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oChef » Dragon Horse – San Francisco
Dragon Horse - San Francisco
Photo from Dragon Horse
Dragon Horse at a glance
San Francisco West SoMa
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 54 of the guests
#770 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#64 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
7.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
471
Reviews
81.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Crafted drinks
- Vibrant setting
- Great service
Frequently criticized
- High cost
- Slow delivery
- Uneven food
The Japanese restaurant Dragon Horse in San Francisco’s vibrant West SoMa neighborhood offers a truly engaging dining experience. You’ll find a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for enjoying their delicious small plates.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed dinner or a lively spot to share bites with friends, this is a fantastic choice. They also serve a great selection of wine, beer, and cocktails to complement your meal.
Overview: Introducting Dragon Horse
Dragon Horse offers a vibrant experience where the creative cocktails and a generally fun atmosphere truly shine. Many guests appreciate the attentive service from a dedicated team, making for a pleasant visit.
It’s a spot that aims to deliver a memorable time, often succeeding with its unique offerings. However, some diners have noted that certain items feel overpriced, and there can be long wait times for food, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
While the culinary offerings are often praised, these aspects suggest a need for more consistent execution in certain areas.
Good
7.9
out of 10
471
Reviews
81.7%
Satisfaction
68
negative
18
neutral
385
positive
Dragon Horse earns a solid restaurant score of 7.9, indicating a generally good dining experience, supported by a strong customer satisfaction rate of 81.7%. This positive sentiment is built on 471 customer observations, with 385 positive remarks outweighing 68 negative ones, painting a picture of a well-regarded establishment.
The individual topic scores reveal some interesting insights: Ambience (8.3), Food (8), and Service (7.8) all perform well, suggesting these are consistent strengths. However, Value (4.8) stands out as an average point, indicating that while guests enjoy their time, the pricing can sometimes be a point of contention.
What people like
- Exceptional cocktails
- Lively atmosphere
- Attentive staff
What people don't like
- Overpriced offerings
- Extended food waits
- Inconsistent dish quality
With a recommendation score of 8.1, Dragon Horse is certainly worth considering, especially if you’re seeking a lively atmosphere and expertly crafted drinks. It’s a place that excels in creating a memorable social experience, backed by a generally strong culinary offering.
If you prioritize a vibrant setting and unique cocktails over strict budget adherence, you’ll likely find Dragon Horse a rewarding visit. Just be mindful that some items might feel a bit steep, and patience may be required during busy periods.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Dragon Horse
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a good score of 8 and a strong customer satisfaction of 82.1%. With 239 positive remarks out of 291 total comments, many diners rave about the fresh sushi and delicious skewers. Guests particularly enjoyed the creative izakaya dishes and perfectly prepared karaage, often highlighting the quality and flavor.
However, not every bite was a winner. Some of the 37 negative comments pointed to basic rolls and disappointing beef tongue skewers. A few found the ramen egg overcooked or mentioned that portion sizes could be on the smaller side, suggesting there's a little room for improvement in consistency and value.
Food
291
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
37
negative
15
neutral
239
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh sushi
- Delicious skewers
- Creative rolls
What people don't like
- Basic sushi quality
- Overcooked items
- Small portions
Often praised
- foodMy holiday favorites include the smooth, milk-washed Candy Cane, the smoky and bold Santa’s Hat, and the refreshing Snowman Punch, perfect for sharing with friends. But what really sets Dragon Horse apart is the food—far beyond typical bar fare. The grilled skewers are perfectly seasoned, the soft-shell crab ramen is rich and savory, the A5 wagyu nigiri melts in your mouth, and the unagi don is just divine.
- cocktailsMy absolute favorite spot in the Bay Area for holiday cocktails and festive vibes is Dragon Horse! The cocktails, crafted by Derrick Li—one of the Top 10 World Class US Bartenders of the Year—are nothing short of incredible. My holiday favorites include the smooth, milk-washed Candy Cane, the smoky and bold Santa’s Hat, and the refreshing Snowman Punch, perfect for sharing with friends.
- drinksThe food was amazing and the cocktails were out of this world. Their drinks were so creative and flavorful. For food, we ordered the beef and chicken skewers, gyoza, and seafood ramen.
- sushiMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a great late night spot with high quality sushi and a fun atmosphere. This place has quickly become a new necessity in the neighborhood, and we are happy to welcome it!
- FoodFood is ON POINT!
- chicken skewersThe best item is chicken skewers
- cocktailWe ordered the Hamaji yellowtail sashimi, karaage chicken, and the bulgogi beef. We also decided to try a cocktail after seeing many great reviews, and I can confirm that the cocktail did not disappoint. The food was also good.
- skewersMy experience at the restaurant was centered around their offerings of sushi, skewers, and cocktails. It's a perfect spot for late-night snacks and provides a cozy space to hang out with friends.
- Koumathe tall green one was Kouma - recommended by the bartender. A tart option perfect for me.
- Smoke Umamiwhat particularly stood out was the Smoke Umami
Frequently criticized
- foodlackluster, overpriced food
- sushiOut of the three dishes we ordered – the dragon horse roll, organic chicken skewers, and karaage chicken – only the karaage chicken was decent. The sushi tasted pretty low quality, like what you’d get from the supermarket, and the organic chicken skewers were too salty. For drinks, we had the flaming dragon and miso peppercorn and ended up preferring each other’s drink, so we swapped.
- Evan Williams whiskeybartender was using Evan Williams whiskey for cocktails that clearly said whiskey Markers or Angels Envy
- Flaming DragonFlaming Dragon: the only flavors that came out were yuzu and rose.
- Miso & PeppercornMiso & Peppercorn: too sweet to appreciate any miso and there was no peppercorn.
- Smoke UmameSmoke Umame: tasted strongly of raw mushroom and smoke, and nothing else.
- Whiskey Markers or Angels Envycocktails that clearly said whiskey Markers or Angels Envy, which is 2x the cost of Evan
- basic rollsvery basic rolls
- beef tongue skewerDidn't care for the beef tongue skewer
- beef tongue skewersLowlights were the beef tongue skewers
Overall, if youre looking for a place with generally delicious and fresh Japanese cuisine, especially sushi, skewers, and creative izakaya options, youll likely be pleased. Just be mindful that some dishes might be a bit basic or have smaller portions, but the positives strongly outweigh the negatives.
Service (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a good score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at 79.7%, guests frequently praise the friendly service and attentive staff . Many felt they received great care and appreciated awesome recommendations , often highlighting the award-winning bartender .
Based on 63 positive remarks out of 79 total, it seems the team truly aims to please. However, not every experience was perfect. A smaller number of diners, 15 to be exact, reported slow service and frustrating wait times for their food.
There were also a few isolated incidents involving a defensive bartender who even aggressively snatched a drink, which certainly soured some visits. These instances suggest there's still room for improvement in consistency.
Service
79
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
15
negative
1
neutral
63
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Great care provided
- Award-winning bartender
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Long wait times
- Defensive bartender
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by extremely interesting cocktails, a chill and unique ambiance, and attentive service. While the food was pretty good, it hasn't quite lived up to its price point so far.
- staffVicky took great care of us and ensured we had the absolute best time. Despite being a relatively new establishment, the entire Dragon Horse staff did an amazing job keeping up with our large group’s many needs. The cocktails were superb, the food was tasty, and the karaoke catalogue was on point.
- ServiceThe food came out quickly and was solid. Service was warm and welcoming.
- bartenderThe bartender was super friendly
- owner Derrickhe is very knowledgeable which is reflected in his food and beverage menu
- serverVicky was an exceptional server
- ChristianOur server Christian was also funny, attentive, and kind
- DerrickDerrick is the best.
- VickyWe booked the private karaoke room for a work function on fairly short notice. Vicky took great care of us and ensured we had the absolute best time. Despite being a relatively new establishment, the entire Dragon Horse staff did an amazing job keeping up with our large group’s many needs.
- Wait timeWe ordered the chicken wings and a spider roll. The food came out quickly and was solid. Service was warm and welcoming.
