Best Romantic Restaurants in Japantown

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

East BayMarinPeninsulaSan Francisco

Neighborhoods

AlamedaBerkeleyBernal HeightsChinatownCivic Center / Hayes Valley / Van NessCow Hollow

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELINWorld's 50 Best

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

264 restaurants available nearby

1. Octavia

4.7

Exceptional(2665)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Pacific Heights

Booked 38 times today

Octavia is the sister restaurant of Frances, helmed by award-winning Chef Owner Melissa Perello. Octavia serves dinner five nights a week in an elegant and relaxed neighborhood setting. Beautifully defined flavors and seasonally driven cuisine are the cornerstones of Octavia’s menu. Leveraging longstanding relationships with the region’s top purveyors and farms, Octavia's daily evolving selections spotlight Chef Perello's commitment to sustainability and the Bay Area’s wealth of agricultural resources.

2. The Progress

4.8

Exceptional(2527)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • Western Addition

Booked 68 times today

The Progress is a vehicle for a completely local production. Innovative meals are served with memorable wine & cocktails. The Greatest Dinner Party Ever.

A photo of Benihana - San Francisco, CA restaurant

3. Benihana - San Francisco, CA

3.9

Excellent(3225)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Japantown

Booked 40 times today

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

4. Bansang

4.5

Awesome(333)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary Korean • Western Addition

Booked 25 times today

Korean Tapas Restaurant. Inspired by traditional Korean cuisine...not traditional Korean cuisine.The Korean word ‘Bansang’ refers to the style of table setting for the kings and nobles of the Joseon, a Korean dynastic kingdom that prospered for more than five centuries. At Bansang, we wish to serve all of our guests with the same care and sincerity as the chefs did for their royalty in those times past.Korean fare is built around enjoying various distinctive types of dishes simultaneously rather than in separate courses, as this allows every person to experience continuously changing flavor combinations unique to Korean culture. Our guests can expect a modern, creative perspective on this traditional style of Korean cuisine.

5. The Anchovy Bar

4.8

Exceptional(878)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Seafood • Western Addition

Booked 32 times today

From the team that brought you State Bird Provisions and The Progress, The Anchovy Bar is a wine and seafood bar that specializes in West Coast oysters, small fish and sustainably raised shellfish. We work with small producers that favor traditional and antique processes with origin stories that matter and inspire.

6. Florio

4.8

Exceptional(1777)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• French • Pacific Heights

Booked 28 times today

Florio offers a variety of trattoria & bistro classics; a "greatest hits" of rustic cafe food- including Steak Frites and pan-roasted heirloom Chicken.We feature a market-to-table local fish offering daily (as available). Simple dishes such as Seafood Stew and house-made seasonal Pasta round out the comforting menu. Veal, Pork & Ricotta meatballs are an everyday favorite with our regulars! The menu changes daily to make the most of local, seasonal, organic meat, fish, and produce. A small but savvy wine list of exceptional Napa producers, Italian specialties, and French vintners competes at the amiable bar with an admirable selection of pastis, select eau de vie and traditional spirits from around the world.

7. Hed 11

4.6

Exceptional(59)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Thai • Western Addition

Booked 11 times today

Nestled in the heart of San Francisco's vibrant Japan Town, Hed 11 embarks on a mission to redefine Thai cuisine for this city. The restaurant offers an exquisite 11-course tasting menu with a rotating theme, ensuring a fresh and unforgettable dining experience with every visit. From the traditional Thai menu to the exploration of seafood and the flavors of Southern Thailand, each theme is a celebration of authenticity, innovation, and the rhythm of the seasons.

A photo of Che Fico San Francisco restaurant

8. Che Fico San Francisco

4.6

Exceptional(1960)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • North Panhandle / USF

Booked 73 times today

Che Fico, is a California Italian restaurant from Chefs David Nayfeld and Matt Brewer in San Francisco's NOPA neighborhood. The food focuses on Italian cuisine through the lens of California. It’s our vision of Northern California as if it is a region in Italy, our connection to the region, and our love for Italian culinary practices. The rustic, market-driven menu features handmade pasta, pizzas, antipasti, housemade salumi, meat, and fish plus dishes from the Jewish-Roman heritage known as “Cucina Ebraica.” The beverage program focuses heavily on both Italian and Californian wines with a cocktail program that utilizes a variety of spirits, amaros, and seasonal ingredients. Che Fico is a place to gather with friends and enjoy warm hospitality, food, and drink, through an approachable menu and convivial ambiance.

A photo of Nopa - San Francisco restaurant

9. Nopa - San Francisco

4.7

Exceptional(3601)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • North Panhandle / USF

Booked 92 times today

Nopa is a San Francisco gathering place north of the Panhandle, serving urban rustic food and specializing in organic wood-fired cuisine. We serve simple dishes created with seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors.

A photo of Kokkari Estiatorio restaurant

10. Kokkari Estiatorio

4.8

Exceptional(9244)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Financial District / Embarcadero

Booked 157 times today

Kokkari (pronounced “Ko-Kar-ee”) is a small fishing village located on the islands of Samos in the Aegean Sea, whose name is derived from the small onions that were once produced in the nearby fields. Its fertile soil and Mediterranean climate translated into an abundance of fresh produce as well as treasured seafood and game. Legend tells that Kokkari is the site where Orion, a mighty hunter and a young man of gigantic stature and great beauty, fell in love with the daughter of the king of Chios. For the love of her, Orion forged the island for wild game and seafood to prepare elaborate banquets in celebration of their love. Today, we hope you will enjoy your own celebration as you dine at Kokkari Estiatorio on food “fit for the Gods” prepared with an Aegean palate and the style of innovative California fare.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

I
Isabelle
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Everything was amazing. The food was delicate and the italian wine, a pure delice. We will come back for sure, many thanks to the cheffe and to the team of Octavia. It was a night that we will remember. I hightly recommand it.
More info
OctaviaPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• Pacific Heights
•
4.7
D
DVIP
Portland / Oregon •22 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Very loud space but food, drink and service were top notch.
More info
The ProgressPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary American• Western Addition
•
4.8
G
GilVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
Our server, Anton, was great! He was super attentive and timely. It was the best service ever received at any Benihana location. We were seated at our reservation time. The food portion was generous. The chef was entertaining and cooked the food well yet efficiently.
More info
Benihana - San Francisco, CAPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Japantown
•
3.9
L
loganVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Food was amazing - service was beautiful. Best way to celebrate my birthday
More info
The Anchovy BarPrice: Very Expensive• Seafood• Western Addition
•
4.8
S
Stephen
San Francisco Bay Area •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 2, 2025
Unbelievably unique and delicious food, great atmosphere and the service was impeccable. Pretty much hits on all cylinders and some of the most interesting dishes I've ever had.
More info
BansangPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Korean• Western Addition
•
4.5

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