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    Saffron

    3.8 (1.2k reviews)
    ModerateIndian, Vegetarian, Vegan
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:30 pm, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Order Saffron Takeout or Delivery

    Saffron Photos

    Business Info

    SAFFRON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Saffron

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    Reviews With Photos

    Bread basket (top), kadhai paneer (left), butter chicken (right), $5 cup of rice (bottom)
    Adam S.

    My wife and I ventured away from our typical Indian food spot to give Saffron a try off of a friend's recommendation. They have a nice covered seating area outside which was very nice on a warm weekend evening. Service was fast and friendly and food came out quickly. We ordered butter chicken, kadhai paneer, and the bread basket. The bread was the star of the three items which was both surprising and unfortunate. Our mains were fine, but not more than that. The presentation was exceptional but the flavor didn't follow that up. There is a growing trend among some Indian restaurants to charge for rice. This is not only obnoxious it is obnoxiously priced. 1 cup of rice is $5. It is just about enough for one person. There's no refilling it, you just have to pay another $5 for another cup. If you're in the area and are looking for Indian, this is fine. It's a one and done for us though. There are better, less expensive options within 10 minutes of here.

    Poori Bhaaji Halwa
    Praveen S.

    This is one of my favorite north indian restaurants. It has never disappointed us in our several visits. Today's was no exception. The service is friendly and professional, always with a smile. Ambience is great. Love the photos they have up on the walls. The place is not huge, but the way seating is setup it doesn't seem too cramped. Food was awesome, as usual. The Guava, Ginger, Lemon with fizz, aptly named Amrit, was not too sweet and tasty. Pooris have kasoori methi, which is a great idea and we will try it at home too. Halwa was "rich", as it is made in Ghee and yummy. Chole were perfectly cooked in Chana Masala, with spices thoroughly soaked in. Lehsuni Saag Paneer had ample, but not overpowering garlic. Best part was it was spicy and hot just with that garlic tadka. Chef could have been generous with paneer. :-p because the fresh paneer was in demand on the table. And the bread basket? Laccha paratha was awesome, and so was the garlic naan - which we loved eating as it is.

    Vibhuti V.

    Found this new restaurant in San Carlos downtown. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels warm and inviting, comfortable seating, soft lighting and clean well maintained dining space perfect for both casual dinners and small gatherings. We ordered rajasthani chat, general Tso cauliflower and home style chicken curry with tandoori roti. The flavor were rich, authentic and well-balanced without being overly heavy. Highlight was the chaat dish. Service was attentive and courteous. Portion sizes are generous and quality matched the price point

    Indoor seating with hanging plants!
    Neo Naomi T.

    I'm so glad I finally got to dine at Saffron! My parents are huge fans of Rasa in Burlingame and suggested we go to Saffron. Came for a late lunch on a Monday and was seated promptly. The restaurant itself is modern in furnishing. I appreciate how the tables are spaced out and the easy access to a sink for handwashing down the hall! The menu has a great selection. We thoroughly enjoyed Chicken Tandori, Salmon Tikka, Lamb Sukka, Aloo Gohbi, garlic naan, mango lassi, and chai to start... We'll definitely return to try the rest of the menu! I've been missing masala chai so it made my day! Downtown San Carlos is generally easy to park if you're not coming during peak hours. Saffron is walking distance from the public parking structure nearby. Service was great and the food was excellent!

    Paneer Jafrani Kofta Curry
    Mukta D.

    Ambiance 5/5 : it's pretty nice and cozy. They gave us a very good spot. A v shaped corner sofa, just perfect for two people Service 5/5 : the server did a commendable job answering all menu related questions, made good recommendations and also perfect adjustment to flavor profile and spice level Food 4/5 : the ingredient quality is very good. You can taste the freshness. We got a - lamb sukka 4/5; - paneer kofta 5/5 one of the best koftas I have had in a long time. Sauce was beautiful. It smelt of saffron - garlic naan 5/5 - very good texture. I recommend it Parking is a bit difficult to find in San Carlos downtown at 8 pm on Saturday

    ODS- Butter Chicken (Old Delhi Style) and Tandoori Salmon
    Owen K.

    Saffron in San Carlos is outstanding. We ordered the butter chicken and tandoori salmon, and both were fantastic. The butter chicken was rich, creamy, and full of flavor. The tandoori salmon had a perfect smoky char and was cooked perfectly - tender and flaky without being dry. Nicely updated interior and prompt service as well.

    Menu 2025 July
    Natalie M.

    I came here during happy hour and they have 20% off drinks and food. We ordered a few starters and this was more than enough! We were full. We tried the black pepper chicken tikka, cheese naan, general tso cauliflower, paneer paratha roll, and chicken 65. The flavors were bold and delicious. The chicken was tender. I loved the black pepper chicken tikka. This was juicy and came with a salad. The chicken 65 was also very tasty as an appetizer. There are lots of pieces of chicken! Our favorite was perhaps the paratha roll because it with paneer, peppers, and onions with the flaky paratha. It was perfect! So filling. We took a lot of food home. The cheese naan was tasty as well but perhaps since we had the paratha, didn't need to get the naan. All were delicious! I tried the aam adrak and this was flavorful and super soothing. It came with mango, ginger, chili, lemon and soda. Service was great and they have outdoor seating.

    interior
    Amy Y.

