One of my favorite restaurants in SF. Each bite was delicious, and the beverage pairing complemented the food well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yao Li
Awesome experience here. The food is amazing. They don't try to impress you with expensive but boring ingredients like uni or caviar. Instead, they offer fresh, delicious fish and well-designed and thoughtful recipe. The servers/chefs are super nice and we had some good discussions on food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase
Alexander Lee
One of my favorite omakase experiences I have had was at The Shota. Jason was our chef and we talked with him about his experience training in Japan and how he was a San Francisco native. Every course was amazing but I really enjoyed the sashimi course! Aside from the food the place is beautiful and the plating is so well thought out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase
Eva
Very good 15 course Edomae omakase. The Hokkaido sea urchin was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Natalia Moskal
Best sushi I have had in SF so far. Chef and other staff were super friendly. Great venue for an anniversary dinner!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
LU NA
This place is pretty inside and the food was fine, but for $800 omakase, I’m a little mad about it. Been here twice and forgot how forgettable the first time was.. till eating the same menu again 3 years later and wondering, wait why did we come back for this?!
Ok ok the fish is from Japan but like.. if I time it right, I could fly to Japan for $800. Maybe I missed the complexities or intricacies of each dish when the descriptions were given muffled, behind masks.. enthusiasm of staff was mixed, to say the least. EXCEPTION was young woman with glasses who deserves a promotion, a raise, and much praise.
30% of the dishes are above average good, 60% average good, and 10% below average (that kimbap looking thing specifically, among others..). Interior is intimate and pretty, but it’s inside a random building with a loud bar next door so vibes are slightly above average at best.
Overall I am very lukewarm. I would go if someone I don’t like very much is paying.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Rafi Khaled
Great people and food, very kind and accommodating
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carolyn Mortell
One of my fave fine dining experiences ever. The space itself is nothing to write home about, but everything other detail was exceptional. The service was warm, personalized, and seamless. The china and glassware was unique and beautiful. The drink pairings were well selected and generous (a little too generous the next morning…), and they had an extra pairing ready for two add-on pieces of sushi which was a nice touch. Our sushi chef was generous with his knowledge. Lastly, goes without saying but the meal itself was delicious, and the menu was well-paced and nicely organized.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
E Lee
Came here for a birthday dinner. We walked into a shared lobby and then found their symbol above the door. We were greeted warmly by the staff and seated promptly. They have the same mannerisms as I’ve had from other omakases in the city. I appreciate seeing the fish used for the night. Everything was fresh and beautifully done. I appreciate a carafe option given we came on a work night. I also appreciated the music playing in the background and the manga check book at the end with the bill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elaine Lee
Came here for a birthday dinner. We walked into a shared lobby and then found their symbol above the door. We were greeted warmly by the staff and seated promptly. They have the same mannerisms as I’ve had from other omakases in the city. I appreciate seeing the fish used for the night. Everything was fresh and beautifully done. I appreciate a carafe option given we came on a work night. I also appreciated the music playing in the background and the manga check book at the end with the bill.
The Shota offers some of the best nigiris that I have had. Their handling of the blue fin tuna is impeccable. I recommend trying all cuts of the tuna. The squid in uni sauce is another amazing dish. I usually do not care much for the rice in nigiri, but they take rice to a different level here. The rice is seasoned well. The presentation of each dish is gorgeous. Service is very attentive. I usually find sake a little too sweet for my taste, but the sommelier/sake person helped me find a couple things that are just right. The chef and staff keep the bantering going well. The interior is well decorated. However, during my dinner, a young chef/helper was scolded in front of the diners. I found that kind of off putting, and it kind of took away from the experience and vibe a little. I think the reprimand should have happened behind the scene. Otherwise, it could have been another perfect experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
O I
Hands down the VERY best restaurant in San Francisco.
Everything from the moment one walks in until the moment one leaves the restaurant is a cherished experience.
From the seasonally-curated ultra fresh omakase to the champagne and sake pairings… the tiniest details are all perfectly thought out.
