Turtle Tower

K D

No one does Northern style pho the way they do. They're back with a vengeance. The ambience is trendy, upscale, comfortable, and welcoming. Service is ALWAYS great. They're so efficient and friendly. Their new menu keeps all of the old classics. I normally order Pho Bo Dac Viet, pandan waffles, pho ga, and imperial rolls. Their bowl sizes are huge, noodles are fresh, broth comforting. Amazing place eat for lunch/dinner. They were open late night, but that moved to the Marina location, which is even better bc all of the bars are in that area 😌🙃. My husband is vegetarian, and he was so happy to see he had options on the new menu (veggie pho)! They really take care of you here. Welcome back, TT! We missed you!!

Anna Law.

On a chilly day off, I knew I had to go back to Turtle Tower to warm my stomach and my heart. This time I got the Beef Pho. SOOO SOO GOOD! I love their signature chicken of course, but I wanted to switch it up this time and of course, it did not disappoint. It had a lovely atmosphere with joyful patrons. The service was quick and pleasant. Everything came out piping hot, just right ! I also had their green waffle 🧇 for dessert and it was yummy! 😋 10/10 recommend! I also got one of these super cute T-shirts :)

Alex Zuniga

I had the Phoʻ Chay (v,vg) Vegan rice noodle soup, it is delicious! Tastes like vacation! Atmosphere is very nice and the service is great, very friendly! And this plate is big! 18 Kings Cocktail is good as well! I definitely have to come back to try sldesserts. I totally recommend it!

J T

If you're craving a comforting, no-frills bowl of pho in SF, Turtle Tower is the spot. I came here for their chicken pho and it hit the mark. I went with the large bowl and the portion was generous -- perfect if you're really hungry. What I loved most was the broth. It's light, clean, and flavorful without being overly salty (a problem I've run into at a lot of other pho places in the city). You can really taste the freshness of the ingredients -- it feels balanced instead of heavy. The noodles were soft and easy to eat, and the fresh green onions and herbs gave it that extra lift. Service was quick and efficient, and the food came out steaming hot. The vibe is casual and straightforward, which makes it great for a quick meal or a low-key dinner spot. Overall, Turtle Tower serves up pho that feels both authentic and refreshing. If you're in the mood for quality chicken pho that won't leave you thirsty from salt overload, this place is worth checking out. Highly recommend!

David Lovato

Loved this spot! A little pricey for Vietnamese but I really liked everything. Excellent bahn mi, very tasty pho, and great happy hour deals. Would love to come back and visit late at night too! Good late night hours here

Sarah Nguyen

So happy Turtle Tower is back in the Financial District! This legendary spot for Northern Vietnamese pho has returned with the same clean, rich broth and lightning-fast service that made it a cult favorite. The pho ga (chicken pho) is comforting perfection — simple, aromatic, and deeply satisfying. The place gets busy fast, especially during lunch, but bowls come out in minutes and are always delicious. Don’t miss the stir-fried pho and crispy imperial rolls. Service is quick and efficient, and the space feels fresh yet familiar. A beloved San Francisco classic reborn — still one of the best pho spots in the city.

Hien Le

Nem cua is authentic - too often, Viet restaurants in North America use the Chinese egg roll instead of rice paper, so I’m just happy to see actual bánh đa nem. Phở áp chảo and bún thang were decent. Phở áp chảo took me aback at first because in Hà Nội, this is supposed to be a dry dish, but here it was served in broth. Instead of pan fried noodles and beef, I was served pan fried beef on top of noodle soup. The taste was good, so overall I still enjoyed it though. Happy to see true flat bánh phở instead of thin Chinese rice noodles. Portion is huge.

