Akikos Restaurant & Sushi Bar Reviews

First note: no sign outside (just the street number). Ambiance is cool. Lots of wood and Japanese pottery. We started with agedashi tofu, which was heavenly. We then ordered the chef’s choice (omakase) which was an excellent decision. 13 pieces of nigiri for each of us. They are seasoned to perfection and as a result, the restaurant politely declined to bring us soy sauce for the table. LOVE Akiko’s and will come again and again.

Melt in your mouth fish! Had the spicy tuna, a vegetarian roll and the 49ers roll. 49ers was unbelievable. The fish could melt in your mouth it was so fresh. Watching the chefs put so much care into everything the prepare is wonderful. My bf will now order something more than chicken teriyaki at a sushi restaurant! Definitely not a tourist trap.

With the high rating this had, we chose to start here for our first restaurant in San Fran. We walked from our hotel in Union Square, saw the entrance to China Town which was beautiful and actually walked right past the entrance. You have to look for the street number, as there aren't really any signs. The restaurant closed a little early for what we would have expected, but we were able to make it just in time after our flight. We have some amazing sushi restaurants where we live and fresh seafood, but have never had something THAT FRESH. I have to say that the crab (Zuwai Gani) was by far our favorite, as well as the eel (Unagi). We did not enjoy the shrimp, for the texture only. The octopus was delicious and fresh but didn't have a ton of flavor to it. We ended up getting a couple of rolls that were good. Not anywhere near the best we've had. Our waiter, Allen was the absolute best. He was attentive and helped educate us on the sushi selection as well as the sake. I will say that the selections here are so vast. There were so many variations of fish. We sat at the front table which was really nice because we were able to people watch, I just think we would have enjoyed something a little more private, as it is a small place. As far as cost, I thought that it was super affordable. I expected it to be much more expensive. We ended up getting out of there under $200, and that was with edamame, soup, rolls, sake, Sapporo and several nigiri selections, plus tip! All in all, we had a very enjoyable experience and would frequent this place if we lived there, but we likely will try some other places the next time we're in town.

Great quality and sushi chefs. Best hamachi collar I have ever had. Needs better hosting logistics. Slow bringing the bill. Would return.

Attended the restaurant for dinner this evening, had some trouble finding the restaurant due to lack of external signage. Ordered Salmon sashimi - the wasabi tasted freshly ground, was fragrant and with good heat. The ginger, shiso and daikon were fresh and tasted great. The sake salmon was cut adequately but still had a layer of the brownish-grey flesh which is unacceptable. Quality of the fish was good, although Scottish sourced salmon has a far superior flavour. Miso was good, temperature was just right to enjoy immediately. Spider roll was good, could have done with a little more wasabi, but was tasty. Fried squid was excellent, good taste and texture, not overly dressed or spiced. Tempura needs a bit of work, prawns were good the vegetables though were a bit of a miss. Each piece of tempura should be able to be finished in a couple of bites (three at a maximum), the pieces served were way too large. Smaller pieces are easier to eat and carry the batter and ponzu better. Selection of veg was a bit overly starchy, needed more lighter vegetables and maybe a battered shiso leaf. The black cod came last and was dressed with salmon roe and what tasted like cheese. This was a huge mistake. The cod on its own was perfectly cooked and flavoured and needed nothing extra at all, the topping only served to detract from what was an excellently cooked piece of fish. Overall it was an enjoyable meal, but I found the aspects noted above frustrating. There is no doubting the skill of the chefs, it just needs a bit of tidying up to become great.

If you want to have a delicious Japanese lunch downtown San Francisco, there is no better place. The food is superb, and the service is professional and courteous. You do need to have a reservation in order to get in as the place is very small and is often booked to capacity. This is an upscale eatery, and the prices are not inexpensive.

Still Very Good Sushi This was our second visit to Akikos at 431 Bush St, on Nob Hill. Previously, we had walked up the stairs to Bush St, via Stockton, but this time, we were staying on Nob Hill - though it was still a bit of a steep walk to and from the Fairmont Hotel. We had dined at Akikos two years before, and had been impressed, so decided to give it another visit, and I am glad that we did. This time, we knew exactly where to find it, as we did wander a bit before. The dining area is still small, and a bit dark, with closely-spaced tables, but the sushi, and tempura are excellent. Once more, we opted for the Omakase (Tasting Menu), and did the Sake pairing with it once more. We are determined to learn more about Sake, and Akikos seemed like a great place to do that - they did not let us down before. The dishes were lovely to behold, and very flavorful. While not at the highest end of Japanese cuisine, the overall experience is a good one, and in the end, it’s about the flavors, and Akikos came through, yet again. Besides, we got to do another favorite Sushi restaurant on this trip, that is more elegant, with open spaces and brighter lighting, so this was a bit of a counter-point. Service was very good, and especially so, considering the rather cramped quarters. As our monthly business trips to San Francisco are coming to an end, I am not sure how many more times we will get to visit Akikos, but so glad that we managed to work them in on this trip.

Spectacular Japanese cuisine. The sashimi is also delicious. If you're ever in San Francisco makes sure to check this place out.

The only drawback is the pace is so small, they really squeeze you in, however this is quite probably the best sushi I have ever had. Now to qualify that I am a fairly recent convert to sushi, and over the last few years have had varying degrees of success, but this place is up there. Waiter was excellent, we didn’t have much wine, as we were full of cocktails, however the bill was not extravagant. Tough to book tho, as it’s popular. Go try it.

Tough to provide a review, the food was excellent however the service was plain rude and arrogant. We did not make a reservation but there were tables available. we were allowed to eat after being made clear we were very lucky to be seated. When we requested a menu we were told this was not available for walk ins and we could only have a la carte. The food we did get was excellent.

Very popular location - but no signage. (You have to know where you are going. Reservations are a must) No bar to sit while waiting for your table. Omakase/chef's selections were delicious, but not mindblowing. Was expecting more, frankly. Nothing wrong with our meal, though - the hype just raised our expectations to a level that was not met.

Great sushi in most likely the most US competitive market for such restaurants. Very efficient service; plus a chef going out of his way to discuss the food and the way to best enjoy it. A restaurant to revisit on a future trip.

The sushi here is quite good, but we were turned off by the server's attitude. Upon taking our drink order my wife asked for a coke (the menu offered "soda") to which he replied "Oh, we don't have that, but I think the owner bought a few cans for the kids, let me see if I can find you one". We didn't say anything but I think he sensed that we were a bit taken aback by his response. I'm not sure if we rubbed him the wrong way, or that he felt we were beneath him, but he passed us off to another server who was clearly more amiable. The meal itself was all very good and the sushi was fresh, however I did find a piece of "gristle" in one of nigri morsels - not great for a place that wants to be known as one of the best in the city.

... otherwise you're taking up space. Great vibe and the best combinations, quality and service. Insist on sitting where Allen can guide you and eat whatever he recommends. Cap it off with the wagyu and truffles ... foodgasm!

I can't add much to the 5 star reviews below. This is our favorite restaurant in SF. Make a reservation. This place is small and they stagger reservations so as not to overwhelm the chef, much to diners' advantage. We like to follow advice from the knowledgable waiters. The specials at dinner are fish/preparations that are not usual items on sushi menus; they are pricey but well worth it! And if you love uni you can compare CA, Japanese and Russian sources.

The fish was very fresh but I felt the prices were high relative to what was served. I ordered a combination dinner that included 4 small pieces of sashimi and some grilled fish. They were out of the fish (I can't remember now what it was) so they substituted 3 small pieces of grilled salmon. It didn't seem to be seasoned and came with no sauce. It was fine... but not at all memorable.

This quite small but popular restaurant was located just up the road from our hotel The Donatello. My wife and I both had the Terriaki Chicken which came with rice, vegetables, salad and miso soup. The table next to us had various sushi rolls are they looked great also. Not a bad option for Japanese food in the city.

I met a girlfriend here for a catch up date and it was perfect. We requested to sit in the front of the restaurant, where there are more windows and it isnt as dark. Get there early, and get a reservation! Its hard to walk in no matter the day of the week. We just kept ordering and ordering. SO fresh, friendly service. Special occasions, or just a fun night alike. My must next time I am in SF.

Our party of 4 had a lovely omikase meal. It was all fresh and delicious and well-prepared, and the chef's selections allowed us to sample fish we probably wouldn't have known to order. Our uni was wonderful and generous. The service was great. Our wine paired well with our meal. We will return. This restaurant at 431 Bush has no sign and is a little hard to find because of that, but trust the address. It is not related to another restaurant by the same name that closer to Union Square.

