Viva Goa
2420 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA, 94123
Viva Goa Menu
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Address :
2420 Lombard St
San Francisco, CA, 94123 - Phone (415) 440-2600
- Website https://vivagoaindiancuisine.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
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M. C.
These guys are the best! Great service, amazing food.
(5)m t.
I had been wanting to try this place for a while so the Bloomspot deal presented a good opportunity. After one visit, I would say I am not a fan. The naan was good. The samosas were smallish and fried too crisp for my tastes --I like it when a little doughiness remains. The seafood combo was fishy and salty and did not exude freshness. The lamb was tough and chewy. It just wasn't very good.
(2)S C.
Goan food or rather lack thereof has been the only hole in the cuisine available in the Bay Area. So I've been salivating to go try this place. I'll say that I'm glad they made the attempt but the flavors fall short to authentic. The three things which were pretty good were the sorpotel which the server offered me though it wasn't on the menu, the veggie caldin, and the chicken cafreal. The vindaloo was ok - mostly chili, not the traditional flavor - it felt like they'd used rechado masala to make vindaloo. I was most disappointed with the fish curry - it bears no resemblance at all to Goan fish curry. I was also very disappointed that they had no bebinca available, the kulfi we had instead was ok. So overall - the food is tasty and the service friendly, but it's not something that would make a Goan feel like home.
(3)craig s.
Ordered take out after a long weekend camping. While we picked it up we found they would have delivered to us in Laurel Village. Food was awesome and well priced, I recommend the garlic naan and Chicken Tikka Masala. Only needed 1 order of rice, naan, papadam between us. Owner was very friendly - I like to support good businesses. Highly recommend this place.
(4)J F.
Delicious Chicken Tikka Masala, best I have had in the city. The sauce is amazing. They also have really good onion naan and the basmati rice is always cooked perfectly. I also like how they can make things really spicy or mild. Best part is that they deliver! yay!
(5)Pamela Y.
What a find. Good Indian food with really courteous service. I've been searching for a restaurant like this! The food was delicious, spicy and NOT greasy. I will definitely be going again.
(5)Noel K.
My friend and I had a tasty dinner at this pretty little place; the owners were very gracious. The only problem was we had a Bloomspot coupon and I feel we were overcharged at the end for the dinner - it was too confusing so I just paid it.
(4)Pauline L.
Sandy M and I went here to try out some Indian masala goodness. But we were swayed by the big Daily Lunch Buffet sign out of the doorway...dang...$8.99....sigh...such a buffet whore. First thing we tried was the chicken tandoori (I know that it's got to be more tender and juicy right out of the kitchen instead of sitting on burner for hours), which turned out to be too dry. The vegetable samosas were filled with carrots and potatoes...I liked it even better with their mango chutney sauce poured all over (I'm all about the sweet and savory). The naan was excellent. Very hot and crispy, almost like a cracker! The Goan Chicken Masala had excellent flavors and the chicken was really tender. The Goan Goat Masala had a gamey flavor but then most goat dishes do. My favorite is the vegetarian dish Channa Masala (Garbanzo cooked with onion, tomato, fresh herbs & spices)..all Sandy said was, "it has peas and tofu in it. How good could it be?" Hello? It was hella good...the sauce with naan made it wayyy worth the trip back again for seconds. For dessert, we grabbed the sweet cantaloupes, and I had the rice pudding which had real rice in it...I was thinking of the creamy milk based mushy type but the rice actually was cooked and sitting in minty herbal flavorings...slightly sweet. I tried the Gulab Jamun (milky fried balls soaked in flavored syrup), they were not as sweet as I thought and really delicious. If you're here, definitely get an order of Mango Lassi. Both Sandy M and I agree Viva made the best one we've ever had...so thick with mangos and chilled perfectly. I think I'll come back here next time and do a la carte. That way I can defintely get the taste of flavors fresh from their kitchens.
(4)Brian M.
Went here for lunch. Actually, I wasn't planning on it but saw the sign out front saying something to the fact of an Indian lunch buffet for $10 so decided why not. I didn't even bother checking Yelp first. Had I, that would have cinched the deal. Great buffet-- got there early (around 11:30) so there was only one other table. Lots of choices... very flavorful. I'm normally not a big buffet fan (usually prefer ordering off the menu) but this place won me over. If you are in the area and like Indian food, it's worth a try. Easy metered parking out front-- just make sure you have your stash of quarters handy.
(4)Ivy S.
Good service, food, and environment! Love it!
(5)Gareth L.
Cheap buffet. Limited choices.
(2)Soniya R.
This is a review for vegetarian food! We went there today for lunch. Good service, but the food took a little long to show up. But the 8.95 buffet looked great for vegetariand (4 dishes plus dessrt, salad etc and rotis/rice and some meat dishes-wow) The wraps were good, needed some more spice and these were really huge. The veggie platter with paneer was a lot of broccoli and cauliflower...really ok. The veg biryani was good, the veg caldim gravy was good...but i expected it to have more gravy in it. They had Kingfisher beer to go with the papadums and chutneys-awesome! Overall good stuff, but I hope they spice things up! Glad that theres a Goan restaurant here!
(4)rei a.
