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oChef » Amami – San Francisco
Amami - San Francisco
Photo from Amami
Amami at a glance
San Francisco Excelsior
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 39 of the guests
#1545 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#137 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
7.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
273
Reviews
68.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh sushi
- Omakase value
- Attentive staff
Frequently criticized
- Long waits
- Poor service
- Online surcharge
The restaurant Amami is a Japanese Restaurant located in the vibrant Excelsior neighborhood of San Francisco. Amami Sushi Bistro offers a delightful array of small plates, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner.
You can enjoy a variety of healthy options, complemented by a selection of wine and beer. Whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or opting for delivery, this casual spot provides a welcoming experience.
Overview: Introducting Amami
Amami offers a compelling sushi experience, often praised for its fresh sushi and omakase that many find to be of high quality . Diners frequently appreciate the overall value for the offerings, making it a notable spot for those seeking good Japanese cuisine without breaking the bank.
However, the experience at Amami isn’t without its challenges. Some patrons have reported long wait times for their orders and occasional issues with rude customer service .
While the food generally impresses, a few items have been noted for small portions or lacking flavor.
Good
7.1
out of 10
273
Reviews
68.1%
Satisfaction
65
negative
22
neutral
186
positive
Amami achieves a respectable overall score of 7.1, indicating a generally good dining experience. However, customer satisfaction stands at 68.1%, suggesting a somewhat mixed reception among diners.
This slight divergence points to areas where the restaurant excels, alongside aspects that could benefit from refinement, based on 273 customer observations, with 186 positive remarks against 65 negative ones. The Food (7.2) is clearly a strong point, frequently praised for its quality and preparation.
Ambience (7.1) also contributes positively to the experience, while Value (7) is generally well-regarded. Service (6.9), though still rated as good, is the lowest-scoring category, indicating it’s an area where some patrons have encountered inconsistencies or issues.
What people like
- Fresh, quality sushi
- Good omakase value
- Attentive staff
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Inconsistent service
- Online order surcharge
With a recommendation score of 7.3, Amami is generally worth considering, especially if you prioritize fresh, high-quality sushi and good value. The omakase, in particular, stands out as a strong offering that many patrons find to be a highlight of their visit.
However, be prepared for potential long wait times and be mindful of online ordering costs. If you value consistent, swift service above all else, you might find the experience occasionally frustrating.
For a focus on quality sushi, it’s a solid choice.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Amami
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners are quite pleased, contributing to a good score of 7.2. While customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 67.9%, there are 125 positive comments out of 184 total. Guests frequently rave about the delicious Omakase, fresh sushi, and quality fish, often praising the generous portion sizes and presentation of their meals.
However, not all experiences are stellar, with 45 negative opinions noted. Some diners have found issues with certain dishes, describing the udon as bland or the sauce as salty. Concerns were also raised about mediocre meat, cheap fish, and a perceived lack of variety in some offerings, leading to feelings that its not an authentic sushi place or that portions can be small' for certain items.
Food
184
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
45
negative
14
neutral
125
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, quality sushi
- Excellent Omakase value
- Generous fish cuts
What people don't like
- Bland, salty flavors
- Mediocre cooked dishes
- Inconsistent quality
Often praised
- fishfish was freshhhhh and good quality sashimi!
- omakaseThe omakase is only $42 dollars and is absolutely to die for
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was mixed. While the food was tasty and the price is good, the portion is small. A significant drawback was the long wait time, taking one hour to prepare.
- sushiVery delicious and fresh sushi.
- OmakaseTheir $42 Omakase is unbeatable
- presentationMy experience at this restaurant was the best omakase I've ever had. The restaurant offered generous cuts of fish, perfectly seasoned rice and portions, and beautiful presentation. The staff demonstrated a deep knowledge of everything sushi, from the fresh ginger to the fresh wasabi and the homemade soy sauce.
- qualityIt's one of my favorite sushi places in the Bay Area, offering super fresh sushi and fantastic service. The menu features a unique selection of sushi and special items added frequently, providing an incredible variety and super high quality.
