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Sushi Bistro - San Francisco
Photo from Sushi Bistro
Sushi Bistro at a glance
San Francisco Richmond District
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 24 of the guests
#282 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#31 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
323
Reviews
87.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh fish
- Friendly service
- Cozy atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Food inconsistency
- Rude staff
- Poor lighting
The restaurant Sushi Bistro is a vibrant Japanese restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s lively Richmond District. You’ll find it’s a fantastic spot if you’re looking for a casual yet trendy atmosphere to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine.
This place stands out, especially if you appreciate a good sports vibe while you dine. It’s perfect for catching a game with friends or simply enjoying a delicious meal in a dynamic setting.
Overview: Introducting Sushi Bistro
Sushi Bistro offers a generally pleasant dining experience, often highlighted by its fresh and flavorful offerings. Many guests appreciate the diverse menu, ranging from traditional to more creative options, making it a reliable choice for various palates.
The welcoming atmosphere also contributes to a comfortable visit. However, some experiences suggest occasional inconsistencies in food preparation, with a few reports of dishes not meeting expectations for freshness or taste.
While the overall vibe is positive, a few patrons have noted issues with the dining environment, particularly concerning lighting and menu visibility.
Excellent
8.4
out of 10
323
Reviews
87.9%
Satisfaction
28
negative
11
neutral
284
positive
Sushi Bistro earns a solid 8.4 overall, reflecting a generally good impression among its patrons. This positive sentiment is further supported by a strong Customer Satisfaction of 87.9%, indicating that most diners leave content with their visit.
These figures are drawn from a substantial pool of 323 customer remarks, with 284 positive observations outweighing 28 negative ones. Delving into the specifics, Service stands out as excellent with an 8.9, praised for its friendly and accommodating staff.
The Food also scores well at 8.4, often noted for its quality and variety. Ambience (8.4) provides a comfortable backdrop, while Value (7.2) is considered good, especially for those seeking reasonable pricing or happy hour specials.
What people like
- Fresh, quality fish
- Friendly, attentive service
- Comfortable ambiance
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Occasional rude staff
- Poor lighting/menu visibility
If you’re seeking a spot with genuinely friendly service and a generally good selection of fresh sushi, Sushi Bistro is certainly worth considering. The positive feedback on its core offerings and welcoming environment suggests a high likelihood of a satisfying meal, especially if you appreciate a comfortable, unpretentious setting.
With a strong Recommendation Score of 8.6, it’s clear that many diners would encourage a visit. While there are minor points to be aware of, the overall experience leans heavily towards the positive, making it a solid choice for a casual and enjoyable meal.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Sushi Bistro
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, diners are clearly impressed! With a solid score of 8.4 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 86.8%, its no surprise that 177 positive remarks highlight the delicious sushi, fresh fish, and creative rolls. Many rave about the amazing flavor and unique menu items, making every meal a delightful experience.
However, not every bite is perfect, with 20 critical comments noted. A few guests found issues with the fish freshness on some nigiri and felt the overall quality didnt always justify the price. There were also specific complaints about greasy tempura and a surprisingly spicy chicken teriyaki sauce, suggesting some dishes might be inconsistent.
Food
204
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
20
negative
7
neutral
177
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, delicious sushi
- Creative, unique rolls
- High quality fish
What people don't like
- Inconsistent fish freshness
- Greasy tempura
- Spicy teriyaki sauce
Often praised
- sushiMy experience at this restaurant was great! It's not too expensive for sushi in the city, and the staff are always great. While it looks like a bit of a hole in the wall, it’s super comfortable inside.
- foodthe food is great (everything from really traditional to fun fusion)
- rollsMy experience at the restaurant was absolutely delicious. A tip for fellow diners: one or two rolls is plenty for one person! The scorching seabass roll was awesome.
- sashimisashimi were very fresh and tasty
- UniThe Uni was the best I have had in a while!
- delicious sushiMy experience at the restaurant was great! I enjoyed the delicious sushi and small plates. The nice small back room was a pleasant surprise, seemingly reserved for larger groups.
- dishesThe dishes were unique presentations
- fishIt's a must stop whenever I am in the city. The restaurant offers great price with top quality fish. You will not be disappointed eating here.
- flavormatch the flavor, freshness, and creativity I’m used to
- fresh fishamount of delicious fresh fish that they serve is incredible
Frequently criticized
- qualityMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The quality declined, with 2 out of 3 dishes we ordered not being fresh. I'm disappointed because this used to be one of my favorite places, but it's started going downhill.
- Chicken TeriyakiMy experience with the Chicken Teriyaki was disappointing. If you're looking for Chicken Teriyaki that burns your mouth, this is the place to go. Unlike the usual sweet, deep umami flavor of teriyaki sauce I've experienced with beef, salmon, chicken, and tofu over the years, the sauce here was sharp and spicy.
- OmakaseHowever, the bar table seemed not busy when we were there a few days ago. Update on 9/16/2025: the same 10 piece Omakase is much thinner than 3 years ago. The price has increased to more than $60 ($63).
