Ginza Sushi & Sake

For those in California who truly appreciate the art and flavor of exceptional Japanese cuisine, Ginza Sushi & Sake on Haight Street in San Francisco is a secret worth uncovering. Described by enthusiastic patrons as offering "some of the best sushi I have had outside of Japan," this establishment is more than just a restaurant; it’s a destination for sushi connoisseurs. Tucked away in the vibrant Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, Ginza Sushi & Sake delivers an authentic and elevated dining experience that consistently impresses with its fresh ingredients, meticulous preparation, and warm service.

While some might be tempted to "keep it a secret" to avoid crowds, the quality of the food and the overall experience at Ginza Sushi & Sake demand recognition. From their perfectly executed nigiri and sashimi to their signature rolls and curated sake selection, every detail is considered to provide a memorable meal. For locals in San Francisco, it offers a sophisticated yet inviting escape where the focus remains squarely on delivering truly delicious and high-quality Japanese fare.

Ginza Sushi & Sake is conveniently located at 1793 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA. This address places it directly in the iconic Haight-Ashbury district, a lively neighborhood renowned for its unique boutiques, historic Victorian architecture, and eclectic charm. Its location on a well-known thoroughfare makes it easily accessible for residents and visitors alike who are exploring this vibrant part of San Francisco.

Accessibility to Ginza Sushi & Sake is generally good via public transportation. Haight Street is served by several Muni bus lines, providing direct connections to various parts of the city. While there isn't a direct BART station in Haight-Ashbury, connecting bus routes make it feasible to reach from nearby BART stations, ensuring that a fantastic sushi experience is within reach for those relying on public transit.

For those driving, finding street parking in the Haight can sometimes require patience, especially during peak hours. However, with a bit of searching, metered spots and some residential parking are typically available in the vicinity. The inviting atmosphere within the restaurant, coupled with the exceptional quality of the food, makes any potential parking efforts well worth it. Its trendy and casual ambiance adds to its appeal as a neighborhood gem for locals seeking an elevated sushi experience in California.

Ginza Sushi & Sake offers a comprehensive range of services designed to provide a versatile and high-quality Japanese dining experience for its customers in California.

• Dine-In Service: Ginza Sushi & Sake provides a "trendy and casual" yet inviting atmosphere for dine-in guests. The restaurant can accommodate various group sizes and is suitable for a casual lunch, a dinner with friends, or even a date night. Customers appreciate the "friendly service" and "accommodating staff." The venue offers both tables and a sushi bar.

• Reservations: Guests can make reservations, which is advisable, especially for dinner, as the restaurant can get "FULL!" This service helps ensure a table and a smoother dining experience.

• Takeout & Delivery: For those preferring to enjoy Ginza's cuisine from the comfort of their home or office, takeout services are available. Ginza Sushi & Sake also partners with major third-party delivery platforms such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Seamless (Caviar/Grubhub). This extends their reach across San Francisco, allowing customers to easily order their favorite sushi and Japanese dishes for delivery.

• Lunch and Dinner Service: The restaurant operates for both lunch and dinner, typically from noon until late evening (e.g., 12:00 PM to 9:20 PM or 10:00 PM, depending on the day). This flexibility caters to various meal schedules.

• Sake Bar: As its name suggests, Ginza Sushi & Sake offers a dedicated sake program. They provide a wide selection of sake, along with Japanese whiskies, Japanese beers (draft and bottled), and classic cocktails, perfect for pairing with their sushi and Japanese dishes.

• Happy Hour: Ginza Sushi & Sake offers a "fabulous happy hour" daily from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM (or 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM on some sources). This is a dine-in only special that includes discounts on select food items and beverages, making high-quality sushi more accessible.

• Omakase & Chef's Specials: The restaurant offers Chef's Special selections, including Nigiri Tasting (chef's selection of seasonal sushi) and Moriawase (chef's choice nigiri and sashimi sets in various sizes), providing an elevated, curated dining experience. They also had an exclusive 7-course omakase menu for a special event, indicating their capacity for high-end offerings.

Ginza Sushi & Sake truly shines with several distinctive features and highlights that establish it as a premier destination for Japanese cuisine in California:

• Incredibly Fresh and High-Quality Fish: This is consistently the top highlight. Customers rave about the "great fresh cuts," with specific mentions of "perfect" sashimi and nigiri. Patrons are "obsessed with Toro and they had great fresh cuts." One reviewer emphatically states, "This was some of the best sushi I have had outside of Japan. The food was delicious!" The fish is described as "very fresh" and "melting in our mouths," with "tuna melt in your mouth, salmon was buttery and rich, the toro and salmon belly were PHENOMENAL."

• Exceptional Signature Rolls: The "GiNZA roll" is a particular standout and a "Top seller, gluten-free." It features yellowtail, cucumber, kaiware, topped with seared yellowtail, avocado, jalapeño, spicy aioli, and squid ink tobiko. Other popular signature rolls include "Akairo" (spicy tuna, crab, avocado with seared Hokkaido scallop), "Daburu" (salmon, cucumber, kaiware, topped with salmon, lemon, cilantro, yuzu tobiko), "Kazan" (baked salmon roll), "Surf & Turf," "Umi" (baked Hokkaido scallops), "Bara" (maguro, spicy tuna, avocado), and "Kaiju Roll" (soft shell crab tempura).

