Dunya

Amazing Mediterranean fusion with great Turkish spin. Try the lamb and the tasty appetizers! Definitely one of the best outdoor dining setups.

+1

My friend and I very much enjoyed our food from here. We ordered to-go and had a drink at the bar while we waited. The service was great and the food was tasty.

Raiba & Junaid were so lovely ! went there for birthday brunch I got the Mediterranean omelette and my friends got the shakhuka and the lamb. Everything was delicious great service, good wine, and good Turkish coffee Highly recommend and would go back again anytime

Authentic Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant! Everything is soooo good and tasty and the vibe and environment is so nice. It’s must try!!!

Visited here for family dinner. Reservation is recommended. We ordered meze platter, Brussels sprouts, salad, lamb souvlaki with a bottle of red wine. Food was very tasty. Service was excellent. Highly recommend this place.

Perfect place for a date night. It is usually packed but we love sitting at the bar. The food is delicious. We usually get the mezze platter and octopus. We’ve also tried the kunefe (small but really yummy). We love the atmosphere here as the bartender and waiters are super nice and they generally leave us to ourselves (a refreshing change from most American places where you get interrupted quite a lot). The decoration is beautiful too. All in all: I definitely recommend Dunya.

Delicious and beautiful! Could use some extra spice or seasoning but I felt light and satisfied

Dining at Dunyā tonight has been the highlight of my week—a delightful distraction. The cuisine surprised me with its flavors, complemented perfectly by the wine selection. The attentive servers enhanced the experience, and the ambiance, along with the soothing music, left me feeling utterly relaxed. The Mix Meze Plate was a standout, each vegetable bursting with flavor and delicacy. And the tender lamb, paired with a delectable sauce, was a juicy revelation. The Moca coffee with Dunyā are same owner . Take a cup of coffee and step on next door, we spend half day here . Highly recommend ! We will come back again !

This is the perfect spot for a cozy and romantic date night before a show at the Masonic. We shared the mixed grill plate and it was more than enough meat for two people — would highly recommend this plate, as you can try four different types of meat, including the keftedes, adana, lamb, and chicken. It only comes with a single serving of rice though, so if splitting between two you may want to order an additional side. My personal favorite meat was the lamb brochette, though everything was seasoned well and tasted great. The real star of the meal, however, was the warm grape leaves appetizer, with rice and tzatziki sauce that packed a ton of flavor. Don’t forget to squeeze the lemon on top! We ordered the melitzano puree as well (it comes with pita bread), but it was a bit bland and not as puréed as we expected (it wasn’t the consistency of a dip). We’ll skip this one next time and replace it with an order of that delicious tzatziki sauce! Excellent selection of wine, but be prepared that there’s no beer or cocktails. The staff was extremely attentive and very kind — they went out of their way to check in and brought us the food in time for our comedy show. A quick 10 minute walk after dinner (be prepared, it’s uphill) and we were at the steps of the Masonic. This is definitely a restaurant to try if you’re looking for something hearty yet romantic. We had no problem getting a table for two as a walk-in, and will definitely be back soon.

Charming Mediterranean spot at Polk street. It has the same owners as Lark at Castro so I had high expectations for the food and Dunya haven’t let me down. The meze platter was a great way to dive into classic Mediterranean flavors and textures and vegetarian moussaka was an amazing comfort meal that fueled us for the Saturday night ahead. Staff was very nice and food came fast. I definitely plan to come there again and try of their signature meals.

This has gotta be my new favorite spot for date nights! Low lit with limited intimate seating. We initially had a table but decided to sit at the bar. The menu is perfectly designed for shareables that pack so much heightened traditional flavors. The mixed grill is highly recommended- you get the grilled chicken skewers, lamb skewers, and keftedes (beef + lamb) with rice and chickpeas. Don’t sleep on those chickpeas!! Wine and beer only so the vibe is just right. Also the service is immaculate, such genuinely friendly staff with great recommendations. Love this place!

An amazing find! The food was awesome. Every thing we tried was better than the last thing. So delicious and well plated. The presentation was great too. Would highly recommend.

The food is delicious, the atmosphere inside is very nice. There is a wonderful restaurant owner who is smiling to everyone.