Frequently criticized
- serviceAbsolutely horrific service. Server was high on something
- aggressively snatched my drinkaggressively snatched my drink from me to remake it
- bartenderbartender was using Evan Williams whiskey for cocktails that clearly said whiskey Markers or Angels Envy
- defensiveGot very defensive immediately and then aggressively snatched my drink
- first dishthe first dish (gyudon) didn’t come out until 45 minutes after ordering
- individual dishesnone of our individual dishes came out at the same time
- monkfish liver and hamachi collarWe waited 1.5 hours for these two dishes but they maybe forgot to put the order in
- order statuschecked with the waitstaff 2 times on the status of our order because our food was coming out so slow
- scallop nigiriThe 2 small pieces of scallop nigiri, which didn’t even require any cooking, took a full hour
- wait timesthe long wait times soured our experience
Overall, the service here is generally a strong point, with many guests enjoying friendly and attentive interactions. While most visits are smooth, be prepared for potential wait times during busy periods, and hopefully, you won't encounter the occasional defensive bartender .
Ambience (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
The ambiance here truly shines, earning a good score of 8.3 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 90.6%. Guests consistently praise the ambiance, vibe, and karaoke options, often calling it a cozy and late night spot. With 77 positive remarks out of 85 total, it's clear many find the atmosphere welcoming, fun, and perfect for groups or a chill evening.
However, a few guests (6 negative remarks) noted some minor drawbacks. Concerns included dim lighting making it a bit dark inside, and some felt the music choices could be improved, with one even saying it killed the vibe. While these are few, they suggest areas for refinement to perfect the overall experience.
Ambience
85
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
6
negative
2
neutral
77
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fun karaoke rooms
- Cozy, welcoming vibe
- Great for groups
What people don't like
- Dim lighting
- Poor music choice
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a great late night spot with high quality sushi and a fun atmosphere. This place has quickly become a new necessity in the neighborhood, and we are happy to welcome it!
- ambianceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by extremely interesting cocktails, a chill and unique ambiance, and attentive service. While the food was pretty good, it hasn't quite lived up to its price point so far.
- karaokeoffered to do some karaoke, which was a fun vibe
- vibethe vibe was perfect for the group
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- interiorThe interior was also nicely decorated for Christmas
- late night spotMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a great late night spot with high quality sushi and a fun atmosphere. This place has quickly become a new necessity in the neighborhood, and we are happy to welcome it!
- private roomFor food, I highly recommend the gyu don, beef skewers, and the dragon horse roll. They also offer karaoke and a private room for events, making it a versatile spot.
- Japanese aestheticsRestaurant blending Japanese aesthetics
- KaraokeEven have Karaoke for entertainment.
Frequently criticized
- dim lightingA bit dark inside
- experienceoverall the experience was underwhelming
- killed the vibeIt killed the vibe so we left
- locationThe only slight con may be the location
- musicthe music could be better too many edm covers
- slimythe whole situation felt very slimy
If you're seeking a lively, cozy spot with fantastic karaoke and a great late-night vibe, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be aware that the lighting might be dim, and the music selection might not be for everyone, but the overall atmosphere is a huge draw.
Value (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
When it comes to value, some guests found things to love, especially regarding prices and cocktails. Many felt the pricing was reasonable, with some even calling the cocktails underpriced and the overall experience affordable and tasty. Based on 6 positive remarks, theres a definite appreciation for certain aspects of their offering.
However, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment, with a customer satisfaction of just 37.5%. Many felt the food was overpriced or mediocre for how it was priced, with concerns about the price point and high prices for drinks. With 10 negative comments, some even mentioned feeling like the restaurant might cut corners' on portions.
The score for value sits at an average 4.8.
Value
16
Reviews
37%
Satisfaction
10
negative
0
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good area value
- Affordable cocktails
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Poor portion value
Often praised
- priceThe atmosphere was super chill, the drinks were great, and the sushi was delightful. In a city with many insanely expensive and not-so-good sushi options, this place stands out as fun, affordable, and tasty. Bring yourself!
- cocktailsDare I say that the cocktails are underpriced at $16
- pricesWell priced!
- pricingPricing was reasonable
- valueOverall good value for the area
Frequently criticized
- pricethe portions vs the price really put me off
- cut cornersstandard business practice to cut corners and skimp customers
- drinksthe drinks to be a bit overpriced
- high pricesThe cocktails weren’t worth the high prices.
- overpricedMy overall experience was pretty disappointing. The food was mediocre and overpriced, though the drinks were decent. The atmosphere is pretty good, making it a decent spot for a date.
