This counter-service gem in San Francisco serves up mouthwatering Indian and Pakistani classics like fluffy naan and rich biryani, perfect for a laid-back meal.
"The casual institution has been around since before Bluetooth was invented (1999)—probably because the curries, biryanis, and other Pakistani Indian dishes are consistently excellent. And also because they have a big section of vegetarian curries (get the benghan bartha). Pakwan is always packed with people passing around plates heaped with things like tikka masala, and waiting in line (order at the counter). But walk in, and you'll easily secure a table for that spontaneous Monday night dinner or catch-up with friends. And FYI, Pakwan has a location in the Tenderloin and Ingleside, plus a couple of East Bay outposts." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez
"When you’re in need of a reliable meal that’ll have you in and out for under $20, keep Pakwan in your back pocket. The counter-service Indian and Pakistani spot serves things like chicken tikka masala and a thick, onion-heavy bengan bhartha you should definitely order. The food is solid across the board and always gets the job done. The best part: you won’t have to blow through your weekly grocery budget for a filling meal. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez
"The casual institution has been around since before Bluetooth was invented (1999)—probably because the curries, biryanis, and other Pakistani Indian dishes are as consistent as they are excellent. They also have a big section of vegetarian curries that shouldn’t be overlooked, like the melt-in-your-mouth benghan bartha (sop it up with an order or two of puffy garlic naan). Pakwan is always packed with groups passing around plates heaped with biryani and tikka masala, and people waiting in line to order at the counter, but it’s always easy to walk in and secure a table. And that's why we come here for spontaneous Monday night dinners, catch-ups with friends, and to dig into some samosas after the worst week ever. Pakwan also has locations in the Tenderloin and Ingleside, plus a couple of East Bay outposts." - Julia Chen
"We love Pakwan because it’s cheap and reliable for great Indian-Pakistani food. Order the tandoori chicken or lamb biryani, and revel in the fact that you’re getting a lot to eat and will have some change left over to put into your fund for whatever you’re saving up for, like a police scanner or a custom pug doormat." - Taylor Abrams, Jess Basser Sanders, Will Kamensky
Edna G
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Mat Lit
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Asma Samano
Chad M.
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Edna G.
Prasiddha H.
Ayaa O.
Syeda Sania A.
Dawn L.
Shabir D.
Jocelyn L.
Jason K.
Julia H.
David G.
Joanne S.
Kevin D.
Jessica R.
Avinash V.
Behnoush D.
Jenny X.
Sarah F.
Maggie Q.
Justin W.
Sabra M.
Shuchi J.
Evelyn A.
Yih R.
Allan D.
Luciano Z.
Austin S.
Antonio A.
Smruti A.
Henrietta P.
Melissa H.
Dave E.
Caroline Z.
Franklin Z.
Ruth C.
Asif S.
Della S.
Brett R.
Anuja S.
Sai G.
Andrew R.
Jackson H.
Kishan S.
Sandy L.
Bebo K.
Yasemin Dilara S.
Jess C.
