North India, located at 123 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105, is an Indian restaurant and fine-dining destination in downtown San Francisco. The menu showcases authentic Punjabi and North Indian flavors, with naan noted as a standout and a broad veg/non-veg selection. Guests praise the chef-driven, flavorful dishes, warm ambiance, and attentive service, though some curries may vary in richness. A popular neighborhood dining spot.
If you’re looking for authentic Punjabi food in San Francisco, look no further. Don’t judge this place by its overall ambiance because the food is, hands down, the best North Indian, Punjabi-style food I’ve had in the city. I’ve tried nearly every Indian restaurant with 4.6 - 4.8 star ratings, and honestly, they didn’t even come close.
The paneer tikka masala was absolutely delicious: rich, flavorful, and clearly made the traditional Punjabi way. The mango lassi deserves a special mention: perfectly balanced, authentic, and made with homemade yogurt (dahi), which makes all the difference. And the chai: hot, comforting, and exactly what I needed on a cool January evening.
If flavor and authenticity matter more to you than decor, this place is a must-visit. It truly feels like home-style Punjabi cooking done right.
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Priyanshi Verma
via Google
· 9 months ago
Amazing place for having indian food... Lot pi f options for veg n non veg... Naan was super soft!
Nice variety for the buffet. Everything we tasted was good.
Chai and gulab jamun at the end stole the show.
Supportive staff, specially Karan was amazing.
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Mark Pengelski
via Google
· 11 months ago
The food has always been very tasty here but the interior of North Indian has gotten quite nice since the last time I visited. As always, it seems like crowds in this part of downtown haven't quite rebounded but i do North Indian getting pretty busy. The service is aways fantastic and friendly. It's definitely my goto neighborhood Indian cuisine locale.
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Abhay Gupta
via Google
· 1 year ago
I recently visited North India in San Francisco with high hopes, eager to enjoy some authentic North Indian cuisine. Unfortunately, my experience was a tale of two very different parts: the breads were a highlight, while the main dishes were surprisingly disappointing.
We ordered a few of the vegetarian staples to get a good sense of the menu: the yellow dal, navratan korma, paneer makhani, and vegetarian biryani. The main takeaway across the board was a noticeable lack of flavor. The Yellow Dal was particularly bland, tasting like simple boiled lentils without the rich, aromatic tempering of cumin, garlic, and red chili that makes a good dal so comforting.
The Navratan Korma was another letdown. Instead of a creamy, fragrant gravy with a hint of sweetness and the complexity of nine different vegetables and nuts, the sauce was thin and flavorless. The vegetables themselves felt under-seasoned and lacked the rich taste you expect from a well-made korma. Similarly, the Paneer Makhani, a classic for a reason, was a shadow of what it should be. The gravy was one-dimensional and lacked the necessary balance of sweet tomato, spice, and cream that gives the dish its signature velvety texture.
The Vegetarian Biryani was also a miss. It was dry, lacked the distinct aroma of rosewater and saffron, and the vegetables seemed like an afterthought rather than an integral part of the dish. It was more like spiced rice with some vegetables mixed in than a true, layered biryani.
On a positive note, the breads provided a much-needed silver lining. The naan was excellent—perfectly cooked, with a soft, chewy interior and a beautiful, slightly crispy exterior from the tandoor. It was easily the best part of the meal and a testament to what the kitchen is capable of. The roti and alu paratha were average; they were functional but didn't stand out in the same way the naan did.
In summary, while the naan was a definite high point, the core of the meal—the curries and the biryani—was unfortunately tasteless and mediocre. The dishes were missing the depth and soul that define North Indian cooking. I left feeling a bit let down, as there's so much potential for this restaurant to shine. For now, I would only recommend it for the great naan, and I hope the kitchen re-evaluates the seasoning and flavor profiles of their main courses.
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Chirag Shah
via Google
· 1 year ago
One of the finest Punjabi North Indian restaurants around!
The chef’s experience truly shines through in the food — every dish is bursting with authentic flavor and cooked to perfection. I’d easily rate the food a 10/10.
Located in the heart of downtown, this place stands out not only for its taste but also for its ambiance and service. Definitely one of the top spots to visit!
