Welcome to Teranga
Teranga, a vibrant Senegalese café located in San Francisco's Embarcadero, invites patrons to savor the rich tapestry of West African flavors. As a proud Black woman-owned establishment, it embodies cultural heritage through its innovative vegetarian offerings. The standout Maafe Bowl, a hearty peanut stew brimming with spices and seasonal vegetables, is a comforting delight that evokes warmth and satisfaction. Each dish is crafted with care, showcasing a commitment to fresh ingredients and traditional recipes. From savory Samosas to refreshing Mango Salad dakarois, Teranga transforms casual dining into an unforgettable culinary adventure, making it a true gem in the bustling culinary scene.
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level facing water fountain, 4 Embarcadero Ctr, San Francisco, CA 94111 Hotline: (415) 879-8372
Welcome to the vibrant culinary landscape of San Francisco, where you'll find Teranga, a delightful vegetarian café that introduces you to the rich flavors of Senegal. Located on the level facing the tranquil water fountain at 4 Embarcadero Center, this unique eatery captures the essence of Senegalese cuisine in a cozy kiosk setting, perfect for a leisurely lunch or a quick takeaway.
Teranga is not just another spot for a quick meal; it's a charming gem that celebrates the cultural heritage of Senegal through its dishes. As a black women-owned establishment, the café stands proud in its mission to elevate authentic Senegalese street food. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with traditional designs reminiscent of the cultural roots that inspire the cuisine.
When it comes to the menu, customers rave about the signature Maafe Bowl, a hearty peanut stew enriched with vibrant vegetables, herbs, and spices that truly embodies comfort food. Many describe the flavors as evocative of Indian curry, yet distinctively unique. One reviewer highlights how every bite of this dish brings an explosion of spices, complemented by perfectly cooked jasmine rice, creating a satisfying culinary experience.
- The Samosa ala Nafy dazzles with a fluffy exterior and savory filling, providing a perfect introduction to the Senegalese flavor profile.
- For those seeking lighter fare, the Mango Salad Dakarois is a must-try. Packed with fresh ingredients like mango, spinach, and a refreshing apple cider vinaigrette, it is both filling and healthy.
- And let’s not overlook the delightful drink offerings. The Tamarind Cider served with meals has garnered praise for its unique flavor, offering a pleasant warmth on chilly days.
Despite its small size, Teranga doesn’t skimp on flavor. The portions are generous, and the value is unbeatable. Many have described it as the perfect antidote to mundane lunch options, making it a top choice among office workers in the busy FiDi area. The staff are known for their kindness and attentiveness, ensuring that each dish is not only prepared to perfection but also beautifully presented.
Whether you're a seasoned aficionado of Senegalese cuisine or a first-timer, Teranga offers a fulfilling journey of flavors that leaves you wanting more. As one customer expressed, "It fulfills every expectation I had," highlighting the café's ability to leave a lasting impression. With a menu that caters to both vegans and meat lovers alike, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Next time you're in San Francisco, don't miss the chance to embark on a flavorful adventure at Teranga. It's more than a meal; it's a warm embrace of culinary heritage that celebrates community and good food.
Another foodie adventure I been waiting to sink my teeth in. Not a full-blown restaurant; just another indoor kiosk with unique traditional designs just like Casa Borinquena. It's a black women owned Senegalese café known as Teranga. The moment I set foot in Teranga once again, I been greeted by just one person working in the kitchen and as a cashier, a white female staff. I have yet to swing by once more to try some of Teranga's best refreshments. First, I tried both of the best Senegalese food selection such as Samosa ala Nafy and Maafe Bowl. While the samosa was savory and fluffy, the Maafe Bowl was something else. Its peanut stew made with hearty vegetables, herbs, and spices that was as good as Indian curry without bits of peanuts. Having white rice was better than a spaghetti sandwich, which have both pasta and bread. Talk about carb city. Anyways, I love it! Teranga's best selections are colorful and award winning. Highly recommended.
My coworker recommended Teranga for lunch, and I'm so glad I gave it a try! I ordered a Mango Salad Dakarois ($12) with chicken added (+$4), and it was clean, fresh, filling, and satisfying. The salad came with a lot more ingredients than advertised, specifically: mango, spinach, cabbage, pumpkin seeds, pomegranate seeds, cucumbers, mandarin oranges, apples, and African bird pepper. It also typically comes with olives, but I requested no olives. Furthermore, the apple cider vinaigrette was refreshing, and the chicken was juicy & flavorful. The chicken is the same chicken as the "Chicken Drumsticks: Guinar a la Nafy", just cut up into small pieces. This is an all-around great salad if you're looking for a healthy but filling lunch! The server also gave me a sample of the tumeric apple cider as I waited for my food, which warmed my heart and soul on a chilly SF day. I will definitely be back!
Incredible Senegalese street food. So comforting, nicely spiced, meat and vegan options. Infinitely better than the usual Chipotle, Subway, sandwich shop lunch crap that I usually have. Love it!
