Restaurant Nisei

The story

Restaurant Nisei in San Francisco: Japanese American Tasting Menu With a Michelin Star

Restaurant Nisei, at 2316 Polk St. in San Francisco, is a Japanese American kitchen that earned one Michelin star in 2026. Chef David Yoshimura cooks from his own background, and the menu moves with the seasons of the Bay Area.

Chef David Yoshimura's cooking

Yoshimura began as a cook in New York City at wd~50, then joined the team at Californios during its first year and helped it win its first Michelin star. The restaurant takes its name from his identity as a second-generation Japanese American. Dishes pair refined technique with California ingredients, and the sourcing leans on farmers, fishermen, and artisans nearby.

The tasting menu and the glass

The tasting menu changes often. Some courses are playful and others classical, all built on careful ingredients and a steady pace through the evening. Master Sommelier Andrey Ivanov curates the beverage list, which pairs wine and sake from around the world with the food. The wine program received Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence in 2025.

Room and seasonal menus

Nisei sits beside its sister bar, Iris. Anna Fong, the assistant general manager, creates the ikebana arrangements that decorate the dining room. In early January the kitchen offers an Osechi Ryori menu, a traditional Japanese New Year spread served for the first week of the year.