read more

    Any low sodium options for someone with high blood pressure?

    Hi Maddie, We recommend guests with specific dietary needs build their our bowl to ensure they have… Read more

    Wanted to know what oils you use in cooking. Can lard or butter be requested?

    Hi Mark, Good question! We use 100% extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil in our cooking, as well… Read more

    Is the food at the ghost kitchen versions really the same? Are most organic? Organic pork Or 100% pasture fed? Prefer the old version kale salad (mostly cabbage) why change?

    Hi L L., If you're referring to the kitchens operated by our partners All Day Kitchens, yes the… Read more

    Are any of your sauces vegan?

    Yes! All our sauces are vegan except the Chipotle Aioli, which contains pastured eggs.

    Do they serve alcohol here?

    Yes, we do! We serve a selection of natural wine, hard cider, high alcohol kombucha, and gluten-free beer.

    Is there parking close by or curbside pick up? 16th & Mission is pretty sketchy so wondering if it's easy to pick up food if you're driving?

    Hi EJ, Parking is limited in the area, but metered parking can be found on Capp Street or along… Read more

    Is this place pet friendly?

    Hi Karen, Only service dogs are allowed by law. All other animals must be kept outside,… Read more

    Hi! I know the menu says no refined sugar added, but im wondering if there is sugar of any form (honey, agave, etc) in the items? Esp in sauces

    It depends on the item. All the deserts have some form of sugar. The entrees may or may not. The menu on their website has all the ingredients listed for most items.

    I don't see any health code score Is there one?

    Our health code score is "Pass", as the city has done away with the numbered system.

    What are the most keto friendly dishes?

    The items with non-starchy carbs on our menu are all keto-friendly. A good place to start is the Mix & Match section, where you can easily build your own keto-friendly bowl. Our Pesto Chicken Cobb and House Salads are also keto-friendly, as is the… Read more

    What is the health code score?

    Our health code score is "Pass", as the city has done away with the numbered system.

    Is there a San Francisco surcharge added (that is over and above the menu price shown for each item)?

    Hi Charles, Yes, there is a 4% surcharge added to help offset the SF Healthcare Mandate, as well… Read more

    Are the "boxed" meals good to keep in the fridge for the week? Looking to buy dinners for the week and reheat. thanks!

    Yeah, I think it would work. It all depends on what you are trying to keep---some of the food is best served fresh--but if you wanted a salad or something--just request dressing on the side--or even ask them to not fill the tacos, etc and keep the… Read more

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    One of my favorite dining experiences in SF (and it's a tough category to win in)! This review is…read morelong overdue as I had an amazing experience at Trestle for a birthday dinner a whole year ago. By sheer luck, my birthday coincided with the 4-course for $45 promotion they were running for their 10-year anniversary. I had to jump at the opportunity, especially since the menu was built from the all time favorite items at the restaurant since their opening. I really couldn't think of a better way to experience a restaurant for the first time. While some set course meals have a few misses, this one was just hit after hit the entire way through. I really felt as if every course was complimentary, but different enough in their own way to stand on their own and make an impact. Tldr: the food was amazing! The icing on the cake (figuratively and literally) was just how far they went out of their way to make my birthday night special. Exceptional service, bringing out a complimentary dessert with a candle, and even leaving a personalized card elevated this experience to the next level. Would highly recommend paying Trestle a visit, and I can't wait for the next time I'm able to try their new menus myself!

    I really enjoyed this place. The food was very delicious. They have pre fixe menu that changes…read moredepending on what's in season. You get an appetizer, pasta dish, main and dessert. The price for quality and quantity was really worth it. On the night we went, I got the split pea soup, risotto with bacon and veggies, their steak main and sorbet for dessert. I honestly really enjoyed all the dishes, especially the steak that was cooked medium rare and the risotto. It was so flavorful and creamy. Got a glass of white wine to wash everything down. The only downside with service was that they didn't offer us a bread basket. We didn't realize this until the very end. Everyone else got bread baskets and were even asked if they wanted one. Our table was not informed so we felt a little left out. We asked our server at the end and he said we had to specifically ask for it from the beginning. Just a note for anyone else going.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Cod with potato and cabbage
    Cod with potato and cabbage
    Pickle beer

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    Ernest

    Ernest

    4.3
    (647 reviews)
    0.5 mi
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    I went Ernest for my birthday. Upon arrival, the server led us to a nice seat with a background…read moreview of the bar from the second floor, I figured they save some good-photo seats for special reservation. The waitress checked on us very often that made us feel cared. The food was so great! Everything was delicious and very good portion for two people to share. It now ranks one of my favorite restaurants in SF. Highly recommended!