Ken Wong

October 2025: Came back and tried the oyster 🦪. Enjoyed the dish a lot. May 2025: I used to go to the original Turtle Tower in the tenderloin before they expanded to the Richmond and Soma district. I remember when I read that they closed all of their restaurants, I was very sad 😢. But now that they are back, I was eager to taste their chicken pho again 😀. I was not disappointed. I read reviews that the broth tasted different... I don't agree with that criticism. I thought the chicken pho was excellent and tasted like I remembered. Noodles were the flat type... Just like I remembered. Lots of chicken and served with lemon and jalapenos 👍. Will definitely be back again for more delicious pho. I do wonder if they will bring back the option with chicken heart and gizzards. That was one of my favorites. I saw the owner making spring rolls. Great to see him again!

Jean Tsou

This is the best chicken pho and beef pho in town for a long time. Their soup base is umami without taste MSG and ita so pure and yummy not too salty. Rice noodles are so fresh and tender compare with others. Here is really different and they provide authentic pho without a doubt!

Been going to Turtle Tower for over 20 years. This location has a vibrant and fun vibe. The staff will treat you like family. They are always smiling and so attentive. Highly recommend getting the chicken pho. It is so flavorful with rich broth and lots of fresh chicken will warm your soul. Pro tip - ask for extra cilantro, onions, and jalapeño. Also recommend the bun cha Hanoi, a classic vermicelli dish of northern Vietnam. The combination of the pork sausage with the rich broth over fresh veggies and vermicelli will transport you straight to Hanoi!

I love, love, love this place! I’m so beyond thrilled it’s back. My favorite pho to get is the pan friend noodles with beef broth 🤤 doesn’t fail to hit the spot. Truly comfort food and I seriously think has healing properties. Family owned and run and it shows in the love and care put into every bite 💕 thank you for all your hard work and dedication and for all the kindness you show this community

Turtle tower was easy to find and convenient to the hotels near the Ferry building. We had a delicious papaya salad. The pan fried beef pho was very flavorful, and the extra veggies it contained were a good addition. Portion sizes were generous. We were impressed and would go back!

Turtle Tower has been our go-to spot for years, and there's a reason we keep coming back. The pho here is exceptional—we've tried many bowls over the years, but numbers 4, 6, and 9 remain our favorites and never disappoint. What makes this place even more special is how they continue to evolve. Their newly added desserts have become a must-order for us, especially the pandan waffles, which we get every single time now. They're the perfect way to end an already satisfying meal. Beyond the food, what truly sets Turtle Tower apart is the warmth of the experience. Walking in and having the staff remember not just your face but what you like to order—that's what turns a good restaurant into a cherished neighborhood spot. The entire team is personable and genuinely friendly, making each visit feel like catching up with old friends. Special shout-out to Jeremy, Michael, and Bri, who exemplify the exceptional service here. When a restaurant has both outstanding food and staff who make you feel like family, you know you've found something special. We'll be back for years to come.

Notice: this is a heavily biased review. I've been living in SF for 13 years across the city and have considered Turtle Tower a cultural beacon for the city, Vietnamese culture & small business entrepreneurship. The first time I came in I was slightly hungover and asked the owner for his favorite bowl, what he'd eat every day if he had to pick one. He suggested the #6 and I've never looked back. When asked about my favorite meal in SF, it's TT's #6. Its the perfect bite, rich, savory, herbasious, crunchy from the veg and warming. After Turtle Tower I was motivated to visit Hanoi and Vietnam for 2 weeks. I get it and am in love. Having Turtle Tower and the Pham family back is some of the best news the city has had in years. I'd eat here everyday if I could. Welcome back Turtle Tower, Pham's & thank you for warming San Francisco up with your soup and infectious smiles. PS. Just tried the new shrimp wontons and mango salad - WOW!

