Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
oChef » Lion West Portal – San Francisco
Lion West Portal - San Francisco
Photo from Lion West Portal
Lion West Portal at a glance
San Francisco Saint Francis Wood
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 33 of the guests
#1269 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#104 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
7.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
264
Reviews
73.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Creative cuisine
- Fair pricing
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent dishes
- Service lapses
The restaurant, a delightful Japanese eatery in San Francisco’s charming Saint Francis Wood neighborhood, offers a truly inviting experience. When you step into Lion West Portal, you’ll immediately notice its cozy and trendy atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed dinner.
You can enjoy a selection of healthy options and small plates, complemented by a thoughtful wine and beer list. It’s an ideal spot for an intimate evening out.
Overview: Introducting Lion West Portal
Lion West Portal offers a distinctive dining experience, moving beyond typical sushi with its innovative small plates and grilled items. Guests often praise the fresh, creative offerings, especially the vegan sushi and the engaging $5 bites cart, which adds a unique touch to the meal.
Good
7.4
out of 10
264
Reviews
73.9%
Satisfaction
55
negative
14
neutral
195
positive
The restaurant holds a respectable overall score of 7.4, indicating a generally good experience, with customer satisfaction also landing in the good range at 73.9%. This positive sentiment is built on 195 favorable remarks against 55 critical ones, out of 264 total customer observations.
The Food (7.9) is a clear standout, often described as fresh and inventive, while Ambience (7.3) and Value (7.2) also contribute positively to the dining experience.
What people like
- Creative sushi offerings
- Unique no-tip model
- Excellent vegan options
What people don't like
- Inconsistent dish quality
- Occasional service lapses
- Some ambiance issues
If you’re seeking creative sushi and appreciate a unique approach to dining, Lion West Portal is certainly worth considering. The 7.8 recommendation score suggests many find it a compelling choice, particularly for its innovative menu and the transparent pricing model.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Lion West Portal
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines, boasting a good score of 7.9 and a good customer satisfaction of 81.1%. With 116 positive remarks out of 143 total opinions, diners rave about the fresh, tasty, and creative sushi and sashimi, especially the diverse vegan selections and the quality and creativity of the dishes. However, a smaller group of 21 negative comments points to some areas for improvement.
Some found the variety of sushi rolls lacking, while others felt the food flavors could be inconsistent, with issues like warm raw salmon or flavorless rolls occasionally popping up. Allergy concerns were also noted.
Food
143
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
21
negative
6
neutral
116
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, tasty, creative
- Excellent sushi quality
- Vast vegan options
What people don't like
- Limited roll variety
- Inconsistent food flavors
- Allergy concerns
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was a great addition to the neighborhood. The food is not your typical sushi fare; instead, they offer little dishes, grilled items, a selection of rolls, and other innovative chef specials. Everything was super fresh and tasty.
- sushiMy experience at Lion was a complete delight. The restaurant offers delicious and creative takes on sushi, catering to both traditional and vegan preferences, all presented with a spirit of warmth and fun. A combination of offerings from both the menu and trolley cart worked great for our party of four.
- vegan sushiI absolutely LOVE this place! We had been missing a great vegan sushi place ever since Tataki Canyon closed, and I’m so glad Lion opened. Everything we had was delicious, and the little carts going around, Dim Sum-style, were a nice treat.
- fishMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful. The top quality service and amazing fish were highlights. The chef and his team are a treasure.
- vegan optionsThe vegan options were very creative and flavorful
- rollsThe menu was wonderfully creative and generous, with nearly a third of the offerings being vegan. We were impressed by the BIG rolls and the expedited appetizer selection, which was shown table-side, ensuring no delay. The service was awesome!
- Paul the Pilotflaming 'Paul the Pilot' taking center stage as the crowd-pleaser
- menuWonderfully creative and generous menu
- vegan selectionsseveral vegan selections in the menu
- $5 bitescart with $5 bites was ver unique
Frequently criticized
- 49 rollI ordered the 49 roll which was one of the only raw salmon rolls.