Some of the most creative presentations of sushi I have ever had! The fish was SO fresh and varied - not your typical sushi menu. The combinations of the flavors and textures that were combined with the sushi deserve the visit alone! You can't be disappointed or you simply did not order well. Ambiance and service were less impressive.

I loved my lunch there, they have a very good selection of tempura items like soft shell that is really great. I had some nigiris they had some of the best fish, really fresh, great atention to detail but I didnt like that they make them so small, I get it that you need a small nigiri so that it will be perfect but in this case I felt it was to little. This is the only deficiency I found in my lunch, this is why I rated it only 4 stars.

Whenever you travel to San Francisco and you are anywhere in the area of Union Square, Reserve a table at Akiko’s. The sushi is hardly paralleled by anything you get elsewhere. The freshness and the taste is great. We had the assortment of sashimi and sushi first, with starters like seafood salad and edamame. Teriyaki salmon and chicken as main course. The restaurant is small - very small - and that makes it a perfect place to relax, eat, speak, and enjoy.

You may find bigger sushi places in San Francisco. You may find trendier sushi places in San Francisco. You may find hipper restaurants. You will not find a better place with THE FRESHEST sushi and the nicest staff in town. Ask the waiter, Allen, for recommendations and sit back and enjoy. It's not inexpensive, but well worth the price.

we chose to go omakaze for a midweek dinner at the sushi bar. I was impressed by the team atmosphere, attention to details and friendly American chef preparing the food for us. Every piece was amazing in taste, well described in content and typically around 10 USD per piece of Sushi. Well worth it! the atmosphere is vibrant and friendly, lots of young folks

Ok, so I am in no way a sushi connoiseur, but this was an outstanding experience. I sat at the bar and I think it just enhanced it all that much more to be able to talk and see what chef Ricky was preparing. Ricky knows what he is doing and I was lucky enough to benefit from his expertise, he talked us through the different kinds of fish, flavors to expect, etc. All mouthwatering, incredibly fresh and prepared to perfection. Highly recommend it!

I have eaten in Sushi restaurants all over the world including Tokyo and there is not one that comes close to the quality, freshness, and ingredient profile of Akiko. I got lucky when it was recommended from one of my friends who lives in SFran, but be warned its a hard table to get so make a reservation in advance. Imagine the most delicious fish fresh from Japan with super talented Sushi Chefs and with a great sake selection. Its a memorable experience. I come here every time I am in town as many times as I can. If you really love sushi and not a novice this is a masterful sushi experience not to be missed. Like all great sushi its not for the budget conscience but for the foodies that can experience perfection you will be glad you found Aikko.

I love sushi but my husband doesn't, so I asked the concierge at our condo to recommend a sushi restaurant. I entered Akiko's with a small service dog in a sling, fully identified with a vest and a tag. There was an unoccupied.hostess station. After a couple of minutes, the sushi chef closest to the entrance asked me "what do you want?" (Not "can I help you?", or something courteous.) I said that I wanted to have lunch at the sushi bar. He demanded if I had a reservation, and I said no, I didn't know I needed one. By that time the hostess had arrived, so I told her that I wanted to have lunch and asked when the next reservation at the sushi bar was available. She responded that there was a space immediately available. As she began to show me to the seat, the same sushi chef said "we are very particular about service dogs here - where is your dog's tag?" I showed him her vest and tag, and he aggressively informed me that it wasn't a service dog tag, he personally had a service dog and my dog's tag was invalid. I then offered to show him her ID card and even my letter from my physician - he looked at the ID card, thought for a long time as though he was trying to find a reason not to let me sit down, and finally gave me the card back and allowed the hostess to seat me. (I have since learned that SF does issue special license tags to service dogs for residents, so his confusion may have been understandable - but his complete lack of customer service was not.) He refused to give me his name, but should management of the restaurant want to identify him, he had a dark mustache and short beard. Fortunately, the available seat was at the other end of the sushi bar, so I didn't have to deal with him any further. The sushi itself was excellent, and the sushi chef who prepared mine was polite. Perhaps I should have just let it go, but when I left I told him, as politely as I could, that I hoped he had noticed that my service dog did not create ANY behavior problems and that his attitude could actually have resulted in the organization being sued. Rather than accepting my suggestion (which was intended to be helpful), he accused ME of being aggressive, said that some of his customers had said I was a witch, and in general ruined what would otherwise have been a very pleasant lunch. Perhaps he thought that a single woman might not spend enough ($70 should have been enough). I cannot recommend this place!

Some of the best sushi we’ve ever had! Waited a hour outside and the place is very small but well worth it!

We only got in second time around after booking, which seems a must as the place was indeed packed both times. Excellent food, great service and atmosphere. Well worth a visit if you are in SF.

Make reservations! This is an excellent sushi restaurant but make a reservation. We did and were seated straight away. We chose a table up front (there are only 3) and watched at least forty people get turned away.

This sushi was really good. Tasted so fresh. Had miso soup, edamame, tuna roll, salmon roll, yellow tail roll, plus king salmon, trout, and tuna sushi. It was all really flavorful. Big rolls. Overall really tasty. I thought it was just a tad high on the cost, but it was good sushi. So a little torn. Total cost for three of us $100. At lunch, not sure I'd go again.

Mind blowing, sushi does not get better than this. Excellent selection of fish prepared with care and served with gentle guidence from staff.

Although small and expensive, the place is excellent. The food great and the service can't get better. The servings are small but, if you eat wisely, you will have a great taste of Japan.

In San Francisco on business. I booked Akiko several weeks earlier thru Open Table. I have eaten my share of sushi. I've hit Nobu - New York, Dallas, Las Vegas and London. But I don't think I've had anything as compelling as Akiko. Alone, I sat at the sushi bar and let the chef prepare what he felt was the freshest sashimi and nigiri. It was all incredible - flown in from Japan that day. I went from King Salmon belly, to a Japanese sea bass, to scallop nigiri, hamachi, and finished everything off with wagyu beef, lightly seared and dressed with shaved black truffle. Yep - all day long. Highly recommend. (Be careful - there are two Akiko's in SF - the other one a tiny hole-in-the-wall on Mason - their sushi ain't bad either).

Reservations are a must - and weeks in advance. We did the OMAKASE (chef's selection/tasting menu). The freshest, best tasting,simple but beautifully presented sushi I have had. The staff were friendly, but the hostess (Arian???) was, sweet, knowledgeable and attentive. And went above and beyond our expectations. She also gave us some great ideas of less touristy sites to visit around SF.

I should have remembered the last time I went to Akiko, and asked them why they didn’t have a sign outside. The sushi chef said, “We don’t want tourists coming in here, ordering a California Roll. Why sell a tourist a sushi roll for $10 when we can get locals to pay $70-80 for a real sushi meal?” That’s a verbatim quote, I swear. This time I went by myself. I asked the same sushi chef if he could make me a sashimi omakase (tasting menu). He said they didn’t have a big selection of fish because it was the first day back after a long weekend, but he could put together a 12-piece sashimi for me. What I got was a 20-piece sashimi platter, and a bill for $145! Sure it had toro ($22 for two pieces) and Copper River salmon ($18 for two pieces). But also $18 for two pieces of Uni and another $18 for two pieces of Kinmedai (Alfonsino, a variation of Snapper). I don’t think it’s right for one person at lunch to be surprised by a $145 tab. But I guess, “Fool me once, shame on me.” Needless to say, I won’t be going back. They may not want the tourists, but at these prices they aren’t going to keep the locals coming either.

I attended Akikos for a late night dinner during my trip to San Francisco in February 2020. The meal was the best sushi experience I’ve ever had. We started with the Nigiri Tasting which included 6 pieces of different fish. All were quite tender and tasty. Also the presentation was maximized as there was just the right amount of rice, not too little, nor too much. That was followed by the sashimi tasting. The dish consisted of 12 pieces of 6 different fish. All were so incredibly fresh. The fatty tuna in the upper left corner of the picture, was exquisite. It melted in my mouth. We finished the meal with a tuna belly roll. Keeping with the theme, the tuna was very fresh. The total bill came to $210 with tip including a bottle of wine. Expensive for some, but remember the restaurant is in downtown San Francisco. The meal was a 5 star experience. If you look at my other reviews you will see that I very rarely give out 5 stars. This place deserved it hands down.

We have enjoyed sushi nearly every evening during our trip and by far Akikos (Bush street!) has been the best. While more expensive than other restaurants, the quality was evident and worth it. Specialty rolls (grouper and toro) were melt in your mouth delicious with amazing topping (fried onion with ponzu). For a special night out, make a reservation and enjoy this amazing restaurant.

