SAFFRON KITCHEN

4.8

63 Reviews

$31 to $50

Afghan

Make a booking

2 people

23 Nov 2024

22:30

Booked 12 times today

Neighbourhood gem
Vegetarian-friendly
Great for outdoor dining

From Kabul to the mediteranean, at Saffron Kitchen we provide Afghan cuisine with a unique mediteranean flavors using herbs and spices along the silk-road region. Our recipes have stood the test of time for generations of home cooking. Our dumplings like Mantu and Ashak will remind of the ear east feasts while the various Kabobs of chicken, lamb, beef, and seafood are driven from the central asian recipes and spices. We offer an excellent vegetarian selection on our menu as well. To complement the food menu, we offer an excellent selection of premium wines, spirits, and many kinds of beer on tab.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Afghan, Mediterranean, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Hours of Operation
Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(510) 735-9220
Website
http://www.saffronk.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Abdul YAwary, Chef/Owner
Catering
We specialize in catering of all sizes and for all events. The whole restaurant can be booked with sufficient notice. For catering, we can deliver food to your venue as well. Please send an email to hello@saffronk.com to get in touch with our management to discuss this further.
Private party facilities
Our private room at Saffron Kitchen can accomodate up to 30 people nicely. This venue is great for all types of events, corporate events/meetings and parties. The room opens up to our beautiful patio to accommodate more people. The room also has a TV and projector. Restaurant's sound system plays music and can be muted.

Location
5940 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618
Area
Berkeley
Cross Street
Harwood
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Vegan

SAMOSAUS$9.00
Chick-peas filled fried pastries
MANTU APPUS$10.00
MANTU Steamed dumpling ﬁlled with ground lamb, onions, topped yogurt-mixed vegetables sauce & mint
AUSHAKUS$10.00
Dumpling ﬁlled with leek, spring onions, topped with house-made yogurt, meat sauce and mint
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- VEGETARIANUS$0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUS$0.00
POTATO BOLANIUS$9.00
Mashed potatoes and herbs stuﬀed turnover
EGGPLANTS PAKORAUS$10.00
Crispy eggplant, topped with house-made yogurt, and meat sauce
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- VEGETARIANUS$0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUS$0.00
POTATO PAKORAUS$10.00
Crisp potatoes, topped with house-made yogurt, and meat sauce
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- VEGETARIANUS$0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUS$0.00
(Soup) AushUS$10.00
Noodle and vegetable soup topped with yogurt, meat sauce, and dill
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- NO MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUS$0.00
MASHAWA (SOUP)US$10.00
Lentil soup, topped with yogurt, meat sauce, and dill
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- NO MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUS$0.00
SIDE OF BUTTERNUT SQUASHUS$10.00
With spiced topped with house-made yogurt, garlic and meat sauce
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- NO MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUS$0.00

SALADS

GREEK SALADUS$18.00
Romaine, feta cheese, green olives, tomato, cucumber, onion, Greek dressing
CILANTRO CAESER SALADUS$16.00
hearts of romaine, cilantro, mint, parmesan
WATERMELON, ARIGULA, FETA SALADUS$18.00

