Lion West Portal, San Francisco, CA

Rating:

 4.6

Cost:

$30 – $50

Explore Lion West Portal

Lion West Portal in San Francisco, CA, is a standout sushi restaurant known for its fresh and inventive Japanese dishes that cater to a variety of tastes. This welcoming spot features a unique cart system delivering small plates of creative rolls and appetizers, making it easy to sample a range of flavors right at your table. With a focus on high-quality ingredients and thoughtful presentations, it's an ideal choice for those seeking top-rated sushi near you in a relaxed yet elegant setting. The restaurant also prioritizes accessibility and offers options for vegan diners, enhancing its appeal as one of the best sushi places near me. Whether you're in the mood for innovative specials or classic favorites, this spot delivers a memorable dining experience in the heart of the city.

Summarized by AI using the Grok-3-Mini model.

What Diners Are Buzzing About

Visitors consistently praise the fresh and flavorful sushi at this neighborhood gem, highlighting the creative twists on traditional rolls that keep things exciting and delicious. Many appreciate the variety of vegan options that feel just as satisfying as the classic dishes, making it a go-to for diverse groups looking for great Japanese places near me. The friendly service and fun cart system add a casual vibe that enhances the overall enjoyment, with folks noting it's perfect for a relaxed meal without the usual tipping hassle. While some mention that certain small plates might lean a bit heavy on rice, the general consensus is that the quality and innovation make it worth trying. Overall, it's a solid pick for anyone searching for the best sushi near me, offering a welcoming atmosphere that encourages repeat visits.

Summarized by AI using the Grok-3-Mini model.

Address & Phone

West of Twin Peaks
301 W Portal Ave
San Francisco, CA 94127

Wheelchair Accessiblility

Entrance:

Payment Options

Accepts credit cards:

Reviews

  • Gaelen Gates  5

    LOVE this place! We’d been missing a great vegan sushi place ever since Tataki Canyon closed, and I’m so glad Lion opened. Everything we had was delicious, and the little carts going around, Dim Sum-style, were a nice treat. Service was wonderful. The no-tips model makes me feel good about patronizing an establishment that pays its servers fairly rather than forcing them to rely on tips. We’ll be back here frequently.

  • Paul Chan  5

    Great addition to the neighborhood. The food is not your typical sushi fare. More like little dishes, grilled items, selection of rolls and other innovative chef specials. Everything is super fresh and tasty.

  • Elisabeth Rodriguez  5

    You can taste the quality in the food. The fish tastes so fresh and the flavor profile is elegant and well balanced. An experience overall! Service is also just so great. I love how they come out with different appetizers in a cart to choose from. Mun & Suki were wonderful!

  • Victoria Thuy Vy Milaniya  5

    Heya (vegan) and Bow to your sensei (vegan) were both recommended by the waitress and they both did not disappoint!! Both were delicious - but I must say the Heya roll won my top choice. All the flavors in the roll and the vegan salmon made me feel like I was enjoying a ‘real sushi roll’ 😍 It was also nice to have the whole top floor section to ourselves while eating 🤗 the waitress was attentive and friendly. The only things I wouldn’t order again were the two items from the dim sum cart (see photos) as they were just alright - too much rice

  • Justin Mattson  5

    I visited during their soft open, it was just their fourth night of business. The service was still getting itself worked out, so things were a little slower than I would have liked, but things were on par with other soft open operations I've seen. The food was really good and more than made up for the front-of-house hiccups. The dishes were unique and filled with a host of flavors. We ordered one main from the menu and then had a bunch from the cart. This place will be GREAT if you have a mix of omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. We ordered "Paul the Pilot", named in honor of a customer which has followed the chef in various restaurants through the years. The dish is cooked table-side using open flame, it's really an experience. What emerges from the foil is a delicious combination of flavors. Next the restaurant has a cart that comes around every 5-10 minutes with small plates that might be sushi, maki, or a variety of other interesting creations. I can't remember exactly all the things we ordered, but they included scallop sashimi, vegan "salmon" sashimi, a couple of rolls, and bean curd pockets filled with rice and sea urchin. A great "bonus" for this place is that it is tip-free. I love not having this pressure. I thought the prices were reasonable, and if I take 20% off, the prices are quite good. Thank you to the chef/owner who decided, "let's just put the real cost on the menu"! Do GO HERE if you want a calm atmosphere to enjoy unique dishes, in each of which you will find a complimenting set of flavors, and an interesting dining style, thanks to the mix of menu and surprises from the cart. Do NOT GO HERE, probably, if you're looking for a fast bite as parents with a couple of kids. The service is likely to be a little slower than you want and the dishes might be a challenge for picky or nervous diners.