Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
oChef » Akira – San Francisco
Akira - San Francisco
Photo from Akira
Akira at a glance
San Francisco Japantown
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 55 of the guests
#548 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#56 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
433
Reviews
83.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality food
- Great service
Frequently criticized
- Poor value
- Inconsistent food
The restaurant Akira Japanese Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Japantown neighborhood offers a truly cozy dining experience. You’ll find a casual yet trendy spot perfect for enjoying authentic Japanese cuisine.
With options ranging from small plates to organic dishes and vegetarian choices, there’s something delightful for every palate.
Overview: Introducting Akira
Akira offers a generally pleasant dining experience, particularly noted for its high-quality Japanese cuisine and attentive service. Guests often appreciate the thoughtfully designed interior, which creates a cozy and friendly atmosphere suitable for various occasions.
However, some aspects of the ambience, such as seating arrangements, could be improved. While the food receives considerable praise for its fresh fish and traditional sushi, a few dishes have been inconsistent, with some finding certain items salty or portions small.
The staff’s recommendations and overall hospitality contribute positively to the visit, making it a welcoming spot for many.
Excellent
8.1
out of 10
433
Reviews
83.6%
Satisfaction
54
negative
17
neutral
362
positive
Akira holds a solid overall score of 8.1, indicating a good dining experience, supported by a strong Customer Satisfaction of 83.6%. This positive sentiment is drawn from 433 customer observations, with 362 positive remarks outweighing 54 negative ones.
The Service stands out with an impressive 8.6, reflecting the staff’s attentiveness and friendly approach. The Food also scores well at 8.2, highlighting its quality, though some specific dishes have drawn criticism.
The Ambience is rated 7.9, suggesting a generally appealing setting despite occasional comments about noise or seating. However, Value comes in lower at 6.1, indicating that while the quality is there, some patrons feel the portions or overall cost don’t always align with expectations.
What people like
- High-quality fresh fish
- Attentive, friendly service
- Cozy, thoughtful interior
What people don't like
- Small portions for price
- Inconsistent dish quality
- Occasional loud atmosphere
Akira presents itself as a reliable choice for Japanese cuisine, especially if you prioritize excellent service and fresh, traditional dishes. The strong Recommendation Score of 8.2 suggests that most diners leave satisfied and would encourage others to visit.
It’s a place where the quality of the main offerings and the staff’s dedication truly shine. However, be mindful that the value proposition (6.1) might not suit everyone, particularly if you’re looking for generous portions at a lower price point.
If you’re seeking a pleasant atmosphere and don’t mind paying for quality and attentive care, Akira is certainly worth considering.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Akira
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place really shines! With a strong score of 8.2 and customer satisfaction at an impressive 85.4%, diners are clearly delighted. Out of 268 comments, a whopping 229 rave about the delicious offerings, particularly praising the fresh sushi, excellent quality of food, and the fresh fish, often served with fresh wasabi.
However, not every bite is perfect. While only 29 comments expressed dissatisfaction, some mentioned concerns like hard or undercooked rice, small portions, and occasional inferior quality in certain dishes. A few even reported food poisoning, which is definitely a dealbreaker for some.
Food
268
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
29
negative
10
neutral
229
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, quality sushi
- Excellent food variety
- Delicious Japanese cuisine
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Inconsistent rice quality
- Food safety issues
Often praised
- foodThe menu offered plenty of kid-friendly options, such as the chicken udon and rice. The service was excellent, and the food was absolutely delicious, featuring generous cuts of high-quality fish. The atmosphere was cozy and didn't feel crowded, which was very nice.
- sushiMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic, marked by wonderful friendly service and high-quality sushi. I particularly appreciate that the menu focuses on traditional sushi, avoiding overly elaborate rolls.
- fishThe fish seem to be on a rotating schedule
- rollsCame here for their new happy hour on a Thursday! We ordered and ate about 8 rolls (spicy tuna and salmon rolls), some karaage, and some wakame before 6 pm. It was pretty filling, but we also ordered the quail egg scallop uni spoon special and 2 other rolls.
- fresh fishMy experience at the restaurant was amazing! I had fresh fish and the service was great, with no problems. I would totally recommend the pork belly.
