Rooftop Chotto Matte in San Francisco

Chotto Matte: Nikkei cuisine on a Union Square rooftop

Glass-walled dining room, terrace and DJ lounge

Chotto Matte, an international brand founded in 2013, has set up shop on the 8th floor of 50 O'Farrell Street, an elevator ride above the bustle of Union Square. The restaurant spreads out across a large dining room with picture windows, built around a sushi counter and a robata grill, and extends onto a rooftop terrace furnished with yellow armchairs and umbrellas. The neighborhood's buildings frame the view; after dark, the lights go down, the DJs take over and the greenery-covered lounge becomes the heart of the evening. Since the terrace is exposed, a jacket comes in handy at night, as is often the case in the city.

Ceviche, robata and Tokyo-Lima cocktails

The menu blends Japanese techniques with Peruvian flavors: ceviche with leche de tigre, Nikkei-style yellowtail sashimi, maki rolls, miso-marinated chicken, salmon glazed with Amazonian barbecue sauce or grilled wagyu beef. Sharing menus are offered from $95 to $170 per person. At the bar, the “Tokyo to Lima” collection lines up its cocktails at $20, and a few San Francisco–exclusive creations climb to $26. Monday through Friday, from 5pm to 7pm, “Chotto Hour” offers cocktails from $10 and small bites. On weekends, brunch is served on the terrace.

Practical information

Open Monday through Thursday from 11:30am to midnight, Friday until 1am, Saturday from 11am to 1am and Sunday from 11am to midnight. Online reservations are recommended; themed nights are held regularly (Halloween, Restaurant Week), and the terrace can be booked privately for up to 200 standing guests. Union Square/Market Street station (Muni Metro T line) is less than 100 meters away, and Powell Street (BART) less than 300 meters.