Dosa

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995 Valencia St (at at 21st St.)
San Francisco, CA 94110

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(415) 642-3672
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Dosa - San Francisco, CA
Dosa - San Francisco, CA
Dosa - San Francisco, CA
Dosa - San Francisco, CA
Reviews
( 63 )
( 8 )
( 6 )
( 5 )
( 11 )

Best

When I go out to eat, I expect to pay a lot for my meal. I also expect to get a lot of food for that money. I'm a bit of a foodie and only want the best. Well, this place did deli...

Worst

As a South Indian, I was initially thrilled to come across this place because there are so few South Indian restaurants in this country. However, after waiting over 2 hours for a ...

Welcome South Indian Food! 3/25/2006

Dosa is a trendsetter in the San Francisco culinary scene. Where else can you find authentic south Indian food? This restaurant has blessed the Mission district with a new flavor and flare. Very exciting! You have to try the Chennai Chicken and the Masala Dosa - both amazing! And check out their impressive wine selections - mmmm, a glass of Viognier to compliment the meal. Nice work Dosa! more
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these dosas pass the street-cred test 3/19/2006

As a hardened south indian dosa eater, i found the dosa consistency great - including the uncracked paper dosa. the rassam is extraordinary as is the chennai chicken gravy. you can get most stuffy made spicy enough for a range of tastes, including the roaring keralite type. good range of food even for newcomers to south indian food. Pros: Authentic food, trendy ambience, friendly service Cons: Usually busy, Limited Bar more
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Finally, an indian restaurant in the city! 3/9/2006

I love this place. I just moved here and have been searching for fabulous south indian cuisine at a good price- this place not only delivers that, but provides a fantastic ambience in a great location. I didn't have a reservation and showed up with a party of 13- the owners accomodated us and provided excellent food and service with a smile. I have recommended this new find to all my friends and will continue to do so. The dosas are incredible! more
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Great Food! 3/7/2006

Outside the 1.5 hour wait for a Sat night, the food was terrific! The host that evening (who usually isn't the host) bought us a round of free drinks for waiting so patiently for a table. I've never had Southern Indian food before, let alone a Dosa - which turns out to be a nicely flavored crepe with herbs and spices meant to be shared and dipped in different sauces. My favorites for the evening were the firey broth, shrimp curry and any dosa! Next time, we're bringing a group of 5 of more to make a reservation! Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Service Cons: Long wait more
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Terrible service 2/27/2006

I have personally recommended DOSA to a lot of my friends in the past. But I think with their increasing popularity, these ppl are becoming Haughty. They have forgotten that serving the customer is of utmost importance. They actually have the cheek to be rude and insulting to customers. I am sure their success would not be so if they continue this attitude and behaviour towards customers. Their food might be good, but it is of no use if they cannot be basic curteous to their customers. If you want to be insulted and be treated rudely for no reason, please go to this restaurant. Cons: Utterly Rude Staff more
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A happy marriage of hipness and authenticity 2/26/2006

Hats off to Dosa for its South Indian cuisine! It's great to take friends to an Indian restaurant that doesn't serve the usual creamy, oily, shapeless glop that passes for Indian food. I liked the ambience and the bartenders are friendly. It's nice not to be rushed to a table...the bar's a great place to have a beer and the wait isn't too long anyway. I'd highly recommend the vada-sambar as an appetiser. Try the masala dosa with the chutneys and the sambar...it's very authentic, and I should know - I'm from South India. Worth going back to again and again! Pros: Good parking, Inexpensive more
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Really good 2/21/2006

very good food. the prawns were tremendous. i wish there had been a bit more of the non traditional style dosa's on the menu. Very kid friendly and enjoyable. more
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south indian at its best! 2/11/2006

happily and gratefully, i'm here to report that i've found a new place that i will continue to frequent...it's called DOSA. this south indian restaurant has it all. fantastic food and a warm and inviting vibe...an incredible newcomer. when it comes to indulging in the flavors and essence of their mission - which is all about food - you can't/won't be disappointed. the soups are delicious. the chennai chicken and cochin calamari apps are awesome. as for mainstays, the chatini dosa, tamil lamb curry, prawn coconut masala and poori bread, are beyond belief. the combination of fresh, organic and perfectly prepared food, and warm breads for dipping in their succulent sauces, and atmosphere - bring the entire experience full circle. more
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Perfect blend for all tastes 2/10/2006

Dosa is the perfect place to go if your party has people of varying tastes, as well as vegetarians and meat-eaters. I highly recommend any of the dosa plates, and loved the Medu Vada and the Dahi Vada. If you are non-vegetarian and up to eating something with a little kick to it, try the Tamil Lamb Curry or the Pepper Chicken. Both are delicious! And the comfort of having cheap parking just around the corner is definitely an added bonus. more
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FANTASTIC !!! 2/9/2006

