Hello dear
Welcome to Besharam
Besharam, located in the heart of San Francisco, promises a unique culinary adventure that celebrates the vibrant flavors of Gujarati cuisine. Founded by Chef Heena Patel, this women-owned eatery merges traditional recipes with innovative flair, creating dishes that tantalize the taste buds. From the decadent Cheesy Garlic Naan to the playful Drunken Pani Puri, every plate is a delightful experience. The warm ambiance is perfect for groups and families alike, while the attentive service ensures you feel right at home. Besharam is not just a restaurant; it's a celebration of bold flavors and unforgettable moments, making every visit a memorable one.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Chicken Makhani
Fish Moilee Lunch
Kanji Vada
Drunken Pani Puris
About
Besharam
Welcome to Besharam, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of San Francisco at 1275 Minnesota St. Known for its unique blend of contemporary comfort and traditional Indian flavors, this women-owned restaurant is redefining the dining experience with a modern twist. The ambiance is casual yet trendy, providing an inviting space ideal for gatherings, family dinners, or a relaxed meal after a long day.
Besharam stands out not only for its vibrant atmosphere but also for its commitment to inclusivity and sustainability. The restaurant is ADA-compliant, offers gender-neutral restrooms, and takes pride in providing reusable tableware, ensuring that all guests can feel welcome and comfortable. Enjoy your meal alfresco with dog-friendly outdoor seating while savoring good company and delightful food.
Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the food. Besharam boasts an impressive menu that showcases the creative genius of Chef Heena Patel, who expertly blends regional Gujarati cuisine with bold flavors that tantalize the taste buds. The Menu features a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, ensuring there's something for everyone. Here are some highlights:
- Chaat: Start with the Drunken Pani Puris ($8), a playful twist on a beloved classic, featuring semolina puffs filled with a savory potato-chickpea smash and spiked with gin-infused spice water.
- Thali: For a more substantial meal, the Whole Leg Makhni ($23) will not disappoint. This dish features a braised chicken leg bathed in a rich cashew cream sauce, perfect for those looking for a hearty, flavorful option.
- Plates: Must-tries include the Chili Cheese Paneer Fries ($17.50), a decadent blend of housemade fries topped with melted paneer, mozzarella, and vibrant chutneys. The Egg Paratha ($18.75) presents a warm flatbread filled with garam masala eggs, cheese, and sauces, making it a savory delight.
Customers rave about the quality and creativity of the dishes. One guest, Sanchit S., shared, "It has a great quality food... the creativity and deliciousness pulled into my lunch made it worth it." Meanwhile, Mr. G. captured the essence of the experience perfectly by stating, "Every dish we tasted was superb," emphasizing the unforgettable flavors present throughout the menu.
Besharam is not just a restaurant but a vibrant experience—complete with a full bar and happy hour specials to enhance your visit. Reservations are recommended due to its popularity, but there’s always the option to enjoy a focused cocktail experience at the bar if you find yourself without one. Free Wi-Fi and a lively atmosphere make it an excellent spot for both casual diners and social gatherings.
In conclusion, Besharam is a must-visit for anyone seeking an exciting culinary adventure that pushes the boundaries of traditional Indian cuisine. Whether you're a lifelong enthusiast or a curious newcomer, each dish promises to awaken your palate and leave you eagerly anticipating your next visit. Embrace the joy of dining at Besharam; it’s an experience you truly don’t want to miss.
