Top 10 Sushi Restaurants In San Francisco, California

1. Akiko's Restaurant

The family-owned Akiko’s has been a downtown fixture for more than three decades, specializing in creatively prepared rare fish and with a vibe reminiscent of a small Tokyo sushi bar. Akiko’s menu is divided into fatty ‘vibrant’ fish and leaner white fish and even has a seasonal 'nama’ menu which changes daily. Must-eat delicacies include Awabi (Japanese black abalone), Shrimp, Sea Urchin, Kinki, Aodai, Madai (black sea bream), and the rarer Tachiuo (ribbonfish) and Kamasu (young barracuda). One even has the choice of selecting from over 30 sakes. The omakase menu is pricier (USD 150/person) while a la carte sushi is cheap for a downtown place.

Akiko's Restaurant

Address: 431 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108

Website: Akiko’s Restaurant

Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5:30pm - 9pm; Saturday: 5:30pm - 9pm; (Sunday closed)

2. Ozumo

The impressive Ozumo lounge is a striking space complete with light wood walls and windows, glass walls lined with sake walls, and an impressive flower arrangement at the entrance, with stunning views of the Bay Bridge. The best course is undoubtedly the assortment of sushi which includes four pieces of nigiri, including toro and ebi and tissue-thin slices of amberjack placed on two Belgian endive leaves. Don’t miss out the huge, impressive sake list as well as the Sapporo Ramen.

Ozumo

Address: 161 Steuart St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Website: Ozumo

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday: 11am - 2pm, 5:30pm - 10:30pm; Friday: 11am - 2pm, 5:30pm - 11pm; Saturday: 5:30pm - 11pm; Sunday: 5pm - 10pm

3. Ebisu Restaurant

The fact that you need to constantly wait for a table at this 30-year-old intimate Inner Sunset restaurant is a testament of its quality. The ever-changing, expansive menu spans an array of dishes including rolls, nigiri, larger rice dishes, kushiyaki, sashimi, and, of course, sushi. The specialty rolls come in unusual combinations and feature offbeat ingredients such as burdock root, freshwater eel, and sake-pickled salmon. Flag off your meal with a smattering of the kushiyaki, move on to the a la carte dishes and polish the meal off with sashimi choices like bonito salami. Don’t miss the day’s specials on the chalkboard behind the bar.

Ebisu Restaurant

Address: 1283 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

Website: Ebisu Restaurant

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday: 11:30am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm; Friday: 11:30am - 2pm, 5pm - 11pm: Saturday: 12pm - 2:30pm, 5pm - 11pm; (Sunday closed)

4. Kusakabe

The chef’s ‘omakase sushi, kaiseki style’ served reverently at a 17-seat sushi counter cut from a single tree is the high point of Kusakabe, an upscale, minimalist, and intimate space. The 11-course menu moves from lighter dishes to heavier ones, from cilantro-flavored rice with trout to caramelized bluefin tuna, occasionally including a warm dish or soup. Each dish, whether steamed, fried, roasted, or raw, is insanely well-crafted, is prepared with care and features some discerning garnishes, achieving a distinctive balance of cooking methods, colors, and tastes. Don’t miss the Santa Barbara sea urchin, long neck clam, and Japanese barracuda on the a la carte menu.

Kusakabe

Address: 584 Washington St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Website: Kusakabe

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 5pm - 8:30pm, (Sunday closed)

5. ICHI Sushi

Don’t be fooled by the low-key, petite space and vibe of ICHI Sushi - the restaurant has an incredibly admirable, decade-old lineage. The unpretentious restaurant features a la carte nigiri, sashimi, and rolls, as well as a lovely omakase menu with both trendy and classic sushi offerings. Try out the assorted sashimi plate (includes kanpachi, umi masu, and maguro), yellowtail rolls, and the complete omakase experience. Wash down your meals with the choicest of wines, Japanese beers, and sakes. Specials change daily!

