Top Sushi Spots in San Francisco
San Francisco is a city that’s made for sushi. With a large inherent Japanese population and a perch right on the Pacific, the city hosts an abundance of skilled sushi chefs and easy access to fresh fish, some of which is actually flown in daily from Tokyo. SF’s sushi scene has exploded in recent years, and these days you can find everything from casual nigiri spots to Michelin-starred omakases. How to navigate so many delicious choices? Don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Akiko’s Restaurant
430 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
Phone +1 415-397-3218
It’s worth keeping an eye out for Akiko, an unassuming Bush Street sushi bar known for its amazing omakase—a nightly offering of chef-selected dishes. This small, upscale space is extremely popular with its loyal clientele, who clamor for seats at Akiko’s sleek narrow bar to try a bevy of a la carte seasonal nigiri offerings, such as madai (sea bream), uni (sea urchin), and tako (octopus). Its table seating is especially enticing for couples.
The Shota
Address
115 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA
Phone +1 628-224-2074
Opened toward the end of 2018 in the Financial District, The Shota is a luxe omakase restaurant serving up traditional edomae (raw fish and cooked rice) sushi that’s been aged, cured, and marinated—made from fish flown in that day from Tokyo. Shota offers a prix-fixe 10-course tasting menu that incorporates many tableside elements into its presentation, as well as two seatings per night, along with a complementary selection of California-inspired small dishes and sake- and tea-pairing add-ons. Therefore, The Shota is not just dinner; it is a true dining experience.
Oma San Francisco Station
Address
1737 Post St #337, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
Another sushi restaurant revered for its omakase offerings, Oma attracts sushi-lovers seeking reasonable prices and quality fish. You can select from prix-fixe menus tailored to your appetite at this small counter space in Japantown’s Japan Center West shopping mall. Additionally, there is a secret fixed-price selection of daily “exotic” seafood available by reservation only.
Ebisu
Address
1283 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122-2306, USA
Phone +1 415-566-1770
A fixture in the Inner Sunset neighborhood for over 30 years, family-run Ebisu is known for its fresh, globally-sourced seafood as well as daily chalkboard specials. This intimate space offers both counter service and tables, all of which operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Along with its nigiri sushi, this local favorite features an extensive menu with teriyaki dishes, tempura, and specialty rolls.
Cha-Ya
Address
762 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
Phone +1 415-252-7825
Located in the Mission, Cha-Ya offers a 100% vegan menu based on Shojin Ryori, traditional Japanese Buddhist cuisine. The substantial offerings include sushi rolls to noodle dishes, many featuring healthy ingredients like seaweed, sesame seeds, and soybean curd. However, it’s Cha-Ya’s unique take on sushi, including seasoned seaweed and stuffed tofu pouch, that really draws fans.
Eiji
Address
317 Sanchez St, San Francisco, CA 94114-1615, USA
Phone +1 415-558-8149
Although this cozy Castro neighborhood spot specializes in housemade tofu, Eiji’s varied Japanese menu includes fresh nigiri sushi and daily specials. It’s a laid-back space with a traditional feel, where customers enjoy the ambiance among close-knit tables and shōji wall screens. Don’t miss the unique dessert—a green tea and vanilla ice cream wrapped in cinnamon-coated mochi.
Pabu Izakaya
Address
101 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA
Phone +1 415-535-0184
Pabu operates under the acclaimed Michael Mina umbrella, showcasing a modern izakaya and sushi bar that doesn’t disappoint. It features seasonal small plates of sashimi and a main dining-room nigiri tasting menu. Chef Tominaga offers an extensive menu utilizing fish flown in from around the globe, including Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji Market. The restaurant’s interior is artistic, featuring elements of air and earth, such as Douglas fir booths and a semi-private indoor atrium. A Master of Sake is present to help pair beverages perfectly.
Sake Bomb
Address
2878 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
Phone +1 415-824-2878
A casual space in the Mission, Sake Bomb opened in the fall of 2018 and is known for its cozy atmosphere and high-quality menu offerings. Their specialties include the Snow White roll, featuring snow crab, shrimp tempura, and cucumber, alongside nigiri options from uni to unagi, and even oysters on the half-shell. Additionally, Sake Bomb’s spicy hand-rolls and teriyaki offerings are especially enticing.
Hashiri
Address
4 Mint Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94103-1862, USA
Phone +1 415-908-1919
Michelin-starred Hashiri serves premium sushi utilizing hyper-seasonal ingredients. This high-end eatery combines elements of Japanese culture with modern San Francisco to entice all five senses. A changing display of the seasons projects onto the restaurant’s ceiling canopy screens. This location originally started in Tokyo, with its San Francisco venue opening in spring 2016. Hashiri’s monthly tasting menus highlight top Japanese culinary offerings, including fish flown in from a private Tsukiji market purveyor.
Ijji
Address
252 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA
Tucked away on the ever-changing stretch of Divisadero Corridor between Haight-Ashbury and Lower Haight, the modern Ijji serves a nightly prix-fixe omakase dinner that includes appetizers and seasonal nigiri. Available for an extra cost are sake pairings, alongside a selection of la carte nigiri that may be added to your original set-price meal.
Daigo Sushi
Address
2450 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
Phone +1 415-386-8008
Couples love this cozy corner spot in the Outer Richmond that serves fresh sashimi, nigiri sushi, and rolls ranging from traditional to fusion. Standout options include the Tokyo Cowboy roll filled with tempura scallion, shiitake, and seared filet mignon, as well as a creamy scallop roll. Daigo takes both reservations and walk-ins, and while the ambiance is simple, seating is typically quick.
Sushi Time
Address
2275 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114-1652, USA
Phone +1 415-552-2280
Stumbling upon Sushi Time is akin to discovering a hidden gem in the bustling city. Nestled in a small shopping strip off Market Street in the Castro neighborhood, Sushi Time offers a quirky dining experience reminiscent of a train observation car. Its pod-sized space and unique menu, featuring items like the Teddy Bear Roll with cream cheese and cucumber, provide a delightful Tokyo-inspired atmosphere. Sake and beer are readily available for refreshments.
Okane
Address
669 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94103-4907, USA
Phone +1 415-865-9788
Part of the Omakase Restaurant Group (ORG), alongside its Michelin-starred sister restaurant Omakase, Okane presents both classic nigiri and innovative rolls, as well as a larger selection of shareable Japanese comfort food. Pair a handroll of salmon skin, uni, ikura, and shiso leaf with Japan’s Coedo Pilsner or an eight-piece chef’s selection of sashimi with wine. Okane offers a more casual and budget-friendly option, making it accessible for a variety of budgets while delivering quality ingredients directly from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market.
Nara
Address
1515 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA
Phone +1 415-567-1515
A fixture along Polk Street in Nob Hill, Nara is both sushi bar and restaurant with a modern, industrial feel. Their artfully named rolls are served on narrow wooden boards, complementing the eatery’s wood-plank walls and tables. The friendly, attentive staff and tasty happy hour specials make Nara a local favorite that’s hard to resist.
