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    Hinata

    4.5 (851 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSushi Bars, Japanese
    Closed 5:30 pm - 10:00 PM

    Hinata Photos

    Business Info

    HINATA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Hinata

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    Sylvia Y.

    Hinata is a hidden gem! I had Hinata bookmarked for the longest time and I'm glad I finally got to try their omakase. Reservations were easy to make on OpenTable. They called a few days before to check if I had any dietary restrictions. The location is convenient-- right off Van Ness. The outside is not very obvious so you have to follow Google Maps and look for the building number. The inside is not huge but doesn't feel cramped. Most of the seating is around the counter, with some smaller tables on the side. The bar height elbow chairs were actually very comfortable. My takeaway is that Hinata hits a sweet spot. I felt I received a high quality omakase experience for the price ($128 without supplements). The chef was friendly and skilled. I loved each course and it was paced well. I was stuffed without the supplements. Service was attentive and professional. The restroom was also clean (Toto toilet) and smelled really good (they had a tea light heating up some sort of puffed rice tea). Overall, I highly recommend Hinata if you're looking for a quality omakase experience at a relatively affordable price compared to other spots in SF!

    John L.

    It was our anniversary so we had the perfect excuse to hit up another omakase in the city. I've had Hinata bookmarked for some time so my wife and I decided to finally give it a try. Reservation via OpenTable was a breeze and we were able to get bar seats for the 5:30pm slot. The owner, Chef Gavin, was our host for our 16-course Grand Omakase. Our evening started off with a set of delicious Zensai (appetizer) consisting of crab salad, umaki (omelet-wrapped unagi), and mozuku (seaweed) followed by a trio of sashimi slices (akami, sake, and madai). A couple of cooked items followed - Gindara (glazed black cod with truffle and uni sauce) and Sawara (smoked king mackerel). Both were superb, but the cod was the clear winner. For our nigiri, we had the following: Engawa (flounder fin) - We were off to a good start because this is one of my favorites. I prefer the chewier texture of the fin over the fleshy part of the fish. Ishidai (jaw snapper) - Another shiromi for the early win! It was firm and chewy; lightly seared to bring out the oil. Hotate - Served with a bit of miso aioli, this was the perfect contrast for the natural sweetness of the scallop. This was excellent! Kasukodai - This was our first time having a young snapper and it had a firmer texture than its older counterparts. This was dressed with dehydrated egg. Sanma (pike mackerel) - My wife does not have the same love for mackerel as my older daughter and me. This had a stronger flavor, so my wife had a small bite and decided to give me her leftover. That's OK because it meant more for me. Masaba (Pacific mackerel) - It was mackerel season so our chef decided to serve two species of mackerel back-to-back, much to the chagrin of my wife. This had a more intense and salty taste so I ended up having 2 servings again. Kamasu (barracuda) - Another favorite decided to show up that evening! We could see how the skin reacted to the flame as Chef Gavin put his torch to good use once more. Comparing this with the rest, it was on the smaller side. Zuke Chutoro - Dry-aged for 2 weeks and soy-cured, the leaner section was seared (aburi-style) to create a more complex flavor and texture. Ikura Uni Rice - Served with shredded frozen uni to provide an even richer flavor, this was my favorite of the night. So awesome! Otoro Hand Roll - A taste of otoro before the soup and dessert. This would have been a fitting finale, but I added the supplement which consisted of the Hokkaido Uni, Otoro, and A5 Wagyu. These were all fantastic and Chef Gavin made sure my DSLR got a good look of his 2-week dry-aged otoro as he laid it out in front of me. Even with the supplement, their price was "more affordable" than the other omakase restaurants we have been to. If i were being picky, I would have preferred that our chef served something in between the 2 mackerel nigiris like he did with the snappers. But overall, Chef Gavin had excellent knife and presentation skills and I enjoyed our experience here very much. The counter seats were perfect as we clearly saw how our food were prepared. The place had a pleasant vibe to it, too. Here's hoping Hinata makes the Michelin Guide someday...