True to my word, I came back for the Maafe bowl, and it fulfilled every expectation I had. The stewed vegetables were so soft, the stew itself was full of spices (even made my nose run a bit, lol), and the fried okra was such a nice surprise. I bit into the okra thinking it'd be boiled or roasted, and therefore on the softer end, but I instead found out it was perfectly crunchy! The spiced peanuts added some more texture and nuttiness to the stew. Overall, a very well-rounded bowl that makes me want to have it again next week LOL. The cashier also handed me a sample of some hot tamarind cider while I waited for my food. Very nice to have on a rainy day :)
Teranga is my first exposure to Senegalese food. The Maafe bowl (peanut stew) is very warming and comforting. The workers kindly gave me a small sample of the Tamarind Cider, which was nice and not overly sweet. It's a small space with a couple tables and looks to be mainly a lunch spot for the office workers in the area. Look forward to trying other items in the future!
This gem of a place is the best thing to happen to the Embarcadero area. Small in size but mighty in flavor, it's hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. I got the Maafa, which can be made with or without protein. Such a delicious dish packed with so many delicious vegetables! The rice was even super flavorful, fluffy and delicious! You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Every dish looks amazing (and I love that they have photos of the dishes on the menu as well). The staff are so helpful and kind and really go out of their way to ensure each dish is made and presented beautifully. The portions are ample, and price is right (probably the most bang for your buck in this area). They also offer juices that looked pretty amazing and a variety of foods that you can grab and go if you're in a rush. Literally my new favorite spot to go for a great meal that's going to be good for me and also taste good. Street parking can be dicey but there is a garage located in Embarcadero 3 that's across the street. Bart is also nearby and you are within walking distance to the Ferry Building.
Decided to stop by for some lunch in the Embarcadero. I ordered the Maafe Bowl and added chicken. They give a choice of breaded chicken or drumsticks; I ended up getting the breaded chicken after the woman helping me recommended it. Overall, it tasted great and was a lot of food. However, the weakest area was probably the chicken. It wasn't bad, though the breading wasn't very crispy. It would have been nice some sort of grilled and boneless option. Additionally, they give a small cup of cider with the meals which was super flavorful and a very nice touch. The interior has two tables, though both were full when I was there. I will definitely be back to see what else they have to offer.
A Taste of Senegal I went out for lunch and decided to try a Korean restaurant that I had heard about. On my way there, I saw a sign for a Senegalese restaurant called Teranga. Since I had never tried Senegalese food before, I decided to give it a shot. When I entered, I had no idea what to order, so I asked the lady behind the counter for a recommendation for my first time. She suggested a dish, and even though I didn't pay much attention to the name, I decided to give it a try. The gentleman behind the counter seemed to approve of my choice, which made me feel confident about my decision. I believe the dish I received was a Maafe Bowl, a traditional Senegalese peanut stew with butternut, sweet potatoes, and carrots served over Jasmine rice. It was medium spicy and delicious. As I was leaving, the lady offered me a small shot of Tamarind cider and some boiled peanuts to try, both of which I enjoyed. Teranga is a small take-out place, but on a nice day, you can sit outside at one of the tables around Embarcadero Plaza and enjoy your meal with a great view. The staff is friendly, and the place is very clean. If you're in the area, I highly recommend giving the menu a good look - the food is delicious!
A latecomer to the Vacant to Vibrant pop-up series. I walked by several times hoping they'd open and finally they did! It was definitely worth the wait since Senegalese food is very unique in the FiDi (and even San Francisco) and it's delicious! Pizza Pulaar: A really unique "pizza" and much heartier than typical flat breads. The nice butternut squash paste made it hearty and flavorful. The generous amount of cheese was crucial to be pizza-like. And all the wonderful spices gave it so much personality. Plus the fresh pomegranate seeds were a great seasonal touch. High recommend! Senegalese Street Style Spaghetti Sandwich: It was like they took a basic Italian spaghetti and meat sauce then added a bunch of yummy African spices. Definitely a nice zing. A tad carby, but so good! Though I must say there were some skeptical reactions when I posted pics on social media. My recommendation is just try it yourself! Chicken Drumsticks Teranga: While the other dishes are tasty, they seem a bit sparse on protein. So adding these to your order is a nice way to upgrade your meal. It would just be a regular old baked drumstick, except for the delish sauce! It's got a nice tang and tons of spices. They should seriously sell bottles of that stuff to upgrade your chicken at home. Mango Kalamata Olive Salad: Kinda tastes like a regular salad, that happens to have fresh mangos in it. Lots of healthy veggies, but the least flavorful of the items I tried. Maafe Bowl: It wasn't the maafe I was expecting, but it was the maafe I needed. I thought it would have a stronger peanut taste, kinda like satay. Turned out to be packed with tons of flavors and just a little peanut undertones. It was hearty, thick and spicy. Pretty filling for vegetarian, with lots of nice chunks of root veggies and squash. I made sure to get every bit of that delicious sauce with the stray bits of rice left over. Love Potion: Lots of flavor in this little bottle. A little thick, so I added some sparkling mineral water in a glass with this and turned it into a refreshing spritzer. Though it's also enjoyable as a thicker drink by itself; flavor is not overwhelming just a bit of viscous texture.