The Best Izakaya in San Francisco

Ramenwell

★★★★☆ 4.1 (507) • $$

"Very impressed with the ramen here! I came with a group of people around 5 on a Saturday and didn't have to wait too long for a table. However, I recommend checking the wait beforehand cause they don't have much seating. The ramen was really well executed. Good portion sizes and broth flavor was delicious. They ask for spice level and I would recommend airing on the side of higher if you like spicy. Our waiter said a 6 was extremely spicy so I tried a 4 and it wasn't very spicy at all. Good flavors. One note for the company, I thought the placement of the bathroom was a huge oversight. If possible I would recommend doing something about that so the bathroom line for the single bathroom doesn't distractingly line up in the center of the restaurant."

Ninniku Ramen Izakaya

★★★★☆ 4.3 (38)

"A full lunch for $16 in the city!? Get outta here!!!! Formerly known as NONO (which is moving up the street to a larger location), Ninniku just took over this small intimate location and I'm not mad about it. I don't care for NONO, Bubu is absolutely delicious, and Ninniku is perfectly in the middle. I stopped by on a Friday afternoon for a late lunch. It wasn't super busy around 3pm You really cannot beat these lunch menu prices. They offer a lunch menu everyday from 11:30am - 3:30pm, which comes with your choice of an appetizer, your choice of an entree, and dessert. I tried the shrimp dumpling, karaage, and spicy miso ramen. The dumplings were great! Different texture than your average dumpling, a lot lighter and less dense imo. The ramen was some of the better tasting I've had, and for the price! Game changer. For dessert, we got a custard like dessert with strawberry puree. It wasn't overly sweet. Service was good. Portions were appropriate for lunch. Can't complain!"

Ichika Izakaya

★★★★★ 4.5 (203) • $$$

"Our first time in. Brought a friend and it did not disappoint. Food is really good. Ambiance is great."

Shokudou

★★★★★ 4.5 (132)

"4.3 starsFriend and I stopped by on a Saturday afternoon to have their lunch specials. My friend ordered the Katsu Don (tonkatsu over rice) and I ordered the 2-item bento box with my choice of chicken teriyaki and saba shioyaki (fish). We were the only patrons inside the restaurant and service was minimal, but sufficient. The food took some time to come out but I presumed the dishes were made to order. The katsu don was a generous bowl, and my friend was very full. The bento box itself was not the typical bento boxes you see, but rather, it was divided in 3 compartments in which each one held the chicken, fish, and salad. Saba shioyaki was salted well and the teriyaki chicken was moist and flavorful. Overall, this was a good place to consider for lunch if you are in the area. Otherwise, the food was good, but not so much to go out of my way for."

Izakaya Ginji

★★★★☆ 3.9 (670) • $$

"Date of Visit: 7/12/2024Japanese izakaya is one of our favorite types of cuisine. Izakaya Ginji located in San Mateo has had great reviews since it was opened back in 2010. It is a family restaurant operated by two brothers. Daisuke Nishimoto works at the back side of the kitchen and curates the extensive sake menu, and Shingo manages the binchotan grill in the front.We made a reservation about 1.5 week prior to our visit, and sat right away. The skewer menu is a physical menu on the table that can place the order of all different kinds of skewers. And we need to scan the QR code to place an order for all others, including sashimi, appetizers, donburi, udon, dessert, and drinks.Sapporo $5Asahi $6We got two types of Japanese beer to pair with our foods.We ordered the following skewers:Shishito Pepper $3.8Shishito pepper was very yummy, but some of them were spicy and some were sweet.Gizzard $4.75My favorite! Love the crispy and chewy taste of the gizzard.Heart $4.75Chicken heart skewers were juicy and delicious!Skin $5Chicken skin was grilled right on point!Cartilage $5.75Cartilage was great too!Fatty Salmon Sashimi $14We got the fatty salmon sashimi with daikon and shiso, and wasabi on the side.Grilled Salmon Collar and Belly $19The grilled salmon collar and belly were big portions.Chicken Knee Karaage $9.5This one paired great with iced cold beer!Mentaiko Carbonara $18One of the most popular dishes, the Mentaiko Carbonara was made with cream and cod roe, on top was decorated with seaweed and green onion. It was very creamy but not too thick.Gyu Don $16And we also got the gyu don. This one is just okay, also with miso soup on the side."