    Nigiri
    Rita W.

    Finally got to try Hinata, especially after hearing about this spot for years. 4 of us went here to treat a cousin for her birthday. Omakase, didn't need to think about what to order other than drinks and any supplement food. Easy peasy. We made a reservation for 4 for 7pm, and we were seated right away. They had a cute area to wait if needed. We got a table, where a couple of us had the view of the bar and the other a view of the fish on display. Sake flights for us all! It was great to taste a few varieties of sake, and it went rather well with the tasting menu. First bite was super refreshing- crab, jelly, veggies. Second and third bites were great as well. An edible plate cracker with tartare, and an oyster. That oyster was so good!! The tartare was really good as well, but the edible cracker kind of like a cake cone texture and flavor in some way took away from it imo. Then came the nigiri pieces. Yum!! These were brought out a few pieces at a time. 12 in total, with some being amazing stuff like rice with uni and roe, a tuna piece wrapped in seaweed, etc. so good!! They had a supplement option of uni, wagyu, o-toro. We all got that cause we couldn't resist. Delicious!! Def recommend if you aren't feeling really full. After the 3 appetizers, 15 pieces of greatness, we got our fish broth red miso soup. Yummmmm. Then dessert, which was a black sesame ice cream topped with pistachios. Would be down to dine here again! Not a cheap meal, but very good for these types of omakase and quality. Service was good too- waters refilled, dishes explained, food brought out timely, etc.

    Matcha panna cotta and Yuzu sorbet
    Ada H.

    Hinata has continuously been one of my favorite omakase spots and have kept their prices reasonable in contrast to other omakase spots in the bay. Service has always been top notch and I love how they have consistently impressed every guest I have brought along to eat with me. Music is always a hit with their R&B and EDM and just sets a modern chill vibe. All the sushi chefs are fun and enjoyable to converse with which definitely makes the experience. The sushi here is always fresh and I love how each bite builds up to the next with the final pieces always being the highlight of the meal. Their extensive sake menu is impeccable and it's always a good time drinking here. Highly recommend Hinata to anyone for a date night, friends get together or even a catch up dinner!

    Jane C.

    Came here for a party of 2 for the 5:30 sitting for omakase. We were seated on time and promptly. It was sooo good. Everything was prepared right in front of us and so fresh. Was a let o talk to and learn from the chef as well. I don't remember all of the dishes but enjoyed all of them and ended up being really full towards the end. We did not do the pairing with drinks but they had a nice selection of Japanese beers we tried and loved. They were hard to find and we even tried to hunt them down. It was $125 a person for omakase when we went.

    uni, salmon roe, squid
    Anu S.

    Great omakase for the price! The fish quality was really good, not the most amazing, but definitely worth the price in SF. The servers explained each dish well and restaurant had cute cozy lighting. We got the caviar add on, which honestly carried some of these courses, and they served us a free sake shot. Overall great experience.

    Joseph M.

    I've been wanting to try this spot for a while and now I have. Hinata at the time of me making this review serves an $128 omakase including 3 appetizers, 12 pieces of nigiri, a miso soup, and a dessert with the opportunity to add supplemental courses near the end. I opted for the addition of the A5 Wagyu. The appetizers were pretty solid. The appetizers are sunomono, the trout tartare, and oyster. The sunomono is very citrusy, the trout has a nice crunch from the monaka cracker, and oyster was packed with flavor. The nigiri part of the omakase actually went by pretty fast lol. The A5 Wagyu supplement was my favorite. The gold flakes on top and the salt were a nice touch. The dessert was a black sesame ice cream with pistachios which was good. The service here was great. The staff is very friendly. Note: The area around this restaurant is hella sketchy. The inside of the restaurant is quite nice though. You honestly wouldn't expect an omakase spot in this kind of area lol. Iykyk. Try it out if you like. :)

    Red miso
    Stephen L.

