Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness

Great food and drinks Pozole was amazing, as well as the burritos and salad!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Bombay Brasserie, and I have to say, it was quite the experience! From the moment I walked in, the vibe was warm and inviting, with a mix of modern decor and traditional touches that made me feel right at home. I tried the butter chicken, which was simply divine. The richness of the sauce paired perfectly with the tender chicken, and I couldn’t resist mopping up every last bit with naan. The staff was attentive and friendly, making sure my glass was never empty and checking in just enough without being overbearing. I really appreciated their recommendations, too; they helped me pick out a dessert that did not disappoint. The pistachio kulfi was creamy and refreshing—just the right way to end the meal. Overall, Bombay Brasserie is a wonderful place to enjoy delicious Indian cuisine in a cozy setting. Whether you’re a fan of spicy food or just looking to try something new, I highly recommend checking it out

Good food and knowledgeable staff. I have been there a couple of times and always had a good experience. This time around four of us shared a lot of small plates. Keeping everyone’s dietary needs of no meat, or no gluten, or no shell fish, we were still able to get a good array of small plates to feel satisfied and full. I have had the main entrees too and they are equally delicious. The desserts offered were delicious too.

Those who complain on the thread about spicy food perplex me—why did they go to a Sichuan restaurant? I have a lower craving/tolerance for spice than a typical Chinese person with Sichuan roots—I like the flavor but don’t seek the heat necessarily. To me, the food at Z&Y was the appropriate level of spicy and flavorful. Actually, there’s a variety of regional specialties, and our party just ordered what we felt like without regard to trying to get a typical Sichuan meal. I had meant to book a table at Z&Y Peking Duck across the street, but I didn’t mind the mistake! I don’t live in SF, and am willing to shell it out for a Michelin fine dining experience. I found Z&Y was relatively expensive and in slightly more modest proportion to what one might expect for a typical Chinatown restaurant, but worth it due to the extremely high quality and authentic food. Decor and service style are also typical Chinatown vibe. We had to get egg rolls for the youngest adult with us, and they were crisp and tasty. Tan tan noodles had spice and subtle flavor at the same time. We ordered Peking duck and I wondered if we got the tea smoked duck, but we didn’t even complain because there was a LOT of duck and the smoky flavor was unique and delicious—and there were enough thin pancakes, sauce, cucumber, and spring onions. Pea shoots and cumin beef were very tasty. We added on Dong Po Ro (Pork Shoulder) as our last dish came to the table because we needed more food. It came to the table quickly and was melt in your mouth tender. Yes, it is very fatty, but that’s the point of this cut—if you don’t like fat, don’t get Dong Po Ro! Lots of happy accidents with this meal, wouldn’t change a thing.

Great service, tasty food, fun ambiance- I would definitely come back!