21 Best Japanese Restaurants in Santa Monica

“This was my second time at Shunji and since it was so consistent, I thought I should give it a shout out. You may miss it if you aren’t paying attention, nestled behind a non-discrete door on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica, Shunji Japanese Cuisine is a Michelin-starred gem that redefines the art of sushi dining. Chef Shunji Nakao is a legend and this intimate restaurant offers an omakase experience that is as unforgettable as it is refined.

The heart of Shunji’s allure lies in its sushi, which showcases decades of expertise as one of Los Angeles’ sushi pioneers. Each piece of nigiri is a testament to his meticulous attention to detail, with fish sourced primarily from Japan to ensure unparalleled freshness. Shunji’s (somewhat new Santa Monica location) is a departure from its former chili bowl-shaped home on Pico Boulevard, embraces a minimalist aesthetic that keeps the focus on the food and quaint experience. The space is divided into two small rooms, each with a blonde wood counter that seats just seven, creating an atmosphere of exclusivity and intimacy. Soft jazz hums in the background, and a wall of orchids adds a touch of elegance, celebrating the restaurant’s decade-long legacy. The service is impeccable, with staff (one Shunji’s wife) moving gracefully to anticipate every need, from refilling sake glasses to presenting dishes on stunning ceramic plates.

Shunji is more than a restaurant; it’s a destination The sushi is exceptional, the ambiance serene, and the overall experience a masterclass in hospitality.“

“I have travelled to Japan 10x in 2 years, this is on par if not better food wise than any trip to Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto. The authenticity as it relates to the space, the chefs, even the toilet makes me feel like I’m thousands of miles away. You’d be doing yourself a disservice not coming here.“

“My friend took me to the cutest musubi shop after our Pilates class! I asked the guy working there and who was Japanese which one he recommended and I ended up trying the miso beef and the curry pork musubi. Both were so delicious and of course I saw the lychee oolong boba tea so I had to try that too. The staff are super friendly service was quick and the food was yummy! I’m definitely recommending this spot to more people and can’t wait to come back!“

“Hi I loves it thanks again so much“

“Sweetfin Poke in Santa Monica delivered exactly what I was craving—a super fresh, flavorful, and satisfying meal without the heaviness. I stopped in for a late lunch and built my own bowl with spicy tuna, bamboo rice, avocado, pickled shiitake mushrooms, crispy onions, and their creamy togarashi sauce, and every bite was spot-on. The fish tasted incredibly fresh, the toppings were vibrant and varied in texture, and the portions were generous without being overwhelming. The space itself is bright and minimal, and the service was quick but friendly—they helped me navigate the menu and offered great suggestions. I also grabbed one of their sparkling yuzu lemonades which was the perfect balance of tart and refreshing. It’s clear Sweetfin takes pride in quality ingredients and thoughtful combinations, and it’s the kind of place you can go multiple times a week without ever getting bored.“

“Hidden gem. Noticeably high quality ingredients and great service. Even my Korean mom, who is germaphobic and difficult to impress, enjoyed her meal very much. Will be coming here again.

We ordered the oyster/uni (!), the baked scallop roll (!), the chirashi bowl, the sea cucumber, and the spicy japan scallop roll. Everything tasted fantastic and we didn't leave a single grain of rice.

In my opinion, it's rare to encounter Japanese food in America that I end up loving. Every raw ingredient looked and tasted fresh. Uni here was creamy, the green tea was well-steeped, and the sesame seeds on the spicy japan roll were aromatic.

I highly recommend that you come here for a special occasion or whenever you crave extremely FRESH Japanese food.“

“Found this restaurant in March and just returned for Mother’s Day dinner xoxoxo Great quality food and drinks, very pleasant staff!!! Authentic Japanese food items plus a touch of personality of its own makes their menu awesome and unique. We will come back for many many more.“

“Luv, Luv Luv this place! Everything was fantastic!“

“Best sushi and miso soup we've had so far!“

“Glad Hurry Curry has reopened after closing their Sawtelle location. if you are new and don't know what to order, try the chicken cutlet curry and the Chicken pasta with Alfredo sauce. The curry is bold and savory. make sure to request picked vegetables for the curry. the chicken pasta is also rich and savory. both dishes complement each other without repeating the same experience. the portions are large so bring friends or bring home plenty of portions for leftovers.“

“great food and atmosphere!“

“Great sushi place. Did one of the several course tasting options.“

“Best little gem in Santa Monica for sushi. So good - great happy hour. Will be going again for sure.“

“I stayed in Santa Monica for a while and every roll I ever ordered was delicious! I HIGHLY recommend the mango roll and the rockin roll roll . The staff is very kind and are quick . All I recommend is a bigger place with more seating, we almost missed out on delicious sushi bc all seats were taken when we arrived and there is no where to wait.“

“I went when it was pretty empty so thankfully there wasn't much of a wait time. You order on a tablet and wait to the side. I got their signature hotdog. It was really good and the sausage in the hotdog is actually a good size. I would go here again, but only if it's empty. The person at the stand who makes the food doesn't really talk, only to announce orders, so I can't say customer service is great, but it's amazing if you have anxiety.“

“Manager KI Bae is a true Service oriented Manager, his attention to detail, customer service was beyond exceptional. His genuine sincerity is a true testament there is still individuals that care about their performance. The entire staff was great and the main reason why we frequently attend the Santa Monica location“

“This is a delicious place for dinner, snack, treats, or Boba! I'm so glad we found it! The staff were friendly, the restaurant was clean and the food was fresh and came out quickly! All utensils and plates are eco friendly too. The price was also family friendly.“

“The line moved fairly quickly, and the busy crowd did not take away from the quality of service i received. The place was very clean, and the food was DELICIOUS... We were greeted and helped by Guadalupe, a short little mexican jumping bean with thick black hair and a kind face... she greeted us with a smile and was very informative with the menu. I got the teriyaki chicken plate.“

“Very good food and service.“

“Great fresh food. Large portions and friendly staff.“

“Nice service and good food 🍱“