ICHI Sushi

Address: 584 Washington St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Website: ICHI Sushi

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 5pm - 8:30pm; (Sundays closed)

6. Ryoko's Japanese Restaurant & Bar

The three-decade-old mainstay Ryoko’s deviates from your regular precious, self-serious sushi bars and is clubby to the hilt, complete with a DJ! Fresh seafood is the high point here, with the menu featuring a wide array of non-traditional specialty maki rolls such as Volcano roll and the Dragon, flavourful rice dishes, sashimi, sushi, and small plates, sushi, nigiri, and sashimi. Don’t miss the Tuna Yukka, and while you’re waiting for your food, guzzle some Japanese beer (Ryoko’s own pilsners, Kirin, or Asahi).

Ryoko's Japanese Restaurant & Bar

Address: 619 Taylor St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Website: Ryoko’s Japanese Restaurant & Bar

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 6pm - 1:30am

7. Saru Sushi Bar

The crowd-pleaser of Saru Sushi Bar is tucked away in the Noe Valley corner of San Francisco and has loyal patronage and a cult following of sorts. They’re rightfully uptight about the three types of soy sauce they have, as well as the red vinegar ‘akazu’ which tingles your taste buds to no end. Crowd favorites include the White Out Roll, traditional nigiri, and the chef’s specialties.

Saru Sushi Bar

Address: 3856 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Website: Saru Sushi Bar

Opening hours: Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday: 12pm - 2pm, 5:30pm - 9:30pm; Friday-Saturday: 12pm - 2pm, 5:30pm - 10:30pm; (Monday-Tuesday closed)

8. Sanraku

With two locations in San Francisco, Sanraku’s cuisine is its biggest appeal, what with a gamut of cooked and raw options delivering on preparation, presentation, and oh-so-good flavor. Go through tempura, donburi, and teriyaki dishes and pair them the choicest of wide-ranging sakes that Sanraku houses. Sanraku’s kaiseki menu, which is a rarity in the region, is a must-try, and their Maki is a specialty.

Sanraku

Address: 704 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Website: Sanraku

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 11am - 10pm; Sunday 4pm - 10pm

9. Wako

When the stylish Wako debuted five years ago, it was amongst the new wave of sushi spots with patrons being neighborhood drop-ins and sushi connoisseurs alike. Wako’s omakase menu is more of a parade of Japanese small plates, including the likes of mountain yam with spicy cod roe and housemade sesame tofu. Lip-smacking sashimi, tempura, and dessert follow, with the entire menu being an elegant, sophisticated blend of temperatures and melt-in-mouth textures. Reservations recommended!

Wako Japanese Restaurant

Address: 211 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Website: Wako Japanese Restaurant

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 5:30pm - 10pm; (Sunday & Monday closed)

10. Sushi Hashiri

The exclusive, rarified, and expensive Hashiri’s USD250 sushi experience is probably one of San Francisco’s best. Hashiri features a modern, sophisticated ambience complete with a canopy of seasonal ceiling light projections and a Japanese cypress bar, incredibly attentive service, and generous amounts of food (12 pieces of sushi on top of a subtle kaiseki menu). The meal is a delectable confluence of omakase and kaiseki and is a blend of Edomae sushi techniques infused with West Coast flavour. Warm and cold dishes served in a particular order, with the meal closing with a special selection of seasonal nigiri. Don’t miss the exclusive selection of high-end Japanese whiskey, rare sake, and vintage burgundy pairings.

Sushi Hashiri

Address: 4 Mint Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94103

Website: Sushi Hashiri

Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 5:30pm - 8:30pm; (Sunday & Monday closed)

Sushi-licious San Francisco

Clearly, the bar has been raised really high in the sushi realm in the City by the Bay. If you’re craving sushi in SFO, head straight to these inventive restaurants with lip-smacking omakase and nigiri delights that are sure to leave you wanting for more.