Best Tattoo Shops In San Francisco

“Viktoria was the best. She executed our tattoos to perfection. We cannot wait to visit her again. She will help you with any design ideas you may have.“

“Walked in and got helped right away! Henry was amazing—very kind and professional. Will be going back again in the future, highly recommend.“

“Great customer service I appreciate my piercer Sasha when i went to get my nose pierced. I was very anxious but Sasha was very welcoming and was comforting me in the process which was very helpful. Also she took her time and was precise on where the piercing should be placed at. She was patient on which diamond size I wanted and helped me decide. Overall 10/10 i recommend:)“

“My first tattoo was acquired here at the hands of a very talented artist, InkCache. She was phenomenal throughout the entire process, from booking to aftercare and really helped me to feel comfortable and knowledgeable for my first tattoo experience. Her art speaks for itself, and the Mythrium space is crazy good. The whole vibe is chill and quiet and just all around relaxing. The other artists are equally amazing and everyone loves to see your new work and show off their own! Very friendly, they all make you feel at home with them. I HIGHLY recommend getting work done from any of these artists (though I AM biased to InkCache)! I traveled over 1,700 miles just for this and it was worth every penny spent and more!

Additionally, I forgot to leave this review before I left San Fransisco, but now 2 months later, the tattoos are still stunning and have healed beautifully thanks to Cache's work and aftercare instructions!“

“Idexa, was absolutely incredible, she worked with me to bring my idea for my tattoo to life. She is patient, insightful, and just an overall good person. The shop itself
is well located, and very clean. I will be coming back!“

“Mariel is a true artist. Not only are her tattoos absolutely beautiful and incredibly detailed, but she works SUPER fast with a light hand. I am on my second piece (I have 5 total tattoos)with her and I truly would not go to another artist. The quality and staying power of her work is incredibly high and worth every penny (and the pain!). As a bonus, the studio is super welcoming, warm, and calming. Mariel is an absolute gem and a privilege to work with h“

“Lovely intimate tattoo space with talented artists. TAYLOR was very accomodating and communicative. He gave a great price for the work he did and he blasted it so fast. I was very impressed. It was a semi-large piece for one sitting and it's healed already. Definitely recommend this place to anyone who appreciates the beauty of a walk-in tattoo going perfect.“

“Got tattooed by Karime for a monster high piece and I absolutely adore it. My boyfriend also got a majoras mask on his elbow that he is in love with. The shop is extremely welcoming and 10/10 music. We’ll definitely be coming back for something“

“I just stopped in to have help putting a piece of jewelry back in. Although it was a small thing- these folks are just clearly good folks. It was friendly, professional, fun, good humored, and the artists are clearly talented and top of their game. I highly recommend you stop in!“

“Great experience not your typical tattoo parlor. Nice people work here and super friendly environment. Great artists and very welcoming place. I got a great tattoo and while I was there I felt very comfortable. I love the plants growing in the window. Parking was easy and was not hard to find a spot on a Saturday in the city.“

“It's rare to find a Tattoo artist who not only excels in their craft but also connects with you on a deeply personal level. I recently had the immense pleasure of being tattooed by Svetlyo of Dream Masters in North Beach, San Francisco who is truly remarkable in both regards. Not only is his artistry nothing short of amazing, but he possesses a compassionate soul that shines through in every interaction. I have had several tattoos at Dream Master but working with Svetlyo is a whole new level of tattoo. All my tattoos have significant meaning and for the first time, I felt heard. I felt connected as Svetlyo wanted to understand the story behind my tattoo, the person and my journey. Svetlyo takes the time to listen, truly listen, to the personal significance of my design, asking thoughtful questions that demonstrate genuine interest and empathy. This wasn't a rushed consultation; it was a collaborative exploration of my vision and its emotional roots.

The actual tattooing process was a testament to his skill and sensitivity. He was incredibly attentive to my comfort, checking in frequently and making adjustments as needed. But beyond the technical precision, there was a palpable sense of respect for the journey I was embarking on with this tattoo. It felt less like a transaction and more like a shared, meaningful experience.

The final piece is, simply put, breathtaking. The detail, the color, the way it perfectly captures the essence of what I wanted to express – it's all beyond my expectations. But what makes it even more special is knowing the care and understanding that went into its creation. Svetlyo doesn't just create beautiful tattoos; he creates beautiful connections.

