Paul Michael

Incredible restaurant. Can get crowded but food quality and atmosphere is incredible. Get there early to make sure you get a table. Big gao rice and steak was amazing. Definitely making this place a regular spot.

K M

Delicious variations of pho and Vietnamese food. Every time I come, I'm surprised but the flavors and aesthetic of every dish.

Felipe Renteria

The food and service was top notch. The appetizer was good and the bowls of soups were delicious. The bowls were packed with flavor and were cooked just right. Analise was very attentive and cool. Good place to stop by if you’re visiting SF.

Anna

You can’t go wrong with Gao Viet! I’ve tried several dishes on the menu, and each one has been flavorful, delicious, and unique in its own way. The prices are fair for the quality and portion sizes, and the restaurant is always clean and bustling with customers. Highly recommend!

Maria Nunez

My goodness everything was amazing! Our family went for the phozilla, you have to like the bone marrow first time trying it, didn’t love it but aside from that I got an appetizer and built my own. We are soooo glad we came here for Father’s Day! Best gift we are just so impressed! I was shocked since the pho being $110, it was worth it, for about 4 people.

Michelle Kim

5/5 because my parents really enjoyed their meal here. The vibe of the place is great and it was surprisingly easy to go with the family. I thought the added 5% fee + the mandatory 20% tip on top of the bill (party of 6) was a bit overkill on the junk fees which is why i rated the service 4/5. It came out to $50pp which is a bit on the pricey side.

Incredible restaurant. Can get crowded but food quality and atmosphere is incredible. Get there early to make sure you get a table. Big gao rice and steak was amazing. Definitely making this place a regular spot.

Delicious variations of pho and Vietnamese food. Every time I come, I'm surprised but the flavors and aesthetic of every dish.

First time dining here, and I was blown away by the portion sizes — they’re huge and perfect for sharing family-style. My friends and I ordered four starters and two noodle dishes, and everything was delicious. I’d definitely come back, especially since the menu is so extensive. Standouts: bánh xèo, bánh cuốn, beef boy pho, lychee coconut freeze

+4

Came here with friends and had a good range of foods. Started with a Vietnamese coffee which was rich and sweet. Then split the chicken cartilage. Pho broth was good. Portion sizes were decent and we left very full. Clay pot was okay and the pig out pork chop was the best one.

+3

This is authentic Vietnamese food with fresh veggies and herbs. We had the canh chua with catfish, papaya salad and bahn cuon. All delicious and yummy. We will come again!

Nice decor, fun vibe, friendly service, tasty food, and great drink selection. We loved the mini pancakes (BÁNH KHỌT), shrimp spring rolls (GỎI CUỐN TOM), and Mama’s Clay Pot (catfish, pork belly, and shrimp), and the Filet Mignon Pho was good. Will try one of the huge bone dishes some day.

No wait for a table on a Thursday around 6pm for 2. We ordered the banh canh with pork and pho filet mignon, both were really good. The banh canh had a lot of meat. Something to note is they don't give you bean sprouts with your pho but you can ask for it. Service was good. They refilled our water without asking.

Excellent food. We ordered the FILET MIGNON PHO : Filet Mignon, Onion, Green Onion, Cilantro, Rice Noodle. And CHUBBY PHO : Filet Mignon, Tendon, Marrow, Onion, Green Onion, Cilantro, Rice Noodle. Both are good excellent in taste and flavors, portions were generous. Definitely back for more.

Great place for Traditional Viet Homemade meal. Definitely make reservation if you don’t want to wait for long time. The service was great, staff were friendly and very accommodating. The food tasted amazing and the drinks were decent!

Foods are amazing! The dishes are on the fancy side, the entrees and vietnamese street foods offeres here could be hard to find at other pho places. Took me multiple visits to try them. But it's a pricy. And the reaterant charges "Gao Viet's Fee" on top of tips and tax. Favorite: The coconut coffee slushie is bomb! Marrow craker: the sticky rice cake below -rich coconut flavor. balanced so well with the fatty topping Love the Banh Xeo and Ban Beo My friend ordered Banh Canh Gio Heo (a special noodle soup) and he likes it too Cocktail: Da Nand Delight, the one with jasmine tea in it

