Friends Only

San Francisco, CA · Japanese restaurant

Rating
4.7/5
★★★★★ 4.7
Reviews
20
Rank in San Francisco
#250
of 3401 restaurants
City Percentile
80%
rating percentile
Address
Friends Only, 1501 California St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Status
Closed · Opens 5:30 PM

Friends Only is a restaurant located in San Francisco, CA. It is one of 3,401 restaurants listed in San Francisco. Its 4.7-star rating is above the San Francisco city average of 4.3 stars. There are 10 photos associated with this location.

Hours

Saturday5 PM–11 PM

Customer Reviews

★★★★★ 5.0 Randy F. · Oct 2025

Friends Only💯 When it comes to high end Japanese dining, there has been an explosion of choices that has coincided with the acceleration of tourism to Japan and the greater knowledge of Japanese cuisine Omakase or a set chef curated menu most often associated with sushi is by far the most predominant with kaiseki and izakaya less so For awhile, it seemed like diners were almost price insensitive with new places opening at increasingly higher price points and with minimal background That’s settled somewhat with some closures, slightly more reservation availability and the economy changes Friends Only is a wonderful experience from the team behind long-running Akiko’s in San Francisco The intimate dining room exhibits both elegance and service and the entire meal is a front-row seat to

★★★★★ 5.0 Calvin Tran (MellowJello) · Jan 2025

Right from the first item, an amazing flavor explosion. Every item was exceptional, and lovers of uni won't be found lacking. Dessert isn't listed on the menu, but it is included. So is a starting champagne and a finishing dessert sake. The price is reserved only for incredibly rich patrons though. Make sure everyone is in the mood for sashimi and seafood. Atmosphere is very casual. We were the quietest couple inside, and had no problems keeping to ourselves while still communicating with the staff. They will also accommodate simple requests with the food as well!

★★★★★ 5.0 Isa · Nov 2025

Amazing food and even better service! Can’t wait to come back again. Super accommodating of my partner’s dietary restrictions

★★★★★ 5.0 Jud Valeski · Feb 2025

Nice, tight, ship. Team has a great vibe. Chef leads with respect. Fantastic fish knowledge. Emphasis on dry aging much of the fish… hadn’t had that before; delicious. Not afraid to use uni :). Appreciated ginger chunks vs sliced. Tempura’d, vs boiled or raw, milt was yummy, but a tad timid. Fantastic experience.

★★★★★ 5.0 Angela Chetina (Psychology and sexology) · Oct 2023

Friends Only in San Francisco is a unique sushi omakase experience that feels both refined and approachable. I’ve had the chance to visit several omakase spots in the Bay Area, and this one definitely stands out as a place I would gladly recommend. The atmosphere is intimate and modern, with just the right amount of energy in the room to make it feel special without being overwhelming. Sitting at the counter gives you a clear view of the chefs at work, which makes the evening more engaging. You can really see the care and attention they put into each course. The menu highlights a thoughtful progression of flavors. I especially enjoyed the first courses — a creative mix that set the tone for the rest of the meal. The uni here was exceptional, some of the best I’ve had locally, and the tor

Accessibility & Amenities

✓ Wheelchair Accessible Entrance ✓ Wheelchair Accessible Restroom ✓ Wheelchair Accessible Seating ✓ Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot

Services

Japanese restaurant

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This listing is informational. Contact the business directly to verify credentials, services, and availability.