- presentationbeautiful presentation
- Miso soupI really enjoy the Miso soup
- menuIt's a true hidden gem in the neighborhood. The fresh fish was excellent, and the menu offered a great selection. The staff was incredibly attentive, making it our favorite Japanese place.
- sakeWe ordered sake which was so fun
- OmakaseWe went with the Omakase.
Frequently criticized
- red miso soupTo make matters worse, I found a small piece of blue kitchen sponge attached to one of the nigiri served – it was a traumatic experience. The red miso soup was one of the worst things I've ever had, and the dessert ice cream was straight ice.
- Black Spider RollBlack Spider Roll wasn't to my taste as it was quite salty and one-noted
- California rollWorst California roll I've ever had
- TonkatsuTonkatsu was salty
- appetizersdisappointed at how small the appetizers were
- better spotsbetter spots in the city for sure
- bitesthe bites are small
- chicken teriyakiworst teriyaki chicken I ever had
- crunchy spicy tuna rollWe both get tested weekly for COVID due to our work, so we are certain we weren't already sick. The staff member handling the call relayed that "all our clients today have had no issues with the crunchy spicy tuna this evening so maybe your friend is sick already from something - sorry about this. " Given my background in the food and hospitality industry and my husband's extensive knowledge of the restaurant industry, the evening manager's approach was unacceptable.
- dessert ice creamTo make matters worse, I found a small piece of blue kitchen sponge attached to one of the nigiri served – it was a traumatic experience. The red miso soup was one of the worst things I've ever had, and the dessert ice cream was straight ice.
Overall, if you're seeking a spot with predominantly fresh and high-quality Japanese cuisine, especially sushi, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some experiences have noted smaller portions or occasional inconsistencies with rice, but these seem to be isolated incidents.
Service (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place really shines! With a good score of 8.6 and a customer satisfaction rate of 88.2%, its clear guests are consistently impressed. Out of 93 comments, 82 praise the friendly staff, attentive service, and amazing hospitality, often highlighting the sushi chefs passion and welcoming owners.
However, it's not entirely perfect. While overwhelmingly positive, 9 comments out of 93 did mention a few hiccups, such as extremely slow service or issues with how an evening manager handled a specific situation. Some also noted discrepancies with the online menu, which affected their service experience.
Service
93
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
82
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick, welcoming service
- Passionate chef/owners
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Rude server
- Poor manager interaction
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was marked by amazing hospitality and fast service, all at reasonable prices. I was dining with the sushi chef and owner, Minh, and his lovely wife, Judy, the ED of the Southeast Asian Development Center.
- staffMy experience at the restaurant featured good presentation and friendly staff, contributing to an overall pleasant atmosphere. While the Black Spider Roll was not to my taste due to being quite salty and one-noted, the other rolls and the Unagi Don were delicious.
- chefmet the chef personally and he is not only incredibly nice
- serverlet him make the choice for us- it was fun & he was a great sport!
- sushi chefthe sushi chef told me they were the ones posted on the wall
- recommendationsMy experience at the restaurant was incredibly welcoming from the moment I walked in. The food was amazing, and the staff provided good recommendations. The service was friendly and fast.
- Minh, Judy and KenjiKeep up the great work Minh, Judy and Kenji!
- attentiveand are attentive.
- attentive staffsuper attentive staff
- chef and staffchef and staff are very attentive and friendly
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe waiter confirmed it's now only served at lunch. While the food received a rating of 4 and the atmosphere a 4, the discrepancy between the online information and the actual offerings led to a disappointing experience regarding the service accuracy.
- compensationInstead of offering to compensate for the 1 crunchy spicy tuna
- evening managerhow the evening manager handled my husbands food poisoning
- online menuThe online menu is out of date. This place seems like a lovely neighborhood joint, but we chose it specifically because the online menu indicated they served teriyaki, which my friend wanted.
