Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Sunflower – San Francisco
Sunflower - San Francisco
Photo from Sunflower
Sunflower at a glance
San Francisco Potrero Hill
- 🍜 Vietnamese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 59 of the guests
#1457 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#48 Vietnamese Restaurant out of 67 in San Francisco
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
365
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious Cuisine
- Budget-Friendly
- Cozy Setting
Frequently criticized
- Service Issues
- Dated Decor
- Seating Constraints
The restaurant, Sunflower, is a delightful Vietnamese Restaurant nestled in the vibrant Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. You’ll discover a cozy atmosphere perfect for enjoying authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Whether you’re looking for healthy options, vegan dishes, or just a quick bite, this spot has you covered. It’s an inviting place where you can relax and savor delicious meals.
Overview: Introducting Sunflower
Sunflower offers a pleasant dining experience, often highlighted for its inviting atmosphere and generous portions. Many find the offerings affordable, making it a solid choice for a satisfying meal.
It’s a place where you can feel special, enjoying the thoughtful interior touches. However, some diners have noted that the dining environment can feel a bit cluttered, and a few dishes have been described as bland.
While the overall vibe is welcoming, occasional reports of grumpy staff suggest service can be inconsistent.
Good
7.2
out of 10
365
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
85
negative
21
neutral
259
positive
Sunflower generally earns a respectable 7.2 overall score, reflecting a good dining experience. Customer satisfaction stands at a solid 71%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
This assessment is drawn from 365 customer opinions, with 259 positive remarks outweighing 85 negative ones. Diners particularly appreciate the Value (8.3) and the quality of the Food (7.5).
The restaurant’s Ambience (7.4) also receives good marks, contributing to a comfortable setting. However, the Service (5.7) appears to be a mixed bag, with some guests reporting less attentive or friendly interactions.
While many praise the quick delivery of food, others have encountered staff with an attitude problem, suggesting room for improvement in this area.
What people like
- Flavorful Cuisine
- Excellent Value
- Inviting Atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Service
- Cluttered Dining Area
- Limited Seating
If you’re seeking a meal where Value and Food quality shine, Sunflower is a strong contender. The inviting ambience often complements the experience, making it a pleasant spot for a casual outing.
Just be prepared that the service might not always match the culinary highs. With a solid 7.4 recommendation score, it’s worth a visit, especially if you prioritize delicious, affordable dishes over flawless service.
It’s a place that delivers on taste and price, offering a satisfying experience for those who know what to expect.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Sunflower
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 91% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.5 score and a solid 74.5% customer satisfaction. Out of 231 comments, 172 rave about the delicious offerings. Many highlight the fantastic garlic noodles, fresh five spice chicken, and generous portions, often describing the dishes as tasty and filling.
However, not all experiences were stellar, with 45 comments noting some downsides. A few found certain dishes bland or described them as tasteless stews, with some feeling the quality has gone downhill. Issues like lacking aromatic character or rubbery chicken were also mentioned, suggesting some inconsistency.
Food
231
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
45
negative
14
neutral
172
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fantastic garlic noodles
- Delicious five-spice chicken
- Generous food portions
What people don't like
- Some bland dishes
- Inconsistent food quality
- Tasteless stews
Often praised
- foodMy experience at Sunflower Garden Restaurant was truly excellent, offering authentic and delicious Vietnamese cuisine. I particularly enjoyed the beef noodle soup pho, which featured a rich and flavorful broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and tender, juicy beef.
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was absolutely fantastic, delicious, and served in generous portions. However, the service was a significant letdown.
- brothMy experience at Sunflower Garden Restaurant was truly excellent, offering authentic and delicious Vietnamese cuisine. I particularly enjoyed the beef noodle soup pho, which featured a rich and flavorful broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and tender, juicy beef. For dessert, the fried banana and ice cream provided a delicious and refreshing end to the meal.
- garlic noodlesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the most amazing garlic noodles, and I can honestly say it's one of the best restaurants I've been to in the city.
- imperial rollsthey make their own imperial rolls unlike most places
- noodlesMy experience at Sunflower Garden Restaurant was truly excellent, offering authentic and delicious Vietnamese cuisine. I particularly enjoyed the beef noodle soup pho, which featured a rich and flavorful broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and tender, juicy beef. For dessert, the fried banana and ice cream provided a delicious and refreshing end to the meal.
- 5 spice chickenThe 5 spice chicken on anything is exceptional!
- menuI absolutely love this place and find myself frequenting it often! My go-to dish is the lemongrass beef vermicelli, but honestly, nothing on the menu will disappoint. The staff is incredibly friendly and always has great attitudes.
- phothe pho is consistently excellent
- soupsoup was comforting - sweet and sour and spicy
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at this restaurant offered good prices and portions. However, the food was not as flavorful as expected. I found the vermicelli dish to be much better than the other dishes I ordered.