Okane

★★★★☆ 4 (494) • $$$

"Truly blessed to live so close to this place!The fish here are some if the freshest and reasonably pricesld ive had in sf.The service and the ambiance of the place make this a great date spot, we will definitely be coming back for that unagi don!"

Izakaya Mayumi

★★★★★ 4.6 (138)

"Our first time here, we enjoyed the authentic Japanese food and friendly service at this cozy spot. All the sushi rolls we tried were fresh, the udon hit the spot, and the mochi Dashi was interesting (but we'll stick with agedashi next time). Our favorite roll was the wagyu, so good! They have a big menu with izakaya, sushi rolls, and soup noodle dishes. They didn't seem super busy when we visited, and could use your business, come support this Japanese owned restaurant. Pro tip- the happy hour from 5-6 is a great deal!"

Chome

★★★★★ 4.5 (482) • $$$

"Came here on a Friday night with friends and there was a bit of a wait around 6:45 but we didn't have to wait long$260 for 4 people: 20% gratuity was automatically included because 4 people is considered a large party hereThis is what we ordered (not everything is pictured):- potato salad (complimentary appetizer/side that is soooo good)- dirty cauliflower (we had a veggie hater at our table who was pleasantly surprised and ended up loving it)- fried shrimp ball (one big ball with incisions for four pieces, very yummy)- 2 skewer combos (great way to sample different things but our table felt the chicken was the best)- oxtail omurice (a bit disappointed the egg didn't do the runny thing when we cut it open like traditional omurice, this was very rich and flavorful, presented very nicely but I'd get something different next time)- garlic chili tonkatsu ramen (they ran out of the pork belly and had to substitute it with more thin pieces of meat)Yes, was a bit on the pricier side but we enjoyed the ambience inside and the food was delicious. Personally I only enjoyed the skewers and I'd definitely come back to try their happy hour!"

Noren Izakaya

★★★★☆ 4.1 (302) • $$$

"Delicious food, very friendly service. Would highly recommend.Their mushroom skewers are to die for. And the unagi/eel is incredible."

Izakaya Fusion Grill Keitan

★★★★★ 4.6 (227) • $$

"Came here after my birthday spa massage with the Hubby. And to Our delight.. we fell in love with the food here. Such a cute little space too. Friendly and attentive staff. Casual and not uptight. And they open late! I'm already a huge fan of Yakatori so this is right up my alley. Will be bringing the rest of the family next time for sure!"

Moku Yakitori-Ya

★★★★☆ 4.3 (144) • $$

"Chef Richard was great, he knows how to grill yakitori well!!! Come here for the underground-surfer-yakitori-bar-vibe. I told them they need more surf boards hanging off the ceiling to complete the look! :) We ordered the beef tongue and it was really moist and flavorful. Smoky ambiance but the flavor is definitely in the air. My wife loved the pickled veggies including the ginger which happens to be baby ginger (that's why it's so damn flavorful)! They had sparking sake which we loved, nice and smooth.We'll definitely be back!"

Nomu Skewers

★★★★☆ 4.3 (134) • $$$

"Stopped by for happy hour. They were experimenting with their cocktails so we got to try both of them. The grapefruit cocktail was delicious and refreshing! Outdoor seating had a nice view of a little garden next door."

Drunken Monk

★★★★☆ 4.2 (214)

"The stars of this show was the corn tempura (10/10) and chicken meatball with marinated egg yolk (10/10). The corn was perfectly crispy and seasoned. We were amazed on how they made such a simple ingredient into such an intricate dish. The chicken meatball was to die for. It melted in your mouth and paired perfectly with the marinated egg yolk. We had this meal weeks ago and are still dreaming about these dishes! The scallop carpaccio (9/10) was refreshing and we loved the zesty / yuzu flavor of the sauce. Sake clam was not too memorable and a little salty, but was very flavorful (7/10). Chicken oyster was so tender and crisp on top, amazing with the radish and pepper (8/10).The service was amazing, with our waitress checking in with us frequently and giving us recommendations as it was our first time there. Loved the ambiance was well. Interior was nicely decorated and dim, perfect for date night. We would 100% come back!"