Great place for a date. Mediterranean food never disappoints, and Dunya takes it to another level. I highly recommend the octopus and the salmon, they were greatly mastered. The place is a bit noisy, but not to the point where you can't hear your guest.

Delicious Mediterranean food! Small menu but packed with a big punch! A variety of appetizers with rich, lovely flavors. For the main course, I ordered the eggplant - cooked to perfection. Tender but firm, not mushy. The chickpeas were soft, buttery, nothing like I have ever had before. The combination with the pickled onions and yogurt sauce is something I will be thinking about/craving.

Beyti, mixed grill, lentil soup and hummus with pita were delicious. Very flavorful! Recommend.

I stopped in for a quick appetizer and wine thinking this was a fast casual kind of place. But it is a beautiful sit down service. The staff is friendly without trying to be your best friend. So it’s pleasant and not contrived. The bar is cozy and prices are reasonable. I will definitely be back. It’s the kind of place that anyone who walks in looks attractive against the atmosphere. Good for dates or catching up Or being single at the bar writing a review like this on lol. Bathrooms are clean. Appetizer was delicious and flavors were sophisticated and well balanced. I got the goat cheese date hazelnut and honey app with carmalized onions. The portions are MORE than generous👍

Jayasimha Nuggehalli

Visited here for family dinner. Reservation is recommended. We ordered meze platter, Brussels sprouts, salad, lamb souvlaki with a bottle of red wine. Food was very tasty. Service was excellent. Highly recommend this place.

Eric

Delicious and beautiful! Could use some extra spice or seasoning but I felt light and satisfied

Lauren De Meyer

Perfect place for a date night. It is usually packed but we love sitting at the bar. The food is delicious. We usually get the mezze platter and octopus. We’ve also tried the kunefe (small but really yummy). We love the atmosphere here as the bartender and waiters are super nice and they generally leave us to ourselves (a refreshing change from most American places where you get interrupted quite a lot). The decoration is beautiful too. All in all: I definitely recommend Dunya.

Coquito Co

Dining at Dunyā tonight has been the highlight of my week—a delightful distraction. The cuisine surprised me with its flavors, complemented perfectly by the wine selection. The attentive servers enhanced the experience, and the ambiance, along with the soothing music, left me feeling utterly relaxed. The Mix Meze Plate was a standout, each vegetable bursting with flavor and delicacy. And the tender lamb, paired with a delectable sauce, was a juicy revelation. The Moca coffee with Dunyā are same owner . Take a cup of coffee and step on next door, we spend half day here . Highly recommend ! We will come back again !

Matty Easton

This is the perfect spot for a cozy and romantic date night before a show at the Masonic. We shared the mixed grill plate and it was more than enough meat for two people — would highly recommend this plate, as you can try four different types of meat, including the keftedes, adana, lamb, and chicken. It only comes with a single serving of rice though, so if splitting between two you may want to order an additional side. My personal favorite meat was the lamb brochette, though everything was seasoned well and tasted great. The real star of the meal, however, was the warm grape leaves appetizer, with rice and tzatziki sauce that packed a ton of flavor. Don’t forget to squeeze the lemon on top! We ordered the melitzano puree as well (it comes with pita bread), but it was a bit bland and not as puréed as we expected (it wasn’t the consistency of a dip). We’ll skip this one next time and replace it with an order of that delicious tzatziki sauce! Excellent selection of wine, but be prepared that there’s no beer or cocktails. The staff was extremely attentive and very kind — they went out of their way to check in and brought us the food in time for our comedy show. A quick 10 minute walk after dinner (be prepared, it’s uphill) and we were at the steps of the Masonic. This is definitely a restaurant to try if you’re looking for something hearty yet romantic. We had no problem getting a table for two as a walk-in, and will definitely be back soon.

Аlisa Paludeti

Charming Mediterranean spot at Polk street. It has the same owners as Lark at Castro so I had high expectations for the food and Dunya haven’t let me down. The meze platter was a great way to dive into classic Mediterranean flavors and textures and vegetarian moussaka was an amazing comfort meal that fueled us for the Saturday night ahead. Staff was very nice and food came fast. I definitely plan to come there again and try of their signature meals.