I was craving something spicy and found this gem on Yelp near my BF's place so we headed out and a quick walk down the street lead us right into Viva Goa. ++ For the fact that they do free delivery, but since the house had a dinner party going on we decided to go to the restaurant instead. I loved the food. We had the Chicken Xacuti and Lamb Masala with some garlic naan. It was so good ~ even with my tummy trying to fight the spice I kept eating. Even writing this review makes me hungry. Marina/Cow-Hollow - it can be hard to find some place that has great prices and good and Viva Goa seems to combine them all. It was quiet and much like the last reviewer, I really liked that it was quiet, but the staff was very nice and the food was really yummy so they deserved to be Yelp'd.
(4)Loosey B.
Second time here and it was just as good as the first time. We did the lunch buffet today and we were the only people there. Such a shame as it really was excellent.The Goan Fish Curry was my favorite. They bring fresh naans to your table. If you like Indian food and are close by, give this place a try.
(5)John F.
I went here on a Tuesday at around 11am it was empty for the buffet. The tandori chicken was good not spicy. I ask if any of the food was spicy, he no just mild to medium. The food seem fresh, chicken tikka masala i think is boneless is good with rice. I ate the mango pudding which ws my favorite. All for 8.99, also the waiters are nice.
(5)Mamta B.
My husband and I had been looking for a Goan/Konkani restaurant in Bay area for a long time. Then a friend took us to this place for dinner last weekend.. Very good food. Reminded me of food on my Goa trip 5-6 years back.. We had chicken xacuti, stuffed charred pomfret (with stuffing called Rashida), fish cutlet and a lamb preparation.. It was all spicy (they did ask for our preference on extent of spiciness) and delicious. Macaroni lentil soup was superb. Good prices, portions, service and taste. At the end we were also offered a complimentary dessert - orange ice-cream - which was actual orange pieces stuffed with ice-cream - quite innovative. Must try to get a real taste of Goan food!
(5)Gurpreet S.
Lovely ambiance. Very simple, yet not underdone. Plenty of seating space, and a very friendly staff. If you cant handle spices, I'd recommend going mild, rather than medium. Medium was a bit hot for a few of my friends. The appetizers were delectable. Just the right amount of spices in which the food was cooked. As a main course, the lamb was amazing. I havent had such tender lamb in the US before, it basically melted in your mouth. The chicken xacuti was lovely. It had a very different flavor to it, and not in a bad way at all! Overall, I'd definitely recommend this place.
(4)Jon D.
I guess I'm your average ignorant American who makes no distinction between Goan food and other Indian food. I didn't notice the part of the menu with Goan seafood specialties, and the waiter didn't say anything about it, so I just got the same stuff I usually get: Aloo gobhi, matter paneer, samosas, that sort of thing. Food was pretty standard, perfectly good but nothing to write home about. The fourth star is for the very friendly and attentive service. When our matter paneer came out, it had a garnish of slivered almonds in it (which was not mentioned in the menu); my girlfriend is highly allergic to tree nuts, and they took it back and quickly made a whole new batch. They were extremely nice about it and kept checking back to make sure everything was good. We left full and happy. If for some strange reason I stay in that neighborhood again, I would definitely go back.
(4)Nilofer M.
First goan place in the city (maybe even in the bay area). We (4 of us) were really excited. Here is what we ordered & what I thought Malabari Jinga : too ketchupy. expected smaller shrimp since they used jinga in the name. however were larger shrimp. Pomfret : didn't expect it to be the entitire fish... head and all. Heavily spiced in the center. fish itself tasted very fresh. Fish curry : yummy.could taste the fresh coconut. Prawn curry : standard onion tomato base. nothing special. Service was great. They were receptive to our feedback Wished they also had sol kadhi (which is typically served with fish dishes). Will go back to try other items on their menu.
(4)N W.
I as lucky enough to get a Bloomspot deal for this place. I've only been there once, this last Saturday, arriving 30 minutes before closing. I will be back for sure. This place hit all the bases: excellent food, fast and friendly service, a good overall value, very clean, surprisingly good music, a simple yet effective wine menu... See you again soon Viva Goa!
(5)Holly G.
My boyfriend and I LOVE Indian food. When we first moved to the area about a month ago, we had some delivery Indian that really disappointed. Not to be discouraged from ordering in our favorite cuisine, we decided to try Viva Goa after passing by. We ordered in and the delivery came pretty fast. It was also inexpensive! The garlic Naan was OK, which could have been because it was delivered instead of eaten fresh out of the oven. The food we had was beyond delicious and we will gladly go back again. I can't wait to go back and check out the lunch buffet! This is now our go-to neighborhood Indian place!
(4)Varun S.
Worst food ever. This food should not be compared to Goan food in any way. The pomfret did not have salt in it. The curries were over spicy and were in edible --- Update on 05/05/2011 Got this email from Ricco Paul A. who looks to be the owner i guess "Looks like you are coming from Amazon who never ate in a plate.Keep it up jungee!" To reply, i speak for a party of 10 who ate here, from which 2 are originally from goa, and hated the food. I'm guessing the cook of this place had changed considering the older reviews i read
(1)Stew M.
San Francisco is blessed to have a pretty good selection of Indian restaurants to choose from. Even if some of them are roach fests (how do they keep getting away with it?!) there are enough decent ones to mostly satisfy even this British curry connoisseur. Variety, though, is not their strong point, most of them offering a me-too menu selection. Thankfully, Viva Goa is willing to go south on them all. Mixed in with usual favourites like masalas and vindaloos (which are worth seeking out themselves) you'll find unique Goan treats like the Chicken 65 (the closest curry in the US to my favourite chicken pathia), Lamb Xacuti and Vegetable Caldin. This place might even be good enough to unseat my current favourite, downtown's Mehfil Indian.
