23 Best Sushi Bars 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.“

“Sunday brunch was amazing. the smoked salmon eggs Benedict were some of the best we have ever had. the location is ideal definitely get an ocean facing room. The staff catered our every need. We haven't even checked out yet and I believe we're about to book our next stay.“

“Best seafood and Japanese food I've ever had in my life — not exaggerating. The freshest seafood you'll ever taste. I brought multiple people here and they agree I'm not exaggerating. The quality is unlike anything else in LA. Everything is incredible but the raw seafood gets the most special shoutout.“

“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.“

“Some of the best sushi 🍣 you will get outside of Japan.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really good and priceable food!“

“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“

“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.“

“⭐️My Go-To Sushi Spot Every Week!

🍣This sushi restaurant has been my weekly go-to for a reason. Their sushi rolls are generously portioned, and you can really taste the chef’s creativity in every combination. Each roll feels thoughtfully designed, not just thrown together.

🍜 Comforting Udon & Healthy Choices
Whenever I’m not sure what to eat, their seafood udon soup always hits the spot—warm, flavorful, and super satisfying.

🌱 For lighter meals, their fresh sashimi and the option to switch to black rice are perfect for anyone watching their diet.

🍤 Crispy Tempura
Lately, I’ve been hooked on their mixed tempura—it’s fried to crispy perfection without feeling heavy.

The owner and staff are also incredibly kind and welcoming, which makes dining here even more enjoyable.“

“Very good food and service.“

“Food & service was over the top amazing !“

“The quality of the sushi was excellent. Every item me and my sibling ordered was on point, everything. The lobster rolls and volcano rolls were delicious. Additionally ordered cucumber salad which simply was an added benefits to clean the palate after every bite. Overall an excellent late lunch with quality food! My only criticism would be the fruit flies around the table, yet that’s easy to take care of. 😎“

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

“great food and atmosphere!“

“We love the food from Mandarin and the service from Ling Ling, the woman who works at the front. It’s been our go to place for Chinese food for quite some time. Consistently delicious and usually fast for takeout. Highly recommend! We love the lo mein, Orange chicken, eggplant tofu, mapo tofu, egg rolls, and beef with broccoli.“

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

“The atmosphere was fabous. The staff were all great, friendly, and very attentive and professional. The drink presentations were phenomenal. Great time, not too crowded, so service was quick. I recommend this spot to anyone wanting to het away and have a spirited eveni ng.“

“Nice service and good food 🍱“