Excellent food. Make sure you book a table in advance. If you are not eating alone, make sure that you order everything as individual portions. I had the black cod and the octopus salad last night and the portion looked small for two people and that kept me wondering what if we both have got two separate servings.

I went to Akikos alone for lunch and sat at the sushi bar. I got the sushi sampler, and it everything was very fresh and delicious. Because I was alone, I amused myself by watching the chefs making all of the dishes, and their attention to detail was amazing. They used tweezers to place individual sprouts of micro greens just so on salads, sprinkled just the right amount of some kind of seasoning on a sushi roll, and adjusted fish on plates so it looked beautiful. The care taken with all of the food really showed. I did not have any of the trouble with not-so-nice staff or finding the restaurant that other reviewers have mentioned. In fact, everyone at Akikos was very nice and attentive to me and the other solo diners around me at the sushi bar. Perhaps it was because I anticipated having trouble locating the restaurant that I had none. There is no outside sign, but it is clearly marked with the street number, and it showed up on google maps. The only downside of my meal was that it was fairly expensive ($50 plus tip), particularly for a lunch. If I lived in San Francisco, I wouldn't be able to go here often or even regularly, but when I could afford a special treat, I would definitely return.

We had dinner here and ordered omakase but requested more sashimi than sushi. We started with a little spinach salad that was gorgeous and then moved onto sashimi and then onto various other courses. The selection of fish is amazing (with some flown in from Japan) and we also had the wagyu beef with truffles. The price was not that expensive if you compare it to what you would pay in Japan for similar produce. Service was good. The restaurant has no name on the door but the street number is above the door. Will definitely go back next time we are here.

My wife (Japanese) and I were staying across the street at the Orchard Garden Hotel and were hanging in SF on a recent very rainy weekend....we had made reservations for a nice Italian restaurant for later on a Saturday night but were not in the mood to get dressed up with weather and decided to try Akiko. We lingered by the entrance about 10 minutes prior to opening, a bit anxious as the sign at the door said reservations only. Once they opened we asked about being seated and we were. Our lucky night as at least a dozen other groups/couples wondered in and were turned away without reservations....anyways, will keep this short. The sushi, tempura and other choices we made were all outstanding. Service was solid to very good and was a nice atmosphere. We were impressed and marked this down as a new favorite spot in San Francisco.

I do not know why the restaurant got 4.5 stars, but I won't recommend this place, sashimi was ok, sushi was very so so including service, everything looks cheap. I gave 3 stars.

While in San Francisco, my husband and I recently had dinner at Akikos. The first thing you need to know is that there is no signage outside the restaurant (it's like a hidden gem!). We made reservations which seem like a must given how few tables the restaurant had. I will say that it was a cool night out, but inside it was hot; uncomfortably hot. Akikos had a nice wine and beer list to choose from (no full bar). The sushi is what we went for though and it did not disappoint! We did a combination of sushi rolls and sashimi which were brought out separately, as they were prepared. The scallop sashimi especially just melted in your mouth; all of the fish were the freshest quality. Overall this was a great place for a nice, relaxing, and romantic sushi dinner that wasn't too expensive either.

I was looking for a place near public transportation and near a coffee shop for my quarterly girls get together which was my turn for hosting. I looked under Japanese restaurants in SF on yelp and came upon this place which may be alittle hard to find, considering that their sign is barely noticeable. They are right across from the Academy of Art and a few doors from Le Central. I made reservations through Open Table for 5 and 3 of us took public transportation while the other two found street parking right after 6 PM, not a problem. Service was fast and food was fresh. Some of the items we had were: wakame salad (tasty), saba and sashimi, salmon teriyaki and sashimi, chicken katsu, and hamachi kama. All were delicious. In the sashimi, we had four pieces of fish: salmon, tuna, butterfish and red snapper. Alittle on the pricey side but this is to be expected in the Union Square area.

We celebrated my husband's 40th here while visiting SF - book well in advance!! Note the Bush St. location is also hard to find - if you see the Irish pub sign, you're at it. There's no sign for the restaurant itself, and it's tiny, so the tightly packed tables take away any romance factor, but it's made up for by the aesthetics - kudos to the designer, loved everything about it. And where else can you get sushi that was flown in overnight from Japan?! We enjoyed one each, I had the scallop, and it was amazing. We also had edamame, rolls, and nigiri. One drink each and with tax and tip, was around $220.

My husband and I made reservations a couple weeks before we went to San Francisco for Akiko's. I do suggest making reservations because that is the first thing they ask you, and I saw their list on a Tuesday night and it was full. It is a small place and there is no big sign outside so you need to know the address. The sushi was really good, I highly suggest the 49er roll, and they do not rush you through the meal. We ordered a couple things and when we finished them we ordered something else. So take your times and enjoy your food. It is a great place for couples or a group of adults.

Saved money to go to the most fancy japanese restaurant in SF (Akiko). Ordered eel and tempura. Waited 30 minutes before realizing they had forgotten my order. Enventually ate delicous food. Ordered the bill. Was answered : "The bill is on the house sir". High class restaurant !

Akiko's is a bit overly-discreet since the name of the restaurant is not outside the establishment -- just the numbers 431. Guess that it's part of their attempt at panache. My husband and I had a decent meal there last week. The fish seems fresh, but overall the restaurant is a bit overpriced. Having lived in Tokyo for 6 years, we're VERY familiar with great sushi at a reasonable price. Our server didn't seem to be particularly knowledgeable, but was friendly.

We made a reservation after reading reviews online. The restaurant is very small, cosy and intimite; perfect for a romantic dinner. We arrived 10 minutes prior to our reservation so we had to wait a little bit, but were provided with water right away. The servers are very fast and friendly. The food is amazing. I have eating sushi at a number of restaurants and this is by far the best I ever had. We were the only tourists in the restaurant, which was nice aswell. Do make reservations as they are very busy! Good sign ;-)

if you are going at the prime lunch or dinner time, it's best to have a reservation since this is very small restaurant. BUT definitely worth going and waiting if you can't make reservation. you can entertain yourself by walking around Chinatown while you wait for table (recommend visiting Ital Tealeaf for tea tasting on Grant st). We had agadashi tofu, white belly tuna sashimi and several rolls of which Tekka was by far the best, however, everything was extremely fresh and tasty. The sashimi simply melts in your mouth. There is extensive sake selection, we personally love the Asahi extra dry with Japanese food. The service was equal to the high quality of food offered.

It was good but they really think that they are some prize winning place...it really isn't and the sushi well I have had better, front of the house is rude

My son enjoyed a delicious dinner here. The services was friendly and attentive. The miso soup was flavorful, and not too salty. The edamame was fresh and slightly crunchy, the way we like it. My vegetarian son enjoyed tasty cucumber rolls and inari, followed by a second order of edamame. I had oshitashi, a selection of sashimi that was extremely flavorful, fresh, thinly sliced and perfectly presented. The prices were fairly high, but hey...it's downtown San Francisco.

Visited with my colleague from Japan. He was also very happy with the freshness of all orders. We went to Akiko twice in one week and we're not disappointed. All dishes are perfect and fresh. Don't expect to be full after eating here, but it gives you fully satisfaction. Service is good, but sometimes forget to orders. This is no problem though, as they pass by every minute. Overall amazing place and a must try if you are fan of sushi

This place is tiny but the sushi is delicious, you can tell the fish is very fresh, and it's mainly classic sushi, not a lot of crazy silly Americanized rolls. The eggplant appetizer was also very tasty.

If you look at my other reviews you will note that sushi is not an uncommon cuisine for me to partake of. My last trip to California, in the San Diego area, left me wondering what all the fuss about California sushi was. This trip answered that question. Akiko's, so very conveniently located a door from my hotel, was a magnificent find and ranks as the all-time best sushi I've ever had. Everything was fresh, flavourful, and masterfully presented. I travel a great deal for work and always try to visit new places each night I am in a city but Akiko's was so incredible I had to come back for a second and third evening out of my 6 in San Francisco. From the gently-seared nigiri to the uni bursting with flavour everything was top-notch. I have not a single negative or qualified statement, Akiko's was all-around incredible. Prices were competitive for sushi, very reasonable. The wait staff is very attentive. Something I GREATLY appreciated is that my sushi was brought to me one item at a time. My spider roll did not appear until my nigiri was finished, savoured, and the dish cleared and so on. That little touch, something that so many other establishments can't seem to figure out, made my dinners so much more relaxing and enjoyable. It also speaks volumes that on my final night there I sat next to a sushi chef from another restaurant. If the competition comes to eat at your restaurant, you're clearly doing it right.

