Turquaz SF — Restaurant in San Francisco

WOW! Can I give 6 stars for this place? Thanks Yelpers for helping me to find this little Turkish oasis / hidden gem. I feel like I hit the jackpot with this place. The first thing you gonna notice is that hospitality hits DIFFERENT here. Like no offense, but everyone here is not from the US and apparently Turkish hospitality is greater than US hospitality like ten-fold. Warm greetings, smiles all around. Special shout out to Syrine (the only staff member not from Turkey but who is from Tunisia of all places!) who made me feel so welcome and who checked in on me.

Second the food is out of this world. I don't know what voodoo magic they use to make their chicken kebabs melt like butter but these were completely succulent, tender, juicy, and easily the best chicken kebabs I've ever had. GET THIS! Get the slightly spicy bulgar with it as it's unique and has a nice al dente chew.

Amazing hummus and smoked eggplant yogurt and something unique called carrot tarator (like a carrot yogurt). My only complaint is that the bread they serve it with is a little hard; I would have liked a soft, warm pita instead so a little feedback for the crew.

My eyes were bigger than my stomach and I also ordered their famous malaga cake for dessert (I pre-ordered on Toast but when I saw it in person I was like uh-oh I ain't gonna finish this myself because the cake is HUGE!!!...like 5 inches 2 in x 2 in...definitely plan to share this...I ended up sharing this with a large Turkish gathering next to me and they said that the food here is super authentic and reminds them of home. The cake itself was delicious! Not too sweet which is exactly how I like my desserts. Super moist chocolate cake on the bottom, lots of fluffy whipped cream, fresh banana, and a hard white chocolate mousse exterior. Would totally get this again but bring a dining companion next time.

Lastly, the ambience here is just SUPER CUTE. It's BEAUTIFUL inside and I was able to sit at this little nook and cranny spot.

But yeah amazing food + hospitality/warmth + ambience = 6 stars for you guys. Well done Turquaz; wish I lived closer to to you guys but glad I found you guys before my concert at the Bill Graham...

An excellent Turkish restaurant/bakery in SOMA.

I had just moved to SOMA with some friends a few months ago, and Turquaz was one of the first places that caught my eye.

I absolutely love Turkish food, and everything about this place exuded quality.

I went with a party of about 6 people and were seated quickly, this is more of a cafe style restaurant, so there weren't too many large tables but we were able to find a spot quickly.

They are quite modern and have the option to order with a QR code so we did that, but they did have table service as well.

We ordered Kofte and Stuffed Grape Leaves for our appetizer and it was spot on delicious. They also provided Pita bread.

For my mains, I ordered the Meat Doner bowl. I was pleasantly surprised to see a very large portion of meat, with rice, and a salad. The meat was sliced fresh off of the vertical rotisserie so it was hot and fresh with a nice balance of crispy bits and tender ones, the seasoning was also perfect. I do wish the Doner bowl came with a bit of sauce, as it needed something to cut the richness a bit instead of needing to order a whole cup of sauce separately.

For our drinks, a few of us ordered the Homemade Aryan, which was a perfect combo with our food, incredibly refreshing and tart.

The only negative that I have to say, is that I ordered a Chicken Doner Wrap for lunch a few days later as takeout, and I'm not sure if it was intended, but there was either not enough or no sauce at all in the wrap, which made it quite dry. I also was not a fan of their use of Tortillas over Lavash for the wraps, the difference in flavor and texture was noticeable and detracted from the taste.

All in all, I don't think I will be getting the wraps again, but that wasn't enough of a hit for me to take any points off for my overall rating. I still think it is a gem of a spot in SOMA and I will be back for a dinner soon and to try more of their bread, which is also...

Turqaz SF delivers a truly flavorful experience rooted in authentic Turkish cuisine. From the very first bite, the quality and care behind each dish shine through. The spices are bold yet balanced, the meats are perfectly grilled, and the ingredients taste fresh and thoughtfully sourced. The kebabs, in particular, were a highlight—tender, juicy, and rich in traditional flavor. It’s clear the chefs take pride in presenting a genuine taste of Turkey.

That said, there were a couple of drawbacks that stood out during our visit. Most notably, the portion sizes were surprisingly small for the price. While the taste was excellent, we found ourselves wishing for more food on the plate—especially considering the cost. A kebab dish that was described as coming with two kebabs only arrived with one. When questioned, the staff explained it was “longer than usual,” but it still felt like less than what was advertised. This left a slightly sour note in what was otherwise an enjoyable meal.

The menu could also be clearer. With Turkish food often new to some diners, it’s important for descriptions to be accurate and not feel misleading. Transparency builds trust and ensures that expectations match the plate.

On a brighter note, the overall experience was very pleasant. The staff was kind, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The ambiance was charming and relaxed, making it a great setting for both casual dinners and special gatherings. Service was prompt and friendly throughout.

In summary, Turqaz SF serves exceptional Turkish food with standout flavors and top-tier ingredients. A few tweaks—particularly in portion sizing and menu clarity—would take it to the next level. Until then, go for the taste, and just be aware the servings may not be as generous...