(4)michael d.
Just had delivery from them for the first time and it was solid, but not great. Probably 3.5 stars, but the fish tika was absolutely dry and one person said tasted like cat food (and I am thinking she meant that it tasted like she would expect cat food to taste. But you never know). Without the fish it would be a solid 4* since they delivered. Everything else was very good. We will give it another try for sure.
(3)Tony C.
After hearing about Viva Goa through a Bloomspot offer, I've been back several times. The service is extremely attentive and genuine without being stuffy. The atmosphere is very low key, which is a nice change of pace in the Marina. The food is exceptional--authentic, spicy, and bursting with flavor.
(5)Lily M.
A few people have told me how much they love Viva Goa, so when my friend invited me the other night I went along to explore. We used her bloomspot certificate (1 app, 2 entrees, 1 naan and 2 glasses of beer or wine) and I think it was a good way to try a number of different things on the menu which was nice because I am not too familiar with Indian food. The staff was very helpful when it came to ordering. They explained the menu items thoroughly and had a number of suggestions for us. I liked the onion naan and my friend liked the Chicken Xacuti. We enjoyed our meal, however I want to emphasize the professionalism and pleasantness of the staff. They were wonderful. Viva Goa!
(4)Bowen D.
I've heard the name of this place a few times recently. Ate there last night and it was SUPER TASTY. The staff were fun and friendly too. The bill was a little more than we expected, but the food was great and I'll be back for sure. The Masala Fish was the best thing on the table.
(4)Kiran M.
Basic tasty Indian food for a good price. The place was pretty empty on a Wednesday night. No frills decor and service. Wine and beer only, no liquor.
(3)Shaheen L.
We were craving Goan food and there are not any Goan food restaurants in SF. This was the first time we tried this restaurant. The food was amazing. We had the Chicken Xacuti and Malabar Prawns. Both were amazing and tasted like the authentic thing! The staff is really nice and friendly. They grind all the spices fresh right at the restaurant. Eat their Goan dishes that is why they are soo special. And they have a cake made of 8 layers called Bebenica which is a culinary delight.
(5)Brian C.
Some of the best Indian food I've ever tried. The service was top notch too. If you can get past the music and decor, you will be treated to some simply amazing food.
(5)Brooke S.
The fish masala was amazing - the fish was cooked perfectly! Order and one of the seafood dishes (Goan Indian food specializes in seafood). My go to Indian food delivery.
(5)Janell H.
Ordered delivery from them last week. Everything came in the time frame stated, was hot, delicious and well packed. My new go to for Indian Delivery. Loved the Dal Makhni!
(5)Sarah C.
Excellent food! Fair prices. Outstanding service!! Our waiters were extremely nice! Will definately be back again soon! Apparently the buffett is pretty legit too for lunch- real red roses and real candles on the tables as well - a very nice and rare touch these days :)
(5)J. N.
This place rocks! It is the best Indian food I've had in the City and what's better - they deliver! The garlic naan is amazing, as are their samosas and chicken tikka masala. The people who run the place are really friendly and the older gentleman who delivers our take-out every Friday night is so sweet.
(5)Jeff C.
This place is a fantastic addition to the Marina. I wish there were more restaurants with this vibe here. The first thing you notice is how warm the reception is when you walk in. Everyone that works here is quick to greet you with a smile and welcome you in. The service for this price point is top notch from start to finish. The food: It might not be accurate to compare this food to other Indian food because it is a regional Indian food from the southern Goa region. That said, it is the best Indian food I have ever had. I am not an Indian food expert, but I have dined at most of the city and Marin's notable Indian restaurants and it was the best I've had. The one dish all Indian restaurants have is Chicken Masala, usually I find it to have too much if one ingredient, usually cumin, that overpowers the flavor. Not here, this is as balanced as I have ever tasted it. All other dishes were things I was trying for the first time, and all were great. The white fish we had was the top dish, it is the signature Goan meal apparently, I highly recommend it. Enjoy!
(5)Michael G.
Maybe it was the fact that I had eaten a few hours before arriving here or the fact that we came in just before closing and experienced slow service, but be that as it may, I was not impressed. However, I will state that the quantities were large enough that we had left overs of each item for our 5-person party. I may have to give this place another shot on an empty stomach and with people who can handle the spice, since I live by the motto "The hotter, the better".
(3)Louisa D.
Probably THE ONLY place you can get great tasting, authentic Goan food on the west coast
(5)David D.
One of my new favorite Indian restaurants. I ordered the lamb vindaloo, chicken tikka masala and their palak aloo. The lamb vindaloo was excellent- spicy with robust flavors. And the lamb wasn't gamey or fatty, but was fork tender. Chicken tikka masala isn't usually something I order, as I'm not usually a fan of it(though everyone seems to love it). The sauce was wonderful- creamy, sweet with a light tomato taste, The chicken was a little overcooked though. But it was stiil delicious overall. And palak aloo, well even bad palak aloo is good, and this one was great. I can see myself coming here if it is inconvenient for me to get to Lahore downtown.
(4)Rishi V.
