Best Japanese Restaurants in Santa Monica

$$$$ (200)$$$$ (162)$$$$ (79)

36 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Benihana - Santa Monica, CA restaurant

1. Benihana - Santa Monica, CA

4.1

Excellent(3591)

$$$$

• Japanese • Santa Monica

Booked 80 times today

Welcome to Benihana and a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail. Located in downtown Santa Monica just one block off Third Street Promenade, Benihana is conveniently located near parking, movies, and the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Venture upstairs to the sushi bar and lounge where you can gaze down upon the showman theatrics of teppanyaki chefs while enjoying cocktails and appetizers as a prelude to your hibachi meal.

2. Wabi on Rose

4.7

Exceptional(1021)

$$$$

• Japanese • Venice

Booked 93 times today

This local hot spot suffered a fire in 2018 and triumphantly returned in 2020. With Chef Rain's innovative cuisine and vibrant bar scene, Wabi on Rose embodies the Rose Avenue lifestyle. Sexy, contemporary design, frames this hip spot with a chic outdoor seating area. Neighborhood regulars enjoy the fresh-caught, Pacific Rim, sushi inspired menu,and live fire grill. Swimsuit to business suit, all are welcome.

A photo of Sushi Roku - Santa Monica restaurant

3. Sushi Roku - Santa Monica

4.5

Awesome(1070)

$$$$

• Japanese • Santa Monica

Booked 20 times today

Sushi Roku combines the finest, freshest fish from pristine waters around the globe with the kind of artistry that can only be provided by a mature sushi chef ensuring superlative traditional sushi, together with a splash of California innovation. Sushi Roku is a pioneer of contemporary sushi, incorporating diverse, non-traditional ingredients from Latin America (e.g. jalapeños) and Europe (e.g. olive oil) into its edible works of art. This unique culinary experience that bridges past and present is the result of an eagerness to embrace new ideas and a profound respect for tradition. Sushi Roku’s bold and diverse menu also offers an array of hot and cold specialty appetizers and an extensive selection of exotic entrées. Delivery Available through ChowNow.RobataBar, located behind Sushi Roku features robatayaki style skewers, tapas style sashimi dishes, and sushi.

A photo of Katsuya & SBar – Brentwood – SBE restaurant

4. Katsuya & SBar – Brentwood – SBE

4.7

Exceptional(1926)

$$$$

• Japanese • Brentwood

Booked 99 times today

Upon its debut, Katsuya Brentwood was named one of Travel + Leisure's "Best New Restaurants," and it continues to garner acclaim as one of OpenTable's "50 Hottest Restaurants in the U.S." and the Los Angeles Times Readers' Choice "Best Sushi Restaurant" in Southern California. Featuring the dynamic pairing of Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi and design impresario Philippe Starck, Katsuya is truly a feast for the senses. With specialty cocktails, unique rolls and spectacular sushi and sashimi platters, Chef Uechi skillfully translates Japanese flavors to the American palate.

A photo of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Santa Monica restaurant

5. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Santa Monica

4.4

Awesome(133)

$$$$

• Japanese • Santa Monica

Booked 50 times today

Spending time with Friends and Family is what Gyu-Kaku is all about. Gyu-Kaku offers the fun of "Shared Plates" through Japanese barbeque dining experience called Yakiniku. We want our food dining experience to inspire laughter, conversation, and amazing times! You can't help it - with a personal grill installed at every table, everyone instantly becomes an expert cook. Our friendly staff aspires to lead guests through the dining experience with helpful suggestions. The sounds around you are of parties and laughter - the PERFECT choice for first dates, families, and catching up with friends. For more info, please check https://www.gyu-kaku.com/santamonica/ .

6. Hermanito

4.7

Exceptional(321)

$$$$

• Japanese • West Los Angeles

Booked 48 times today

Inspired by memory, shaped by place. (Bar) Hermanito is a bar-forward, open-air neighborhood Mexican restaurant in the heart of Sawtelle. Simple, fresh food built around housemade Sonoran style tortillas. New and classic Mexican cocktails with subtle nods to the neighborhood; Japanese heritage.

A photo of Manpuku Japanese BBQ Dining Los Angeles/Sawtelle restaurant

7. Manpuku Japanese BBQ Dining Los Angeles/Sawtelle

4.7

Exceptional(176)

$$$$

• Japanese • West Los Angeles

Booked 24 times today

Traditional Japanese style BBQ Dining from Tokyo Japan.Manpuku, which means “to be happy with a full stomach” in Japanese, opened its doors to hungry customers in Tokyo more than 60 years ago.Reservation policy*We will hold your reservation for 15 min. Your reservation will be automatically canceled if you do not arrive in the time allotted.

8. Kiitsu

4.7

Exceptional(65)

$$$$

• Japanese • Brentwood

Booked 8 times today

Step inside the warm glow of Imari's hand-made oak interior and feel transported by an ever-evolving menu under the culinary direction of world-renowned Chef Derek Wilcox of 3-Michelin-starred Kikunoi (Kyoto) and Shoji (NYC). Here you can discover Washoku — a celebration of Japanese culture through traditional dishes, in harmony with the seasons, and local ingredients. With gracious hospitality and presented on shareable plates, Imari stays true to culture by sourcing the finest and freshest ingredients available.

9. Sushi Gozen

4.2

Awesome(2)

$$$$

• Japanese • Santa Monica

Booked 1 time today

Welcome to Sushi Gozen! It is a place to share stories and spend precious time with your family and friends. The painting on the wall of the restaurant is a pink dragon that brings good luck as it flies through the skies of Santa Monica.We want our customers to have a variety of experiences and have a happy moment at our restaurant. You have an exciting experience as if you have come to Japan to enjoy real sushi when you sit at the sushi bar, and the retro posters on the tables make you feel as if you have traveled back in time. We also offer patio space and are open to private party / event requests!Enjoy Japanese food and drinks feeling the ocean breeze in Santa Monica.

A photo of Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Los Angeles, CA | Pico restaurant

10. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Los Angeles, CA | Pico

4.8

Exceptional(160)

$$$$

• Japanese • West Los Angeles

Booked 13 times today

We're Back! Freshly remodeled and ready to serve!We have updated our operations in accordance with all government guidelines to put your health and safety first.To maintain a safe environment for you and Gyu-Kaku staff, we ask that all guests understand and adhere to the following:- Please bring a mask and use it all times when you are not eating or drinking.- We will measure your temperature upon entering the restaurant.- There may be limits on party sizes.- We are serving a limited menu. Not all Grand Menu items will be available during our immediate reopening.To make a reservation please visit www.gyu-kaku.com/reservations or give us a call.

Best Japanese Restaurants in Santa Monica

Price

36 restaurants available nearby

1. Benihana - Santa Monica, CA

2. Wabi on Rose

3. Sushi Roku - Santa Monica

4. Katsuya & SBar – Brentwood – SBE

5. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Santa Monica

6. Hermanito

7. Manpuku Japanese BBQ Dining Los Angeles/Sawtelle

8. Kiitsu

9. Sushi Gozen

10. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Los Angeles, CA | Pico

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