(510) 538-2401

  Full halal menu

  Alcohol-free

  $ out of $$$$

   accepted

  Reservations not required

  Available to-go

  Adequate restrooms

  Catering available (more info)

  Parking available

  Mass transit nearby

  Wheelchair accessible

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  as selected by the Zabihah editors

★★★★★ Whenever we can we always come here for the Sunday Buffet. It’s from 11-3. They have a variety of delicious (fantastic) dishes. The food is replenished- always piping hot and fresh. There is usually a long wait but the food is worth it. We’ve been one of their loyal customers for at least 5 years and we’ve never had a complaint. Posted on August 1, 2018

★★★★☆ They are a bit stingy I must admit. But their food is good. I like to order their chicken boti. It's delicious in flavor. The usual backup plan for when 'at home' dinner fails. Posted on September 21, 2013

★★★★☆ Pakwan rivals Shalimar very well; and in some areas beats it. The tandoor items are all good. Their all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch is worth trying. They have over 50 items for around $12-13/pp, and all of it is generally tasty. This is a Muslim owned restaurant. In addition to verbal assurance, there are halal signs conspicuously located on the menu and in the window. Been going here for over 10 years. I recommend. Posted on June 24, 2013

★★★★★ I had the Sunday lunch buffet here today. It was amazing. There were so many items on the menu and everything that I ate tasted great...and fresh. The buffet was being serviced very regularly which I thought was really great since there were so many people eating there today. The tables were being cleaned quickly as people left and new arrivals were getting seated with very little wait. I appreciated the gentleman at the front who very courteously offered me a table rather than accept my offer to eat at the counter on the right hand side. The buffet was $15 but it was supper nice. Hands down the best Indian/Pakistani buffet I have eaten at. I highly recommend this buffet to anyone looking for a variety of delicious food with their family on a Sunday. Posted on May 20, 2013

★★☆☆☆ Food is below average. Customer service as usual horrible!!! Got our order wrong. We had to wait for our food. I heard the buffet is good...didn't have the buffet as yet but went for dinner one night. Food was not to my expectation. I won't come here again. Posted on February 22, 2013

★★★★★ We went there for a breakfast brunch. It was buffet. It is the best halal brunch buffet that I have had in USA. The items were good and there was good diversity. Usually, in a buffet, there are always some items which are not so good - they are there to only make the buffet look complete. But here, we found every single item good. The only thing we didn't like that much was the fact the pooris were too oily, Posted on July 21, 2012

★★★★☆ The food here is excellent. But the next morning we all got sick. I am guessing it was the tandoori lamb. But I have eaten at the Fremont location before and didn't have any problems. Hopefully that was a one time thing. I would return, but I probably will steer clear of the tandoori lamb. Posted on October 17, 2011

★★★★★ ROCKSTAR Sunday Buffet!!! Posted on September 25, 2011

★★★★★ I don't know why I am leaving a review. I agree with everyone else...YUM. I dont eat Desi food often, but when I do maybe once or twice a year, we come here, I don't know what it is, but Pakwan no matter what location is always very good. I am very happy with Pakwan. Posted on June 28, 2011

★★★★★ Went here a few weeks back for the Sunday buffet - superb. The place is rather large and the choices were great. Typically, the quality of food decreases when restaurants attempt having buffets, however Pakwan maintains their reputation and quality all the while providing a nice clean environment to enjoy it all in. They had more food than I knew what to do with - had halwa poori as well, very good. I'd definitely go back, and for what they had to offer, it was very appropriately priced. Typing up this review, I'm thinking I need to head back soon :-) Posted on May 5, 2011

★★★★★ Pakwan has done a great job for two events that we did there. The food was great! They did a great job of working with us with the hosted events. It didn't matter that the crowd was over flowing. They made sure the food was always fresh and available. The managers were very accommodating. Posted on August 22, 2010

★★★★★ Really nice decor, they remodeled the restaurant. The staff has to work quickly because it gets really packed on the weekends, but during the week they're way more friendly and nice. So you can't really blame them. their CTM, and Chicken Biryani is amazing. The best bread i've had in a while also. Their Chicken is from Tayyibaat Their meat and beef is from Tayyibaat Posted on July 7, 2010

★★★☆☆ Over all experience was ok. Posted on December 31, 2009

★★★★☆ Great South Asian food and not very pricey. Setting is decent and service is okay. Not in a great area but still worth dropping by. Posted on September 10, 2009

★★★★★ long lines, however the food is smashing, we go every sunday its good food for cheap price and where else can you see most NRI people at one time, Thanks Hussein Posted on November 6, 2008

★★★★★ This place has the Best sunday brunch. "EXCELLENT TASTE" they have puri channa,paya,haleem,nihari..etc etc. a MUST go. they have full meat and veggi menu. They can improve their sitting area. Posted on June 3, 2008

★★★★★ I have lived in North America for almost 18 years. And this sund buffet has the largest variety , and the biggest quantity i have ever seen in my life!!!!!. Its huge!!! A must see buffet, it has a class of its own if you are in bay area on a sunday this is one of the seven wonders of the world in buffet!!!!! You name it they got it man!!! They got these small mountains of food. All you can eat dude!! Posted on May 10, 2008