    Saffron is a quaint and upscale Indian spot. You can kind of tell the clientele they serve by their conversations: we sat next to what seemed like two people dating who talked about their friends who were inheriting 10 million dollar houses and had rich family drama. - Black Pepper Chicken Tikka Tender, succulent chicken coated with a black pepper rub, accompanied by various pickled crudites. I liked the balance of chicken, julienned fresh veggies, and green chutney, and would recommend it if you like chicken. - Jafrani Kofta Thali The thalis are served for lunch only, and comes with daal (room temperature but subtle and smooth), salad (shredded cabbage, onions, and vinegar), vegetable (stewed okra), raita of the day (simple, milky, smooth), naan, rice, papad, and pickle (quite spicy and sour). I chose the jafrani kofta because I've never had it before, and it tastes like a soggy falafel. I couldn't really tell where the paneer was in this; I assume crushed in little bits within. The jafrani kofta came in a very mild, nutty, sweet, and creamy curry. - Chicken Tikka Masala I think the bowl this came in was comically small for the price it was, and it could have used a lot more chicken. It was beautiful and tasty, and tasted like how a good tikka masala should taste - a creamy, nutty tomato with tender chicken pieces - but it's really expensive! - Butter Naan The naan tasted and looked like pita bread, and I wish it had noticeable butter. I also wish it came with more than 4 pieces for the price. The taste and presentation is good. While I enjoy upscale Indian cuisine from time to time, Saffron oddly seems a little more small and casual than expected when compared with their pricing. Nowadays you can find similar taste and aesthetics at more affordable Indian restaurants, so it's hard to find a reason to come here again unless you need to use inKind in the peninsula.

    Rasmalai and gulab jamun
    Ash J.

    Surprised to see the relatively low rating for this spot. Everything from the food to the service and ambience was really good. Got the masala fries and paneer pakora for starters, paneer masala for the main and gulab jamun for dessert. The pakora was crispy and paneer masala was tangy and creamy without overdoing it. The Gulab jamun had a great soft and chewy texture and was among the better versions of the dish I've had in the bay area. The fluffy mango lassi wasn't particularly fluffy but it tasted good, with a good balance of yogurt and mango. The service was great throughout and they even packed the food to go for us. Great spot!

    Butter chicken lunch platter
    Raquel D.

    Beautiful presentation for my lunch butter chicken platter. But 2 itty bitty pieces of chicken?:/ Chai tea wasn't that great either (bland) for it to be $10. Cute tea cup tho

    Chaat
    Harshika J.

    Cozy ambience, serving staff is very polite and checked in our meal often. Situated right by the San Carlos, parking in front of the restaurant might be difficult but there's enough parking around the block. Coming to food - food is uniquely presented. Chaat was beautifully presented on a papad with microgreens and butterfly cutout, but chana jor garam in the chaat was a little soggy. Latte art on the malai kofta was great, and it tasted very rich. Kulfi also tasted good!

    Butter Paneer Masala
    Samantha F.

    Ever walk into a place that feels like a metaphorical hug? That's this spot. The best restaurant in San Carlos. The service is OUTSTANDING--they are kind, professional, and attentive without hovering. They offer thoughtful suggestions. It's rare to find service like this anywhere. The food is so delicious with an artful presentation, where it feels like an experience. Every time I eat here I feel compelled to take photos of my dishes. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing, and the pricing is great for the experience, especially since they are Michelin rated!

    Jack R.

    Awww snap. Change isn't always good. I used to live their buffets and my coworkers and I would look forward to going to them. Those were the days. The New lunch menu leaves something to be desired. Their chai which I used to love is now just, well, bland. And for like $9 a pot which yields 2 cups, not worth it. The bread for the happy hour was also not worth it. Think of like a bun that you CA. Get at an Asian store for like $1 then charge triple that. That's what's here. Their dessert rice pudding which I used to love is now overly sweet and doesn't have that creamy flavor. Not worth the $. Their lunch special was small and lackluster. Not much sauce or chicken for the price. You'll be hungry after you eat their lunch special and out a good almost $40 with tax and tip with that mango lassi.

    Pani poori

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Fast great service, the food is quality and smells great the moment I walk in. I love the garlic naan.

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    Business owner information

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    Ajay W.

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    6 months ago

    Overrated and over priced! Food is average. The serving staff is not clear with communication about quantity.

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    1 year ago

    They surprised us with the cake for our anniversary. Service was excellent. Food was amazing too.

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    Page 2 of 31

    Saffron Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Saffron

    When is the buffet coming back?

    Unfortunately it’s not.

    Can we host event here for about 115 people?

