Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Floating Sushi Boat – San Francisco
Floating Sushi Boat - San Francisco
Photo from Floating Sushi Boat
Floating Sushi Boat at a glance
San Francisco South of Market
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 108 of the guests
#2332 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#173 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Average
4.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
560
Reviews
39.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Floating concept
- Fresh sushi
- Chef interaction
Frequently criticized
- Service inconsistency
- Billing issues
- Hygiene concerns
The restaurant Floating Sushi Boat is a Japanese Restaurant located in the vibrant South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. Here, you can experience a unique dining concept where fresh sushi and small plates glide by, ready for you to pick.
It’s a casual spot perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner, offering a delightful culinary journey right in the heart of the city. You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere for both lunch and dinner.
Overview: Introducting Floating Sushi Boat
Floating Sushi Boat offers a distinctive dining experience, with many appreciating the fresh food and the engaging chef service. Customers often find the overall concept enjoyable, making for a pleasant meal.
The unique presentation adds a fun element to the dining process. However, some diners have encountered significant issues, particularly concerning the service quality and transparency around tipping.
There are also concerns about the consistency of food freshness and the general cleanliness of the establishment, which can detract from the experience.
Average
4.7
out of 10
560
Reviews
39.1%
Satisfaction
300
negative
41
neutral
219
positive
Overall, Floating Sushi Boat earns an average 4.7 out of 10, indicating a mixed performance. This is somewhat at odds with the customer satisfaction, which stands at a rather poor 39.1%.
This suggests that while some aspects are appreciated, a significant portion of guests leave feeling disappointed. These insights are drawn from a substantial body of 560 customer remarks, with 219 positive observations and 300 negative ones.
Looking closer at specific areas, the Food (5.8) generally receives the highest marks, often described as fresh and enjoyable. The Ambience (5.2) also fares reasonably well, largely due to the unique floating boat concept.
However, both Service (3.3) and Value (3.3) fall into the poor category, indicating considerable room for improvement in how guests are treated and the perceived fairness of pricing.
What people like
- Unique floating concept
- Fresh sushi options
- Attentive chef interaction
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Unclear billing practices
- Hygiene concerns
Floating Sushi Boat presents a distinctive dining concept that can be quite enjoyable, particularly for those seeking a novel experience. However, with a recommendation score of 4.9, it’s clear that the overall experience is a mixed bag.
You might find the unique presentation appealing, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies. If you’re willing to overlook some service and value concerns for the sake of a fun, visual meal, it could be worth a visit.
But if consistent quality, transparent pricing, and impeccable service are your top priorities, you might find yourself disappointed. Approach with tempered expectations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Floating Sushi Boat
Food (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 91% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners found plenty to enjoy, with 136 positive remarks highlighting fresh and delicious options like sashimi, tempura, and a good variety of sushi, often served on fun floating boats. While the overall score for food sits at an average 5.8, the experience for many was quite satisfying, contributing to a mixed 51.9% customer satisfaction. However, with 99 negative comments out of 262 total, some experiences were less stellar.
Concerns arose about old sushi , bland flavors, stale items, and a perceived lack of quality or variety on the boats, with a few even mentioning food poisoning as a serious issue.
Food
262
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
99
negative
27
neutral
136
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, delicious sushi
- Fun floating boats
- Good variety
What people don't like
- Stale, old sushi
- Bland food
- Poor quality
Often praised
- foodWe sat by the boats, and just watching the boats float by was an experience in itself. The sushi and everything else that passed by was fresh and appetizingly presented, and it tasted very good. I highly recommend it.
- sushiDespite seeing many negative reviews, my honest experience was positive. The restaurant features super cute floating boats carrying freshly made sushi. The sushi chef was friendly, as was the waitress.
- dishesenjoy a wide selection of dishes
- freshTasted really fresh
- FoodFood was great
- Sushi BoatGrabbing from the boat was fun and delightful
- floating boatsSuper cute floating boats carrying freshly made sushi
- miso soupmiso soup 🍲, and steamed rice 🍚, were delicious too
- sushi boatMy experience at this restaurant was quite positive. I enjoyed a decent sushi boat, and I especially loved the chef who prepared the food; he was very attentive. The pricing is fair for food prepared on the spot.
- tempuraMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the delicious fresh sashimi, flaky tempura, and a delicious salmon roll. The service was excellent, and the restaurant itself was clean and comfortable.