- Elaine rollThe Elaine roll was not great
- anything other than sushianything other than sushi, like teriyaki anything and bento box combos, you’re wasting your time.
- capersThe capers were over powering the hamachi
- chips and dipHad the chips and dip was not impressed at all with it
- flavorless rollon a flavorless roll with crunchy bits of apple.
- food allergiesnegligent with food allergies
- food flavorstoo much was happening with the food flavors it just want good
- glutenthey contained gluten
- happy hour infomenu and happy hour info was a little confusing
If you're seeking fresh, creative sushi with excellent quality and a fantastic array of vegan options, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that the roll variety might be limited for some, and a few diners experienced inconsistent flavors or allergy issues.
Service (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 82% of the guests
Many diners have praised the service, with 32 positive comments out of 58 total mentions highlighting an attentive and welcoming staff. Guests frequently noted that food came quickly and they were sat down right away, contributing to a pleasant experience. The overall score for service sits at 6.5, indicating a generally positive, though not outstanding, performance.
However, there are areas for improvement, as 21 negative comments point to instances of slow service and disorganized service. Some guests experienced long wait times, and concerns were raised about staff training and strict policies like no substitutions. This contributes to a customer satisfaction rate of 55.2%, suggesting a mixed bag where consistency could be better.
Service
58
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
21
negative
5
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, friendly staff
- Quick food delivery
- Warm, welcoming service
What people don't like
- Slow, disorganized service
- Long wait times
- Inflexible policies
Often praised
- serviceThe decor was unique, and the vibe struck a perfect balance between elegant and casual. The service was friendly, and the staff were attentive. While there was initial sticker shock regarding the price, the rolls are huge and very high quality, offering great value for money.
- staffWe were both blown away at the quality and creativity. The prices were great, the place is very kid friendly (we brought our baby), and the staff was wonderful. We will definitely be going back!
- ServiceThe sushi is interesting with unique ingredients. Service was quick and efficient. It's a great new addition to the West Portal restaurant scene.
- wait timeWait time:No wait
- Mun & SukiMun & Suki were wonderful!
- StaffStaff is nice
- chef and his teamThe top quality service and amazing fish were highlights. The chef and his team are a treasure. It's a great place for dates and group celebrations for something special.
- food came quicklyfood came quickly
- ownersMet the owners our first time there. Very friendly and inviting
- reservationI’ve had several great meals here already. It fills up quick, so worth a reservation if you’re not an early eater. The sushi bowls are amazing.
Frequently criticized
- serviceSlow service considering that my friend and I were the only ones there
- waitaddressed the long wait
- ConsistencyThe prices have remained the same or increased, and their Miso soup is overpriced. Consistency is important in a business, and I've seen a decline in that aspect.
- card terminalWe also had to remind them multiple times to bring utensils, water, and tea—things you’d expect to be proactively offered at this price point. When it came time to pay, I had to go up to the counter because the card terminal wasn’t working properly, and I didn’t receive a receipt. As for the food, it was just okay—not bad, but far from extraordinary given the premium prices.
- chefonly ONE chef back there doing nigiri
- customer serviceIt was a lackluster experience overall. The previous establishment had better customer service. I understand why the place is empty; it's just not a welcoming or lively place to visit.
- disorganized servicePrices were notably higher than other sushi restaurants in the area, setting high expectations that, unfortunately, were not met. Service was disorganized. Our server had to double-check our order and still managed to miss one item entirely.
- food serviceInsanely SLOW food service
- no substitutionsincluding no substitutions
- rolled cartsthese two are gone
Service here can be a bit of a gamble; you might get a wonderfully attentive experience or face some frustrating delays. If you're not in a rush and value a welcoming atmosphere, it could be worth a visit, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies.
Ambience (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, with a good score of 7.3 and a good customer satisfaction of 80%. Many guests, accounting for 28 positive remarks, praise the calm atmosphere and beautiful ambiance, often describing it as cozy and casual. The decor and vibe are frequently highlighted as elegant yet relaxed, with kid friendly aspects and even a nice bathroom with a Japanese toilet adding to the positive experience.
