Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. San Francisco
  5. Russian Hill
Elegant table beautifully lit by sunlight - Nisei, San Francisco, CA
Icon

Nisei

$50 and over
Japanese

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 2 times today
Experiences are available.
  • 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 Star

    2024

  • Award icon

    MICHELIN 1 Star

    2023

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
    (415) 827-6898
  • Website
    http://www.restaurantnisei.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Private party facilities
    For parties of 6 or more, we offer seating in our private Kimono Room. For inquiries regarding groups of 12 or more, or if you desire a tailored private dining experience, kindly click the link below, and we will promptly get in touch with you to curate a memorable evening.https://www.restaurantnisei.com/privatedining
  • Location
    2316 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109-1822
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2024
    2. MICHELIN 1 Star 2023
  • Area
    Russian Hill
  • Cross Street
    Polk Street
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Reservations at Nisei

    USD 286.80 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    The 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 and 8.63% SF Sales Tax. This Service Fee goes towards paying our employees a livable wage as well as providing health insurance.
    Reservations at Nisei photo

  • Valentine's Day at Nisei

    USD 378.00 per person

    Prepaid

    14 Feb 2025 - 15 Feb 2025
    Treat your loved one to an opulent Valentine's day evening at Nisei, combining the finest ingredients with Chef David's Japanese American cuisine. Impress your date with an indulgence of a Champagne Pairing, thoughtfully designed to complement your experience. Add on a "Lover's Box" for two, featuring delectable treats hand crafted by our Pastry Chef Ellie Estrada.
    Valentine's Day at Nisei photo

  • Kimono Room Private Dining Experience

    USD 462.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    Treat yourself to a private and intimate dining experience with Nisei's Tasting menu, exclusively available in our Private Dining Room. Gather your family and friends, or host your next business event in a setting that's both elegant and comfortable, while enjoying a delightful feast that showcases the best of Nisei's cuisine. Perfect for groups of 6 to 12 guests, our Private Dining Room offers the ideal ambiance for a memorable dining experience. For larger groups or more customized events, please contact us at events@restaurantnisei.com and let us help you create an unforgettable experience.
    Kimono Room Private Dining Experience photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 86 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Best Service

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Japanese

  • San Francisco

    Best Service

  • San Francisco

    Innovative

  • San Francisco

    Japanese

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Nisei offers an unforgettable dining experience with "exceptional food and service" that combines "creative and inspiring Japanese fusion cuisine" in a "relaxed elegant environment." Guests rave about the "impeccable service," "beautifully presented courses," and the personal touch of Chef David's interactions. Highly recommended for special occasions and culinary adventures.

86 Reviews

  1. Nicholas

    VIP

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    My partner and I had our Valentines Day Dinner here and it was absolutely amazing. The service, the ambiance, the food were all incredible. Chef David was also very kind in greeting all of his guests! The staff are super friendly and we absolutely recommend it! We plan on checking out Bar Iris next door very soon! Shout out to the Chef Elle too! The desert was amaaaaaazing!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Nikko

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible. My wife and I like long dinners that give us time to enjoy the food, talk about it and connect. Nisei did exactly that and provided the perfect ambience of a relaxed upscale experience. The staff was excellent, both extremely kind and attentive. Every dish wowed us with complex flavors. We left full and feeling like we at the highest quality ingredients. It was an unforgettable experience.

    Is this helpful?

  3. David

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was a great time at Nisei. Thank you for the hospitality

    Is this helpful?

  4. Arthur

    Orlando

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 8 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    At Nisei, Chef David masterfully fuses Japanese tradition with American innovation in a stunning thirteen-course menu. Impeccable dishes, thoughtful sake pairings, and a passionate staff make it one of the best dining experiences. Highly recommended!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Hugh

    VIP

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Seasonal tasting menu. Sake pairing. Stylish, welcoming, superb.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Florence

    VIP

    Mexico City

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 26 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great all around experience at Nisei!! Food Service atmosphere. All geared towards your enjoy

    Is this helpful?

  7. Gonzalo

    San Francisco

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on 6 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful experience overall! Love coming back. Celebrated my daughter’s birthday.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Ryan

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The tasting menu was incredible, would definitely recommend. One of the most creative and delicious dining experiences I’ve had in SF. Can’t wait to come back!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Scott

    VIP

    San Francisco

    33 reviews

    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on 22 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely meal! Team were very attentive and kind. All the dishes were explained very well, clear the team know their stuff and really care. Chef came out many times to talk, was a great touch! One of the best fine dining experiences we have had in the US.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Keith

    Central Coast

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 21 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A very memorable experience! Many of the chefs, including Executive Chef/Owner David stopped by every table to explain the dishes which was fantastic. All of the food was incredible and inventive. I would definitely recommend to anyone.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Nisei is rated 4.9 stars by 86 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 2 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Nisei

2316 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109-1822

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2024
    2. MICHELIN 1 Star 2023
  • Cross Street
    Polk Street
  • Area
    Russian Hill
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Japanese, Contemporary Asian, Japanese Speciality
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.restaurantnisei.com/
  • Phone number
    (415) 827-6898
  • Private party facilities
    For parties of 6 or more, we offer seating in our private Kimono Room. For inquiries regarding groups of 12 or more, or if you desire a tailored private dining experience, kindly click the link below, and we will promptly get in touch with you to curate a memorable evening.https://www.restaurantnisei.com/privatedining
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
  • Open for Business Blog
Join us on
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable Australia Level 22, 357 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo