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Ginza Sushi & Sake
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Ginza Sushi & Sake
8.0
Haight Street spot with a broad sushi menu and midday service that moves. Consistent rolls and chirashi make it a solid business-casual choice near the park.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ginza Roll, Chirashi Bowl, Usuzukuri Salmon
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Broad lunch menu with fast ticket times for teams.
Who should go: Colleagues needing reliable sushi options
When to visit: Noon start to beat mid-afternoon rush
What to order: Ginza roll, chirashi, usuzukuri salmon
Insider tip: Call ahead for chirashi so it’s ready on arrival.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Haight can be tight midday; nearby neighborhood streets open up after 2pm.
Dress code: Smart casual—office attire or neat jeans fit fine for lunch meetings.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch—conversation-friendly with occasional ambient music.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes if walking in after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Usually seated immediately or within 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several rolls, tempura, and veggie donburi options.
Vegan options: Limited—avocado roll, cucumber roll, and seaweed salad available.
Gluten-free options: Yes—tamari available on request; sushi rice and most sashimi are gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re aiming for casual comfort over luxury—its calm lunch vibe and balanced menu make conversation easy without pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, reservations aren’t usually needed for weekday lunch; just call ahead if coming with a group of four or more.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably—kids who enjoy sushi or teriyaki will be fine; no dedicated children’s menu, but staff accommodate substitutions.
Best For
Better for: Business lunches where efficiency and consistency matter—service is quicker than most sushi spots in the area.
Skip if: You’re seeking omakase or high-end presentation—opt for Kibatsu or NARA instead.
Ginza Sushi & Sake
7.9
Casual Haight-Ashbury standby offering a long list of signatures and value-friendly combos. It’s comfortable, unpretentious, and dependable for an easy sushi date.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ginza Roll (seared yellowtail), Usuzukuri Salmon with ponzu, Umi Roll (baked scallop)
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Signature rolls and sashimi at fair prices in a cozy room.
Who should go: Couples wanting easy, no-stress sushi
When to visit: Early evening for shortest waits
What to order: Ginza roll; usuzukuri salmon; Umi roll
Insider tip: Pair rolls with a small hot sake—solid value play.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Haight and nearby residential blocks; can be tight after 6pm on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans and casual tops fine—avoid overly formal attire.
Noise level: Moderate—buzzy enough for energy but still conversational.
Weekend wait: 25–40 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; immediate seating common.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple veggie rolls and appetizers like agedashi tofu and seaweed salad.
Vegan options: Limited—2–3 options such as cucumber and avocado rolls.
Gluten-free options: Partial—sashimi and most rolls without sauce are safe, but soy sauce contains gluten unless you request tamari.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—it’s relaxed, affordable, and unpretentious, making it a low-pressure sushi date option with solid value.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes—walk-ins are common, but weekends may require a short wait during dinner rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably—staff are accommodating and noise levels forgiving, though it’s more of a date-night and adult-casual crowd after 7pm.
Best For
Better for: Dependable sushi combos and sake flights at accessible prices compared to trendier omakase counters nearby.
Skip if: You’re seeking high-end omakase or elaborate plating—this spot is about comfort and consistency, not culinary theater.
Ginza Sushi & Sake
7.9
Haight-Ashbury spot offering a broad selection of classic and specialty rolls alongside donburi and izakaya plates. Consistent lunch combos and happy hour make it an easy neighborhood go-to.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rainbow Roll, Dragon Roll, Nigiri Tasting (add a roll combo)
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Well-priced roll combos at lunch and reliable classics all day.
Who should go: Casual diners wanting value roll sets
When to visit: Weekday lunch or 4–6pm happy hour
What to order: Rainbow Roll, Dragon Roll, Roll Lunch Combo
Insider tip: Roll lunch combo includes miso—good value if you want variety.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Haight and nearby side streets; generally available before 6pm but fills quickly on weekends.