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ This place has a nice ambience, staff & above all - it has a great quality food. A little bit pricy but it's the quality & taste what makes it worth. I appreciated the creativity & deliciousness that was pulled in the lunch we had. ”
“ Enjoyed this place! My friends invited me to try this place and I would definitely come back again. The food was amazing, good flavors. Not 'authentic' but really enjoyable. Would order everything we got again. Service was really good and the restaurant itself was pleasurable to sit it. ”
“ Food was fantastic! Got the uttapum which was a lot fluffier than I am used to and the pav bhaji which was so buttery and rich. The uttapum was topped with nice mushrooms that worked well with the green chutney and micro herbs. The place inside is also well decorated, and has a good amount of light if u go in the day time. Service was also speedy and respectful. The servers explained the dishes well too. Great experience! ”
“ Food: 4 Decor: 4 Service: 4 Came here for dinner with a party of 7 after booking a week in advance. Overall great dinner and one of my favorite Indian spots in the city. Parties of 6 or more are required to opt for the tasting menu. KHASTA pooris, spiced peas, chutneys, sev stonestreet sauvignon blanc, sonoma county DHOKLA savory lentil cake, cranberry chili glaze ENDIVE PEAR SALAD blood orange, lime mint dressing, walnuts NIMBU PANI mint, ginger, cumin MALAI KOFTA panner croquettes, cashew cream sauce roco pinot noir, willamette valley PULAV pea rice, beetroot chips, chili oil BUTTER BEANS ginger, scallions PARATHAS wheat flat bread RAITA cucumber, ginger RAS MALAI sweet caramelized milk, rose flavored paneer, pistachio Menu 85 Per Guest Favorites: khasta, dhokla, endive pear salad Gin cocktail (top of cocktail list) was also decent. Service was good. ”
“ 2024 was the year I was introduced to this restaurant with bold flavors that keeps your pallet wanting more! Chef Heena Patel is not only showcasing her regional Gujarati cuisine of India. She has curated some unforgettable dishes that satisfies your taste buds like no other restaurant I've ever been to before. Out of this world flavors! My favorites: 1) CHEESY GARLIC NAAN with pine nuts, mozzarella, sunflower seeds. -AMAZING!!! I CAN EAT THE WHOLE SERVING TO MYSELF. But sharing is caring so sharing I must. =) 2) DRUNKEN PANI PURI with semolina puffs, pea ragda, shallots, lemon tamarind water, mint, gin. -What a fun adventure to go on with this dish. The joy of pouring the lemon tamarind water into a delicious pea ragda and shallot filled puff. Fantastic! 3) LAMB MEAT BALLS plant based, vindaloo sauce -Yes! You got that right. It is plant base meat balls. But you'll think you are eating regular "meat" balls, can't even tell it's not meat. The Vindaloo Sauce is fire! It has a nice kick to it and your taste buds will keep wanting more! 4) HALWA caramelized carrot, cashews, nutmeg -This dessert is soooooooo delicious! It's nice and warm too. Sweet and savory! Great way to end the meal. I can eat this all day! So GOOD! We've tried other dishes on the menu too! Everything we've tasted so far is superb. Make sure to make a reservation! Otherwise you can eat at the bar, if it's not packed. Bartender Jesse is quite the mixologist and knows his way behind the bar. The cocktails are fabulous!! The atmosphere is always filled with great energy. The place is always packed. This is definitely a hidden gem and is worth finding. You've struck gold when you do! I always leave thinking about my next visit! That's how great the cuisine is here at Besharam. It's the most unique culinary experience I've ever had! ”
“ The first thing we knew to do when coming to SF was going to Besharam and it went above expectations. We had to change our reservation to another day and they were very accommodating. On top of that, we arrived 45 minutes early and they made room for us, the service was exquisite. There wasn't a time we had to look around for them. We wanted to eat everything, but started simple. We had a drink each - the khoobsurat and kabhi khushi kabhie gham. Both were amazing. We started with the drunken pani puri and gobbled those up within minutes. How they were able to bring in all that flavor was amazing. We ordered dahi vada which was the perfect crispy and yogurty! The next app we had was dabeli parantha. Another item that was packed with flavor. We went with one last app the kachori dumplings and three words - OH MY GOD! We had one entree- samosa dhokli - two things we both love. Such a unique take and tasted better than the OG! We finished off with shrikhand cheesecake! The berry compote was an amazing addition that provided the amazing tart! We loved it! Too bad Chicago is so far away, otherwise we would be here everyday! We wanted to do the tasting menu, but chose a la carte instead and as Gujaratis loved all the food! Great work Chef Heena! We will be back (but please come to Chicago!) There was plenty of space and the noise levels were perfect for a romantic dinner. ”
