New Ganges Restaurant
(415) 681-4355
775 Frederick St
San Francisco,
CA
94117
37.7657
-122.4574
Neighborhoods: Ashbury Heights, Central
Reviews & Ratings for New Ganges Restaurant
78 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 78 reviews
terrible food & annoying service
by 23stella
December 01, 2006
The food here was the worst Indian food I have ever had! I was in India for 6 months one time, and 6 months another, so I know a little about the subject... and this was just horrible. There was nothing subtle or interesting at all about the spicing - lots of cumin, and that is it. I have a feeling that the restaurant is writing its own good reviews, or that the people who are giving good reviews have just never had actual Indian food before... I was so hoping for a great Indian vegetarian restaurant in SF, but this is not it. I have given it a few chances, thinking I must have been there on a really "off" night, but each time it was so bad I couldn't eat most of it. And the waiter (owner?) was so annoying - he wouldn't leave us alone, and kept bragging about his awful food, like he was trying to convince us. And last time I was there the decor was nonexistent - there were NO decorations at all, just faded yellowish bare walls, and there were actually random things lying about everywhere. No effort to make the place pleasant. I won't give it another chance.
- Pros: none
- Cons: bad food, annoying service, no decor at all
Reviews don't reflect the experience
by npinc
July 04, 2009
This is a hole in the wall in middle of nowhere. My experience left me seriously underwhelmed. If you do end up here, keep your expectations low
- Cons: Hospitality, Service, Ambience
great Vegetarian Indian food
by Sparkels
June 23, 2009
Great Indian food and affordable prices. Located by Golden Gate Park. Highly recommended not just for Vegetarians / Vegans.
- Pros: best Samosas in all of SF
Best vegetarian Indian food in town. Personal customer service that will spoil you for anyplace else!
by SteveManley
August 21, 2008
If you enjoy great Indian vegetarian cuisine, this is the place. Everything is completely fresh and homemade. The variety of tastes is incredible. The host not only ensures that you have an excellent dining experience, he makes you feel as thought you are a guest in his home. He often comes up with amazing suggestions which I encourage any new customers to take advantage of. All this with a very warm smile and a great sense of humor to boot! Highly recommended.
- Pros: Great Food, Great Service
- Cons: Like most places in the city, parking can be a challenge. MUNI is a good alternative.
By far the best Indian food in San Francisco
by johnhenning228
August 15, 2008
When I'm dining at New Ganges, Aftab makes me feel like I'm at home. That is if I were born into an Indian family! It's almost as if my mother became a grown Indian man! He takes great care of you, and if you find yourself the only one in the restaurant at the time he may even take to feeding you one bite at a time as he prepares the right combinations of things on a fork for you to taste!
This is by far the best vegetarian Indian food available in San Francisco. The ambiance is homey and not at all elegant, but you'll forget that as soon as the first bite passes over your tongue! If you're unfamiliar with Indian food, let Aftab (the owner) make some decisions for you, but make sure you let him know how hungry you are (or aren't) as he's an excellent salesman!
They make some things that you just can't get anywhere else. It's a must-go in terms of indian food.
I'll be back again and again, and again!
- Pros: Excellent Food
- Cons: Tough parking
Both a great mean and a great experience
by shastariffic
August 13, 2008
As far as I can see all of these reviews are spot on. You've got to check this place out. The owner is a trip. He's really sweet and fun and adds so much to the experience. The food is as fresh as you will ever try in an Indian restaurant. Sure, the decor isn't flashy. But you won't care once you're sitting at your table. You are guaranteed to have a good time. I had the peas, my wife had the eggplant....which is OFF THE HOOK! Why are you still reading this? Just go there already.
More Than Just Dinner
by YfromSeattle
August 11, 2008
Our family is vegetarian and we were looking forward to eating at New Ganges on our recent trip to San Francisco, after reading multiple good reviews. When we walked in there were only a couple other customers in the restaurant, but we were immediately greeted by the jovial and enthusiastic owner, Aftab. From the very beginning Aftab let us know that he would be dining "with us" that afternoon. The service was unbelievably attentive. When Aftab was not teaching us the correct way to enjoy his food, he was giving us advice on life.
The food was very good. Aftab let us know as soon as we were seated, the food is entirely fresh. none of the food is frozen, and it definitely shows (or in this case, tastes.) The highlights of our meal were the eggplant bharta, aloo gobi, whole wheat chapatis and a delectable mango ice cream.
If you're in the area and enjoy good Indian food, you should definitely give New Ganges a try. Aftab brings more than just a meal to the table, and our family is still talking about it days later.
Homestyle Indian Food
by jendragon76
April 28, 2008
A rare find. Tawa rotis just like mom used to make. Food was fresh and fantastic! Highly recommended.
- Pros: Very nice family owned and runned business
- Cons: Not the prettiest inside but it is all about the fresh home cooked food and the nice staff.
Best Indian Food I've Ever Tried
by Pam559
April 02, 2008
We were all visiting SF, and we were dead tired and hungry by the time we got to the restaurant. We were given a warm welcome, and we soon relaxed in the calm setting. The place wasn't bombarded with people, which gave us room to enjoy a quiet dinner. The food was fresh, and you could tell by the taste of the food. The food was great...I loved everything from the fresh indian roti, to the okra dish and the cheese dish ..and the biryani...The food was simply delicious! The owner is a wonderful man- very friendly and always willing to help you enjoy the food in a different way. When we left, he gave us 3 roses (one for my mom, sister and my self) :) We loved the experience, and would go back if ever we go visit San Francisco.
This restaurant is unforgettable!
by bpdesign
March 04, 2008
The first time we visited, the restaurant was closed?the owner took one look at our disappointed faces and opened the restaurant just for us!
I have to admit that I was a little put off by the flowers in dirty water on the table and I do suggest a bit of a face lift on the decor. However, the food was incredible. And my daughter and I loved the owners friendly humor and attention. I can understand that some people may be made uncomfortable by his interjection, however it made it an unforgettable experience for us.
My family is British and we have been eating Indian food for decades. We also cook it extensively and this food felt home made. The ingredients were obviously fresh, the flavors were original and it wasn't as oily as most restaurants. I was honored to be feed so caringly and will recommend this restaurant to all my friends.
- Pros: Wonderful food served with humor
- Cons: Ambience could use some attention
Freshest Indian Food around
by tjordre
February 25, 2008
New Ganges is a real gem. It is tucked away in a residential location between the Inner Sunset and the Haight (take the N-Judah line to get there- it is one block from the UCSF stop on Judah and Arguello). The food is insanely good. The owner believes whole-heartedly in using only the freshest ingredients for his dishes which are prepared with love by his wife and daughter (?). I've been there more than a dozen times since moving to the city 2 years ago and the food is ALWAYS amazing. I literally crave this food. The begnan pakora appetizer is special. Every main course dish I've had is great, with perfectly balanced seasoning. Try the Dal. This food is also free of that layer of greasy oil that sits on top of Indian dishes at many of the other joints in town. The whole wheat chipati bread is a fantastic alternative to the traditional bleached flour naan served elsewhere. I am always genuinely surprised that people don't know about this place and that there it is never packed. Don't wait any longer... GET OVER THERE AND TRY THIS PLACE SOON! You will likely be greeted by the friendly owner who is delighted to ensure you enjoy your dining experience. If you appreciate good food you will appreciate this place.
- Pros: Always great, never over crowded
- Cons: They don't serve alcohol or meat so your close-minded friends will need a push