+6

While Gao has such a massive selection of pho varieties, I ended up wishing their broth was more flavorful. But their appetizers and chicken were otherwise so good. With 3 guests we tried an appetizer and several entrees. Like several have said, the bánh cuon is delicious: the stretchy, chewy texture of the rice flour was excellent! The five spice chicken was crispy, juicy, and smelled great. Same for the garlic noodles that came with it. As for the pho, we ordered the brisket variant. It’s possible that because Gao’s menu says their pho is northern style, that this is how the broth is supposed to be. It’s served without basil or soy bean sprouts. While it’s rich and fatty, especially with the addition of the marrow, I didn’t find it had the umami and aromatic flavors of other broths that I personally prefer. They do include a decent amount of meat and it’s tender. What’s nice is that the restaurant does have both chili oil and crushed red chilis available upon request. I found these both helped the tastiness of the overall pho. I’ve been to restaurants where sometimes the pho broth is more flavorful than others so I wonder if it’s possible that this is what happened, especially because this is Thanksgiving week and we saw signs that Gao is closed then. Regardless, we liked the food enough that’d we’d come back again to try more of their menu. They have so many different things on offer that it’s still worth the try.

One of my favorite restaurants in the bay!! Authentic, delicious, and quality dishes. My boyfriend and I have been here twice and each time was just as great as the last. I already know what we’re ordering next time. Not pictured are the Big Gao Pho and the Brisket Fillet Pho. Everything was incredible but my absolute favorites were the Crispy Gao Chicken and the Big Gao Pho. Service was also very friendly, attentive and quick.

+3

Dining at Gao Viet Kitchen was a delightful experience from start to finish. The food was exceptional!! From the moment we entered, the welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff made us feel right at home.

+1

Gao Viet Kitchen is a great spot for Vietnamese food in San Francisco. The beef noodle soup was amazing—the broth was rich and flavorful, and the beef was incredibly tender. I especially loved the pork ribs added to the noodles; they made the dish even more satisfying. Everything tasted fresh and well prepared. We will definitely come back again soon!

This spot used to be the Kentucky fried chicken for the longest I could remember. I have been to their other location many times, I wanted to try out this location ever since they have opened and finally I got the chance to. I came here to celebrate my sister’s early birthday location where she had made a reservation since they tend to be busy. Upon arrival, we were seated almost immediately even though it was during the dinner rush but not too busy yet. The restaurant is semi split with one side being their dining area with two floors that includes a open kitchen and the other is for their bar with tvs for sports. This place has been fully renovated, they have many traditional Vietnamese decorations that makes this place legit. Their menu is digital and you scan the QR code for quick access. It consists of appetizers, authentic Vietnamese dishes, noodles soups, vegetarian items , party trays, catering is available, kids menu, non-alcoholic beverages and much more to choose from. Everything was made to order which is always a plus for me since it is quality over quantity because I am a very patient person and I never mind the wait. All of our orders came out quick and hot, pretty amazing for a high volume spot that attracts a lot of customers. As time went by, many people came by to pick up orders and the place quickly filled up from people coming here to dine in. You can choose to dine in, order for pick up or have it delivered to you via a delivery app. The service was great thanks to their welcoming, well trained and understanding staffs that made my visit a satisfying and issue free one. I highly recommend this place to all Vietnamese food enthusiasts, if you are looking to try something new, to anyone looking for a laid back spot to dine at or if you just so happen to be in the area. I will be back to tryout the other delicious options they have to offer.

+6

Probably one of the best meal I've had in my life. You think it'll be gimmicky because given the price but it's worth it. Bring the whole family here. I haven't had a dish where I was disappointed. Portions are huge, so prepare to take them home or share. Highly recommend Bún bò Huê.

One of the few restaurants where the service complemented the food in San Francisco. Sat at the bar and Gabriel took care of us really well. The rolls were very tasty and the coconut salad was interesting but good as well. Finished with Mama’s Claypot and the shrimp noodles, both tasty dishes. The specialty cocktails were incredible! Loved the Vietnamese inspired ingredients in their drinks. The Pho’d Up tasted so similar to actual Pho it was really impressive. Overall loved my experience, will come again if I’m back at San Francisco.

Rosalyn Li

This super hip Vietnamese restaurant is definitely not just hype. I thought it was going to be a typical IG spot that looks good for photos/videos but with mediocre food - I was wrong. The pho is the some of the best pho I've ever had, the broth is super clean and delicious with fresh house made noodles. The pho is pretty expensive but honestly I think every portion is good for two people at least, so when you think of it that way its not too bad. I've also had the banh cuon here which was really good. The prices are definitely higher overall, but they use quality / high end ingredients and for dining in, you get the hip ambiance.

