Insanely delicious, pricey food that's worth the markup. Dishes are inventive, proportioned properly so you can enjoy a lot from the menu, and elegantly presented. The potatoes are not to be missed. They were maybe the most delicious potatoes I've ever had in my life. The filet was also great. Be warned that the wagyu is a very small portion - which is typical for wagyu, but might surprise people who are expecting more meat for the price. My only real complaint was the service. Everyone was super nice, but there were long gaps for drink refreshed (including water) and some confusion between the staff on who was taking our order.

Brian Partida

Niku delivers what true fine dining is supposed to be: world-class ingredients paired with hospitality that genuinely makes you feel seen and cared for. This wasn’t just a great steakhouse dinner—it was a memorable experience from start to finish. The meal opened with a beautifully composed amuse-bouche, a trio of bites that immediately set the tone for the evening. Thoughtful, refined, and perfectly balanced, it showed the kitchen’s precision without feeling overly precious. What truly defines Niku, though, is the service. I ordered the potato dumplings with black truffle and ragu, and while they were well executed, they just weren’t for me. Before I even had a chance to say much, the chef noticed and immediately offered a replacement. That level of attentiveness is rare and speaks volumes about the pride they take in the guest experience. The replacement—the Wagyu Tsukune—ended up being one of the highlights of the night. A juicy wagyu meatball skewer paired with a thick, almost fudgy cured egg yolk and tare sauce that perfectly balanced richness and umami. Deeply satisfying and incredibly well thought out. For the main course, I went with the Bryan Flannery 14-day dry-aged New York Strip, and it was outstanding. A beautiful wood-fired crust, deep beef flavor, and perfect execution. The sides were equally impressive—the crispy potato pavé (those layers!) and fried brussels sprouts complemented the steak perfectly and showed the same level of care as the proteins. The ending was just as special. I finished with an espresso, and the team brought out several treats on the house, which was a classy and generous touch. A refreshing yuzu mint ice cream, a small gummy bite, and a truly unique chocolate with a savory, beef-forward richness—likely tallow-infused. Unexpected, creative, and delicious. I want to especially recognize the staff who made the night unforgettable. The chef at the counter (Erik or Nick—I feel terrible for forgetting the exact name) was exceptional: attentive, passionate, and genuinely invested in the experience. Juan, who was overseeing the chef’s counter, was equally amazing—warm, polished, and deeply hospitable. They made my send-off before a tequila trip truly memorable. Final verdict: Niku isn’t just about elite ingredients—it’s about how you’re treated. The kitchen’s ability to pivot seamlessly, combined with thoughtful, heartfelt hospitality, makes this an easy 5-star destination. I’ll absolutely be back.

+5

Ozlem Ongen

NIKU Steakhouse made my birthday dinner truly unforgettable. The team went above and beyond to make the night feel special, and the service was outstanding from start to finish. We started with Wagyu tartare with caviar, bone marrow, and crispy potatoes—everything was incredible, and the bone marrow was my absolute favorite. For the main course, we had the Wagyu tasting menu and the bone-in Wagyu short ribs, and both were exceptional. Every bite was delicious and beautifully prepared. Amazing food, incredible quality, and thoughtful service. Highly recommend for a special occasion or an unforgettable dining experience.

+2

Brandi Jean

Dining at Niku Steakhouse was a truly exceptional experience. From start to finish, everything was executed with care, precision, and a clear respect for quality. The steak was outstanding…beautifully prepared, rich in flavor, and easily among the best we have enjoyed. It was evident that every element of the dish was thoughtfully considered, allowing the ingredients to speak for themselves. One unexpected highlight was the American trout. Although I often order fish when dining out, this was my first time trying trout, and it was absolutely memorable—delicately prepared, flavorful, and a dish I would happily order again. The service was impeccable—professional, warm, and seamless throughout the evening. Chris & Ellis took wonderful care of us, offering knowledgeable recommendations and ensuring that the experience unfolded effortlessly. Sitting at the chef’s counter added a special layer to the meal. Daniel, who was working the counter that night, was engaging and generous with his suggestions, complementing the guidance from our servers and enhancing the overall experience. Niku delivered a memorable night and we are excited to return.