Taishoken San Francisco

★★★★★ 4.5 (478) • $$

"I came on a Sunday at noon and remembered to join the waitlist ahead of time. I was seated immediately upon arrival and saw that it got busier but there were still tables by the time I left at 1pm.I had the miso ramen and would get it again. I think it's slightly more watery than other miso ramen I've had but I really liked it the way they do it here. It still has an intense dose of flavor and I personally liked that it was a little less intense miso flavor. Also had the chicken karaage and it just slaps!!!!! So good!"

Menya Kanemaru, Golden Ramen

★★★★☆ 4.1 (142) • $$

"(5 out of 5) The ramen here is amazing, this place is fantastic, the ambiance here is super cool, there a outside seating area with super warm heat lamps, and inside has a super homey feeling with tv shows playing on the sidewall! Just a great place to eat, when I eat soup I wanna feel warm, soup is comforting and this place definitely plays to that! I've had 4 different ramens from here and they've all been super good. And they have great service!! This is a place I will definitely be going back too!When you come tell them Rothyy sent you!"

Harajuku Sushi

★★★★☆ 4 (52) • $$

"Harajuku Sushi is one of the best AYCE sushi spots in San Francisco! The sashimi and nigiri alone make this a really good deal! We came on a Sunday night and got a seat right away. You order on an I-Pad and can order 6 things at a time.Some standouts were the Blue Fin Toro, Maguro, Hamachi, Snow Crab Hand Roll, and the fried Cream cheese crab wontons! The ambiance is nice, I liked the decor- but note it shares restrooms with the bar so you will have to walk past the bar and its patrons. Not that big of a deal but it does get loud. Overall I enjoyed my experience here and would definitely come back!"

Ramen Hiroshi San Francisco

★★★★☆ 4.2 (125) • $$

"I took my kid on an SF adventure tour just before the new school year started. We took the ferry into the city, the tram to to pier 39 (the sea lions are still there) and then cable car to Chinatown. After quite a lot of walking, the hunger came quickly and since I can always get her with a bowl of soup, we took a break at Ramen Hiroshi.What a treat!!! Have you ever heard a 4 year old sigh and moan over a bowl of soup? I have now. People around us were a bit bemused, but she was so into slurping and tasting, she didn't care. And I was such a proud mama!Stop by for a nice lunch and taste their absolutely amazing ramen! We also sampled some edamame and gyoza. Stellar!"

5A5

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (9)

"Not at all what I expected! Tapas style food servings. My wife and I had dinner reservations in the beginning of September. When we arrived and until we finished we were the only diners. Food wasn't particularly outstanding it was like average bar food at best. Server was friendly & manager was friendly. According to manager the 5A5 Izakaya is just a pop-up at that location because their main location (on Jackson St) is still closed due to building or remodeling issues. No longer the 5A5 Steakhouse from before...sadly my wife and I found this to be a very underwhelming dining experience. However, they did honor a 5A5 Steakhouse gift card we had from before they closed down (because of the pandemic) hence the overall 3 star rating. Food selection is pretty expensive for what you get and that's not including booze. That was our experience but they've only recently reopened so we'll see if they can get back to the 5A5 Steakhouse days..."

The Public Izakaya

★★★★☆ 4.2 (601) • $$

"I have been here multiple times for just casual eats or even a night out and every time is just as good. They are open super late, staff is friendly and sweet - very attentive without being overbearing. Highly recommend the pork belly skewers, fried chicken, drinks, desserts, and they have a great drink selection."

NONO

★★★★☆ 4.3 (201)

"Came here with my coworker to check out NONO's Happy Hour menu. I don't believe we ordered too much from that menu but instead tried a few items from their regular menu! We ordered a bunch of skewers - particularly chicken and beef, Mushroom Tempura, and their Chips and Dip! My fave were the skewers - I don't remember which particular chicken skewers we got but I remember they were very flavorful! The Chips and Dip was unique and the uni was very fresh. I really enjoyed the Truffle Mayo Dip as a part of the Mushroom Tempura! The restaurant was a bit hidden and fairly small inside so there weren't too many tables/ seats available but luckily we didn't have to wait on a Wednesday. Servers were really attentive and helpful! Def recommend this place for more of a fancy dining experience :)"