★★★★☆ Assalam-o-alaikum. My name is Tasneem and i would like to say that by far, Pakwan has the very best sunday brunch ever! They have the biggest variety of food than other sunday brunches we have gone too. We heard good things about pakwan from friends but bad things about the manager being rude. But the day we went, the man behind the counter was nice. The only problem was that when i asked for a prayer rug to pray, he looked embarassed that a muslim was going to pray in the restaurant. I hope its a muslim restaurant because every restaurant we have visited, they have places prepared for muslims to pray. Posted on April 13, 2008

★★★★★ Assalamualaikum, This restaurant is by far the best Indian/Pakistani restaurant I have ever eaten at. They have the BEST chicken botis and great bihari kabob. I do not know what people are complaining about. They call out numbers simply because that is the system they have going their. I do not rate a restaurant down on customer service, unless I am yelled at by the owner or an employee. I believe we as Muslims need to simply do these reviews based on whether the food is good or not. I really have never had a bad experience here. The owners always greet me and give me smile. Posted on June 15, 2007

★☆☆☆☆ This is one restaurant where you'll never actually get to the point of tasting the food. The manager and staff have NO people-skills, and are incapable of interacting with their customers. The manager has seemingly perfected the art of losing valuable customers by hanging up on eager inquirers. Posted on February 18, 2007

★☆☆☆☆ The manager is very rude... Its unfortunate because the food is really good, however the manager should realise that he can't take customers for granted! I urge people not to visit this restaurant. Posted on August 19, 2006

★★★☆☆ Extremely mis-behaving manager. Manager does not know how to talk to customers. Posted on April 9, 2006

★★★★★ The keyword for this review is "Sunday Brunch". If you have'nt tried it out, I suggest you go and you will not be disappointed. The sheer variety and overall quality of the spread is unbelievable at the price you pay. Haleem, Biryani, Nihari, Paya, Lamb roast, Chikken tikka masala , Goat curry/keema, halwa puri, Gajjar halwa, Kheer, an assortment of veggie curries plus free soft drinks and chai are enough to make any desi halal food lover feel like a confused child in front of a candy store. Pakwan offers the best halal Sunday brunch buffet in Bay Area, perhaps in North America. Others don't even come close. The downside is the crowd and possible wait times during the peak brunch hour period. Hey, but it is only expected when they offer so much value for your money!! Posted on December 14, 2005

★★★★★ The food is good and the service is ok. Although it could be improved. Posted on November 19, 2005

★★★★★ Good Food Posted on July 24, 2005

★★★★★ The food is delicious; try the chicken tikka masala, shish kabab and tandoori naan. Posted on February 15, 2005

★★★★☆ Checked out the Sunday Brunch...Very good...my wife and I really enjoyed the variety of dishes served...they even had Paya (I didnt try it though). Will definitely go there again, but next time will not eat a big meal the night before or anything in the morning...so I have more room to get my money's worth at the buffet...Im a Paki you know:) Posted on February 13, 2005

★★★★★ This Pakwan branch rocks! I love the food and the place is no frills (which i really like). I live much closer to the Fremont one but I choose the one on Mission Blvd because the food taste the same as when I first experienced it at the 16th St branch. I expected that the Fremont branch would serve the same great tasting Chicken Makhanwala, but alas, I was disappointed. It needs work on the sauce. Posted on July 22, 2004

★★★★★ It's all about the CTM !! Posted on June 16, 2004

★★★★★ We live in the bay area and reguler eater at Pakwan. Let me tell U the standard Pakwan has set for Sunday Brunch is amazing. Posted on May 12, 2004

★★☆☆☆ only karachi style food nothing speacial! went to sunday brunch and it was average Posted on May 6, 2004

★★★★★ Variety of food they have are mouth watering and they live up to expectations.Very consistent Posted on April 1, 2004

★★★★☆ Real good food. We love their Sunday brunch also. Posted on March 16, 2004

★★★★★ Subhanallah!!!! may Allah give more baraka in their business Posted on March 4, 2004

★★★★★ we went to pakwan's Sunday Brunch and let me tell you they are the best and the food was awesom Posted on February 29, 2004

★★★★★ Mashallah they make very delisious food Posted on November 23, 2003

★★★★★ I crave for Pakwan Tikka & Bihari Kabab spicy & Juicy Posted on November 12, 2003

★★★★☆ This place has the BEST chicken biryani in the bay area. I recommend it to anyone. Posted on November 11, 2003

★★★★★ This is my favourite place.Love the food and the place looks more beautiful now that its been remodled.I love their buffet and I am looking foward to their EID buffet.I had IFTAR party at their new Banquet hall and it was awsome. Posted on November 10, 2003

★★★★★ Their Buffet is the best among other restaurant,they always serve fresh food. Pakidstani food suppose to have oil in the food or else its made for sick people:) Posted on November 8, 2003