First of all, you must know it’s very difficult to actually locate the restaurant since there’s no signage. You have to watch the door number and just walk in. It’s right below Irish pub, but street front on Bush, you don’t have to walk into the alley. Starters are good, all the fried dishes were quite nice with surprising sauce and a well balanced taste. Sashimi omakase (12 pieces) was OK, the fish quality is decent. Negitoro not really negitoro - this is totally a miss. Same with the nigiri omakase (6 pieces) - I feel not a lot of love goes into these sets. The taste was bland and a let down overall. Total with tips it was about $85 per person, without alcohol or over ordering, but it could have been better spent elsewhere. Perhaps next time I’ll go with a smaller group and try the chefs counter.

Went to try this sushi place with kids in Dec. Couldn’t book online as they would not take reservation for more than 4pax. Arrived before 11:30am and the restaurant was kind enough to give us a nice corner to accommodate our 4 kids plus 2 adults. The sake pairing was excellent and I would suggest to go with the restaurant recommendations. And they also have very nice rolls that kids love too! Highly recommended!

Great restaurant with a very nice atmosphere. We opted for the Omakase experience which included 7 Otsumami and 9 nigiri rounded off with some cherry blossoms ice cream. This sounds like an awful lot but it was perfect for a dinner meal. Service was outstanding

Small, slightly loud restaurant with the food making up for the noise. Fresh, elegantly smooth sushi...no soy sauce even needed with the sashimi, which I often need for sashimi. We had seaweed salad, 12pc sashimi, rock nroll and ended up adding the spicy tuna since the rolls are how rolls should be; focusing on the fish and ingredients, not submerging in spicy mayo, cream cheese and over the top ingredients to make palatable. Sashimi was buttery, succulent and definitely a must.

I agree with the poster who said that this restaurant deserves 4 1/2 stars. The sushi itself is awesome--completely top notch. I was with a large group, and we tried a ton of different rolls. Even the basic California and cucumber rolls were fantastic. The service was a touch slow, and one of our beers came out room temperature, but was promptly corrected. I can't imagine there would be another place in the city with much better sushi, so I highly recommend checking this place out.

I seated at the bar and was fortunate to seat in front of the main chef and allowed him to prepare the best he had to offer. It was definitely one of the best sushi experiences in my life. It was so good, I went back the following day. I highly recommend it.

I work in a expensive sushi restaurant at a Ritz Carlton Reserve and since I had the oportunity to visit San Francisco I made it my mission to find truly great sushi places. It was harder than expected. This was a notable exception. I dined omakase style and was not dissapointed. I felt inmersed in true world famous sushi. Whole experience cost me around $120, drink, dessert and tip included. Well worth the price. P.S. careful not to confuse this akikos with the one at bush street. No affiliation.

Very good sushi, these guys are top class. A good ending of a great day! Tip: always make sure you book it upfront.

We were there on a thursday evening around 9 o'clock. The Restaurant only has 15 seats and out table was litteraly at the entrance (we had to move our chair when People wanted to enter or leave). We had a mixed Sushi platter wich was excellent and a chicken udon soop wich was very tasty too (waaay to much though! It is a meal on its own). It was rather pricy.

Sushi is freshly prepared in front of your nose! Just a tip: Take the homemade sake which is absolutely great.

The best thing about Akiko's is that they really have superb quality fish, probably some of the best sushi I've had outside Japan. The selection of fish is also much more extensive than your average sushi restaurant, with special cuts. For example, they offer salmon belly which was very tasty. Once you realize how good this fish is at Akiko's, it's hard to stop ordering, so I ran up a substantial bill, but it was worth it! I was traveling solo for business and sat at the counter, it's important to reserve ahead if you're planning to eat before 8:00. The stools had carved seats that were quite comfortable, nice job whoever made these. Service was good in general, sushi is ordered directly from the chef behind the counter. Japanese beer is all 20 oz. bottles, nice touch. Highly recommended, especially if you are into good fish.

Great little find just a few blocks from hotel Nikko on Mason Street! The sushi was very fresh and my husband's Oyako Don Buri was delicious! Would come here again!!

This is a very small place. But very popular. They were turning people away. Definitely recommend a reservation. Wine was very nice. Sushi was some of the best I have had. The fish was like butter. Service was good and friendly.

Unbelievable selection of sushi, expertly prepared with beautiful presentation. Lots of choices for the sushi expert & novice. Servers were very pleasant & helpful.

After reading positive several reviews of this place, I spent around 25 mins walking around various blocks trying to find it. You see, it doesn't actually have an external sign, therefore it's very difficult to locate when you're new to the city. My partner had noticed some chopsticks in a window and upon entering, we were relieved to have found what we were looking for. Unfortunately, however, we were greeting by a very abrupt young lady who, after asking us if we had a reservation, refused us a table as the restaurant closes at 14:30. It was 14:31. We'd spend 25 mins looking for the place... If they would perhaps invest in a sign, potential customers may have a chance of eating. The manner of the attendant was truly disastrous, almost to the point of hilarity. I sympathise with the owner, who I'm sure would be devastated to understand that his staff can be so blasé when it comes to offering basic service to paying customers.

Great experience at the sushi bar, Eric made all kinds of interesting Sashimi pieces for me. Butterfish and others that I had never eaten before, they were terrific. Be ready when you get your bill though.

A Friend and I were on a business trip to the Central Valley and he recommended we stay over one night in SF just to visit a Sushi Restaurant recommended by a Gallery Owner in the art district next to MOMA. He said it would be worth the extra night. Boy was he right! The three of us actually went in together and sat at the end of the Sushi Bar. There are two menus, one they will give you at the entrance and a second paper menu of the Chef Recommendations. Take the second one. Our Chef was Roger and was extraordinary. Trained in Japan, he took great pride in explaining his creations. All fish was super fresh and most were acquired from high end Japanese providers shipped in that day. All of us consider ourselves to be sushi connoisseurs but this was simply off the charts. Complemented perfectly with the correct sake, it just does not get any better than this. We entered at 1900 and left at 2300, it was that delicious. If you like real sushi in a friendly, warm setting with true masters in control of the knife, this is the place for you. I said, no name on the door / windows but it is a corner establishment and easy to recognize. It is small, 10 seats at the bar with maybe 12 tables so reservations would be recommended.

A group of five of us on a business trip from various parts of the country meant here to have sushi at about 12:30 on a Friday afternoon. The restaurant was not especially full and there were plenty of seats at the bar and several tables open. We were immediately greeted by a man who asked if we had reservations. We told him that we did not and when he asked how big our party was and we said '5', he immediately said that he could not serve us or help us. When we asked why, he said that he could not even split up our table or else he would be fired. This seemed rather odd to us so I offered to sit at the bar while my four colleagues ate at a table. He said this would not be acceptable and that we should go somewhere else. He attempted to refer us to a restaurant called 'Okuma' which he said would be approximately a $6 Uber ride away. When we asked again if we could split into a table of three or two with separate checks he said 'no' and that he would be fired. This is quite possibly the most bizarre situation I have ever encountered from a maitre d' at any restaurant anywhere I have travelled. It almost seemed discriminatory and we simply all turned around and left the restaurant and found another sushi place approximately two blocks away which I will review later. Even though we did not try the food, the way the situation was handled was less than acceptable. Another restaurant received our $250 check.

This restaurant should have received a Michelin star! The food was delicious and the service was impeccable (thanks to Linda and Chef Shin). Linda's recommendations for Sake pairing was perfect to our liking - we landed up trying four different Daiginjo Sakes and all of them were excellent! The presentation of each course was perfect. It was fun talking to Chef Shin across the counter and watch him prepare the sushi with such effortless skill.

This place was highly rated and I really wanted sushi in San Francisco, so we went here for dinner. Although I'm from the Midwest, I've had my fair share of sushi, good and bad, from small divey places to upscale trendy restaurants. The service was very good, our waiter was very knowledgeable and friendly. The place has a trendy feel, good for a date night. If you like maki rolls, they don't have a very wide selection, so I was a little disappointed with that. However, the rolls we did have were extremely fresh, and very good. My favorite was their spicy tuna, probably one of the best I've had, seriously melt-in-your-mouth good. We also had an unagi roll, which again was very fresh, and tasty. And we shared two pieces of wild king salmon nigiri, which had that same melt-in-your-mouth effect. I would've loved more specialty rolls to choose from, but I was very happy with the overall experience - the taste and quality of what we ordered, the ambiance, and the service. Definitely recommend!

