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Best Japanese Speciality Restaurants in Downtown / Union Square

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6 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

A photo of Ozumo - San Francisco restaurant
1. Ozumo - San Francisco
4.7
Exceptional(3411)
$$$$
• Japanese speciality • Financial District / Embarcadero
Booked 56 times today
Ozumo, nestled in San Francisco's vibrant Financial District, offers an exquisite Japanese culinary journey that effortlessly marries tradition with modern flair. As one of the city’s premier destinations for Japanese Speciality cuisine, Ozumo delights with its “amazing food and impeccable service.” Guests rave about the sushi, describing it as “some of the best we’ve ever had,” while the robata-cooked delicacies are hailed as “incredibly fresh and flavorful.” The refined ambiance, crafted by the renowned Super Potato design firm, enhances the dining experience. With an impressive selection of chilled sake from Japan’s esteemed brewers, Ozumo is a must-visit for authentic Japanese flavors.
A photo of Nisei restaurant
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2. Nisei
4.7
Exceptional(163)
$$$$
• Japanese speciality • Russian Hill
Booked 9 times today
At Nisei, nestled in the heart of Russian Hill, San Francisco, Japanese Speciality cuisine transcends into an art form, offering an "exquisite experience" that celebrates both tradition and innovation. The restaurant beautifully marries deep Japanese flavors with Northern California's finest ingredients, thanks to the brilliance of Michelin-starred Chef David Yoshimura. Guests rave about the "phenomenal" and "creative" dishes, meticulously crafted and served with warmth and passion. The ambiance, akin to dining in an art gallery, complements the visually stunning presentations. From "fantastic" sake pairings to delightful omurice, each bite is a testament to the authenticity and elegance of Japanese culinary artistry.
A photo of Yakiniku Shodai restaurant
3. Yakiniku Shodai
4.8
Exceptional(98)
$$$$
• Japanese speciality • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
Booked 4 times today
Yakiniku Shodai in San Francisco is a haven for barbecue enthusiasts, offering an authentic Japanese yakiniku experience that rivals dining in Japan. Their selection of premium Japanese Wagyu is masterfully grilled, providing a melt-in-your-mouth sensation that delights every meat lover. Diners rave about the "excellent food" and "amazing service," highlighting the chefs' skillful preparation and the restaurant's welcoming ambiance. Chef Andy and his team create an unforgettable dining adventure, where each meal is tailored to perfection on your personal grill. This exceptional attention to quality and detail makes Yakiniku Shodai a must-visit for anyone seeking top-tier barbecue.
A photo of Nakama Sushi - San Francisco restaurant
4. Nakama Sushi - San Francisco
4.7
Exceptional(445)
$$$$
• Japanese speciality • Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
Booked 11 times today
Nakama Sushi in San Francisco is a shining gem of Japanese Speciality cuisine, providing an authentic and delightful dining experience. The omakase style menu showcases the finest, freshest fish, earning rave reviews as "the best sushi in SF." Diners are consistently impressed by the exquisite sushi and friendly, attentive service, especially from the renowned server, Benjamin, who goes above and beyond to make each visit memorable. The restaurant strikes a perfect balance of quality and affordability in a cozy setting that reminds guests of "sitting at the counter at our favorite place in Tokyo." Discover Nakama for a superb Japanese dining adventure!
A photo of Niku Steakhouse restaurant
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5. Niku Steakhouse
4.7
Exceptional(1140)
$$$$
• Japanese speciality • SOMA
Booked 49 times today
Niku Steakhouse in San Francisco's vibrant SOMA district is a haven for Japanese Speciality cuisine enthusiasts, renowned for its exceptional quality and authenticity. Offering a "truly memorable" dining experience, the restaurant is celebrated for its exclusive cuts of Japanese A5 wagyu, expertly prepared over a custom binchotan charcoal and wood-fired grill. "The 6oz filets were cooked and seasoned perfectly," one diner raves, highlighting the restaurant's dedication to precision and flavor. Executive Chef Dustin Falcon, with his impressive credentials, ensures that each dish combines American and Japanese culinary sensibilities, making Niku Steakhouse a must-visit for any discerning palate.
A photo of Bar Iris restaurant
6. Bar Iris
4.7
Exceptional(3)
$$$$
• Japanese speciality • Russian Hill
Booked 1 time today
Bar Iris is a High-End Bar with Unique Craft Cocktails Inspired By Japanese Culture & ingredients with a collection of eclectic spirits with a heavy focus on Japanese alcohols such as whisky, sake, umeshu and shochu. Bar Iris is connected to Chef David Yoshimura's Nisei, a Michelin starred Japanese restaurant, which also prepares Izakaya inspired food for the bar out of the highest quality ingredients.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • TonyGold
    San Francisco Bay Area •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Marcus Garcia was amazing !!! Excellent service , great food and attention to details .
    More info
    Ozumo - San Francisco$$$$• Japanese• Financial District / Embarcadero
    •
    4.7
  • Kristi
    San Francisco Bay Area •22 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    All the food was delicious, and pretty good value! Appetizers and sides were good portions and the steaks were perfect sized for their richness levels. Service was a bit distant but friendly, our initial waiter essentially disappeared but the food runner (didn’t catch his name but seemed like he was training/shadowing) was notably kind and did extremely well!! I’ve read mixed reviews but our experience was amazing, would definitely recommend for a special occasion.
    More info
    Niku Steakhouse$$$$• Steakhouse• SOMA
    •
    4.7
  • Glenn
    California Central Coast •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 7 days ago
    We have dined at Nisei several times and each time has been unique and spectacular.
    More info
    Nisei$$$$• Japanese• Russian Hill
    •
    4.7
  • bridgetGold
    San Francisco Bay Area •43 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on May 3, 2026
    found this place on accident and LOVE it! Might be my new favorite sushi place in town. Sat at the bar and enjoyed everything.
    More info
    Nakama Sushi - San Francisco$$$$• Sushi• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
    •
    4.7
  • JillGold
    San Diego •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Apr 20, 2026
    I had never tried Yakiniku before. We sat at the bar and ordered the Tasting Set. It was all outstanding! But it was Andy & Circle who took it to a new level! They introduced each item & grilled it in front of us. We even saved room for dessert, Andy’s house made frozen yogurt!
    More info
    Yakiniku Shodai$$$$• Japanese Speciality• Civic Center / Hayes Valley / Van Ness
    •
    4.8

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