I've only had take out from Saffron and it has never failed me. Our favorite is the chicken masala. We've had their naan bread, tasty rice, samosa and a variety plate. Their meat and sauce are always tasty and flavorful. Some items are spicy if you prefer spicy. Worth trying out. You will enjoy. read more

Saffron Indian Restaurant & Bar - Indian Near Me - Orinda, California

Five Indians went to an Indian restaurant for Indian food. Sounds like the start of a joke! Seriously, I have lived one exit way for seven years and this was my first visit. Delicious food! However, service and attitude nearly cost them a star. Inside look a little depressing, so we sat outside. We were the only customers in the restaurant. We arrived at 1:00pm and were told multiple times that they close at 2:00 pm so hurry up and order. Not what retirees want to hear! We ordered beers and: Veg mix platter for appetizer + complimentary papad Sheekh kabob lamb Paneer Tikka Lamb Saag Dal Makhani Naans & rice. Everything was freshly cooked and tasty. My complaints are that Saag ($19.95) and Dal Makhani ($14.95) portions were too small for the price. Recommended. read more

Just want to add from my recent visit: If you like spicy food, order the "bulle naan spicy"! I have never had spicy naan before and this is sooo good! Good service. Good food. Parking validation available if you park in their lot. I like the street parking just a couple blocks away, and they range from limit 1 hr to limit 4 hr. read more

Saffron Indian Restaurant & Bar - Garlic naan, Bulle Naan Spicy, and 2 curries - Indian Near Me - Orinda, California

Hidden gem and what a delicious find! Very authentic tasting and flavorful Indian dishes with bright colors and flavors throughout. The tandoori chicken was especially delicious and was baked in a delicious yogurt sauce. Service was very fast and friendly and we learned that this is a very popular place for takeout. Their naan is also fresh and delicious, with flavorful curries to pair with it. We got the lamb vindaloo and were very pleased. read more

Saffron Indian Restaurant & Bar - Indian Near Me - Orinda, California

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We strolled around the Orinda Theatre Square looking for a bite to eat and came across this wonderful restaurant. As soon as we entered, it was warm inside and the aromas were enticing! We ordered Mary's chicken garlic pakora for appetizer and our very friendly server gave us both mint and tamarind sauces and pickled onions as condiments. They were splendid! I ordered the lamb tikka masala and my wife ordered the salmon tikka. They were both flavorful and tender! For dessert, we couldn't resist some warm not too sweet gulab jamun. Everything was amazing! read more

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The food was very well seasoned and tasted great - but it was REALLY expensive and the dishes were very heavy on sauce and large, inedible chunks of ginger and very light on ingredients, especially the mattar which had virtually nothing but sauce, and the samosas which had more pastry than filling. read more

I don't like to give five star reviews right out of the gate because really you should evaluate a restaurant at least by going couple of times before you start giving away a solid review. I guess the same goes for a negative review. I thought everything about Saffron was great. Their sauces are amazing. Their Nans are varied and all excellent. And make for great dipping devices to soak up the excellent sauce. The service was spot on and attentive. And they had a complete bar that served a very good version of a Bloody "Marry" though there was something in it I couldn't quite place. If I had to knock anything, I might criticize the ambience... it was a bit of a throwback and underwhelming, but the food is what I come for when I go to a restaurant and Saffron's food is excellent. (Although I would take the Caesar Salad off of the menu), The next time I go back to Orinda, I will beat a path to Saffron. read more

Ordered to go, so I can't comment on the service or atmosphere. The food was bland. I ordered tikka masala and tandoori chicken. The tikka masala tasted like tomato paste and a little spice (heat not flavor). It was bland. The tandoori chicken was ok. Not too flavorful and kinda dry. I was excited to try this place, but won't be going back read more

Easily one of the top Indian restaurants I've eaten at in the Bay Area. The saag and naan, although seemingly basic things, were excellent. The saag had great texture and was spiced nicely. We also ordered a tandoori dish which was also great. We will be back for sure! read more

