Hands down the best authentic Mediterranean flavor in San Francisco! From the moment you walk into Van Ness Cafe & Gyros, you're welcomed with genuine hospitality and such friendly people. It truly feels like you're being taken care of- not just served. The comforting vibe and authenticity really set this place apart from other restaurants I've been to. Food is consistently fresh, flavorful and made with love. Their gyros are my absolute favorite :)perfectly seasoned, tender and served warm every time. I also love that the menu has something for everyone, including kids meals! My children really enjoys here. Overall, amazing food and a welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommend! 5-Star experience! read more

I try to be very generous with my reviews of nice family owned places like this. But I just had to say that for $30, I felt my meal deserved a bit more rice on the place. However, I still left feeling satisfied. My combination plate was delicious and juicy. A little oily, but tasty, especially with the homemade chili sauce they have. Person working there was super friendly as well. I will be back. read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Combo Gyro PLATE - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

I just started coming to this cafe to study while I wait for my partner to get off work, and I have to say that the service here is wonderful. I love the woman behind the counter, don't know her name yet but very kind and sweet. Offered me free tea while I wait! Not to mention that the food here is great and there is Wi-Fi and seating! The only downside is that some of the customers are very rude to the staff here. The customer is NOT always right! Treat people with respect and you'll get respect! Love it here though, I feel very welcomed! Will be coming here often! UPDATE: Another reason to visit this place is the way the staff serve the community. Their acts of kindness may seem small, but they truly make a difference.Today, a homeless man came into the restaurant. I half expected someone to ask him to leave, but instead the staff gave him water and food. It was very kind to see.About an hour later, an older man from the street came by to collect cans, and the staff already had them prepared for him in the back. I don't know the full circumstances, but witnessing these moments today made me really happy to support this café with my time and money :) please dine here! read more

Meat is super dry.. bathroom dirty. Rice was great lol . Honestly, don't know how this business staying in a business and who is actually posting the good reviews about this place. Working guys are good there but the place itself and what they doing with the food out there it's crazy bad but anyway keep it on a good note. I'm glad that someone is actually enjoying the food over there. would not definitely come back read more

Ordered a falafel wrap hummus & fries. The food was decent but lacking a bit of flavor. We also waiting a bit longer because I think our order got mixed but overall it was an ok experience. read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Falafel Wrap (no sauce to make it vegan), Hummus Classic & French Fries - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Service was excellent, friendly and fast. A nice neighborhood kebab shop and all you need sometimes. I ordered the lamb & beef gyro wrap and was really delicious. We also got free tea while we waited. Add to your list of wholesome & fulfilling food places to try. read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Lamb & Beef Gyro Wrap - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The Falafel is fresh hot out of the oven. Although I wish there is more than 3 falafels. The salad itself it's really fresh. The order made pretty quickly. Will try other items from this place. read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Mediterranean Salad Falafel Appetizer (3pc) - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

826 Van Ness Ave San Francisco, CA 94109 My job took me to this part of San Francisco at around 8:45pm on a Thursday. I happen to find a parking spot right in front of the Van Ness Cafe. I noticed they were open until 10pm, so I came back to grab some food to go. You know, I haven't had a Gyro sandwich in a long time! The place was really clean and well lit. Lots of tables and spacious dining area. There's lots of items on the menu, but I just wanted a Gyro to-go. The Mgr helped me use the ordering screen. I ordered a Lamb & Beef Gyro, with a salad base. I asked for spicy, and it came with a spicy sauce. Price: $11.95. Pretty good sized Gyro sandwich. When I got home I weighed it, and it was nearly 18-oz! That's about as heavy as a burrito. Lots of shredded meat and fresh salad. The balance of meat and salad give you the impression that the Gyro is a healthy meal. The spicy sauce really added some heat. Overall, a good experience and I would return. read more

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I love the lighting at night especially in the restaurant. The service is very good, the staff are nice and fast with the cooking. The food tastes amazing especially my personal favorite, beef gyro! It's an exquisite meal to have. read more

Super dope service. Came in really late and the guy behind the counter had a really great attitude. He was super nice, I asked for a water cup not knowing they had a water self serve station and he asked if I wanted to have a free soda instead and grabs me a water bottle insisting I have it. Then served a free dessert as well. (I ordered the baklava other dessert was the free one) Over all I'm very happy with the portions and the food tasted great. The restaurant was clean and well kept. However the service was just next level, owner clearly did everything to give me a pleasant experience, and I don't want his hard work to go unnoticed. Will definitely be coming back!! read more

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The service was amazing! The food was great and very well priced! We really enjoyed our visit and Cansu the employee here who helped us made us feel very welcomed and appreciated!! The ambiance is a very beautifully decorated restaurant! read more

