Recommended by Michelin Guide, recognized by hundreds of people of Yelp, reviewed by Tasting Table and featured on SF Magazine and SFCheapEats, Mandalay SF has been holding its outstanding reputation and quality service since 1984. 

Reservations

Pick Up / Delivery

Catering

 (415) 386-3895

Burmese food is not yet ubiquitous like the cuisines of its neighbors China, India and Thailand, and this lends it a mystique that most Asian restaurants just can’t maintain in San Francisco. Hip city dwellers want exotic, they want unique, they want special, and Burmese seems like the kind of food that the neighbors might not have discovered yet. But as much as the majority of SF foodies seem to delight in trying something “different” they still tend to popularize the blandest, most americanized establishments like, well…you know.

Critic Reviews

 
 
 
  Excellent  
    
 Based on 1077 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Jack Brown 
 
2024-04-28
 
 
  
Everything was excellent and the staff were great, although they did take a while on the drinks. Standouts were tea leaf salad, noodles, duck.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Gloria Ha 
 
2024-04-28
 
 
  
Mandalay had a big impact on me last summer -- I'm still thinking about the food today. I had never had Burmese food before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I did some extensive Yelp searching while waiting for a table on a Monday night.

We started out super strong with the fish chowder. It was aromatic and fragrant, savory, warm, comforting, and so tasty. Our waitress was thoughtful and had the soup split into 2 bowls so we could easily share it. I would absolutely get this again.

The balada was amazingly flaky and buttery. The sauce was good but a bit sweet, so I preferred some of the other sauces we had later. I would get this again just because the balada was so good.

The dry pan fried green beans were very well cooked. I loved the sharply savory nuggets of flavor. It tasted similar to the green beans you would get at a Sichuan place.

The lychee prawn special had a great sauce that goes well with the balada. It came with 5 prawns which were less tender than I would like (I like my tender farm-raised shrimp).

The mango lassi was kinda weird, a bit salty.

Overall the fish chowder was supreme and the balada was also so good. Those alone were absolutely worth the wait and hype. Our waitress clearly knew her menu items and gave good recommendations. The mango chicken at a table nearby looked really good too. I'd absolutely come back.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Dave Hogue 
 
2024-04-20
 
 
  
Well-known, well-loved, and often awarded and recognized as one the first authentic Burmese cuisine restaurants in the United States. The menu includes several traditional dishes you may not find in other Burmese restaurants that cater to American diners seeking more fusion cuisine. Service is very good, the staff are very attentive, and they will take the time to explain foods if you are unsure of what they are.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Christopher Chung 
 
2024-04-15
 
 
  
Recent winner of 2024 James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award !!!

Stellar food and atmosphere — whether outside on the parklet terrace or inside in a quaint dining room complete with Buddhist altar.

Tea Leaf Salad, wonderfully funky and satisfyingly crunchy in more than 3 ways. Rainbow Salad, near life changing, with two types of noodles, fried tofu, assorted vegetables, and tubers. Vegetarian samusa, you won’t miss the meat. Chin Mong Jaw, this dish comes with a full-rounded flavor from vegetable ferment. Nan Gyi Dok noodle, savory comfort.

As a meat lover, I found the vegan/vegetarian dishes here to be top-notch. Excellent, friendly and attentive service.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Sajeev Gulyani 
 
2024-04-14
 
 
  
The tea leave salad, samusa soup, spicy sake margarita, and curry beef were incredibly delicious.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Artak Ghazaryan 
 
2024-04-13
 
 
  
Tasty food. The atmosphere is lively and the service is great.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
Showing only 4-5 star reviews
 
 
 
 

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