We had dinner at Saffron for the first time this week. We were in town for an event at the Orinda Theatre. It was a very nice dining experience in a very pleasant setting. The table service was top notch. The meal was incredible! Everything we had was wonderful. Chicken vindaloo, bindi amchuri, dal makhni, garlic naan, and mango lassis. We're already planning to visit again next week, from the other side of the hill. read more

We went during the week and were the only dine-in customers. They were making orders in the kitchen for door dash etc. though. We were seated by a window, which was nice. Decor of the restaurant is nice. I got the Saag paneer and it was very fresh tasting. My wife got the masala and it was a bit too sweet, so she'd probably order something else next time. Still, it tasted fresh and made with quality ingredients. The appetizer we got was great, the chip with the various sauces to dip it in, with the mint chutney being the stand out. The rice was cooked perfectly and the naan was nice and soft. The food came out quickly and the waitress was nice. Overall a very good experience. This was our second time here, but our first time dining in. The takeout order went smoothly and we all enjoyed the food. Based on both experiences, we will return. read more

Let me preface this review with the fact that I am from the UK, so I know a thing or three about Indian food. This is not the first time my family has gone to saffron (it used to be there favorite go to) Let me start with appearance..it's filthy. The booth seating has a cover on the top of the seat that is absolutely disgusting. The booth seat itself was wobbling so much when we sat, and when someone sat in the booth beside us it was like a Treter totter. Food. We ordered papad, we got three halves (one and a half papad) and there were 4 of us.my lamb roganjosh was ok, but watery. My youngest got butter chicken, that tasted nothing like butter chicken. The service was ok, I did have to wave someone down to get our check. I will not be returning. read more

We went on Saturday night and they were definitely busy! We had a reservation but they still were confused about what table we would get. The coconut soup was delicious and a very comforting dish! My fiancé enjoyed his garlic chicken pakora and said "they have such a good flavor". The paneer tikka masala and mango chicken were solid dishes and the dhaba style naan was good but not that unique. The bullet naan was advertised as spicy but it should have said "SPICY!" because it was too spicy for us (even with our Indian palates!). Overall it's a solid choice with good food and a popular spot read more

Saffron Indian Restaurant & Bar - Mary's Garlic Chicken Pakora - Indian Near Me - Orinda, California

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Overall, the restaurant is great. I wish they had a vegan menu. The service was good but I felt the juice was overpriced. I ordered samosa chaat without yogurt and vegetable biryanj without cheese. I got lucky with finding parking. read more

Saffron Indian Restaurant & Bar - Samosa chaat, no yogurt. - Indian Near Me - Orinda, California

We absolutely loved our dinner at Saffron this evening. We were a party of 9 and forgot to make a reservation. They were so polite and accommodating. And we had an elderly family member in our party who is short on temper and sometimes behaves poorly but they were really sweet with her too. We had the chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, lamb curry, and a paneer dish and everything was perfect. The samosas were excellent too. If you're in Orinda this is the place for dinner and we noticed they do a lot of takeout. Thank you everyone at Saffron! You made my godson's birthday wonderful. read more

We went to this place so long ago I had forgotten all about it, but they have fantastic Indian food, and I'm looking forward to returning soon. It's too bad that Swad in Lafayette moved. I just don't think they got their mojo back, but this place was wonderful. read more

Here are my PROs and CONs about Saffron: PROs: 1: Good location - The restaurant is in a nice area, surrounded by various shops and other dining options. 2: Decent flavor - The food tasted good. I've had better, but it was acceptable. CONs: 1: No lunch menu - On a Friday afternoon, the restaurant was nearly empty while neighboring spots were around 70% full. Not having a lunch menu likely explains why. 2: Overpriced and nickel-and-diming - When an Indian restaurant starts charging for basics like pickles, it's a red flag. It feels like they're squeezing every dollar out of you. 3: Too dark inside - The interior is extremely dim, almost like a dungeon. I had to sit near a window just to read the menu. 4: Poor service - You'd think that with no other customers, we'd get attentive service. Nope. The staff was disengaged and inattentive. Just based on that, I wouldn't return. 5: Small portions and unnecessary menu fluff - Portions were small for the price. Adding gimmicky menu names like "Mary's Chicken" feels like a cheap trick to justify up charging. Conclusion: While the flavors were okay, I've had much better elsewhere. Saffron seriously needs to improve its customer service, create a proper lunch menu like the nearby competition, and offer more reasonable prices. Right now, it's not worth the visit. read more