ENTREES

BEEF KABOBUS$24.00
Charbroiled Beef skewers, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
CHICKEN KABOBUS$24.00
Charbroiled chicken skewers, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
COMBINATION KABOBSUS$25.00
Chicken and Beef
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
RACK OF LAMBUS$38.00
Grilled rack of lamb skewers (4 pcs), with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
LAMB KABOBUS$30.00
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
LAMB CHOPUS$36.00
Lamb loin chops, charbroiled on skewer, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
KING SALMON KABOBUS$26.00
Charbroiled ﬁllet of salmon skewers, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
SHRIMP KABOBUS$26.00
Charbroiled jumbo prawn skewers, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
SEAFOOD COMBOUS$27.00
Grilled Salmon, shrimp skewers, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
QABULI PALLAWUS$26.00
baked Lamb, caramelized carrot & raisins, seasoned basmati rice
- WITH LAMBUS$0.00
- WITH CHICKENUS$0.00
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
LAWANGUS$24.00
Chicken cooked with onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, and sour cream served with saffron basmati rice
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
SHISH LEEKUS$24.00
Chicken or beef, sautéed with onions, tomatoes, green peppers, carrots, with seasoned basmati rice
- WITH CHICKENUS$0.00
- WITH BEEFUS$0.00
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
MANTU ENTREEUS$24.00
Steamed dumpling ﬁlled with ground lamb and onions, topped with yogurt, mint, and mixed vegetables
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
AUSHAK ENTREEUS$23.00
Dumpling ﬁlled with leek and spring onions, topped with yogurt, meat sauce and mint
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- VEGETARIANUS$0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUS$0.00
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
BEEF QURMAUS$24.00
Cooked with green peppers, onion, fresh garlic, tomatoes and spices
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
SPINACH QURMAUS$24.00
Baked lamb or Chicken, spinach Qurma, fresh garlic, cilantro, and spices
- WITH LAMBUS$0.00
- WITH CHICKENUS$0.00
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
CAULIFLOWERS QURMAUS$24.00
Braised Beef, or baked chicken & cauliflower stew, tomatoes, fresh garlic, gingers, and herbs
- WITH BEEFUS$0.00
- WITH CHICKENUS$0.00
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
EGGPLANTS QURMAUS$24.00
Braised Beef or baked chicken & eggplants, tomatoes, fresh garlic, and spices
- WITH BEEFUS$0.00
- WITH CHICKENUS$0.00
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
POTATOES QURMAUS$24.00
Hearty chucks of potatoes baked and then sauteed with peppers, onions and carrots and finished with a tomato sauce.
- WITH BEEFUS$0.00
- WITH CHICKENUS$0.00
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
SALMON KARA'EUS$24.00
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00
KOBIDEH KABOBSUS$24.00
- RareUS$0.00
- well doneUS$0.00
- Medium RareUS$0.00
- Medium WellUS$0.00

VEGETARIAN ENTREES

VEGETARIAN SPINACH QURMAUS$18.00
Cooked with scallions, fresh cilantro and fresh garlic, saﬀron basmati rice
VEGETARIAN BUTTERNUT SQUASHUS$20.00
With spiced topped with house-made yogurt, garlic, saffron basmati rice
VEGETARIAN EGGPLANTSUS$20.00
Eggplant, onions, fresh garlic, tomatoes, topped with house-made yogurt sauce, saﬀron basmati rice
VEGETARIAN CAULIFLOWERUS$18.00
Cauliﬂower, tomatoes, onions, fresh ginger and herbs, saﬀron basmati rice
VEGETARIAN COMBOUS$22.00
with Spinach, Butternut Squash, and Eggplants, saﬀron basmati rice
VEGGIE POTATO QURMAUS$18.00
Hearty chucks of potatoes baked and then sauteed with peppers, onions, carrots, chickpeas and finished with a tomato sauce.

SIDE DISHES

SIDE OF SPINACHUS$10.00
Cooked with scallions, cilantro, and fresh garlic and spices
SIDE OF BUTTERNUT SQUASHUS$10.00
With spiced topped with house-made yogurt, garlic and meat sauce
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- NO MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUS$0.00
SIDE OF EGGPLANTSUS$10.00
Eggplant, onions, tomatoes, topped with house-made yogurt, and meat sauce
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- NO MEAT SAUCEUS$0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUS$0.00
SIDE OF CAULIFLOWERUS$10.00
Cauliﬂower, tomatoes, fresh garlic, onions, fresh ginger, and herbs
SIDE OF GRILLED VEGGIEUS$10.00
Two skewers (tomatoes, Onion, Bellpeppers
Side of Seasoned Basmati RiceUS$5.00
Side of White Basmati RiceUS$5.00
SIDE OF BREADUS$3.00
SIDE OF POTATO QURMAUS$10.00

