By: Haley Bosselman By: Haley Bosselman | July 24, 2023 | Food & Drink Feature Guides
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants.
For the discerning diner with a love for sushi, Los Angeles serves up a sophisticated selection of top-tier restaurants devoted to the delicate Japanese cuisine. From edomae classics to contemporary interpretations inflected with SoCal flair, the sushi scene offers elegance, artistry and, most importantly, standout bites. Not all seafood and rice is created equal—when looking for prime eats, these eateries serve up some of the crème de la crème. Here are the best sushi restaurants in Los Angeles.
Website/ 11814 Ventura Blvd 91604
A newcomer to Ventura Boulevard, Leon’sa radiates modern elegance. Helmed by chef Shigenori Fujimoto and restaurateurs Frank Leon and Evan Ross, Leona’s dazzles with contemporary creations showcasing a Peruvian flair. Keep it classic with raw bar picks like Oyster Kaki, Hokkaido Scallop and Bluefin Tuna Sashimi, but be sure to kick off your meal with plenty of the savory small bites, like Oxtail Bao, Leona’s Wrapped Halibut and Yawarakani Octopus.
Website/ 129 N La Cienega Blvd 90211
A torchbearer of edomae sushi tradition, Matsuhisa Beverly Hills provides an impeccable omakase experience courtesy of legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Sit at Matsuhisa’s pristine sushi counter while watching the team craft each pristine piece with meticulous care and grace. With items like yellowtail with jalapeño or the Salmon Kelp Roll, Nobu’s signature style shines through in transcendent bites marrying Japanese purity with his own imagination.
Website/ 1170 Robertson Blvd 90035
This hidden gem in West L.A. is ideal for both in-house and take-home feats. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal than its $16 lunch box that comes with soup, salad, shrimp and veggie tempura, a four-piece California roll and a main dish. And what’s more, Minoris’s zen interior provides a casual backdrop to appreciate high-end nigiri and sashimi or opt for vibrant specialty rolls like the soy paper-wrapped Mongo Paradise. Each piece sings with clarity and freshness.
Website/ 3133 Glendale Blvd 90039
Morihiro founder Morihiro “Mori” Onodera upholds the virtues of traditional sushi with an obsessive approach to sourcing and preparation that yields extraordinary morsels. Trained in Tokyo and trailblazing L.A. sushi restaurants like Matsuhisa, Onodera brings authenticity to Los Angeles through his seasonal omakase menus. Dining at Morihiro is a masterclass in edomae finesse.
Website/ 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy 90265
For Malibu dwellers, Nobu brings its signature Japanese cuisine melded with California accents to the beachside community. The sleek and modern space at the beachfront Nobu Malibu provides panoramic ocean views as the ideal backdrop for chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s esteemed fare. Indulge in crispy rice with spicy tuna, sashimi tacos, black cod with miso and other Nobu signatures that place Japanese tradition in playful harmony with compelling flavors.
Website/ 212 North Canon Dr 90210
The Michelin-starred Nozawa Bar brings its traditional sushi ethos to Beverly Hills as a highly coveted omakase experience primarily made up of nigiri, sashimi and handrolls. Tucked away in the back of Sugarfish, the intimate space allows you to observe the masterclass work of chef Osamu Fujita, who visits the L.A. fish markets each morning with chef Nozawa to create a daily fresh menu.
Website/ 359 N La Cienega Blvd 90048
For an intimate experience in West Hollywood, Sushi Fumi provides an urban escape devoted to traditional edomae fare prepared with exacting standards. Whether mid-week or Saturday night, you’ll often find a line out the door for this no-reservations, minimalist sushi spot. People flock here for the sashimi and tempura alike, finding tasteful enjoyment through orders of the Tuna Lemon Special Roll, salmon sushi, Creamy Rock Shrimp Tempura and more.
Website/ 8539 Sunset Blvd 90069
Nearly hidden away in the Sunset Collection strip mall, Sushi Park is a temple for tradition. Its menu dazzles with a purist approach and lives up to the sign out front: “No Takeout! No Salad! No Teriyaki, Tempura! No Trendy Sushi! No California Roll! No Spicy Tuna Roll! We serve only Traditional Sushi!” The thoughtfully crafted omakase menu starts at $200 and presents mainly nigiri and raw fish dishes.
Website/ 16101 Ventura Blvd 91436
One of Los Angeles’ most decadent and fun omakase experiences is found out in Encino. From chef-owners Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas Lee’s 10-seat counter, you’ll feast over 17 courses that’ll make you devout to new-wave nigiri. Sushi by Scratch Restaurant’s vibrant energy and deftly prepared bites make it a lively escape.
Website/ Various
With locations in Studio City and East Hollywood, Sushi Dan brings an accessible, friendly take on high-quality sushi using high-grade, natural ingredients. Sushi Dan’s extensive menu encompasses sushi and sashimi alongside salads, noodles and other Japanese fare. The signature rolls deliver bold combinations like Joke Roll with salmon, avocado, asparagus, kampyo and inari wrapped with seaweed and topped with tuna and ikura. For a neighborhood sushi spot with skillful chefs and solid fish selections, Sushi Dan hits the mark.
Website/13447 Ventura Blvd 91423
Sushi Note infuses Japanese tradition with contemporary style in its sleek, but welcoming setting. Helmed by chef Kiminobu Saito, Sushi Note offers an inventive omakase menu alongside a la carte sushi selections. For the omakase, sit at the bar while Saito presents a progression of his contemporary compositions like the hokkaido scallop tartare and torotaku handroll with pickled daikon radish. With its refined, imaginative fare, Sushi Note brings an elevated experience to Sherman Oaks.
Website/ 3919 Riverside Dr 91505
For playful reinventions of classic sushi, Yakumi in Burbank surprises and delights with cheeky presentations and flavor combinations. Yakumi keeps things ultra-casual with easy-to-order combo boxes and lively signature rolls, such as the spicy tuna-based Yakumi and vegetable-enlivened Salmon Poke. Be sure to also check out the lineup of sake or shochu-infused cocktails.
From casual eateries to memorable omakase experiences, Los Angeles’ selection of top-tier sushi restaurants is unmatched.
Photography by: Suzi Pratt Photos