    Came here w a reservation for 2 for the first time. Had heard great things about Hinata. The restaurant itself is pretty spacious but doesnt have too many seats. We sat at the bar for the omakase, which we appreciated since the chefs were able to explain what each piece of nigiri was as well as other dishes. The restaurant is really nice, love the woods and general feel. The omakase base price was $128 which honestly isnt bad. You can do add ons for more which quickly increase the bill, but the amount of food was solid. We did the premium sake flight which paired well with the food I really liked the Trout tartare. Super fresh, and very fatty + tasty. I thought most of the nigiri were delicious. Some highlights were the barracuda and chutoro but i enjoyed every piece. Red miso soup was also amazing, perfect level of saltiness and depth of flavor, not like how miso soup can be way too salty sometimes. I thought the oyster was a little too sweet. It masked the natural flavor of the oyster a bit too much but that would be the only dish i thought could have been better. Depends on your taste! I also wish there was just a bit more wasabi on some pieces Service was excellent. I saw some comments on pacing but i thought the chefs and staff were very attentive and each dish/nigiri didnt feel rushed or like we were waiting. Chef who served us was very nice and did an excellent job.

    Janine L.

    This place is AMAZINGGG!!! This fish was super fresh and honestly it's a very reasonably price for what you get :) I made reservation for my boyfriends bday on open table and we were seated right away at the bar and it was the perfect ambiance. The service was amazing too and the servers were very attentive & the chef was super descriptive with the food. All of the fish and food itself was amazing!! I loved all the fish especially that was torched. Also it was decently fillinggg with the black sesame dessert being the perfect way to end the meal. For my boyfriend's birthday they added a candle and little not with the dessert. Would highly recommend giving this place a try and would love to come back!

    Lucy D.

    We came on a Sunday evening for an early dinner. The restaurant had an unassuming entrance and was quiet when we first sat down. More people showed up over the course of our meal and the bar seating felt progressively more claustrophobic. Interesting pop music choice for an omakase place, I definitely felt detracted from the experience. Omakase set menu $128: Pickled Cucumber, tomato and snow crab sunomono - I enjoyed the slightly tangy pickle, the snow crab didn't provide much texture or flavor, the ingredients didn't feel like it worked well together Trout tartare - tartare on a cracker, delightful crunch paired with the soft umami sashimi and bursts of salmon roe Oyster with mozuku and cavier on top - it was hard to pick up the flavor of the seaweed and cavier, all I tasted was oyster Nigiri - memorable pieces were barracuda, love the charred skin. Fresh water eel, the edges of the eel pieces were so pointy that it poked the roof of my mouth and almost triggered a gag reflex. Also quite dangerous indeed. Supplement add on $41: a spoonful of uni (uni was not as sweet or creamy and intensely flavored as hoped), otoro nigiri (can't go wrong with this), wagyu nigiri (I'd prefer it in non nigiri form) Fish broth miso - good palette cleanser, nice and mild soup Black sesame ice cream - might be the best part of the menu, very creamy It might be a small detail, but the ginger pieces were all tangled together making it hard to grab a bite without making a huge mess. It's a cute place for a date night, but the quality of omakase is not at the price point.

    Angel C.

    Honestly one of the top 3 omakase experiences I have had in the US. For the price I think this restaurant blew me away with the quality and taste. Was seated at the bar for an 8:30 reservation and our sushi chef was very friendly and attentive. The waitress was also very kind and was checking in on us just the right amount of times throughout the meal. I really think each piece of sushi was sooo unique and absolutely delicious and perfect quality. I wasn't too full by the end to the point where I couldn't finish my meal. The number of pieces and appetizers was also perfect. Highly highly recommend!

    Jocelyn L.