We had a take out dinner for 3 from Saffron last night and the food was delicious! Here is what we had: Aloo Gobhi-This dish was spiced nicely and very tasty. The cauliflower was not over cooked, which I appreciated. Chicken Tikka Masala-The sauce was flavorful and creamy. The chicken was tender. Butter Chicken-The sauce was flavorful and creamy. The chicken was tender. Gluten free Basaen Roti-This was a great alternative and offering as a family member is GF. It was chewy and quite nice with the above entrees. Plain Basmati Rice. Standard with some cardamom pods strewn throughout. Pickled Onion condiment- Such a wonderful addition and an unusual one. Was very tasty with all the above dishes. Tamarind Sauce condiment- Also a tasty addition to the above dishes. We had all of the above made mild heat level as one of our 3 does not eat "hot and spicy". Saffron included some habanero on the side as I love heat. In the past I have ordered entrees from them extra "hot, spicy" and they deliver on this. They don't mess around if you ask for it! Our service was great. They take the time to make sure your order is correct for take out. Very friendly staff and greet you warmly upon entering. I believe this is a family owned restaurant and they take pride in the food, experience and ambiance. For my next visit to Saffron for dinner I am planning to tuck in at one of their tables for the full experience. read more

Top notch food and service. I tried tandori chicken and trust me it was the best . I personally love chicken tikka so I tired it as well and it was also good. read more

Customer Service needs improvement. Poor communication. Food ingredient quality needs improvement. Rude. read more

The food was fantastic. We shared a lamb tikka masala and a butter chicken, both were delicious. The restaurant is nice and elegant and everyone was friendly and attentive. read more

So glad we have Saffron here in Orinda! Over the years it has become our go-to spot for takeout on those lazy nights when we don't feel like cooking. At this point we don't even discuss it--takeout means Saffron. The food is consistently excellent, portions are generous, and the service is always friendly. On top of that, it's such a nice touch that the guys who work there recognize me and my husband at the gym across the street and always say hello. What more could you ask for from a local restaurant? read more

I felt compelled to complete this review during my meal so I wouldn't forget! I decided to take a quick detour from my errands in Orinda for a bite to eat. I had no idea what I had a taste for, but settled on Saffron because of the notably high ratings and reviews...and oh boy! I wasn't disappointed! I am blown away! The food here is fresh and flavorful. I had the vegetable samosas and the Chicken Tikka Kababs with Basmati rice. Everything arrived sizzling hot to the table in good portion. Even the accompanying side sauces were delicious. I highly, highly recommend this restaurant if you're in the mood for quality Indian cuisine. I'll definitely be back! read more

Saffron Indian Restaurant & Bar - Chicken Tikka Kabab with Plain White Basmati Rice - Indian Near Me - Orinda, California

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What happened! I've been going to this place for years, watching the old guys in the kitchen do their magic. And now there's nothing but young guys in the back. The drinks used to be tall and strong and now they are not. The service took eternity and there was only five other people in the entire restaurant. I'm moving out of state and I was hoping to have some decent Indian food that I remembered used to be very good And now I'm sad to say I will never come back because of the quality of the food, drinks, and the poor service. Sad. read more

Super unimpressed. The coconut soup tastes like dessert. Not the robust and savory coconut flavor you are accustomed to. The tandoori shrimp was SO overcooked and the shrimp tastes nasty. Chicken tikka masala is super heavy on the cream. The dal is super soupy and had a sorry total of two tomatoes in it. Lastly, the lamb unimpressively is what is saving this establishment from two stars instead of one. Outrageous prices, horrible quality. read more

Saffron Indian Restaurant & Bar - Chicken Tikka Masala, Coconut Soup, Lamb Korma, Dal Makhni, Tandoori Shrimp - Indian Near Me - Orinda, California