Being a person from Mumbai and someone who has been to Goa a lot, my standards for Goan food are really high. Goan food is amazing, if you get the spices and masala right, and these guys do that so well, without compromising on the spices and masalas to adapt to American taste (which is what most Indian restaurants do in the U.S.) The food is simply amazing with all the prime Goan dishes on the menu cooked and served perfectly. The place is run by Goans from India which explains the authentic flavors and great hospitality. The ambience is cozy and comfortable accentuated by wonderful Goan music on low volume. If you have a taste for Goan beer and alcohol, you will find it here too! Pretty reasonable for it's superior quality. If I lived in the city, would be going here more often, at least once a week. If you love Goan food, this is the place to go. If you have never tried Goan food, and love Indian food, you will love the food here!
(5)Alph G.
Oh my gosh - I think I just might not like Goan food. I absolutely love Indian food and was excited about trying something new. But almost everything that my table of 4 ordered was mediocre at best. Maybe it was just a bad night....
(2)Cedrick A.
The lunch buffet is super legit - just be warned, you may have to walk to nearby Chrissy Field to relieve being so stuffed. Each of the dishes I tried was excellent, and the samosas were some of the best I've ever had as each bite had the perfect pocket of spice. The service staff people were friendly, gracious, attentive, and seemed eager to please. Finally, at just $9, with free buttery naan, you'd be hard pressed to beat the value.
(5)food y.
This place has the most delicious indian food in SF at an inexpensive price. Some food in indian restaurants can be very greasy and upset your stomach. This is not one of those restaurants! Food tastes fresh and really hits the spot. Great delivery place as well!
(5)M O.
Great food at a reasonable price considering the high quality. The place was empty when I visited right at 5 p.m. on a Friday. Wait staff was very attentive and helpful. I will visit again when I am in the area.
(4)Michael M.
Wow...So glad I decided to stray from the usual local Indian restaurant tonight..Absolutely fantastic Indian food. We had the Veggie Samosas, Chicken Korma and Shrimp Marsala...everything was delivered hot and absolutely delicious. Fast Delivery
(5)Ali A.
very delicious indian restaurant!! I have been to other indian restaurant which were better, but i guess this one is the best one in SF area. Their service was not that good, the "NAAN" is not very good like others!!
(4)Nifty G.
Decent tasting curries, chicken curry was good. Some starters was oily and too much food color was added.dont try the shrimp one. sorry for not remembering the names. But once u see the menu u will know what I am referring to. Their rotIs/naans were awesome.. Sorry for the typo- blame it on apple
(3)J L.
I enjoy Viva Goa. Having been here twice, I believe there is some consistency to write a review. The first time I frequented Viva Goa, it was late (9 PM) on a Saturday evening. My companion and I decided to take a chance on the place even though there weren't many people around. Overall, we were very pleased with our experience. We ordered the vegetable samosas to start, and the Aloo Gobi and Matar Paneer for the main course. Everything was rather tasty- my only criticism would be the Naan, which was pretty bland. Oh- and the nice waiters who have been there BOTH times I've visited were extremely helpful and attentive! The next time I visit Viva Goa, I'll be going for the lunch buffet, and will be trying a few traditional Goan dishes (which are their specialty, after all).
(4)Heather S.
Such nice people, great service, fabulous food, very well priced. For two of us our total bill was $30 and we both had left overs.
(5)Brandy R.
Amazing! We ordered delivery last night. Not only was it on time but it was flavorful, healthy & just the right amount of heat.
(4)Mic D.
Tried them out for home delivery this evening based on the reviews. Delivery was faster than expected and the servings are generous. I really enjoyed the chicken biryani (a rich rice dish with simmered chicken and blend of onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, tomatoes - recipes vary from place to place but it's spicy). I also had the palak paneer (spinach and paneer cheese in a curry sauce) and raita (yoghurt sauce mixed with cucumber, mint and other spices) that I love to mix in with the rice. I'll definitely check out the other items on the menu.
(3)JANET L.
Went there with 3 friends and we all had delicious meals. The waiter was polite and prompt and the atmosphere was relaxed. We will return for sure!
(5)Scott D.
I went to this place expecting the old restaurant but was very glad we stayed to try it out. Had never heard of Goan food but we loved it. Great curries, Naan's and their veggie wrap was awesome and way bigger than we expected for $5. We had plenty left for lunch the next day. The staff was super friendly and it just felt so mellow. Like we were in a totally different country. I loved it.
(5)Carolyn B.
Best Indian food EVER! My boyfriend and I stumbled across this place as we used to go to Taste of the Himalayas which was in the same space. This place blows them out of the water. My favorite dish was the Chicken Xacuti. The Lamb Vinadaloo was good too, but next time I think I am going to order a different kind of meat since I am not a big lamb fan. We also had the Chicken Lolipops which were to die for! The service was awesome and the staff was very helpful and friendly. We listened to their recommendations and were thrilled. Joseph was our waiter and he totally rocked. We will be getting delivery soon and we will go back for sure!
(5)Scott B.
Amazing Food!!! I'm new to Indian food-- this place has set the bar high... I had the "Chicken 65" and it was so good. My wife had the "Rogan Josh" -- Also really good... they know what they are doing! Great atmosphere and curiousness waiters. Portions are big. I suggest getting some rice to help fight the heat and also "Naan" bread helped too. Prices are reasonable and worth every penny.
(5)Karina P.
This place is my favorite Indian restaurant. Appropriately priced, laid back, great service, and delicious food. Lucky for me it's just around the corner. This is a hidden gem in the Marina!
(5)Roshomon P.
Damn good Indian food.I love coming here for the Xacuti and the Sorpotel.The sorpotel is not on the menu yet but they will serve it if you ask.The service is excellent.Both the owners are very courteous and the chef consistently doles out excellent goan food!