    The omakase seems to be the focus at this restaurant. The entire room was set in a dim light beside the back of the bar - It felt a little higher end. The staff brought you to the bar and helped you with the chair. They cleared all the plates and dishes away very quickly and also filled your water up constantly. The food was absolutely delicious. Everything was so fresh and nothing was fishy at all. The scallop was extremely soft. The mackerel had a mild and not pungent flavor. There were some nigiris that I was skeptical I would enjoy based off the appearance of texture, but wow was I proven wrong, I enjoyed everything! The chef did a great job at presenting and creating each course. We had one chef, who was tending to multiple sets of couples at bar. All the couples arrived at different times, so being apart of the latter groups made my partner and I feel a little rushed. It felt like the chef wanted to catch us up with the earlier groups. We wanted a moment between each course to discuss with one another, but we weren't too sure if it was rude to leave the food on the dish after it was already presented. I also notified the chef of an allergy - not deadly but makes me physically uncomfortable. He was able to switch out one of the courses with another. However, he handled my allergen before preparing the allergen-free course, which caused itchiness and small hives/blisters to form on my inner lip. All in all, I would be more explicit of cross-contamination to prevent this situation from occurring again, but I enjoyed the experience and would come back in the future.

    Sake flight
    Kit W.

    I think Hinata is my favorite sub $200 omakase that I've had. They're now dry aging all of their fish so it has a bit more flavor and umami to it. Each piece of tender, lovingly prepared and special. It's paced so you have time to revel in each bite and really appreciate the fish - be prepared for at least 90 min. The last couple of times, I have left just a little hungry. The hand roll and the little uni bowl really rounded out a great meal - I was plenty full at the end, this time. Their rice is served just slightly warm too - I just love it, makes each piece feel special to me. Service is impeccable as always too. It's not stuffy and never feels like somewhere you couldn't laugh, but doesn't feel loud or casual either - it's definitely a standout meal. I feel like I've only been giving good ratings recently but I guess I'm just picking good places to eat.

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    Page 1 of 22

    Hinata Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Hinata

    What is the cost per person for omakase?

    Omakase price is $125 per person.

    Does the restaurant require to show a vaccination card?

    Hi, not sure about now but we did have to show in April 2022. Maybe when calling for reservation you might want to ask. Thanks.

    Is parking available?

    Street parking is difficult. I suggest public transportation or Uber/Lyft.

    Is Hinata open at the moment for take out? Nobody answers the phone; seems like voicemail is full.

    yes, you can order takeout through trycaviar.com

    Does everyone in the party have to get omakase or can one person just opt out and order a la carte?

    What they told us is that the ONLY option is the Omakase. In the middle of the meal, you can add-on additional pieces, but everyone is required to get the standard Omakase first.

    Is tip included or not? I've been to many omakase places that tip was included or they didn't accept any.

    I didn't see them include tip but we added it to the final bill ourselves.

    Is the entire restaurant bar seating or are there private tables?

    There are about 5 private tables as well as bar seating.

    Did the price increase from $78 to 90 in the past month?

    Yes ;(

    How long would you set aside for the full omakase menu? And do they have their first seating at 5:30 or 6:00?

    I think a couple of hours for dinner. I don't know their hours.

    Would this place be ok for an anniversary dinner?

    Absolutely! Be sure to sit at the counter for a more engaging experience. Or at the tables from more privacy.

    Where is the closest parking and is the neighborhood safe?

    The neighborhood can be a hit or miss. I turned right in the next street after the restaurant, found street parking, but saw glass on the street. I decided to found park across the restaurant on a side street, that was well lit and looked busy.… Read more

    Is it a vegetarian friendly restaurant?

    This is an omakase place for sushi. If you can't eat fish, why would you want to go to a place that is known for its raw fish and rice experience?

    What is the price range for the omakase?

    Their omakase starts at $78, you can supplemental or a la carte after if you're still hungry.

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    Ganji

    4.6
    (626 reviews)
    0.5 mi
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    Locally owned & operated
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    The service is friendly and helpful, and the food is delicious. Love the robust appetizer menu…read more Felt like a bunch of queens up in this place. "This is a banger."

