Highlights
- Great wine list
oChef » Tataki – San Francisco
Tataki - San Francisco
Photo from Tataki
Tataki at a glance
San Francisco Lower Pacific Heights
- 🍣 Japanese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 38 of the guests
#1251 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#117 Japanese Restaurant out of 174 in San Francisco
Good
7.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
331
Reviews
74.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh flavors
- Value deals
- Prompt service
Frequently criticized
- Uneven service
- Rushed closing
- Dish inconsistency
The restaurant Tataki is a Japanese restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood. You’ll discover a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for a delightful meal.
Known for its great wine list, this spot offers a fantastic selection to complement your sushi and small plates. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner, Tataki provides a welcoming experience with excellent service options.
Overview: Introducting Tataki
Tataki generally offers a pleasant dining experience, with many patrons appreciating the friendly staff and fast service, which contributes to an efficient meal. The atmosphere is often described as nice, creating a comfortable setting for guests.
However, some experiences indicate occasional inconsistencies in attentiveness, with a few feeling rushed, particularly towards closing. While the overall impression is positive, these minor points suggest areas where the experience could be more consistently smooth.
Good
7.4
out of 10
331
Reviews
74.6%
Satisfaction
60
negative
24
neutral
247
positive
Tataki holds a respectable overall score of 7.4, placing it firmly in the good category for a dining establishment. Customer satisfaction is also quite positive at 74.6%, indicating that the majority of patrons leave content with their visit.
This assessment is drawn from 331 customer observations, comprising 247 positive and 60 negative remarks. Looking closer at the specifics, Food (7.8) is a clear strength, frequently praised for its freshness and unique flavors.
Value (7.7) also stands out, particularly for its appealing happy hour deals. The Ambience (6.9) is generally good, contributing to a pleasant setting.
Service (6.1), while often noted for being fast and friendly, shows room for improvement, as some found it inconsistent or felt hurried.
What people like
- Fresh, flavorful food
- Excellent happy hour value
- Friendly, fast service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Feeling rushed at closing
- Some specific dishes disappointing
Tataki presents a compelling option for those seeking fresh Japanese fare, especially if you can take advantage of their well-regarded happy hour. The quality of the food and its value are definite draws, promising a satisfying meal that many find quite enjoyable.
While service can be a bit uneven at times, and some guests have felt hurried, the overall positive sentiment, supported by a 7.7 recommendation score, suggests these are not universal issues. It’s a place worth considering for its culinary offerings and good deals.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tataki
Food (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
Alright, lets talk food! This spot generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 7.8 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 79.9%. Many rave about the incredibly fresh sushi, inventive specialty rolls, and the overall quality of the Japanese fare.
With 171 positive remarks out of 214, its clear the delicious flavors and vegetarian options are a big hit. However, it's not all perfect. A few of the 27 negative comments point to some dishes being overly salty or mushy, and concerns about small portions, especially for nigiri.
Some felt certain items lacked freshness or had too much sauce, suggesting a bit of inconsistency in execution.
Food
214
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
27
negative
16
neutral
171
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, quality sushi
- Inventive specialty rolls
- Great vegetarian options
What people don't like
- Tiny, small portions
- Salty, mushy dishes
- Inconsistent freshness
Often praised
- foodWe enjoyed all of them, appreciating the unique combinations of flavors and nice presentation. The food arrived promptly, and the waitstaff were always attentive, ensuring our drinks were refilled. Overall, it was a good experience, and I would definitely visit again when I'm in this neighborhood.
- sushiFor all Italians looking for good sushi, when we can return to dining out, I highly recommend going to eat at this place. I, in turn, received the suggestion from a dear friend who lived here in San Francisco for three years.
- rollsI made a reservation through Yelp, but there was plenty of space on a Sunday night. We ordered rolls: Green Flash (my fav), Kraken, Tataki, and Spicy Tofuna. We enjoyed all of them, appreciating the unique combinations of flavors and nice presentation.
