SAFFRON KITCHEN

Name: SAFFRON KITCHEN
Address: 5940 College Ave, Oakland, CA, United States, 94618
Telephone: (510) 735-9220
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

4.8

63 Reviews

$31 to $50

Afghan

Make a booking

2 people

27 Nov 2024

7:00 pm

Booked 5 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
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

SAMOSAUSD 9.00
Chick-peas filled fried pastries
MANTU APPUSD 10.00
MANTU Steamed dumpling ﬁlled with ground lamb, onions, topped yogurt-mixed vegetables sauce & mint
AUSHAKUSD 10.00
Dumpling ﬁlled with leek, spring onions, topped with house-made yogurt, meat sauce and mint
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- VEGETARIANUSD 0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUSD 0.00
POTATO BOLANIUSD 9.00
Mashed potatoes and herbs stuﬀed turnover
EGGPLANTS PAKORAUSD 10.00
Crispy eggplant, topped with house-made yogurt, and meat sauce
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- VEGETARIANUSD 0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUSD 0.00
POTATO PAKORAUSD 10.00
Crisp potatoes, topped with house-made yogurt, and meat sauce
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- VEGETARIANUSD 0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUSD 0.00
(Soup) AushUSD 10.00
Noodle and vegetable soup topped with yogurt, meat sauce, and dill
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- NO MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUSD 0.00
MASHAWA (SOUP)USD 10.00
Lentil soup, topped with yogurt, meat sauce, and dill
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- NO MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUSD 0.00
SIDE OF BUTTERNUT SQUASHUSD 10.00
With spiced topped with house-made yogurt, garlic and meat sauce
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- NO MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUSD 0.00

SALADS

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

ENTREES

BEEF KABOBUSD 24.00
Charbroiled Beef skewers, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUSD 0.00
- well doneUSD 0.00
- Medium RareUSD 0.00
- Medium WellUSD 0.00
CHICKEN KABOBUSD 24.00
Charbroiled chicken skewers, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUSD 0.00
- well doneUSD 0.00
- Medium RareUSD 0.00
- Medium WellUSD 0.00
COMBINATION KABOBSUSD 25.00
Chicken and Beef
- RareUSD 0.00
- well doneUSD 0.00
- Medium RareUSD 0.00
- Medium WellUSD 0.00
RACK OF LAMBUSD 38.00
Grilled rack of lamb skewers (4 pcs), with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUSD 0.00
- well doneUSD 0.00
- Medium RareUSD 0.00
- Medium WellUSD 0.00
LAMB KABOBUSD 30.00
- RareUSD 0.00
- well doneUSD 0.00
- Medium RareUSD 0.00
- Medium WellUSD 0.00
LAMB CHOPUSD 36.00
Lamb loin chops, charbroiled on skewer, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUSD 0.00
- well doneUSD 0.00
- Medium RareUSD 0.00
- Medium WellUSD 0.00
KING SALMON KABOBUSD 26.00
Charbroiled ﬁllet of salmon skewers, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUSD 0.00
- well doneUSD 0.00
- Medium RareUSD 0.00
- Medium WellUSD 0.00
SHRIMP KABOBUSD 26.00
Charbroiled jumbo prawn skewers, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUSD 0.00
- well doneUSD 0.00
- Medium RareUSD 0.00
- Medium WellUSD 0.00
SEAFOOD COMBOUSD 27.00
Grilled Salmon, shrimp skewers, served with seasoned basmati rice
- RareUSD 0.00
- well doneUSD 0.00
- Medium RareUSD 0.00
- Medium WellUSD 0.00
QABULI PALLAWUSD 26.00
baked Lamb, caramelized carrot & raisins, seasoned basmati rice
- WITH LAMBUSD 0.00
- WITH CHICKENUSD 0.00
LAWANGUSD 24.00
Chicken cooked with onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, and sour cream served with saffron basmati rice
SHISH LEEKUSD 24.00
Chicken or beef, sautéed with onions, tomatoes, green peppers, carrots, with seasoned basmati rice
- WITH CHICKENUSD 0.00
- WITH BEEFUSD 0.00
MANTU ENTREEUSD 24.00
Steamed dumpling ﬁlled with ground lamb and onions, topped with yogurt, mint, and mixed vegetables
AUSHAK ENTREEUSD 23.00
Dumpling ﬁlled with leek and spring onions, topped with yogurt, meat sauce and mint
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- VEGETARIANUSD 0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUSD 0.00
BEEF QURMAUSD 24.00
Cooked with green peppers, onion, fresh garlic, tomatoes and spices
SPINACH QURMAUSD 24.00
Baked lamb or Chicken, spinach Qurma, fresh garlic, cilantro, and spices
- WITH LAMBUSD 0.00
- WITH CHICKENUSD 0.00
CAULIFLOWERS QURMAUSD 24.00
Braised Beef, or baked chicken & cauliflower stew, tomatoes, fresh garlic, gingers, and herbs
- WITH BEEFUSD 0.00
- WITH CHICKENUSD 0.00
EGGPLANTS QURMAUSD 24.00
Braised Beef or baked chicken & eggplants, tomatoes, fresh garlic, and spices
- WITH BEEFUSD 0.00
- WITH CHICKENUSD 0.00
POTATOES QURMAUSD 24.00
Hearty chucks of potatoes baked and then sauteed with peppers, onions and carrots and finished with a tomato sauce.
- WITH BEEFUSD 0.00
- WITH CHICKENUSD 0.00
SALMON KARA'EUSD 24.00
- RareUSD 0.00
- well doneUSD 0.00
- Medium RareUSD 0.00
- Medium WellUSD 0.00
KOBIDEH KABOBSUSD 24.00

