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PABU Izakaya

4.2 (1.7k reviews)
Closed • 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated over 3 months ago

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PABU IZAKAYA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Upscale
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - PABU Izakaya

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Hamachi
Cynthia M.

Delicious food! Really nice service but our waiter was really helpful at first and not as helpful near the end. Nice ambiance and clean bathrooms. Enjoyed the most: - Cod Miso: really good and glad we shared it because it was quite salty. - Hamachi Collar Bone: big piece! Some parts really salty too on the parts that weren't as fatty - Negitoro: loved the uni, ikura, and green onions. Fatty tuna was there but not as prominent - Mango Shaved Ice: so many yummy things hidden inside! Sago, lychee, mochi, and raspberry! Not bad: - Asparagus Mizuna Salad Alright: - hand rolls other than negitoro like genesis, Fidi, Ken's, They were alright. - pork belly robata: cut too thick? Didn't have that much char as I would like - chicken robata was too large! I would have preferred a smaller more flavorful piece - meat ball robata: it was alright, needed a bit more fat. The raw egg dip was a nice touch. Hero drink was also ok, not that much alcohol.

Sushi bar
Alyx J.

If you have the funds... spend it at PABU! I have been to this restaurant many times and every thing on their menu is great! My favorites are the salmon nigiri and miso fish! They also have a decent happy hour menu too! I send all my clients here and they always enjoy their meal. Its close to many office buildings and BART, so its very easy to get to. The service is always top tier, all the workers are friendly and fast. During lunch hour service can take longer since they are so busy. I also like how easy it is to make a reservation and I always know the food will be tasty! I just wish it was less expensive so i could go more often!

Shrimp tempura roll, sashimi roll (has 3 layers of fish)
Jazlene T.

Wow! I'm amazed at my fantastic experience at Pabu. I had a pleasure of meeting many of the staff including: JP and Diego, I was taken care of by everyone. Each of the staff made their rounds to check on me which I really appreciated. The drinks are delectable: such as the Lychee martini and one of their most popular tequila drinks. It's a bit dangerous (you can't detect the liquor at all) My favorite was honestly the Mezcal drink: I don't recall the name but it was curated by one of the bartenders and has a perfect blend of tartness and mezcal, a balanced choice. Favorite bites: I loved my roll, honestly the scallop caviar was bomb. Next time, I'll try the salmon skewers and more of the hand rolls. I also liked the chicken karaage, the spicy mayo was a great pairing and it tasted fresh. I've heard the fish is imported from one of the highest quality markets, which shows the level of care in their offerings. I sat at the bar on my own, but depending on the day it is recommended to grab a reservation.

Legendary Samurai
Amber H.

Great atmosphere. Delicious drinks and food and prompt/friendly customer service. For dinner, we ordered the chicken meatballs, gyoza, pork belly fried rice, and two sushi rolls. Everything was superb!

Ken's Roll
Thien H.

The hotate/scallop nigiri was terrible. Don't get it! It's usually my favorite nigiri and it was absolutely waterlogged and flavorless. Good hotate has a nice firm texture and it should taste sweet. They need to have the chefs taste the ingredients themselves and do quality control more often. Of the rolls, the Michael Mina Negitoro roll with uni & ikura was the best. The other rolls were just okay. The sushi bar is pretty looking and it takes up a good portion of the menu, but I should have known better to get just maki & nigiri since the restaurant has "Izakaya" in it's name. Of all the staff that we encountered (the hosts, the skinny water refill guy, the lady who brought out or food, the black and white hair lady who brought out our check, our server) our official server was the worst. Everyone else was respectful and friendly. My husband and I agreed that the young Asian-American water refill guy with the fluffy hair was the best and most respectful. Our server was awkward and had a weird attitude that didn't match the restaurant's classy vibe. At one point, he silently stopped by to take away a plate and slinked away without saying anything. No nod. No eye contact. Usually, a server says something like "Let me take that away for you" or "Is there anything I can get for you?" when they stop by a table.

Happy Oyster Spoons
Lisa H.

I fell in love with the decor, interior, and overall aesthetic vibe of the restaurant. It felt like I was in a different city. It was very clean and spacious. I immediately thought that this would be a great date night spot or girls night dinner spot. The service was very attentive, friendly and informative on the menu. Every dish we had we thoroughly enjoyed as it was cooked to perfection! I'm already wanting to go back to try other items. A true SF gem - it is definitely pricey but love the ambiance for a more upscale experience.