- serverthe server we had was so rude
- speak with evening managerasked twice to speak with the evening manager directly but wasn't allowed
- speak with ownerasked that a message be left for the owner/ head manager
- staff handling callthe lady handling the call and reporting to the manager stated
The service here is a major highlight, so you can generally expect a warm welcome and attentive staff, making it a great choice for a pleasant dining experience. While rare, a few guests noted minor service speed issues or specific manager interactions, but these seem to be exceptions.
Ambience (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
Alright, lets talk vibes! This spot scores a solid 7.9 for ambience, with a fantastic 85% customer satisfaction. Based on 34 positive remarks out of 40 total, guests consistently praise the cozy atmosphere, beautiful interior area, and the overall great vibe.
Many appreciate the dog-friendly policy, lovely environment, and even the great music playing in the background, making for a pleasant experience. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. A few of the 4 negative comments point to some potential drawbacks.
Some found the atmosphere poor due to loud music, while others felt the small space led to seating being a bit too close for comfort. It seems the intimate setting can sometimes feel a little cramped.
Ambience
40
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
34
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy atmosphere
- Dog friendly
- Beautiful interior
What people don't like
- Loud music
- Small space
- Close seating
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this Japanese restaurant was pleasant. The atmosphere was cozy and friendly, and the plate presentations were simple yet elegant. I particularly liked the cute origami baking paper used for serving.
- placeThis is a pretty nice place, but it's not quite anything special for its price. The karaage wasn't quite up to expectations, and the bites are small.
- interiorMy experience at this restaurant was absolutely phenomenal. I went on a whim and discovered such a great vibe with its wood accents and thoughtfully designed interior. The food was delicately made, offering a variety of options that are hard to find, alongside classics, all presented on an attractive menu.
- ambianceThe ambiance of the restaurant would be good for a date night.
- bar seatingWould recommend seating at the bar if you don't have the reservation
- beautiful tablewareBeautiful tableware to welcome the fresh fish
- dog friendlyDog friendly too which is always a very added bonus
- experiencea great experience every time
- interior areaBeautiful interior area
- locationIt is in a great location in Japan town.
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereatmosphere was also very poor
- loud musicMy experience at this restaurant was akin to encountering loud American music in a small space, coupled with average food at a slightly above-average price and service that was just okay. In a nutshell, this place offers a rather unremarkable dining experience.
- seatingYou sit a bit close to other guests
- small spaceMy experience at this restaurant was akin to encountering loud American music in a small space, coupled with average food at a slightly above-average price and service that was just okay. In a nutshell, this place offers a rather unremarkable dining experience.
If youre looking for a cozy, well-designed spot with a good vibe and dont mind a potentially intimate setting, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that the music volume or closeness of seating might not be for everyone.
Value (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 28% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a somewhat mixed bag, with customer satisfaction sitting at 53.1% and an average score of 6.1. Many guests appreciate the reasonable prices, especially noting the excellent price/quality ratio and fantastic happy hour specials that offer unbeatable deals. Based on 17 positive remarks out of 32 total comments, it seems many feel the price is well worth the quality of food, highlighting terms like price, reasonable prices, and happy hour.
However, not everyone is convinced, with 12 negative comments highlighting concerns about value. Some find the prices to be above average, especially when considering the portion sizes, which many describe as small for the cost. There are also mentions of an automatic service charge and feelings that the overall value for money isnt quite there, leading some to feel its overpriced, with terms like above average price, portion sizes, and service charge frequently appearing.
Value
32
Reviews
53%
Satisfaction
12
negative
3
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great happy hour
- Good price/quality
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Can be overpriced
- Automatic service charge
Often praised
- priceThe price is well worth the quality of food.
- pricesMy experience at the restaurant was marked by amazing hospitality and fast service, all at reasonable prices. I was dining with the sushi chef and owner, Minh, and his lovely wife, Judy, the ED of the Southeast Asian Development Center.
- happy hournew happy hour on a thursday
- cheaperIt can be cheaper
- experiencetotally recommend this experience
- happy hour specialsMy experience at this establishment was overwhelmingly positive, particularly during their super reasonably priced happy hour specials. The incredibly fresh fish was a standout, and there was truly nothing I would change about the place.
