Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
- 4.9Food
- 4.9Service
- 4.9Ambience
- 4.5Value
Noise • Moderate
Visa Dining Collection
Executive chef: David Yoshimura
From the OpenTable editors: Come to Chef David Yoshimura’s MICHELIN-starred spot for one of the city’s most innovative tasting menus. He expertly fuses Japanese techniques with Northern California ingredients to create bold, modern dishes that could include anago (salt-water eel) with fiddleheads or crispy kakuni (pork belly) with snap peas and ramps, paired with clever wines and sake for a singular dining experience.
$462.00 per person
Prepaid

$308.40 per person
Prepaid

$102.00 per person
Prepaid

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Nisei reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.
Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant
Noise • Moderate
San Francisco Bay Area
Best Ambiance
San Francisco Bay Area
Japanese
San Francisco
Best Overall
San Francisco
Best Food
San Francisco
Best Service
San Francisco
Best Ambiance
San Francisco
Japanese
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Yes, Nisei is an excellent choice for a memorable date night. Guests consistently praise its intimate, relaxed-yet-upscale atmosphere, beautifully plated multi-course tasting menus, and thoughtful sake or wine pairings. Chef David and the team often greet tables, which adds a personal touch that makes celebrations feel special. Expect a multi-hour, refined experience best suited for anniversaries, birthdays, and romantic evenings, perfect if you want to savor food and conversation.
Families do dine here and the team is welcoming, but specific accessibility details aren’t listed. Guests frequently celebrate birthdays and bring teens or family members; seating options mentioned include counter seats and window tables. If you need accessible seating or have mobility needs, call ahead so staff can advise and accommodate where possible.
The best time is for an evening tasting-menu experience, Nisei shines at dinner when courses, sake pairings, and a relaxed multi-hour pace can be enjoyed. For a quieter visit, consider a weekday seating or an earlier dinner; for a lively, celebratory vibe, weekends and special occasions (anniversaries, Valentine’s Day) are popular. Either way, reserve in advance.
Nisei offers an open, intimate dining room with a mix of counter seating and window tables; many guests enjoy sitting at the counter to watch service and meet the chef. The space feels stylish and thoughtfully arranged rather than cramped. The restaurant does not offer private dining rooms but can accommodate larger parties with advance notice.
Nisei’s ambience is modern, warm, and refined, think muted décor, Japanese floral touches, and a relaxed upscale energy. Guests describe it as intimate yet spacious, with staff who are personable and attentive rather than stiff. The overall vibe supports long, leisurely tasting menus where conversation and discovery are encouraged.
Smart casual is the recommended dress code. Guests often treat visits as special occasions, some arrive in suits or elevated attire, so dressing neatly and comfortably is appropriate for the restaurant’s refined tasting-menu experience.
Yes, Nisei is highly accommodating with advance notice. The kitchen can handle most severe allergies if you notify them ahead of time, though some core elements (salt, sugar, soy sauce, and egg cooked into items) cannot be removed due to the tasting-menu format. Guests also report excellent communication about arrival, parking, and seating; call ahead to discuss dietary needs or seating requests.
Families do visit Nisei and guests have celebrated birthdays and milestones with children and teens. That said, Nisei is a tasting-menu fine-dining experience, meals are multi-course and can last several hours and there’s no indication of a kids menu. If bringing young children, consider an earlier seating and call ahead to discuss menu flexibility and comfort.
Nisei tends to be busiest on weekends and around holidays or special occasions, guests commonly book for anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and celebratory dinners. The restaurant feels quieter on weekday evenings or earlier seatings. Because the tasting menu is popular and seatings can be long, booking in advance is recommended to secure your preferred time.
For a quieter, more reflective experience choose a weekday evening; for a celebratory or festive vibe, weekends are ideal. Many guests reserve Nisei for anniversaries and special nights, so midweek visits can feel less crowded while weekend seatings deliver a lively, celebratory energy.
Nisei is led by Chef David Yoshimura, who is the executive chef and proprietor. The restaurant reflects his background as a second-generation Japanese American and his Michelin-starred experience, and guests often note the personal presence of Chef David in the dining room.
No, Nisei does not offer private dining rooms for private parties, but it can accept larger parties with advance notice. The dining room is designed for the tasting-menu flow, so large-party logistics should be discussed directly with the team before booking.
Yes, Nisei is a Michelin-starred restaurant, recognized with a MICHELIN 1 Star for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Guests and the team frequently mention the Michelin recognition alongside praise for the tasting menu, service, and thoughtful pairings.
Nisei is rated 5 stars by 132 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.
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