However, not everyone finds the atmosphere perfect, with 7 negative comments pointing out some issues. A few found the loud reggae music didn't quite fit the vibe of the place, while others were put off by an incredibly fishy smell or aroma. Some also noted uncomfortable seating, specifically small tables and tiny stools without back support, which detracted from their overall experience.
Ambience
35
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Calm, cozy atmosphere
- Beautiful decor, vibe
- Impressive bathroom
What people don't like
- Unpleasant fishy smell
- Uncomfortable seating
- Mismatched loud music
Often praised
- atmosphereI had an excellent dinner with fantastic sushi. The service was also top-notch, and the atmosphere was great. It was the best sushi I’ve had in SF.
- ambianceMy experience dining here last night was lovely. The restaurant offered a cozy and casual atmosphere with excellent food and ambiance. The staff were excellent, and the food was great.
- bathroomthe bathroom was the best part of the experience
- vibethe vibe was elegant and casual
- Japanese toiletNice bathroom with Japanese toilet
- Nice bathroomNice bathroom with Japanese toilet
- calm atmosphereif you want a calm atmosphere to enjoy unique dishes
- decorThey also impressed me with several vegan selections on the menu, a terrific addition. The decor was unique, and the vibe struck a perfect balance between elegant and casual. The service was friendly, and the staff were attentive.
- experienceIt’s very enjoyable
- go to spotOur new go to spot
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe previous establishment had better customer service. I understand why the place is empty; it's just not a welcoming or lively place to visit. It's a hard pass for me, and I won't be back!
- aromaI came by once and the place smelled incredibly fishy. We didn’t make it to the meal because we couldn’t stand the aroma. The atmosphere was rated a 1, and there was no wait time.
- fishy smellI came by once and the place smelled incredibly fishy. We didn’t make it to the meal because we couldn’t stand the aroma.
- loud reggae musicThe loud reggae music didn’t seem to fit the vibe
- seatingThe interior was beautifully remodeled, reminiscent of the former restaurant that tragically burned down. However, the seating was less than ideal—small tables and tiny stools without back support made for an uncomfortable dining experience. Our visit quickly took a downturn due to slow service.
- vibe of the placedidn’t seem to fit the vibe of the place
If youre seeking a generally calm and beautifully decorated spot with a unique vibe, this place is often a hit. Just be mindful of potential issues like the music choice or seating comfort, and hope you dont encounter any lingering smells. Its worth trying if those minor concerns dont deter you.
Value (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a 7.2 score, which is quite good! Many guests, accounting for 19 positive opinions, rave about getting value for money, especially with those price matches quality dishes and the fantastic $5 cart appetizers. The no tip model was also a huge bonus that customers truly appreciated.
However, customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 67.9%, indicating some room for improvement. A few patrons, 6 to be exact, felt the prices were notably higher, with some even mentioning premium prices and feeling overcharged for items like bottled Sapporo. Crucially, some noted the restaurant is NO LONGER tip free, which contradicts a past positive.
Value
28
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
6
negative
3
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Value for money
- Great appetizer value
- Price matches quality
What people don't like
- No longer tip-free
- High prices
- Overpriced drinks
Often praised
- pricesI thought the prices were reasonable, and if I take 20% off, the prices are quite good
- $5 cart appetizersthe $5 cart appetizers are amazing value
- cheaper nigirihaven’t had cheaper nigiri that is this caliber
- dealgreat deal on paper
- feesbeing absent the myriad fees that typically lard up a final bill
- gratuitiesincluding gratuities
- no tax / tip / fee systemLove the no tax / tip / fee system
- no tip modelThe staff were excellent, and the food was great. I was surprised by the "no tip" model, but I do appreciate that, as I haven't seen it in SF before, though I have in other cities. This is a great choice for sushi in the neighborhood.
- no tip or service feeAlso a no tip or service fee restaurant
- no-tips modelThe service was wonderful. The no-tips model makes me feel good about patronizing an establishment that pays its servers fairly rather than forcing them to rely on tips. We’ll be back here frequently.