We were blown away by the quality and variety of fishes we had here! The menu was quite large and we couldn't decide what to order because every single item sounds so exciting, so we had the Omakase. We let the chef choose what we ate, and it was THE BEST! The fishes was so fresh they tasted as if they were just caught! The preparations were outstanding! The food just kept coming until we told the waiter we were full. I think we had some 15 kinds of fishes, scallops, etc. It is a top-notch operation.

This precious little gem is within walking distance of our hotel otherwise we would have missed it. This good is definitely worth the stop and taking a chance. The server was kind and patient with us and explained everything! We ended up with Chicken Udon, sushi, sunomono, green tea and beer! A must visit again for us.

This sushi restaurant was good... they have a lot of items on their menu, however I would have liked to see more "rolls" they have a lot of other items but only about 10-12 rolls, which is what I order all the time. The place was packed and we had reservations so that was great. They only had Japanese beer on their menu which was disappointing since there are so many better beers than Japanese. The service was great and the atmosphere was also great. The sushi took a little longer that I would have liked to. Overall we had a good dinner but I was expecting more.

A group of four friends, we had made a reservation for 20:30. We were at the restaurant on time, however, our table was still occupied. Having waited for 15 minutes, the host was not able to tell us when we would be seated. We understood that the previous customers had not yet asked for the cheque. We refused to wait any longer and left after 20 minutes without being seated. Next time I would not bother making a reservation.

Wow. Incredible sushi. Really cool place, and the staff are all great. I recommend flighting 3 sake's (they will give you some help with this) and just dive in. Don't let your wallet get in the way - just enjoy every mouth-watering bite of fish. It is truly incredible.

We were treated like an inconvenience. We showed up at opening, 5:30p and was asked to wait outside another 5min for them to prep. Second, the hostess was annoyed she had to collect us from outside and said we had pushed the handicapped door opener - but we were on the other side of the door. Once seated though our waiter was extremely kind, helpful and polite. The sushi was incredible! We had one of each traditional and they were made to perfection. We would go again!!

Dropped in for dinner on a business trip, was able to get a seat at the bar right away. Sushi was fantastic and everyone was friendly.

I went to this restaurant with a friend. We had no reservation and had to wait over an hour to be seated. Frankly, it was worth the wait. The quality of the food is excellent, the service is excellent and friendly and the overall experience was superb. I highly recommend this restaurant

This restaurant is a very good address for sushis lover and Japanese restaurant. The place is nice, super clean, service caring and impeccable food and dishes with helping people making sure you have everything you want at all times and enjoy your meal. The people around were obviously enjoying the place too and every table was looking with envy to the others plates as much as their owns. We had excellent sushis : particularly recommend the uni sushi’s for the one who like sea urchins. But all the other sushis several Tina choices, yellowtail fish, shrimp, etc. were all delicious. We also ordered the sliced beef which was also excellent. Prince are totally correct and the experience is really good. In the center on San Francisco. Really a good address.

I am not a big sushi eater so this was impeccable, we had just about everything on the menu, very very fresh, very very flavorful, miso soup was good, the greens were so so. The nigiri was very very good.

Made a reservation over the phone , two days ahead, just to find out on our visit that we were not listed for the desired date - listed on the date of our departure from the city. No regrets from the staff, no even an effort to accommodate or compensate for their mistake. Fairly unusual non-welcoming reception. Off my list.

Ordered the sushi moriawase. Sushi was thoughtfully prepared and served, just like a mini chef omakase. The sushi rice is really good with a brownish tint from the vinegar used. The fish is fresh and served at the right temperature. Noticed that they don't provide wasabi with the sushi!?! I also wanted to try a hot prepared food and went for the fried squid (ika). Doused in a orangey sauce/mayo plus a blackish sweet sauce, it made the dish soggy and ultra sweet, avoid that!

Beautiful preparations, wonderful flavors (home-made soy sauce blends!) sea bass, barracuda, salmon, bluefin, etc. Very small, so make reservations. No sign, so you have to look carefully for it. The service was just fine for our party of four. Somewhat pricy, but we would go back.

Tried to make a reservation online but was unable to get seats. In the end, I emailed the restaurant to make the reservation and they settled it promptly. The food was very good. Pricey by Singaporean standards, but probably alright by SF standards. The seafood was very fresh and there was the choice of sashimi or nigiri. We ordered the salmon, hotate, unagi, fried squid, salad and ice cream, and were pleased with every single dish. It was a good dining experience.

Based on other reviews, decided to give it a try... arrived early, but no table yet, so went around corner to cool pub- Irish Bank - to wait for our time. Came back, and was promptly seated at the sushi bar, as requested. Everyone was so nice, and love the small, homey feel of restaurant vs the big corporate places. They have a "flown in fresh from Japan" daily list, so focused here. The helpful chef guided us thru our choices, plus my wife got a few of her favs. It was all FANTASTIC and super-fresh. You get what pay for with sushi, so don't expect any bargain prices, but I gladly pay for this quality & service. Will be a regular on my visits to SF in future !!

Best sushi in a long time. This is a small restaurant and you should make a reservation to sit at the sushi bar. Everything was made to order and beyond delicious. The fish was so fresh and made to order. The steak was incredible. I am still thinking about the dinner we had...and hoping to be back in San Francisco in the not too distant future to enjoy another dinner soon.

Quality of the fish was good. However, considering the price they charge, I do expect something a bit more special.

From the outside it was not recognisable as a restaurant, we walked in for lunch, without reservation, we were lucky to get a table in this busy restaurant. The quality of food is excellent so don't miss this hidden GEM! Attention: There are 2 restaurants named AKIKO, so don't get confused with the other one.

For being listed top 10 sushi bars I. The city, I had high expectations. The hostess was snotty, however our server was polite. The rolls we ordered were very good, but not exceptional.

Not much to say that this is a temple of good sushi's in SFO down town. Precise and so fresh, delicious. May we have similar in Paris !!!! (I'm French!)

I made a reservation for 2 people and we sat at the sushi bar which was a great experience. The chef who looked after us explained all of the different sushi and sashimi options in great detail and we eat a big selection of sashimi and a beef dish that was also very good. Best sushi restaurant so far in San Fran and will definitely be heading back! It was a bit on the expensive side but well worth it!

I was in San Francisco and had heard about Akikos. I called on a Wednesday and I was unable to get a reservation until Friday and the only reservation they had was either at 5 or 8:45, we took the 8:45. It's true what others have said, it's very small and not marked with a sign. We had to wait 10 minutes even though we were on time for our late reservation. The service was weird, we had about 4 different waiters and all of our items (drinks, soups, sushi, and such) all arrived to our table at the same time after we waited for them for a looooong time. The menu was small but they had a few things I liked. Overall, average experience, nothing special.

I highly recommend the lunch set specials. The salmon teriyaki with 4 piece sashimi is a great deal for this quality and for SF. No sign outside the door so just go uphill from the subway sandwich shop

You'd be forgiven for missing akiko's restaurant because from the outside it looks like a pub! But it's worth the trip in. I had tamago sushi (old school...), a warm mackerel entree and the sake avocado roll - all were lovely and all washed down with a white peach saketini. Pretty reasonable prices too. Recommended!

If you are looking for a sushi place for special occasion, if you want to try some sushi that you don't mind from your neighborhood sushi restaurant - This is the place! The sushi was fresh and there are so many exotic and special sushi selections to pick from. If you don't know what to pick, do what we did - let the chef put it together for you. My kids and I loved the food, but now it is harder to go back to the regular sushi place.

We have eaten at several excellent sushi restaurants in the Bay Area and believe this small restaurant, with no signage out front, may be the best. Whether our order is an appetizer (the fried soft-shell crab is a favorite), sashimi (the black tuna is a "game changer"), or a sushi roll (the Forty-Niner and Sake are outstanding), we know we will receive consistently fresh, creative and delicious dishes. The wait-staff is efficient and helpful, ready to answer our questions or offer suggestions. The extensive sake list is remarkable. If there is a weakness at this restaurant it is their lack of wine selections but you are encouraged to bring your own bottle if you desire. This has always been a favorite with both our out-of-town guests and our SF friends. We have never been disappointed. With the small number of tables and limited seating, make reservations because this is a popular place for locals and SF financial district workers.

I had no reservations and got there when they opened at 5:30. The hostess kindly told me they would need my seat at 7pm! I had the chef select my sashimi piece by piece it was served to me. Amazing! One pieces was better than the next. Great experience. I loved it!

One of the best sushi I tried in San Francisco! Wide range of choice and high quality of fresh fish. Will definitely go back the next time!