(5)Kristina P.
Went here for lunch with a friend and had the Tikka Masala which was delicious - Very rich and full of flavor! I always can tell how good an Indian restaurant is by that dish, and here they made it perfectly robust flavors. Also, the people here are very friendly which is definitely a plus! Dessert: try the ice cream in the pineapple!
(5)Phil L.
The veggie dishes were awesome - nice and spicy and lots of taste. The samosas were great too because they were not too oily which I think always ruins a samosa. Service was very good, The restaurant has a good vibe generally. It's a cool place, definitely worth checking out if you like the occasional quality Indian feed. Some of the deserts look really interesting but we were all too full at the end of our meal to round it out with deserts.
(4)Andy K.
Chicken Tikka Masala - the best I have ever had. The fish curry was good - but we had it delivered so I'm thinking that is a dish best served in the restaurant. Garlic Naan, Samosas - both ddelicious. Can't wait to go back and try out the rest of the menu.
(5)Kimberly D.
Been here two times now. First time, had their lunch buffet which was good and only $8.99! Hard to beat that, especially in this neighborhood! Also went for dinner Saturday night around 8 and the place was about half full. I love that it never seems to get packed and it's quiet, the crowd is nothing like the people walking down Chestnut just one block away (more mature), and the servers are very polite. While we waited for our plates to come, our server brought us papadums and dip on the house! We had the "Chicken Xacuti" and the "Beef Assado" with garlic naan and plain basmati rice. The chicken dish is authetic of Goa and was tasty and saucy, not very different in taste from a curry. The beef dish is Portuguese, without any Indian influences, and was not good. It featured sauteed sliced beef with bland over-steamed sliced onions, green bell pepper, and zucchini and a side of rice. The dish lacked flavor and the beef was a bit tough. The naan was too thin; it didn't have enough doughiness to soak up sauce. Mango lassi was delicious and I think uniquely in that you could taste the tang of the yogurt. Chai is not free here like at casual Indian restaurants. Since this is a regionally different Indian restaurant, they also feature a couple of pork dishes. Also of note, all meats are boneless! I would go again for the lunch buffet, otherwise on a deal like Groupon since money's tight without a job.
(4)Sally D.
We are visitors from Southern California. We come to SF once a year because we love the city so much. We used to take in one Indian food meal per trip near North Beach and really liked it there. Then, somehow last year, I learned about Viva Goa. The fact that is was Indian food from a different region than we were accustomed to, I convinced my husband to try something new. It was so good last year that we came back this year and found it to be even better. It helped that it was less crowded (we got there earlier) so had time to chat with the waiter (who is from Goa) about our choices. The chicken vindaloo was the best we've ever had! We also had the vegetable xiachu (not sure it's spelled correctly) and a Goan lamb dish. Kudos all around but especially the chicken vindaloo (which incidentally originated in Goa and was taken up and dumbed down by other regions i.e. Punjab). The waiter brought us a complimentary dessert, but we were too stuffed to enjoy it. The prices were reasonable and we had enough to take home for another meal. The ambiance was nice and I got a big glass of Kendall Jackson for $8, which is far cheaper than I've seen at other restaurants. All in all, an enjoyable experience. We'll be back.
(4)Ehab B.
Great food and selection. Yummy goan dishes to please an unsuspecting palette expecting the usual Indian fair. Look past the dated interior and you'll find a real tasty treat.
(5)S K.
Went to Viva Goa for the first time today. Pleasantly surprised by the authentic Goan Indian cuisine. I have eated Goan food back in India and this was definitely quite good. Would recommend the Malabar Jinga (Shrimp) appetizer, the Chicken 65 and the Vegetable Caldin. The Pomphret Fish was so-so. Apart from the great food, the attentiveness of the crew was excellent Will definitely go back again
(4)Julia P.
I haven't dabbled much in Indian food, but was happily surprised by my experience with Viva Goa. My boyfriend and I ordered delivery around 9pm on a Sunday night. I was not only impressed that they were actually open and still delivery, but was pleased when the food came within 30 minutes. We didn't order an incredible amount of food, but what we chose was perfect for two. Basmati rice for one (it's enough for two), Roti (something like whole wheat Naan?), Goan Chicken Masala, Vegetable Caldin, and Baigan Bhartha. The Chicken Masala dish was by far the best, but the vegetable dishes did not disappoint either. Had a great little meal mixing them together with the rice, trying different combos of the three entrees, and of course wrapping it all up with Roti! Because everything we ordered was sauce-like, I might also try a sizzler next time. Prices were decent and, for a lazy Sunday night super convenient that they deliver! Also looks like they have a pretty awesome lunch buffet, so I'll have to try dining in!
(4)Food L.
This place is really good. The waiters were very attentive and the food did not disappoint. Everything we had on the menu was on point. We ordered a variety of meat and veggie dishes (there were some vegetarians in the group) and shared it family style. The tandori chicken, though a basic dish, was my favorite. The dessert menu, however, was a little disappointing. But who cares, you don't come here to eat dessert, you come here to eat some tasty indian food and that we definitely did!
(4)Rajesh S.
