Sai’s Vietnamese Restaurant & Bar
Welcome to Sai’s Vietnamese Restaurant & Bar, a gem located at 42 Columbus Ave in San Francisco, CA. This Asian-owned, LGBTQ-owned, and women-owned establishment offers a wide range of Vietnamese cuisine with a modern twist.
At Sai’s, you can enjoy the convenience of making reservations, ordering delivery or takeout, and even catering for special events. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and welcomes all guests, including those with dietary preferences such as vegan and vegetarian options.
When you step into Sai’s, you’ll be greeted with a casual and vibrant atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed dining experience. In addition to indoor seating, there is also heated outdoor seating available for those looking to dine al fresco.
One of the standout dishes at Sai’s is the Bun Rieu, a unique crab and pork noodle soup that adds an interesting twist to traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Customers have raved about the flavorful broth and generous portion sizes, making it a perfect choice for a windy day.
Another must-try item on the menu is the Pho Bo X, a savory noodle soup featuring sliced beef, meatballs, and optional top Angus prime beef brisket. The clean tasting broth and fresh ingredients make this dish a hit among diners.
Whether you’re craving imperial rolls, banh xeo, or shrimp spring rolls, Sai’s has a variety of options to satisfy your taste buds. The attentive waitstaff ensures that your dining experience is smooth and enjoyable, from start to finish.
With a rich history spanning over 30 years, Sai’s Vietnamese Restaurant & Bar has solidified its place as a go-to spot for authentic Vietnamese flavors in San Francisco. The recent relocation to North Beach has brought about a renewed energy and ambiance to the restaurant, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of traditional Vietnamese dishes or looking to explore new flavors, Sai’s is sure to delight your palate and leave you coming back for more.
Sai’s Vietnamese Restaurant & Bar Menu
Location
Address: 42 Columbus Ave San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: (415) 362-3689
Business info
- Takes ReservationsYes
- Offers DeliveryYes
- Offers TakeoutYes
- Vegan OptionsYes
- Many Vegetarian OptionsYes
- Wheelchair accessibleYes
- Accepts Credit CardsYes
- Accepts Apple PayYes
- Accepts Android PayNo
- Accepts CryptocurrencyNo
- Outdoor SeatingYes
- CasualYes
- Moderate NoiseYes
- Offers CateringYes
- Good for GroupsYes
- Good For KidsYes
- Good for LunchYes
- Garage Parking, Street Parking, Private Lot ParkingYes
- Waiter ServiceYes
- Free Wi-FiYes
- Happy Hour SpecialsYes
- Beer & Wine OnlyYes
- TVYes
- Asian-ownedYes
- LGBTQ-ownedYes
- Women-ownedYes
- Veteran-ownedYes
- Private DiningYes
- Gender-neutral restroomsYes
- Open to AllYes
- Drive-ThruNo
- Dogs Not AllowedNo
- Heated Outdoor SeatingNo
- Covered Outdoor SeatingNo
- Bike ParkingYes
Last Reviews
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Author: Nataly N.
Not a huge standout, but not bad either. The Imperial Rolls were nice and crispy, made with the correct filling wrapped in rice paper. They were a bit on the smaller side, but a pleasant snack to start with. The Bun Rieu (crab and pork noodle soup) was an interesting take on the traditional Vietnamese dish - not exact in the way it was made, but the broth was good and the portion was generous. I was looking for something broth-y and warm on a windy day, and this did the trick. It wasn't too crowded when I came in, so it was a pretty comfortable and smooth experience.
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Author: Mike C.
Clown Alley... This location will always remind me of that SF institution for anyone who grew up in the '70's and '80's or prior. A late night destination when the neighborhood was full of life after dark. Fast forward to the 2000's, when this odd shaped space pivoted to become Bask, a popular low-key locals spot for Fidi workers for lunch then chill diners in the evening. 2020 marked the change when the lights went out and remained so until now. Sai's was a staple in itself, thriving in the shadows of the Transamerica Pyramid until a new owner took over that landmark and most of the surrounding buildings. The city brokered their recent move here. I decided to come here for an early midweek lunch, entering from the corner entrance. With only two other diners here, I was offered my choice of tables and sat at a window side one facing the bar in the main dining room. The one page menu has a variety of food and beverages. I started with a plate of imperial rolls (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=b8SpR6MeFmJxWNoKFZGp_Q); these came with large slices of pickled carrots and one pad of daikon with the requisite fish sauce for dipping. If you are filling forward, you may not enjoy these as they are like taquitos. I appreciate they use rice paper skin vs egg roll wrappers. My main meal was the Pho Bo X (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=TlwN-jjKyjtuRonVrx-zjQ); it's described as having sliced beef and local meat balls; X adds top Angus prime beef grade rare beef brisket for $1.40 more. I enjoyed my bowl though I wished the brisket was more rare. The broth was clean tasting with a slight bite in the aftertaste. When I got to the bottom of my bowl, I found ginger pieces. I thought it was white pepper but this is the probable reason. It came with a generous portion of Thai basil, bean sprouts, and a lime wedge. The noodles and meats were standard as enhanced by the sriracha and hoisin sauce mix that I made (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=6xx44gSoMVRmbe4cl2dTaA). My food came promptly so I was in and out of here within 45 minutes. By the time I left, the restaurant was a little more than half full with diners who likely work in the area. I enjoyed my meal and have another potential spot for lunch when in the area. It is just a step below my rotation spot in Chinatown but pretty solid. The atmosphere is definitely nicer than their original location which always gave me pause in dining there. Thanks to Bo for providing me my lunch and being friendly and helpful. You've been working here for how long?!
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Author: Vivian Q.
Nice casual spot with fast and easy service - ordered the bun rieu with imperial rolls and banh xeo to share. I really liked the slight spice to the bun rieu but wasn't a huge fan of the pork meatballs which were a little too mushy for my taste.
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Author: Sally F.
The best Vietnamese food in San Francisco! The location has greatly improved since relocating to the North Beach location after the pandemic. You get a lot of food for the price.