We started our meal with samosas and pakoras. The vegetable pakoras were served with tamarind and onion sauce. This was a great way to start the party in your mouth with the perfect balance of sweet, salty and sour. Every bite is a surprise depending on whether you get a coriander seed, piece of spinach or other veggies. The samosas were a pocket of joy. Highly recommend them. Palak Paneer - The combination of spinach and cheese is a pair made in heaven. To top it off, they used spices that enhanced an already savory dish making it unique to their restaurant. The tandoori chicken was served on sizzling plate and chargrilled to perfection. It was crispy on the outside and incredibly succulent and tender inside. Finger-licking good! Curry - The exquisite blend of the ground spices made the curry delicious and flavorful. The delectable aroma of their curry definitely wakes up your taste buds. We also ordered the naan and the perfectly soft and fluffy poori to go with our meal. Absolutely delicious! Customer service is second to none. We were greeted with a friendly smile as soon as we walked in. Our waiter, Martin, was incredibly helpful and professional. He patiently answered all our questions regarding the dishes. He also warned us that it may take longer for the tandoori to prepare but we were ok with that and appreciated the heads up. Good food made and served fresh can take longer. The restaurant was spacious, clean and nice. There are lots of street parking as well as a parking garage nearby. Prices were reasonable. I highly recommend Saffron and will definitely go back. read more

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Excellent food, excellent service, fantastic outdoor dining area. I had pannier tekka masala. It was light and flavorful. Serving size was a bit small. Cheese naan was also very tasty. Easy Street parking. read more

Saffron Indian Restaurant & Bar - Indian Near Me - Orinda, California

We have ordered twice from Saffron India Restaurant and both times it has been so delicious and well made. Have had the biryani, pakora, gulab jumun, kebab, korma, and all have been delicious. When we order shrimp dishes they include lots of big shrimp that are nicely cooked. Glad to have this restaurant in the area. read more

Surprisingly good Indian food. Lentils weren't as thick as I prefer and the chicken korma was lacking in some of components - making it too similar to the chicken Tikka masala - but overall enjoyable. The naan looked delicious. The service was so good that I bumped them up from a 4 to a 5, offsetting the food's shortcomings and the unusually high prices. read more

Saffron is impeccable! Everytime me and my family go, we come away extremely satisfied and happy. The entire staff is friendly and warm. The food is amazing too. We love Saffron and visit frequently! My 10 year old daughter asks me every day if we can eat there! Saffron is the Best!!! read more

Every dish was outstanding and the service was excellent. Highly recommended. Caution choosing levels of spice! read more

Chai made one cup at a time, fresh puffy poori, crispy paratha. Yum! This was a great place for a birthday lunch for my vegan friend. She found an eggplant dish and a bread to eat, most menu veggies were vegetarian, but there were a couple vegan options, just ask and the server will point those out. The portions were deceptively generous. We had another 2 meals of our biryani and saag paneer to take home. I would come again any time I was in Orinda. read more

Saffron Indian Restaurant & Bar - Chicken Biryani, Saag Paneer, Poori, Plain Paratha, Masala Chai - Indian Near Me - Orinda, California

Orinda is such a pleasant place for a meal and there's no lack of restaurants to choose from there too. Feeling like some wholesome Indian food we selected Saffron. It is located off the street in the Theater Square complex. The outdoor seating is very pleasant, especially since you're in a courtyard patio and away from automobiles and vehicular traffic. We came for lunch and the menu is comprehensive and typical of most Indian dishes. Our selections were as follows- ° Vegetable Pakora ° Chicken Tiki Masala ° Lamb Korma ° Garlic Naan ° Mango Lassi Overall the meal was good, but nothing extraordinary. The Vegetable Pakora was excellent and I could have eaten a dozen more. This was the best dish we had, by far. The flavors of the entrees we shared were very good and tasty, but my dining partner found a couple chunks of lamb undercooked and overly chewy. The ones I had were tender and quite good. I actually enjoyed the flavoring of the Lamb Korma more than the Chicken Tiki Masala, albeit they were quite different. The long grain rice was excellent, so light and fluffy, The garlic naan was quite good and different than I've had at other Indian establishments, more spiced and flavorful, light in texture and consistency. Delicious. The mango lassi was very well made and a perfect accompaniment to the meal. At first I was a bit put off by the size of the portions for the price ($16.-$18. per entree), which is slightly higher than at other Indian restaurants I visit, but it turned out to be very adequate and filling . Service was very friendly and efficient. When taking out order we were asked the level of spiciness desired. We were also offered more rice half way through the meal; service was attentive too. I recommend this restaurant if you're in the area and craving something tasty and flavorful. read more