Surprisingly good food. We came to this place with one thing in mind that this is the only goan cuisine around bay area. I did not really care about all the other 100 things they have that you get in any other Indian restaurant, rather I went there by keeping "Xacuti", "Vindaloo" in mind because these 2 things are Goa regional specialty. Chicken Xacuti 4 stars out of 5 , really really good, very flavorful. I love it. Vindaloo I would say 3 out of 5 , not bad but not too good either. Apart from these things we ordered usual things on the menu, they were average. In Appetizers Chicken Lolipop was pretty decent . Price wise 6 curries, 10 naans, couple of beers, couple of sodas came out to be $150 with tax + tip. I would recommend this place to people who are craving for some Maharastra Coastal / Good spicy food specially "Xacuti". yes they offered us free desert, orange ice cream very creatively prepared. 5 stars out of 5.
(3)Sancho P.
I really wanted to like Viva Goa because it is hard to find Goan food outside of Goa - other than the ubiquitous Vindaloo. Unfortunately the only thing Goan about the food at Viva Goa was the names of the dishes. I went to Viva Goa with a group of Goan friends and we all left disappointed with the food (except for the one non-Goan dish that we tried - chicken lollipops with Szechuan sauce) The staff was great (hence the 2nd star) but that could not make up for the food.
(2)Sanjiv P.
Solid buffet for $9. -The mushroom paneer, goan chicken, and mango puddding were all tasty -Skip the tandoori chicken; instead they should have Goan chicken lollipops,
(4)La Gata M.
Came here with a party of 11 for a tour of Marina restaurants. The place was moderately busy and, of course, we were seated right off, since the hostess of our tour had made the reservations. Shrimps Malabar, Beef Cutlet and Chicken Curry with jasmine rice and fresh naan were exceptional. Recommend
(5)Dasisters D.
We had lunch buffet $8.99 and their food was delish. We had quite a few Indian buffet before but this place serves fish curry on the buffet table - which was really good. Service was excellent! We'll be back!
(5)S H.
One thing I have always wondered about is the absence of Goan food in the bay area. Goan food is unique and distinguishes itself from the rest of the Indian cuisine by drawing influences from Portuguese - who colonized Goa for ~450 years - while not losing its traditional Indian character, 'Viva Goa' fills the gap by presenting a decent Goan menu along with the standard Indian fare. Operated by 2 very friendly entrepreneurs, Viva Goa is a small and cozy restaurant with an ambiance not too heavy on your eyes. On our request, they even went out of their way to make a 'rava' (semolina) fried prawns. If you are curious, check out the Goan landscape wall hangings, listen to the Goan music while you devour the Goan Cafreal, Kalind, Vindaloo and the irresistible Xacuti. Enjoy with a chilled Indian beer and end with a slice of Bebinca. All at prices that won't hurt your wallet. I happened to spot it on the very second day after they opened, while returning from Napa and I'm glad I did. I've been there again and plan to certainly eat there when I visit San Francisco next. I'd recommend them to have a better collection of wines (including port wine) and add more Goan dishes.
(4)kamal b.
Recently eat at this wonderful place Viva Goa. this is newly opened restaurant specializing in Goan food. wonderful sea food had shrimp masala in appetizer loved that very friendly staff and kids Friendly place. best tikka masala i have eaten in long time. in desert best desert specialy the pineapple ice cream in pineapplie shell. loved every thing i eat.
(5)Anna R.
Everything here -- from the mango drinks to the matter panneer (MY FAVORITE) -- was awesome. The service was attentive but not overbearing, the garlic naan was hot and perfect, and the other dishes we ordered were great. Everything had a bit of spice to it, but nothing too outrageous (as someone who isn't so into the spicy, I appreciate this). I'm sure they could punch it up if requested. Definitely recommend ordering family style as the portions are just right for sharing and getting to try a bit of everything.
(4)joe H.
Ordered the lamb marsala, chicken xacuti, garlic naan, and rice. Got it spicy and was a great decision as it was spicy and not the crappy fusion spicy. Also had the bebinca for dessert. The food was great and so was the service. Why... Cause my water was always full....
(4)Stephanie L.
Love these guys! Great food and excellent service! Check out their lunch buffet for only $8.99, its a steal (especially in the marina)!
(5)Dana Z.
The food and service were perfect. Visited the restaurant with a Goan who knew how to order and rate the food....he loved it....I loved it...so delicious!! The fish curry is amazing...I can't say there was a bad dish ordered, and we ordered several. We are definitely repeat customers.
(5)Chris H.
Really blown away the Tiki was awesome, as well as the service. The value is great especially for the location right in Marina. The Naan was AMAZING!!!!!
(5)Phil J.
came here for the weekend brunch, and it was overall a good experience.
(4)Sunaina b.
Amazing food!! Loved loved loved the pomfret and the goat xacuti was pretty darn good.
(5)Mel T.
Tried the Lunch Buffet $8.99.... Everything was delish. Chicken Vindaloo & one Goan Lamb dish were Superb. Very good and friendly service. Had a conversation with the server and found out the Chef is actually from Goa and had worked for the Taj in Goa for years. Good to know and will be back for dinner soon to try out more authentic Goan dishes for sure.
(4)Mike V.
Checked out Viva Goa for the first time on Friday. I was super excited that an Indian place opened up in the neighborhood. I never really like the place that was there before. I also like the lunch buffet because it gives me a chance to try some new things and also makes for a quick lunch when you need it. I really liked the place. Everything seemed pretty fresh on the buffet. I don't consider myself and Indian food expert but one of the things that I really don't like is when the naan is already made and a part of the buffet. It just starts to get rubbery and not my favorite. So right away I give them thumbs up for making fresh naan and bringing it piping hot to my table. I also liked that they had some fresh fruit and salad. Sometimes it seems hard to find something fresh on an Indian buffet to mix in with all of the rich food. I plan to go back often and I hope that other people do too so this place will stick around.