This would be a place which isn't stuck in the 70's (ambience) -- would be a place where I would go to eat if I was in India too. Food - FANTASTIC - actually AUTHENTIC and really really good --- starters / entree and desert --- TRY EVERYTHING Pros: Food quality & taste, Ambience, Deserts more
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Delicious food and hip atmosphere! 2/7/2006

Dosa immediately stands out from other Indian restaurants because it actually has a nice atmosphere (no cafeteria here!). Minimalist with Indian touches, a great wine bar, and fun music. Waiting at the bar for a table is part of the fun. My husband and I found the masala dosa and idlis to be very authentic. Also the donut shaped savoury vadas are amazing! Channa batura is aromatic and flavorful, my favorite. The Tamil lamb curry is a rich and complex choice for those who need their meat. Rasmalai for dessert is ""the best ever had"" by my husband who grew up in India and has a thing for rasmalai. Service is very personal and we were remembered the 2nd time we went in. Pros: great food, great ambiance, great location Cons: crowded, not open for lunch more
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A keeper 2/4/2006

I live in New York where there are so many GREAT restaurants and I was blown away by the food, staff and comforting ambiance. Definitely a fantastic restaurant and will remain high on my list of places I need to come back to over and over again. Any chance you'll open one up over here??? I need my DOSA!!! Pros: food more
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Excellent South Indian Spot 2/4/2006

Great Food and fairly priced. The Chicken Khari was excellent....perfect amount of spice and flavor. The Masala Dosa was good....nice and crispy. I reccommend the one with the fresh vegetables. Great wine list and friendly staff. The hostess was very accommodating and on top of things. I would definitely go back. The only real issue I had was the amount of space between tables. The back of my chair was hitting up against the person behind me....it is a tight squeeze. Pros: Service, Food Cons: Parking , Noise level, space btwn tables more
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Worth the drive...to Berkeley. 2/3/2006

I love Indian food...north, south, it doesn't matter. But this place is too hip for it's own good. Blairing music, cramped tables and a lack of attention to detail are not good qualities for a new restaurant to have in this City. (But perhaps I'm old school). I actually thought their dosa was well executed, but their chutneys lack inspiration. And when you're charging twice the price for a comparable dosa in Berkeley, you better deliver something out of the norm. I think they can survive for a while in that locale if they don't raise their prices much further. But they should work on the substance of the restaurant, since style can only take you so far. P.S. Making people wait 20 minutes at the bar for a table when there are plenty available at 5:45 pm isn't cool... Pros: location Cons: environment, service more
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Pathertic south indian food 2/3/2006

This place is sad-the food was very bland and NOT authentic at all (Cheddar cheese in a dosa? I don't think so.) The service was slow and unattentive. I don't know why this place is rated so highly rated. I cannot recommend this place at all-it was way too expensive for what you get. Cons: TERRIBLE FOOD, bad service, price more
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overpriced and bland 2/2/2006

Very disappointed at the bland food which was expensive. Seeing the 9.6 rating is misleading- no where close to that. if your craving south indian food, go elsewhere. Pros: decor Cons: food, slow service, crowded more
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Really Enjoyed myself 1/31/2006

Great Indian restaurant in a great location. I definately reccomend this place! more
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finally south indian in the city! 1/25/2006

great location, friendly and helpful staff. Food was excellent and authentic...even though at times is was low on the spice, I think they pitched it just right for the majority palate. All in all a wonderful experience and it saves me from having to go down south for my south indian fix. Cons: Noisy more
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Delectable food and scrumptious drinks 1/23/2006

It's wonderful to have a neighborhood Indian restaurant where you can go and enjoy the food *and* atmosphere. I loved the Masala dosa and the lychee soju was exceptional. The service was great and I love the fact that there's a parking garage right around the corner. This is a must try ! Pros: Great food, Great atmosphere, Good parking more
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DOSA is the real deal 1/22/2006

Our party consisted of 4 and we walked in on a cold San Francisco night to a warm and inviting space. Dosa has picked a beautiful color and lighting scheme that instantly warmed our hearts and the hint of curry and other goodies made our mouths start to water. The hostess was very accommodating and we enjoyed a glass of Pinot Blanc at the bar while our table was set. The wait staff worked in unison to deliver the Southern Indian treats quickly but with proper spacing so we could anticipate the next course. The food was fantastic and the assortment of Dosas really made sharing and comparing tastes and textures an event. We can't wait to go back! Pros: Food, Service, Price more
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Editorial

  • Basking the alluring glow cast by the dangling light fixtures on the orange-gold walls at this Mission hotspot you'll find a diverse and good-looking crowd. Newcomers to Indian cuisine are put at...

  • 1/17/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Sunday To Thursday From 05:30 PM To 10:00 PM Friday To Saturday From 05:30 PM To 11:00 PM Saturday To Sunday From 11:30 AM To 03:30 PM
  • Payments: Visa, American Express, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Central, Castro
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