Excuse me! Hot soup!! ;-) I have to admit my good fortune: over 20 years as a customer, friend, and now fortunate member of the TT family…like so many aficionados we were bereft when we thought TT had closed and was gone for good. But it is now back and better than ever in iconic San Francisco locations, one in the financial district on California Street, and a brand new elegant Cow Hollo/Marina location on Fillmore Street. While pho restaurants have become common in many parts of the US, the clean northern Vietnamese/Hanoi style made at Turtle Tower is in a class all its own, and I have literally eaten thousands of bowls of it and slurped down the beautiful proprietary rice noodles more times than I can possibly count. The menu now includes a vegan variant, and still reads like an old friend. Turtle Tower has nourished me, my husband, and oh so many regulars and visitors we’ve witnessed over the years with the food and the heart with which it is offered. There are a few new yummy additions on the menu (roasted oysters…dessert waffles…) but at the heart of it is the pho, which will warm you on a cold day and make you sweat happily when the sun is out. Ask people about Turtle Tower and when they know, they really know: history, tradition, and the love that abides in Vietnamese culture radiates into each delicious bowl. For an authentic taste of Hanoi right here in San Francisco, I wholeheartedly recommend Turtle Tower!

Kiet Lam

Been going to Turtle Tower for over 20 years. This location has a vibrant and fun vibe. The staff will treat you like family. They are always smiling and so attentive. Highly recommend getting the chicken pho. It is so flavorful with rich broth and lots of fresh chicken will warm your soul. Pro tip - ask for extra cilantro, onions, and jalapeño. Also recommend the bun cha Hanoi, a classic vermicelli dish of northern Vietnam. The combination of the pork sausage with the rich broth over fresh veggies and vermicelli will transport you straight to Hanoi!

Sterling Art Services Llc

Excuse me! Hot soup!! ;-) I have to admit my good fortune: over 20 years as a customer, friend, and now fortunate member of the TT family…like so many aficionados we were bereft when we thought TT had closed and was gone for good. But it is now back and better than ever in iconic San Francisco locations, one in the financial district on California Street, and a brand new elegant Cow Hollo/Marina location on Fillmore Street. While pho restaurants have become common in many parts of the US, the clean northern Vietnamese/Hanoi style made at Turtle Tower is in a class all its own, and I have literally eaten thousands of bowls of it and slurped down the beautiful proprietary rice noodles more times than I can possibly count. The menu now includes a vegan variant, and still reads like an old friend. Turtle Tower has nourished me, my husband, and oh so many regulars and visitors we’ve witnessed over the years with the food and the heart with which it is offered. There are a few new yummy additions on the menu (roasted oysters…dessert waffles…) but at the heart of it is the pho, which will warm you on a cold day and make you sweat happily when the sun is out. Ask people about Turtle Tower and when they know, they really know: history, tradition, and the love that abides in Vietnamese culture radiates into each delicious bowl. For an authentic taste of Hanoi right here in San Francisco, I wholeheartedly recommend Turtle Tower!

Cal Gunsaulus

Notice: this is a heavily biased review. I've been living in SF for 13 years across the city and have considered Turtle Tower a cultural beacon for the city, Vietnamese culture & small business entrepreneurship. The first time I came in I was slightly hungover and asked the owner for his favorite bowl, what he'd eat every day if he had to pick one. He suggested the #6 and I've never looked back. When asked about my favorite meal in SF, it's TT's #6. Its the perfect bite, rich, savory, herbasious, crunchy from the veg and warming. After Turtle Tower I was motivated to visit Hanoi and Vietnam for 2 weeks. I get it and am in love. Having Turtle Tower and the Pham family back is some of the best news the city has had in years. I'd eat here everyday if I could. Welcome back Turtle Tower, Pham's & thank you for warming San Francisco up with your soup and infectious smiles. PS. Just tried the new shrimp wontons and mango salad - WOW!

M N

Turtle Tower has been our go-to spot for years, and there's a reason we keep coming back. The pho here is exceptional—we've tried many bowls over the years, but numbers 4, 6, and 9 remain our favorites and never disappoint. What makes this place even more special is how they continue to evolve. Their newly added desserts have become a must-order for us, especially the pandan waffles, which we get every single time now. They're the perfect way to end an already satisfying meal. Beyond the food, what truly sets Turtle Tower apart is the warmth of the experience. Walking in and having the staff remember not just your face but what you like to order—that's what turns a good restaurant into a cherished neighborhood spot. The entire team is personable and genuinely friendly, making each visit feel like catching up with old friends. Special shout-out to Jeremy, Michael, and Bri, who exemplify the exceptional service here. When a restaurant has both outstanding food and staff who make you feel like family, you know you've found something special. We'll be back for years to come.