Chicken Karaage
James R.

Had our team holiday lunch here. Service was exemplary, props to the team for that. As for the food... It was a bit of a mix. The nigiri was high quality and was probably my favorite. The karaage were a bit too dry, but I still enjoyed it. Flavor profile reminds me of Taiwanese popcorn chicken. As for my kastu, I was pretty disappointed. I've had better katsu for half the price. The meat was so tough too. Overall great restaurant. Probably not one I'd go to on my own budget, but it's definitely the experience that makes things worthwhile!

Chicken Karaage
Kimberly D.

I've been here twice now. The servers are friendly and polite, but service is noticeably slow, especially considering the price point. This is definitely on the expensive side. We ordered à la carte and overall the food was good. Highlights included the tuna poke with tobiko, negi, and crisp wontons, and the house made duck gyoza with scallion, pickled ginger, and chili rayu. The butter lettuce and hearts of palm salad with radish, grapefruit, avocado, and carrot ginger dressing was fresh and well balanced. The miso broiled black cod was good, though a bit sweet for my preference, likely from the kabocha squash. The triple seared American wagyu strip steak with fondant daikon and grilled maitake mushroom was nicely cooked and flavorful. We also had a good selection of sushi, including fatty bluefin tuna o toro, yellowtail hamachi, Michael's negitoro, and the rainbow roll, all of which were fresh and enjoyable. We had three cocktails and sake as well. The ambience is warm and relaxing, making it a nice place to sit and unwind. Overall, good food and atmosphere, but the slow service and high prices make it a place I'd visit occasionally rather than regularly.

Hand roll and  spicy edamame
Rebecca T.

Came in with my son about 30 minutes before closing, so I'll take a little responsibility if things felt a bit rushed. Even so, the experience was still really good. The food was delicious--honestly, everything we had hit. I ordered two different hand rolls, one of which was recommended by our server, and it did not disappoint. His drink suggestion was fire too. Service was a highlight--our server was very nice and attentive despite it being close to closing time. The ambiance definitely leans more toward a date night vibe, which I'd love to come back and experience properly. Overall, great flavors, solid service, and I'm definitely interested in coming back to try more of the menu.

Classy Manhattan
Tiffany S.

Simply put, I absolutely love Pabu. This place is beautiful, always very clean, the customer service is amazing, the prices are great, and the food is absolutely delicious. My favs are the California Rolls, Chicken Karaage, and the fries. Happy hour is my favorite here. I usually spend about $25 not including tip when I come here for one and it's usually pretty packed, but still comfortable. 10/10 from me!

Duck Duck Ramen
Michael T.

There was a good variety of food on the menu. I thought they had a nice selection of rolls and main entrees as well. Lots of things on the menu looked pretty good, and when they came they all generally tasted pretty good too. Service was a little slow, but I think that was intentional so that you can have a slower meal. Ambiance was nice. We sat outside and they had overhead heat lamps for all the tables.

Alex A.

Started off the experience extremely disappointed. We came specifically for their signature dish--the lobster spaghetti--and weren't told it was unavailable until after we had already ordered drinks and appetizers. Had we known upfront, we would have left. Since we were already there, we ordered several dishes, but everything was underwhelming when you factor in the pricing, service, and ambiance. The sushi roll was about 80% rice, and the crab cake was small and bland. The only standout was the dessert, which was the STAR of the meal. We had planned to return for the omakase, but that's now a hard pass. Women's bathroom was a mess.

12/17/25
Mike C.