The menu, without specials, raised the bar by having a greater variety of fish for both sashimi and ngiri than previously experienced at many SF sushi restaurants. What made this experience outstanding, however was the knowledge of the the server and chefs and the 'off the menu specials'. We got great service and felt really welcome - we ate early and were luck enough to get a table without reservations but recommend you book first as many were turned away after we had been seated. It was not cheap but if you like sushi this restaurant is for you!!

We had a great sushi experience, the quality of the fish is excellent ! Stuff are friendly, chefs are very professional and the owner gave us free sake ! You must try it !! Totally worth it !!

My boyfriend and I went here for dinner the evening of 10/12. The cab dropped us off right in front of the restaurant, but I'm not kidding you when I said we had to do a triple take. There is NO sign outside or on the front door! It's completely non-obvious. We only knew we were at the right place because we saw people inside eating with chopsticks and the sushi bar workers. It was kind of humorous - but I think that's part of its charm! It's quaint. Once inside, it's pretty small - also adding to its quaintness. The sushi was wonderful, the sake was great, the gyoza and edamame - all good! The only small complaint is that the service was pretty slow. Once we sat down, it took a good ten minutes for our waiter to come to us. We did arrive at our reserved time of 7pm on a Saturday, so I'm sure that's the main reason. They were packed. Otherwise, I definitely recommend this gem. Great food and even better atmosphere!

We visited with friends on a recent trip to the city based on reviews on here and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the sushi. The restaurant itself is small and noisy but the wait staff were helpful and attentive. We ordered wine and a number of different rolls to share. While it was not the very best sushi we've ever had it was very good and the presentation was very nice. Make sure you have the address for the restaurant with you when you visit to make it easier to find. Putting a sign out front would be helpful but we didn't have a problem because of advice from TA.

I love sushi, regularly eat at some nice places in London and have also been lucky enough to visit Japan. I genuinely think this could be the best, most balanced sushi I've tasted - very very good. Small place but nice atmosphere and feel combined with an excellent selection of fish including specials I can honestly say i had not heard of before. Top bracket, if you like sushi don't miss a visit if you are in San Fran.

Good location, close to major shopping area and China Town. Food is excellent, too; authentic Japanese taste. Sashimi is very fresh. Food serving is quick. Two of us ordered 6pcs nigiri, a California roll and two sides, totally spent $40 -- quite reasonable price and good value.

We didn't have a reservation but they were able to get us in just in time for afternoon closing before reopening for dinner. Service was very good and we found the sushi excellent. We had both tastings and priced by piece items. No name on the outside of the restaurant so just go by the address. Will be back again!

I was looking for a good little restaurant in the Union Square area and this place was perfect. It is very quaint with only 4 tables and 3 spots at the sushi bar so I was lucky to get a table right before a bunch of other people showed up. The service was great and the food even better! I got a sushi combination of San Francisco maki and sake maki which came with miso soup and a pickled cabbage salad. The soup was great and the pickled cabbage salad had some really tasty spice. Great salad. The maki was some of the best I've ever had. If you can get a table at this place, take it and enjoy!

Went there bit after 9....who closes at 9? Not even in Fresno do you close at 9!!! Walked in and was shooed away by a Filipina gal who said with detain and sour face 'WE ARE CLOSED' ... Didn't welcome us back or apologize just so full of herself that if this is the kind of service at Akiko's...not going to eat here even if it is free! Next time please put a sign on the door to say closed so we don't waste time finding parking!

Went for my boyfriend's birthday, and we ordered the tasting/omakase menu. There was a salad, a few sets of nigiri, seared wagyu beef and dessert. The food was very delicious but it wasn't VERY memorable. Reservations are definitely required (OpenTable accepted).

Extremely high quality food. Staff are friendly and attentive. Flavors are so original. Best sushi in town! Expensive but worth the $

Very hip Vibe! Service was fantastic and the food was that and more! I had the tekka roll and my wife had the lunch Sushami with tempora. Great wine selection as well!

My husband and I walked into Akikos just as they were closing after lunch. When the waiter informed us that they were closing and no longer seating anyone the sushi chef summoned us over. She prepared wonderfully fresh and interesting tastings as well as delicious sashimi. The service was outstanding and the food delicious!

I went here solo on a business trip for dinner. It is a small restaurant with limited seating. Even though there are limited number of tables my waiter seemed overwhelmed. Don't expect high end service for the high price. It seemed as if he was rationing the tea. However the sushi is very good and worth the wait. Rainbow roll and spider roll were excellent but cuts of tuna were not the best I've had.

Akiko's was hard to find as it has no signs out front other than the street address (it is right on the edge of Mark Lane) but well worth the effort. Good selection of sashimi and nigiri served in pleasant casual surroundings.

I have reviewed several of the top sushi places in town and each has it unique benefits. This place emphasizes sustainable and organic, not using overfished species, and the choices are mind-blowing. They show where each fish was caught and have them divided into two categories of Mild and Full Flavored Buttery. I was surprised to find the Hamachi in the full flavored slot but compared to the mild it was richer and fuller bodied. All were incredible. The Akadashi Tofu was again unique and delicious. And the Black Cod to finish up with something hot is always one of our choices and this was one of the best with salmon roe in the black ponzu sauce. The staff is easy and friendly and helpful. The music when we were there was Marvin Gaye which was a pleasant surprise and added to the local flavor. Only four tables and a sushi bar so reservations are recommended. Very highly recommended, and very reasonably priced.

I met a colleague at Akiko for lunch. The sushi is great. It's a small place so reservations are necessary. This is a must go place for Sushi while in SF

First, make a reservation. We made the mistake and tried to walk in; they are booked several days in advanced so call ahead to get. We were able to squeeze on to the reservation list the next night and what an excellent experience. Our waiter and the staff were very friendly and very customer service oriented. The ticket machine broke and the orders backed up, which we didn't really mind because we like taking our time at dinner. Regardless, they apoligized several times and gave us a complementary sushi roll to hold us over. I would highly recommend the sashimi sampler which included butter fish, hamachi, mackeral, flounder, salmon, and tuna. Very fresh!!

Went here on a recommendation on a work trip. The sushi was fresh and there was options on the menu for a lot of complexity and a lot of simplicity. It was accommodating for the folks in our party. The staff was also very helpful in picking a great sake for our group. The setting was ok, we sat in the sushi bar area, the back of the restaurant looked a little more fun. But the food was great and we would come back again.

We did a lot of research in advance on where to go for good sushi before we came to S.F. and we decided to go to Akikos. We made the reservation like one week before our trip and thank God we did. Everyone walked in to the restaurants that night were kindly declined by the hostess before it was fully booked. It is a small/medium size restaurant with a sushi counter sits about 8. We requested to sit at the counter so we can see all the action. All the sushi chefs are Americans. In the beginning, we had some doubts to be honest. Don't get me wrong, no one says sushi chefs have to be Japanese but you just kind of expected one to stand behind the counter. Once we started our order and saw how focus the chef was, we were so impressed. Not only the fishes were fresh, chef improvised some interesting pieces for us too. Sushi we had was amazing. Few tips for coming to this restaurant: 1) Make reservation ahead of time. 2) There is no valet parking. And it's not easy to find street parking in SF so allow enough time to find parking or call Uber. 3) There is no eye-catching restaurant sign at the front door. Easy to miss so pay attention. 4) Finally, just enjoy the sushi :)

The omakase here was spectacular. What a hidden gem. The Foie gras, uni, wagyu over seaweed, and otoro sushi were mindblowing. I would return here again.

Just fab sushi and sashimi. I could go on and on.... the tuna is fresh and divine. The sushi chefs are great to watch. Definitely , sit at the bar. The atmosphere is lively and noisy just like you would expect in this city. The prices seemed to be as expected for the quality of the food. The service at the bar is perfect. Gochiso--sama!

AKIKOS may have moved locations, but the food and service haven't changed a bit. The restaurant over delivers on both fronts. If you're looking for an incredible omakase experience, look no further than AKIKOS. Our menu consisted of: 1) Osechi - tako, herring roe, blackbeans 2) Sashimi - akami, shirako, makogarel 3) Robusută - lobster, leek, caviar 4) Chawanmushi - egg custard, duck liver, king crab & lobster gravy 5) Cioppino - cod, tomato & clam sauce 6) Shokupan - milk bread, toro, golden kaluga caviar 7) Sunomono - mirugai, pear, raspberries, muscat, cucumber 8) Zuke - soy cured bluefin tuna 9) Kawahagi - trigger fish 10) Ji-Kinmedai - goldeneye red snapper 11) Aori Ika - bigfin reef squid 12) Uni - sea urchin 13) Buri - matured yellowtail 14) Kohada - gizzard shad 15) Kamasu - young barracuda 16) Toro - bluefin belly 17) Anago - wild sea eel 18) Dessert - White sesame We also ordered an additional serving of Hotate (scallop) nigiri.

