24 Best Sushi Bars in Santa Monica

“Izakaya Miyabi was an unforgettable place for us. It has a cozy Japanese atmosphere that feels a little more special than a typical sushi restaurant, but still comfortable and relaxed.

The menu has a lot to explore, from sushi and sashimi to yakitori, tempura, gyoza, black cod, and small izakaya-style dishes. We especially liked trying a variety of plates instead of ordering just one main dish. The spicy tuna crispy rice and hand rolls are also great choices.

The service was attentive, the food came out at a nice pace, and the whole experience felt memorable. Definitely a place we would recommend when you want good Japanese food 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.“

“Wonderful meal and great ambience and service. The attention to detail is incredible. We loved the seasonal peach Salad and baked cauliflower. The black cod we perfect and plated beautifully. The crispy Lobster tempura was the star of the night and the Toro and Hamachi sushi also excellent. Every dish was better than the last. Our server was great and all the staff have a great attitude and are so eager to please.. An exceptional experience!“

“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.“

“Hi I loves it thanks again so much“

“Great food, deluxe sushi sampler is a deal that’s very hard to beat, pk3 roll is legendary (but could have crispier nori).

Staff is attentive, very friendly and helpful. Always feel welcome.

Extremely disappointed to see an ai generated image in the advertising outside. It doesn’t look like food, is gross and shows the owners are happy to cut corners where they can instead of taking a real photo of the food they make, or (even better) hiring a local photographer to hell them. A photo of a roll isn’t that hard to take, but seeing a gross ai picture is what will stop me from coming here again. I don’t want to find out what other corners the owners cut if a single photo for their lunch stand is a task too hard for them. Big yikes, Kanpai.“

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

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

“Highly recommended ! We ordered Angel roll, California Mango, vegetarian, spider fantasy and gyoza and tea and everything was delicious! The waitress was very helpful and nice. The food was quick. Not overpriced :) the inside isn’t very comfy to sit for a long time but still good!“

“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“

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

“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.“

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

“I had the 911 roll and the Volcano roll. Both were delicious, but I found the volcano roll a bit unwieldy/messy. I would definitely be back to try some other rolls.The 911 roll was fresh and had lots of texture. Updated from previous review on 2026-06-13“

“Food & service was over the top amazing !“

“The staff, the food, the ambiance, it all gets 10/10 from me! Such a unique spot and exactly what the neighborhood needed. They are consistently serving fresh creative hand rolls, and as someone who doesn’t live in LA, it is on my must go list every time I’m back in the city!“

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

“This is one of our fav places and we are going back before we leave Santa Monica. We ordered Super Tiger roll (our highlight), Hanashi special, super Filadélfia (so fresh and delicious), Vegas plus tempura veges and edamame.
Everything was super tasty 🤤 the kids loved everything we ordered.
I can’t recommend this place enough. Quite a small cozy restaurant which really know how to make a good Japanese dish.
Thank you 🙏“

“Years ago our favorite sushi restaurant from the 80’s closed. Time flies, and as Santa Monica locals we have been looking for a sushi restaurant as a regular. We tried Mikomi and were SO happy. Our server Nathan was a delight, he is professional, friendly, consistent and grounded. Much appreciated his presence. The menu is vast and everything on it that we ordered so far is excellent. Looking forward to returning to try new things and reorder favorites!“

“great food and atmosphere!“

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

“My wife and I stopped in here on a whim for Wednesday lunch, and everything was fantastic! We had the poke trio, lobster tail with Thai brussels sprouts and purple sweet potatoes, pineapple right side up cake, and the spicy margarita and prickly pear cocktail. Everything was delicious and clearly made with super fresh ingredients, and our server Robert made our day with his warm, personable service and superb recommendations. Can’t praise Pacific Catch—and especially Robert—enough!“

“Beautifully designed space and fresh healthy ingredients! As a vegan I appreciate the yummy, healthy (not fried) tofu and all the veggie options! Easy pickup near my gym so will be back for sure on days when I’m too time crunched to cook! Ordered for pick up, it was ready very fast, but stayed to eat at the lovely tables by the windows. You could also sit outside on the nice street tables.“

“Nice service and good food 🍱“