“What is cool is that you can sit at the intimate sushi bar and Steve will make you anything you want...” “Make it that place you go to alone to treat yourself, or with a friend for a nice night of sushi and a film at the Clay Theatre.” “Tenichi is a cool little sushi joint in the Pacific Heights area of SF.” "I did not want to write a review because I wanted this to be my group of friends' best kept secret. But some of the reviewers on here have GOT to be out of their minds. This place, Roy, Chanel, Ronald (I…" "I was really hesitant to try this place after reading a few of the reviews, and anything with the name Express usually turns me away. However, last week before rushing to see a move on 4th street a friend…"San Francisco's Top Sushi Restaurants San Francisco is a town full of amazing eats, and sushi is no exception. But it can be difficult to sift through the never ending maze of mediocre raw fish around this city. It is too easy to fall into the trap of crazy fusion fried rolls and overused spicy mayo, which is a true shame especially when there is so much pristine nigiri and sashimi to be found.

Luxe ingredients like uni, belly albacore, roe, and more are all waiting for you instead. If you're going to drop some serious money on the delicacy, it better be worth it — something every restaurant on this map is. Let this list be your guide to the city's must-eat spots of essential sushi restaurants. Some are omakase, while others are slightly less structured — but all are delicious. Need some help finding other essential eats in San Francisco? Check out essential , , and . 1 Akiko’s Restaurant & Sushi Bar With chefs who have worked at some of the country's best sushi meccas (Sushi Ran, Ota, etc.) and details such as Japanese applewood-aged soy sauce, Akiko's takes its sushi very seriously. The menu pleases everyone from the California roll lover to the seasoned omakase hound. Tell your server what kind of meal you're in the mood for (all-nigiri or a mixture of hot and cold dishes, for example) and what price you'd like to pay, and just put yourself into the hands of those experienced chefs.

The modern Japanese-style decor and extensive and interesting sake selection take it all to the next level. Venture out into the outer avenues for Daigo, a small spot with expertly-prepared nigiri to make the trip well worth it. The relaxed environs are a refreshing change from some of the city's higher-end, hushed atmospheres. 3 ICHI Sushi + NI Bar ICHI Sushi offers a lovely omakase that incorporates both classic and new sushi offerings from chef Tim Archuleta. The chef focuses on sustainability, offering a variety of fresh options that are as sea-friendly as possible. Stop by for happy hour at NI Bar, including plenty of grilled robata items along the way. A cozy, 12-seat affair, KISS Seafood offers fresh sushi to Japantown at a very small scale. The husband-and-wife team that runs the restaurant has it down to a science, making for efficient service that doesn't distract from the chef's offerings. Omakase is the move here, as the chef knows best. Chef Mitsunori Kusakabe (Sushi Ran) offers his particular style of tasting menu, described as "omakase sushi, kaiseki style," in an intimate, minimalist space.

The 11-course menu is not strictly traditional — but definitely delicious — incorporating everything from trout with cilantro-flavored rice to caramelized bluefin tuna. It also includes the occasional soup or warm dish; after the tasting menu, there is the opportunity to order more pieces a la carte, like sea urchin or uni. The price tag is stiff, but this is some seriously fresh fish, prepared with care. Check out Eater's 60 Second Tasting menu at Kusakabe for an inside look.jiro dreams of sushi showtimes chicago This upscale, 14-seat sushi spot from co-owners Kash Feng and chef Jackson Yu (Live Sushi, Okane) has earned a Michelin stars in the first year after opening, for its Edomae-style sushi and hushed, authentic experience. sushi washington dc chowhoundThere's no set menu here; sushi tei bali menu

instead, diners choose from $150 or $200 chef's choice menus, which come with an ever-changing variety of excellent appetizers, sashimi, nigiri, and more. A collaboration between chefs Michael Mina and Ken Tominaga (who owns the renowned Hana in Rohnert Park), Pabu is the expense account sushi destination — you'll see a lot of suits and corporate cards around the room. You get what you pay for though: The fish quality here is very high, and the sake list is unparalleled in this city. yo sushi voucher saturdayPlus, you can round out your meal with skewers, shabu shabu and more. 8 Saru Sushi Bar Tucked into a cranny in Noe Valley, Saru Sushi has a cult following (and long wait list, starting when it opens). One of the crowd favorites is the hamachi with truffle oil, which can turn a truffle-doubter into a truffle-believer. Its tasting spoons are also a popular option, though the traditional nigiri is always a crowd-pleaser.

Sushi Ran has long been a destination for Bay Area sushi connoisseurs (since 1986, in fact). Many of the expertly-sliced, premium ingredients come directly from Japan's Tsukiji market, including an a5 wagyu striploin. The small, six-seat sushi bar is in high demand, so arrive early if you want a front row seat — otherwise there is regular seating available. Omakase is on the menu at this tiny Clement Street restaurant, but Wako offers more food than your average sushi restaurant. Chefs Atsushi-san and Tomo-san send out a parade of Japanese small plates, like housemade sesame tofu and mountain yam with spicy cod roe, followed by sashimi, tempura, and dessert; the whole thing is an elegant study in textures and temperatures. The sparse-but-elegant sushi bar is small, so reservations are recommended. Chef Roger Chong and his wife are the force behind this funky Marina sushi spot, which has a devoted following of regulars who ensure you have to make a reservation to get in on any given night.