- fresh wasabiserve fresh wasabi
- 10-piece omakaseThe 10-piece omakase is good value
- Baked Scallop rolla Baked Scallop roll that was the right amount of rich and spicy
Frequently criticized
- foodfood was served with the same robotic charm
- udonMy experience at the restaurant was disappointing. I ordered udon, but it was the worst udon ever. It was basically just scraps of veggies and had no flavor.
- California rollCalifornia roll was flavorless
- Deluxe “chef choice” sashimideluxe version was just 1/2 of the plate was cheap common yellowtail & abacore tuna
- Hamachi Kamathe Hamachi Kama - it wasn’t amazing.
- Lion King rollLion King roll with is my fav and they just lightly toasted it!!!!!!! it was not baked
- Sweet Heart rollcontained fried fish
- WasabiAlthough I was initially worried about trying raw seafood for the first time, I was greatly surprised and found it to be delicious. My only minor critique is that the Wasabi was too mild.
- assorted fried veglists contents as "assorted fried veg", but contained fried fish
- authentic sushi placedon’t feel like it’s an authentic sushi place
If youre looking for fresh sushi and a great Omakase experience, this spot seems to hit the mark for many. However, be aware that some cooked dishes and specialty rolls might be a bit inconsistent in flavor and quality. Its worth trying for the sushi, but manage expectations for other menu items.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
Overall, the service here gets a pretty good nod, with a score of 6.9 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 68.2%. Many diners rave about the friendly and efficient staff, from the helpful waitresses to the accommodating servers. With 30 positive remarks out of 44 total, people often highlight the great hospitality and how quickly their food is ready, making for a smooth experience.
However, it's not always sunshine and rainbows. There are 11 negative comments pointing to issues like long waiting times, especially during peak hours, and some instances of rude customer service. A few folks also ran into trouble with online ordering or getting through on the phone, which can definitely be a bummer.
Service
44
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
11
negative
3
neutral
30
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, efficient staff
- Fast, attentive service
- Accommodating for groups
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude customer service
- Online ordering issues
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's one of my favorite sushi places in the Bay Area, offering super fresh sushi and fantastic service. The menu features a unique selection of sushi and special items added frequently, providing an incredible variety and super high quality.
- staffI love the staff. They are very kind and very efficient.
- ServiceI have experienced both dine-in and take-out services.
- waitressthe waitress was nice
- foodthe food was fast
- food readyMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. On the positive side, the staff was nice and the food was ready in no time. The price was also cheap.
- group of 10group of 10 and they were super accommodating
- hospitalityI found the sushi to be very fresh and the service was great. Although the restaurant is located on an inconspicuous block of Mission Street with simple decors, you won't be disappointed with their quality of food and hospitality.
- knowledge of sushiThe restaurant offered generous cuts of fish, perfectly seasoned rice and portions, and beautiful presentation. The staff demonstrated a deep knowledge of everything sushi, from the fresh ginger to the fresh wasabi and the homemade soy sauce. I also found the price to be unbeatable.
- new ownersNew owners have done a good job
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience started off fantastically, but took a turn when they decided to add an extra $20 tip onto my card for takeout. The regular staff was off, and the new hires aren't good. The food was good (rated 4/5), but the service was poor (rated 2/5), and the atmosphere was just okay (rated 3/5).
- customer serviceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by very rude customer service. I felt judged when I wanted to pick up my food, and the services were very prejudice.
- online orderingTheir online ordering just says 'temporarily unavailable'
- phonethey don't answer the phone
- prejudice servicesVery prejudice services
- sushi chefsushi chef bad chef
- wait an hourdidn’t want to wait an hour
- wait timeTake one hour to prepare
- waiting timeThe fish has always been super fresh too. There's a reason it takes an hour to get your food on a Friday night; it's because it's popular! Other days of the week are much less crazy.