Given how crazy and volatile the world is… the fact that Shota continually, consistently deliver excellence day in and day out is truly amazing.
Nourishing for mind, body and spirit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase
yomtorrr bonsoiree
I LOVE shota
Justin Lau
Dined at The Shota in July 2024 for their summer menu. This is my 4th time at The Shota.
Long story short - there is a clear reason why The Shota is the sole remaining Michelin-starred omakase in San Francisco. This is not a dig at all to amazing restaurants that have previously held a star(s) - I love you Omakase, Ju-Ni, & Wako - but rather, a reflection of The Shota's amazing consistency, warmth in service & team's knowledge, absolutely flawless execution of food & pairings, & in general bar none excellence of adhering to edomae style omakase while being innovative & creative.
I previously dined with The Shota & experienced their Fall 2022 menu, Fall 2023 menu, & Winter 2023 menu. Every experience has been 5 stars & dare I say 6. I've dined at omakases in Honolulu & Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, & Kyoto) ranging from Sushi Sho, Sushi Gyoshin Omakase, Sushi Ginza Onadera, Sushi Murayamna, Hihimanu Sushi, Gion Sasaki, Mizai, Harutaka, & more. The Shota proudly sits amongst the top of this pantheon. Of course, keep in mind omakase styles are different & to each chef, their own!
The Shota is nestled in a beautiful Art Deco building next to The Treasury (which has amazing cocktails btw) & in true New York IYKYK vibes, a glass door with bronze & gold accents is a gateway into a truly unique experience. Walking in, you're greeted with a wonderful cement floor to ceiling factory-like decor but contrasted with a pale white, CB2 style minimalist setup with a sweeping chef's counter.
Special shoutouts to Chef Seth Ridgway (who was on The Next Iron Chef Thailand season 2), Shar, & Tida. The team led by Chef Shota is absolutely spectacular & they are a key reason why I have returned & returned. For me, the people at The Shota are are standout reason of why you should go, & go again.
The team are all fountains of knowledge who are so warm, approachable, & chill that it feels like you are just hanging out with friends in your living room with a Netflix trashy show (or quality show) playing in the background. I really appreciate this ambiance of omakase where it's informative without being condescending & stand off-ish. The Shota is definitely "tshirt or polo & chinos vibes" versus "tuxedo & sit in a temple of silence formal vibes."
The menu is an absolute reflection of seasonality. Every time I've dined at The Shota they've had seafood that I've never had before or seafood that you think you know but is brand new because it's prepared in a very well thought out & executed technical manner.
Chawanmushi with shaved black Perigord truffles? Mhmmm. Instead of "dump a lot of truffles & expect fireworks," the dish is a representation of The Shota's clear, technical execution of a beautifully set egg custard with ingredients that add clear "nose, body, & finish" elements. Instead of overpowering each other & turning the dish into a 1 dimensional truffle bomb, rather, all of the ingredients work in harmony & elevate each other. It's a fantastic reflection of their ethos.
A gorgeous Hokkaido scallop (hottate) but made playful with a zest of yuzu & textural crunch from a fleur de sel? Yup.
Ora King salmon that melts in your mouth with freshly grated wasabi for that touch of spice & oomph? Yeah.
A "mini tasting menu" of different cuts of tuna (ahi) from amaki, chutoro, toro, to otoro. It's remarkable to taste the differences from least fat to most fat. On one side of the spectrum you taste the unique taste of fresh ahi & then it becomes progressively fattier & truly a wagyu of the sea where you borderline don't even need to chew & the ahi melts in your mouth.
A5 wagyu topped with Hokkaido uni & Ossetr
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase
Andy N
A special experience that highlights resourcefulness and unrelenting focus to details. Although I will not say the taste of everything I had was to my liking, I am grateful for the hospitable warmth that The Shota brought to my palate. Throughout the meal I could feel the Chef's desire to give me unique tastes while highlighting how important it is to stay in touch with the ingredients. The service is truly excellent, constantly trying make us feel pampered and appreciated for dining with them.