Ultra Sushi

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (800) • $$$

"We came here on a Thursday night around 7 and got free street parking. I saw a few garages nearby, but I think you may need to pay for parking. There was actually a good amount of people on a weekday night, but we got a table right away! The restaurant is spacious and clean. Opted in for the all-you-can-eat for $45.99, and this includes drinks. You order on a tablet and staff will take the tablet once you finish ordering and hand it back when you're ready for the next round. The sushi rolls here are a very good portion and can fill you up, so I would advise to take advantage of the sashimi and nigiri first! Our favorite was the ikura (fish roe) nigiri - although it's a bit salty, the flavor still explodes in your mouth the right way. The hand rolls were okay, we got the spicy tuna one and it didn't stand out to us and there was a lot of rice - I would probably skip out on this next time. It's rare to find AYCE sushi places now, and Ultra Sushi is definitely worth a try!"

Taniku Izakaya

★★★★★ 4.6 (239) • $$

"Service was fast. Great selections of appetizers, kushiyaki and seasonal drinks. I didn't try ramen or donburi but will definitely be back to try those!"

Mokutanya

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$

"Interesting concept of a late night semi-private izakaya with cool music, subdued ambiance and Japanese feel. Conveniently located not too far from SFO, if you have a late flight or need a food fix after landing this place will hit the spot. The parking lot can be a bit challenging if it is full however. Highly suggest wearing socks with your shoes when you come here since you will need to take off your shoes. Kind of like being at the airport LOL. Slippers are not provided and something about being barefoot while in a restaurant kinda gives me the ick.The food is what you would find at an izakaya in Japan. I got to have my shishamo (grilled pregnant smelt - tastes better than it sounds) which I hadn't had since leaving Japan. There are various skewered meats as well. Service was good, water got refilled although the plates could have been taken away sooner IMO. Definitely a date night spot -- appreciated the music here, it's like they highjacked my playlist. Would come back to try out more of their items!"

KIO Ramen

★★★★☆ 3.5 (171) • $$

"The oxtail ramen was so incredibly good! The oxtail meat was tender but very flavorful! The noodles had a familiar instant ramen-like shape, but had great texture. The broth had good flavor as well and the egg was cooked just right. I've had ramen with a better tasting egg and slightly more flavorful broth, but this was still really good.I can't wait to come back and get the oxtail ramen again. The softshell crab sandwich was quite flavorful and had a light texture in the crust without feeling greasy. The atmosphere was somewhat simple, but cozy."

Nojo Ramen Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"To be honest, I'm pretty underwhelmed. While I thought the food was good, it lacked flavor, especially the chicken ramen. Also, the restaurant is tiny, and we waited for a nice three-person table for over twenty minutes. They put us at the communal table by the door. It was wet and raining, so inconsiderate of their part. They were also really standoffish and made us order with QR codes. This isn't Corona anymore; I want a waiter. Now, the food. I was expecting something visually amazing for $20 something dollars of Ramen. I'd rather go to Hinodeya. The staff also doesn't speak Japanese (which is not a good sign), and the truffle fries and yuzu miso salad again lack the oomph I normally taste in Japanese cuisine. Overrated Ramen spot."

Jin Pot Shabu House

★★★★★ 4.6 (533) • $$$

"My friend and I came here to check out their happy hour $36/person from 5-6:30pm. Good thing we got here at 5:10pm, because the deal only works if you're done eating by 6:30pm. The sign didn't make that clear and probably dupe people to come in around 6pm but not able to finish eating by 6:30pm. It was $46.14 each person even with the happy hour deal, including tax, tips, and SF health care mandate. The decorations inside are very cute!It was a great selection of food! We enjoyed 2 plates of chicken karagge, 1 plate of gyoza, and fried fish balls for appetizers. We picked the Japanese broth tonkatsu and sukiyaki. We had different types of beef, seafood deluxe, octopus, house made meatballs, squash, seaweed, and udon. It was too much food and I stuffed myself too much, so I recommend not ordering the udon, octopus, and meatballs. The Japanese meatballs tasted odd to me. I should've ordered the vegetable combo, more meat, and more appetizers instead. Definitely order the chicken karagge cause that was bomb!!"