★☆☆☆☆ This is by far the worst Indo-Pak restaurant I have been to in the Bay Area. I went to a Sunday buffet and could not understand what all the fuss was about. The food was drowning in oil and I could not tell the difference between the daal and the nahari. The cutlery and plates were not particularly clean either. Not a repeat for me. Posted on November 6, 2003

★★★★★ Love these guys. Good stuff. Posted on October 4, 2003

★★★★★ I just went there last Friday.. and gang I can tell you CHANGES have been made! The place for some odd reason was VERY clean. Forget the decor.. just seeing a clean resturaunt makes one feel quite comfortable eating their food. Their dishes were so clean I think they used the dishwasher. Also let me tell everybody about their chunnay. The chunnay/cholay have a distinct taste that so far no other resturaunt has replicated. They are really yummy. The other thing I absolutly love about Pakwan is the fact that they are always expirementing with the cusuines. They have a special of the day board where you can find their newest foods.. like who around here serves chicken jalfrezi? Well all in all I commend them for being cleaner than usual and I hope they keep up the good work. They were cleaner (that day) than any other desi resturaunt I have seen. Posted on April 8, 2003

★★★★★ Pakwan is the best in the west:) Perfect Tikkas And Curries every time. Posted on January 25, 2003

★★★☆☆ The chunnay are pretty yummy. The chicken is mouth watering. The catering from this place is better than Mehran. The nans could be a little more softer. I dont care if the owner/workers are mean or what not. But I cant stand the filthiness of the place. Its junky looking and its embarrassing to bring your non desi friends to. I will probably still go because the food is tasty, and cheap prices. But he should do something about the decor and the cleanliness, especially because he has a very large area that he could do wonders with. Posted on December 22, 2002

★★★☆☆ The food is very good. The place is very filthy. The Bathrooms are filthy. The person at the desk is definitely indifferent. Need Customer service skills. Must hurt the business. They only accept cash- no credit cards- Big drawback. The dishes, spoons need to be rewashed before using them. They need to open another place in Milpitas, Fremont area - but this time much much cleaner. Posted on July 12, 2002

★★☆☆☆ The food is ok but the service ROYALLY SUCKS! The waiters don't have manners at all. Very rude. If you're not pakistani/desi they may serve people before you. It happened to me. I was there with a friend, and after having to deal with the waiter's rudeness and order food, we had to wait 45 minutes before our food was delivered, and meanwhile he was serving people who seem to know him and who came before us. We just left the food on the table, didn't touch it, and left.. never again! Posted on July 8, 2002

★☆☆☆☆ Food is good if you can get the owner to serve you fresh made. Usually he serves days old, food, which smells awful. The manager needs to be sent to a manners class. I would recommend you take the drive to San Francisco and go to Shalimar or Pakwan. Posted on January 7, 2002

★★★★☆ The food is excellent, the atmosphere could use a little improvements, but the food definitely makes up for it. The owner seems a bit busy and/or rude. But the food makes up for it. Did I mention the food? :) Posted on September 2, 2001

★★★★★ My family and I eat here often and thoroughly enjoy it. I understand that the food is all Halal; as they advertise this on the store front. The employees are always pleasant and courteous. They have done a lot of improvements. As for the ambience; we go to eat the food, not the ambience. Posted on August 9, 2001

★★★☆☆ Like most Pakistani restaurants, Pakwan is plagued with a terrible atmosphere. I cannot imagine inviting my non-Pakistani friends to this place even though I know they would actually enjoy the food. The bathrooms are especially dirty. The place appears no better than a road side restaurant along GT road in Pakistan. Which is a pity since it serves very tasty food. Posted on July 11, 2001

★★★★☆ Good food. Nothing compared to true Pakistani eating but still quite good. I don't know what is wrong with the owner. He takes very little interest in his customers and is quite rude. It costs quite a bit of money but if you don't want to get ripped off then go to the SUNDAY bunch. Call for details. Posted on June 25, 2001

★★☆☆☆ The food may be good but the service is pathetic and the owner/manager needs to learn to change his attitude. Furthermore, the restaurant needs an upgrade of facilities. Hayward, does need good halal eating places and there is not many, hence many people end up eating in the Fremont/Newark area. Pakwan could generate more business with better service. Hint: Have lunch buffet to attract more clientele. Posted on May 25, 2001

★★★★☆ Excellent food, ample seating and parking. Relatively clean. If ordering takeout, check completeness of order, as this place is known to not delivering all you have paid for. Posted on February 11, 2001

★★★★☆ This is one of the best Indo-Pakistani cuisines I have come across, the other being Shalimar in the City. Menu includes the mouth watering Chicken Tikka, Bihari Kebab, Sheek Kebab, Achar Gosht, Chicken Makhani, Chicken and Gosht Saag, Chicken Khorma, and dozens of other tasty stiff. Don't forget to ask for the specials. Each dish is about $3-5, but overeating results in a $15 bill per head. Posted on October 16, 2000

★★★★☆ Restaurant & Catering of San Francisco comes to Hayward by popular demand. Serves Halal Indian/Pakistani style food. Excellent taste and many choices of dishes with special and original recipes. Posted on January 15, 2000