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    PABU Izakaya

    4.2 (1.7k reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order PABU Izakaya Takeout or Delivery

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    PABU IZAKAYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Upscale
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - PABU Izakaya

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    Sushi boat
    Maggie W.

    I came here with my company for a corporate event, and they sequestered off a portion of their main dining room and outdoor seating for our standing reception. We enjoyed the sushi boat, the various skewers, mushroom tempura, and chicken karaage! Everything was easy to grab- the sushi boat was easily the most impressive in terms of presentation! The mushroom tempura was a bit unseasoned, but the frying was perfectly light and airy! Out of the skewers that we ordered (chicken, beef, and salmon), my favorite was the beef. Booking the event was easy- we filed a request on Pabu's website and they got back to us within the same day. We planned our event within the same week. Thank you to the amazing team and chefs that made this possible for us. Definitely the perfect place to host a corporate gathering in a central Fidi location, but very much on the pricier side.

    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.

    Spicy salmon and yellowtail hand roll

    Sat at the sushi counter and Chef Genesis at counter was amazing. Our server Anna was very helpful In explaining the menu. Left very full and loved everything we ordered. We will be back.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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!

    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!

    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.

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    Lauren is goated. simply lovely service and food. everyone else is cool too. I have to hit the word minimum so I put this sentence

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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(17 reviews)
    0.7 mi•North Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill

    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.

    Photos
    The Lucky Spot
    The Lucky Spot
    The Lucky Spot

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    Petite Lil’s - Look for this sign.

    Petite Lil’s

    4.6(59 reviews)
    0.8 mi•Russian Hill, North Beach/Telegraph Hill
    •$$

    Pub Crawl #2 Romantic, enigmatic, and undeniably sexy…read more No, I'm not talking about my man! Those were the exact words that came to mind as I glanced around upon walking in. This bar was our second stop after wandering around SF, a bit indecisive about where to go next. The dining room and bar were bustling with couples, but luckily, we snagged two seats at the bar. Honestly, this place feels like a top spot for Tinder (or any dating app) meetups. The friendly bartender quickly set out two glasses and poured us water, but to my surprise, he also brought over champagne glasses. As we waited, he offered us a taste of champagne--such a thoughtful, complimentary touch! I can't recall exactly what we ordered, but my man's drink had Mezcal, while mine was something sweet and fruity. We both thoroughly enjoyed our choices. After a long time without dinner, I was absolutely craving French fries. The crinkle-cut fries arrived perfectly golden and salty. We also ordered the bone marrow--rich, savory, and buttery. Spread over toast, it was pure bliss. We enjoyed our second pub crawl stop so much that we vowed to come back for a full dinner. Honestly, if couples don't end up getting laid after visiting Petit Lil's, they're definitely doing something wrong!

    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.

    Photos
    Petite Lil’s - A talk about housing in SF.

    A talk about housing in SF.

    Petite Lil’s - Ambiance

    Ambiance

    Petite Lil’s - Overall:4.87776 stars

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    Overall:4.87776 stars

    Legacy North Beach Bar - Fortaleza Blanco w/ club soda ($18) + Ginger Beer ($6)

    Legacy North Beach Bar

    3.6(26 reviews)
    0.6 mi•North Beach/Telegraph Hill

    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.

    I came here with my girlfriend for the first time on halloween weekend to experience a bit of SF…read morenight life. It was our first time going out since forever and we were looking forward to trying Legacy in particular because we noticed the music and vibes seemed the absolute best. It was really disappointing though to find that the staff seemed pretty rude. I tried waving one lady down for a drink politely and she gave me a mocking wave back and ignored us. Then I ordered a long island from a different waiter, and it came out to a pretty expensive $20. I smashed no tip and he yells "Niiiiice Thanks Man!" In front of everyone. What the heck? Lol do something worth a tip if you want one. In fairness though, this bar still slaps and I hope they do better. A couple stars for the good experience anyway, and I'll adjust my rating if they adjust their professionalism.

    Photos
    Legacy North Beach Bar - Espresso martini with cacao nibs

    Espresso martini with cacao nibs

    Legacy North Beach Bar - Empress Gin and Tonic

    Empress Gin and Tonic

    Legacy North Beach Bar

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    PABU Izakaya - japanese - Updated September 2026

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