Landon Ledbetter

This has gotta be my new favorite spot for date nights! Low lit with limited intimate seating. We initially had a table but decided to sit at the bar. The menu is perfectly designed for shareables that pack so much heightened traditional flavors. The mixed grill is highly recommended- you get the grilled chicken skewers, lamb skewers, and keftedes (beef + lamb) with rice and chickpeas. Don’t sleep on those chickpeas!! Wine and beer only so the vibe is just right. Also the service is immaculate, such genuinely friendly staff with great recommendations. Love this place!

Ms Oriz

Great place for a date. Mediterranean food never disappoints, and Dunya takes it to another level. I highly recommend the octopus and the salmon, they were greatly mastered. The place is a bit noisy, but not to the point where you can't hear your guest.

Jason Johns

An amazing find! The food was awesome. Every thing we tried was better than the last thing. So delicious and well plated. The presentation was great too. Would highly recommend.

YASIN A.

The food is delicious, the atmosphere inside is very nice. There is a wonderful restaurant owner who is smiling to everyone.

Laura Gustafson

Delicious Mediterranean food! Small menu but packed with a big punch! A variety of appetizers with rich, lovely flavors. For the main course, I ordered the eggplant - cooked to perfection. Tender but firm, not mushy. The chickpeas were soft, buttery, nothing like I have ever had before. The combination with the pickled onions and yogurt sauce is something I will be thinking about/craving.

Daniela Wild

Beyti, mixed grill, lentil soup and hummus with pita were delicious. Very flavorful! Recommend.

Tess Goff

I stopped in for a quick appetizer and wine thinking this was a fast casual kind of place. But it is a beautiful sit down service. The staff is friendly without trying to be your best friend. So it’s pleasant and not contrived. The bar is cozy and prices are reasonable. I will definitely be back. It’s the kind of place that anyone who walks in looks attractive against the atmosphere. Good for dates or catching up Or being single at the bar writing a review like this on lol. Bathrooms are clean. Appetizer was delicious and flavors were sophisticated and well balanced. I got the goat cheese date hazelnut and honey app with carmalized onions. The portions are MORE than generous👍

Quickly seated at afrer-lunch hours. Got recommended items. Skewers are good not the best but good sides, probably better with drinks. Would comeback for drinks as they seem to focus more on them with vibe

I enjoyed the atmosphere, although it was a bit crowded for my liking. The dishes were perfectly cooked, and it's the best place for wine lovers 🍷

Food was delicious. Not too crowded. Very unassuming front door. Friendly wait staff. Only thing is they don't have a rice pilaf. Their white rice was delicious but I was just craving for some extra oopmh in my rice. Otherwise solid selections.

Good options, salmon was amazing, burger was ok. Overall good food and vive, just not our go-to dine in, due to it's loud noise and cramped tables.

The food is pretty good. The hummus and filo dough goat cheese app was good. Great service.

the adana kebab is excellent, although still pricey for what it is. the lamb brochettes are kinda chewy. nice to see some seats in the sun outside, lovely.

Really enjoyed the food here, service was meh. We started with the calamari palermo, which I had high hopes for, but it definitely lacked flavor. My friend ordered the adana kebab, and I ordered the salmon provencal, which we both really enjoyed. (both pictured) They serve really big portions, just to note. Overall, definitely enjoyed! Will be back again! Would love to try out more of the menu!

Lots of brunch options. Food is delicious; the prosciutto benedict is one of the best benedicts I've had. Bottomless mimosas for $18 if that's your thing.

Came here on a Friday night, we sat outside, the ambiance inside is better (from previous visits) and the staff is great. Good was good, I thought the kebabs could be a bit more flavorful but the octopus was good.

Visiting this restaurant at night in San Francisco was a really special experience. The soft, warm lighting made the whole place feel cozy and welcoming right from the moment I walked in. It was the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to slow down and really enjoy your meal and company. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, which made the evening feel relaxed and comfortable. The menu was full of interesting and creative dishes, and each plate looked like it was made with a lot of care and skill. Every bite was flavorful and satisfying, and I loved how thoughtfully everything was presented. It felt like more than just dinner—it was a bit of an indulgence and a chance to savor the moment. The decor added to the experience too, with a chic yet inviting vibe that’s perfect for both casual nights out or something a bit more special. What I really appreciated was how intimate the space felt at night. It was quiet enough to have a good conversation without yelling, and I felt like the whole experience was designed to make guests feel welcomed and comfortable. Overall, this restaurant is a great choice if you want a relaxed, enjoyable evening with delicious food and a warm, inviting atmosphere. It’s a perfect spot to unwind and treat yourself in San Francisco’s nighttime scene.

great presentation and restaurant ambiance but the food was a hit or miss. don’t skip on the mezze platter! mezze platter: loved the assortment. eggplant and grape leaves were the favorite. lamb souvlaki: lamb was a little tough but still tasty. beyti: ordered based on reviews but honestly disappointed. meat was chewy and tough, lacked flavor.

