5 Best Indian Restaurants In The San Francisco Bay Area: Michelin

SAN FRANCISCO — The Bay Area has no shortage of Indian restaurants and most fans of the cuisine have their neighborhood favorites.

But which restaurants are a cut above the rest? The Michelin Guide selected these five restaurants for their paper-thin dosas, lamb braised in rich spice blends, and piles of fluffy basmati and naan.

Ettan

518 Bryant St., Palo Alto

The Michelin Guide highlights the Kulchas, "stuffed with the likes of peak-season peas and ricotta and served with a bright green kale chutney. Deep-fried cauliflower florets flecked with cracked black pepper and arranged with Asian pear deliver a delightful contrast of tastes; while crisped branzino with a chutney of green garlic, herbs, and chilies is all heart and soul."

The restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week starting at 5 p.m. It is also open from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday for lunch.

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Saffron

1143 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos

Michelin reviews touted Saffron's traditional pan-Indian dishes, boasting intriguing garnishes. "Kale pakoras are deep-fried fritters served with onions in a light chickpea batter and a spectrum of chutneys; while lamb curry reveals a leg of lamb slow-braised with over 21 Indian spices. A cool rice pudding, studded with crushed pistachios and fresh strawberries, is sweet, creamy and brimming with a wonderfully warm spice."

Saffron is open for lunch seven days a week from 11:30 to 2:30, and for dinner from 4:30 to 9.

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Rooh

333 Brannan St., San Francisco

Rooh's innovative menu fuses the subcontinent’s myriad flavors with modern restaurant staples (oysters, pork belly, burrata). "Its approach is casual, but tabs can grow stratospheric in this pricey tech corridor. For the best value, opt for a meal of delicious small plates, like the piquant paneer chili, coated in crispy shreds of kataifi noodles. Wrap up with the exquisite carrot halwa cake, accented by cardamom kulfi and yogurt mousse."

Rooh serves dinner seven days a week. It opens at 5:30 on Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. the other days.

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Vik's Chaat

2390 4th St., Berkeley

The most affordable restaurant on this list is in the East Bay. According to Michelin, "Namesake chaat may be the star at this counter-service eatery/market, but lunch specials are the best bargain—think perfectly tender tandoori chicken with a mouthwatering smoky char, served alongside basmati rice, dal, raita and papadum. Dinner ends at 7:30pm, so unless you’re an early bird, go for lunch."

Monday through Thursday the hours are 11 to 2:30 for lunch, then 5 to 7:30 for dinner. It is open straight through from lunch through dinner Friday to Sunday, 11 to 7:30.

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Aurum

132 State St., Los Altos

Michelin's final pick for Indian food is back on the Peninsula. "Prepare to be enveloped in an orbit of colors and textures. Every dish is elegantly composed and flavors are infinitely varied. Carnivores will savor lamb skewers with roasted spices; pescetarians won't be able to resist the Malvani fish curry. Earthy mushrooms strike a wonderful contrast against sweet English peas. Desserts like tapioca kheer are quite simply out of this world."

Aurum is open for lunch seven days a week from 11:30 to 2:30. Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 9:30. On Fridays and Saturdays, they stay open until 10.

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