- chickengarlic beef and chicken, and they were both tasteless stews
- PhoPho was not very legitimate
- Vietnamese restaurantIt's one of very rare bad Vietnamese restaurant in Bay Area!
- aromatic characterwas lacking some aromatic character - I couldn’t taste any star anise or other spices
- beefthe beef lacked quite a bit of seasoning
- beef phobeef pho and seafood noodles were bland
- beef roundsonly had beef rounds
- broththe broth isn’t as flavorful compared to other places
- cardboard containerscurries in cardboard containers and they leak all over the bag
Overall, the food here is generally well-received, especially if you stick to popular items like the garlic noodles or five spice chicken. While there might be some inconsistent dishes, the generous portions and flavorful options make it worth a try for a satisfying meal.
Service (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 69% of the guests
When it comes to service, many diners have had great experiences, with 42 positive remarks highlighting friendly and attentive service, superb service, and Fast service. This contributes to a customer satisfaction of 51.9%, indicating a somewhat positive but mixed reception overall. However, there's also a noticeable downside, with 37 negative remarks mentioning horrible service, rude staff, and attitude problems.
This mixed feedback results in an average score of 5.7, suggesting that while some find the service excellent, others face significant issues.
Service
81
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
37
negative
2
neutral
42
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Attentive service
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Poor service
- Attitude problems
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at Sunflower Vietnamese Restaurant was warm and welcoming, with some of the friendliest service around. While the dishes lean a bit more fusion than traditional, the flavors are still fresh and satisfying.
- staffEverything is delicious. The staff is so nice, and the place is very clean and organized. You HAVE to try this place.
- COVID protocolThe food was oh so good. We honestly truly loved this place, and their COVID protocol was wonderful.
- Fast serviceFast service
- FoodFood comes out super quick.
- Leslie the serverLeslie the server is one of the nicest people
- ServiceService:5
- babywelcomed us warmly with our baby (had a high chair for him)
- customer serviceCustomer service is number one in my eyes.
- food was readythe food was ready after 15 mins
Frequently criticized
- servicethe poor service makes the overall dining experience worse
- grumpyComes with a serving of grumpy
- take outthe take out is now really bad
- Valencia Street locationsWish they hadn't closed there Valencia Street locations
- advertised hoursadvertised hours of being open until 9:30 PM
- answer my questionhow about you answer my question first.
- attitude problemshe's not very helpful
- cashier waitresswaitress at the cashier is so blatant racist
- closing timetold their closing time insinuating we should hurry up
- food and serviceI visited this restaurant because Google Maps indicated it was open, but I was unfortunately kicked out by rude staff. My experience was that the food and service is not worth it. I would advise others not to go here unless you want to waste your time.
Service here seems to be a bit of a gamble. While you might encounter friendly, fast, and attentive staff, theres a real chance of running into rude or unhelpful employees. If youre willing to take that risk for potentially quick service, it could be worth a try, but be prepared for a mixed experience.
Ambience (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 29% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot generally hits the mark, scoring a solid 7.4 and boasting a 72% customer satisfaction rate. Based on 18 positive remarks out of 25 total, many diners love the neighborhood restaurant feel and great vibes here. Youll often find intimate seating and appreciate the interior touches like the copper clad tables, making it feel like a special neighbourhood haunt.
However, its not without a few minor quirks, with 3 negative comments noted. Some found the dining area environment less than ideal, mentioning boxes piled up, which can detract from the overall feel. There were also mentions of limited seating and the restaurant sometimes being very empty, which can impact the desired atmosphere.
Ambience
25
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
3
negative
4
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Intimate seating
- Great vibes
- Neighborhood feel
What people don't like
- Cluttered dining area
- Limited seating
Often praised
- atmosphereWhile the dishes lean a bit more fusion than traditional, the flavors are still fresh and satisfying. If you appreciate creative takes on Vietnamese classics in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere, this is a great choice. Highly recommended!
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ParkingParking around the neighborhood is pretty easy
- best restaurantsone of the best restaurants
- copper clad tablescopper clad tables!
- favorite placesone of my favorite places
- feeling specialThis place makes me feel special.
- interior touchesenjoy the interior touches like copper clad tables!
- intimate seatingVery intimate seating
- neighborhood restaurantmore of a neighborhood restaurant you go to
Frequently criticized
- dining area environmentThe dining area environment was not great either, there are boxes piled up.
- restaurantrestaurant is very empty most of the time which is a shame
- seatingLimited seating because of COVID
If you're seeking a cozy, intimate neighborhood spot with good vibes, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that the dining area might have a few minor clutter issues and seating can be limited, but overall, it offers a pleasant atmosphere for a casual meal.
Value (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 31% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! With a 8.3 score, it's clear guests find the pricing good, and an impressive 96.4% customer satisfaction rating shows excellent agreement. Based on 27 positive opinions out of 28 total, diners consistently praise the affordable and reasonable price for good value, especially highlighting the lunch specials.
