Lily Lee
The chef was very sweet and welcoming, which really set a great tone for the experience. You can tell there’s a lot of passion and care behind the cooking. However, the dishes we tried were extremely spice-forward—so much so that the flavors felt a bit overwhelming and hard to fully enjoy. If you love bold, heavy seasoning, this might be right up your alley.
… moreMauricio Montano
Despite its warts, San Francisco is a special place. This 46 square mile region of earth is gifted with a concentration of culinary delights. Expand that to the bay area as a whole and you are arguably, in one of the worlds epicenters of gastronomy. Therefore, to standout in this milieu is an achievement. Located at the corner of Ellis and Leavenworth Azalina’s is certainly a destination worthy of those seeking epicurean delights. Touted as providing a take on Malaysian “street food”, what is served is actually an elevated interpretation of the wonderful flavors and sensations found in traditional Malaysian dishes and the Malay hawker tradition. The chef’s genius for manipulating those traditional Malay flavors results in creatively delicious food. The combination of texture, spice and other seasonings is studied and expertly performed. Attention is also given to the presentation that enhances the beauty of these culinary creations. This is a true San Francisco treat and it is no mistake that this restaurant has been on the NY times list of 25 best restaurants in SF. Unique and wonderful flavors, gastronomic excellence on par with SF as a world class foodie destination. The venue is beautifully decorated and offers a sophisticated yet comforting atmosphere. Excellent service is commensurate with the food, as guests are treated like VIPs and the staff displays genuine kindness with a desire to make your experience special. I write this review now after being a guest at Azalina’s on 3 different occasions; in the parlance of sports aficionados, that makes 3 times at bat with 3 home runs.
… moreL
Great mocktail selection
Five course menu was good, strong theme of soy and ginger
Soup was my favorite. Explosion of flavor
Coconut mochi burger was messy to eat
Tender fish. Flavorless cabbage and rice
Ice cream texture was icy, though soursop flavor was interesting
Surprisingly filling considering small portion sizes
Not great for party of two – only options are giant tables and bar seating
… moreClemens Wan
The food is very unique with homage to South East Asian and Indian roots. Very subtle and nuanced flavors with a ton of random spices I’ve never had before. Every dish felt like it was jam packed with all these intricate components. Expect around a 2 hour end to end dining experience. Note that the restaurant is in the middle of the tenderloin, which notoriously has a lot of drug users wandering the streets. They’re harmless, but it might make some people feel uncomfortable if you’re walking from the east side of town on Ellis. Probably better to just take a ride over.
… moreJulia Enthoven
Had a fantastic meal here on all fronts. The chef came out to describe each dish on the tasting menu. Delicious mocktails. Good portions. Not too fancy. Feels authentic Malaysian. They do accommodate allergies. Woman-owned. Only downside is that it’s in the tenderloin, but there’s a man at the door which helped me feel safe.
… moreLL C
I’m Malaysian. I’m used to going to restaurant that have “Thai & Malaysian food” in their name in order to get my Malaysian fix in America, accepting that Malaysian food will always be very much under the radar.
And then Azalina’s came along. She has managed to stay true to the source material while still elevating our food and it has been a joy to experience. The food and the story behind how she put together the dishes is absolutely incredible. Terima kasih for helping to put Malaysian food on the map and for doing so in a way that lifts up the community.
… moreConnie Cheng
Had an amazing dining experience here! The Asian cuisine was outstanding, with bold and unique flavors that made every dish a delight. If you love trying new things, this is definitely the place to go. I went with my friends, and we were all impressed by the variety and quality of the food.
The service was equally excellent—both the waiter and waitress were incredibly attentive, accommodating, and friendly. They took the time to explain dishes, offer recommendations, and ensure we had everything we needed. Despite the restaurant being busy, we never felt rushed and were able to fully enjoy our meal at a relaxed pace.
I highly recommend the four-course meal—it was the perfect way to experience a range of flavors, and every course was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. From start to finish, this was a top-notch dining experience that I would absolutely come back for!
… moreJustin Wong
Fantastic creative tasting menu. And the Chef came out to talk about each dish which really made it feel like each dish was made with love as she gave us a culinary tour of the different groups that make up Malaysia. Attentive service and homey decor made this a relaxing but elevated delicious night out. The seasonal menu changes monthly so it’s very much repeatable.
… moreEvan Hall
Phenomenal restaurant and a rare gem. We did the four-course tasting menu and loved every second of it, with each dish showcasing some of the best Malaysian cooking I’ve had in San Francisco. While we didn’t have any dietary restrictions, the staff was proactive and asked us up front, and I noticed each dish had a vegetarian option.
Please note, the restaurant’s in a slightly rougher part of the Tenderloin, so I recommend taking a ride share to and from the spot if you’re arriving solo or not comfortable walking through the area.
… moreSandy Berger
We ate here on New Year’s Eve and absolutely loved it. I would highly recommend this place. The ambiance and decor were lovely. The food was amazing, and the chef came out and personally gave us an overview of each item on the tasting menu. I’m also very happy about the price of the tasting menu, for the price we got 5 courses and were full but not bursting. The flavors were unique and delicious. I’m sad that I won’t be able to return soon since I live out of town but next time I visit SF I know where I’ll be eating.
… more