Fernanda Nunes Ramalho

I had a great time at Niku! I sat at the grill counter and was impressed by it all! The food was incredible, the most “meat in your mouth” steak I’ve ever had. The amuse bouche was so tasty and a nice treat - and they have one for dessert too! The service was great and the sommelier provided great advice for the pairing, I had the beef tartare - which was incredible and served with crispy tendons, delicious. It’s also served with an egg yolk on top which was sous vide, giving it a nice jammy texture. Then I had the filet mignon, which was cooked to perfection, along with the confit maitake mushroom, also very tasty with a little crispness! Overall the experience was great, the prices are reasonable for a Michelin restaurant! I definitely want to go back to try the wagyu tasting.

+2

Claudia G Regiarto

love the new place & the open kitchen concept!!! my family's fav steakhouse in sf. we ordered: starters - beef tartare, crispy pig ears, bone marrow entrèe - rib eye & A4 satsuma sides - crispy potatoes, wagyu fat, chickpea miso 10/10 for all of them. dessert was ok tho, personally wouldn't order it again

+1

Anna Sheu

Best steakhouse in San Francisco. All their dishes are well crafted and a great place to come even if you don’t want to eat wagyu. Friendly attentive service and very efficient. Also threw in a few extra small bites for free.

+6

Shivam Kumar

Amazing experience overall. We had a vegetarian in our party and they made every possible effort to accommodate him. Service, ambience, food were top notch. Also, their cocktails are a must try

+3

Marisa Chiang

FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD. No, that is not an exaggeration. We come to this restaurant way too often, the food is always superb and also changes with the seasons. The classics they always have on the menu are there for a reason (we may or may not order them every time) but their seasonal and new dishes are just as a good and keep it interesting. And we don’t mean just the steaks, their appetizers and sides are as much a highlight. Even my vegetarian friends have had enjoyable meals here! Must haves are bone marrow, pig ears, tortellini, and Wagyu fat brownie. Their steaks have ruined steaks for us…we have a hard time enjoying steaks elsewhere. There are no words to describe the mastery that is Chef Dustin and how perfectly cooked and seasoned his steaks are. No sauces, just a simple rub, and great quality products. You really have to try them for yourselves. We almost always order the flatiron (medium!) and the aged NY (medium rare). Service is unparalleled. Everyone on the Niku team has been so warm and welcoming and friendly, we always feel like family being provided the best meal. Can’t say enough nice things about everyone - Rebekah, Eric, Daniel, Jihun, Ellis, Conrad, Reuben… so many others I’m sure were forgetting (sorry!). If you have a chance, sit at the chef’s counter. The chefs are all so friendly and fun, and they really make your experience so enjoyable. Watching them work the grill is just magical. Sitting at the bar is really fun too! Ivana, Maxwell, and Matt are great to hang out with. And they make some of the BEST cocktails in town! We also love that this is a casual restaurant. It’s loud and fun and you can just go and be yourself. Not at all stuffy, just an overall chill vibe! It might seem hectic but I think that’s part of the fun! The neighborhood is great too! Easy to find street parking during the evening. Pretty safe, as it’s the Design District (far from the Mission/SoMa mess).

+10

Francis Wong

Fantastic dining experience and one of the best filet mignon's I've had. Excellent service, some nice touches with the amuse bouche and a nice environment. The sides were fantastic too. Sitting at the bar was fun watching the chefs practice their art, it is a very tightly run ship. My solo dinner came to $200 all included and with only one non alcoholic drink so it is a pricey meal but worth it once in a while. The CSR credit also helped! Highly recommended if you can get a reservation!