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Food is really nice! Portions seem deceptively small--everything is well spiced and tastes great. We came at 4:30 and left around 6 or 6:30...would have appreciated being checked in on slightly less, it seemed like they wanted us to head out even though it wasn't super full. Would come back for food though! read more

I never go to Orinda to eat but that all is changing now. I needed to pick up something at BevMo and so I wanted to find a place for dinner since I was in the area. I saw Saffron Indian restaurant and decided to give it a try. From the very beginning I walked up I was greeted with open arms and the entire evening was absolutely fantastic. We got recommendations on all the foods and we ended up ordering some chicken tiki masala and some lamb saag with some garlic naan bread. The portions were perfect for two people to share and we loved our food on the great long grain basmati rice. For dessert I wasn't sure what one of the desserts was so our food ambassador gave me a complimentary taste which led to me ordering another full serving of the Gulab Jaman which is an Indian donut. Very unique, interesting and sweet. Definitely will be back, very welcoming and always making sure things were good and not too spicy. read more

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Dinner for six tonight - no reservation but graciously accommodated us. The dinner was delicious! Beautifully spiced Chicken tikka, smoked eggplants and two curries - a mild butter chicken and a spicy lamb. The acoustics were just right for 6 people to be able to hear and carrying on a lively conversation - while the tall banquets gave us privacy and prevented us from disturbing others in the restaurant. The setting was lovely. The service attentive but unobtrusive. Nice surprise to find in downtown Orinda. read more

This is the best Indian restaurant I've been to. We started off with the fried stuffed cheese appetizer (Paneer Pakoda) and it was light and tasty. The batter seems to be a chick pea batter and much better than a flour batter. It came with three dipping sauces (tamarind, a green spicy sauce and a sweet onion). The rack of lamb (23 dollars) which is the most expensive on their menu is the best lamb I ever had in a restaurant. The lamb literally melted in my mouth and the restaurant gave us complimentary rice and sauce to go with the lamb. The lamb stuffed naan was average, it was fresh but not particularly fluffy or light as others described. I didn't see any lamb in my naan because there was so little of it. Next time, I'll pass on the naan and just order rice instead. The Chai tea was really good. Lots of spices and thick. I'm definitely coming back again next month and ordering their rack of lamb again and also try some other dishes and drinks as well. Great service. Lovely ambiance and convenient location. read more

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We ordered vegetarian takeout. Paneer Tikka, Daal Tadka & Tandoori Roti. Food was delicious, and came in generous quantity. The service was friendly (even gave us rice on the house as it was NYE, they didn't have to - thanks Neel). There's enough seating inside for parties of 4 or 5, seemed like a good dine in place - place was busy during NYE. Plenty of parking options around the corner, so parking shouldn't be an issue. Definitely returning, hope you all enjoy the place. read more

Saffron Indian Restaurant & Bar - Booths inside - Indian Near Me - Orinda, California

In four visits we have consistently enjoyed good service, a somewhat dark but comfortable atmosphere and delicious food that sets this Indian restaurant apart from others that we have also enjoyed. We especially enjoy the saag, Peshawari naan and chicken tikka masala. read more

The square is quite inviting and charming for a quick walk. As you enter the restaurant it has the warm vibe with a welcoming bar. Once you see your dish arrive it has the perfect presentation however I can't help but miss my favorite spots with rich flavors. You can choose your spice level which is a plus but found it lacking the rich flavors I've enjoyed at other Indian restaurants.. We had to continue to flag down someone to order more and requests things, which was unfortunate.. can't say I would be excited to return. read more

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