- price per rollnearly $20 per roll
- price pointMy experience at this restaurant was marked by extremely interesting cocktails, a chill and unique ambiance, and attentive service. While the food was pretty good, it hasn't quite lived up to its price point so far. I'll definitely be back, probably for after-dinner drinks and maybe a snack.
- skimp customerscut corners and skimp customers, but it sure felt that way
If youre heading out for drinks and a chill vibe, you might find some decent value here, especially with those underpriced cocktails. However, be prepared that the foods price point and portions might leave you feeling its a bit overpriced' and not quite worth it.
How are the prices at Dragon Horse?
You’re looking at roughly 48 per person – reported by 54 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 the average sits nicely in the $41–$50 range, we see a good mix in the spending habits. Many guests also opt for options in the 21 – 40 $ brackets, showing there’s flexibility, but there are also some who go for the more premium 51 $ and above experiences.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 54 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance, catering to those looking for a solid mid-range experience while also having options for a more premium meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Dragon Horse
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Disappointing Sushi, Slow Service
My experience at this restaurant was largely disappointing. The sushi was below average, especially when compared to other establishments in the area. While the other dishes were average, the fried foods were particularly off-putting due to a wet batter in the center, making them feel slimy.
The cocktails were creative, but the selection was limited. To top it off, the service was extremely slow.
- other foods5
- cocktails6
- sushi2
- fried foods2
- service1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
6
Delicious Dragon Roll, Slow Service
During a busy week in San Francisco with a major tech conference, we visited Dragon Horse. While I understand they were likely slammed, the service was slow, with a 30-minute wait for drinks before our server realized they hadn't been ordered. I tried the Dragon Roll, highly recommended on Google reviews, and it was indeed delicious!
I would definitely order that again. However, the overall experience was just okay. Given the slow service and the abundance of great sushi options in SF, I probably wouldn't return, though it might be better on a quieter night.
- Dragon Roll9
- experience5
- service2
Price per Person
- $91–$100
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Outstanding Whisky Selection at Amazing Café
My experience at this café was truly amazing, primarily due to its outstanding whisky selection. The variety of whiskies available was impressive, making it the perfect spot for anyone who appreciates fine spirits. The café also scored a perfect 5 out of 5 for food, service, and atmosphere, indicating a consistently high-quality experience across the board.
- whisky selection10
- variety9
- food10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Cool Atmosphere, Okay Food
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The atmosphere was really cool, earning a 5/5. However, the food was just okay, rated a 3/5.
The highlights of the meal were the zucchini skewers, shrimp skewers, and veggie tempura. On the other hand, the beef tongue skewers and the ramen egg (which was overcooked) were definite lowlights. I'm unsure about the sushi.
The pricing was reasonable for San Francisco, and the service was good, scoring a 4/5.
- atmosphere10
- food6
- zucchini skewers8
- beef tongue skewers3
- ramen egg3
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
8
Good Food, Great Service
My experience at the restaurant was good. The ramen was acceptable, but the soft shell crab was pretty good and made up for it. The roll was also pretty good, and the drinks were good.
Overall, it was a good experience.
- ramen5
- soft shell crab7
- roll7
What Dragon Horse offers
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Table service
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Dragon Horse?
At Dragon Horse, you can expect a casual and trendy Japanese dining experience in San Francisco’s West SoMa. They offer dinner with comfortable seating and table service, specializing in small plates, complemented by a selection of wine, beer, and cocktails.
Does Dragon Horse offer delivery, and can you make reservations?
Yes, Dragon Horse provides both dine-in and delivery service options for your convenience. You can also accept reservations, making it easy to plan your visit. It’s a good spot for kids too, with high chairs available.
How does Dragon Horse rate overall?
Dragon Horse holds a good overall score of **7.9** with a customer satisfaction of **81.7%**. Its **Food** (8), **Ambience** (8.3), and **Service** (7.8) are highly rated, though **Value** (4.8) is considered average.
What are the standout features of Dragon Horse?
Customers frequently praise Dragon Horse for its creative cocktails, fun and unique atmosphere, and attentive, friendly staff. It’s often highlighted as a great late-night spot with high-quality sushi and skewers.
Are there any common concerns at Dragon Horse?
Some guests have noted concerns regarding the pricing, finding certain items or drinks to be overpriced. Additionally, there have been mentions of long wait times for food and occasional inconsistencies in dish quality.