    Unfortunately no, we are not large enough.

    Is Saffron kid-friendly?

    Yes, absolutely. It is spacious and the staff is very friendly. I also met the owner there and he seems to be a very humble person.

    Do you have a full bar?

    No, we have beer and wine and Zero Alcohol cocktails.

    Do you serve halal meat?

    Only lamb we buy is halal….thx

    They have lunch buffet?

    No, we no longer offer buffets.

    Are they still doing brunch on weekends? Is it both Sat and Sun?

    Hi Lorraina, Yes, we do have brunch menu on saturday and sunday morning.… Read more

    I know they do a daily lunch buffet. What nights do they do a dinner buffet?

    It's not daily. I just called and they said only Monday-Friday.

    Ajay, did you change the vindaloo recipe? The other day, it had a sharp chili flavor, similar to Tabasco. I called the restaurant back and they said it was because they used different chili peppers. Order was placed on Oct 16.

    We have not changed any recipes, we didn't have a different chili in between. Could have been that but I will double check. However we do not use or have Tabasco in the restaurant.… Read more

    View All 12 Questions

    Esnaf

    Esnaf

    4.6
    (242 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $$

    A1 service and even better food! Staff is super duper friendly and accommodating. Our suggestions…read moreare the following, as we wanted to try so many items on the menu; haydari (great starter w bread), mantarli pide (saur good), gavurdagi (v refreshing), et sis (beef lover here). I like my cheese and mushrooms so the mantarli pide was the highlight for me. The mint tea is also my fav. Just the right amount of honey. Will need to come back for a Turkish coffee.

    Very good food, beautiful space, good service. We had:…read more 1. bread (served with oil and herbs before the food arrived, then served without oil during the meal). This was a good bread, round and splittable like a pita, served hot from the oven and sprinkled with some seeds (I think sesame, although I didn't pay close attention). 2. Meze Trio: patlican ezme (roasted eggplant, bell peppers), haydari (garlic yogurt dip with mint and dill), girit (ezine cheese with pistachios, oregano, olive oil). Loved the eggplant--tender and tasty! The yogurt dip was good, but I couldn't eat large amounts of it. The cheese was ok, a bit too heavy for us. 3. Ahtapot (grilled octopus on lime mashed potatoes and paprika butter). I didn't eat this, but the kids liked it. The octopus seemed very tender, and the potatoes were good. 4. Roka (arugula, diced cooked beets instead of tomatoes, honey mustard). Good, but the creamy dressing made it feel a little heavy after a while. 5. Mercimekli imambayildi (lentils-stuffed roasted eggplant). Imam bayildi translates as "the imam fainted" (because the dish is so delicious, maybe?). This was excellent. The eggplant had a wonderful smokey, roasted flavor. The lentils were good. There was a garlic yogurt moat around the eggplant. 6. Kunefe (shredded filo, melted cheese center, syrup, pistachios, scoop of Maras ice cream). Very good, maybe a bit too much for the three of us, maybe better if split four ways. Located on the corner of San Carlos and El Camino. Street and lot parking nearby.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Katmer (pistachio-filled pastry)
    Katmer (pistachio-filled pastry)
    Complimentary Housebaked Pide w/ olive oil dip

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    Complimentary Housebaked Pide w/ olive oil dip
    Burma Spice

    Burma Spice

    4.6
    (198 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Women-owned & operated

    I've never had a bad dish here. The tea leaf salad is so good and chock full of flavorful, crunchy,…read moredelightful things. The eggplant we got was also insanely flavorful and well-seasoned, and I would get this again in a heartbeat. The minty jalapeno chicken made me want to try to recreate this dish at home. I love anything with mint in it, and I love anything with jalapenos in it. Put them together, and it's a combo made in heaven. The spring rolls were also very good, but pretty standard, so it's not a must-try, but they're great if you're craving something deep fried and crispy. Omg, the coconut rice. I'd never really had coconut rice like this before despite growing up around Asian food, and I've had dreams about eating this again. We doordashed everything for our most recent meal and even though quality can sometimes suffer when you're having something delivered (or even when you're getting takeout), every dish was so incredible. I can't wait for our next meal from Burma Spice - in fact, I think I might doordash it again for lunch tomorrow!

    We came here for a late night dinner. The building is in a small strip mall on the corner of El…read moreCamino and Whipple. I got the tea leaf salad and thought it was tasty. It was the right amount of saltiness and it wasn't super super strong. My spouse said this is one of the better tea leaf salads that we have tried in the area. I tried a coconut curry chicken dish and thought it was fine. Flavor was good, but the dish was only chicken curry (sauce) but no vegetables or any other thing inside the dish. It did feel a little one note! Service was good! They were nice!

    Photos
    Coconut Rice - 4.5/5
    Coconut Rice - 4.5/5
    Samosas and Kebat Chicken
    Samosas and Kebat Chicken
    Black Pepper Beef

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    Black Pepper Beef

    Saffron - indpak - Updated June 2026

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