Carey

Delicious foods, but the beefs were overcooked. Better decoration than the San Mateo one. But, with over $100+ entree, we expected to get better service. The servers should pay more attention to the customers. We waved our hands a few times but no one noticed us. The tables are too small for large bowl/plates. Our utensils were dropped on the floor because of not enough spaces. We saw our next table also dropped their utensils. The environment is spacious but the tables are too small.

LLL

First time trying this location, their open time supposed to be 4:30pm but everyone just kept waiting on the street until 4:50. We have a 85 year old lady and a 2 year old toddler so that’s was not a nice experience to start with. When we seat down, an Asian server gave not so good customer service, not sure what’s the attitude but every other server was great especially those ladies. However I would say the pho is good, the broth itself really tasty. However the chicken was try for me. They put sugar cane wrapped with meat for appetizers and that’s creative. Ube coffee was great as well. Plus side I would say it’s they have sweet soy sauce and these little details makes a difference. Overall if you are in the area wanna try some nice Vietnamese food, and have time to enjoy, give a try

First time trying this location, their open time supposed to be 4:30pm but everyone just kept waiting on the street until 4:50. We have a 85 year old lady and a 2 year old toddler so that’s was not a nice experience to start with. When we seat down, an Asian server gave not so good customer service, not sure what’s the attitude but every other server was great especially those ladies. However I would say the pho is good, the broth itself really tasty. However the chicken was try for me. They put sugar cane wrapped with meat for appetizers and that’s creative. Ube coffee was great as well. Plus side I would say it’s they have sweet soy sauce and these little details makes a difference. Overall if you are in the area wanna try some nice Vietnamese food, and have time to enjoy, give a try

+6

Delicious foods, but the beefs were overcooked. Better decoration than the San Mateo one. But, with over $100+ entree, we expected to get better service. The servers should pay more attention to the customers. We waved our hands a few times but no one noticed us. The tables are too small for large bowl/plates. Our utensils were dropped on the floor because of not enough spaces. We saw our next table also dropped their utensils. The environment is spacious but the tables are too small.

+6

Abi Hwang Nable

Viet cuisine meets modern dining— Gao takes the win in both categories in my book. When you enter Gao, you’re greeted with a cozy yet bustling atmosphere that smells like grandma’s kitchen during the holidays. While you wait for your table, relax at the bar where you won’t find yourself scrolling on your phone. Instead, you’ll likely be watching closely as all of the near family-sized dishes emerge from the kitchen. My table started off with a pair of appetizers to share. First, the Banh Cuon (rice noodle rolls) served with fresh veggies for preparing your perfect bite, Banh Hoi (grilled pork sausage skewered with sugar cane), and Cha Lua (pork loaf). The Banh Cuon was just the right texture— bouncy and delicate, while the ground pork and wood ear mushrooms were still juicy and not overly greasy. The Banh Hoi lemongrass flavor was too abrasive, I would much prefer to be slowly introduced to a flavor rather than hit with it during each bite. Our Papaya Salad arrived quickly after the first dish. Its bright and colorful presentation was glittered with bits of fried shallot that brought a little bit of savory and umami to each sweet and tangy bite. It took a significant amount of time for the entrees to come out. After completely finishing our appetizers, we waited about 30 minutes for Lemongrass Pork Ribs with Garlic Noodles to come out, 45 minutes for the Chubby Pho (filet mignon, tendon, and, marrow rice noodle soup), and a little over an hour for the The Sizzle (roasted beef rib over fried rice served in a cast iron skillet). While we were waiting, we tried to get refills on water and tried to ask for an update on our food. The staff did not give us a heads up that the dishes would take this long to come out. We were pretty disappointed that we weren’t all able to enjoy our food at the same temperatures and at the same time, but the food in itself made up for it a fair amount. The Lemongrass Pork Ribs were the type of bbq ribs where you feel no shame to lick your fingers clean after, because how could you waste such a perfectly sticky bbq sauce? Thankfully, the lemongrass sauce on the ribs was not overpowering in this dish. The ribs were served over garlic noodles, and boy was my table excited. We all dug in for a bite together and we were so ready for that buttery goodness. Sadly, we were struck with the piercing flavor of raw garlic. I am a total garlic girl, but a mouthful of that while hoping for some serious comfort food is too much for me. We called our waitress over, and asked if we could send back the noodles. They offered to remake it for us, but we opted in for just plain white rice. The Chubby Pho had such a fun mixture of meats! This was also my first time having marrow in pho. I really enjoyed how comforting and aromatic each sip of broth was and the heaping portion of rice noodles it came with. The bowl itself was massive, it fed the three of us and we had leftovers. I will admit that I am more of an ‘accidentally makes lime soup’ person when it comes to dressing up my bowl of pho, but this was a broth that I wanted to enjoy with minimal condiments. Once The Sizzle finally came out, we dug in right away. I wouldn’t say it is worth waiting over an hour for, but I would happily wait 30-45 minutes for it, if I was given a heads up that it takes longer. The gorgeous golden color that the turmeric gave the rice was just the right contrast the dish needs with the black cast iron and grilled beef rib. The rib was almost falling off the bone and we were so entertained by picking up the rib bone. Surprisingly, my favorite part of the dish was actually the layer of crispy rice. I will definitely be back for the food. Maybe my next visit will be to their San Mateo location! **Please note that this review is based on my visit from 2/22/2025**