VEGETARIAN ENTREES

VEGETARIAN SPINACH QURMAUSD 18.00
Cooked with scallions, fresh cilantro and fresh garlic, saﬀron basmati rice
VEGETARIAN BUTTERNUT SQUASHUSD 20.00
With spiced topped with house-made yogurt, garlic, saffron basmati rice
VEGETARIAN EGGPLANTSUSD 20.00
Eggplant, onions, fresh garlic, tomatoes, topped with house-made yogurt sauce, saﬀron basmati rice
VEGETARIAN CAULIFLOWERUSD 18.00
Cauliﬂower, tomatoes, onions, fresh ginger and herbs, saﬀron basmati rice
VEGETARIAN COMBOUSD 22.00
with Spinach, Butternut Squash, and Eggplants, saﬀron basmati rice
VEGGIE POTATO QURMAUSD 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 SPINACHUSD 10.00
Cooked with scallions, cilantro, and fresh garlic and spices
SIDE OF BUTTERNUT SQUASHUSD 10.00
With spiced topped with house-made yogurt, garlic and meat sauce
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- NO MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUSD 0.00
SIDE OF EGGPLANTSUSD 10.00
Eggplant, onions, tomatoes, topped with house-made yogurt, and meat sauce
- WITH MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- NO MEAT SAUCEUSD 0.00
- MEAT ON SIDEUSD 0.00
SIDE OF CAULIFLOWERUSD 10.00
Cauliﬂower, tomatoes, fresh garlic, onions, fresh ginger, and herbs
SIDE OF GRILLED VEGGIEUSD 10.00
Two skewers (tomatoes, Onion, Bellpeppers
Side of Seasoned Basmati RiceUSD 5.00
Side of White Basmati RiceUSD 5.00
SIDE OF BREADUSD 3.00
SIDE OF POTATO QURMAUSD 10.00