I actually are here more than three time since it's very close to the federal building. The food is decent and the price is attractive. The portion of gyro plate is pretty big and the taste is very good. I like the fact that they have a jug of lemon flavored water on the counter with glasses next to the jug. It doesn't force you to buy bottled water. The service is good even though you need to order at the counter and they will bring you the food and bus the table for you. The inside is spacious and clean. I'm sure I'll be back here again soon. read more

Wow! The spinach and feta pie has a crispy crusty pillow top several inches high that burst into tiny crackly pieces with every bite. Perfect. Don't microwave it! Toaster oven or air fryer only. And the chocolate baklava should t be missed either read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Spinach Cheese Borek - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Best lentil soup ever! The chicken doner is so flavorful, and the desserts are absolutely delicious. We also loved the tea--perfect finish to the meal. Turkish coffee is a plus for us. Definitely coming back! read more

Very friendly customer service and decent food. Good to try it out if nearby here for quick lunch

Came here on my lunch break and needed something quick. Service is really fast, and you get a baklava (which is flaky, sticky and delicious) if you check in on Yelp, which is also another incentive to try this place. I ordered the lamb and beef gyro plate to go, which also came with rice, hummus, some salad and grilled veggies, pita, and sauces. the lamb could've been seasoned a bit more but everything else was good. Portion-wise, this is a good amount and I felt full. Everything tasted and was exactly what I wanted - a no-frills plate of lamb and rice with some sauce and veggies. I'll come back the next time I have a craving! read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Lamb & Beef Gyros Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Food has been good here all the time. I'm a client of this restaurant for more than two years. HOWEVER, the service is horrible. It used to be better when guys were speaking English, but now no one speaks even little bit of English here. They can't understand what I'm saying AT ALL! I hope owners of this place will change the team, and hopefully English speaking waiters and cashiers will come. Otherwise, I will not visit this place!!! read more

I went to San Francisco to visit some relatives for Mother's Day. My wife's family loves backlava, and in the process of searching for it, I ended up stumbling into this little shop. They gave me free baklava and a shot of coffee, I am not sure if they do this for everybody but made me feel special. They explained the different types they offer and even gave me discount so in some ways, I was encouraged to buy different types and I bought a couple of trays for the whole family. Let's just say that I didn't know baklava cost this much, until I went to Turkey and saw that it ain't cheap. read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Good food and service. Hearty menu. I recommend this place. I have had the lamb and beef plates and it's all been delicious. read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Menú - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is not a transgender friendly environment and I'm being treated very poorly when I never had a complaint and have always tipped. The food I ordered tonight was given an additive that isn't normally in the wraps that made it impossible for me to eat. Shameful. read more

Came in for lunch one day on a pretty nice day. They had their doors wide open, and didn't have a lot of customers inside. Order a chicken gyro plate and a drink. Didn't have to wait very long for the food to come out from the kitchen. They set down a basket of pizza bread, while we waited for our food. The food is pretty good. Portions also pretty good. There were a lot of to go orders and pick up orders that I noticed. I think this place may be quite popular around the neighborhood. The dining area and the bathroom could be a little bit cleaner. Overall, okay place to drop by for a quick bite. read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Excellent food and the guys there are really nice. If you're in the city you should eat here! The food is delicious!

I ordered the red lentil soup and rice pudding for delivery on a rainy day, and the rice pudding WAS SO GOOD OMG (the red lentil soup was tasty and comforting). I will 100% re-order both, and I'm excited to try their gyros now! read more

I have ordered from Istanbul grill many times . My favorite item is their chicken soup. It used to be a 12 ounce container with pita bread . I just ordered the soup and it's barely 8 ounces . And no Pita! Same price and with delivery various fees and tip - $16.99!!! Do better! You just lost a customer ! read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Chicken soup - tiny container which cost $16.99 to deliver !!! Not OK! - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Very attentive service even when I was just ordering to-go from the kiosk at the front. They gave me a cup of free hot tea while I waited for my order. The chicken kebab plate came with plenty of sauce on the side and the rice is super flavorful! read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Turkish tea - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Loved this place! I went to a concert nearby and had some free time before the doors opened and I was craving Mediterranean food. I found this place and their food is really good. The highlight were the fries because they were crunchy and so tasty. The place itself was small and cozy, and the staff were very polite. The prices were very reasonable for everything on the menu from the looks of it. On another note, it had a super clean bathroom. I usually also judge a place based on the cleanliness of the bathroom. It was even warmed up. Will try to be back when I am in the city. read more

Extremely rude staff. On a Saturday night, I placed an online order (with a good tip) as I had done many times before. When I arrived to pick it up there was no one working at register and just a cook at the grill. I asked the cook if someone could help me and they shrugged and didn't say anything. After sitting down and waiting for five minutes, I asked the cook again if someone was coming back and they said nothing and rang a bell. I sat back down again patiently. After another three or four minutes a man came storming out of the restroom clearly angry. He walked up to me like he wanted to fight me and very pointedly and rudely asked me if I needed to use the restroom. I said no, and that I wanted to pick up my order. He said nothing else to me and threw my order together like a child having a tantrum before wordlessly thrusting it toward me. I was shocked at how childish and rude this man was acting. I had no idea that he was in the restroom. There was no sign or anything and the cook refused to talk to me. I had never seen the front counter empty in the many times I had been here before, and I had been waiting almost ten minutes since I arrived to pick up my order. I will never return to this restaurant after this experience. The food here is far too expensive to deal with the angry outbursts from the weekend staff. read more