We stopped in here for a light lunch. The server was very helpful in terms of recommendations and descriptions. We enjoyed some excellent Australian trout and albacore sashimi and a the best yellowtail maki I've ever had. Pricey, but worth it.

We wanted an early dinner but had to wait until they opened at 5. There were several other people waiting as well who told us this was the best sushi place around. However, I didn't think it was nearly as good as Marina Sushi where we had eaten two days before. Akiko was pretty average to me, and I did not see what the fuss was about. Prices were much higher than Marina as well.

Reservations are a must, but it was worth waiting the 3 days. (Be careful not to miss it, as there's no sign on it & we walked right by.) It's a tiny restaurant, so they are able to be VERY attentive to all customers. The sushi is impeccable, exactly as it should be. We finally tasted what a REAL California roll is supposed to taste like (with REAL crab). The pieces of sashimi were very generous, as were all the pieces of fish on the nigiri. They make their own yummy wasabi and have fresh flavorful ginger. And lastly, they keep the sake warm throughout the meal, which added to our outstanding experience.

Absolutely wonderful! You will never want to eat sushi anywhere else after trying this. Fresh beyond belief, and the service was perfect.

This is a small and wonderful sushi bar and restaurant near San Francisco's financial district. The seafood and fish are as fresh as anything we have ever tasted, the service is knowledgable and unobtrusive and the atmosphere is intimate and compelling. Fortunately for us, servings of our favorite fish, Copper River salmon, were available and, on the recommendation of our server, we also enjoyed the white version of that salmon as well. Everything positive written about this establishment is right on the mark. This is a must for both residents and visitors to this great city.

This is for people who really like sushi and appreciate Omakase. There are a bunch of these in the City and this one is good because it is flexible. You can order the Omakase but also there's a wide selection of a la carte sushi. It's also accordingly expensive. There's section of the menu with seafood flown in from Tokyo that day. I went there for the uni-my absolute favorite of all sushi. Not only was it in the Omakase twice, I was able to order an uni "sampler" with three different types from Japan, Santa Barbara, and another I forgot. Many sushi places don't even know what uni is.If you drink alcohol, try some sake here: all types, varieties, and prices. This is a special place for those who really like the cuisine.

The restaurant is clean, chic and understated. The Omakase menu was a curated selection from the sea. Pairings were thoughtful, unique and perfectly prepared. The presentation of each dish was beautiful and reverent. Some of the best flavor combinations I have ever had. Chris is a sake sommelier as I had never experienced with a friendly affability that elevated a restaurant dinner to a meal with friends.

Enjoyed a fantastic business meal at Akiko's. Started with some miso, a selection of Nigiri, then a seasonal selection of Sashimi. The overnight flown Hokkaido Hotate (Scallops) were sensational. A few other bites like fried baby mackerel to finish off. The quality of sushi here is second to none. The staff had brilliant service. And it very quickly became busy. A sign of a good dining spot. I will come again next time I visit San Francisco!

We made a reservation for 8:30. We were on time. But previois table was not finished. We waited until 8:45, but we were not told when we would sit. Worse experience

We came there just a little before the official opening time. We were 3 adults one of which was pregnant and two children. When told they will open soon, we asked to reserve seats. The hostess have a one very cold look and we could feel she just didn't like us for some reason- and she said they were fully booked. When our pregnant friend asked if she could at least use the toilet - her request denied a sent to the pub next door! We came specifically to this place and felt humiliated. It seems like sushi in akiko's is not for anyone. If you are not cool enough for the hostess you just won't get to eat it. Beware.

recommenced by a friend as best sushi in town and was he right. The fish was delicious and staff were great. out there in a few weeks definitely going back

This is just a great place if you like top notch sushi. Tiny restaurant with friendly service, some nice japanese microbrewery beers.

Ok I have been thinking about how wonderful the sushi was and wishing there was something like it where I live. Really, fish flown in from Tokyo daily. Specials that were unheard of and delicious. Need I say more? Go here and you will be glad you did.

The food was good but nothing to rave about. Price was reasonable given the location. The staff was friendly and helped recommend different dishes. If I were to pass through San Fran's Chinatown again I probably would try another restarunt. If you like sushi and never have been to Akiko it wouldn't be bad to give it a try.

We had the opportunity to dine at Akikos at 431 Bush Street, just down from the Dragon Gate at Chinatown, on our August trip to San Francisco. This was the second Bush St. restaurant that we dined at on this trip, the other being just to the west (over Stockton Tunnel). First, there are signs on the building, as one walks west to east, but they are for a little bistro, with sidewalk dining in an alley – and no sign of Akikos yet. Our mapping Apps kept telling us “You have arrived... “ Well, where the heck is it? We had just come back from Melbourne and Adelaide, and had played similar games, regarding restaurants in “laneways,” alleys and upstairs, behind other restaurants, so were not daunted. We were going to find it, for our 6:45pm Dinner reservation. Finally, after walking down the alley, and poking around, we returned to the corner, and noticed “431.” “Hey, I think we found it”, and we had. Second, there is another Japanese restaurant, with a very similar name, Akiko’s Sushi, but it is on Mason Street, and is not affiliated with Akikos on Bush Street. With the location, and our little stroll out of the way, we were greeted warmly, and ushered to our very small table (more about that, in a moment), packed between identical tables in a rustically attractive small, rear dining room, near the open kitchen and sushi bar. The décor is a bit eclectic, with exposed-brick walls (looking a bit like buildings in the New Orleans French Quarter), and then many Japanese elements. Somehow, it all came together nicely. This has become known as our “Small Table Trip,” predicated on the seating the night before, just on the other side of the Stockton Tunnel. The lighting was a bit dim, but I could read the menu, without help of a flashlight – but just barely. We decided to go with Akikos version of Omakase, and instead of wines, we asked for sake pairings instead. Even on trips to Tokyo, we usually have gone with wines (discovered many California producers creating wines (from vineyards we knew well) JUST for the Japanese market, and being avowed winos, have always explored those), but want to learn more about sake – so this was a great opportunity to do so, and we were rewarded. I will not outline the dishes (if I could even list them), as they will change by what is freshest at the market – besides, there was no room on the table for a note pad. Just after being seated, while reaching for the wine list, I managed to drag a water glass from the table. The gentleman, seated next to us (closely) almost grabbed it in time, but not quite. Unfortunately, it hit my wife’s foot. Fortunately, it hit my wife’s foot, so did not break on the floor, or table base. A few new, dry napkins all around, and we were off, with no more accidents. Every dish tasted fresh, was expertly prepared, and was also a work of visual (as well as culinary) art. Our sakes were very good (not that I would yet know many from each other), and paired very well. Our service was very good (also quick with dry napkins), and our pacing matched, with but a few little pauses here, and there. I can imagine that serving a very full, somewhat congested dining area, would be difficult. Also, the sushi bar was filled, as was a forward room, by the entrance door – not sure if it was maybe for the bar, or was also filled with diners? In all, a very good experience, and both great sushi/sashimi and sake, with good service.

Incredible pedigree of chefs behind the counter, including the owner/operator, Ray. Their menus are curated daily to account for the best available fish coming in from Japan et al. Akiko's has created a great balance between traditional preparation and innovative techniques, definitely a must-try if you can snag a seat.

I made a reservation for one approximately two hours before lunch time because of other reviews. I was greeted and seated by two very nice hostesses. I saw many people turned away because there was literally no room and they didn't have reservations. The place is small - I would think it can only seat about 40-50 people. I had a nigiri 6 piece sample and the Maki specialty roll with a Pinot noir. The presentation was flawless and food very good. I commented to the sushi chef that one of my pieces seemed "fishy" - I didn't mean it was spoiled or bad, it was just not my favorite. He replaced it with a striped sea bass that was perfect. This was a recommendation from a "local" of where to find good sushi. It's slightly tucked away off Union Square, but I would highly recommend.

Best sushi I've had - hands down. Fresh ingredients, great service and good value for the quality you're getting.

The funky neo-warehouse look was fine by us. The menu has plenty and plenty of options. So we asked our waiter to help - let the chef show his best. Overall I'd say this is the place to go if you enjoy the understated style of sushi. No big Wow flavors - nothing that was sizzled or popped. All good and we enjoyed it - and those who enjoy the subtleties of fresh sushi flavors would no doubt enjoy this place a lot.