Turtle tower, the famed Vietnamese spot in the city that closed down a while ago, but since reopened with two locations. Standard lunch spot with mostly pho with clear broth. Also has alternatives like bahn mi sandwich and rice plate & a couple appetizers like spring rolls, wings. Great drinks- they have Vietnamese coffee and milk tea. Fast service, no reservation required. Good for a work lunch. Got the beef pho but the meat was a thick dry patty. The soup base was good. Not too salty. Good value for money. One bowl ~20 bucks could feed 2 people imo. Not sure why people were up in arms when they closed. Maybe it was overhyped for me. San Jose has better Vietnamese food.

Most authentic bún chả I’ve had in the US — very close to Hà Nội flavors. We also tried the phở bò tái and phở đặc biệt. The broth was flavorful and clean, though it could have been a bit hotter, and the portions of meat felt light for the price. Service was friendly and the food came out quickly, but we did wait quite a while for our table to be cleaned and set up. Overall, a solid spot in SF for authentic Northern Vietnamese dishes, especially the bún chả.

A welcome addition to the Financial District! As a patron of Barbacco for many years, I’m happy to see another great quality-casual option open up in the neighborhood. I walked in at 6pm on a Tuesday with no reservation and was sat almost immediately. This was my first time at Turtle Tower, so I wanted to get a good mix of things to try and decided on: (1) fresh spring rolls w/beef, (2) papaya salad, (3) beef and veggie noodles (no soup), and (4) pandan waffles. The beef spring rolls were very fresh, but lacked flavor and needed more beef. They came with a fermented sardine sauce I was not a fan of, but my server offered an optional peanut sauce that was delicious (it was flavorful and almost chocolatey!) The papaya salad was great; extremely fresh and refreshing with a little spice. The beef and veggie noodles were very tasty. Again, all the ingredients, including the beef, were very fresh and high quality. It wasn’t a soup, but was still “soupy” with a lot of viscous sauce. My only complaint about the dish was a heavy taste of liquid smoke on the noodles, which I am not a fan of. The pandan waffles were very unique, smelled and tasted amazing! What a fun treat. They came with fresh whipped cream and my server also drizzled a little condensed milk on top which took it over the edge. Overall, I was happy with my meal and plan to return and try more menu items. The strengths of the cuisine are the freshness and quality of ingredients, although some dishes could use a flavor correction.

Fei Yu

Turtle tower, the famed Vietnamese spot in the city that closed down a while ago, but since reopened with two locations. Standard lunch spot with mostly pho with clear broth. Also has alternatives like bahn mi sandwich and rice plate & a couple appetizers like spring rolls, wings. Great drinks- they have Vietnamese coffee and milk tea. Fast service, no reservation required. Good for a work lunch. Got the beef pho but the meat was a thick dry patty. The soup base was good. Not too salty. Good value for money. One bowl ~20 bucks could feed 2 people imo. Not sure why people were up in arms when they closed. Maybe it was overhyped for me. San Jose has better Vietnamese food.

Bach Nguyen

Most authentic bún chả I’ve had in the US — very close to Hà Nội flavors. We also tried the phở bò tái and phở đặc biệt. The broth was flavorful and clean, though it could have been a bit hotter, and the portions of meat felt light for the price. Service was friendly and the food came out quickly, but we did wait quite a while for our table to be cleaned and set up. Overall, a solid spot in SF for authentic Northern Vietnamese dishes, especially the bún chả.