If youre looking for generally friendly and fast service, especially from the staff, youll likely have a good experience. Just be prepared for potential longer waits or hiccups with online ordering during busy times. Its worth a try, but maybe avoid peak hours if youre in a rush!
Ambience (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
Overall, the vibe here seems to hit the mark for many! With a score of 7.1, the ambience is generally considered good, and out of 9 positive remarks, guests frequently praised the atmosphere and called it a new spot offering a great experience. Many found it primo, not stuffy, and friendly, contributing to a pleasant dining setting.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 56.3%, indicating some areas for improvement. Among the 3 negative comments, a recurring issue was the atmosphere being affected by smoking in the back, with one guest bothered by smoke drifting in. There was also a mention of repetitive background music, suggesting some minor distractions.
Ambience
16
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
3
negative
4
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Primo atmosphere
- Friendly, neighborly vibe
- New neighborhood spot
What people don't like
- Smoke issues
- Repetitive music
Often praised
- atmospherethe service and atmosphere also received top marks of 5
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- crowdedMy experience at the restaurant was on a Saturday, and it was not crowded at all. The sushi bar is to the right as you enter, with seating available throughout the restaurant.
- experiencea great experience
- new spotSo glad to have this new spot in our neighborhood
Frequently criticized
- atmospheresame light Cantonese pop music playing in the background
- restaurantthis place is, at the very least, temporarily closed. It's gutted.
- smoking in the backOnly thing bother was someone smoking in the back of the restaurant and the wind blew the smoke in.
If you're looking for a generally pleasant and friendly atmosphere, this spot could be a good choice, especially if you appreciate a new local hangout. However, be aware that some guests have experienced issues with smoke affecting the outdoor areas, which might be a dealbreaker for you.
Value (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines, earning a 7 score and a solid 75.9% customer satisfaction! Based on 22 positive remarks out of 29 total, many rave about the affordable options and the incredible omakase deals. Guests consistently find the reasonable price and great value for the quality of fish to be a major draw, often noting its hard to beat elsewhere.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind, with 6 negative comments surfacing. Some patrons have noted that prices have gone up, and theres a specific heads-up about ordering online, which can be 10-15% more expensive than calling in. One isolated incident even mentioned an unauthorized extra tip being added, which is definitely something to watch out for.
Value
29
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unbeatable omakase value
- Affordable quality fish
- Reasonable overall prices
What people don't like
- Online ordering costly
- Unauthorized tip added
- Prices have increased
Often praised
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was mixed. While the food was tasty and the price is good, the portion is small. A significant drawback was the long wait time, taking one hour to prepare.
- pricesthe best prices for what's in San Fran
- valueWe were initially unsure about trying a sushi place in the Mission, but our experience was way better than expected. The 10-piece omakase offered good value at $42. The service was good and attentive as well.
- omakaseThe omakase is only $42 dollars
- Great valueGreat value.
- Price per personTheir $42 Omakase is unbeatable
- affordableSuper affordable and delicious sushi joint
- phone order pricingJust a heads up, it's better to call in and order for pickup vs ordering online for pickup because ordering online costs about 10-15% more. I posted the phone order pricing menu for everyone's use. 😋
- priced sashimi lunchMy experience at the restaurant was great! I enjoyed a very reasonably priced sashimi lunch, which was served with rice and a lettuce salad. The Supa spicy roll was solid too!
- reasonable priceMy experience at this restaurant is primarily centered around their omakase. I exclusively come here for the omakase, specifically for the large cut of fish at a very reasonable price, and the nigiris. The sushi rice was just okay.
Frequently criticized
- priceThe sushi was like French fries, cut into very skinny pieces. It was also very expensive for nothing. I would not recommend buying it.
- Deluxe “chef choice” sashimideluxe version was just 1/2 of the plate was cheap common yellowtail & abacore tuna
- PricesPrices have gone up
- extra tipMy experience started off fantastically, but took a turn when they decided to add an extra $20 tip onto my card for takeout. The regular staff was off, and the new hires aren't good.
