I was surprised that it had 4 stars on Yelp. Sushi was sub par and fruit flies were all around which just grossed me out as I was swatting them away every 2 minutes. Had to put a sauce to the side because 3 had gotten stuck in it. Food was just not good. Under seasoned, overly greasy, and the sushi itself was not great caliber on quality, presentation, or how it was assembled. Nothing delicate about. No good flavor and they messed up what is typically standard delicious at any sushi restaurant in LA
Sandeep Sandhu
This place below is level La awesome sushi spot in Los Angeles right below my hotel, amazing vibes, great service, and the best late-night happy hour from 10 PM to 2 AM! Food was fresh and delicious, and the staff made the whole experience even better. Definitely a must-visit
Dusty Jeffers
Pretty cool spot. But a couple weird things happened. The server literally went on his break in the middle of our service, which is fine, its California law, but he sat right next to us and ate. Its just weird and unprofessional. I cant think of many restaurants that allow their employees to eat midshift at the restaurant in their uniform. The lady watching his tables while he was on break was hard to flag down since she had other tables. Anyway we definitely won't be back. LA has so many options, the sushi rolls had no flavor either.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Lawrence White
The food was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sandra Thuesday
The sushi is good as always, it’s one of the first places I ate at when I moved to DTLA a few years ago, now that I’ve returned to dtla the past few months I’m glad that the sushi is still delicious. But the management needs to improve. The system that is being used to seat, run food and drinks needs to be worked on. It’s not a reflection of their capabilities but more or less poor management. Under no circumstance should my order pass my table, other patrons being asked if my order is theirs when my party is in-fact the closest to the bar and kitchen. In addition to that, if a space or table is not reserved, why is it being held for an imaginary group one hour before closing and 40 minutes before last call? Why seat singles in a six person booth? Why when I asked if I can be seated outside, in the outside seating area, that was operational just a year ago, I was told that service would be slower and that it’s not recommended? With that being said, I still recommend it because the sushi and drinks are simply that good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Robin Rivera (RRHR2010)
Sakana Sushi Lounge DTLA has earned a loyal following in Los Angeles for one big reason: the sushi is consistently top-tier. The menu strikes a beautiful balance between clean, traditional nigiri and more adventurous, fusion-style rolls that feel indulgent without being overdone. Crowd favorites like the crispy tuna, yellowtail nigiri, and a luxurious wagyu-truffle-caviar roll with freshly grated wasabi showcase both freshness and creativity. Every bite tastes intentional, with standout ingredients and careful presentation that impress even the most seasoned sushi lovers.
One of Sakana’s biggest strengths—often overlooked by newcomers—is its happy hour, which offers some of the best value in DTLA. Available during select hours (usually early evening), the Buy-One-Get-One-Free (BOGO) deal on sushi rolls and appetizers is a standout. This isn’t some watered-down version of the regular menu—many premium items are included, making it easy to fill your table with favorites without breaking the bank. Whether you’re sharing with friends or ordering solo, the deal stretches your dollar while still delivering top-quality sushi.
Regulars say the BOGO setup is perfect for trying new rolls or doubling up on a favorite without hesitation. It’s not uncommon to see tables loaded with multiple plates of sushi, crispy rice, and tempura shrimp—plus a couple of craft cocktails—all under what you might pay for a single entrée elsewhere. It’s the kind of deal that turns first-timers into repeat customers. Even outside of happy hour, the menu offers solid value for the level of quality, but timing your visit right can turn an excellent meal into an unbeatable one.
The drinks at Sakana deserve their own mention. Creative and visually fun, the cocktail list ranges from fruity and refreshing to bold and punchy. They pair well with the sushi and add a festive touch to the experience—whether you’re out for a weekday treat or kicking off a night downtown. A few guests even noted the cocktails as a highlight equal to the food itself, with interesting flavor combinations and stylish presentation.
While prices can creep up if you’re not watching the extras, the balance of quality, flavor, and atmosphere keeps people coming back. There are certainly fancier or more traditional sushi spots in LA, but few match Sakana’s vibe-for-value ratio. It’s especially ideal for groups, celebrations, or just those spontaneous nights when you want to treat yourself without blowing your budget.
