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A photo of fish.
Kuma Sushi + Sake teamed up with True Sake at the restaurant’s newest location in the Mission District.
Angela DeCenzo

17 Excellent Sushi Restaurants in San Francisco

Swim over to these restaurants for the city's best fish

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Kuma Sushi + Sake teamed up with True Sake at the restaurant’s newest location in the Mission District.
| Angela DeCenzo

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that so many of San Francisco’s top sushi spots come with a hefty price tag — after all, this is a city that loves a tasting menu and those sparkling Michelin stars. So, yes, if you’re looking to treat yourself to a many-coursed omakase experience in San Francisco, you have a pretty impressive number of great options.

But that doesn’t mean those looking to keep their dinner under $200 have no options at all. This list includes a handful of above-average neighborhood spots worth seeking out even if it means trekking across town. Plus, some of the city’s worthwhile high-end sushi restaurants offer a la carte options too. No matter what mood you’re in, these restaurants promise some of the city’s finest fish.

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Zushi Puzzle

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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.

Zushi Puzzle

Saru Handroll Bar

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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 Shota

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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.  

Friends Only

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It’s been a busy season for chef Ray Lee and the team behind Akikos. In addition to making the move to a new space, the team debuted Friends Only, an extremely exclusive 10-seat omakase counter that doubles as an R+D kitchen of sorts. Diners indulge in a multi-course omakase meal that’s absolutely overflowing with premium ingredients including caviar, uni, Hokkaido scallops, and other hard-to-find fish. Cocktails, wine, and sake make for thoughtful pairings at this dinner spot that feels somewhat like a super fancy dinner party.

Ray Lee

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.

Joseph Weaver

Oma San Francisco Station

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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.

This Clement Street sushi restaurant held a single Michelin stars for a number of years, but regardless of what the tire folks think, chefs Atsushi-san and Tomo-san wow with dishes like dashimaki filled with mentaiko and sansho pepper whipping cream, and chawanmushi with pike eel, shiitake, shrimp, sea urchin, and smoked trout roe.

Hakashi Japanese Sushi Bar & Grill

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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.

Hakashi

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.

Tekka Japanese Restaurant

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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. 

Get the full omakase experience at Geoffrey Lee’s Michelin-starred NoPa spot — just make sure to get a reservation ahead of time. It’ll be 14 courses for a cool $198 per person featuring primarily fish sourced from Japan’s famous Toyosu Market.

Ju-ni Ju-ni

Omakase

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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.

Omakase
Some of the 13 counter seats at SoMa’s Omakase.
Omakase

Kuma on Valencia

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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. 

A photo of fish. Angela DeCenzo

Ebisu Restaurant

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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.

Handroll Project

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The duo behind Michelin-starred Ju-Ni brought the more casual Handroll Project to Mission Dolores, offering diners thoughtfully executed handrolls at a relatively accessible price. Choose from one of the set handroll combos — either five or seven rolls — each built on a base of perfect sushi rice and topped with high-quality fish augmented with ingredients like shiso, crispy shallots, and garlic chips. A splurge on the signature ikura and ankimo roll is well worth the money.

A salmon and sesame handroll. Patricia Chang

Saru Sushi Bar

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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.

Chīsai Sushi Club

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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. 

The sushi bar at Chisai Sushi Club with wooden cubbies on the wall behind.

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Zushi Puzzle

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.

Zushi Puzzle

Saru Handroll Bar

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 Shota

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.  

Friends Only

It’s been a busy season for chef Ray Lee and the team behind Akikos. In addition to making the move to a new space, the team debuted Friends Only, an extremely exclusive 10-seat omakase counter that doubles as an R+D kitchen of sorts. Diners indulge in a multi-course omakase meal that’s absolutely overflowing with premium ingredients including caviar, uni, Hokkaido scallops, and other hard-to-find fish. Cocktails, wine, and sake make for thoughtful pairings at this dinner spot that feels somewhat like a super fancy dinner party.

Ray Lee

AKIKOS

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.

Joseph Weaver

Oma San Francisco Station

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.

Wako

This Clement Street sushi restaurant held a single Michelin stars for a number of years, but regardless of what the tire folks think, chefs Atsushi-san and Tomo-san wow with dishes like dashimaki filled with mentaiko and sansho pepper whipping cream, and chawanmushi with pike eel, shiitake, shrimp, sea urchin, and smoked trout roe.

Hakashi Japanese Sushi Bar & Grill

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.

Hakashi

Robin

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.

Tekka Japanese Restaurant

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. 

Ju-Ni

Get the full omakase experience at Geoffrey Lee’s Michelin-starred NoPa spot — just make sure to get a reservation ahead of time. It’ll be 14 courses for a cool $198 per person featuring primarily fish sourced from Japan’s famous Toyosu Market.

Ju-ni Ju-ni

Omakase

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.

Omakase
Some of the 13 counter seats at SoMa’s Omakase.
Omakase

Kuma on Valencia

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. 

A photo of fish. Angela DeCenzo

Ebisu Restaurant

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.

Handroll Project

The duo behind Michelin-starred Ju-Ni brought the more casual Handroll Project to Mission Dolores, offering diners thoughtfully executed handrolls at a relatively accessible price. Choose from one of the set handroll combos — either five or seven rolls — each built on a base of perfect sushi rice and topped with high-quality fish augmented with ingredients like shiso, crispy shallots, and garlic chips. A splurge on the signature ikura and ankimo roll is well worth the money.

A salmon and sesame handroll. Patricia Chang

Related Maps

Saru Sushi Bar

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.

Chīsai Sushi Club

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. 

The sushi bar at Chisai Sushi Club with wooden cubbies on the wall behind.

Related Maps