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Akikos

The 18 Best Sushi Restaurants in San Francisco

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

by Dianne de Guzman and Eater Staff Updated Nov 6, 2024, 11:24am PST

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Akikos

| Joseph Weaver

by Dianne de Guzman and Eater Staff Updated Nov 6, 2024, 11:24am PST

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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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

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.

1910 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Also featured in:

The 14 Best Places to Eat and Drink in the Marina

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 substitutions — but the a la carte list includes tempting options such as red crab, lobster, sea urchin, and cucumber with plum.

2206 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

A tuna handroll from Saru Handroll in San Francisco.

Also featured in:

Where to Eat and Drink in Russian Hill

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 $325 per person), but you can expect aged, cured, and marinated techniques on full, glorious display.

115 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94104

Inari sushi from Yubu by the Shota

Also featured in:

Friends Only

Friends Only is an extremely exclusive 10-seat omakase counter that doubles as an R+D kitchen of sorts for chef Ray Lee and the team behind Akikos. 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.

1501 California St, San Francisco, CA 94109

A hand adds an ingredient to nigiri at Friends Only in San Francisco.

Also featured in:

The Best Splurge Restaurants in San Francisco

Ebiko

Ebiko got its start in Oakland as a modest to-go sushi spot on Piedmont Avenue, but now the restaurant has leaped across the bridge with a new location in SoMa. Expect the same high-quality product as the original at wallet-friendly prices. There are rolls and nigiri available, but also some fun add-ons such as agedashi tofu or the mini uni don, a tiny bowl of rice with a pristine piece of uni on top and salmon roe.

100 1st Street, San Francisco, California 94105

A tray of nigiri from Ebiko in San Francisco.

Also featured in:

San Francisco’s Hottest New Restaurants, November 2024

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 dry-aged fish featured in a stunning lineup of nigiri, plus small plates including wagyu-topped shokupan and chawanmushi accented with uni.

430 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94108

Also featured in:

Nijiya Market

This crowded Japantown grocery market stocks a bevy of ready-to-eat bento boxes including an array of sushi including cut rolls and sashimi. It’s one of the most affordable options for satisfying a sushi craving in the city — but plan to arrive before the lunch hour as your favorites may be sold out later in the day.

1737 Post Street, San Francisco, California 94115

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 to $165 with all menus including sashimi, nigiri, and both hot and cold plates from the chef.

1737 Post St #337, San Francisco, CA 94115

Also featured in:

Hashiri

Hashiri, the Edomae-style sushi restaurant located at Mint Plaza, reopened its doors after a years-long pandemic-induced closure in October 2023. The upscale restaurant offers two menu tiers: an omakase Edomae sushi menu priced at $260 or a Kodawari Edomae sushi menu priced at $391. The restaurant describes its full omakase menu as offering “Kappo and Omakase Edomae sushi” featuring seasonal ingredients over a multi-course meal. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday with one seating each night at 6 p.m. for just eight diners.

Search for reservations

OpenTable

4 Mint Plz, San Francisco, CA 94103

Sushi Hashiri

Also featured in:

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 $109 to $209 — 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.

620 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Hands plate two pieces of nigiri at Robin in San Francisco.

Also featured in:

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 special treatment and absolutely inundating all diners with generous spreads of sashimi, nigiri, and more.

537 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Ju-Ni

Get the full omakase experience at chef Geoffrey Lee’s 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 provides a chef for every four guests, meaning a chance to learn more about each bite and watch how each piece is fashioned.

1335 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Ju-ni

Also featured in:

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.

198 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

A photo of fish.

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 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.

1283 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

A rectangular white plate topped with about a dozen nigiri sushi

Also featured in:

20 Fantastic Bay Area Sushi Restaurants That Are Open for Takeout and Delivery

Handroll Project

The duo behind 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.

598 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110

A handroll made with rice, ikura, and grated front monkfish liver held in a wooden U-shaped stand on a counter.

Also featured in:

Basa Seafood Express

This counter-service spot in the Mission won’t break the bank when you need a sushi fix. It’s a no-frills spot, but there’s typically a generous selection of sushi, sashimi, and poke. The poke tends to be a fan-favorite and diners can choose from three options: spicy salmon, shoyu salmon, or shoyu tuna with a tray of any ringing in at around $11 or less. Simple maki sushi rolls and nigiri come in around $5 each, while spider or dragon rolls will set you back about $12.

3064 24th St (Treat Ave.), San Francisco, CA 94110

Also featured in:

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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.

3856 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Also featured in:

20 Fantastic Bay Area Sushi Restaurants That Are Open for Takeout and Delivery

Chīsai Sushi Club

In terms of omakase options in the city, Chīsai Sushi Club keeps things relatively affordable, offering 13 courses for $95, 17 courses for $120, and 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.

3369 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Also featured in:

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Zushi Puzzle

1910 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94123

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.