- TempuraTempura was very greasy
- chickenThe chicken was dry underneath the sauce
- dishesdishes we ordered were not fresh
- double jeopardythe double jeopardy was terrible
- fishThe fish looks strange on these nigiri
- fish freshnessthe fish freshness of the former didn't please
- nigiriThe fish looks strange on these nigiri. Why are they so big and falling apart?
Overall, if youre a sushi lover seeking fresh, creative, and delicious options, this place is definitely worth a visit. While a few dishes might miss the mark, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests youll likely have a fantastic culinary experience.
Service (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
The service here truly shines, boasting an impressive score of 8.9 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 94.3%. Based on 66 positive remarks out of 70, guests consistently rave about the wonderful staff and owner, often highlighting their friendly service and attentive nature. Many appreciate being seated right away and the fast service.
However, a small handful of 4 negative comments point to some serious issues. There's a notable concern about a waiter and even the owner being described as rude, leading to a very poor customer service experience in one instance. This suggests that while rare, there can be significant interpersonal challenges.
Service
70
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
66
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Owner is welcoming
- Service is fast
What people don't like
- Rude staff/owner
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceThis is our local sushi spot because its awesome! We had a great experience with great sushi, friendly service, and fun beer. The atmosphere and food were both rated a 5 out of 5, making it a highly recommended place for dinner.
- staffUpon our recent visit, they remembered us – it was so crazy! The staff is incredibly nice, and the food. Omg.
- ownerNot only did we love our meal, but the owner could not have been nicer. The whole time we were there, he worked his butt off, and did it at a very busy time with a smile while paying attention to each guest's needs. We may never be back, but you should go.
- seated right awayWe were seated right away on a Thursday evening
- owner DaveThe owner Dave is alright alright alright
- DaveIt was great to see Dave at the restaurant too. He's a cool guy!
- DavidI loved it so, so much. David was very accommodating and helped my partner create what he was envisioning. Every item was so fresh, delicious, abundant, and visually stunning!
- ServiceService is excellent - super friendly
- StaffSakesan Sushi and Bistro on Clement Street was wonderful. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Food was delicious.
- accommodationI loved it so, so much. David was very accommodating and helped my partner create what he was envisioning. Every item was so fresh, delicious, abundant, and visually stunning!
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceI already had a pretty good idea what I wanted to eat when I went there on the day when I had a fight with a waiter. Since this establishment doesn’t seem to be interested in customer service, the owner included, I will never step my foot there. Sakesan Sushi and Bistro on Clement Street was wonderful.
- ownerowner, David Chief, was there. But he was even ruder than his employee
- parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- waiter4) I am vision impaired. Waiter was extremely rude and actually made nasty comments of my disability not to see well. We got into an argument and I left.
Overall, the service here is overwhelmingly excellent, with most guests praising the friendly and attentive staff. While there's a rare but serious report of rudeness, the vast majority of experiences are fantastic. If you value warm, efficient service, this spot is definitely worth a visit.
Ambience (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 34% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot really shines! With a fantastic score of 8.4 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 92.3%, its clear guests love the atmosphere. Out of 26 comments, a whopping 24 rave about the charming ambiance, cozy feel, and family-friendly environment.
Many appreciate the fun vibe, reggae music, and even an awesome Lupin III mural, making it a truly enjoyable place. However, theres one small hiccup to be aware of. A single comment pointed out that the lighting, particularly outside, made it difficult to read the menu.
While the overall environment is praised for its cool lighting and comfortable feel, this specific issue with poor lighting for practical purposes like reading could be a minor inconvenience for some.
Ambience
26
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Charming, cozy vibe
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Fun lighting, music
What people don't like
- Poor lighting
Often praised
- atmospheregive it a fun atmosphere
- family friendlyvery kid and family friendly
- ambiancecharming ambiance
- ambiencedark yet cozy neighborhhod location
- awesome lupin 3rd muralawesome lupin 3rd mural surprised me
- busyWhile it looks like a bit of a hole in the wall, it’s super comfortable inside. Due to its appearance, it's never crazy busy. I highly recommend going here to support these people and have a good time!
- environmentExcellent environment
- family-friendlyfamily-friendly to dine in or take-out
- fun spotOverall, fun spot
- guestsAll the guests had a blast
Frequently criticized
- menuI couldn’t read it, because 1) it was too high (I am 5’5”). 2) It was pitch dark at 8 pm, and the street lighting was really lousy. The restaurant outside lighting was not any better.
If youre looking for a place with a genuinely fun, cozy, and family-friendly atmosphere, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared that the lighting might make reading the menu a bit of a challenge, but dont let that deter you from the overall excellent vibe.
Value (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at a good 73.9%, many folks are happy with what they pay. Out of 23 total opinions, 17 rave about the happy hour deals, priced right menu, and fairly priced options, especially for sushi.
Youll find great happy hour specials and decent portions for the cost. However, not everyone feels the same, with 3 negative opinions noting concerns. Some feel the price doesnt always match the quality, and a few found it not worth it due to perceived price increases.