Dress code: Casual; locals drop by in jeans and hoodies, though a neat look fits the neighborhood vibe.
Noise level: Moderate; steady chatter and light music but still fine for conversation.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes during peak hours; bar seats often open faster.
Weekday lunch: Usually seated immediately, even for small groups.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – several veggie rolls and tofu-based appetizers.
Vegan options: Limited – 2–3 maki options without fish or mayo.
Gluten-free options: Some rolls and donburi can be made gluten-free if you request tamari instead of soy sauce.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual dates – cozy but not intimate, with reliable food and affordable sake options that make it easygoing rather than high-pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes – walk-ins are common; only small waits on weekends or during happy hour rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes – family-friendly with booster seats and quick service; good for kids who like simple rolls or teriyaki plates.
Best For
Better for: Quick, consistent sushi lunches and casual happy hours with sake and roll deals.
Skip if: You’re seeking a high-end omakase or artful plating – it’s more about value and comfort than fine dining.
Ginza Sushi & Sake
7.6
Casual Haight-Ashbury sushi spot (since 2016) with a long menu of rolls, sharables, and sake. Dependable for groups before or after Golden Gate Park outings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ginza roll, Hamachi nigiri, Miso cod
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Broad sushi menu and sake lineup suited to mixed groups.
Who should go: Friends meeting near the park
When to visit: Weekend afternoons for easier tables
What to order: Ginza roll; hamachi nigiri; miso cod
Insider tip: Check chalkboard specials for better-priced sashimi sets.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking along Haight and nearby residential blocks; metered spots fill up fast on weekends but side streets open after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—jeans and sweaters are fine; locals often come straight from the park.
Noise level: Moderate—background chatter and light music but easy to hold a conversation at most tables.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait except on sunny park days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable rolls, agedashi tofu, and salads are available.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 rolls can be customized, but sauces may contain fish base.
Gluten-free options: Some options—sashimi and tamari on request, though soy sauce contains gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want something relaxed and affordable—low-pressure setting with sake flights and shared rolls makes conversation easy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes for small parties before 7pm or at lunch; larger groups should call ahead on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—family-friendly spot with plenty of booth seating and mild options like teriyaki or tempura for younger kids.
Best For
Better for: Casual sushi outings with friends or family where variety and value matter more than precision nigiri.
Skip if: You’re after omakase-level sushi or ultra-quiet dining; Kibatsu or KEN are better fits for those experiences.
Ginza Sushi & Sake
7.6
Casual Haight-Ashbury sushi spot with a long menu of rolls, sharables, and sake. Dependable for groups before or after Golden Gate Park outings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ginza roll, Hamachi nigiri, Miso black cod
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 6.9
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Broad sushi menu and sake lineup suited to mixed groups.
Who should go: Friends meeting near the park
When to visit: Weekend afternoons for easiest tables
What to order: Ginza roll; hamachi nigiri; miso cod
Insider tip: Check chalkboard specials for better-priced sashimi sets.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; easier near Golden Gate Park before 6pm but fills quickly after.
Dress code: Casual; jeans and sneakers fine—most guests come straight from the park.
Noise level: Moderate; lively chatter but still easy to converse at small tables.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, especially for groups.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; walk-ins seated immediately.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable rolls, tofu dishes, and tempura options are available.
Vegan options: Limited—few rolls and sides qualify; staff can modify some items upon request.
Gluten-free options: Yes—tamari available; many sashimi and rice dishes are naturally gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual dates—comfortable atmosphere, shareable plates, and sake flights make for a relaxed experience without the pressure of fine dining.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually; walk-ins are accepted, especially during weekday lunch and early weekend hours, though groups may need to wait during peak dinner times.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—staff are accommodating, with simple rolls and teriyaki plates for younger diners. High chairs available.
Best For
Better for: Larger groups seeking an easygoing sushi night with a good sake list and approachable prices.
Skip if: You’re after omakase-style precision or quiet, romantic ambiance—try KEN or Kibatsu instead.