My latest experience here is starkedly different from my first and then only visit here over a decade ago when they 1st opened. My review seems foreign to me, a testament to my memory. A friend who had a business meeting in the Financial District scoured OpenTable for a Tuesday lunch reservation for two, getting one at 12:45 pm. My hosting friend was already seated at a half-moon shaped booth against the window behind the greeting stand and bar. The lighting struck me as more of a club vibe with dimmed lights with some neon like glow. We were offered two paper menus, one with an omakase option and the other being the regular lunch menu. After a short discussion, we both opted for lunch combos and agreed to each pick a starter to share. We started with the Japanese milk bread shrimp toast (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=meRAxNxsDU8cEnaPAqKGkg), serrano chile, ginger mayo, sesame seeds. The presentation was not what I imagined, looking more like a sushi roll than a traditional toast. The flavors were good and it had a nice crunch. I didn't feel the mayo was necessary being my personal preference. From the Makimono rolls section, I chose the waiter recommended Ken's (8 pc) (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=cX5zuztxVx6gH1sKF8e7Uw), shrimp tempura, avocado, spicy tuna, roasted pine nuts. This was our waiter's recommendation and being a spicy tuna fan, I enjoyed this. Both of us chose the lunch combo choice of the Morro Bay black cod (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=0mmZ415Bj4e2s5l6VW1-7g), saikyo miso-glazed; all combos are served with miso soup, steamed white rice, sesame cabbage slaw, and soy pickles. I was pleasantly surprised in really enjoying this as I don't see many restaurants that offer this fish. The marinated filet was tender and flavorful and most importantly had no fishy flavor. This reminded me of the one I used to have at the now closed fusion restaurant in the Upper Grant area. I would come back just for this again. My gracious host took care of the bill so I do not know our waiter's name. He and his team of bus staff were efficient in removing empty plates and exchanging our water bottle when it was half full. The bar area where we sat was pretty much full and the main dining room looked about half full. With the holidays upon us, I'm sure it is busier in the evening after work hours. My host ordered a roll to bring home for his wife as well as our waiter packing the Ken's roll to bring home too. It's nice to see that the Fidi lunch spots are active again especially with the new places in the area.

Happy spoon

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7 days ago

Great food and great recommendations from Chet Genesis. The tuna carpaccio was amazing

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From the dry, flavorless nigiri to the lack of allergy care, this meal fell short in a lot of ways.

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PABU Izakaya Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - PABU Izakaya

Do they have outdoor dining right now?

Yes! There is a huge patio area for outdoor dining.

Covid Question: Has Happy Hour resumed?

Yes seems so. Until 5:30 Monday to Fridays I think. Pork buns, hand rolls, etc. Good selection.

For outdoor dining are dogs allowed?

It appears so. An outside table for two included two dogs.

Can Travelzoo coupon be used during happy hour from 4-5? Are they still doing happy hour from 4-5?

Yes and yes (tues thru fri) but they don't offer full menu during that time. So we did both happy hour and full menu (stayed a few hours) and they let us use the voucher

Are Studio Ghibli inspired cocktails still available? Or no longer on the menu?

Zambia's potion is still available

Is it possible if I bring a bottle of wine and get it served here?

I think so but it usually comes with a corkage fee. $15 or more. You can always call and ask if there's a corkage fee.… 

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The Lucky Spot

The Lucky Spot

4.6
(16 reviews)
0.7 mi

LOVE THIS SPOT! From the cleanliness, location, ambience,…read moreand overall customer experience - this is now my go-to spot for watching sports, date night, night out with friends, and even a solo hang. I feel right at home when I step into this bar. Plenty of space and a huge bonus: dogs are allowed! Do yourself a favor and go visit one of the best bartenders in town, Ali. If it's your first time, it won't be your last.

Just popped into The Lucky Spot in North Beach with some buddies for drinks to watch Sunday night…read morefootball, and it quickly became our new favorite hangout spot! This place has that perfect North Beach neighborhood bar chill and welcoming vibe, like a classy dive where you can watch the game or just chat for hours. The cocktails are next level: tried a few that tasted like grown-up root beer floats and Orange Julius vibes, super creative and balanced without being too sweet. They've got solid classics too if you're not feeling adventurous. Walls are covered in cool local SF photos and art that make it feel proudly San Franciscan. Only street parking available but there's plenty of bus lines that drop you off in ths neighborhood & there's no food served onsite, but they brought in complimentary Golden Boy pizza for the game watch party which quickly went into my stomach after downing a few cocktails. Staff was friendly and on point, and it's great for locals or anyone wanting elevated drinks without the pretension. Perfect pre-dinner spot in North Beach or for a full night out.

