Zentarou Sushi and Sake Bar, San Francisco, CA

Rating:

 4.9

Cost:

$50 – $100

Experience Zentarou Sushi in San Francisco, CA

Nestled in the heart of San Francisco, CA, Zentarou Sushi and Sake Bar offers a delightful escape into traditional Japanese cuisine, featuring fresh nigiri and sashimi that capture the essence of authentic flavors. This casual eatery stands out with its selection of beer and sake, creating a welcoming atmosphere perfect for those seeking top-rated sushi experiences nearby. Guests can enjoy a variety of Japanese-inspired dishes in a setting that's both accessible and moderately priced, making it an ideal spot for casual dinners or special occasions. The menu highlights seasonal ingredients and thoughtful pairings, ensuring every visit feels like a genuine culinary adventure. With its focus on quality and variety, it's a go-to choice for anyone exploring sushi restaurants in the area.

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Insights from Recent Feedback

Visitors to this sushi spot often praise the outstanding omakase selections and fresh nigiri, noting how the generous portions and high-quality ingredients make for a memorable meal. Many appreciate the extensive sake options and attentive service that enhance the overall vibe, even if a few mentions suggest occasional inconsistencies in dish preparation during busier times. Overall, folks find the atmosphere inviting and the flavors spot-on, with side dishes like grilled yellowtail adding extra excitement to the experience. It's clear that the focus on fresh, regional fish keeps diners coming back, offering a solid pick for those hunting for the best sushi nearby. While not every detail hits the mark for everyone, the general consensus leans positive, making it a worthwhile stop for Japanese cuisine enthusiasts.

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

Address & Phone

Inner Sunset
1380 9th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94122
(659) 246-9635

Wheelchair Accessiblility

Entrance:Restroom:Seating:

Parking Options

Free street parking:Paid street parking:

Payment Options

Accepts credit cards:Accepts debit cards:

Reviews

  • John McCartney  5

    Zentarou Sushi in the Inner Sunset is a gem! Their menu is exciting and stands out from other sushi spots, offering a variety of options, including two types of Omakase. We went with the more affordable Omakase option, which still delivered an incredible experience with two sets of five pieces of Nigiri, a flavorful fish bone broth, and the option to add a $30 upgrade. The upgrade was totally worth it, including A5 Wagyu, uni from Hokkaido, and Otoro—absolutely delicious! We also tried some side dishes, and they exceeded expectations. The portions were surprisingly generous for the price, like the grilled yellowtail collar for just $16 and the soft-shell crab for $15. Both were flavorful and satisfying. The service was fantastic! Our server was friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience enjoyable. Zentarou Sushi is definitely a place we’ll be coming back to for great food, generous portions, and amazing service. Highly recommend!

  • Emily Yim  4

    I really wanted to love Zentarou, but unfortunately, it missed the mark for me and my partner. We visited during Valentine's weekend (though not on the actual day) and opted for the Valentine's omakase special (which seemed to be the equivalent of their premium omakase, but dressed up for the occasion). At $280 for two people, we had high expectations but felt that the quality and service didn’t quite justify the price. Our favorites were the Miyazaki A5 wagyu, Otoro, and Hokkaido uni. These were included in the Valentine's special (and also appear to be part of the premium omakase set on a regular night). For the regular omakase, these items are available as supplements. The second round of nigiri was probably the best part of the meal. However, beyond those highlights, the rest of the experience fell short. The rice ratio and flavor on the first round of nigiri were inconsistent, and the hamachi tasted slightly overcooked. When asked about allergies and food restrictions, I specifically requested no cucumber, yet the first dish included it. The eggplant in that same dish was also tougher than expected. While we tried to keep an open mind, we couldn’t help but feel that the overall quality didn’t match the price tag. That said, we appreciated the presentation of the dishes and the effort of the team. While the staff was friendly, they seemed a bit rushed (likely due to the busy weekend), which made the service feel less personal than we had hoped for. Perhaps it was just an off night due to the occasion, but given our experience, we’d be hesitant to return. At this price point, I believe there are better omakase experiences to be found.

  • Sabrina Cismas  5

    I've been to a good chunk of high-end sushi places in SF (Robin, Kusakabe, Ju-Ni, etc.) but Zentarou is the best place for sushi and omakase in the city. I think this place is still under the radar as they only opened last year, but it could easily have a Michelin star. Every single piece on their premium omakase menu was superb. Each fish was of the highest quality, and carefully crafted with complimentary seasoning, garnish, and temperature. The menu came with appetizers and hot food as well, which were equally beautifully and deliciously prepared. I appreciated that they specified the region each fish was from, and that they integrated local fresh fish selections into the nigiri rotation. For salmon lovers, adding on the salmon tasting is a must. Their sake selection is also extensive, and our waiter did a fantastic job of recommending a bottle for us and giving us samples to hone in on it given our taste preferences. 10/10

  • Secret Society  4

    I had the supreme omakase, oysters, tempura, salmon collar and the lychee sherbet. The sushi was decent, it was good but nothing special. The wasabi was a bit too much on the nigiri. For the most part everything was not bad, but the toro and truffle nigiri was way too chewy and I couldn’t eat it. The salmon collar was a little bland, but the desserts were delicious!!

  • suntaree pwalley  5

    While working in San Francisco, I stopped off for dinner on a friend's recommendation and I'm so glad I did. The food, staff, and atmosphere were all amazing. The 12 piece sashimi, Kisetsu, and scallops were all delicious. The Uni is imported from Hokkaido, Japan and was so fresh and sweet after every bite. My taste buds thought I was back in Japan again. I found my new favorite sushi restaurant!