0 Followers
Nara Restaurant & Sake Bar
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Nara Restaurant & Sake Bar
8.2
Lower Haight favorite with a deep roll list and sake focus; polished enough for client catch-ups. Portions and plating land a notch above typical neighborhood sushi.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hamachi Kama, Sashimi Plate, Red Dragon Roll
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Sake-forward list and refined sashimi for more formal lunches.
Who should go: Client meetings needing a polished setting
When to visit: Early afternoon for quieter conversations
What to order: Hamachi kama, sashimi plate, Red Dragon roll
Insider tip: Bar seats get the quickest service during peak hours.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Haight and Fillmore; typically easier before 6pm. No private lot or valet service.
Dress code: Smart casual; button-downs or neat polos fit the vibe. Business attire welcome for meetings.
Noise level: Moderate — background music and chatter but manageable for work or client discussions.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually seated immediately or within 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple veggie rolls and tempura options clearly marked.
Vegan options: Limited — 2–3 rolls and a salad suitable for vegan diets.
Gluten-free options: Yes — gluten-free soy sauce available on request; avoid tempura items.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — polished but relaxed enough for comfortable conversation. Dim lighting and refined plating make it a solid pick for an early relationship or client dinner.
Can I get a table without a reservation? At lunch, walk-ins are fine. Evenings get busier; call ahead for same-day seating or bar availability.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young kids — limited high-chair space and quieter ambiance. Teens or older children comfortable with sushi will be fine.
Best For
Better for: Better for formal or semi-formal business lunches where presentation and sake selection matter.
Skip if: Skip if you’re after fast or inexpensive sushi — it leans refined and slower-paced than nearby takeout spots.
Nara Restaurant & Sake Bar
8.2
Lively Lower Haight spot with a broad sashimi-and-roll menu plus a focused sake list. Open late on weekends, it’s an easy, upbeat date with enough variety for shared plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hamachi Kama, Chef’s Sashimi Plate, Spicy Tuna Crunch Roll
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.7
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Late-night hours with a flexible menu that suits sharing.
Who should go: Couples who want buzzy, flexible sushi
When to visit: Friday/Saturday late night for post-dinner drinks + bites
What to order: Hamachi kama; sashimi plate; spicy tuna crunch
Insider tip: Bar seats move faster for walk-ins after 9pm.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking; metered spots on Haight fill fast after 7pm. No valet or lot nearby.
Dress code: Smart casual—most guests wear jeans with a nice top or casual dress; no formalwear needed.
Noise level: Moderate to lively; conversation is possible but expect background music and chatter on weekends.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, especially after 8:30pm.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable—dinner-only service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several rolls and appetizers feature vegetables or tofu.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 options, mainly veggie rolls or cucumber/avocado combos.
Gluten-free options: Yes—tamari available on request and many sashimi options are naturally gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its upbeat energy and shareable menu make it ideal for breaking the ice without awkward silences. Sit at the bar for a more casual, conversational vibe.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually—walk-ins are common, especially later in the evening, but expect a wait during peak dinner hours on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially—better suited for adults or older teens due to the late-night crowd and bar focus.
Best For
Better for: Late-night sushi and casual group dates; strong sake list and easygoing energy outperform quieter omakase spots.
Skip if: You prefer refined omakase pacing or quieter, more intimate sushi experiences.
Nara Restaurant & Sake Bar
8.3
Lower Haight standby known for an extensive modern roll lineup and a lively sake program. Late-night weekend hours and a broad menu make it a reliable choice for creative, shareable sushi rolls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Blazing Glory Roll, Red Dragon Roll, Special 'K' Truffle Ponzu Roll
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Fire-finished and truffle-forward signature rolls with a deep sake list.
Who should go: Groups craving creative rolls and sake
When to visit: Weekend late night for full energy and menu
What to order: Blazing Glory, Red Dragon, Special 'K'
Insider tip: Ask for late-night weekend hours; kitchen keeps rolls coming past 11.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited street parking in Lower Haight; plan for metered spots or rideshare on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans fine, but many guests lean stylish for evening sake sessions.