Frequently criticized
- Miso soupTheir Miso soup over price
- PricesPrices still the same or more
- bottled SapporoGrossly overcharged $10 for it and considering a six pack is 10 it's a huge rip off.
- premium pricesfar from extraordinary given the premium prices
- pricesThe menu, while limited, featured a variety of sushi rolls, sashimi, and nigiri. Prices were notably higher than other sushi restaurants in the area, setting high expectations that, unfortunately, were not met. Service was disorganized.
- tip optionsthis place is NO LONGER tip free. You will see suggested tip options
If you're looking for good value, especially for appetizers and quality sushi, this place is worth considering. Just be aware that some items might feel pricey, and the no-tip policy might no longer be in effect.
How are the prices at Lion West Portal?
You’re looking at roughly 45 per person – reported by 33 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Japanese Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is around 45$, the prices are quite spread out! You’ll find options for those looking for a more budget-friendly meal, as well as premium choices for a special occasion.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 33 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good range of options, so you can tailor your experience to your budget.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Lion West Portal
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Sushi and Welcoming Staff
My experience at this sushi place was fantastic. The vegan sushi was amazing, and the fish sushi was incredibly fresh. Beyond the food, the staff were so kind and warm.
They even remembered our 1-year-old and were super welcoming of us having her with us, making it a comfortable experience for our family. I visit as often as I'm able!
- vegan sushi10
- fish sushi10
- staff10
Price per Person
- $91–$100
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Exceptional Food, Ambiance, and Service!
This was my first time visiting, and I absolutely loved it! The food was delicious, the ambiance was beautiful, and the service was exceptional. Thank you!
- food10
- ambiance10
- service10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
9
Amazing Vegan Sushi Worth the Wait
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially with their vegan sushi. Although the food took some time to come out on a Friday night, it was absolutely worth the wait. The food was exceptional, and the overall experience was highly positive.
- vegan sushi10
- food10
- wait4
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Consistently Delicious Nigiri and Specialty Rolls
My experience at this restaurant was consistently delicious! We always order Nigiri and specialty rolls, and they are perfect anytime. I haven't had cheaper nigiri that is this caliber in San Francisco.
Everything is well flavored.
- Nigiri9
- specialty rolls9
- cheaper nigiri9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Excellent Food and Service!
Walked in on a whim for lunch on a Friday afternoon. The restaurant has a relatively short menu, but the food was excellent throughout. The vegan selections were quite good as well.
The service was rated a 5 out of 5, and the atmosphere was rated a 4 out of 5. We had no wait time and reservations were not required. The price per person was $30–50.
Highly recommend for vegetarians.
- food10
- vegan selections8
- service10
What Lion West Portal offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
Parking
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Trendy
FAQs
Do you need reservations to dine at Lion West Portal?
Yes, it is recommended to make dinner reservations when planning your visit to Lion West Portal. While they do accept reservations, securing your table in advance ensures you can enjoy their table service without a wait.
What kind of dining experience and atmosphere does Lion West Portal offer?
Lion West Portal provides a cozy and trendy atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed dinner. You can expect a comfortable dine-in experience with table service, offering healthy options and small plates, complemented by wine and beer.
How does Lion West Portal generally score with diners?
Lion West Portal receives a good overall score of 7.4, with customer satisfaction at 73.9%. Diners particularly appreciate the Food (7.9), Ambience (7.3), and Value (7.2), though Service (6.5) is seen as more average.
What makes the food at Lion West Portal unique?
The restaurant is known for its creative and fresh food, offering innovative small dishes, grilled items, and a variety of rolls beyond typical sushi. Many highlight the delicious and creative vegan options, as well as the fun dim sum-style cart with ‘$5 bites’.
What should I know about the pricing and service model?
Lion West Portal operates on a ‘no tax / tip / fee’ system, which many customers appreciate for its transparency and perceived value, especially for items like the ‘$5 cart appetizers’. However, some have noted that prices can still feel high for certain items, and there have been occasional reports of slow or disorganized service.