Zushi Puzzle has been the neighborhood sushi destination of the Marina for years and real ones know the move is not to order off the regular menu but to call and get a reservation at the sushi bar. That’s where chef Roger Chong holds it down, guiding diners to the freshest fish and the best specials on offer that day.

This sister spot to Saru in the Mission differs from its sibling in that the sole focus here is the mighty handroll. The menu keeps things simple and straightforward: just a few small plates and a wide array of temaki. Sets come with three, four, or five rolls — no substations — but the a la carte list includes tempting options such as red crab, lobster, sea urchin, and cucumber with plum.

The FiDi restaurant — one of the city’s swankier omakase spots — is back to serving its Michelin-starred Edomae-style omakase sushi, otsumami, and sushiya cuisine. The 15-course meal won’t come cheap (per Tock, you’re looking at $300 per person) but you can expect aged, cured, and marinated techniques on full glorious display.  

Treasured San Francisco sushi spot Akikos entered an elegant new era when the restaurant relocated to a new home in the East Cut. At Akikos at Avery Lane, diners can pull up a chair to the 24-seat Chef’s Stage, where they’ll get a front-row view of chef Ray Lee, head sushi chef Shinsuke Hayashi, and the rest of the team at work. It’s an ever-changing omakase experience, but you can expect Lee’s unique dry-aged fish featured in a stunning lineup of nigiri, plus small plates including wagyu-topped shokupan and chawanmushi accented with uni.

A small sushi counter located at the end of a hallway in the Japan Center mall, Oma welcomes diners to belly up for an intimate omakase experience. The 90-minute meal enjoyed just steps from the bustling shopping corridors will cost anywhere from $95-165 with all menus including sashimi, nigiri, and both hot and cold plates from the chef.

Chef Julio Zapata opened this SoMa sushi spot in 2019 with the stated goal of making it an approachable option even for those not looking to spend a heap of money and several hours on an omakase experience, though the restaurant does offer the option. These days there’s a lengthy list of seasonal sashimi and nigiri, plus rolls of all types — from a spicy mayo-smothered Lion King to a simple unagi-filled una kyu.

Chef Adam Tortosa's splashy, California-influenced omakase spot, which former Eater SF critic Rachel Levin awarded three stars, serves a full omakase experience in Hayes Valley. Prices range from $99 to $199 — the team will craft a bespoke menu based on your dining preferences — and you can expect to see luxurious ingredients like A5 wagyu beef, black truffle, and caviar on the menu alongside Santa Barbara uni and fatty tuna.

Considering Tekka doesn’t have a working website and doesn’t take reservations or do takeout, it’ll take a bit of work just to get inside the door. But those who manage the feat tend to agree: this 10-seat mom-and-pop counter is well worth it. Owners Yoshimi and Noboru Shimizu are known for giving regulars the special treatment and absolutely inundating all diners with generous spreads of sashimi, nigiri, and more. 

This upscale, 14-seat sushi spot from co-owners Kash Feng and chef Jackson Yu earned a Michelin star for its Edomae-style sushi and hushed, intimate experience. Expect a high-end omakase experience priced at $240 per person.

Nob Hill locals have loved Kuma Sushi since it opened in 2017, but as of this spring the restaurant has a sister spot in the Mission and it benefits from a partnership with legendary Hayes Valley shop True Sake. That means that alongside a menu of straight-up sushi including Hokkaido scallops and firefly squid from the Hyogo prefecture, the new restaurant pours hard-to-find sakes selected by True Sake owner Beau Timken. 

The family-owned Sunset District standby has been fueling the neighborhood with bento boxes, donburi, and, of course, sushi for some 30-plus years. These days it’s back open for lunch and dinner Sunday through Wednesday and if you opt to dine in, count on seeing a steady flow of diners picking up online orders of generous sashimi platters and rolls.

This Noe Valley neighborhood favorite, with a sister location in Russian Hill, makes an affordable option for rolls and nigiri — assuming you can find a seat at either the small bar or in the dining room. The restaurant proudly offers three kinds of soy sauce and uses red vinegar to season its sushi rice. If you’re looking for takeout, you can place an order online.

In terms of omakase options in the city, Chīsai Sushi Club keeps things relatively affordable offering 13 courses for $90, 17 courses for $120, plus a $70 vegetarian option. Chef and owner Erik Aplin worked at Ichi and brought an inventive approach to the restaurant’s former space – think, seared King salmon nigiri with nori butter, fat tuna and uni temaki, and, as a non-sushi supplement, creamy uni carbonara.