The TOP 10 Japanese Restaurants in Los Angeles

What is it? Nobu Malibu sits at 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy, a short drive from the Malibu Pier. This fine dining destination specializes in a fusion of Japanese, sushi, and seafood.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a loyal following, reflected in its 4.75 rating from over 3,000 reviews. It balances its status as a luxury establishment with a terrace that keeps the focus on the setting, separating it from the standard fine dining options scattered closer to Point Dume State Beach.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code is strictly enforced at Nobu Malibu; skip the casual beachwear if you plan on securing a table on the terrace.

What is it? Hayato is a fine dining restaurant located at 1320 E 7th St #126. It holds two Michelin stars and ranks as the top restaurant on the most recent L.A. Times 101 Best Restaurants list.

Why we love it: The restaurant sits a short walk from the Japanese American National Museum, offering a precise, traditional approach to Japanese cuisine that sets it apart from the surrounding bustle. Its status at the top of the 2024 La Liste rankings underscores a commitment to quality that justifies the premium price.

Good to Know: Given the strict smart and elegant dress code, guests often arrive in tailored silhouettes to match the formal tone of the traditional Japanese service at Hayato.

What is it? NIKU X is a Michelin-starred restaurant located at 900 Wilshire Blvd, suite 212. It sits a short fifteen-minute walk from the Walt Disney Concert Hall and within two kilometers of both Grand Central Market and The Broad.

Why we love it: The kitchen executes a rigorous Japanese and fusion grill program that justifies its place in the city's highest price bracket. With a 4.88 rating from over 1,200 diners, the consistency of the fine dining experience stands out among the area’s sprawling options.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at NIKU X is best interpreted as modern formal to suit the refined, luxury atmosphere of the dining room and terrace.

What is it? Katana sits on Sunset Blvd, a four-minute walk from The Comedy Store and a short distance from Whisky a Go Go. This fine dining destination specializes in Japanese sushi and grilled cuisine.

Why we love it: While much of the Sunset Strip caters to high-energy crowds, Katana balances its high-traffic location with a formal, romantic terrace that overlooks the area. With a 4.73 rating from over a thousand guest reviews, it maintains a consistent standard of quality that makes the higher price point feel earned rather than performative.

Good to Know: The terrace at Katana provides a vantage point over the Sunset Strip that few other dining rooms in the area can replicate.

What is it? Sushi Kaneyoshi sits on 1st Street, a ten-minute walk from both Grand Central Market and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It holds a Michelin star and is ranked among the L.A. Times 101 Best Restaurants.

Why we love it: This is an expensive, high-end destination that earns its reputation by focusing strictly on Japanese seafood and traditional sushi preparation. The 4.71 guest rating reflects a commitment to the fine dining experience that remains consistent even in a city crowded with high-profile competitors.

Good to Know: Sushi Kaneyoshi enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so reserve your casual attire for the nearby walk to The Broad.

What is it? Restaurant Ki is a fine dining venue located at 111 San Pedro St in Los Angeles. It specializes in a hybrid menu of Japanese and Asian cuisine, with a focus on sushi.

Why we love it? The restaurant commands a higher price point than the surrounding San Pedro street frontage suggests, justifying the cost through a rare combination of luxury service and a sea view. It succeeds by pairing the precision of a high-end sushi bar with an expansive perspective of the water that most nearby dining rooms lack.

Good to Know: The sea view at Restaurant Ki shifts with the tides, so request a window table when booking to catch the light during your Japanese-influenced meal.

What is it? Nozawa Bar is a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant located at 212 N Canon Dr. It sits a ten-minute walk from Rodeo Drive and roughly three miles from the Museum of Tolerance.

Why we love it: This is an expensive, intimate counter-dining experience that prioritizes the purity of seafood above all else. It offers a rare, high-end focus on Japanese culinary traditions that feels distinct from the more casual sushi spots scattered throughout the Beverly Hills area.

Good to Know: The seafood-centric menu at Nozawa Bar evolves based on daily market arrivals, so prepare for a singular, chef-led rotation rather than an à la carte experience.

What is it? TAO sits on Selma Avenue, an eight-minute walk from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This fine dining destination balances a Japanese, Chinese, and seafood-focused menu within a space built for high-energy nights.

Why we love it: While many restaurants near the TCL Chinese Theatre lean into tourist tropes, TAO delivers a consistent experience that keeps 1,689 reviewers coming back to a 4.71 rating. It functions as a singular, large-scale stage for those who prefer their dinner with a view of a crowd, rather than a quiet corner.

Good to Know: The valet service at TAO is essential, as the fine dining atmosphere keeps the surrounding Selma Avenue blocks busy well into the night.

What is it? n/ naka sits on Overland Avenue, a twenty-minute walk from the Westfield Culver City shopping center. This Japanese and fusion restaurant holds a Michelin star and maintains a price point in the top tier of the city’s fine dining market.

Why we love it: n/ naka commands a guest rating of 4.93, a standard earned through a precision that separates its modern Japanese approach from the standard high-end rotation. It offers a romantic setting that avoids the frantic pace of typical luxury dining, favoring a deliberate, quiet cadence that rewards the high price of admission.

Good to Know: The modern Japanese menu at n/ naka spans a multi-course progression, so plan for a lengthy evening when booking your table.

What is it? Nobu sits on N La Cienega Blvd, positioned about a fifteen-minute walk from West Hollywood Park and under a mile from The Abbey. This fine dining destination serves a menu of Japanese, sushi, and fusion fare.

Why we love it: While Rodeo Drive sits just over a mile away, this location trades the high-street retail crush for the measured pace of La Cienega. The restaurant commands a loyal following, reflected in its 4.71 rating from over 1,100 diners who prioritize consistent execution in a high-luxury environment.

Good to Know: The dress code at Nobu is strictly smart and elegant, so trade your daytime casual wear for structured tailoring before heading in.