Walked right by the resto while looking for it based on what I thought I remembered of the address. Was expecting a sign outside... don't, no signage. Just a front that looks like an Irish pub. LOL Chose Akiko's based on another site's reco from many locals (wanted to avoid the tourist traps). Went off the menu + glad we did. The chef created a memorable dining experience that left us wanting more. All I can say is FRESH. FRESH. FRESH! We love sashimi and it's got to be fresh to really enjoy the taste of the fish. Akiko's had no problem delivering on that. Service was amazingly efficient. Water was always topped off which is one of the key things for me in particular. The wait staff was attentive, always stopping by to see if our table needed clean-up or extra this or that. Professional all the way! The hostess was great too. She accommodated our walk-up-no-reservation-table-for-3 request and made us feel welcome to what seemed like a locals only type sushi resto. The only CON i can list for this place... the single stall uni-sex bathroom. You might need to wait in line to use it... so plan accordingly. :) Highly recommend this place. Just loved everything about it. Dinner was highlighted by an order of their A5 Plus Wagyu beef topped with White Truffle. It wasn't cheap, but it was worth it!! PS. Our main server, Alan, was PRO all the way! He really made our dinner a memorable experience. TIP: Make a reservation!

Went for lunch during the week...Got right in.ut you better get there before noon. It's obviously a local fav. The ahi tuna was fresh and soft, and flavorful! Nice thick slices too. My husband had chicken teriyaki...he liked it. Tempura is not feathery though. i was a bit dissapointed with the style, but flavorful. I will return but this time sit and the bar and just order the sushi.

From the outside is not recognizable as a restaurant, so you should know where you should be. Reservations are necessary, even for lunch (at least we had not booked and had to wait an hour until we could have lunch there). The restaurant is very small, especially the back room is very crowded and so noisy (maybe we had some bad luck because there were quite loud guests) that we could barely hear each other, while the tables are still not that great. The sushi and especially the sashimi were delicious, and the sashimi was really one of the best we've ever eaten. The service is efficient and hasty, which is unfortunate because enjoying the food in a relaxed way is, also because of the noise, not possible. We will remind the outstanding sashimi for a long time, but we still will not come back here because the restaurant, despite the high price, does not have a pleasant atmosphere.

Perhaps 6 tables and two bar stools compose the whole seating available. I counted 3 persons manning the restaurant. The sushi is prime ; the service is prompt. A lovely experience I will always cherish.

Omakase at the sushi bar was superb: creative, excellent quality, friendly professional service. I sat next to 3 business men from Israel, one who was having sushi for the first time. It's gonna be hard for him to top this experience. Omakase at Akiko's is an expensive night out, especially if you can't make yourself stop. But it's very special.

I've been here a few times for lunch, and the food is terrific. The sushi is priced a bit on the higher side, but they have good lunch options. The sushi is very fresh, and it's priced a bit higher than I would have expected. The lunch options are limited, but very enjoyable. I'd recommend it. Service was very good the first few times and a bit lame (condescending) the last time we were there.

The restaurant has no signage outside and no unit number so one can easily miss the restaurant like we did. It is a small restaurant, not more than eleven small tables, along Bush Strret a short distance from Grand Hyatt San Francisco, but it came highly recommended. It has a bar though where one can enjoy the meal watching the chefs prepare the dishes. We were there for late lunch so we were hungry and ordered the set meal which came with a bowl of rice, soup, sushi and tempura, and additional sashimi and california rolls. I must say the sashimi here beats that in Umami as the fish served were excellent in texture and freshness. Our lunch was excellent, every dish we had was really good. I must add that the service was really good too. This is a much underrated restaurant, but it won't be for long I am certain.

This restaurant was just down and across from where we were staying in San Fran. We walked by otherwise we would not have realized there was a restaurant there. We walked in to see because it looked good and we were hungry. They were booked up but we made reservations for another night. We came back and thoroughly enjoyed our meal. This is a sushi place. If you don't like sushi, you probably won't be happy here as that really is most of the menu. But if you do- you'll really enjoy this. It's not the absolute best sushi I've ever had but it is very good and the service is excellent. It was fresh and clean and served in a very appetizing and beautiful manner. The place is very small but really manages not to feel that way somehow.

If you like sushi you have to come here. Yes it's expensive but worth every cent! Every piece we had was super fresh and so tasty. We had some pieces from the nama menu of the day and some of the pieces were from Japan...be sure to not miss out! The rolls were pretty good too....however when I go back I'll stick to sashimi and nigiri. Pretty decent wine/beer listing as well. However I wished the wine pours by the glass had a little more in it, a little stingy to be honest for the prices. Our server was very good, we told him we were not in a hurry and he was great in only appearing when we wanted to order more food. It's a very small place so reservations are an absolute must. It's also easy to miss as there was no signage and we walked by it twice. I would definitely come back and highly recommend!

We arrived for our 5:30 resv at 5:25 and were told to wait outside as they were still prepping.... I don't think this would happen if owners staff were Japanese(should have been seated and given tea).My tempura was overcooked, almost burned.....(dark brown). I don't think the owners are Japanese. I beleive I heard staff speaking Chinese..

Quite simply the best sushi we’ve ever had. Stunning from start to finish. Get the fried octopus and be very happy.

Seriously the best and freshest fish I have ever had. The service was excellent and attentive without being annoying. However, this place should definitely be saved for special occasions because it's pretty expensive. You do get what you pay for. The salmon sashimi literally melted in my mouth. And I have never had better scallops anywhere else!

Don't get confused with the other Akiko! We did and I suspect others have. Anyway, they are a bit over 5 mins walk from each other. Try to get a window seat if you can, it's a lot more comfortable. Delicious sake, good service and recommend the sashimi bowl. Side dishes are quite small.

I went here for dinner and I guess was lucky to get a table without a reservation. I dont understand the reasoning behind no sign other than to make it confusing. The waiter suggested a sake based on what we requested and it was not very good. The dinner menu did not have a great selection of sushi rolls, and apparently they cannot make the rolls they make at lunch for dinner. That seemed odd because surely they have the ingredients. They had a long list of nightly specials that were all priced high. One thing that bothered me was when our sushi arrived, the waitress poured out soy sauce for us , "based on the recommended amount to eat with sushi" which was about half a teaspoon. It seemed silly that they would pour the soy for you. The spicy tuna roll was far too spicy, I walked out feeling like I burnt my tongue. I would not return it seemed so pretentious for not a lot of variety and very high prices.

Akiko's raises the bar for sushi in San Francisco. At Akiko's, the only way to go is to sit at the sushi bar and do omakase. Chef Ricky will take you on a magical mystery tour of fishes you never knew you loved. Over a period of at least two hours you will enjoy an endless series of fish and vegetables complemented by various innovative sauces. You will be treated to an array of temperatures, textures, and cooking methods--all of which are awesome. Don't hesitate; just do it. While the rolls are good, at Akiko's you should head straight for the sashimi and nigiri. The monkfish liver is sublime. Don't miss it. If you think you do not like urchin, try the Russian uni. Its delicate, creamy taste will change your mind about spiny sea creatures. Rich and delicious, the keiji salmon has a higher fat content than toro and shouldn't be missed. Toro (tuna), hamachi (yellowtail), unagi (grilled freshwater eel), saba (mackerel), sake (salmon), hotate (scallop)--all the fish is of the highest quality, perfectly prepared, and artistically presented. Service is hit and miss. The sushi chefs are great, but, while friendly and informative, the wait staff assigned to use would sometimes disappear for long periods of time. Tips: - Make a reservation; do not try to walk in, as you will be disappointed - Skip the crowded dining room with its closely spaced tables; sushi bar all the way - Bring your gold Amex; the prices reflect the quality of the fish Overall Akiko's puts out some high quality fish at commensurately high prices.

We were craving Japanese food, not necessarily Sushi, and found this gem. Chicken teriyaki and shrimp/vegetable tempura were excellent: fresh, crispy, savoury, sweet. And a great Japanese beer to wash it down. Funky, small room with charming service

We sat at the sushi bar and left all the choices to the chef. Had a wonderful kaleidoscope of flavors and seafood. It was excellent.

Incredibly fresh sushi. The Black Tuna in particular was the highlight of our lunch. Service was slow but acceptable. Highly recommend if you're in San Francisco.

What a great find!! Best sushi we have had! And it is such a tiny, cozy place. Not fancy but clean. The service staff super friendly and efficient. Go for the daily specials with fresh fish. Highly recommend!!