• Diverse Sashimi and Nigiri Selection: Beyond rolls, Ginza offers an extensive selection of fresh sashimi and nigiri, including premium cuts like Toro and various chef's choice platters such as "Moriawase" (6 or 8 pcs sushi & 6 or 12 pcs sashimi) and "Tokubetsu Sashimi Matsu" (10 pieces of five kinds of sashimi). They also offer "Bluefin Zuke Don" (soy marinated Bluefin Tuna sashimi over rice).

• Varied Menu Beyond Sushi: Ginza Sushi & Sake provides a comprehensive Japanese menu, including:

  • Appetizers & Salads: Edamame, Gyoza (pan-fried vegetable dumplings), Shrimp & Veggie Tempura, Usuzukuri Salmon (thin sliced salmon with ponzu truffle sauce), Kara-age Chicken, Agedashi Tofu, Seaweed Salad, and more unique items like "Tomodashi Tartare" (maguro tuna and salmon tartare) and "Tats" (deep-fried jalapeño with spicy tuna).

  • Entrees: Offerings such as Tori Ginger Chicken, Gyu Steak (grilled rib-eye), Salmon Miso Cream Sauce, Garlic Butter Scallops, Rib-Eye Steak Kare Rice (curry rice), and Tofu Steak.

  • Noodle Soups: Including "Scallop Udon Soup" (Hokkaido scallop, prawns, vegetable tempura).

• Excellent Service: Despite potentially "lean on staff," customers consistently praise the "excellent service," noting that the staff is "friendly" and "accommodating," managing well even when busy.

• Inviting Ambiance: The restaurant offers a "warm and inviting atmosphere" that is "trendy and casual," making it a pleasant dining spot.

Ginza Sushi & Sake provides a notable regular promotion that makes their high-quality Japanese cuisine more accessible to locals in California:

• Happy Hour: This is the most prominent and frequently praised special offer. Ginza Sushi & Sake offers a "fabulous happy hour menu" daily from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM (some sources indicate 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, so confirm directly). This promotion is exclusively for dine-in guests and features discounted prices on a variety of items:

  • Drink Specials: 20% off all Sakes and Japanese Whiskies, 15% off all Japanese Beers (draft and bottled), $6 House Red or White Wine, and $7 Classic Cocktails (like Bee's Knees, Lychee Martini, Paloma).

  • Happy Hour Starters: Discounted appetizers such as Tsunami Shrimp, Crab Wontons, Salmon Kama, Hamachi Kama, Karaage Buns, Pork Belly Buns, and Wasabi Pork Shumai (ranging from $5 to $11).

  • Happy Hour Sushi & Rolls: Reduced prices on select nigiri (e.g., $2.00 - $3.00 per piece) and sushi rolls (ranging from $4.00 - $10.00), including popular options like Dynamo, Flaming Hot Roll, Mermaid, Salmon Snow Roll, Rock N Roll, and Sweet Potato Roll.

• Omakase and Chef's Specials: While not a discount, their "Nigiri Tasting" ($29.99 for chef's selection of six kinds of seasonal sushi) and "Moriawase" sets offer a curated, often unique, culinary experience that provides great value for the quality of fish received. They also offered an exclusive 7-course omakase menu for a special event, showcasing their ability to create premium, limited-time experiences.

For the most current and detailed information on their happy hour offerings, any seasonal specials, or other promotions, it is always recommended to visit Ginza Sushi & Sake's official website, check their social media pages, or contact them directly.

For reservations, inquiries, takeout orders, or to learn more about Ginza Sushi & Sake:

Address: 1793 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA

Phone: (415) 742-0552

Their official website (https://www.ginzasanfrancisco.com/) and presence on major food delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, Seamless, and Grubhub provide detailed menus, hours of operation, and online ordering options.

For residents of California, particularly those in the vibrant city of San Francisco, Ginza Sushi & Sake on Haight Street is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended dining destination. It perfectly balances a trendy yet casual atmosphere with a serious commitment to delivering top-tier Japanese cuisine, making it a true neighborhood gem.

The most compelling reason for locals to frequent Ginza is the unwavering quality and freshness of its fish. Praised as some of the "best sushi outside of Japan," their perfectly crafted sashimi, nigiri, and signature rolls (like the "perfect" Ginza roll) consistently impress even the most discerning sushi lovers. The availability of high-end cuts like fresh Toro further cements its reputation for excellence.

Moreover, Ginza Sushi & Sake offers more than just exceptional food; it provides a complete experience. Their "fabulous happy hour" is a significant draw, offering a fantastic opportunity for locals to enjoy premium sushi and a diverse selection of sake and other beverages at an accessible price. Despite the staff running "lean," their "excellent" and "friendly" service ensures a welcoming and well-managed dining experience. Whether you're looking for an everyday treat, a special occasion meal, or simply craving truly authentic and delicious sushi, Ginza Sushi & Sake is a must-visit spot in San Francisco that consistently satisfies and delights its local patrons.

Ginza Sushi & Sake

1793 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA