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oChef » Nara – San Francisco
Nara - San Francisco
Photo from Nara
Nara at a glance
San Francisco Polk Gulch
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 63 of the guests
#524 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#54 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
403
Reviews
81.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The Japanese restaurant Nara, nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Polk Gulch neighborhood, offers a truly inviting experience. You’ll find a cozy atmosphere perfect for enjoying a delightful meal, whether you’re looking for late-night food or healthy options.
With a menu featuring small plates, vegetarian options, and a selection of wine and beer, it’s a versatile spot for any occasion.
Overview: Introducting Nara
Excellent
8.1
out of 10
403
Reviews
81.9%
Satisfaction
51
negative
22
neutral
330
positive
What people like
What people don't like
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Verdict: Our expert take on Nara
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly excels, boasting a fantastic score of 8.4 and a high customer satisfaction of 86.7%. With 216 positive remarks among 249 total opinions, diners consistently rave about the spectacular sushi and rolls, highlighting the freshest fish, impressive presentation, and delicious omakase options. Many particularly loved the creative special rolls and the quality of ingredients.
However, not every dish receives universal acclaim. Among the 22 critical comments, some wished for more noodle dishes or found the lunch menu less impressive than dinner. A few mentioned soggy seaweed, and some felt the hand rolls offered poor value, with one even noting a lack of flavor in a veggie roll option.
Food
249
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
22
negative
11
neutral
216
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, quality fish
- Creative sushi rolls
- Excellent presentation
What people don't like
- Limited lunch menu
- Poor value handrolls
- No noodle dishes
Often praised
- foodI enjoyed the great customer service and there was no wait for a table. The food and ingredients were fresh and nicely prepared. We ordered the Hirame Carpaccio and a floral roll.
- sushiDelicious and nutritious low calories if ur trying to stay in budget
- rollsThe sushi chefs were both friendly and skilled. I particularly enjoyed the delicious rolls and the great service. They offer a good variety, including uni from Hokkaido and Santa Barbara, as well as great specials.
- fishThe happy hour menu from 5-7 offers great value. I ordered the Tai, Sake, Hamachi, and Hotate, and the fish was flavorful. The fish portions were generous, especially considering they were served in hand rolls.
- sakeTo top it all off, we were celebrating one of the girl’s birthdays, and they surprised us with mochi ice cream, which made the evening even more memorable. And if you’re into sake, make sure to order the one with a whale on the label—it was excellent! Nara Sushi truly impressed our guests and made our trip extra special.
- Jessica Albagot the Jessica Alba and big boss. They were good!
- Jessica Alba rollThe Jessica Alba roll (in the picture) was also very good
- chicken karaageThe chicken karaage was cooked perfectly and served hot.
- fish qualityThe fish quality and variety was amazing.
- sashimiThis is a great place to get dinner before hitting your favorite bars on Polk. They had the freshest, tastiest sashimi! We got the Spoon Set A, and even though I don't know the names of the four fishes, they were all great.
Frequently criticized
- Loco CrunchyThe Loco Crunchy wasn’t our favorite—the crab was a bit too oily
- carrot & sweet potatoThe carrot & sweet potato under the roll totally overpowered any other flavor.
- delivery sushilooked like someone’s leftovers
- experienceThe lunch menu was nothing like the dinner menu, and the sushi rolls were made by a machine at the sushi bar. This significantly ruined the positive experience I had from dinner, leading me to go to Kuma for lunch afterwards.
- fried octopusinexplicably fried octopus on top
- gochujang sauceSupposedly a gochujang sauce but I didn't care for it.
- hand rollsHand rolls. Do not eat here if you are looking for a price-to-portion-to-flavor ratio of any good quality.
- lunch menuthe lunch menu was nothing like the dinner menu
- nigirimiss the $1 nigiri
- nigiriswasn't aware that they didn't offer it during lunch
If you're seeking high-quality, fresh sushi with creative rolls and excellent presentation, this place is a strong contender, especially for dinner. Just be mindful that the lunch menu might not offer the same variety, and some hand rolls could feel a bit pricey for their portion.
Service (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
The service here generally shines, earning a 7.9 score and a 76.8% customer satisfaction, indicating a good experience for most. Based on 63 positive remarks, guests frequently praise the friendly, quick service and accommodating staff. Many appreciate the attentive team, helpful recommendations, and efficient seating, making for a welcoming visit.