- ordering onlineYou can't go wrong with any of those. Just a heads up, it's better to call in and order for pickup vs ordering online for pickup because ordering online costs about 10-15% more. I posted the phone order pricing menu for everyone's use.
If youre looking for fantastic sushi without breaking the bank, especially their omakase, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be savvy about how you order, as calling in for pickup can save you some cash compared to online platforms. Its a great option for quality and affordability, but keep an eye on your bill.
How are the prices at Amami?
You’re looking at roughly 41 per person – reported by 39 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.
Interestingly, while the average is 41, prices are quite spread out! Many diners spend in the $21–$30 range. But a good number also enjoy meals in the $41–$50 bracket, and some even go for more premium options up to 70 $ or 90 $.
It seems there’s a price point for everyone here!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 39 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering its a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. Youre getting a good mid-range experience without breaking the bank, and there are options for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Amami
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Delicious Sushi, Mild Wasabi
My experience at this quaint little sushi restaurant was overwhelmingly positive. The staff were super friendly, and the food was really good. Although I was initially worried about trying raw seafood for the first time, I was greatly surprised and found it to be delicious.
My only minor critique is that the Wasabi was too mild.
- staff10
- food9
- raw seafood9
- Wasabi3
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Amami: Unbeatable Omakase Experience
My experience at Amami was exceptional. I found their Omakase to be unbeatable, especially considering the price of $42. The food was rated a perfect 5, and the service and atmosphere also received top marks of 5.
It's a fantastic sushi restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Omakase10
- food10
- service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Value Omakase Daily Specials
My experience at this restaurant was great. It's a decent sushi place in the Excelsior with some great daily specials. You can't beat the $42 omakase.
- daily specials9
- omakase10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Mind-Blowing Omakase on Mission Street
My experience at this restaurant was an absolute delight! I visited based on a co-worker's recommendation, expecting ordinary sushi, but I was incredibly wrong. This place is mind-blowing.
The omakase was the best I've ever had outside of Japan, featuring incredibly fresh ingredients. The service was also fun and friendly. I make it a point to stop here every time I'm in San Francisco, as the trip wouldn't be complete without it.
- omakase10
- ingredients9
- service9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
7
Great Food, Limited Vegan Options
My one complaint is the lack of vegan / vegetarian options on the lunch special bento box menu. The lunch special bento box is exclusively for fish, beef, pork, and chicken. I inquired about substituting agedashi tofu as the protein for my bento box and was informed they would need to consult with the boss.
In the interim, I had to order from the all-day menu. I opted for the sweet potato tempura roll, which had a delicately crispy, pillowy soft bite to it – a lovely contrast. I also enjoyed the wakame su, a cucumber and seaweed salad that was light and refreshing on this hot day!
The next time I dine at Amami Sushi Bistro, I sincerely hope to see a vegan or vegetarian option added to the LSBB. Fingers crossed!
- agedashi tofu5
- sweet potato tempura roll9
- wakame su8
- vegan / vegetarian options2
- lunch special bento box3
What Amami offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Amami Sushi Bistro?
Amami Sushi Bistro offers flexible dining options including dine-in service for both lunch and dinner, complete with table service. If you prefer to enjoy your meal elsewhere, you can also choose convenient takeout or delivery services.
Does Amami Sushi Bistro offer parking and accessibility features?
Yes, Amami Sushi Bistro provides both free street parking and paid street parking options for your convenience. The establishment is also fully wheelchair accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating to ensure a comfortable experience for all guests.
What is Amami's overall rating and what are its strongest areas?
Amami has an overall score of 7.1. Its strongest areas are Food (7.2), Ambience (7.1), and Value (7), all receiving good scores. Service (6.9) is also rated good.
Is Amami considered good value for sushi?
Yes, many patrons find Amami to offer good value, particularly for its omakase and fresh sushi, often describing it as affordable.
Are there any common issues with service or wait times at Amami?
Some customers have experienced long wait times for orders and occasional instances of rude customer service, suggesting service can be inconsistent.