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Elegant table beautifully lit by sunlight - Nisei, San Francisco, CA
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Nisei

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Visa Dining Collection

$50 and over
Japanese
2316 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109-1822

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A photo of Nisei restaurant

Nisei

5
$50 and over
Japanese
Russian Hill

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 3 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Innovative
  • Fancy
Nisei presents a contemporary approach to Japanese American cuisine by combining deep Japanese flavors, refined cooking technique, and Northern California's finest ingredients. The restaurant is a personal reflection of Chef David Yoshimura's unique experience as a Michelin starred chef and second generation Japanese American, or Nisei.

Nisei can accommodate most severe allergies with advance notice, however due to the nature of the tasting menu format, we can not meet all dietary restrictions or aversions. In order to maintain the spirit of our cuisine, the following items can not be removed: Salt, sugar, soy sauce, and egg cooked into items.

All Experience prices below reflect a 20% Service Fee and 8.63% SF Sales Tax applied to the base price of each experience. This Service Fee goes towards paying our employees a livable wage as well as providing health insurance.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: David Yoshimura

  • Award icon
    MICHELIN 1 Star2025
  • Award icon
    MICHELIN 1 Star2024
  • Award icon
    MICHELIN 1 Star2023

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.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Contemporary Asian, Japanese Speciality
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Private party facilities
    The Kimono Room at Nisei offers an intimate setting for up to 20 guests, perfect for private celebrations, business dinners, or special occasions. Enjoy a modern Japanese tasting menu, award-winning service, and curated beverage pairings in a serene, exclusive space.
  • Private party contact
    Events Coordinator: (415) 827-6898
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2025
    2. MICHELIN 1 Star 2024
    3. MICHELIN 1 Star 2023
  • Neighborhood
    Russian Hill
  • Cross street
    Polk Street
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • New Years Eve Experience

    $462.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Dec 31, 2025 only
    Join us on December 31st for Nisei's annual New Year's Eve Dinner. Experience an elevated menu showcasing luxurious ingredients, crafted to welcome in 2026 in true Nisei style. Enhance your evening with an optional luxury beverage pairing, thoughtfully designed to complement the meal. We can't wait to celebrate with you! The price of this experience reflects a 20% Service Fee. This Service Fee goes towards paying our employees a livable wage as well as providing health insurance. The 8.63% SF Sales Tax will be calculated and added at checkout.
    New Years Eve Experience Photo
  • Tasting Menu at Nisei

    $308.40 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    The late summer/fall tasting menu at Nisei features the pinnacle of Japanese American cuisine and is a personal expression of Chef David Yoshimura. Nisei combines the finest ingredients of Northern California and Japan to create a truly unforgettable experience. Guests can expect 13 courses with over 18 bites total, with options for supplements. Please allow at least 3 hours for the dining experience. The price of this experience reflects a 20% Service Fee. This Service Fee goes towards paying our employees a livable wage as well as providing health insurance. The 8.63% SF Sales Tax will be calculated and added at checkout. Please note if you are using a gift card to book you must email info@restaurantnisei.com , do not book through OpenTable, thank you.
    Tasting Menu at Nisei Photo
  • Chef Ellie's Dessert Tasting Menu

    $102.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    Chef Ellie Estrada, the pastry chef at Nisei, introduces a dessert tasting menu that reflects her thoughtful approach to Japanese flavors and seasonality. Drawing from her background and a deep appreciation for tradition, each course presents a focused and intentional progression of dishes. This experience includes elements from the main Nisei tasting menu, reinterpreted through a pastry lens. The hour-long menu offers a quiet exploration of technique, flavor, and season, continuing Nisei’s exploration of modern Japanese cuisine shaped by California’s ingredients. This tasting menu includes offerings from our current menu and exclusive items. The price of this experience reflects a 20% Service Fee. This Service Fee goes towards paying our employees a livable wage as well as providing health insurance. The 8.63% SF Sales Tax will be calculated and added at checkout.
    Chef Ellie's Dessert Tasting Menu Photo

Private dining

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

What 132 people are saying

Nisei reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

5.0
5.0 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • 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