DESSERTS

CHOCLATE CAKEUSD 9.00
BAGHLAVA & ICE CREAMUSD 12.00
ICE CREAMUSD 9.00
Ice cream with rosewater cardamom, and pistachios
FERNIUSD 9.00
Milk pudding, topped with chopped roasted pistachios
BAKLAVAUSD 9.00
Sweet, flaky pastry made of layers of phyllo dough, chopped nuts, and syrup
KNAFEHUSD 12.00
A crunchy, gooey, and rich dessert with layers of crispy pastry and soft cheese.
KNAFEH AND ICE CREAMUSD 15.00
A crunchy, gooey, and rich dessert with layers of crispy pastry and soft cheese. AND one full scoop of Ice Cream
SAFFRON PISTACHIO ICE CREAMUSD 9.00
POMEGRANATE CHOCOLATE ICE CREAMUSD 10.00

KIDS MENU

KIDS CHICKEN KABOBUSD 13.00
KIDS BEEF KABOBUSD 13.00
KIDS SHRIMP KABOBUSD 14.00
KobidehUSD 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

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

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 6 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
37 reviews
4.0
37 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!
Is this helpful?
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
Is this helpful?
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.
Is this helpful?
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

27 Nov 2024

7:00 pm

Booked 5 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
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeaway, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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

SAMOSAUSD 9.00

MANTU APPUSD 10.00

AUSHAKUSD 10.00

POTATO BOLANIUSD 9.00

EGGPLANTS PAKORAUSD 10.00

POTATO PAKORAUSD 10.00

(Soup) AushUSD 10.00

MASHAWA (SOUP)USD 10.00

SIDE OF BUTTERNUT SQUASHUSD 10.00

SALADS

GREEK SALADUSD 18.00

CILANTRO CAESER SALADUSD 16.00

WATERMELON, ARIGULA, FETA SALADUSD 18.00

ENTREES

BEEF KABOBUSD 24.00

CHICKEN KABOBUSD 24.00

COMBINATION KABOBSUSD 25.00

RACK OF LAMBUSD 38.00

LAMB KABOBUSD 30.00

LAMB CHOPUSD 36.00

KING SALMON KABOBUSD 26.00

SHRIMP KABOBUSD 26.00

SEAFOOD COMBOUSD 27.00

QABULI PALLAWUSD 26.00

LAWANGUSD 24.00

SHISH LEEKUSD 24.00

MANTU ENTREEUSD 24.00

AUSHAK ENTREEUSD 23.00

BEEF QURMAUSD 24.00

SPINACH QURMAUSD 24.00

CAULIFLOWERS QURMAUSD 24.00

EGGPLANTS QURMAUSD 24.00

POTATOES QURMAUSD 24.00

SALMON KARA'EUSD 24.00

KOBIDEH KABOBSUSD 24.00

VEGETARIAN ENTREES

VEGETARIAN SPINACH QURMAUSD 18.00

VEGETARIAN BUTTERNUT SQUASHUSD 20.00

VEGETARIAN EGGPLANTSUSD 20.00

VEGETARIAN CAULIFLOWERUSD 18.00

VEGETARIAN COMBOUSD 22.00

VEGGIE POTATO QURMAUSD 18.00

SIDE DISHES

SIDE OF SPINACHUSD 10.00

SIDE OF BUTTERNUT SQUASHUSD 10.00

SIDE OF EGGPLANTSUSD 10.00

SIDE OF CAULIFLOWERUSD 10.00

SIDE OF GRILLED VEGGIEUSD 10.00

Side of Seasoned Basmati RiceUSD 5.00

Side of White Basmati RiceUSD 5.00

SIDE OF BREADUSD 3.00

SIDE OF POTATO QURMAUSD 10.00

DESSERTS

CHOCLATE CAKEUSD 9.00

BAGHLAVA & ICE CREAMUSD 12.00

ICE CREAMUSD 9.00

FERNIUSD 9.00

BAKLAVAUSD 9.00

KNAFEHUSD 12.00

KNAFEH AND ICE CREAMUSD 15.00

SAFFRON PISTACHIO ICE CREAMUSD 9.00

POMEGRANATE CHOCOLATE ICE CREAMUSD 10.00

KIDS MENU

KIDS CHICKEN KABOBUSD 13.00

KIDS BEEF KABOBUSD 13.00

KIDS SHRIMP KABOBUSD 14.00

KobidehUSD 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