DESSERTS

CHOCLATE CHEESECAKEUS$9.00
BAGHLAVA & ICE CREAMUS$12.00
ICE CREAMUS$9.00
Ice cream with rosewater cardamom, and pistachios
FERNIUS$9.00
Milk pudding, topped with chopped roasted pistachios
BAKLAVAUS$9.00
Sweet, flaky pastry made of layers of phyllo dough, chopped nuts, and syrup
KNAFEHUS$12.00
A crunchy, gooey, and rich dessert with layers of crispy pastry and soft cheese.
KNAFEH AND ICE CREAMUS$15.00
A crunchy, gooey, and rich dessert with layers of crispy pastry and soft cheese. AND one full scoop of Ice Cream

KIDS MENU

KIDS CHICKEN KABOBUS$13.00
KIDS BEEF KABOBUS$13.00
KIDS SHRIMP KABOBUS$14.00
KobidehUS$13.00

What 63 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Saffron Kitchen offers "wonderful, authentic Afghan cuisine" with generous portions and standout dishes like the Mantu appetizer and Salmon Kara'e. Guests praise the "splendid service" and welcoming atmosphere, both indoors and on the patio. Despite a lack of air conditioning on hot days, the restaurant's "great food, nice location" and inventive cocktails make it a must-visit.

63 Reviews

D
Diane
San Francisco
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Attentive service in a pretty dining room. Dishes were delicious. Easy parking.
Is this helpful?
E
Erica
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 31 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Love this place- delicious food, great service with yummy cocktails and beautiful ambience.
Is this helpful?
A
Arlene
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 30 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent, polite, prompt service. Our food was prepared with balanced flavors.
Is this helpful?
C
Carol
Las Vegas
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 27 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent unique tasty food. We'll be going back soon.
Is this helpful?
J
Joan
San Francisco
20 reviews
vip
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on 22 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Every time we go to Saffron Kitchen, we know that we will have one absolutely perfect dish after another. We are completely taken with the sides, the manti, the fried eggplant, and the cauliflower. All the grilled and skewered meals are also perfectly cooked and surrounded by a seasoned rice which is so flavorful, topped by a lightly spiced fresh Afghani bread. The three sauces that await diners on the table are spicy and palate thrilling - so delish! We ended our dinner with a gentle and lightly sweet rice custard - delish! The restaurant has tables both inside and outside on the patio. Every single person who works at Saffron Kitchen is as warm and friendly as is the owner. They make diners feel like they are really appreciated! We love it there.
Is this helpful?
S
Sharon
San Francisco
38 reviews
4.0
38 reviews
Dined on 20 October 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great service, food and ambience. Highly recommend.
Is this helpful?
L
Ladybug
San Francisco
45 reviews
vip
5.0
45 reviews
Dined on 14 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a great time - loved our kabobs - met our friends who we told about our new find - now we all have a new favorite!
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R
Ram
San Francisco
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 5 October 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Saffron was a nice place and food was very good. Service was nice. Only complain was there was no air conditioning on a day when it was over 90 degrees outside
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G
Gloria
San Francisco
21 reviews
vip
4.0
21 reviews
Dined on 23 September 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Great food, nice location. Enjoyed the seafood combo, seasoned well and moist inside.
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N
Nancy
New Orleans
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 1 September 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Loved our lunch at Saffron Kitchen! We were a group of four, and we all tried different entrees: Caesar Salad with Salmon; Cilantro Caesar Salad; King Salmon Kabobs; Qabuli Pallaw (baked lamb w/caramelized carrots and raisins, served with seasoned Basmati Rice; Aush (Afghan soup w/noodles and beef). Everything was very good. Three sauces were served (red/green/white), so we could add flavors as desired. A rectangle of delicious, soft bread was also served. Service was great, attentive without being obtrusive. We had a leisurely lunch, and will definitely return!
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FAQs

SAFFRON KITCHEN offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (510) 735-9220.