All in all, Sakana DTLA delivers the kind of experience that lives up to the buzz. The sushi is excellent, the drinks are fun, and the happy hour is one of the best-kept secrets in the city. Whether you’re a sushi regular or just exploring the scene, this place is absolutely worth the visit—especially if you catch that BOGO window.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bonafide Kreationz
I always sit at the bar. Bartenders Nile or Shanell are awesome. Sushi is fresh, and the atmosphere is such a vibe. I love the buy 1 get 1 special that starts at 5pm. Everyday of the week. 😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sashimi 28, Roll, Miso Soup
Janese Santiago
Love this place it’s one of my favorites sushi and hot sake
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fakhraddin Mamedov
Terrible service, and yet they come up to you afterward and complain when you leave a 10% tip.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
JOHN
The food was great! The drinks are amazing, the restaurant looks very nice and elegant. But the service can be better and much friendlier.
We made reservations for 10:45 and didn't get seated until 11:25 and then once we were sat we didn't get checked on at all by waiters and mandatory tip
Daniel
We made a reservation for Valentine's Day, when we arrived we were sat at the bar to which I asked if we could take a table, but were told only outside lol. The inside is nice and looks like a classy restaurant but once you're outside it's like a strip mall sushi bar. I was a bit disappointed. Moving on, the food was delicious the fish is very fresh and almost buttery so so good! The service was also very good although one of our rolls wasn't event cut completely thru and eating it was difficult and messy nonetheless the flavor was there. Would I go back? Yes. Would worry about making a reservation? No.
Andres
Fish HELLA fresh Service was triste, but to be fair it was Valentine's day. The dragon roll and creamy langostino 🤌
Aria
Terrible, unnavigable website. Can’t even see the menu without doxxing myself. Happy hour deals are terrible
ioan morar
We decided to have some appetizers after the lste show at Orpheum theatre. So we ordered the shrimp appetizer ,calamari ,vegetable tempura and gyozas… All of them were terrible the calamari the toughest I ever encountered. Vegetable tempura served raw ,the 3 shrimp with cream cheese horrible… never had such terrible food … so disappointed to start the new year with such a horrendous meal . I wish I can get the money back…the only good thing was the beer!!!
I was surprised that it had 4 stars on Yelp. Sushi was sub par and fruit flies were all around which just grossed me out as I was swatting them away every 2 minutes. Had to put a sauce to the side because 3 had gotten stuck in it. Food was just not good. Under seasoned, overly greasy, and the sushi itself was not great caliber on quality, presentation, or how it was assembled. Nothing delicate about. No good flavor and they messed up what is typically standard delicious at any sushi restaurant in LA
This place below is level La awesome sushi spot in Los Angeles right below my hotel, amazing vibes, great service, and the best late-night happy hour from 10 PM to 2 AM! Food was fresh and delicious, and the staff made the whole experience even better. Definitely a must-visit
Pretty cool spot. But a couple weird things happened. The server literally went on his break in the middle of our service, which is fine, its California law, but he sat right next to us and ate. Its just weird and unprofessional. I cant think of many restaurants that allow their employees to eat midshift at the restaurant in their uniform. The lady watching his tables while he was on break was hard to flag down since she had other tables. Anyway we definitely won't be back. LA has so many options, the sushi rolls had no flavor either.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
The food was amazing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The sushi is good as always, it’s one of the first places I ate at when I moved to DTLA a few years ago, now that I’ve returned to dtla the past few months I’m glad that the sushi is still delicious. But the management needs to improve. The system that is being used to seat, run food and drinks needs to be worked on. It’s not a reflection of their capabilities but more or less poor management. Under no circumstance should my order pass my table, other patrons being asked if my order is theirs when my party is in-fact the closest to the bar and kitchen. In addition to that, if a space or table is not reserved, why is it being held for an imaginary group one hour before closing and 40 minutes before last call? Why seat singles in a six person booth? Why when I asked if I can be seated outside, in the outside seating area, that was operational just a year ago, I was told that service would be slower and that it’s not recommended? With that being said, I still recommend it because the sushi and drinks are simply that good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Sakana Sushi Lounge DTLA has earned a loyal following in Los Angeles for one big reason: the sushi is consistently top-tier. The menu strikes a beautiful balance between clean, traditional nigiri and more adventurous, fusion-style rolls that feel indulgent without being overdone. Crowd favorites like the crispy tuna, yellowtail nigiri, and a luxurious wagyu-truffle-caviar roll with freshly grated wasabi showcase both freshness and creativity. Every bite tastes intentional, with standout ingredients and careful presentation that impress even the most seasoned sushi lovers.