    What a gem amongst all the restaurants in Japan Town! It's in the outside center near the…read morestationary store Paper Tree for reference. Been here a couple of times already and the service never failed. Even came here during the Cherry Blossom Festival and the staff were still friendly / accommodating. They even put a spicy sauce on the side of one of the katsu plates when we mentioned that my dad couldn't handle all that haha. This cozy spot mainly focuses on katsu plates, but I like how they had off menu or specials to choose from if you'd like another option. I will say though them katsu plates were just chef's kiss. The meat is pounded thin enough where it's still juicy and tender, but doesn't affect the exterior from being crunchy and a bit flaky. Nothing was dry here yallll! I also like how it already comes with miso soup and salad. Huge fan of that Hamachi Truffle special though. Think of a citrusy flavor from the ponzu, fresh fish, a bit of micro greens, and a thin slice of jalapeño that just ~works~ on a cute wooden spoon that you want to steal I could honestly eat like 5 spoons of this. I'd skip on the calamari as it was kind of skimpy to share with a large group. Only note was that their fried katsu curry was a bit underwhelming with having more slices of carrots than potato! Would love to come back if I am ever in the area.

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    Tadaima - Mission

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    4.2
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    Amazing Matcha, I love the salted cheese one, even though there is always a huge line service is…read moresuper fast!

    Tadaima is a small matcha and Japanese Sando + snacks shop in the Mission District. The menu has a…read morewide variety of matcha base latte with adjustable sweetness, foam toppings, and other Japanese inspired drinks. Ambiance: A small clean store with a small high top area, another high top table outside, and a bench to sit outside while enjoying your matcha and food. Service: Food / drinks ordered via a worker at the front with a menu to the left to see options available. Staff were friendly and helpful during interaction. Wait time: Not an extremely long wait between ordering and receiving food and drink. A buzzer is given to you which rings when your food is completed. Food: The yuzu salmon onigiri had a decent serving of salmon inside and on top of the rice. Good salmon flavor but slightly lacking in yuzu flavor. Chicken Curry onigiri: a mild curry flavor which again had a decent rice to chicken ratio. The chicken did taste slightly dry despite the curry sauce likely due to the nature of being a ground meat. Matcha Latte c Pistachio Cream was easily one of the best tasting matcha drinks I have had in SF. The matcha had a strong flavor and the pistachio cream did not overpower the taste of the matcha. There was a nice sweet, slightly salty, and pistachio flavor from the cream and the addition of the crushed pistachios was not a weird texture for the drink. I would definitely be interested in trying more of their matcha beverages due to quality and size of drink compared to cost.

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    4.2
    (545 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $

    Stopped by on a Friday at 1pm, pleasantly surprised to see there was no line at all! Their menu is…read morepretty small so I was set on the matcha einspanner. It comes already sweetened and no adjustments can be made, only added. I thought it was pretty decent, I do enjoy the soybean and matcha powder they sprinkle on the top. Definitely on the less sweet side so I appreciated that. As for the matcha flavor, it tasted pretty standard to me. Definitely nice how they have an indoor and outdoor area. The outdoor area gets pretty hot since it's similar to a greenhouse but nice for photos. We ended up coming back inside since it was too hot outside. The inside spots definitely fill up fast due to the AC and nice ambience but we were lucky someone had just left. Super nice spot to just chill or have a date!

    I actually came here twice while on a trip to SF. The Cafe turns into a bar at night. So the first…read morenight I had the Kohaku, which was a whiskey drink. I pretty much try any creamy drink that has a whipped egg white. This was an amazing drink, bright citrus, smokey whiskey, and a creamyness from the egg. Next the Miran Miyagi oysters were very fresh, I forgot what was in it, but there was some crunchy bits for texture and there was also a good kick of spice. The Hojicha Affogato was their dessert, and it was also great. It had dark chocolate gelato and a raspberry compote. I came back to try the Matcha Einspanner since I heard good things about it. I never had one before, but if they're all like this, then I love einspanners. It had a super thick whipped cream with a nice high quality matcha. The service was also very friendly. And since this is a bar/ cafe, it's super chill vibes.