- drinksWe enjoyed all of them, appreciating the unique combinations of flavors and nice presentation. The food arrived promptly, and the waitstaff were always attentive, ensuring our drinks were refilled. Overall, it was a good experience, and I would definitely visit again when I'm in this neighborhood.
- FoodFood tastes very fresh
- fishbut the fish was super fresh
- menuI, in turn, received the suggestion from a dear friend who lived here in San Francisco for three years. I also recommend going before 8 PM to be able to participate, if they still organize it, in the happy hour with an excellent, very tasty menu and drinks at great prices.
- nigiriI've enjoyed the nigiri
- tasteMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had some of the freshest and tastiest Japanese food/sushi I’ve ever encountered. I make it a point to come here whenever I visit San Francisco.
- vegetarian optionsgreat to see vegetarian options on the menu
Frequently criticized
- Agedashi tofuAgedashi tofu: below average, hard tofu
- IkaageIkaage: calamari, avoid at all costs. Way too much breading.
- crunchy, spicy tunaIt was too spicy and salty
- food freshnessnothing really tasted fresh
- gyoza dipping sauceGyoza dipping sauce was oddly sweet
- happy hour margaritathe happy hour margarita tasted like it came from a can
- happy menu itemsthe happy menu items were limited
- hotate tatakithe hotate tataki was not good (all you can taste is mayo, scallops were tiny, sad all around)
- ingredientsif you are going to cut corners you need to do better with the ingredients you have
- mayoall you can taste is mayo
If you're craving fresh, creative sushi and appreciate good vegetarian choices, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some dishes might come with smaller portions or occasional flavor inconsistencies, so choose wisely!
Service (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place seems to offer a bit of a mixed experience, landing an average score of 6.1. Customer satisfaction hovers around 56.9%, indicating that while many are pleased, there's definitely room for improvement. Based on 58 customer observations, 33 were positive, highlighting friendly staff, attentive waitstaff, and fast service, with some even praising helpful recommendations.
On the flip side, 23 comments pointed to some bumps in the road. Guests occasionally encountered slow or uneven service, forgotten orders, or felt rushed out. There were also mentions of staff hovering or appearing distracted, which unfortunately left some diners feeling a bit unwelcome.
Service
58
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
23
negative
2
neutral
33
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Fast service
- Helpful recommendations
What people don't like
- Slow, uneven service
- Rushing customers
- Forgotten orders
Often praised
- serviceOverall service is very good. It’s fast and friendly
- staffthe staff is super friendly and helpful
- ServiceService was excellent
- bartenderchatted up the bartender who was super sweet
- StaffThe Staff is Extremely helpful and attentive
- customer servicecust serv is 5🌟s
- fast servicehaving fast service. Service here is so fast!
- foodThe food is delicious, and I've been coming here for years. It's a nice place for a sit-down dinner, and the food always comes out fast. The food also tastes very fresh.
- food deliveryEleven of us showed up without a reservation, and they juggled the tables quickly to accommodate us. The food was delivered quickly, and was super tasty. So tasty I forgot to take pictures.
- hostessthe hostess was kind enough to get 2 tables
Frequently criticized
- servicewaiter wanted to present and explain about each fish. But couldn't remember half of them
- serverHowever, the service was uneven, with a long wait before our order was taken. One server was rushed and not completely educated on food details, and another server came across as rude at times. Also, a couple of the sushi men appeared to be more interested in what was going on in the dining area, versus ensuring that ALL of the served food was of the highest quality.
- checkthe check is rapidly taken away
- forgotten ordersA lot of orders were forgotten
- orderMy order took awhile to arrive
- paying customersWe were calmly enjoying our meal and quality time together, starting to wrap up around 8: 15 pm, when our waitress abruptly placed the check on our table without us having asked for it or giving us a chance to order dessert. At the same time, staff started turning chairs upside down and cleaning the entire place with bleach, making us and the other remaining paying customers feel unwelcomed and pushed out. I briefly went to use the bathroom and found that the entire bathroom and area around it was soaked in bleach; my shoes and socks ended up wet.