One of Sakana’s biggest strengths—often overlooked by newcomers—is its happy hour, which offers some of the best value in DTLA. Available during select hours (usually early evening), the Buy-One-Get-One-Free (BOGO) deal on sushi rolls and appetizers is a standout. This isn’t some watered-down version of the regular menu—many premium items are included, making it easy to fill your table with favorites without breaking the bank. Whether you’re sharing with friends or ordering solo, the deal stretches your dollar while still delivering top-quality sushi.
Regulars say the BOGO setup is perfect for trying new rolls or doubling up on a favorite without hesitation. It’s not uncommon to see tables loaded with multiple plates of sushi, crispy rice, and tempura shrimp—plus a couple of craft cocktails—all under what you might pay for a single entrée elsewhere. It’s the kind of deal that turns first-timers into repeat customers. Even outside of happy hour, the menu offers solid value for the level of quality, but timing your visit right can turn an excellent meal into an unbeatable one.
The drinks at Sakana deserve their own mention. Creative and visually fun, the cocktail list ranges from fruity and refreshing to bold and punchy. They pair well with the sushi and add a festive touch to the experience—whether you’re out for a weekday treat or kicking off a night downtown. A few guests even noted the cocktails as a highlight equal to the food itself, with interesting flavor combinations and stylish presentation.
While prices can creep up if you’re not watching the extras, the balance of quality, flavor, and atmosphere keeps people coming back. There are certainly fancier or more traditional sushi spots in LA, but few match Sakana’s vibe-for-value ratio. It’s especially ideal for groups, celebrations, or just those spontaneous nights when you want to treat yourself without blowing your budget.
All in all, Sakana DTLA delivers the kind of experience that lives up to the buzz. The sushi is excellent, the drinks are fun, and the happy hour is one of the best-kept secrets in the city. Whether you’re a sushi regular or just exploring the scene, this place is absolutely worth the visit—especially if you catch that BOGO window.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I always sit at the bar. Bartenders Nile or Shanell are awesome. Sushi is fresh, and the atmosphere is such a vibe. I love the buy 1 get 1 special that starts at 5pm. Everyday of the week. 😋
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sashimi 28, Roll, Miso Soup
Love this place it’s one of my favorites sushi and hot sake
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terrible service, and yet they come up to you afterward and complain when you leave a 10% tip.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
The food was great! The drinks are amazing, the restaurant looks very nice and elegant. But the service can be better and much friendlier.
Restaurantji Recommends
We made reservations for 10:45 and didn't get seated until 11:25 and then once we were sat we didn't get checked on at all by waiters and mandatory tip
We made a reservation for Valentine's Day, when we arrived we were sat at the bar to which I asked if we could take a table, but were told only outside lol. The inside is nice and looks like a classy restaurant but once you're outside it's like a strip mall sushi bar. I was a bit disappointed. Moving on, the food was delicious the fish is very fresh and almost buttery so so good! The service was also very good although one of our rolls wasn't event cut completely thru and eating it was difficult and messy nonetheless the flavor was there. Would I go back? Yes. Would worry about making a reservation? No.
Fish HELLA fresh Service was triste, but to be fair it was Valentine's day. The dragon roll and creamy langostino 🤌
Terrible, unnavigable website. Can’t even see the menu without doxxing myself. Happy hour deals are terrible
We decided to have some appetizers after the lste show at Orpheum theatre. So we ordered the shrimp appetizer ,calamari ,vegetable tempura and gyozas… All of them were terrible the calamari the toughest I ever encountered. Vegetable tempura served raw ,the 3 shrimp with cream cheese horrible… never had such terrible food … so disappointed to start the new year with such a horrendous meal . I wish I can get the money back…the only good thing was the beer!!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Loading...