Frequently criticized
- foodThen, just to be sure, she tried to charge me again, despite the money already being deducted from my account! I paid $100 for awful food, unpleasant service, and catastrophic behavior. I've never written a review before, but these people definitely deserve one.
- sushiMy experience at this restaurant was unfortunately the worst sushi I have ever had. The sushi had clearly been sitting out all day. Even the pieces I tried to pick as the freshest tasted stale and were chewy.
- riceThe rice is dried up so you know everything is OLD.
- rollsSome of those rolls have clearly been pre-made for hours
- food qualityThe food quality did not meet expectations
- freshnesscompared to the freshness and size of the food offered
- qualityThe price does not match the quality.
- sashimiMy sashimi had a bug in it
- Alaskan rollthe Alaskan roll gave us food poisoning
- BeefBeef tasted like SPONGE
If youre looking for a fun sushi experience with fresh options and dont mind a bit of hit-or-miss variety, it might be worth a try. Just be mindful of what you pick from the boats, as some diners reported issues with freshness and quality.
Service (3.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to service, some diners have found bright spots, praising the attentiveness of the staff, the pleasant demeanor of the chefs, and even quick seating. With 34 positive remarks, many appreciated the friendly staff and wonderful service, making for an enjoyable and low-maintenance dining experience. However, the overall picture for service is quite challenging, with a score of just 3.3 (poor) and customer satisfaction at a low 22.4% (poor).
A significant 113 negative comments highlight issues like rude staff attitudes, forced tipping practices, and a general lack of attention, often leading to an unwelcoming atmosphere and frustrating billing processes.
Service
152
Reviews
22%
Satisfaction
113
negative
5
neutral
34
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly chefs
- Quick seating
- Attentive service
What people don't like
- Rude staff attitude
- Forced tipping
- Unwelcoming atmosphere
Often praised
- serviceThe food was great and the prices were good. While I've heard others mention issues with the service, we honestly had no problems. The lady at the front was nice, and the chef was also nice.
- chefLove the chef that prepares the food he is very attentive
- staffthe staff was friendly and helpful
- ServiceService:4
- sushi chefAmazing sushi chef!
- waitressThe restaurant features super cute floating boats carrying freshly made sushi. The sushi chef was friendly, as was the waitress. The Bento (chicken katsu) offered good value.
- Sushi chefSushi chef was friendlier and made our special orders with a smile
- chef servicethe service fo the chef was pretty good
- lady at the frontLady at the front was nice
- low-maintenance way to dinePerfect low-maintenance way to dine
Frequently criticized
- serviceI'm giving one star because I can't give zero. The service was deplorable. The waitresses hovered around our table like flies, constantly asking for drink orders before we were even ready.
- waitressMy experience at the restaurant was disappointing due to the service. The older waitress seemed uninterested in helping customers. Similar to other reviews, we didn’t receive a receipt, meaning you're expected to remember or ask for the final price yourself.
- staffUpon arriving, the waitress immediately rushed us to order drinks before we had even settled our belongings at the table. The staff communicated by shouting at each other, creating a very unpleasant atmosphere where conversation was impossible. The restrooms are located in the basement, requiring a walk through the kitchen and dishwashing area.
- tipthe server added tip without putting it on the receipt
- attitudeLots of attitude when checking out
- attentionThe only attention that was given to us
- orderMy experience at the restaurant was quite disappointing. The service was deplorable; they forgot an order that we had to ask for, and they didn't even apologize. I ordered the salmon and tempura menu but only received one shrimp tempura.
- servera server who never came back to me to know if I wanted water
- English speaking personEnglish speaking person in there
- apologizethey did not even apologize
Given the overwhelmingly negative feedback on service, you might want to manage your expectations carefully. While some find the chefs friendly, be prepared for potential issues with staff attitude, tipping, and overall attentiveness if you decide to visit.
Ambience (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot offers a unique experience that many customers found quite fun! With 33 positive remarks out of 63 total, guests loved the innovative floating boat concept, the overall clean and comfortable restaurant, and the engaging decor. Many enjoyed the atmosphere, finding it a pleasant place to sit and watch the chef work, especially the little boats adding to the enjoyment.