- reservationseated at the bar despite having made a reservation
- rushing us outI mention that I felt they were being rude by rushing us out
- serversThe servers appeared like they really didn’t want to be there
- staffstaff starts turning chairs upside down and cleaning the entire place
If youre considering a visit, know that service here can be a bit of a gamble. While many rave about the friendly and quick attention, be prepared for potential waits or uneven experiences, especially during peak hours. It might be worth a try if youre flexible, but don't expect perfection every time.
Ambience (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 29% of the guests
The vibe here generally hits the mark, with a good score of 6.9 and a solid 70% customer satisfaction. Many guests loved the clean and sanitized feel, praising the ambience and dining atmosphere. The neighborhood feel and even seeing chefs preparing sushi added to the positive experience, based on 14 positive comments.
However, its not all perfect. A few guests mentioned the room could get noisy, and a significant concern arose when staff started washing the floor and restrooms' with bleach while customers were still dining. This made some feel unwelcome, as noted in 4 negative remarks.
Ambience
20
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, sanitized space
- Nice, fun atmosphere
- Watch sushi chefs
What people don't like
- Noisy dining room
- Cleaning during dining
- Bleach in restrooms
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere is quite nice
- placeNice place for a sit down dinner
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambiencethe ambience was really nice!
- chefs preparing sushiyou can see the chefs preparing the sushi
- clean and sanitizedeverything seemed very clean and sanitized
- dining atmosphereGreat dining atmosphere
- neighborhood feelMy experience at this restaurant was great, especially with the neighborhood feel. The fish was incredibly fresh.
- restaurant atmosphererestaurant atmosphere is light and fun
- restaurant spaceIt’s a bit small quarters, but cute
Frequently criticized
- bathroomAt the same time, staff started turning chairs upside down and cleaning the entire place with bleach, making us and the other remaining paying customers feel unwelcomed and pushed out. I briefly went to use the bathroom and found that the entire bathroom and area around it was soaked in bleach; my shoes and socks ended up wet. Upon returning to the table, my sister put her card down, and before my mother and I had a chance to put ours, the check was rapidly taken away.
- restroomsSame with the restrooms
- roomThe room can get noisy
- washing the floorMy experience at this restaurant was quite negative. The service was terrible; at 8: 20 pm, staff began putting up chairs next to us and washing the floor with bleach while people were still eating. This also extended to the restrooms.
Overall, if you're looking for a place with a nice, clean atmosphere and a good vibe, this spot generally delivers. Just be mindful that late-night visits might coincide with staff beginning their cleaning routines, which can be a bit disruptive.
Value (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines, boasting a good score of 7.7 and a good customer satisfaction of 74.4%. Many guests rave about the incredible happy hour deals, finding the prices to be incredibly reasonable and offering fantastic value for the price. With 29 positive remarks out of 39 total, its clear that many feel theyre getting an affordable and delicious experience.
However, not everyone is completely thrilled. A few of the 6 negative remarks mention that some items can feel a bit expensive outside of the special deals. There's also a minor note about the online HH menu not always reflecting current offerings, which can lead to a slight surprise when ordering.
Value
39
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
6
negative
4
neutral
29
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing happy hour
- Great value
- Affordable prices
What people don't like
- Some items expensive
- Online menu inaccurate
Often praised
- happy hourCom. " They offer the best happy hour in town, and the sushi itself was TO DIE FOR. If you're visiting SF, you MUST check this place out!
- pricesI, in turn, received the suggestion from a dear friend who lived here in San Francisco for three years. I also recommend going before 8 PM to be able to participate, if they still organize it, in the happy hour with an excellent, very tasty menu and drinks at great prices.
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially during happy hour. I found the Japanese fare to be of high quality and delicious, all at a great price. Additionally, the margaritas were yummy.
- $5 price pointEverything is basically just $5. What a steal.
- $6 drinks and sushiLimited $6 drinks and sushi.
- Happy Hour pricesHappy Hour is crazy good prices
- affordablesushi for a while that doesn't destroy my bank account
- happy hour dealThe happy hour deal is amazing and cheap for such good food
- happy hour dealsHappy hour deals are where it's at!
