Chef Charles Phan's modern Vietnamese restaurant in San Francisco's Ferry Building celebrated fresh California-grown ingredients elevated with Vietnamese culinary techniques. A pioneer of Vietnamese fine dining, it remains one of the Bay Area's landmark dining experiences.
The Slanted Door in San Francisco's Ferry Building is one of the most influential Vietnamese restaurants in American culinary history — chef Charles Phan's pioneering vision of what Vietnamese food could be when prepared with exceptional California ingredients and delivered in a polished, high-design setting. Phan opened the original Slanted Door in the Mission District in 1995, moved it to the Ferry Building in 2004, and built it into a San Francisco landmark that proved Vietnamese cuisine deserved the same reverence as French or Japanese food. The Ferry Building location occupies a stunning space with views across the bay toward the East Bay hills; sunset service, when the light crosses the water and the room fills with warmth, is among the great dining experiences in California. The menu centers on clean, bright Vietnamese flavors prepared with Bay Area organic produce and carefully sourced proteins. The shaking beef — wok-tossed cubes of filet mignon with garlic, lime dipping sauce, and watercress — is the restaurant's most famous dish and a near-mandatory order. Spring rolls wrapped in delicate rice paper, five-spice duck confit, and seasonal preparations that translate California's finest vegetables through a Vietnamese lens round out the menu. The wine list is unusually thoughtful for a Vietnamese restaurant, with selections chosen specifically to complement the food's aromatic intensity. Reservations for the Ferry Building location are available through the restaurant's website and OpenTable; the restaurant is located at 1 Ferry Building in San Francisco, California.
Location
1 Ferry Building #3, San Francisco, CA 94111
Highlights
- Pioneering modern Vietnamese restaurant in the Ferry Building, credited with elevating Vietnamese cuisine to fine-dining status in America
- Shaking beef — wok-tossed filet mignon with garlic and lime dipping sauce — the restaurant's most celebrated and iconic dish
- Spectacular Ferry Building location with panoramic bay views toward the East Bay hills, particularly beautiful at sunset
- Menu centered on clean Vietnamese flavors made with Bay Area organic produce and carefully sourced California proteins
- Unusually thoughtful wine list selected to complement the aromatic intensity of Vietnamese cuisine
Tips for visiting
- Bay views from the restaurant are stunning at sunset. Reserve in advance, especially for weekend dinner.
Accessibility
The Slanted Door in the Ferry Building is accessible via the building's main entrance, which is wheelchair accessible. The dining room accommodates mobility aids; the Ferry Building itself has accessible restrooms and elevator access throughout.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous dish at The Slanted Door?
The shaking beef is the restaurant's signature dish — cubes of filet mignon wok-tossed with garlic and herbs, served with a lime and black pepper dipping sauce and a watercress salad. It appears on nearly every table and is considered a must-order.
How is The Slanted Door different from other Vietnamese restaurants?
The Slanted Door uses premium California-sourced organic produce and proteins, applies fine-dining technique to Vietnamese preparations, and operates in a polished high-design setting. Chef Charles Phan was instrumental in establishing Vietnamese cuisine as worthy of the same respect as European fine dining.
Are the bay views visible from the dining room?
Yes. The Ferry Building location has large windows with direct views across the bay. Sunset dinner reservations are particularly sought after when the light crosses the water and illuminates the dining room.
How do I make a reservation?
Reservations are available through the restaurant's website and OpenTable. Weekend dinners and sunset seatings are the most competitive; booking at least one to two weeks in advance is advisable.