- lunch combosdecent prices for lunch combos
- menucomparably priced menu
- price per personWe spent about $100 each but we ate a lot
- price/quality ratioGood price/quality ratio
Frequently criticized
- priceThe fish was undeniably fresh, which was a definite plus. However, the portions were disappointingly small for the price. This seems to be a recurring comment in their reviews, and I wonder if they're taking customer feedback into account.
- above average priceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The food was average, especially considering the above average price. It tasted a bit like food court food.
- costFor how much they cost I was a little disappointed
- diningit wasn’t a cheap dining
- portion sizesportion sizes are small for the price
- service chargehe automatically added on 18% service to the bill
- valuevalue isn’t there
- value for moneyI resent paying much more than usual and getting much less
If you're looking for a good deal, especially during happy hour, this place could be a solid choice. However, be mindful that regular prices might feel a bit high for the portion sizes, and some find the overall value to be a mixed bag.
How are the prices at Akira?
You’re looking at roughly 48 per person – reported by 55 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While many guests spend in the 21 – 40 $ range, there’s also a good number opting for more premium experiences, with several prices over 101 $.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 55 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Given the variety of prices, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Japanese restaurant. It offers options for different budgets, from a solid mid-range meal to a more indulgent experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Akira
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Terrific Food at the Bar
I had dinner here and sat at the bar. The food was terrific, specifically the tempura and tonkatsu. I also very much enjoyed watching the chefs prepare different sushi rolls with fresh seafood.
- food10
- tempura10
- tonkatsu10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Delicious Poke Bowl Experience
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic, especially with the poke. It was served on a bed of mixed greens and onion, all in a nice spicy sauce. The food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect score of 5.
- poke10
- spicy sauce8
- mixed greens7
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Fresh Fish and Great Value!
My experience at this restaurant was unbelievable. The service was very professional and kind. I enjoyed fish that was super fresh, and I even got to watch it be prepared right in front of me.
The happy hour, which ends at 6: 30 PM, allowed for unbeatable prices.
- service10
- fish10
- happy hour10
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Sushi and Cozy Atmosphere
We were happy to have stopped in at this restaurant, and Yelp certainly delivered again! We saw it had a high rating and decided to check it out. The convenient option to make reservations on Yelp made it easy to walk right in and be seated.
The staff was pleasant and helpful. We were undecided with so many yummy options, so we gave our server three choices and let him pick for us – it was fun, and he was a great sport! All the sushi, miso, appetizers, and bento boxes we ordered were delicious.
The place itself was cute and cozy, with great music playing in the background. I definitely recommend checking them out.
- reservations9
- staff9
- server10
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Excellent Happy Hour and Service!
My experience at this establishment was overwhelmingly positive, particularly during their super reasonably priced happy hour specials. The incredibly fresh fish was a standout, and there was truly nothing I would change about the place. A special shout-out goes to our server, Alex, who absolutely crushed it.
Watching him manage 7+ tables with 15 people by himself while maintaining top-shelf game the entire time was impressive. Cheers!
- happy hour specials9
- fresh fish10
- server Alex10
What Akira offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options does Akira Japanese Restaurant offer?
At Akira, you’ll find a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for lunch or dinner. They offer table service, catering, and even delicious desserts. Whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or opting for delivery, you’re covered.
Are reservations recommended at Akira Japanese Restaurant, and what payment methods are accepted?
Yes, dinner reservations are highly recommended to secure your spot at Akira. For your convenience, they accept both credit cards and debit cards, making your payment process smooth and easy.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Akira?
Akira has a good overall score of 8.1 and a strong customer satisfaction rate of 83.6%. Customers particularly praise the Service (8.6) and Food (8.2), while the Ambience (7.9) is also well-regarded. Value (6.1) is noted as an area for improvement.
What do customers appreciate most about Akira's food?
Customers frequently highlight the high-quality fresh fish and traditional sushi offerings. Many enjoy the presentation and the variety on the menu, with some mentioning specific items like miso soup and pork belly positively.
Are there any common concerns regarding the value at Akira?
Yes, some customers feel that the portions are small for the price, and the overall value (6.1) can be a point of contention. While happy hour specials are appreciated, the regular pricing and portion sizes sometimes lead to disappointment.