Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Wabi Sabi – San Francisco
Wabi Sabi - San Francisco
Photo from Wabi Sabi
Wabi Sabi at a glance
San Francisco Polk Gulch
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 109 of the guests
#19 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#3 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Excellent
9.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
472
Reviews
94.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh food
- Friendly service
- Great value
Frequently criticized
- Small portions
- Slow service
- Parking issues
The Japanese restaurant Wabi Sabi, nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Polk Gulch neighborhood, invites you to discover a truly authentic dining experience. You’ll find a cozy atmosphere perfect for unwinding, whether you’re seeking a casual lunch or an intimate dinner.
This spot is known for its thoughtful approach to Japanese cuisine, offering a welcoming space where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks.
Overview: Introducting Wabi Sabi
Wabi Sabi offers a delightful experience, particularly with its superb food and incredibly fresh fish. Guests often praise the attentive staff and the overall welcoming atmosphere.
It’s a place where the culinary care truly shines through, making for a memorable meal. While the dining experience is largely positive, some guests have noted occasional slow service.
A few found the portions on the smaller side, and parking in the area can sometimes be a challenge.
Excellent
9.1
out of 10
472
Reviews
94.9%
Satisfaction
15
negative
9
neutral
448
positive
Wabi Sabi earns an impressive overall score of 9.1, reflecting an excellent dining experience. This is strongly supported by an outstanding 94.9% customer satisfaction rate, based on 472 customer observations, with 448 positive remarks against just 15 negative.
The Food (9.1) stands out, consistently described as fresh and delicious, while the Service (9.2) is frequently highlighted for its warmth and attentiveness. The restaurant also performs very well in Value (8.8), with many appreciating the reasonable prices for high-quality offerings, especially during happy hour.
The Ambience (8.7) contributes positively, often described as cozy and intimate. These consistent high marks across key areas paint a clear picture of a well-regarded establishment.
What people like
- Fresh, delicious food
- Exceptional, friendly service
- Great value, fair prices
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Occasional slow service
- Parking difficulties
Wabi Sabi clearly stands out for its quality and hospitality. If you appreciate fresh, well-prepared sushi and attentive staff in a comfortable setting, it’s certainly worth a visit.
The overall experience is highly regarded, making it a strong contender for your next meal. With a robust recommendation score of 9.2, Wabi Sabi comes highly suggested.
Just be mindful of potential parking challenges and manage expectations regarding portion sizes. For an excellent culinary experience, it’s a place you should consider trying.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Wabi Sabi
Food (9.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.1 and an outstanding customer satisfaction of 96.2% across 291 opinions, diners consistently rave about the delicious sushi, fresh fish, and high-quality nigiri and sashimi. Many highlight the amazing variety and beautiful presentation, making every meal a memorable experience.
However, a few of the 7 negative comments mention that some rolls can be a bit small or fall apart, and a couple found the tempura rolls fishy or the sushi rice lacking distinctive taste. While these are minor points given the overwhelmingly positive feedback, its something to keep in mind if youre particular about portion size or certain roll types.
Food
291
Reviews
96%
Satisfaction
7
negative
4
neutral
280
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, high-quality fish
- Delicious sushi and nigiri
- Excellent variety
What people don't like
- Small roll portions
- Rolls falling apart
Often praised
- foodthe food is superb, fresh and so delicious
- sushiThis is a new top sushi spot for me in the city. I experienced excellent quality food and good service.
- fishThe staff were incredibly kind and attentive. The dishes were delicious, featuring fresh fish and excellent combinations. We particularly enjoyed the aka-doragon sushi rolls.
- rollsThe chef personally came out to serve us and was incredibly friendly! The nigiri was spectacular, the rolls were very good, and the salmon collar was one of the best I've ever had. The hot sake and hot tea were also enjoyable.
- nigiriThe Wabi-Sabi and aka-dragon dishes were spectacular. I also enjoyed the gyoza and nigiri. The O-toro was, as expected, delicious.
- fresh fishMy experience at this restaurant was just as delicious as their Soma location! They offer incredibly fresh fish and boast one of the best price to quality ratios I’ve encountered in San Francisco. We enjoyed the nigiri tasting, an appetizer, and two rolls to share.
- presentationMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The service was incredibly friendly, and the sushi was exceptionally fresh and beautifully presented. For the high quality of fish, the prices were very reasonable.
- sashimiIf you are a sashimi/nigiri fan and haven’t tried wabi sabi, you’re missing out.
- FoodI'm a big fan of the SOMA location and decided to try this place out. It's just as excellent. We ordered the hotto sake!
- gyozaThe gyoza and edamame were delicious!!
