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Machka Reviews List
Machka
Machka is an intimate Turkish-inspired restaurant with an impressive wine program located in San Francisco's financial district.
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74 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Rating Breakdown 74 reviews
5 stars
(28)
4 stars
(38)
3 stars
(7)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(34)
- neighborhood gem(33)
- great for lunch(19)
- good for groups(10)
- romantic(10)
- notable wine list(9)
Machka Reviews List
Review 1 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Flavorful Mediterranean!!!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Lentil soup, goat cheese appetizer and fava beans appetizer were especially remarkable. Warm, attentive service. Will be back soon!"
Dined on 5/14/2013
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Review 2 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Machka may have the look of a pub but the food is very much better than that. They have a great chef. Lentil soup was subtly spiced and wonderful. Pistachio crusted goat cheese was a great appetizer and a main course of lamb chops was superlative. Service was caring and the pricing is modest for the quality of the food."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Machka
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent Service tasty food!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I met a friend from out of town staying at the Embarcardero Hyatt. I'm vegan, and the host/server had planned ahead with menu recommendations and a special soup for me. We shared small plates and the vegan kabob. The fava bean/pea salad in smoked paprika vinaigrette was excellent, as was the fatoush salad. I liked the selection of wines by the glass and the service. It's a small place and we were there on a Monday, but everything was tasty and the atmosphere and service were wonderful."
Dined on 4/29/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Machka
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
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Review 5 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We had reservations at 5:30..showed
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
"We had reservations at 5:30..showed up early, before open. We were still seated and had the place to ourselves. Wonderful food and nice place. They has on old Turkish movie showing, which added to the atmosphere. All the food was fantastic, especially the goat cheese rolled in pistachios. Yummmm"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2012
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Review 6 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food was superb! Loved the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"Food was superb! Loved the beautiful chandelier and the black and white Turkish film noir playing at the entryway. Everything we ordered was delicious....reminded us of Istanbul. We will be back. A find!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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Review 7 for Machka
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The food is flavorful and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food is flavorful and service is attentive. The big drawback is the pub-table/bar stool type seating, which is very uncomfortable! I appreciated the fact that the restaurant called to tell me they could not accommodate my request for seating at the very limited "regular" table space but would not consider Machka again for a business lunch due to the bar stool seats. I will continue to drop in for a casual lunch on occasion because the food is good! I would not recommend Machka for dinner due to the bar stool seating."
Dined on 04/12/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 8 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food was great, wine was great,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was great, wine was great, and Al makes everything easy for us. Thank you for the memorable night."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, great for lunch
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Review 9 for Machka
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Nice atmosphere. Good wine
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice atmosphere. Good wine selection. Excellent felafel. Other food a bit salt for my taste."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2010
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Review 10 for Machka
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Small tables make it a little
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Small tables make it a little cramped, but it was a fun place for lunch."
Dined on 03/11/2013
2003
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Review 11 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Machka is a "Turkish" delight!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
"The food and service was outstanding. The ambiance was just right for a Friday night out with a friend. Our server was fabulous. He made excellent recommendations for the Mezas -- you MUST try the pistachio encrusted goat cheese, wine (I had the Turkish “Yakut” - it was fabulous), and dessert. I had the Curry Chicken kebabs and my friend had the Adana Kababs. Both were cooked to perfection and delicious. The rice pilaf (of which I'm typically not a fan of), was buttery and flavorful. I could eat a dish of that, all by itself! Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal, and we will be back!"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch
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Review 12 for Machka
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
It's small and perhaps a bit
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"It's small and perhaps a bit too quaint especially with a table of 10 phone-gazing hipsters and yuppies talking over each other to get everyone's attention! But our overall experience was quite fun and the food was nearly perfect."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2007
Special Features: hot spot
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Review 13 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A Turkish delight
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was great and owner is very personable. He gave us great recommendations. If you love Turkey you will love this place. Great mezzes to share. If you are not familiar with Turkey it does not matter. They had great kebabs as well served with fries. We will be coming back to try. Save room for dessert. They are made with heart."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 14 for Machka
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I will definitely go again
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Machka has a great urban atmosphere, wonderfully warm and friendly service, and given its financial district address, offers food and wine at a surprisingly reasonable price. It is a great place to meet a friend after work and enjoy a glass of wine and some tasty Mediterranean fare. I will definitely go again."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 15 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This place is AMAZING. Get
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This place is AMAZING. Get the Künefe, shredded filo dough, orange blossom syrup, almond coconut ice cream, it will change your life"
Dined on 03/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 16 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Delicious! Highly recommend
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Delicious! Highly recommend the phyllo cheese dessert. I'm still fantasizing about it."
Dined on 03/12/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch
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Review 17 for Machka
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Yummy - great ambiance
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was very good and the service was excellent. The goat cheese and stuffed dates were our group's favorite appetizers."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2007
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Review 18 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great place to grab lunch
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great place to grab lunch and catch up with a friend. Service was fast and very friendly. Waiter knew the menu well and offered good recommendations. Would definitely come here again (and again)."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 19 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Don't miss this one!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Wow! The food was fantastic. I started with the grilled octopus and it was only second to what I had in Mallorca. My wife had the branzino. It was delicious. I had the Adana Kebab which was great as well. We topped it off with kunefe. Fantastic! Gulhany was our waiter. He was very busy but did a great job. Always checking on us. We will definitely return."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 20 for Machka
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was wonderful. The
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was wonderful. The babaganosh was perfectly seasoned, the octopus tender, the kebabs very flavorful. And...we could hear ourselves, even though the place was packed!"
Dined on 02/07/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 21 for Machka
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Took my team out for lunch,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Took my team out for lunch, was not disappointed! Handled 8 no problem, food came quickly and together. Well done."
Dined on 01/31/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for lunch
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Review 22 for Machka
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I am Turkish but I didnt feel
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
"I am Turkish but I didnt feel any Turkish features in the restaurant. The food was very basic and not that close to Turkish food. And the atmosphere wasnt related to Turkish features even they wanted to make it modern (contemprary). And the space was small the seats were uncomfortable. There were too much noise which made it harder to talk."
Dined on 01/30/2013
2013
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Machka
Based on the average of (52) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
7 out of 7 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic