Forget the pronunciation (by the way, it’s “fuh”), because there’s no need to talk when you’ve got your face in a big, heaping bowl of the best pho in San Francisco. The Tenderloin (particularly the area considered Little Saigon along Larkin Street) is a hot spot for this soupy, meaty comfort food, but we’ve also got a few other (slightly snazzier) locales on the list — for all you fancy people.
- Turtle Tower
Yelp/Kevin Y.
Yelp/Ann S. Around since 2000, and with locations on Larkin Street, the Outer Richmond, and SoMA, this local favorite serves up authentic Hà Nội-style Vietnamese cuisine. Their fresh flat rice noodles add almost a buttery texture to the dish. Get their pho ga (chicken noodle soup) and enjoy one of the best deals in town.
- Miss SaiGon
Yelp/Hung B.
Yelp/T.B. Right in the heart of 6th Street is this little gem, which offers a wide range of pho filled with plump rice noodles and just a hint of spice.
- The Slanted Door
The Slanted Door
The Slanted Door Here’s one of those snazzy places we were talking about. Actually, this is one of the hottest restaurants in San Francisco, and the best way to enjoy it is at lunchtime with the pho bo featuring Prather Ranch London broil and brisket. Pro Tip: Get a bowl to-go at Out the Door (in the Ferry Building and on Bush Street).
- Pho Tan Hoa
Flickr/ Yusuke Kawasaki
Yelp/alicia k. Simple, quick, cash-only TL spot. Try the pho kho with the broth served on the side (it’s always fun to play with your food, right?). Bonus: the large bowls could feed an army.
- Tin Vietnamese Cuisine
Yelp/SF F.
Yelp/Tiffany P. “Tin” is the Vietnamese word for dependable, and we’ll just have to agree with them on that name. This clean and modern SoMa spot serves up some simple but delightfully light and fresh pho.
- Pho Huynh Hiep (Kevin’s Noodle House)
Yelp/Andrew D.
Yelp/Crisy G. Piping rich broth with a side of rare beef is just what the doc ordered when you’re caught in the chillier Outer Sunset ‘hood.
- Pho Phu Quoc (PPQ) Beef Noodle House
Yelp/Danster L.
Yelp/Delia Z. Kevin’s across-the-street rival has been dishing up some serious pho since 1995. The ingredients here are fresh and (mostly) local and just like Kevin’s, it’s a quaint family-owned operation.
- Golden Star Vietnamese Restaurant
Yelp/Vinh B.
Yelp/Tiffany D. Okay, so it’s not much of a looker (from the outside or in), and it may feel slightly out of place in Chinatown, but it packs in the FiDi crowd on the weekdays for a reason. Their pho is especially meaty and the portions are huge.
- Mau
Yelp/Ed U.
Yelp/Christina G. Valencia Street can boast another culinary gem in this spot, which was founded by former Slow Club chef Sante Salvoni and Tin Vietnamese’s Hung Dang. It’s definitely a bit pricier (and sleeker) than its Tenderloin competition, but the pho is (arguably) nearly as delectable.
Well, there you go… quite a slurp-worthy list, right? Did we miss anything? What restaurants do you think serve the best pho in San Francisco? Get your head in some bowls and let us know. But, please, don’t be one of those people that leaves all the broth behind — that’s the best part!
Yelp/Kevin Y.
Yelp/Ann S.
Around since 2000, and with locations on Larkin Street, the Outer Richmond, and SoMA, this local favorite serves up authentic Hà Nội-style Vietnamese cuisine. Their fresh flat rice noodles add almost a buttery texture to the dish. Get their pho ga (chicken noodle soup) and enjoy one of the best deals in town.
Yelp/Hung B.
Yelp/T.B.
Right in the heart of 6th Street is this little gem, which offers a wide range of pho filled with plump rice noodles and just a hint of spice.
The Slanted Door
Here’s one of those snazzy places we were talking about. Actually, this is one of the hottest restaurants in San Francisco, and the best way to enjoy it is at lunchtime with the pho bo featuring Prather Ranch London broil and brisket. Pro Tip: Get a bowl to-go at Out the Door (in the Ferry Building and on Bush Street).
Flickr/ Yusuke Kawasaki
Yelp/alicia k.
Simple, quick, cash-only TL spot. Try the pho kho with the broth served on the side (it’s always fun to play with your food, right?). Bonus: the large bowls could feed an army.
Yelp/SF F.
Yelp/Tiffany P.
“Tin” is the Vietnamese word for dependable, and we’ll just have to agree with them on that name. This clean and modern SoMa spot serves up some simple but delightfully light and fresh pho.
Yelp/Andrew D.
Yelp/Crisy G.
Piping rich broth with a side of rare beef is just what the doc ordered when you’re caught in the chillier Outer Sunset ‘hood.
Yelp/Danster L.
Yelp/Delia Z.
Kevin’s across-the-street rival has been dishing up some serious pho since 1995. The ingredients here are fresh and (mostly) local and just like Kevin’s, it’s a quaint family-owned operation.
Yelp/Vinh B.
Yelp/Tiffany D.
Okay, so it’s not much of a looker (from the outside or in), and it may feel slightly out of place in Chinatown, but it packs in the FiDi crowd on the weekdays for a reason. Their pho is especially meaty and the portions are huge.
Yelp/Ed U.
Yelp/Christina G.
Valencia Street can boast another culinary gem in this spot, which was founded by former Slow Club chef Sante Salvoni and Tin Vietnamese’s Hung Dang. It’s definitely a bit pricier (and sleeker) than its Tenderloin competition, but the pho is (arguably) nearly as delectable.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