    Ernest was nothing like I was expecting, but in the best way haha. My coworker suggested checking…read moreit out, and she always has the best recs, so of course I said yes. It's such a cute restaurant with its own charm. The whole experience felt fun and special. The only intimidating part for me was the menu haha. I'm a very visual person, so I had a hard time picturing some of the dishes at first. Shoutout to our kind & patient server, plus all the Yelp photos I studied beforehand lol. Everything was delicious. The quality of every dish really stood out, and I'd happily order all of them again, but here were my favorites: * Sushi Rice: SO good. Definitely a must order. The beef somehow almost tastes like tuna haha. * Fried Rice: I'm obsessed with corn, so this was a must for me. * Maitake Tempura: A must for mushroom lovers. Also, the ranch was incredible. * Kakigori: Absolutely mandatory for dessert. No further notes lol. * Lamb Kofta: Really flavorful and delicious, though next time I'd probably try some other dishes instead. * Avocado: A great option if you want something fresh and green on the table too. * Parker House Rolls: These were good, but probably not my favorite. I think I'm biased because I don't really love rolls in general, and the other dishes felt more unique and memorable to me. These were just the items we had, but the menu changes often, so you may see different dishes when you go. The Sushi Rice is one of the staples though, and I definitely think it's a must try. Overall, such a great experience. Our server was so attentive, and the whole meal felt really memorable. Already planning to bring my boyfriend here for a date night. What a special place!

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    Open kitchen
    Open kitchen
    Shaved ice
    Shaved ice
    Onion rings

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    Rise Over Run

    Rise Over Run

    3.9
    (252 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Views: 10/10 Service : 9/10…read moreFood: 8/10 Drinks: 10/10 I was finally able to make it over to this place. As a rooftop connoisseur, this place was on my list for a while. I will say that this place is absolutely stunning and beautiful compared to a lot of others San Francisco rooftops that I have visited. This is located into the tenderloin, so please be aware that you will have to find your own street parking but parking a garage is preferred. This place has stunning views nonetheless, it's very chill and in a relaxing setting. The music is not overpowering, which is nice enough to have a conversation without having it overly crowded with 50 other people around you. I've definitely been back here a few times to take other friends and family and I will continue to do so. There are also heaters outside when it's very cold, chilly and windy. The staff is amazing as they are also willing to accommodate you and give you blankets if needed. Can't wait to go back!

    I visited on a Wednesday with a large group to celebrate my fiancé's birthday. The venue is…read morebeautiful, especially the spacious outdoor patio, which was perfect since the indoor area is a bit smaller. The DJ was spinning old-school R&B, which created an amazing vibe! The food was pretty good. The fried chicken and deviled eggs were super tasty. I'm rating this 4 stars instead of 5 due to a couple of service issues. First, their bar policy for large groups is frustrating. A guest in our party tried to order a soda at the bar but was turned away because he wasn't physically sitting at the bar counter. For large groups, people should be allowed to open separate bar tabs so they don't have to be looped into the main table bill. It feels unreasonable and cuts into the bartenders' tips. Second, our server wasn't very welcoming. While not openly rude, the cold demeanor made our diverse group feel a bit pre-judged, which was disappointing. We still ended up with a hefty bill and tipped well, but hospitality could definitely be improved. Overall, we had a great time because of the company, music, and food. I'm willing to give it another try to see if the service improves!

    Photos
    View of the indoor seating area
    View of the indoor seating area
    Fried Chicken (4 pcs) $22.00; southern biscuits $8.00
    Fried Chicken (4 pcs) $22.00; southern biscuits $8.00
    View from outside

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    View from outside

    Kitava - gluten_free - Updated June 2026

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