Interestingly, there are no negative opinions or terms reported regarding value. This suggests that customers are overwhelmingly pleased with what they pay for, finding the pricing fair and the portions generous without any significant complaints about cost or perceived lack of value.
Value
28
Reviews
96%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable pricing
- Great overall value
- Generous portions
What people don't like
Often praised
- priceOverall, I enjoyed the food. It's a no-frills place, and I felt it was probably good for the price.
- pricesAs a Vietnamese person, I can confidently say the pho is legit, with a rich, flavorful broth that's clearly made with care. The portions are generous, the prices are affordable, and the service is lightning fast. It’s comforting to know I can always count on this spot for a solid, satisfying meal.
- cheapStop what you’re doing and get the pork vermicelli bowl. It's a huge serving and cheap. The Imperial spring roll is MIND BLOWING, and the sauce for the noodles can cure cancer.
- lunch specialget there lunch special it is such a good deal
- Plenty of parkingParking space:Plenty of parking
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- affordableQuick, tasty, and affordable.
- calorie-per-dollar foodI must warn others that their chicken is described as looking and tasting like rubber. I will not be returning unless I am extremely hungry and in desperate need of the highest calorie-per-dollar food in the neighborhood.
- corkage feeonly a $12 corkage fee
- fair pricea fair price
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place where your money goes far, this restaurant is a fantastic choice. You can expect generous portions and delicious food at a very fair price, making it an excellent option for an affordable and satisfying meal.
How are the prices at Sunflower?
You’re looking at roughly 22 $ per person – reported by 59 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Vietnamese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests find themselves spending in the 11 – 30 $ range, showing a good cluster around the average, with only a few venturing into higher price points.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 59 reviews.
How this Vietnamese restaurant in San Francisco stacks up against similar spots on value for money.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Vietnamese restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Sunflower
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
6
Great Food, Rude Staff & Website Issues
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the food was excellent, scoring a perfect 5, the overall experience was marred by significant issues. The website hours are incorrect, and they are unexpectedly closed every day between 3-5 PM.
Furthermore, the staff were very rude, which detracted from the dining experience.
- food10
- website hours2
- staff1
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
Favorite Vietnamese in the Bay Area!
I absolutely love this restaurant; it's my favorite Vietnamese spot in the Bay Area. While I usually dine in, I ordered pickup by phone today and was pleasantly surprised that my food was ready in just 15 minutes. I enjoyed the sunflower prawn, beef fried noodles, and garlic noodles with chicken.
The price and taste are hard to beat compared to other Vietnamese restaurants in SF. They also have another location at 16th Street Mission, next to Roxie Theater, which offers Vietnamese and Hawaiian food, but the dining area there is smaller than this one.
- sunflower prawn9
- beef fried noodles9
- garlic noodles with chicken9
1
Hours Don't Match Posted Times
I will never come here again. This is the second time I have driven all the way there to find it closed. The hours posted don’t reflect their actual hours.
Beware.
- hours posted1
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Rude Staff, Not Worth the Visit
I visited this restaurant because Google Maps indicated it was open, but I was unfortunately kicked out by rude staff. My experience was that the food and service is not worth it. I would advise others not to go here unless you want to waste your time.
- rude staff1
- food and service2
- waste your time1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
8
Tasty Vietnamese with Big Portions
My experience at Sunflower Vietnamese Restaurant ON 16TH STREET! (NOT CONNETICUT!) was generally positive. The food was tasty…ish.
While the house rice was a bit bland and tasteless initially, it became pretty good after adding some condiments and the shrimp. The shrimp was nice and fresh, though be aware they do still have the legs (not the eyes!). We ordered pick up and it was ready fairly quickly.
The portions were quite big as well. All in all, it is a good choice of eatery if that’s the kind of food you are looking for! I will eat there again!
- house rice6
- shrimp8
- pick up8
What Sunflower offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dietary options does Sunflower Vietnamese Restaurant offer?
At Sunflower Vietnamese Restaurant, you’ll find a wide array of choices to suit your preferences. They offer healthy options, dedicated vegan options, and vegetarian options. You can also enjoy small plates, coffee, wine, and beer.
What service and accessibility features are available at Sunflower Vietnamese Restaurant?
For your convenience, Sunflower Vietnamese Restaurant provides dine-in, takeout, and delivery services. The establishment is fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests.
How does Sunflower generally rate among diners?
Sunflower holds a 7.2 overall score, with Value (8.3) and Food (7.5) being strong points. Ambience (7.4) is also well-regarded, though Service (5.7) is an area for improvement.
What are some popular food items at Sunflower?
Many customers praise the pho for its rich broth and tender beef, the garlic noodles, and the 5 spice chicken. The imperial rolls are also frequently mentioned as a highlight.
What should I expect regarding service and atmosphere at Sunflower?
While the ambience is often described as relaxed and intimate, some guests have noted issues with service, mentioning staff can sometimes be grumpy or inattentive. The dining area has also been described as cluttered by a few.