While these are fewer, its something to keep in mind if youre looking for consistent value across the board.
Value
23
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Awesome happy hour
- Fairly priced dishes
- Quality fish, good price
What people don't like
- Quality doesn't match price
- Not worth the cost
Often praised
- priceThe owner, Dave, and his staff are the best, providing excellent service. The food is great, offering a range from traditional dishes to fun fusion options, all of high quality and reasonably priced. The atmosphere is always fun.
- pricesthe prices are great too
- fairly pricedMy experience at this Japanese restaurant in San Francisco, which has its share of Japanese restaurants, was excellent. The food was consistently fresh, delicious, and fairly priced. I particularly enjoyed their creative and yummy speciality rolls.
- happy hour dealsthe happy hour deals are awesome
- happy hour menuHappy hour menu priced right
- happy hour specialsmade it here for the happy hour specials
- priced rightHappy hour menu priced right
- sushitheir sushi is definitely on the pricier side but worth it
Frequently criticized
- priceThe price is increased to more than $60
- worth itNot worth it.
Overall, if youre looking for great happy hour deals or reasonably priced sushi, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful that a few customers felt the quality didnt always align with the price, so choose wisely.
How are the prices at Sushi Bistro?
You’re looking at roughly 40 per person – reported by 24 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.
While the average is 40 per person, the prices are quite spread out. Many guests spend less, often in the $21–$30 range. But there are also plenty of diners opting for more premium experiences, with some tabs going well over 40 $, even past 100 $!
It seems there’s a nice mix of options for different budgets.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 24 reviews.
How this Japanese restaurant in San Francisco stacks up against similar spots for value.
Considering it’s a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good range of options, so you can tailor your experience to your budget.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Sushi Bistro
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Consistently Delicious Sushi Bistro Experience
We LOVE Sushi Bistro! It has been a go-to for us in the Inner Richmond, and we still love going back for very fresh, high quality, and delicious sushi with the details just right. The house special rolls (49er and Presidio are our faves), appetizers (Karagi, Caucasian Afro, miso soup and tempura), and wide range of sushi and sashimi options are consistent crowd pleasers.
The staff is friendly and the restaurant is family-friendly for dining in or take-out.
- sushi10
- house special rolls10
- appetizers9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Tasty Food, Thoughtful Staff, and Unique Art!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was tasty, with some original items on the menu. I was also very impressed by the thoughtful staff.
A delightful surprise was the awesome lupin 3rd mural, which added a unique touch to the atmosphere.
- tasty food9
- original items8
- thoughtful staff9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Favorite Japanese Spot in SF
My experience at this Japanese restaurant in San Francisco, which has its share of Japanese restaurants, was excellent. The food was consistently fresh, delicious, and fairly priced. I particularly enjoyed their creative and yummy speciality rolls.
The staff, including David, were always very friendly and accommodating to special requests. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the service was top-notch.
- food10
- speciality rolls9
- staff10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Gluten-Free Sushi and Fun Atmosphere!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The owner is AMAZING and has made a significant portion of the menu gluten-free, which is a huge plus for safe sushi. The sushi itself is incredibly fresh, and there's always something new and creative to try.
The menu is well-executed, and the reggae music and cool lighting create a fun atmosphere. This has become my go-to spot!
- owner10
- gluten-free options10
- sushi10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Sushi, Awesome Deals!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I absolutely love their basic sushi rolls, especially the spicy tuna. The staff was great, and the happy hour deals were awesome!
Their specialty rolls are also fun for groups to share, offering lots of variety. 5⭐
- basic sushi rolls9
- spicy tuna10
- staff8
What Sushi Bistro offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Vegan options
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
Service Options
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dietary options and offerings can you expect at Sushi Bistro?
At Sushi Bistro, you’ll discover a wide array of choices to suit various preferences. They offer healthy options, vegan options, and vegetarian options, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone. You can also enjoy organic dishes, small plates, and a selection of wine, beer, and cocktails.
Does Sushi Bistro offer convenient service options and accessibility features?
Absolutely! Sushi Bistro provides excellent service flexibility. You can opt for delivery, no-contact delivery, takeout, or curbside pickup. If you prefer dining in, outdoor seating is available. The restaurant is also fully wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance, seating, and restroom for your comfort.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Sushi Bistro?
Sushi Bistro generally receives good feedback, with an overall score of 8.4 and a customer satisfaction rate of 87.9%. Customers particularly appreciate the Service (8.9), Food (8.4), Ambience (8.4), and Value (7.2).
What are the standout features of Sushi Bistro's food?
Customers frequently praise the fresh fish and delicious sushi, noting unique presentations and a good range from traditional to fusion options. The sashimi and Uni have received specific positive mentions for their quality.
Are there any common complaints about Sushi Bistro?
Some customers have reported occasional inconsistencies in food quality, with dishes not always being fresh. There have also been isolated incidents of rude staff and concerns about the dining area’s lighting affecting menu visibility.