One of my favorite restaurants in SF. Each bite was delicious, and the beverage pairing complemented the food well.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome experience here. The food is amazing. They don't try to impress you with expensive but boring ingredients like uni or caviar. Instead, they offer fresh, delicious fish and well-designed and thoughtful recipe. The servers/chefs are super nice and we had some good discussions on food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase
One of my favorite omakase experiences I have had was at The Shota. Jason was our chef and we talked with him about his experience training in Japan and how he was a San Francisco native. Every course was amazing but I really enjoyed the sashimi course! Aside from the food the place is beautiful and the plating is so well thought out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase
Very good 15 course Edomae omakase. The Hokkaido sea urchin was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best sushi I have had in SF so far. Chef and other staff were super friendly. Great venue for an anniversary dinner!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is pretty inside and the food was fine, but for $800 omakase, I’m a little mad about it. Been here twice and forgot how forgettable the first time was.. till eating the same menu again 3 years later and wondering, wait why did we come back for this?!
Ok ok the fish is from Japan but like.. if I time it right, I could fly to Japan for $800. Maybe I missed the complexities or intricacies of each dish when the descriptions were given muffled, behind masks.. enthusiasm of staff was mixed, to say the least. EXCEPTION was young woman with glasses who deserves a promotion, a raise, and much praise.
30% of the dishes are above average good, 60% average good, and 10% below average (that kimbap looking thing specifically, among others..). Interior is intimate and pretty, but it’s inside a random building with a loud bar next door so vibes are slightly above average at best.
Overall I am very lukewarm. I would go if someone I don’t like very much is paying.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Great people and food, very kind and accommodating
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of my fave fine dining experiences ever. The space itself is nothing to write home about, but everything other detail was exceptional. The service was warm, personalized, and seamless. The china and glassware was unique and beautiful. The drink pairings were well selected and generous (a little too generous the next morning…), and they had an extra pairing ready for two add-on pieces of sushi which was a nice touch. Our sushi chef was generous with his knowledge. Lastly, goes without saying but the meal itself was delicious, and the menu was well-paced and nicely organized.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came here for a birthday dinner. We walked into a shared lobby and then found their symbol above the door. We were greeted warmly by the staff and seated promptly. They have the same mannerisms as I’ve had from other omakases in the city. I appreciate seeing the fish used for the night. Everything was fresh and beautifully done. I appreciate a carafe option given we came on a work night.
I also appreciated the music playing in the background and the manga check book at the end with the bill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came here for a birthday dinner. We walked into a shared lobby and then found their symbol above the door. We were greeted warmly by the staff and seated promptly. They have the same mannerisms as I’ve had from other omakases in the city. I appreciate seeing the fish used for the night. Everything was fresh and beautifully done. I appreciate a carafe option given we came on a work night.
I also appreciated the music playing in the background and the manga check book at the end with the bill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase
Restaurantji Recommends
The Shota offers some of the best nigiris that I have had. Their handling of the blue fin tuna is impeccable. I recommend trying all cuts of the tuna. The squid in uni sauce is another amazing dish. I usually do not care much for the rice in nigiri, but they take rice to a different level here. The rice is seasoned well. The presentation of each dish is gorgeous. Service is very attentive. I usually find sake a little too sweet for my taste, but the sommelier/sake person helped me find a couple things that are just right. The chef and staff keep the bantering going well. The interior is well decorated. However, during my dinner, a young chef/helper was scolded in front of the diners. I found that kind of off putting, and it kind of took away from the experience and vibe a little. I think the reprimand should have happened behind the scene. Otherwise, it could have been another perfect experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hands down the VERY best restaurant in San Francisco.
Everything from the moment one walks in until the moment one leaves the restaurant is a cherished experience.
From the seasonally-curated ultra fresh omakase to the champagne and sake pairings… the tiniest details are all perfectly thought out.