SAFFRON KITCHEN is rated 4.8 stars by 63 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

23 Nov 2024

22:30

Booked 12 times today

Order delivery or takeout

5940 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Harwood
Area
Berkeley
Hours of Operation
Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Afghan, Mediterranean, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Abdul YAwary, Chef/Owner
Additional
Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Website
http://www.saffronk.com/
Phone number
(510) 735-9220
Catering
We specialize in catering of all sizes and for all events. The whole restaurant can be booked with sufficient notice. For catering, we can deliver food to your venue as well. Please send an email to hello@saffronk.com to get in touch with our management to discuss this further.
Private party facilities
Our private room at Saffron Kitchen can accomodate up to 30 people nicely. This venue is great for all types of events, corporate events/meetings and parties. The room opens up to our beautiful patio to accommodate more people. The room also has a TV and projector. Restaurant's sound system plays music and can be muted.

SAFFRON KITCHEN

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

APPETIZERS/STARTERS

SAMOSAUS$9.00

MANTU APPUS$10.00

AUSHAKUS$10.00

POTATO BOLANIUS$9.00

EGGPLANTS PAKORAUS$10.00

POTATO PAKORAUS$10.00

(Soup) AushUS$10.00

MASHAWA (SOUP)US$10.00

SIDE OF BUTTERNUT SQUASHUS$10.00

SALADS

GREEK SALADUS$18.00

CILANTRO CAESER SALADUS$16.00

WATERMELON, ARIGULA, FETA SALADUS$18.00

ENTREES

BEEF KABOBUS$24.00

CHICKEN KABOBUS$24.00

COMBINATION KABOBSUS$25.00

RACK OF LAMBUS$38.00

LAMB KABOBUS$30.00

LAMB CHOPUS$36.00

KING SALMON KABOBUS$26.00

SHRIMP KABOBUS$26.00

SEAFOOD COMBOUS$27.00

QABULI PALLAWUS$26.00

LAWANGUS$24.00

SHISH LEEKUS$24.00

MANTU ENTREEUS$24.00

AUSHAK ENTREEUS$23.00

BEEF QURMAUS$24.00

SPINACH QURMAUS$24.00

CAULIFLOWERS QURMAUS$24.00

EGGPLANTS QURMAUS$24.00

POTATOES QURMAUS$24.00

SALMON KARA'EUS$24.00

KOBIDEH KABOBSUS$24.00

VEGETARIAN ENTREES

VEGETARIAN SPINACH QURMAUS$18.00

VEGETARIAN BUTTERNUT SQUASHUS$20.00

VEGETARIAN EGGPLANTSUS$20.00

VEGETARIAN CAULIFLOWERUS$18.00

VEGETARIAN COMBOUS$22.00

VEGGIE POTATO QURMAUS$18.00

SIDE DISHES

SIDE OF SPINACHUS$10.00

SIDE OF BUTTERNUT SQUASHUS$10.00

SIDE OF EGGPLANTSUS$10.00

SIDE OF CAULIFLOWERUS$10.00

SIDE OF GRILLED VEGGIEUS$10.00

Side of Seasoned Basmati RiceUS$5.00

Side of White Basmati RiceUS$5.00

SIDE OF BREADUS$3.00

SIDE OF POTATO QURMAUS$10.00

DESSERTS

CHOCLATE CHEESECAKEUS$9.00

BAGHLAVA & ICE CREAMUS$12.00

ICE CREAMUS$9.00

FERNIUS$9.00

BAKLAVAUS$9.00

KNAFEHUS$12.00

KNAFEH AND ICE CREAMUS$15.00

KIDS MENU

KIDS CHICKEN KABOBUS$13.00

KIDS BEEF KABOBUS$13.00

KIDS SHRIMP KABOBUS$14.00

KobidehUS$13.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does SAFFRON KITCHEN offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is SAFFRON KITCHEN restaurant rated?

Is SAFFRON KITCHEN currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas