Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Sanraku – San Francisco
Sanraku - San Francisco
Photo from Sanraku
Sanraku at a glance
San Francisco Lower Nob Hill
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 144 of the guests
#86 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#8 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
518
Reviews
93.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Exceptional cuisine
- Friendly service
- Cozy ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Difficult parking
- Service lapses
The Japanese restaurant Sanraku, nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Lower Nob Hill, invites you to a truly authentic dining experience. You’ll discover a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for any occasion.
What truly sets this spot apart is its great tea selection, offering a delightful complement to your meal. Whether you’re planning a lunch or dinner, you’ll find a welcoming space to enjoy delicious food and drinks.
Overview: Introducting Sanraku
Sanraku appears to be a place where the culinary offerings truly shine, with many guests praising the fresh ingredients and authentic Japanese flavors. The sushi and nigiri, in particular, receive high marks for their quality and preparation, making it a notable spot for those seeking a refined meal.
While the culinary experience is a clear draw, the service generally contributes positively to the visit, often described as friendly and attentive. However, some guests have noted occasional lapses in attentiveness, and the parking situation can be a bit of a challenge for visitors.
Excellent
8.9
out of 10
518
Reviews
93.1%
Satisfaction
23
negative
13
neutral
482
positive
Sanraku earns a strong overall assessment with a Restaurant Score of 8.9, reflecting a generally high-quality experience. This is further supported by an excellent Customer Satisfaction rate of 93.1%, indicating that the vast majority of diners leave pleased.
These positive sentiments are drawn from a substantial base of 518 customer remarks, with 482 positive observations significantly outweighing the 23 negative ones. Diving deeper, the Food (9.1) stands out as the primary strength, consistently receiving high praise for its quality and authenticity.
The Service (9) also performs exceptionally well, contributing to a pleasant dining atmosphere. While the Ambience (8.3) is considered good, offering a cozy setting, the Value (7.7) is perceived as good, though it’s the area with the most room for improvement compared to other aspects.
What people like
- Exceptional Japanese cuisine
- Attentive, friendly service
- Inviting, cozy ambiance
What people don't like
- Challenging parking
- Occasional service lapses
With a strong Recommendation Score of 9.1, Sanraku clearly stands out for its exceptional Japanese fare, particularly its fresh sushi and nigiri. If you prioritize high-quality food and a generally pleasant dining experience, this restaurant is certainly worth considering for your next meal.
While navigating the parking might require some patience, and service can have minor inconsistencies, these are small trade-offs for the overall culinary excellence. Sanraku is a solid choice for those seeking authentic flavors in a comfortable setting.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Sanraku
Food (9.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food, get ready for a treat! With an impressive score of 9.1 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 96.8%, it's clear diners are consistently delighted. Out of 310 comments, a whopping 300 rave about the fresh fish, authentic Japanese flavors, and overall sushi quality, promising a truly delicious meal.
However, a tiny fraction of feedback, just 5 comments, pointed out a few areas for improvement. Some found the house salad a bit salty, and there were mentions of the chicken teriyakis and salmon teriyakis being dry or too oily. These seem to be minor points amidst overwhelmingly positive reviews.
Food
310
Reviews
96%
Satisfaction
5
negative
5
neutral
300
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, quality fish
- Authentic Japanese food
- Consistently delicious meals
What people don't like
- Salty house salad
- Dry, oily teriyakis
- Limited Chirashi seafood
Often praised
- foodAs a former resident, Sanraku has always been a long-time favorite. Returning for a visit, I can confirm that there is no food like the offerings from Sanraku anywhere. The food is exceptional, earning a perfect score.
- sushiMy experience at this restaurant was exceptional. I found it to be by far the best sushi in San Fran. The service was incredible, particularly from Kit; I highly recommend talking to him about his time in Japan.
- fishthe variety of flavors, vegetables, pickled items and fish is outstanding.
- FoodFood came out in a timely fashion
- miso soupmiso soup and the Philly roll, which are also great
- rollsMy experience at this intimate & cozy sushi spot was a pleasant surprise. We stopped in for a roll each, and the service was super friendly. I particularly loved that their veggie tempura is not completely deep-fried; it's just the veggies on top of the roll.
- Japanese foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I was looking for a cozy place with delicious Japanese food, and this place delivered. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was perfect for a relaxed meal.
- tempuraThe way they fry this tempura will warm your soul so delicately
- nigiri7pc nigiri and 6pc blue fin roll. It was so good.
- omakaseThe highlight was definitely the best nigiri and sashimi I've had in the Bay Area, and I've tried many sushi places. The menu also features some unusual items, and they offer both sushi tasting and omakase. I very highly recommend this place.
Frequently criticized
- Chicken teriyakisChicken and salmon teriyakis are dry and too oily
- foodThe food is not good either
- house saladThe house salad was a bit salty
- salmon teriyakisChicken and salmon teriyakis are dry and too oily
- seafood in the Chirashi bowlHowever, the dish was a little bit pricy. Given the price, I expected more seafood in the Chirashi bowl.
If youre craving excellent Japanese food, especially fresh sushi and authentic flavors, this spot is a must-try. With overwhelmingly positive feedback, youre almost guaranteed a delicious meal, despite a few minor critiques on specific items.
Service (9 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 9 and an impressive 92.2% customer satisfaction, it's clear guests feel incredibly well-cared for. Out of 116 total remarks, a whopping 107 praise the attentive, friendly service, making everyone feel welcomed and often noting how super fast everything is.
However, a few of the 8 negative remarks mention instances of service being a bit brusque, with some staff showing an annoyed expression or a general lack of friendliness. There were also minor slip-ups like not picking up a dropped fork or forgetting extra platters, suggesting occasional inattentiveness.
Service
116
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
107
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Super fast service
- Warm, welcoming atmosphere
What people don't like
- Occasional brusque interactions
- Lack of friendliness
- Minor oversights
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the good fish and the very friendly service. The Eskimo roll had a great fish to rice ratio, and the nigiri was exceptionally fresh.
- staffAs a Japanese living in this city, I found this restaurant to be a true delight. The staff is always very friendly, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. The food is authentic, yet the menu is thoughtfully designed to accommodate non-Japanese customers as well.
- ServiceService:5
- Lisaour server Lisa is our favorite with amazing service.
- customer servicecustomer service was excellent
- attentiveso fast and attentive and they are so nice
- excellent serviceThe ingredients are so fresh and of high quality. Coupled with the excellent service, it makes for a fantastic dining experience.
- experienceWe were taken care of by our waitress Lisa who was phenomenal. She made our experience even better and made sure we were more than satisfied with everything. I recommend dining here!
- no waitthere was no wait
- serverLisa, our server, is super helpful and accommodating
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service left a lot to be desired
- annoyed expressionwith what seemed like an annoyed expression
- extra plattersdid not bring extra platers
- female staff memberthe female staff member didn’t greet me at all
- forkthey dropped our fork did not pick it up
- lack of friendlinessthe lack of friendliness really affected the overall experience
If youre looking for a dining experience where youll feel genuinely welcomed and well-attended, this is definitely a place to try. While there are a few isolated reports of minor service hiccups, the overwhelming sentiment points to a team that's friendly, efficient, and eager to please.
Ambience (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 48% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot really shines! With a strong score of 8.3 and a fantastic customer satisfaction rate of 82.9%, its clear most guests are loving the atmosphere. Based on 58 positive remarks out of 70 total, people frequently praise its "cozy atmosphere, " "relaxed environment, " and "family vibes, " often noting its a quiet, easy to talk place.
However, not everything is perfect. Out of 7 negative comments, a few folks mentioned issues with the location and parking, which can be a bit of a hassle. A couple of guests also found the restaurant a little cold or disliked the terrible music playing, but these seem to be less common concerns.
Ambience
70
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
7
negative
5
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, relaxed atmosphere
- Quiet, easy to talk
- Strong family vibes
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Restaurant can be cold
- Unpleasant music
Often praised
- atmosphereThe service was incredible, particularly from Kit; I highly recommend talking to him about his time in Japan. The food was outstanding, and the atmosphere was also top-notch. I would rate this experience a 12/10.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambiancethe overall ambiance was cozy yet refined
- placeA small, quiet place near my hotel
- Kid-friendlinessKid-friendliness:Easily accommodates families
- Wheelchair accessibilityWheelchair accessibility:Easy access
- ambiencevery good ambience
- cozy atmosphereNice cozy atmosphere
- cozy placelooking for a cozy place
- cozy vibea great location with a cozy vibe
Frequently criticized
- parkingExcept for parking (street or parking garage...use parking garage with attendant, it is SF)
- Parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- coldThe food was great, and the service was awesome. However, it was a little cold in the restaurant. Other than that, I had a great time.
- locationThe location is hard for parking
- overall experiencethe lack of friendliness really affected the overall experience
- terrible musicThe terrible music they play!
If youre looking for a cozy, relaxed spot with a great vibe, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared to navigate some potential parking challenges, and youll likely have a wonderful experience.
Value (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 15% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.7 and customer satisfaction at 77.3%, its clear most diners feel theyre getting a good deal. Many rave about the affordable and reasonable prices, often calling it an excellent deal and praising the overall value.
Based on 17 positive remarks, guests consistently feel great about what they spend, from delicious lunch boxes to fairly priced premium items. However, its not entirely without its moments. Out of 3 negative comments, a few guests found certain items a bit pricy or even overpriced.
' Specifically, some appetizers and individual dishes were noted as being on the higher side, suggesting that while the overall value is strong, a few selections might stretch the budget more than others.
Value
22
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Excellent value
What people don't like
- Pricy appetizers
- Some dishes expensive
Often praised
- pricesVery good prices considering the menu
- priceMy experience at this family-run sushi place was delightful. The meal was delicious, with particularly amazing and fairly priced Toro nigiri. The service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5/5.
- affordablebento boxes for lunch are delicious and affordable
- Descent priceDescent price
- excellent dealthe lunch box meal that was such a good deal
- price per personPrice per person:$20–30
- pricingbest Japanese food and pricing
- satisfaction가격대비 만족도가 적당해서
- valuethe value was outstanding
Frequently criticized
- appetizersa couple of the appetizers which were quite overpriced
- parkingnor is parking as available
- priceThis dish was a little bit pricy.
If you're looking for a place where your money goes a long way, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Most customers find the overall value to be excellent, though you might want to be mindful of a few specific appetizers or dishes that could be a bit pricier.
How are the prices at Sanraku?
You’re looking at roughly 41 per person – reported by 144 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 is 41, we see a good spread in spending, with many guests opting for meals in the $21–$30 range, suggesting a nice mix of options from mid-tier to slightly more premium.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 144 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money 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 flexibility, catering to both those looking for a solid mid-range meal and those willing to splurge a bit more.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Sanraku
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Sushi and Udon, Will Return!
My first experience here was fantastic! I ordered the sushi sashimi combo and udon soup, and both were absolutely delicious. The fish was incredibly fresh, and the udon soup had a perfect balance of meat, noodles, and broth.
It's such a nice spot, and we're definitely planning on coming back!
- sushi sashimi combo9
- udon soup9
- fish10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Instantly Loved Sanraku Sushi!
While visiting, we were looking for a sushi place and found Sanraku! When we tried our food, we instantly LOVED IT. It was one of the best sushi places I have ever been to!
Definitely recommend it!
- sushi10
- food10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
3
Decent Food, Poor Service
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was decent, but the service truly left a lot to be desired. I arrived at 8: 30 p.
M. And was ready to order within five minutes, but the female staff member did not greet me. Instead, she asked, “Do you know what you want yet?
” with an annoyed expression, which made me feel unwelcome. I finished my meal before 9: 00 p. M.
, mindful of the closing time. However, the lack of friendliness significantly impacted the overall experience. It was a disappointing end to what should have been an enjoyable meal, and I don't think I'll be returning.
- food6
- service2
- female staff member1
- annoyed expression1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Exceptional Service and Authentic Atmosphere
The 5 stars are well-deserved, if only for the kindness and sweetness of the waitress. She is a beautiful person who takes care of the customer 360 degrees. The food was also excellent, and the atmosphere transports you to a typical Japanese sushi place.
- kindness and sweetness10
- beautiful person10
- food9
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Authentic Japanese Gem with Friendly Service
My experience at this restaurant was exceptional. The sushi chef's background, having been brought from Japan to cook at the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, assures authenticity and quality. As a Japanese living in this city, I found this restaurant to be a true delight.
The staff is always very friendly, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. The food is authentic, yet the menu is thoughtfully designed to accommodate non-Japanese customers as well. My personal favorite is the Chirashi, which is sashimi served over sushi rice.
I highly recommend this place!
- authenticity and quality10
- staff9
- Chirashi10
What Sanraku offers
Planning
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
Do you need reservations to dine at Sanraku?
Yes, Sanraku accepts reservations for both lunch and dinner. It’s highly recommended to make a reservation, especially if you’re planning to visit during peak hours, to ensure you secure your preferred seating and dining time.
Is Sanraku accessible and what are the parking options?
Sanraku is fully wheelchair accessible, offering an accessible entrance, seating, and restroom for your convenience. Regarding parking, you’ll typically find it difficult to locate a space, but paid street parking options are available nearby for your visit.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Sanraku?
Sanraku receives an excellent overall assessment with a Restaurant Score of 8.9 and a Customer Satisfaction of 93.1%. Customers particularly praise the Food (9.1) and Service (9), with Ambience (8.3) and Value (7.7) also rated well.
What kind of food can I expect at Sanraku?
Sanraku is highly regarded for its exceptional Japanese cuisine, with many guests highlighting the fresh sushi, nigiri, and authentic flavors. Specific mentions include great fish-to-rice ratio in rolls and delicately prepared tempura.
Is parking readily available at Sanraku?
Parking can be challenging around Sanraku, with some customers noting difficulty finding street parking or recommending using a parking garage with an attendant.