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Nisei offers a "wonderful, attentive" dining experience with "creative delicious dishes" and a focus on "locally grown products." The restaurant delivers "exceptional service," highlighted by "attentive and knowledgeable" staff. While some diners noted pretentious service, others praised the "exquisite" food and "stellar wine pairing." A "well-deserved Michelin star" seals its appeal.
132 Reviews
  1. Thomas

    Tahoe1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding food quality, taste, presentation and service. But a bit confusing service charge and tipping.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Anmol

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food. Very creative and authentic. The wait time before dishes was too long which made us feel full and sleepy (given the cozy ambience). I think th entire dining time was 3 hours and shouldn’t be more than 2 IMO

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  3. Tiffany

    San Francisco2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on November 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and services are excellent. Though if we didn't pay for the wagyu supplement, we were not properly full.

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  4. Cynthia

    San Francisco5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on November 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had a wonderful dinner and overall experience at Nisei from the minute I arrived till the minute I left. The staff was wonderful attentive and knowledgeable. The food exquisite well thought menu and I was blown away by the preparation and execution of all the dishes. My favorites being the Uni and the Unagi dishes. I am going back for the dessert tasting and I am definitely making this restaurant one of my favorites for future visits. Also I will check out their siter restaurant Bar Iris next door. You can't go wrong booking a reservation here don't hesitate to do so.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Tiffany

    San Francisco6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on November 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    it was a great night. The food was just perfect. Everything was well prepare delicately and amazing to my taste bud. Service was really attentive and friendly. Overall I highly rate this restaurant and would definitely come back again. Parking is a pain though. So recommend uber in. Great job!!!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Michael

    Portland1 review

    5.0

    Dined on November 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was great. Cocktails were a bit surprising, not my favourite but very original.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Mike Gold

    San Francisco8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 31, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Good dining experience and great food. Will definitely come back again!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Keviee

    San Francisco1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing experience from food, ambience to service. Expect to spend 3 hours for this dining experience that will knock your socks off; however, I do have a huge appetite so I was hungry again after an hour. We sat by the counter and constantly saw the bar bites being delivered, will definitely come back to try next door another time. Chef David and team delivered exceptional service and presentation. Truly an experience for a special occasion.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Glenn

    Central Coast4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious and creative. Love the focus on locally grown products. Service was exceptional.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Rudy Gold

    Orange County10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Service is too pretentious and does not feel warm or welcoming. Yes, the food is very good, but many diners don’t need to know the provenance of every ingredient used, down to the micro greens. Limiting that info to the main ingredient in the dish might be helpful. Better yet, ASK the patrons if they are interested in hearing that information at the start of each reservation. Most of us want to know what is in the dish, but references to obscure farms for which we have no context isn’t particularly helpful and detracts from the experience. The idea of placing utensils parallel to each other around the 12 o’clock position on the plate is a way for the diner to signal to the staff that they are done and the plate is ready to be cleared. To the best of my knowledge, there is no other purpose for this. Having the wait staff reposition the utensils perfectly at rhe 12 o’clock position before picking up every single empty dish throughout the meal is just pretentious. It adds unnecessary time to the process - remember, we can’t access our drinks or carry on enjoying our conversations while this kabuki theater with utensils is happening. Good food but the service just needs to be warmer and less pretentious.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Contemporary Asian, Japanese Speciality
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Private party facilities
    The Kimono Room at Nisei offers an intimate setting for up to 20 guests, perfect for private celebrations, business dinners, or special occasions. Enjoy a modern Japanese tasting menu, award-winning service, and curated beverage pairings in a serene, exclusive space.
  • Private party contact
    Events Coordinator: (415) 827-6898
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2025
    2. MICHELIN 1 Star 2024
    3. MICHELIN 1 Star 2023
  • Neighborhood
    Russian Hill
  • Cross street
    Polk Street
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

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.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. San Francisco
  5. Russian Hill

Make a reservation

A photo of Nisei restaurant

Nisei

5
$50 and over
Japanese
Russian Hill

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 3 times today
Experiences are available.
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