1910 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Visit Website

Saru Handroll Bar

2206 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

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 substitutions — but the a la carte list includes tempting options such as red crab, lobster, sea urchin, and cucumber with plum.

Open in Google Maps

2206 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Visit Website

A tuna handroll from Saru Handroll in San Francisco.

The Shota

115 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94104

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 $325 per person), but you can expect aged, cured, and marinated techniques on full, glorious display.

115 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94104

Visit Website

Inari sushi from Yubu by the Shota

Friends Only

1501 California St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Friends Only is an extremely exclusive 10-seat omakase counter that doubles as an R+D kitchen of sorts for chef Ray Lee and the team behind Akikos. 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.

Open in Google Maps

1501 California St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Visit Website

A hand adds an ingredient to nigiri at Friends Only in San Francisco.

Ebiko

100 1st Street, San Francisco, California 94105

Ebiko got its start in Oakland as a modest to-go sushi spot on Piedmont Avenue, but now the restaurant has leaped across the bridge with a new location in SoMa. Expect the same high-quality product as the original at wallet-friendly prices. There are rolls and nigiri available, but also some fun add-ons such as agedashi tofu or the mini uni don, a tiny bowl of rice with a pristine piece of uni on top and salmon roe.

Open in Google Maps

100 1st Street, San Francisco, California 94105

Visit Website

A tray of nigiri from Ebiko in San Francisco.

AKIKOS

430 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94108

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 dry-aged fish featured in a stunning lineup of nigiri, plus small plates including wagyu-topped shokupan and chawanmushi accented with uni.

Open in Google Maps

430 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94108

Visit Website

Nijiya Market

1737 Post Street, San Francisco, California 94115

This crowded Japantown grocery market stocks a bevy of ready-to-eat bento boxes including an array of sushi including cut rolls and sashimi. It’s one of the most affordable options for satisfying a sushi craving in the city — but plan to arrive before the lunch hour as your favorites may be sold out later in the day.

Open in Google Maps

1737 Post Street, San Francisco, California 94115

Visit Website

Oma San Francisco Station

1737 Post St #337, San Francisco, CA 94115

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 to $165 with all menus including sashimi, nigiri, and both hot and cold plates from the chef.

1737 Post St #337, San Francisco, CA 94115

Visit Website

Hashiri

4 Mint Plz, San Francisco, CA 94103

Hashiri, the Edomae-style sushi restaurant located at Mint Plaza, reopened its doors after a years-long pandemic-induced closure in October 2023. The upscale restaurant offers two menu tiers: an omakase Edomae sushi menu priced at $260 or a Kodawari Edomae sushi menu priced at $391. The restaurant describes its full omakase menu as offering “Kappo and Omakase Edomae sushi” featuring seasonal ingredients over a multi-course meal. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday with one seating each night at 6 p.m. for just eight diners.

4 Mint Plz, San Francisco, CA 94103

Sushi Hashiri

Robin

620 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102

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 $109 to $209 — 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.

620 Gough St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Visit Website

Hands plate two pieces of nigiri at Robin in San Francisco.

Tekka Japanese Restaurant

537 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118

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 special treatment and absolutely inundating all diners with generous spreads of sashimi, nigiri, and more.

537 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94118

Ju-Ni

1335 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Get the full omakase experience at chef Geoffrey Lee’s 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 provides a chef for every four guests, meaning a chance to learn more about each bite and watch how each piece is fashioned.

Open in Google Maps

1335 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Visit Website

Ju-ni

Kuma on Valencia

198 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

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.

Open in Google Maps

198 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Visit Website

A photo of fish.

Ebisu Restaurant

1283 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

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 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.

Open in Google Maps

1283 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

Visit Website

A rectangular white plate topped with about a dozen nigiri sushi

Handroll Project

598 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110

The duo behind 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.

Open in Google Maps

598 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

A handroll made with rice, ikura, and grated front monkfish liver held in a wooden U-shaped stand on a counter.

Related Maps

Basa Seafood Express

3064 24th St (Treat Ave.), San Francisco, CA 94110

This counter-service spot in the Mission won’t break the bank when you need a sushi fix. It’s a no-frills spot, but there’s typically a generous selection of sushi, sashimi, and poke. The poke tends to be a fan-favorite and diners can choose from three options: spicy salmon, shoyu salmon, or shoyu tuna with a tray of any ringing in at around $11 or less. Simple maki sushi rolls and nigiri come in around $5 each, while spider or dragon rolls will set you back about $12.

3064 24th St (Treat Ave.), San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Saru Sushi Bar

3856 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

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.

Open in Google Maps

3856 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Visit Website

Chīsai Sushi Club

3369 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

In terms of omakase options in the city, Chīsai Sushi Club keeps things relatively affordable, offering 13 courses for $95, 17 courses for $120, and 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.

3369 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Related Maps