The Bay Area is home to top-notch restaurants of varying cuisines, and the best Japanese restaurants in San Francisco are no exception.
Eat your way through elaborate sushi rolls and small plates at a contemporary izakaya restaurant in the Marina. Dig into artfully plated dishes at the oldest omakase spot in the city, or enjoy Japanese American fine dining at a MICHELIN-Starred restaurant in Russian Hill.
Whether you’re looking for a showstopping meal to celebrate a special occasion or traditional comfort food, the best Japanese restaurants in San Francisco are sure to deliver.
Make a reservation at one of these top Japanese spots on OpenTable today.
Discover the 10 best Japanese restaurants in San Francisco.
For buttery wagyu beef and creative sushi rolls in a contemporary setting — try Ozumo (Embarcadero)
With an earthy, minimalist interior created by famed Japanese designer Super Potato, it’s no wonder Ozumo is one of the best Japanese restaurants in San Francisco. Combining sushi and charcoal robata-style grilling, it’s also one of the few restaurants in the country certified by the Official Kobe Beef Association. Menu highlights include the A5 wagyu kuroge beef and the seared A5 takamori wagyu roll. Pair specialty rolls, sashimi, nigiri, and small plates with innovative cocktails and Japanese spirits.
For a trendy cocktail bar serving fresh sushi and izakaya-style dishes — book a table at Mamanoko (Marina)
The warmly lit bar lined with premium Japanese spirits grabs your attention when you step into Mamanoko’s stylish space. Expect izakaya-style dishes like crispy chicken karaage, shrimp shumai, and the signature umami sliders in the lively, stylish space. Order an aged Japanese whiskey, a highball, or a cocktail from the intimate bar or sample rolls filled with king salmon, ahi tuna, and other fresh fish.
For a multi-course omakase experience at a neighborhood favorite — visit Okaeri Japanese Bistro (Mission District)
Light wooden accents and recessed lighting create an elegant yet unfussy backdrop for chef-curated omakase meals at Okaeri Japanese Bistro. Combining heritage culinary techniques, premium ingredients, and unparalleled artistry, each dish showcases the essence of Japanese cuisine. You can also order nigiri, rolls, cold and hot starters—don’t miss the scallop skewer—and satisfying donburi. Located in the heart of the Mission District, this modern bistro is ideally suited for small family dinners.
For upscale izakaya dining with a contemporary twist — try Pabu Izakaya (Financial District)
From the moment you step into Pabu Izakaya, the lively atmosphere and attentive staff make you feel at ease. Painted cherry blossoms frame the neon-lit outline of a crane taking off from the exposed concrete walls while music softly pulses in the background. The izakaya-style menu highlights the highest quality global and locally sourced seafood, including offerings flown daily from overseas. Pair premium sake with sushi, sashimi, small plates, and robatayaki classics like A5 wagyu.
For an approachable eight-course chef’s tasting menu — grab a table at Sushi Shio (Mission District)
Exposed metal piping and industrial light fixtures create a welcoming atmosphere for an approachable, top-notch meal at Sushi Shio. The signature omakase-style meal includes dishes where the fish takes center stage, like nigiri, sashimi, and small plates artfully plated by the chefs. The a la carte premium fish menu showcases more than 20 unique offerings, such as bluefin fatty tuna, kelp-cured halibut, and crab. You can also order maki, handrolls, and comforting donburi dishes.
For a standout meal at a San Francisco sushi icon — try AKIKOS (SoMa)
Open since 1987, AKIKOS was the first restaurant to bring the omakase experience to the Bay Area. Curated by chef-owner Ray Lee, the omakase menu features fish flown from Tokyo’s famed Toyosu Fish Market paired with California’s finest ingredients. Enjoy otsumami like black cod with trout roe and young barracuda or soy-cured bluefin tuna nigiri in a sophisticated space with wooden accents.
For Japanese American fine dining at a MICHELIN-Starred restaurant — find a table at Nisei (Russian Hill)
With a minimalist, black-walled interior, Nisei is an innovative, MICHELIN-Starred Japanese American restaurant that sources top Northern California ingredients. Drawing on his lived experiences, acclaimed chef David Yoshimura creates a sense of nostalgia and refinement through the seasonal tasting menu. Expect reimagined classics like creamy pine nut miso soup paired with sommelier-curated wines and sake.
For a casual meal with friends at one of the best Japanese restaurants in San Francisco — find a table at Okane (SoMa)
Okane delivers refined Japanese comfort food and shareable plates like generous hand rolls, straightforward nigiri, and an assortment of rice, noodle, and izakaya dishes. The wood-paneled dining room with large tables has enough space for groups of friends, while the cozy sushi bar caters to solo drop-ins. Although the ambiance is unpretentious, the fresh fish sourced from Tokyo and the top-notch dishes speak for themselves.
For pristine Edomae-style sushi at one of the best Japanese restaurants San Francisco — secure a table at Sushi Hakko (Marina)
At Sushi Hakko, quality is the name of the game. Settle into the light and airy dining room, then choose from a 15-course table omakase or the 18-course sushi bar omakase. From garnishing dishes to preparing rice, every dish is prepared with precision and care. The menu constantly changes, but you might expect plates like marbled otoro, delicately balanced nigiri, and the freshest ingredients. The rich and buttery toro tartare is a must-try dish.
For a decadent fish feast at a MICHELIN-Starred omakase restaurant — visit Omakase (SoMa)
Discover a high-end, MICHELIN-Starred omakase experience in Omakase’s intimate 12-seat dining room. Grab a seat at the minimalist bar and watch chefs prepare Edomae-style sushi with fish flown from renowned Tokyo vendors. The creative omakase menu changes daily and employs heritage techniques like shio-jime, sujime, and aging designed to enhance flavor. Pair your meal with a glass of rare sake.
From elaborate omakase tastings showcasing fish flown directly from Tokyo’s top markets to reimagined Japanese classics infused with Northern California flavors, the best Japanese restaurants in San Francisco have something for everyone. Bite into buttery A5 wagyu grilled over binchotan charcoal or share sashimi, yakitori, and other izakaya favorites in a buzzy dining room. Experience the purest nigiri at an unassuming sushi bar or discover an affordable tasting menu in the heart of the Mission.