Best gyros and homemade hot sauce in town! The quality of the olive oil used in the hummus is on point and you can tell that they take care and pride in what they do. The inside of the restaurant is super cozy and has a lovely atmosphere. Chairs are so comfortable you could fall asleep in them. Highly recommend this spot if you go to any of the gyms on Van Ness and need a tasty bite after your workout. Will be dining here for years to come. Special shoutout to Ibrahim and his staff for being so warm and welcoming. You rule! read more

Cute place, food was so good! I ordered a Greek salad with lamb beef topping, added some of their homemade salsa which was good! The man who helped us was very nice and welcoming! We'll be back any time we're in town. Def a must try! read more

Needed a quick healthy lunch--- the falafel was done super well. The wrap with the hot sauce was yummy, as was the rice pudding. Good enough for a quick bite to hold you over. Friendly people. read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Falafel Wrap - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Had a situation occur that got resolved immediately by some of the best service I've seen in the city. I will be going back again in the future often. read more

I like pita for gyro, and this place does lavash. It's alright i guess. The guy working the register was nice.

I just wanted a big ass salad, and that's exactly what I got. The Mediterranean Salad has a ton of feta, chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, shredded carrots, and I think massaged red cabbage (very Turkish) on top of chopped romaine. It comes with an Italian-type dressing and a warm pita. About $8 total. I work in the neighborhood and have had other dishes which are all pretty decent here, but sometime you've got to hand it to a place for delivering exactly what you expected at a good price. read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Mediterranean Salad. Simple and plentiful. - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

My sons and I were on the way to Regency for a concert and passed by this spot..honestly, I told my boys, let's stop for a coffee before the show (I really just needed a break from walking lol!) My son ended up ordering a chicken gyro and an iced americano. I got a hot one with a pistachio baklava. EVERYTHING WAS SO DELICIOUS!! We will DEFINITELY be back!!! Service was amazing too, very friendly! Thank you!! read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

Horrible delivery! Food arrived ice cold from 1 mile away. The lamb/beef gyros plate was bland. The hummus wasn't horrible just cold. Same for the pita bread. Likely won't order delivery again and I'm disabled. read more

Last night I was fortunate to have had an excellent dinner from Van Ness Cafe. I had grilled salmon. It was wonderful. It was a large piece, thick and well prepared. I was with my son and hevisits this place often. He has always talked about how delicious it is, but this was my first experience. Everyone was very nice, friendly and clearly happy to have positive feedback. We took the food to go, but dining in is available as well. The interior had very nice calm and soothing lighting. The to ho containers were very full, so value for the money was excellent. The containers did not leak. They fit tight and made it easy to carry to another destination. Overall, I recommend this place based on food, service and ambiance. Enjoy! read more

Best Mediterranean place in the city! The food was hot and delicious, and the service was impeccable as well - the staff was extremely friendly and they even gave me a hot tea on the house on a cold night. They deserve all the business! read more

3.5 I'd say. Good but food felt kinda little for the price along with some missteps. They answered any questions we had, and it took a while to come out. I had ordered the lentil soup, falafels, and a salmon wrap. The salmon was good but tiny. The falafels dry and a little grainy. The soup was bland. Needed more salt and thickness to it. Just didn't really stand on its own. The saving grace I'd say was the garlic sauce. I definitely got more of that and just doused everything with it. For the price point, I'd probably pick other places especially if I was short on time. Or call it in with some adjustments, but it was decent at the time. read more

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We came here around 10PM when everything else's is closed on downtown. We ordered something for a quick bite. The food is averagely good! I don't have any complaints. The people here are apparently know the food here and love it. The waiter works very hard, and we appreciate business are willing to open till this late. The place is very industrial and the door keeps open. When the wind blows in, it is cold. I might not come back for any particular reason, but if I will end up downtown one day and I need something past 9Pm, I will come here again. read more

Van Ness Cafe & Gyros - Mediterranean Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Been wanting to try this place for a while and I am so glad I finally tried it. I ordered the combo plate, which came with rice, hummus, salad and pita. meat consist of chicken, beef, lamb and a meat patty that I'm not sure what it's called. The meat were amazing, the chicken and beef were tender and juicy. I am glad I ordered the combo and not just the gyro wrap. The people there are very nice and when we finished our food, they gave us a cup of hot tea. that was perfect as it was a cold day. I will be back again as I want to try their Gyro and salmon salad. read more