alodie2 noir2

I first discovered Turtle Restaurant back when it was nothing more than a tiny stall hidden in a Tenderloin alley in San Francisco. In those early days, the menu was little more than a handful of pork organ dishes — humble plates meant to be shared over drinks. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how far they’ve come since those modest beginnings. After two or three decades of change and expansion, Turtle has grown to multiple locations, yet one dish has always remained at the heart of their story: phở gà lòng trứng non — chicken noodle soup with organs and young chicken eggs. That simple, comforting bowl became their signature, carrying the family’s name into lasting success. Today, my son, daughter, and wife joined me for lunch at the brand-new, lavish Turtle Tower in the heart of San Francisco’s Financial District. The space feels modern and stylish, complete with a long cocktail bar, while the menu has expanded to showcase even more Vietnamese favorites. Yet after 25 years, I’m not surprised to see that the owner has stayed true to his roots — preserving the art of simple cooking with humble ingredients, done with remarkable consistency. From a tiny alley stall to a sleek downtown restaurant, Turtle’s journey is a testament to the timeless appeal of honest, flavorful food.

Alexander Coughlin

A welcome addition to the Financial District! As a patron of Barbacco for many years, I’m happy to see another great quality-casual option open up in the neighborhood. I walked in at 6pm on a Tuesday with no reservation and was sat almost immediately. This was my first time at Turtle Tower, so I wanted to get a good mix of things to try and decided on: (1) fresh spring rolls w/beef, (2) papaya salad, (3) beef and veggie noodles (no soup), and (4) pandan waffles. The beef spring rolls were very fresh, but lacked flavor and needed more beef. They came with a fermented sardine sauce I was not a fan of, but my server offered an optional peanut sauce that was delicious (it was flavorful and almost chocolatey!) The papaya salad was great; extremely fresh and refreshing with a little spice. The beef and veggie noodles were very tasty. Again, all the ingredients, including the beef, were very fresh and high quality. It wasn’t a soup, but was still “soupy” with a lot of viscous sauce. My only complaint about the dish was a heavy taste of liquid smoke on the noodles, which I am not a fan of. The pandan waffles were very unique, smelled and tasted amazing! What a fun treat. They came with fresh whipped cream and my server also drizzled a little condensed milk on top which took it over the edge. Overall, I was happy with my meal and plan to return and try more menu items. The strengths of the cuisine are the freshness and quality of ingredients, although some dishes could use a flavor correction.

I got the Pho Tái Lǎn and my friend had the chicken rice plate. I must say, it doesn’t have the same vibe/taste like I remember it when it was in the TL. Obviously the TL is going to be different but I was really hoping the bowl of pho would bring me back but it didn’t quite hit the spot. Sure the vibe is a lot nicer, being that it’s right in FiDi and close to the ferry building (which I did take the ferry), but it lost that hole-in-the-wall feel. The service still friendly and I had no problem grabbing a seat for 2 for lunch on a Friday, but $20 for pho is pricey. I will be back to give it another try so we shall see.

Nicole

I came here yesterday after the power went out in my building. I dressed casually, hadn’t showered in 2 days (couldn’t b/c the power was out) - wearing perfume/do tho. I explained this to them and that I planned to order and charge my devices. She proceeded to confirm that I did plan to order, thus treating me sub human. Once I sat down it took forever to order. I had to flag someone down to order a drink, then again for food. Food is good. Xmas music is too loud. Service sucks and that lady was rude. Otherwise, good. Beef noodles

Jenny J Kim

I used to love the original Turtle Tower, so I was excited to try once it re-opened. The food itself was okay, but what really took us by surprise was the service. As we visited with a bigger group, we were mindful and respectful. However, we were ignored by the host and once seated, waited over 20 minutes to get our order in. We were ignored multiple times by our server, and got rude glares when we asked patiently and politely for items like water or sriracha. I really wanted to enjoy this place as much as I did before, but unfortunately we all left thinking we’d likely not go back.

Calvin Chang

⭐️⭐️ I used to love Turtle Tower — their northern-style pho bo was my go-to, and I’d come at least once a month for that comforting, homemade taste. Since their move to FiDi, though, it feels like a different place entirely. Prices are noticeably higher, the vibe is more upscale, and unfortunately the food just isn’t the same. I gave the new location three tries to be fair, but each time the broth was overly salty, the noodles overcooked, and the portions seemed smaller with no size options anymore. The service is still friendly, which is the one bright spot. But I really miss the old Turtle Tower.