- happy hour sushi specialhappy hour sushi special? Can't be beat.
Frequently criticized
- pricethe price is not worth, in my opinion
- expensiveit was expensive
- hotate tatakilike $17??
- nigirithe nigiri was $6 each
- online HH menuTheir online HH menu doesn't reflect 100% on their current menu
If youre looking for a fantastic deal, especially during happy hour, this place is definitely worth checking out. Youll likely find excellent value for your money, though it's wise to be aware that some regular-priced items might lean towards the pricier side.
How are the prices at Tataki?
You’re looking at roughly 44 per person – reported by 38 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.
While most guests spend between 21 – 50 $, there are also options for those looking for a more premium experience, showing a nice mix of price points.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 38 most recent reviews.
Heres how this restaurants value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the variety of price points and the average spend, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Japanese restaurant, especially in a city like San Francisco. It offers good value whether you’re looking for a mid-range meal or something a bit more special.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tataki
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Favorite SF Restaurant, Especially for Vegans!
As a resident of San Francisco for over a decade, I've been to this restaurant more than 20 times and consider it my favorite restaurant in all of SF. It's a can't miss, particularly for those who are vegan or vegetarian. My experience has consistently been excellent, with highly recommend for vegetarians.
- favorite restaurant10
- vegan or vegetarian10
- Atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Sushi & Great Ambiance
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I really enjoyed the happy hour options. The sushi was absolutely delicious, and the ambience was truly nice.
I would definitely recommend this place and plan to go back again to explore more of their menu. Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pictures of the food because my phone died.
- happy hour options9
- sushi10
- ambience9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Beautiful Dishes, Small Portions
My experience at the restaurant was marked by the beautiful and delicate presentation of the dishes. The taste was good as well. However, the portions were a bit small.
- dishes presentation9
- taste8
- portions4
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Happy Hour Experience
Ugh. I wanted to like this place, but unfortunately, it just misses the mark. My experience centered around their advertised happy hour with decent nigiri.
However, the happy hour margarita tasted like it came from a can. The nigiri was priced at $6 each, and the portions were incredibly tiny, similar to AYCE sushi, with an excessive amount of wasabi. The hotate tataki was also not good; the overwhelming taste was mayo, the scallops were tiny, and it was a sad dish overall, especially for around $17.
I'm unsure what's happening with sushi restaurants lately, but if you're going to cut corners, you need to do better with the ingredients you have.
- happy hour margarita2
- nigiri3
- hotate tataki2
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Solid Restaurant with Good Food
My experience at this restaurant was overall positive. The food was quite good, and I'd rate it a 5. The atmosphere was also quite nice, though I'd give it a 3.
The service was alright, rated at a 4. While I can't give it 5 stars, it's a solid choice.
- food10
- service7
- atmosphere8
What Tataki offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
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
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining and accessibility options does Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar provide?
At Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar, you can enjoy flexible dining with options for lunch, dinner, and dessert, all with comfortable seating and table service. For your convenience, the restaurant is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, seating areas, and restrooms. You’ll find a welcoming environment for all guests, and high chairs are available for children.
Does Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar offer healthy, vegetarian, or happy hour choices?
Absolutely! Tataki Sushi and Sake Bar caters to diverse tastes with a range of healthy options and dedicated vegetarian choices on the menu. If you’re looking to unwind, you can also take advantage of their happy hour, featuring both enticing drinks and delicious food specials. They offer a full bar onsite with wine, beer, and cocktails.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Tataki?
Tataki generally receives positive feedback, with an overall score of **7.4** and customer satisfaction at **74.6%**. Food (7.8) and Value (7.7) are particularly strong points, while Ambience (6.9) is good, and Service (6.1) is average.
Are there good deals available at Tataki?
Yes, many customers highlight the excellent **happy hour** deals at Tataki, noting great prices for quality Japanese fare and drinks, making it an affordable option.
How is the service at Tataki?
Service at Tataki is often described as **fast service** and provided by **friendly staff**. However, some experiences indicate it can be inconsistent, with occasional issues like forgotten orders or feeling rushed, particularly towards closing.