However, the experience isn't universally glowing, with 25 negative comments indicating a mixed bag. The score for ambience sits at an average 5.2, and customer satisfaction is at a mixed 52.4%. Some found the atmosphere uncomfortable or cold, citing issues like dirty glasses, high noise levels from staff, and significant concerns about hygiene, particularly regarding the restrooms and their difficult access.
Ambience
63
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
25
negative
5
neutral
33
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unique floating boat concept
- Clean and comfortable
- Engaging decor
What people don't like
- Unpleasant atmosphere
- Poor restroom hygiene
- High noise level
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere is Chinese-style but still a very classic restaurant
- boatsThe food was super. We sat by the boats, and just watching the boats float by was an experience in itself. The sushi and everything else that passed by was fresh and appetizingly presented, and it tasted very good.
- AtmosphereI particularly loved the floating boat presentation, and we were seated pretty quickly. The food and atmosphere were great, making for a pleasant lunch.
- experienceInitially, I was concerned about the cost, but the price was great and we left feeling FULL. The food was good and it was a fun experience.
- floating boatunique experience where food comes to you on a floating boat
- locationil y a un bon potentiel avec l’emplacement dans le quartier
- chef workMy experience at the restaurant was wonderful. I love sitting at the counter, watching the chef work and seeing new plates added to the boats. It's always delicious!
- cleanlinessThe place is nice, the food is tasty and at a good price. Nothing spectacular, rather normal, but very clean. Atmosphere was rated 4/4, Food was rated 4/4, and Service was rated 3/3.
- conceptAmazing concept too!
- counter seatingLove sitting at the counter
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereUpon arriving, the waitress immediately rushed us to order drinks before we had even settled our belongings at the table. The staff communicated by shouting at each other, creating a very unpleasant atmosphere where conversation was impossible. The restrooms are located in the basement, requiring a walk through the kitchen and dishwashing area.
- cleanlinessThe price was absolutely not adapted to the products. Cleanliness needs improvement; we had to walk through the kitchens and dishwashing area to reach the restrooms. Inside the toilets, it was evident cleaning wasn't a priority – the door was black with dirt and the floor was wet with an unknown substance.
- bathroomBathroom was also dirty and reeked
- difficult journeyreaching the restrooms was a difficult journey.
- drafty areaAnsonsten saß man im Durchzug
- fly in the waternoticed a fly floating in the water
- glassesthe glasses were dirty
- hygieneraised concerns about hygiene
- lurking aroundlurking arround while eating
- memorable timeIf you want to have a memorable time in China Town avoid this place.
If you're looking for a unique dining experience with a fun, interactive concept, especially the floating boats, this place might be worth a visit. However, be prepared for a potentially mixed atmosphere, as some guests have noted issues with noise and cleanliness, particularly in the restroom areas.
Value (3.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners found bright spots, praising the price, affordable prices, and even the quality-price ratio. With 16 positive remarks, many appreciated the good pricing, great deals, and delicious, affordable food, sometimes even noting that no tip was automatically added. However, the overall sentiment for value is quite challenging, with a score of just 3.3 and customer satisfaction at a low 19.3%.
Out of 83 total comments, a significant 63 were negative, highlighting issues like being expensive, overpriced, and facing automatic gratuity or a general lack of transparency. Many felt ripped off by forced tips, additional charges, and menu prices not matching the final bill.
Value
83
Reviews
19%
Satisfaction
63
negative
4
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Good quality-price ratio
- Fair pricing
What people don't like
- Overpriced food
- Forced automatic gratuity
- Lack of transparency
Often praised
- priceGreat food at a great price.
- pricesThe kids loved seeing the food and having fun with the floating buffet boats. The prices were reasonable, and we felt comfortable throughout our meal. We highly recommend trying the eel!
- pricingPricing is fair for being prepared on spot
- affordablefood was delicious and affordable
- affordable pricesfor affordable prices
- dealslow prices for some of the deals they offer
- quality-price ratioBon rapport qualité prix
- tipNO tip was added to bill. That was at discretion.
- unique patternsplates are clearly marked in unique patterns to tell the price
Frequently criticized
- priceThen, just to be sure, she tried to charge me again, despite the money already being deducted from my account! I paid $100 for awful food, unpleasant service, and catastrophic behavior. I've never written a review before, but these people definitely deserve one.
- tipThe service was unpleasant and terrible. When it came to paying, the server added a 15% tip, even though I explicitly told her I didn't want to leave one. Then, just to be sure, she tried to charge me again, despite the money already being deducted from my account!