Frequently criticized
- rollsRolls were thin and not hearty. Rolls also were coming apart.
- dessertsno tenían postres
- foodfood was really bad
- portion sizeportions are very small
- sushi ricesushi rice could have a more distinctive taste
- tempura rollsI was still hungry after ordering two different sushi orders for dinner. To make matters worse, the tempura rolls tasted very fishy.
If youre looking for top-notch sushi with incredibly fresh fish and a wide selection, this place is definitely worth a visit. The overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll likely have an excellent dining experience, especially if you prioritize quality over quantity for certain rolls.
Service (9.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 84% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.2 and a stellar customer satisfaction of 92.5%, its clear guests are consistently impressed. Out of 107 comments, a whopping 99 rave about the friendly staff, attentive servers, and personalized hospitality, often highlighting how welcoming the chef and team are.
However, even excellent service can have a rare hiccup. A mere 3 negative comments among the many did point to instances of slow service. While these seem to be isolated cases, its worth noting that even the most dedicated staff can sometimes face challenges, though they often remain kind and receptive.
Service
107
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
3
negative
5
neutral
99
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Personalized hospitality
- Welcoming chef/server
What people don't like
- Occasional slow service
Often praised
- serviceThis tea is a blend of green tea and brown rice kernels, offering half the caffeine of green tea. The staff were very, very nice, personable, and caring, providing excellent service. This has been a repeat restaurant for us as a family!
- staffI walked into this place for the first time as it is right next to my office. My experience was great, with great sushi and wonderful staff. I’ll definitely be a regular here.
- chefthe chef. They're not only incredibly skilled but also super friendly
- ServiceService:5
- customer servicethe customer service is impeccable
- serverService was slow despite my group being the only ones in the restaurant, and we were also in a hurry. The server was very kind and receptive. All in all, it was a great experience, and I would absolutely return.
- hospitalityThe hospitality was also exceptional
- Kiwi and ThiRarely does a dining experience leave me feeling completely and utterly blissful. It was the whole experience— how warm Kiwi and Thi are, and equally important, how much care they put into the food. I got the 11 piece nigiri.
- Thai sushi chefVery friendly Thai sushi chef
- Thi and JoeWe will definitely be back. Thanks Thi and Joe for a great night!
Frequently criticized
- ServiceThe presentation was incredible, and everything tasted fresh. Service was slow despite my group being the only ones in the restaurant, and we were also in a hurry. The server was very kind and receptive.
- negative reviewspositive they're deleting negative reviews
- pickup locationwebsite ordering doesn't say clearly which location is pick up from
If you value exceptional care and a warm welcome, the service here is a definite highlight. Expect friendly, attentive staff who go the extra mile, making your dining experience truly memorable. The overwhelmingly positive feedback suggests you'll be well looked after.
Ambience (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot truly shines! With a fantastic score of 8.7 and an impressive 93.2% customer satisfaction, guests consistently praise its cute restaurant feel and intimate atmosphere. Many appreciate the cozy, unpretentious space and the great music, making it a chill spot where you can relax, often noting it opens late and is surprisingly no crowd.
Out of 44 comments, a whopping 41 were glowing! However, a few voices, just 3 out of 44, mentioned minor hiccups. One felt the atmosphere was a bit lacking, while another noted the door kept getting left open, which could affect comfort.
These are small points, but worth considering if you're sensitive to such details.
Ambience
44
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
41
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, intimate space
- Great music selection
- Relaxed, welcoming vibe
What people don't like
- Door left open
- Lacking atmosphere
Often praised
- atmosphereI had such a fun time on a date with my partner. Everything was so yummy and super affordable 😋.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placeVery comfortable & cozy place
- lunch spotThe owner is very friendly. This is my favorite lunch spot in the neighborhood.
- vibesThe vibes were great
- ambienceNice ambience
- cleanso clean and intimate
- cozy, unpretentious spacein a cozy, unpretentious space
- cute restaurantA cute restaurant
- intimateso clean and intimate
Frequently criticized
- ParkingThe service here is friendly and our waters were always full. Parking can suck in this area, but I will for sure be back to try the other rolls!
- atmosphereatmosphere was a bit lacking
- doordoor kept getting left open
If youre looking for a cozy, unpretentious space with great vibes and intimate atmosphere, this place is definitely worth checking out. While a minor issue like the door being left open occasionally popped up, the overwhelmingly positive feedback suggests youll likely have a fantastic time.
Value (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 8.8 and a stellar 93.3% customer satisfaction, its clear guests feel theyre getting a fantastic bang for their buck. Out of 30 customer remarks, a whopping 28 rave about the great deal, happy hour specials, and affordably priced options, often highlighting the value for money you receive.