If you're looking for an artist who will not only bring your tattoo vision to life with incredible skill but also honor the personal narrative behind it, I cannot recommend Svetlyo highly enough. A true gem in the tattoo world.“

“Such a lovely tattoo shop. The artists are very kind and talented. The shop has such a good atmosphere and they play really good music. I highly recommend this latino owned tattoo shop!“

“Great shop great vibes i went in for a couples of tattoos and I love them very professional and good quality :) definitely coming back for more“

“I have already reviewed Clayton at the other location in Oakland, at I Love You Tattoo on Piedmont. I went to this location to get my 26th tattoo. I'm gonna do a second session at the end of summer to get the shading and color done. This piece was so well done, that it healed with just over a week. Clayton has been super faithful and easy to communicate with. Super flexible on pricing and sizing.“

“JESS is wonderful! I waited three decades to get tattoos and had to have my first two done by Jess. Jess is wildly talented and they made the whole experience great. I couldn't be happier with the finished pieces. The studio was inviting and peaceful, with beautiful art all around. I highly recommend and will definitely be back in the future.“

“Cicely did an amazing job from interpreting my ideas to executing them with a light touch. Her experience was well appreciated during every step of the process.“

“I was soooo nervous to get my nose pierced, Jay and everyone there made me so much more comfortable by explaining the process and telling me how to maintain it. Would definitely go back for future piercings!“

“I had an amazing experience at Diamond Club Tattoo! I came in for a cover up, and Paul absolutely exceeded my expectations. He took the time to listen to my ideas, worked with me on the design, and managed to completely transform an old tattoo into something I’m truly proud of. His attention to detail, creativity, and skill made the whole process smooth and comfortable. The shop itself was clean, professional, and welcoming. The owner as well is super friendly and very knowledgeable. If you’re considering a cover up or any kind of tattoo work, I highly recommend Paul at Diamond Club Tattoo, you won’t be disappointed!“

“I just finished my full tattoo sleeve at Thousand Stroke Tattoo and am extremely happy with the result. With it being my first tattoo experience, Oliver guided me through the entire process, answering many of the questions I had and laying expectations moving forward. Throughout the sleeve and its sessions, Oliver was friendly, transparent and understanding. I walked into the consultation knowing what pieces of my sleeve I wanted, but not knowing how I wanted to position them or their sizing. Oliver was able to piece it all together and really nail what I was looking for. His Eastern Asian themed tattoos are on another level, but with him he makes sure to understand your vision and ensure it's done the way you want. The actual tattoo experience was also pretty chill, given the privacy and comfort of his studio. I could comfortably do 6+ hour sessions at a time, but the option to pause and resume at another time was always open. At Thousand Stroke Tattoo, you can get a truly unique piece of art that you will be proud of for years. From a smaller piece to a full-on sleeve, Oliver puts 110% in each project to make sure your vision comes to skin. Oliver makes the entire process super easy and does it professionally and transparently. I would greatly recommend him to others who are looking to have their first tattoo experience as well.“

“Came into the shop a few months ago for a nose piercing & to get my ears re-pierced. Alex was my piercer & he immediately helped me feel at ease. He was kind, knowledgeable, & funny! Nose piercing was so easy, & he talked me through each step. Looking forward to coming back to the shop in a few months once it’s fully healed to swap out the stud for a ring“

“Sasha is amazing. Not only is she kind and caring but is a true artist. After having a double mastectomy she was able to create 3D nipples that look surprisingly close to the originals. She has helped me regain some of my confidence in the beauty of my broken body and helped me realize what a gift life really is. I am immensely grateful for her talent and ability to read the situation and talk me through the process. I would highly recommend her!“

“I received many tattoos from Alex when he was in Berkeley, and when I moved back I was so happy to see he was working in my home city and neighborhood of Mission. Alex is a great tattoo artist with a plethora of experience, the blackest blacks, and a truly kind family man soul.Highly recommend getting work done from him. You won’t be sorry!!“

“Danny gave me my first tattoo ever and it’s sick, I love it. I thought for years about it. His calm demeanor and clear proficiency at his artistry made it such an enjoyable experience. We bantered a bit about the shape and where to put it—totally chill. Now I’m addicted and want more.“

“Dave the owner has been tattooing me for almost 30 years and I really feel he’s more of a friend then just a tattoo artist. He’s done about 15 tattoos for me over the years and very little fading. People don’t believe me when I tell them how old some of them are. Recently we started a massive full back piece (Medusa) and while it’s just line work I can tell it will be amazing he and his staff are always polite and show they really care about your vision. No attitude or primadonnas

They aren’t the cheapest but take my advice, I’ve been getting inked for 30 years,
Don’t go cheap, you will regret it

Thanks Dave for dedication to your craft and being you!’“