- billbill suppose to be around $38 to 45 ended be $70
- moneymake sure that you have money before you come here
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. The dishes looked far from fresh, and the prices were high for what was offered. After some hesitation, we decided not to dine there due to the unappealing appearance of the food.
- expensiveit's quite expensive for what it is
- restroom chargeAfter some hesitation, we decided not to dine there due to the unappealing appearance of the food. To make matters worse, as we were leaving, we were asked to pay $3 because our children had used the restaurant’s restroom. This, coupled with an unpleasant attitude from the staff, solidified our decision.
- $5 tipgive themselves a $5 tip she didn't even deserve
- 20 percent tipgibt sie sich beim Kartenzahlen automatisch 20 Prozent Trinkgeld
- 25% tipBeim bezahlen wurden dann 25% Trinkgeld gefordert
If you're looking for clear, fair pricing and a good deal, this might not be the place for you, as many felt overcharged and misled. Proceed with caution and double-check your bill if you decide to visit.
How are the prices at Floating Sushi Boat?
You’re looking at roughly 34 per person – reported by 108 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Japanese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 34$, a good chunk of diners actually spend a bit less, with the most common price point falling in the $21–$30 range. This tells us there’s a nice mix of options, from quick bites to more substantial meals.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 108 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against other similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Japanese spot in San Francisco. It offers good value, especially with those popular options in the $21–$30 range.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Floating Sushi Boat
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Experience with Food and Service
My experience at this restaurant was quite negative. The food wasn't fresh, which is a major concern. Additionally, the staff seemed to try and seat smaller parties on the conveyor belt, which felt like an odd arrangement.
I also encountered issues with the bill, as they attempted to add additional charges that were not ordered. To make matters worse, they automatically added the tip without any justification, which I found disrespectful, even though I typically tip when dining out.
- food2
- staff3
- additional charges2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Sweet Treat, Lovely Chinatown Experience
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. I purchased 4 sugar-coated strawberries for $9. 99, which was a bit pricey for the quantity.
However, the overall experience in the heart of Chinatown was lovely. The service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5, indicating a very pleasant environment and attentive staff. Unfortunately, the food quality received a low score of 2, suggesting a significant area for improvement in that aspect.
- service10
- atmosphere10
- sugar coated strawberry2
- food2
- price3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Awful Service, Decent Sushi
My experience at this restaurant was quite negative due to the awful service. Upon sitting down, chopsticks were literally thrown at us by the waitress, which was an unpleasant start. While the sushi itself was decent, it was presented poorly and didn't seem very fresh.
Considering the price, I felt the overall experience wasn't worth it, describing the place as a scam.
- sushi5
- service1
- fresh2
- price1
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Pleasant Place, Good Food, Fair Price
The place is nice, the food is tasty and at a good price. Nothing spectacular, rather normal, but very clean. Atmosphere was rated 4/4, Food was rated 4/4, and Service was rated 3/3.
- place7
- food8
- price7
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
6
Okay Sushi, Poor Service Experience
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. The sushi was okay, but the service from an older female waitress was subpar. She didn't make eye contact, served us bitter iced tea, and rolled her eyes when we pointed out the issue with the iced tea.
Her tone was curt, and she gave us the impression she disliked us. However, the sushi chef was friendly.
- sushi6
- sushi chef8
- service2
- iced tea2
What Floating Sushi Boat offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
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
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and atmosphere can you expect at Floating Sushi Boat?
At Floating Sushi Boat, you can enjoy a casual dining experience for both lunch and dinner. Table service is available, and you can also indulge in delicious desserts after your meal. It’s a great spot for a relaxed and enjoyable time.
What service and accessibility features does Floating Sushi Boat offer?
Floating Sushi Boat provides flexible service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery for your convenience. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, with both an accessible entrance and seating. Paid street parking is also available nearby.
What do customers enjoy most about Floating Sushi Boat?
Many customers appreciate the unique floating boat concept, which creates an engaging dining atmosphere. The sushi itself is often described as fresh, and the attentive sushi chef receives positive remarks for their interaction with diners.
What are the main concerns at Floating Sushi Boat?
Key concerns revolve around inconsistent service, including issues with staff attitude and forgotten orders. There are also frequent complaints about unclear pricing, unexpected charges, and hygiene, particularly regarding restroom cleanliness.