(4)Adrian B.
Went in for a late lunch and we were one of the first customers ever (they were just opening that day). The samosas were quite good and I had dish I had never seen in an indian restaurant before (can't remember what is was called though...Xachuti maybe?)...fantastic spices. The desert of pineapple frozen yogurt in pineapple skin was really good. All of the staff there was incredibly friendly!
(5)Ro D.
I was super excited to find a Goan restaurant in the US, but the place underwhelmed me. I wasn't expecting authentic food and the food met my expectations. Sorpatel and pomfret were pretty decent. What turned me and my friends off was the service. The waiters were downright rude to us, making snide comments, no smile on their faces..nothing. We had to keep signaling them to come to our table to take our order. One of the waiters, Sam, was great though..
(3)Neil D.
this place is amazing, its very rare to find Goan food in the City. Great Chicken Lollipops, Beef Cutlets , Lamb Xacuti. NOTE : Dont go there and have the Typical indian food and expect it to be great. THIS is a GOAN food restraunt, please try out those special dishes. If you want to get more experimental ask the chef what he has in the kitchen.. they generally have dishes they dont put up on their menu and are deilicious.
(5)Christina H.
Christian & I had a nice lunch-one of our favorite places here in Marina District, definitely our favorite Indian Restaurant here in SF! Love their Lunch Buffet-great variety, complimentary Naan Bread and delicious food! Especially their Goa Fish We love their Chicken Tikka Masala, Mushroom Paneer Masala and Variety of Naan Breads at Dinner too! Always Provide Wonderful Service! Feel Right at home! Thanks!
(5)Aussfchi R.
Went here for the buffet a week or so back. Pretty good food for the money and normally the buffet dishes are not on par with the ones ordered from the menu. But I think it was as good as it gets. Cant find a better buffet for the money in SF. Definitely worth a try. Good service as well.
(4)Maria C.
My first experience with Goan cuisine and I must say I quite liked it. We went early on a recent evening and it was quite empty inside(shame really). The owners were very friendly and helpful. We selected a really nice Pinot Noir which went well with the food. Dishes :Bengan Bertha ( baked mashed eggplant ) and one order of Roti One of my favorite dishes. Fish Curry was equally delicious. Chicken Xacuti and Lamb Vindaloo came in second. I usually don't eat rice but theirs is very nice with shredded carrots and peas. I was quite full but my friends were up to dessert. Gulab Jamun:milk balls w.syrup Bebinca: flour and milk cakes I did not try them but they disappeared and my friends liked them. Ice cream was home made pistachio and mango , very decent. I really recommend this place for an inexpensive, great Indian-Goan dining experience. Hope many more people will discover it. I will be back to try some more vegetarian dishes.
(4)noit e.
As you can tell from most of the reviews on here, Viva Goa is a hit! While several Indian restaurants claim to serve dishes from Goa, including the ubiquitous Vindalho/Vindaloo, they are never able to represent the uniqueness of the cuisine from this part of the world. Because Viva Goa specializes in Goan cuisine and is run by Goans, the menu has several authentic dishes, including Chicken Cafreal, Sorpotel, and more. Not only is the food very tasty, the service is attentive, and the restaurant setting is pleasant. As this is a new establishment, perhaps in time the owners might concentrate on the decor inside; the Konkanni music playing in the background is a nice touch, though. I wish the owners much success as it is very well deserved!
(5)Bryan S.
Probably the BEST place for Goan food, just amazing. The story of how I discovered this place was, of course, Yelp. Took my guardians there because I felt like eating Indian, but Goan was close enough, so we drove there, sat down with good service, and went out as happy people. Food was amazing; couldn't come out happier. I had the Chicken Biryani, my guardians had the Chicken Tikka Masala and I forgot what the other had, but some really nice lamb/meat that looked like meatballs, but of course weren't meatballs. The Biryani was a mountain for me, huge amounts of rice and it was just wonderful, we shared each other's food and the curry was beautifully thick and creamy with the right amount of spices, and the lamb/meat was spiced and cooked extremely well. The service is good; caring people, I suppose. Asked if the food is good and how everything is, just like any waiter would. Nothing bad about them, just good people. The place is not bad, only been there twice and every time we get there there's always a place for us to sit at, just the three of us. It's not a place were it gets deserted all the time, people pile up as time goes by, and the good thing about it is that a reservation doesn't seem to be necessary... hopefully I'm right but we've never called for a reservation and we've always had spots open for us. Overall: I would come back here anytime, and take my friends along if they were foodies like me. If you can't finish the food, the best thing to do is take it home, and I mean it. Like what the waiter said to us, "Here is you late night snack!" He just read my mind.
(5)Allyson S.
I really am Meh about this place. The food wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. Normally that would merit a rice even 3 stars. While I distrust any food that comes to the table too fast after ordering, I also hold some reservations on food that takes too long, especially when it's not particularly busy. We came here after work for dinner one night when I was upset that I had missed curry up now for lunch, and was craving some spice like no other. I had chosen the place because we had eaten some amazing paneer tandoori in Vancouver and had been searching for another restaurant that served it. Viva Goa was the first one we found, and I sort of wish we hadn't, the tandoori was beyond dry and tasteless. There's also something to be said about conscientious waiters, if when the two of us order two rices, and you don't mention that one order of rice is generally portioned for 3 people, it's irritating. Not because I wasted a 1.99 on rice, but because it went straight into the trash untouched. Anyway, when it was all said in done, dinner took way too long, the food was dry and salty. Not horrible, but not particularly remarkable. I'd say it's worth a try, the bench seats are cute. but avoid the bathroom if you get claustrophobic.
