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Best Luxury Dining Japanese Restaurants in SoMa (94103)

5 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated

Notable Picks

8.9
$ Showplace Square / Design District
Edomae-style sushi served in a focused, reservation-only setting with top-flight fish and precise knife work. Locals book it for milestone dinners where pristine nigiri and calm service lead the night.
Must-Try Dishes: Toro flight (chu/otoro), Hokkaido uni nigiri, A5 wagyu nigiri torch-seared
What makes it special: Tightly curated omakase with world-class sourcing and classical Edomae technique.
8.8
$$ Mint Plaza / Yerba Buena
Kaiseki and Edomae sushi in a hushed Mint Plaza dining room where seasonal courses highlight fish flown in from Japan. It’s the city-center choice for extended tasting menus with ceremony.
Must-Try Dishes: Seasonal kaiseki sashimi course, Grilled nodoguro, Matcha dessert course
What makes it special: Seasonal kaiseki progression pairing market fish with refined plating.
$$$$ Design District
Japanese-influenced steakhouse centered on binchotan grilling, dry-aging, and rare A5 wagyu cuts. A destination for celebratory meats with polished service and a deep wine program.
Must-Try Dishes: A5 wagyu striploin by the ounce, Chawanmushi with wagyu fat, Binchotan-grilled vegetables
What makes it special: Rare Japanese A5 wagyu and in-house dry aging over binchotan.
$$$ Mission / 14th Street
Handmade tofu, yakitori, and seasonal small plates from chef-owner Sylvan Mishima Brackett in a warm, wood-forward space. It’s where diners share skewers, sashimi, and sake with restaurant-world regulars.
Must-Try Dishes: Tsukune chicken meatball skewers, Handmade tofu with ginger, Udon with seasonal broth
What makes it special: Seasonal izakaya cooking with house-made staples and charcoal grill.
8.0
$$ Showplace Square / Design District
Neighborhood izakaya and sushi bar from the Omakase Group delivering clean fish, shareable plates, and a lively room at more accessible prices. Ideal for pre-show dinners or low-key dates.
Must-Try Dishes: Salmon belly aburi, Hamachi kama, Spicy tuna crispy rice
What makes it special: Refined izakaya standards and sushi with fair pricing and pace.