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    Izakaya Yoki

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    4.1
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    0.6 mi
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    Family-owned & operated

    So glad this neighborhood finally has an AYCE sushi spot, and at a price that actually makes sense…read more For $40 a person you are getting a serious deal. One tip: get there early. The place fills up around 6pm so arriving ahead of that will save you a wait. They don't take reservations, so first come first served. The ordering experience is really smooth. Everything is done through an iPad at your table and the food comes out to you. They won't let you place a new order until your previous one has been delivered, which honestly is a smart system and helps with pacing so you don't over order right out of the gate. What sets this place apart from other AYCE spots is the variety. It's not just sushi. You can also order appetizers, salmon, teriyaki chicken and more, so there's something for people who want to mix it up beyond rolls. Delicious, easy, affordable and in the neighborhood. Highly recommend!

    My go-to spot for all-you-can-eat sushi in SF!! Come on an empty stomach. They have an impressive…read moreselection of specialty rolls, nigiri, and appetizers that make it easy to try a little bit of everything. On our most recent visit, we ordered several specialty rolls topped with seared fish, creamy sauces, and tobiko. You MUST try the Lion King Roll- our go to order. Beyond the sushi, we got miso soup, which is comforting and a nice palate cleanser, crunchy seaweed salad, hamachi carpaccio which was fresh and deserved a re-order, and poke chips which are a light and addictive appetizer. You can skip the chicken karaage to be honest, but the butter corn is a surprisingly sweet side that rounds out the meal perfectly. You have a two hour time window to dine, and you can order thru an iPad. Yoki gets quite busy so sometimes there were long gaps between orders. Depends on which day of the week you decide to visit. They're able to seat large parties and I have come here for intimate dates to birthday dinner of up to 8 people. This time we visited with a party of four and had to wait a bit before being seated. That said, Yoki remains my first choice whenever I'm craving best-value AYCE sushi

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    Tiger roll
    Tiger roll
    Sushi combo special
    Sushi combo special
    Special order ( $ 100 )

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    Special order ( $ 100 )
    Rintaro

    Rintaro

    4.2
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$$

    I recently dined here with my friends and had an excellent meal. The chicken heart and liver was…read moreespecially tasty. The vibes and service are excellent and their food is just top notch. great sake selection too! we had some incident that they also took care of which I really appreciate it. I know I wrote a review 8 years ago but my POV is that things are way different and better now.

    I did not realize how popular and poppin this place was. My girls and I chose to eat here to catch…read moreup, and I did find it to be a great place to dine and catch up with the girls. We lucked out without a reservation and showed up the moment they opened. However, I noticed this place has A LOT of reservations; therefore, they did give us a time limit (we had a good hour and 30 mins!). If you're looking for an authentic Japanese izakaya experience, Rintaro is definitely worth checking out. I've been to Japan before, and actually felt like the food we ate was just as good as what you would get in Japan, but more expensive, haha. I also love that their menu focuses on traditional Japanese izakaya dishes rather than just sushi. Everything is meant to be shared, making it a fun dining experience where you can try a little bit of everything. FOOD: 9/10 SERVICE: 9/10 AMBIANCE: 10/10 FOOD: 9/10 The food really showcases the craftsmanship that goes into Japanese cooking. From the handmade udon to the charcoal-grilled skewers that we ordered, every dish felt thoughtfully prepared. I especially appreciated that nothing felt overly complicated. The flavors were simple, balanced, and let the quality of the ingredients shine. The only reason I'm giving it a 9 instead of a perfect 10 is that a few dishes didn't completely wow me for the price, but overall it was a fantastic meal. SERVICE: 9/10 The staff was knowledgeable about the menu and happy to answer questions or offer recommendations. The restaurant gets busy, but service still felt attentive throughout the meal without making us feel rushed. They do recommend ordering everything at once, as they do run out of things due to the high volume of customers. AMBIANCE: 10/10 The first thing that stood out to me was the ambiance. From the moment you walk in, the warm wood interior, open kitchen, and charcoal grill make you feel like you've stepped into Japan. It has such a cozy and intimate atmosphere that's perfect for a date night or catching up with friends. Rintaro is definitely more of a special occasion spot than an everyday dinner. The quality is there, but because the menu is made up of small plates, the bill can add up pretty quickly. That said, I think it's worth experiencing at least once if you're looking for an authentic izakaya in San Francisco. Overall, I'd definitely come back. The atmosphere alone makes it memorable, and I love that Rintaro focuses on traditional Japanese comfort food instead of being another sushi restaurant. It's the kind of place where you come for the entire experience, not just the meal.