(2)Shweta V.
Good food,fast & friendly service. I tried tandoori fish and fish curry. The food was good, but the curry had obviously been tailored to suit a larger international audience. The fish tasted fresh - not smelly etc. The menu doesn't seem to have too many 'Goan' dishes besides the curry, Xacuti, Vindaloo, and Bebinca. The vegetarian section had mostly standard menu items one would find in any other Indian restaurant. Overall, it didn't live up to the hype of being a "Goan food" restaurant, for someone like me who's been exposed to Goan food growing up....but it's a good place to start if you've never tried any Goan food.
(3)annie s.
The Chicken Tikka Masala is amazing! I've gotten tired of the usuals (Rotee and Spicy Bite) with their inconsistencies and Viva Goa is 2 for 2. Really interesting dishes and I can't get enough of these Indian spiced dishes. Big bonus they delivered to my house but I've ordered early each time since I know it's slightly far. Here's to hoping they keep on delivering to me because it's D-LISH-ASS and TAST-AY. Recommended!
(4)Jake S.
We were looking for an Indian near the Marina and this hit the spot! The music inside was terrible, the service was quiet but attentive and the food was great! We enjoyed Poppadoms, tandoori mixed platter, rice and a roti! $42 and we were full!
(3)Brianna M.
I am an Indian food fanatic and I love this place. Also, they have a nice, quiet restaurant - for those of us who like to hear conversation at the table. And they deliver!
(4)Pete F.
A Portuguese/Goan restaurant on the weird end of marina. I love the staff here. They are always warm and humorous. The food is consistently delicious and my wife and I try something new every time we come in.
(4)Hannah W.
Got take out here and the food was great. Prices totally reasonable. The staff was so friendly and helpful. They even gave me a drink on the house. Will definitely go here/get take out again.
(4)Debra M.
Love this place! Have visited twice so far. Enjoyed their chicken saag and Nan with fruit and nuts. Service is excellent and very generous with special offerings.
(5)Michelle P.
I didn't know anything about Goan cuisine before Viva Goa. Nicholas the owner told me all about it; his is Indian food with Portuguese influence. I've only been for the lunch buffet so far and highly recommend that you try everything, especially the Goan dishes (vegetable caldin with coconut milk, the fish dishes.) Go. Trust me, you'll love it.
(5)Amit K.
OK food with small portions. 2 ppl paid $55 without drinks.
(2)Luisa B.
I plan on updating this review once I get the chance to try something other than the lunch buffet, but man was this a great experience. Memorable items: Mushroom paneer masala, fish curry, goat curry, stewed okra, spicy samosas, mango pudding, GULAB JAMUUUUN (does it really get any better than deep-fried cheese balls?!) Memorable high points: Great atmosphere, man, it's like a cave in here! For a restaurant that specializes in food from the beachy Indian state of Goa, this place is extremely dark. But the low lighting really makes you feel like you're in a place much swankier. Great service. Our waiter had a winning smile, impeccable timing and a great sense of humor = fatty tip at the end of the night, which we could actually afford because lunch was so cheap! Coming back for: Baigan Bertha (curried eggplant), vegetable xacuti (a specialty of Goa), garlic naan
(5)Utsav M.
celebrated my birthday on the 11th of November here. This place has a chef who has come from india and provides you with an authentic taste of goan food. The goan food has portugeese heritage and this was evident with the dishes we ordered. ordered the : Lamb Xacuti - good. Fish / Shrimp / Scallop Masala - good As it was my birthday I got a complimentary orange kulfi . They had real orange peels which had the orange kulfi. It was amazing and it tasted like real oranges, literally. Thanks Gurpreet, Francis and Mikhail for the bday treat.
(4)Anna P.
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! The best butter chicken I have ever had. Great prices and fast/friendly service. I have craved this every day since and I will now be a regular customer. VIVA GOA!!!
(5)Janet G.
Fantastic food! I always get the tandori fish, naan, amazing rice, vegetable samosas, and a mango lassi. I'm sure the rest of the food is good too, but that's what I always ate when I was in Goa and it surprises me that they can make it so authentically here! It's a great restaurant and they deliver quickly if you're in the area.
(5)Dianna S.
Let me start off by saying "Free Delivery" with no minimum order! This is key on a rainy, cold night when the last thing you want to do is cook OR go out for dinner. I ordered the chicken tikka masala (hot) with some lovely jasmine rice. The portions were large and plenty left-over for another meal. The tikka masala was perfectly spiced and have definitely ordered from them a few more times since writing this review...and no disappointments.
(3)Christian L.
I live in the Curry section of Murray Hill, and this spot certainly measures up. Great lunch buffet with wide selection, attentive service, and low prices. Can't comment on authenticity as I am not very familiar with Goan cuisine, and the regular offerings seemed pretty pedestrian. Off menu sarapatel sp? is delcious btw.
(4)Y U.
Chicken Xacuti is similar to one i had in goa , quite authentic wrt to the goan cuisine atleast.
(4)