Azalina's

“Azalina’s is the kind of restaurant that makes you pause mid-bite just to stare at your plate and laugh because HOW is comfort food this elegant?! We went last night and every dish somehow managed to feel deeply cozy and wildly inventive at the same time. Indian Malaysian flavors turned all the way up — layered, vibrant, soulful, and clearly made with so much love. And Azalina herself? An absolute gem. She came to the table throughout the night to explain the dishes, tell stories, and make the whole experience feel personal and warm. You can feel her heart in every detail of the restaurant. The drinks were also incredible. We had a Berkeley wine that completely surprised us with how delicious it was, and the alcohol-free mint julep was honestly one of the best mocktails I’ve had in SF — complex, layered, not overly sweet (thankfully), and somehow tasted like a real cocktail in the best way. As someone who’s gluten free, I also have to say how amazing it was that nearly everything was naturally gluten free without feeling restrictive or like an afterthought. That’s honestly rare to find, especially at this level. And the dessert… easily one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. Period. San Francisco has a lot of great restaurants. Azalina’s feels truly special.”

“Flawless execution meets authentic cooking from the heart. With a monthly rotating menu, every visit is unique and brings forward a different south asian story. March menu was insane (the duck was to die for). Can’t wait to bring new friends to this little SF gem.”

“Despite its warts, San Francisco is a special place. This 46 square mile region of earth is gifted with a concentration of culinary delights. Expand that to the bay area as a whole and you are arguably, in one of the worlds epicenters of gastronomy. Therefore, to standout in this milieu is an achievement. Located at the corner of Ellis and Leavenworth Azalina's is certainly a destination worthy of those seeking epicurean delights. Touted as providing a take on Malaysian "street food", what is served is actually an elevated interpretation of the wonderful flavors and sensations found in traditional Malaysian dishes and the Malay hawker tradition. The chef's genius for manipulating those traditional Malay flavors results in creatively delicious food. The combination of texture, spice and other seasonings is studied and expertly performed. Attention is also given to the presentation that enhances the beauty of these culinary creations. This is a true San Francisco treat and it is no mistake that this restaurant has been on the NY times list of 25 best restaurants in SF. Unique and wonderful flavors, gastronomic excellence on par with SF as a world class foodie destination. The venue is beautifully decorated and offers a sophisticated yet comforting atmosphere. Excellent service is commensurate with the food, as guests are treated like VIPs and the staff displays genuine kindness with a desire to make your experience special. I write this review now after being a guest at Azalina's on 3 different occasions; in the parlance of sports aficionados, that makes 3 times at bat with 3 home runs.”

“Great mocktail selection Five course menu was good, strong theme of soy and ginger Soup was my favorite. Explosion of flavor Coconut mochi burger was messy to eat Tender fish. Flavorless cabbage and rice Ice cream texture was icy, though soursop flavor was interesting Surprisingly filling considering small portion sizes Not great for party of two - only options are giant tables and bar seating”

“The chef was very sweet and welcoming, which really set a great tone for the experience. You can tell there’s a lot of passion and care behind the cooking. However, the dishes we tried were extremely spice-forward—so much so that the flavors felt a bit overwhelming and hard to fully enjoy. If you love bold, heavy seasoning, this might be right up your alley.”