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The Lucky Spot
The Lucky Spot
The Lucky Spot

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Petite Lil’s

Petite Lil’s

4.6
(57 reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$

Memories. Oy the…read morenights we spent here back when it was the Washington Square Bar & Grill. And then Cobalt. It wasn't just pre-pandemic, it was when north beach was uber community oriented. *sigh* Those days may be gone, but petite lil's is filling that sense of community void rather nicely. As soon as we walked in, we perched ourselves at the bar, & we were made to feel nothing but welcome. I had H with me, & she & I tend to do that thing where we "don't know" what we should order, as if we've never been to a bar before, even though god knows, we have. We are many things, but ingénues are not one of them. No doubt it would be a tired game for a bartender lacking in prowess, personality, & patience. Fortunately for us, you won't find that kind of bartender here. Because we are not ingénues, our days of ordering silly things (fireball), "insider" things (green chartreuse, fernet), or just stupid things (fireball) are happily behind us. We are Napa Valley & wine lovers so of course we naturally default to wine. Another truth that makes that initial game of "what should we get" so ridiculous. After carefully perusing the impressive menu, we did order wine, but we noted the martini and Negroni options. Hungry? The menu is full of stellar options; caviar, oysters (both raw or broiled), steak frites, charcuterie...even French omelettes. They do a "booth steak," a 32oz tomahawk! $99 (limit only 2 per night). We had such a great time, instead of meeting up with my husband elsewhere when he got off work as planned, we had him join us here. I saw his face light up when he saw that tomahawk on the menu so needless to say it's now on the list. It's a huge space (always was), so it's perfect for a night out w all your peeps, & any game day/night. It was our first time, but we were treated like we've been here a hundred times. Everyone was. Incredible menu. Great vibe. We will be back for dinner and... everything. 5 stars

So warning- this place has two yelp pages- this is my review posted on Lilly Coit's page- which is…read morethe same bar and restaurant. This happened in the winter- "Owner" screamed at a woman for closing the door. It was a giant fuss on an absolute cold March night and the owner just seems to make a sport out of embarrassing patrons who were trying to keep warm. This has been consistent- he tends bar too and is rude to a lot of people. Stay away if you like to keep your dignity and not be mortified by a jerk who doesn't deserve your money.

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A talk about housing in SF.
A talk about housing in SF.
Ambiance
Ambiance
Overall:4.87776 stars

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Overall:4.87776 stars
Legacy North Beach Bar

Legacy North Beach Bar

3.7
(24 reviews)
0.6 mi

Apparently North Beach is the best 'hood in the city for nightlife...right now…read more IF I was still in my 20s, I would start the night off at Monroe for Battle of the Decades where drinks start at $1 at 5 pm and increase by $1 every hour until 10 pm. Nosh on zucchini fries at Original Joe's before bar hopping on Grant Ave. IF you like a diverse crowd with DJs spinning hip hop, a visit to Legacy is mandatory. We did a little weekend day drinking at Legacy and when we saw customers sporting their Frisco gear, we knew we were in the right place! Sorry but it's Frisco, The Sco, or The City, it's NEVER San Fran. For those who disagree, tell that to Mac Dre, Too $hort, and the Hells Angels. Plus, Herb Caen eventually took back his "Frisco" stance. Anyhow, after Legacy, I would move on to watch the midnight ballerinas on Broadway and end the night smashing faces with a Golden Boy! A slice of clam & garlic OFC. O T H E R N O T E S * Friendly staff. * Low-key, locals bar with lounge seating, vinyl lined walls, TVs, and projectors for game day. * No HH specials. * Crisp sound system with DJs spinning hip hop on Fridays and Saturdays. * Dog-friendly but obvs wouldn't bring my dogs here when it's crowded at night. * Clean restrooms. * Cc's accepted but there's a discount if you pay cash.

BFF wanted to stop her after dinner for her 50th birthday…read more I mean I grew up in NB my entire childhood. Love it love it love it but after COVID-19. Nothing has been the same. People are a bit rude and raunchy and don't respect the area for what North Beach stands for. Being in your 40's, it ain't the place really to be. To let loose, gotta have some drinks and blend in. It was bedtime for me. Still had to get home to our kids on the other side of the town way South. Music was cool but wasn't all that. Just came to celebrate and have fun, we did just that.

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Espresso martini with cacao nibs
Espresso martini with cacao nibs
Empress Gin and Tonic
Empress Gin and Tonic
Legacy North Beach Bar

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PABU Izakaya - japanese - Updated July 2026

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