New Burma

659 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
+1 415-552-4782
$$$ Burmese restaurant , Asian restaurant , Restaurant
(74 Reviews)

New Burma is a Burmese restaurant tucked into the Design District near 659 Townsend St, offering a casual dining experience that feels both homey and approachable. The space is tidy and welcoming, with a straightforward setup that invites visitors to settle in for a thoughtful exploration of Burmese flavors without pretense.

This spot works well for a relaxed lunch or dinner, particularly for those curious about Southeast Asian cuisine beyond the more common Thai or Vietnamese options. The menu balances traditional Burmese dishes like tea leaf salad with cabbage and platha served alongside coconut chicken curry dip, highlighting both familiar and distinctive ingredients.

Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike find satisfying choices here. The tea leaf salad consistently stands out as a flavorful introduction to the cuisine, with its mix of textures and subtle complexity. Other popular selections include the coconut chicken noodle soup, garlic noodles, and a variety of chicken and beef entrees that bring layered seasoning without overwhelming heat—though the kitchen is accommodating with spice levels when requested.

The atmosphere leans toward casual and unhurried. Service tends to be friendly and attentive, contributing to an overall comfortable visit, though some dishes may take a little longer to arrive during busier times. The vibe makes it a good option for a laid-back meal where the focus is on savoring the food rather than rushing through.

Locals working in or visiting the Design District find New Burma a convenient spot to enjoy something different from the usual lunch rotation, with affordable pricing adding appeal for both everyday dining and casual outings. Weeknights and weekends are when the place feels most settled, avoiding any stiff “restaurant” formality while still delivering a meal that often invites a return visit.

Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 2:30 PM

,

4:30 PM - 9:00 PM

74 Reviews
Larimie Garcia (Xhico)

02 Jan 2026

Such a tasty treat! We went for dinner and had the Samusa, Tea Leaf Salad, and some veggies. Everything was so delicious. The server was very friendly. The restaurant was very clean and welcoming. Definitely will go back. It’s also affordable.

Eunju Tae

30 Dec 2025

My friend recommended this place and I went to try it with my husband on Friday night. We ordered chili beef, tea leaf salad, orange chicken and all good and the tea leaf salad was really good. I will definitely go back and try other dishes there.

sun hu

23 Dec 2025

tldr; this place is better than Berma Love. It may look like just another lunch place in the design district, but it's really a hidden gem. The food is delicious. The flavors are subtle and complex. If you are in the neighborhood, give them a try!! Edit: came back and had the garlic eggplant, coconut rice, and platha with coconut chicken dip. Everything was delicious, but the coconut dip was divine!!! It's like a party in my mouth. An absolute must have.

Rachel Way

13 Nov 2025

A lovely welcome to the neighborhood! Friendly staff and delicious food with options for veggie, seafood, and meat lovers! We tried the tea leaf salad with cabbage, samusas, chili beef, and the fiery vegetables w/ chicken (entree sizes). Great flavors with adjustable heat upon request. Looking forward to visiting again to try the garlic noodles and Burma Grub special garlic shrimp! Yum!

Jenny Xu

29 Oct 2025

Amazing place! No reservations needed it was pretty empty inside. Good: - Super amazing food - loved the pad Thai and the coconut noodle soup was similarly really good - Service was great very nice staff but the food did take a bit to come out - I liked the platha a lot - The place is super cute and homey - Prices were good Bad: - The dessert was just ok the semolina cake was a bit too soft and tasted a bit like dirt Overall would come again! The food is so clean and healthy

James Mackenzie

28 Oct 2025

We got it delivered so we can't speak to the atmosphere. The food was fresh and good quality. Overall I felt I would definitely try more items on the menu before making a final judgment. We got tea leaf salad and fiery tofu stir fry. Both felt good to eat but ultimately lacked some excitement in spices. The coconut rice was pretty good too easy to eat plain which is a good thing. My takeaway would be that it gets the job done but doesn't compete with some of the other Burmese food locally. It's worth a try to see if it hits the spot for you!

Ketill Guðmundsson

06 Oct 2025

We went here for dinner. The place it self was small and nice but the kitchen could be more isolated from the eating area. A few times while dining we got hit with a wave of scents from the kitchen that were a bit overwhelming. As for the food it was good. The only thing I didn't like was that the potatoes were very undercooked in the chicken and potato curry dish.

hitesh kenjale

14 Sep 2025

Loved the food. Never disappoints Great staff as well.

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