Noise level: Lively — energetic buzz from the bar; conversation possible but not hushed.
Weekend wait: 30–45 min without reservation after 7:30pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; reservations rarely needed.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetable and avocado rolls plus appetizers.
Vegan options: Limited — a few maki options can be made vegan upon request.
Gluten-free options: Yes — soy sauce substitutes and gluten-free rolls available upon request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the moody lighting, upbeat music, and sake flights make it fun but not overly formal. Sit at the sushi bar for a shared experience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes before 7pm or late night, but weekend prime hours fill fast. Call ahead or use their online waitlist.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly — better for adults or teens; limited space for strollers and energy is geared toward groups and nightlife.
Best For
Better for: Late-night sushi sessions, creative specialty rolls, and pairing sake flights with friends.
Skip if: You’re seeking a quiet omakase or traditional-style sushi; this spot leans modern and social.
Nara Restaurant & Sake Bar
7.8
Neighborhood izakaya–sushi hybrid with a lively sake program and broad roll list, open later on weekends. It’s an easy meetup for casual sushi and drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hamachi kama, Nigiri sampler, House specialty roll
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Late-night friendly sushi with a sake-first bar vibe.
Who should go: Groups wanting casual rolls and drinks
When to visit: Fri–Sat before 7:30pm to avoid waits
What to order: Hamachi collar; nigiri sampler; house roll
Insider tip: Ask about off-menu sake pours by the glass.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited street parking on Haight and Fillmore; best to use rideshare after 7pm as spaces turn over slowly.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans and sneakers are fine but many guests dress slightly up for evening outings.
Noise level: Moderate to lively after 8pm, quieter during early seatings—conversation-friendly if seated indoors away from bar.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7:30pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; service is fast for quick bites.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - several vegetable rolls, tofu appetizers, and rice dishes available.
Vegan options: Limited - 2–3 maki and salad options, though sauces may contain dashi.
Gluten-free options: Partially - some nigiri and sashimi qualify, but soy sauce contains gluten; bring your own if strict.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially early in the evening before the bar scene builds—dim lighting, casual energy, and sake flights make it approachable without feeling formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually possible before 7pm or at the sushi bar; larger groups should reserve ahead for weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat; early hours welcome families but the atmosphere leans adult once sake service picks up later at night.
Best For
Better for: Late-night sushi and sake hangouts with a social crowd—ideal for casual group dinners.
Skip if: You’re seeking high-end omakase precision or a quiet, intimate sushi counter; KEN or Kibatsu suit that better.
Nara Restaurant & Sake Bar
7.8
Neighborhood izakaya-sushi hybrid with a broad roll list, sashimi basics, and a lively sake program—open later than most on weekends. It’s an easy group meetup for casual sushi and drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hamachi kama, Salmon nigiri set, Chef’s choice sashimi platter
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Late-night friendly sushi with a sake-first bar vibe.
Who should go: Groups wanting casual rolls and sake
When to visit: Fri–Sat before 7:30pm to avoid waits
What to order: Hamachi kama; nigiri sampler; house roll
Insider tip: Ask staff for off-menu sake bottles by the glass.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Haight can be tough after 6pm; try nearby residential blocks or paid lots near Divisadero.
Dress code: Smart casual—jeans and nice tops are fine; dressier if coming for date night or sake tastings.
Noise level: Lively during dinner service—conversation possible but expect buzz from the bar.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, especially for larger groups.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; bar seating often open.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several veggie rolls and cooked dishes like agedashi tofu and veggie tempura.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 rolls and salads; verify sauces for fish-based dashi.
Gluten-free options: Partial—gluten-free soy available on request, but cross-contact likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you’re after a casual, upbeat sushi bar vibe with sake flights—less ideal for intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible early evenings or weekdays; weekends fill fast, so bar seating or joining the waitlist is recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Accepts families early in the evening but transitions to a bar crowd later—best for teens or older kids.
Best For
Better for: Late-night sushi runs, group sake sessions, and casual celebrations in the neighborhood.
Skip if: You’re seeking quiet omakase-style dining or high-end nigiri precision—KEN or jū-ni fit better.