I had a quick stopover for lunch at the much heard of Dunya. Cozy and pretty ambience, sweet service and fresh warm food. We got the mezze platter out of which muhammara, tzatziki and baba ganoush was lip smacking delicious. The pita served was nice & warm, so I ordered another portion!

Duy Nguyen

Visiting this restaurant at night in San Francisco was a really special experience. The soft, warm lighting made the whole place feel cozy and welcoming right from the moment I walked in. It was the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to slow down and really enjoy your meal and company. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, which made the evening feel relaxed and comfortable. The menu was full of interesting and creative dishes, and each plate looked like it was made with a lot of care and skill. Every bite was flavorful and satisfying, and I loved how thoughtfully everything was presented. It felt like more than just dinner—it was a bit of an indulgence and a chance to savor the moment. The decor added to the experience too, with a chic yet inviting vibe that’s perfect for both casual nights out or something a bit more special. What I really appreciated was how intimate the space felt at night. It was quiet enough to have a good conversation without yelling, and I felt like the whole experience was designed to make guests feel welcomed and comfortable. Overall, this restaurant is a great choice if you want a relaxed, enjoyable evening with delicious food and a warm, inviting atmosphere. It’s a perfect spot to unwind and treat yourself in San Francisco’s nighttime scene.

Andrea Santos

great presentation and restaurant ambiance but the food was a hit or miss. don’t skip on the mezze platter! mezze platter: loved the assortment. eggplant and grape leaves were the favorite. lamb souvlaki: lamb was a little tough but still tasty. beyti: ordered based on reviews but honestly disappointed. meat was chewy and tough, lacked flavor.

Priyanka Lele

I had a quick stopover for lunch at the much heard of Dunya. Cozy and pretty ambience, sweet service and fresh warm food. We got the mezze platter out of which muhammara, tzatziki and baba ganoush was lip smacking delicious. The pita served was nice & warm, so I ordered another portion!

We stopped into Dunya for wine on a Friday night after having dinner nearby in the neighborhood. The wine was delicious, our server was friendly and attentive, and we enjoyed the atmosphere. However, at the end of the night when I was waiting for my fiance outside the restroom, the bartender came over and smugly asked if I was a customer. I can understand wanting to maintain the restrooms for customer use only. However, if the bartender wasn't sure we were customers, should could have checked in with our server instead of making assumptions and embarrassing me in front of other customers. Instead, I was made to feel unwelcome in a place where I'd just dropped $65 on wine.

Turkish cuisine, they also offer some Greek items on their menu. The Greek salad was excellent as were the kabobs. Deserts were underwhelming, service very slow.

3 stars for the ambience and the courteous staff who attended us. We went on a Anniversary dinner on a Sunday evening. There were only 1-2 chicken options on the menu to try on so me and my husband decided to try the chicken skewer platter. The food looked good but unfortunately the chicken was dry and hard with no flavor to it. I assume it must have been one of those days where the food didn’t taste good for the price it had.

Small restaurant in the Polk Gulch area. Service was decent but the food took noticeably long to be served. Menu options did not seem as authentically Mediterranean as I expected. Prices were slightly high for the amount you get. Overall ok restaurant but really an authentic Mediterranean restaurant.

3.5/5 The mezze platter has good variety and serving size. V Instagram friendly lol. Falafel was okay, not the best I've had. Hummus and baba ganush were flavorful but could be more hearty and punchy. The eggplant main entree (Musaka) was pretty mediocre. Soup was decent. Overall 3.5/5 but rounded down since it is a little expensive for the quality of food imo.