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    Interior
    Interior
    Birthday treat
    Birthday treat
    Teba no karate

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    Teba no karate
    KUSAKABE

    KUSAKABE

    4.6
    (1.2k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$$$

    Kusakabe creates the kind of dining experience that feels carefully designed from the moment you…read moresit down. We walked into a refined but welcoming space where the sushi counter is the main focus, and the meal unfolds course by course in front of us. There is a sense of calm throughout the room, allowing the attention to stay on the chefs, the ingredients, and the details behind each dish without the distraction of a busy dining room. The omakase experience balances traditional sushi with more creative touches. Each course brings something different, from fresh sashimi and nigiri to warmer dishes like chawan mushi that add depth to the progression of the meal. The sushi highlights the quality of the fish while incorporating thoughtful flavor combinations, with dishes like scallop and the dry-aged fish courses standing out for their texture and seasoning. The sake pairing fits naturally into the experience, adding another layer without overpowering the food, and the sommelier's selections complement the progression of flavors across the meal. What makes Kusakabe memorable is the craftsmanship and pacing of the meal. The chefs take time to explain each course, making the experience feel personal rather than rushed. Sitting at the counter adds to the atmosphere because you get to see the precision and care that goes into every piece, from the way the rice is formed to the final brush of sauce on the fish. The pacing of the meal allows you to appreciate each course without feeling rushed, and the team's attention to detail creates a rhythm that keeps the meal engaging from start to finish. Kusakabe feels like a place made for special occasions, celebrations, or anyone looking for a more elevated Japanese dining experience. It combines technique, hospitality, and creativity in a way that makes the entire meal feel like an event rather than just a dinner. The balance of traditional and modern elements, along with the warmth of the service, leaves you with the sense of having experienced something complete and thoughtfully composed.

    What an experience! We were celebrating an anniversary and planned a bit last minute, but were able…read moreto snag a reservation here pretty easily. Immediately, the ambiance and service was quite nice. We were seated at the table, but typically I enjoy sitting at the bar to watch the chefs make our food. The service was amazing and they were very attentive. They also offered to take photos and gave us a little gift of hojicha tea since we were celebrating. We got the omakase, which was massive and had 18 courses. They gave us a menu so we knew what to expect for each course, and we ordered some sake. The omakase was delicious and more traditional than other places, each course was so beautiful and delicately made. This is definitely a lot of food, I would recommend the petite omakase in the future as I was stuffed, but it was a great experience if you come hungry! Courses: - Chawan-mushi - super tasty and every bite was delicious and umami forward! - Otsumami - 7 seasonal appetizers presented in a beautiful box, there was a stuffed crab claw in there that was delicious - 4 kinds of sushi - each piece came out one at a time, the first piece was my absolute favorite and blew me away, it was a seared chutoro that immediately melts in your mouth and tastes smokey - Hamachi soup - very tasty and warming soup with hamachi inside, was perfect in between the sushi course - 4 kinds of sushi - A5 Waguyu shabu - this course was extra $10 pp but was so delicious, the wagyu was melt in your mouth and had some grated daikon on top in a ponzu dashi, the toppings help balance the meat so it's overwhelming since it does melt in your mouth, one of my favorite bites! - 4 kind of sushi - they brought out some really great sushis, including more chutoro and an unagi handroll, but I was so stuffed at this point that I felt I couldn't enjoy it as much - miso soup - this soup was so tasty and kind of revived me after all that food, it felt comforting and a great way to end - dessert- I got the hojicha ice cream in a waffle like cookie and it was delicious!

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    Zen bathroom
    Zen bathroom
    Otsumami...
    Otsumami...
    Eight Kinds of Sushi

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    Eight Kinds of Sushi

    Hinata - sushi - Updated July 2026

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