Whether it's for World Sake Day on October 1st, or just want a refreshing taste of the traditional Japanese rice wine, San Francisco's many authentic restaurants and bars have you covered. Enjoyed hot or cold, filtered or flavored, sake is a cultural delight that is also a precise art form to master.
Here are the best spots in the city to taste some of the most premier sake, which is perfect for enjoying with their other impeccable Japanese fare as well!
See also: Stuart Morris Is PABU Izakaya's Premiere Globally-Renowned Sake Master
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560 Hayes St / (415) 355-9555 / Website
While neither a restaurant nor bar, True Sake in Hayes Valley is a boutique sake store with the most absolutely expansive curations. Sake here is brimming to the walls and ranges from $20 to over $100, coming in nigori, junmai, gingo, and more. This is a fabulously cute and helpful store to shop for a perfect gift bottle (or even just for yourself!).
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101 California St / (415) 535-0184 / Website
Pabu takes sake seriously. So much so that they even have their own incredibly knowledgeable and kind in-house sake master, Stuart Morris! Enjoy handcrafted sushi in their sleek and trendy interior, while also conversing with Stuart and imbibing on his own signature line of sake for a truly personalized and charming experience.
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2878 24th St / (415) 824-2878 / Website
Mission's Sake Bomb truly lives up to its name, offering an endless list of sake, as well as a customizable "Create your own Sake Bomb" option. This is a cozy and casual venue that is perfect for friends, and also excels in their diverse sushi offerings.
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161 Steuart St / (415) 882-1333 / Website
Ozumo is an incredibly posh and luxurious Japanese restaurant that serves the most elevated sushi and other cultural favorites. A highlight here is their impressive Sake Lounge, which is a sultry and intimate space with sake literally lining the walls. We recommend experiencing the renowned flights and exclusive tastings with their premium Wakatake Onikoroshi, Akitabare Suirakuten, and more.
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1581 Webster St / (415) 673-5636 / Website
Japantown is naturally the best neighborhood for genuine sake, and Mogura can be youur trusted starting point. Located on the second floor of the Japantown center, this Tokyo-style karaoke bar is a playful lounge that is perfect for gatherings and for trying flavorful Karatanba, Junmai Daiginjo, Tomashichi Nigori, and so much more.
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443 Clement St / (415) 742-5256 / Website
High Treason made our list for Best Wine Bars, and ones made with rice are definitely not neglected here. With its intimately contemporary interior, this is a sharp and modern space that feels exclusive and brightly opulent, especially with their 70+ deluxe sake by the glass list!
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518 Haight St / (415) 638-6124 / Website
Nara is a wonderful dinner escape when in the bustling Haight, offering a trendy artistic oasis with the most daring sushi and sake inventions. If you need a place to just chill, pop in here for their sparkling sake, Hakkaisan, Kamotsuru, or intriguing shochu, like the Kuro Yokaichi, made with sweet potatoes!
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1040 Polk St / (415) 962-7400 / Website
Run by two best friends, Kuma on Polk will definitely keep you and your sake palate delighted with their ever-rotating list of rice wines! Feel nourished with their delicious sashimi and sushi that pair elegantly with both their sophisticated minimalist interior and sake, like Senkin Issei, Konteki, and Funaguchi.
Whether you like it served steamy hot or ice cold, sake is a traditional and flavorful liquor that has delicate notes and a smooth mouthfeel, which SF serves perfectly!
See also: The Best Sushi In San Francisco
Photography by: Bundo Kim/Unsplash