Neil Adit

3.5/5 The mezze platter has good variety and serving size. V Instagram friendly lol. Falafel was okay, not the best I've had. Hummus and baba ganush were flavorful but could be more hearty and punchy. The eggplant main entree (Musaka) was pretty mediocre. Soup was decent. Overall 3.5/5 but rounded down since it is a little expensive for the quality of food imo.

This used to be one of my fave spots in the city . Visited after 3-4 years few days back. The atmosphere and vibe of the place is spot on and the service. Just was disappointed with the food in general. The grills were really really dry. I liked the mezze platter though. We went super close to the closing hours so were rushed out a bit. The rose on the menu was quite nice. The price point is a little too high for the quality of the meal. Hopefully it’ll be a better experience next time.

i ordered a burger. it was a lamb gyro burger and it was kinda mid - maybe my fault for ordering one here. the patty was really big & the flavor of the sauce was ok but the bread they used really didn't compress down so it made for an uncomfortable burger eating experience.

Kaiwen Zhou

i ordered a burger. it was a lamb gyro burger and it was kinda mid - maybe my fault for ordering one here. the patty was really big & the flavor of the sauce was ok but the bread they used really didn't compress down so it made for an uncomfortable burger eating experience.

Diya Guha

This used to be one of my fave spots in the city . Visited after 3-4 years few days back. The atmosphere and vibe of the place is spot on and the service. Just was disappointed with the food in general. The grills were really really dry. I liked the mezze platter though. We went super close to the closing hours so were rushed out a bit. The rose on the menu was quite nice. The price point is a little too high for the quality of the meal. Hopefully it’ll be a better experience next time.

Pretty sneaky uncharges. Mezze platter $6 higher on dinner menu for same exact portions.

Absolutely not safe for anyone with allergies or any concerns around food safety. I asked the waiter if the rice was gluten free, as it often has orzo. He went back to kitchen and told me yes it was. We took our order to go, got home, and there was clearly pasta in the rice. As someone with celiac, this could be very dangerous. I called to confirm, he denied it and said “it’s not complicated, it’s plain rice.” After much back and forth (clearly not plain, see photo) I spoke to the chef who admitted his accident, but hung up on me. When I called back, the waiter told me “fine, I’ll refund you”. When I asked for his name he said “I’m not telling you my name, now. I’ll refund you and that’s it”. Very combative, no apology. If I didn’t call back a third time to confirm my gut instinct, I’d be very sick. For a $30 dish, I would assume as base level they should be able to say what the rice mix is made of. And also for a restaurant of this caliber, be forthcoming to admit mistakes around allergens rather than repeatedly trying to convince me I wasn’t looking at a bunch of orzo pasta…

I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE, SPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A WOMAN DINNING ALONE!! The food was okay, lacked seasoning. However, the worst part of my meal was the service. One of the cooks sent me a dessert I didn't order and then came to my table to flirt. I was very polite and refused to give him my number but he kept insisting and trying to say that I was there for a few nights only and I should give it to him. The conversation made me extremely uncomfortable. The waiters didn't help and even brought him wine so he drank it next to me. I payed for a meal, not a unrequested date. Men should learn about consent and the staff should know how to respect boundaries.

Spent over $800. Terrible service. Decent food but not worth the incompetence. Ordered the Aginares and there was no artichoke, even though that was the main part of the dish advertised, soggy potatoes, the fries were the best thing about this place, comparable to McDonalds (actually a compliment)…avoid.

Sarah Sachs

Absolutely not safe for anyone with allergies or any concerns around food safety. I asked the waiter if the rice was gluten free, as it often has orzo. He went back to kitchen and told me yes it was. We took our order to go, got home, and there was clearly pasta in the rice. As someone with celiac, this could be very dangerous. I called to confirm, he denied it and said “it’s not complicated, it’s plain rice.” After much back and forth (clearly not plain, see photo) I spoke to the chef who admitted his accident, but hung up on me. When I called back, the waiter told me “fine, I’ll refund you”. When I asked for his name he said “I’m not telling you my name, now. I’ll refund you and that’s it”. Very combative, no apology. If I didn’t call back a third time to confirm my gut instinct, I’d be very sick. For a $30 dish, I would assume as base level they should be able to say what the rice mix is made of. And also for a restaurant of this caliber, be forthcoming to admit mistakes around allergens rather than repeatedly trying to convince me I wasn’t looking at a bunch of orzo pasta…