However, a couple of voices (2 out of 30) did mention that while the food was fresh, they found the prices a bit steep, feeling portions were small and overpriced. It seems a few guests felt the cost didn't always align with the quantity, despite the overwhelmingly positive sentiment.
Value
30
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great deals
- Affordable quality
- Excellent happy hour
What people don't like
- Small portions
- Can be overpriced
Often praised
- priceThe customer service was also so nice, and my water was consistently refilled at a fast pace. We enjoyed all the rolls we had, and the nigiri set was an amazing value for the price.
- pricesReasonable prices for high quality fish
- happy hour menuhappy hour menu is very reasonably priced and has good options!
- valueThe quality and value is worth traveling
- Happy HourHit up Happy Hour 5-7pm for great discounts!
- affordably pricedMy good friend introduced me to this super hidden gem, which is their second location. Everything we had was wonderful and affordably priced. The chef's choice nigiri was an incredible deal for the amount and quality of fish.
- amazing pricesThe service was excellent, and both the chef and server were very courteous. I highly recommend trying the umakase 11 piece, which offers amazing prices and the best quality for the money. The Osama roll is also very unique and worth trying.
- costexceptional on cost
- great dealGreat deal
- happy hourThe happy hour is such a wonderful mixture of great deals
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. While the food tasted fresh, the portions were very small and felt way too overpriced. The rolls were thin and not hearty, and they kept coming apart.
- pricesLos precios algo caros
If you're looking for quality without breaking the bank, especially during happy hour, this place is definitely worth a visit. Most guests find the pricing incredibly fair for the quality, making it a smart choice for a delicious meal. Just be mindful that a few found portions small for the price.
How are the prices at Wabi Sabi?
You’re looking at roughly 38 per person – reported by 109 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what others spent, prices are quite varied, but a good chunk of diners found themselves in the 21 – 50 $ sweet spot, suggesting a nice mix of options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 109 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for a nice meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Wabi Sabi
Price per Person
- $91–$100
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Awesome Food and Chef!
My experience at this restaurant was awesome. I always return for the food, and a significant part of that is their chef, who is a kiwi. He is very kind and consistently ensures we are happy with our meals.
The food quality is excellent, and the service, particularly from the chef, is outstanding.
- food10
- chef10
- service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Expensive but Worth Every Penny
My experience at this restaurant was definitely not cheap, but it was absolutely worth every penny. When I asked about local specials, they informed me that the fish was from Japan. The food was exceptional, and the service was top-notch, though the atmosphere was a bit lacking.
- fish10
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Excellent Sushi and Value
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had great sushi and would highly recommend the tuna belly sashimi and the wabi sabi roll. The restaurant also offered great value for money compared to other options.
The food was rated a 5, and the atmosphere and service were also excellent, both rated at 5. I dined alone for dinner and spent between $20-30 per person.
- sushi9
- tuna belly sashimi9
- wabi sabi roll9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Neighborhood Gem with Top-Tier Service!
Wabi-sabi is a true neighborhood gem! Aside from the thick slices and amazing rolls, the service was top tier and left us feeling elated. We would highly recommend!
Specifically, the Wabi-sabi roll was recommended and we loved the seared scallop. The hotto-sake was another delicious roll. The 6pcs sashimi featured thick cuts and fresh fish, which we thoroughly enjoyed!
- thick slices9
- amazing rolls10
- service10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Terrible Food and Drafty Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly negative. The food was really bad, and the atmosphere was unpleasant due to the door constantly being left open. I also suspect they are deleting negative reviews.
- food1
- door2
- negative reviews1
What Wabi Sabi offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What can you expect from the dining experience at Wabi Sabi SF?
At Wabi Sabi SF, you’ll find a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for any meal. You can enjoy dinner, lunch, or even just dessert with convenient table service. The restaurant also offers dine-in, takeout, and delivery options to suit your plans.
What types of dishes and drinks are available at Wabi Sabi SF?
Wabi Sabi SF offers a diverse menu featuring healthy options and small plates, ideal for sharing. To complement your meal, you can choose from a selection of hard liquor, happy hour drinks, wine, and beer. All alcohol options are available to enhance your dining experience.
How is Wabi Sabi generally rated by customers?
Wabi Sabi receives an excellent overall score of 9.1. Customers particularly praise the Service (9.2), Food (9.1), Value (8.8), and Ambience (8.7).
What can I expect from the food at Wabi Sabi?
Guests consistently describe the food as superb, fresh, and delicious, with special mentions for the high-quality fish, nigiri, and rolls.
Is Wabi Sabi considered good value for money?
Yes, many customers find Wabi Sabi offers great value, with reasonable prices for high-quality fish, especially during their happy hour.