However, not every interaction is perfect, with 16 negative comments pointing to some areas for improvement. A few guests encountered unresponsive service, issues with worn QR codes, or occasional rudeness from staff. There were also mentions of frustrating delivery experiences, suggesting some inconsistencies in overall service delivery.
Service
82
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
16
negative
3
neutral
63
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick, efficient service
- Accommodating requests
What people don't like
- Service can be unresponsive
- Occasional rude staff
- Delivery service issues
Often praised
- serviceThe sushi chefs were both friendly and skilled. I particularly enjoyed the delicious rolls and the great service. They offer a good variety, including uni from Hokkaido and Santa Barbara, as well as great specials.
- staffThe staff is always friendly and welcoming
- ServiceThe QR code on the table was worn, requiring us to find a working one at another table. Service was friendly and unobtrusive; I prefer to be left alone and will ask if I need something, though some might find it aloof. As it started to rain, our server proactively moved us to a covered area before it became an issue, as our table was the only one exposed.
- serverserver set us up to move before it became an issue
- customer serviceCustomer service is friendly and attentive
- waitressWe also tried the monkfish liver, toro handrolls, Victoria Secret roll, and the spicy tuna roll. Plus, the waitress was so nice – they were fine with accommodating our request for no cucumbers in our rolls. We came on a rainy Saturday evening, so there was about a 5-10 minute wait to get seated.
- HiromiHiromi was great
- accommodating no cucumbersfine with accommodating no cucumbers
- amazing serviceMy favorite casual sushi spot in SF! The fresh fish is outstanding, with fantastic nigiris/sashimis and amazing service. The 10-piece nigiri selection and hamachi truffle are my personal favorites, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything here.
- checkThe check came quickly
Frequently criticized
- serviceI was also impressed by the overall price/quality ratio, which was wonderful. However, the service left something to be desired; it wasn't entirely bad, but it was relatively unresponsive and somewhat difficult to understand. Despite the service issues, I would definitely go again for the food.
- DoorDash driversrestaurant guy are not good behavior for DoorDash driver every time his not making time
- QR code" A heater was brought over and turned on without us asking. The QR code on the table was worn, requiring us to find a working one at another table. Service was friendly and unobtrusive; I prefer to be left alone and will ask if I need something, though some might find it aloof.
- cancel the orderyou guys cancel the order that not good behavior
- chefThe chef was also coughing all over the fish
- deliveryclose delivery this early
- delivery hoursthey now close delivery at 6:30pm every day
- lateall the time late 15 to 25 mins late
- restaurant guysrestaurant guys you are not waiting to here 15 to 25 mins you guys cancel the order
- server stationThey have no server station
Overall, the service is a strong point, making this a place worth trying if you value a friendly and efficient dining experience. While there might be minor hiccups or occasional unresponsiveness, the positive interactions far outweigh the negatives, ensuring a pleasant visit for most.
Ambience (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
The ambience here truly shines, scoring a solid 8.2 and boasting a fantastic customer satisfaction of 84.2%. With 32 positive remarks out of 38, guests frequently praise the overall ambiance, calling it a hidden gem with a nice vibe thats perfect for a "sushi date night. " Many describe it as modern, clean, inviting, and having a quiet, relaxing, and intimate feel, making it a truly charming place.
However, its not entirely without its quirks. Only 3 opinions pointed out a potential snag, primarily concerning parking. Some guests expressed anxiety about finding a spot, noting that parking can be a challenge in the area, which is the main point of contention regarding the overall experience.
Ambience
38
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Inviting, modern ambiance
- Great date night
- Charming, intimate vibe
What people don't like
- Parking is challenging
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was great not to loud but vibrant
- experienceAll in all the value, experience, and food were wonderful.
- ambianceThe ambiance was modern, clean, and inviting
- vibeThe vibe is very cabin in the woods.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- auto sphereThe auto sphere is nice place to chill or go on dates at.
- charming placeIt’s a charming place to have an artfully presented Japanese meal
- great spotGreat spot to grab a bite
- heaterbrought a heater tower over and turned it on
- hidden gemThis hidden gem is not to be missed.
Frequently criticized
- parkingfinding parking is always a challenge
- atmospherecrackheads want to shake your hand
If you're seeking a restaurant with a fantastic atmosphere for a relaxed meal or a special date, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for a potential hunt for parking, but the charming vibe inside makes it worthwhile.
Value (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
Many diners feel the value here is worth it, praising the great value found, especially during happy hour with tempting drink specials. The price/quality ratio often hits the mark, making prices feel reasonable. While the score is an average 6.2, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 55.9%, reflecting 19 positive sentiments out of 34 total.
However, not everyone agrees, with 10 negative opinions noting that pricing can feel too expensive. Some found the overall food cost high, and concerns were raised about the price-to-portion-to-flavor ratio, even suggesting that happy hour wasn't always the bargain they hoped for.
Value
34
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
10
negative
5
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Worth the price
- Great happy hour
- Good price/quality
What people don't like
- Too expensive
- High pricing
- Poor price-portion ratio
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was positive, especially given that I was in a rush. It's a solid, moderately priced sushi spot known for its rolls. The service was quick and friendly, which was greatly appreciated.
- pricesthe prices aren't insane either
- worth itThe service was notably quick and responsive. While it was somewhat pricey, I found it definitely worth it.
- $7 hand rolls$7 hand rolls, good quality
- PriceyPricey but worth it
- drink specialsthey do have happy hours and drink specials on alcohol.
- great priceat a great price
- great valueprovides a great value
- happy hourenjoyed their happy hour from 5-7 PM
- happy hour menuThe happy hour menu from 5-7 provides a great value
Frequently criticized
- pricewas surprised to see this was $98! Minus the service fee and things, the food was more than $80. I think it’s very expensive.
- $60 delivery sushi$60 delivery sushi on caviar for two rolls
- food costthe food was more than $80. I think it’s very expensive.
- happy hourstill managed to spend nearly 40 dollars before tip and after tax DURING happy hour.
- price-to-portion-to-flavor ratioDo not eat here if you are looking for a price-to-portion-to-flavor ratio of any good quality.
- pricingpricing has gone up
- refillsthose refills cost more
If youre looking for a spot with some "worth it" moments, especially during happy hour, this place could be a good fit. But if youre strictly budget-conscious or expect huge portions for your dollar, you might find the pricing a bit steep.
How are the prices at Nara?
You’re looking at roughly 49 per person – reported by 63 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 a good number of guests spend in this mid-range, the prices are quite spread out, offering options from more budget-friendly bites to some truly premium experiences.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 63 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value 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 different budgets while maintaining quality.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Nara
Price per Person
- $21–$30
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
- Quiet
9
Excellent Sushi and Happy Hour Value
My experience at Nara was excellent. This sushi restaurant provides quality fish. The happy hour menu from 5-7 offers great value.
I ordered the Tai, Sake, Hamachi, and Hotate, and the fish was flavorful. The fish portions were generous, especially considering they were served in hand rolls.
- quality fish9
- happy hour menu8
- great value8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Happy Hour Beers and Fresh Seafood!
My experience at the restaurant was largely positive, especially during happy hour. The happy hour menu and the unexpectedly large beers made us very content 🤪. We also enjoyed the fresh seafood and interesting rolls.
However, the seaweed was a bit soggy, which made it difficult to bite things apart 😬.
- happy hour menu8
- large beers9
- fresh seafood7
- seaweed4
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Great Rolls, Disappointing Nigiri Absence
I came here for lunch with a friend, specifically looking forward to having nigiris. Unfortunately, we discovered they weren't available during lunch hours. However, our server was incredibly patient and guided us through the menu, helping us find suitable alternatives.
Despite our initial confusion and disappointment about the lack of nigiris, the sushi choices presented by our server were convincing. The rolls were generously packed with fresh fish and bursting with great flavors. We ended up loving them!
I'll definitely have to return for nigiris during dinner time.
- server10
- rolls9
- fresh fish9
- nigiris3
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
Amazing Food and Service at Happy Hour
I visited for happy hour and had an amazing experience. The food was incredible, as always. Our server, Hiromi, provided the friendliest service and had the best recommendations.
The atmosphere was also a perfect 5/5.
- food10
- server10
- recommendations10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Omakase Sashimi
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I was thoroughly impressed with the great service and the amazing quality of sashimi. I really enjoyed all the cuts in the omakase that we got.
- service9
- sashimi quality10
- omakase cuts9
What Nara offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of food and drink options are available at Nara?
At Nara, you can enjoy a variety of Japanese dishes, including small plates, healthy options, and vegetarian choices. The restaurant also offers a selection of wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages, making it a great spot for a casual or trendy outing.
What dining and service options does Nara provide?
Nara offers flexible dining with options for dine-in, takeout, and delivery. You can enjoy lunch, dinner, or dessert with table service, and reservations are accepted. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and provides high chairs for children.