Given how crazy and volatile the world is… the fact that Shota continually, consistently deliver excellence day in and day out is truly amazing.
Nourishing for mind, body and spirit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase
I LOVE shota
Dined at The Shota in July 2024 for their summer menu. This is my 4th time at The Shota.
Long story short - there is a clear reason why The Shota is the sole remaining Michelin-starred omakase in San Francisco. This is not a dig at all to amazing restaurants that have previously held a star(s) - I love you Omakase, Ju-Ni, & Wako - but rather, a reflection of The Shota's amazing consistency, warmth in service & team's knowledge, absolutely flawless execution of food & pairings, & in general bar none excellence of adhering to edomae style omakase while being innovative & creative.
I previously dined with The Shota & experienced their Fall 2022 menu, Fall 2023 menu, & Winter 2023 menu. Every experience has been 5 stars & dare I say 6. I've dined at omakases in Honolulu & Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, & Kyoto) ranging from Sushi Sho, Sushi Gyoshin Omakase, Sushi Ginza Onadera, Sushi Murayamna, Hihimanu Sushi, Gion Sasaki, Mizai, Harutaka, & more. The Shota proudly sits amongst the top of this pantheon. Of course, keep in mind omakase styles are different & to each chef, their own!
The Shota is nestled in a beautiful Art Deco building next to The Treasury (which has amazing cocktails btw) & in true New York IYKYK vibes, a glass door with bronze & gold accents is a gateway into a truly unique experience. Walking in, you're greeted with a wonderful cement floor to ceiling factory-like decor but contrasted with a pale white, CB2 style minimalist setup with a sweeping chef's counter.
Special shoutouts to Chef Seth Ridgway (who was on The Next Iron Chef Thailand season 2), Shar, & Tida. The team led by Chef Shota is absolutely spectacular & they are a key reason why I have returned & returned. For me, the people at The Shota are are standout reason of why you should go, & go again.
The team are all fountains of knowledge who are so warm, approachable, & chill that it feels like you are just hanging out with friends in your living room with a Netflix trashy show (or quality show) playing in the background. I really appreciate this ambiance of omakase where it's informative without being condescending & stand off-ish. The Shota is definitely "tshirt or polo & chinos vibes" versus "tuxedo & sit in a temple of silence formal vibes."
The menu is an absolute reflection of seasonality. Every time I've dined at The Shota they've had seafood that I've never had before or seafood that you think you know but is brand new because it's prepared in a very well thought out & executed technical manner.
Chawanmushi with shaved black Perigord truffles? Mhmmm. Instead of "dump a lot of truffles & expect fireworks," the dish is a representation of The Shota's clear, technical execution of a beautifully set egg custard with ingredients that add clear "nose, body, & finish" elements. Instead of overpowering each other & turning the dish into a 1 dimensional truffle bomb, rather, all of the ingredients work in harmony & elevate each other. It's a fantastic reflection of their ethos.
A gorgeous Hokkaido scallop (hottate) but made playful with a zest of yuzu & textural crunch from a fleur de sel? Yup.
Ora King salmon that melts in your mouth with freshly grated wasabi for that touch of spice & oomph? Yeah.
A "mini tasting menu" of different cuts of tuna (ahi) from amaki, chutoro, toro, to otoro. It's remarkable to taste the differences from least fat to most fat. On one side of the spectrum you taste the unique taste of fresh ahi & then it becomes progressively fattier & truly a wagyu of the sea where you borderline don't even need to chew & the ahi melts in your mouth.
A5 wagyu topped with Hokkaido uni & Ossetr
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Omakase
A special experience that highlights resourcefulness and unrelenting focus to details. Although I will not say the taste of everything I had was to my liking, I am grateful for the hospitable warmth that The Shota brought to my palate. Throughout the meal I could feel the Chef's desire to give me unique tastes while highlighting how important it is to stay in touch with the ingredients. The service is truly excellent, constantly trying make us feel pampered and appreciated for dining with them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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