Viet cuisine meets modern dining— Gao takes the win in both categories in my book. When you enter Gao, you’re greeted with a cozy yet bustling atmosphere that smells like grandma’s kitchen during the holidays. While you wait for your table, relax at the bar where you won’t find yourself scrolling on your phone. Instead, you’ll likely be watching closely as all of the near family-sized dishes emerge from the kitchen. My table started off with a pair of appetizers to share. First, the Banh Cuon (rice noodle rolls) served with fresh veggies for preparing your perfect bite, Banh Hoi (grilled pork sausage skewered with sugar cane), and Cha Lua (pork loaf). The Banh Cuon was just the right texture— bouncy and delicate, while the ground pork and wood ear mushrooms were still juicy and not overly greasy. The Banh Hoi lemongrass flavor was too abrasive, I would much prefer to be slowly introduced to a flavor rather than hit with it during each bite. Our Papaya Salad arrived quickly after the first dish. Its bright and colorful presentation was glittered with bits of fried shallot that brought a little bit of savory and umami to each sweet and tangy bite. It took a significant amount of time for the entrees to come out. After completely finishing our appetizers, we waited about 30 minutes for Lemongrass Pork Ribs with Garlic Noodles to come out, 45 minutes for the Chubby Pho (filet mignon, tendon, and, marrow rice noodle soup), and a little over an hour for the The Sizzle (roasted beef rib over fried rice served in a cast iron skillet). While we were waiting, we tried to get refills on water and tried to ask for an update on our food. The staff did not give us a heads up that the dishes would take this long to come out. We were pretty disappointed that we weren’t all able to enjoy our food at the same temperatures and at the same time, but the food in itself made up for it a fair amount. The Lemongrass Pork Ribs were the type of bbq ribs where you feel no shame to lick your fingers clean after, because how could you waste such a perfectly sticky bbq sauce? Thankfully, the lemongrass sauce on the ribs was not overpowering in this dish. The ribs were served over garlic noodles, and boy was my table excited. We all dug in for a bite together and we were so ready for that buttery goodness. Sadly, we were struck with the piercing flavor of raw garlic. I am a total garlic girl, but a mouthful of that while hoping for some serious comfort food is too much for me. We called our waitress over, and asked if we could send back the noodles. They offered to remake it for us, but we opted in for just plain white rice. The Chubby Pho had such a fun mixture of meats! This was also my first time having marrow in pho. I really enjoyed how comforting and aromatic each sip of broth was and the heaping portion of rice noodles it came with. The bowl itself was massive, it fed the three of us and we had leftovers. I will admit that I am more of an ‘accidentally makes lime soup’ person when it comes to dressing up my bowl of pho, but this was a broth that I wanted to enjoy with minimal condiments. Once The Sizzle finally came out, we dug in right away. I wouldn’t say it is worth waiting over an hour for, but I would happily wait 30-45 minutes for it, if I was given a heads up that it takes longer. The gorgeous golden color that the turmeric gave the rice was just the right contrast the dish needs with the black cast iron and grilled beef rib. The rib was almost falling off the bone and we were so entertained by picking up the rib bone. Surprisingly, my favorite part of the dish was actually the layer of crispy rice. I will definitely be back for the food. Maybe my next visit will be to their San Mateo location! **Please note that this review is based on my visit from 2/22/2025**

+2