Japanese Restaurants near Venice

“Great food. Great service. Great people watching. New favorite local.“

“Really loved this spot! Easily top 5 in LA - great food, ambiance, friendly but not imposing staff. Highlights: sashimi, chicken karaage, kabocha squash. Lowlights: mushroom rice, tuna handroll (just not as unique). We also enjoyed the duck meatballs and beef tongue. Impressed with the cocktails and n/a selection as well. Can’t wait to try the duck ramen!“

“From the moment we walked in, the ambiance was warm, stylish, and inviting—perfect for a night out. We kicked things off with drinks, and I had a Hugo Spritz—light, refreshing, and the perfect way to ease into the evening.

We went with the DineLA menu, which was a great way to sample a variety of their dishes. For starters, we ordered the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice and Vegetable Tempura—featuring zucchini and asparagus. Both were beautifully presented and full of flavor, especially that crispy rice, which had just the right balance of spice and texture.

For the mains, we chose two standout rolls:
🍣 The Kinney Roll, which combined salmon, yellowtail, spicy tuna, serrano, truffle ponzu, avocado, and sesame oil—an absolute explosion of flavor in every bite.
🌱 And the Rio Roll, a vegetarian twist on sushi, which was just as thoughtful and delicious.

One highlight? The fresh wasabi—seriously next level. It had a brightness and heat that really woke up the palate.

Now, for dessert, we tried the Tres Leches and a Matcha Tiramisu. Unfortunately, this is where the meal fell a little flat. The desserts didn’t quite live up to the rest of the experience—we found them underwhelming and lacking that wow factor.

Service-wise, the staff was incredibly attentive, and everything came out quickly and smoothly. Big kudos to our waiter who made us feel well taken care of.

🎯 Final verdict: Overall, Owa delivered on flavor, ambiance, and service. A few missteps with dessert, but I’d still give it a solid 7 out of 10. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area and craving Japanese with a creative, modern twist.“

“Found this hidden Gem years ago..I keep coming back!! Delicious Pupusa‘s, Quesadillas, Burritos, and TERIYAKI!! Yummm ?It’s besides the Waldorf Hotel on a quite little street. Great outdoor sitting off the main boardwalk. I Highly Recommend!! Prices are reasonable and the portions are good!! Blessed“

“For a small take out poke place, this was great. The fish was fresh, and all the ingredients in our poke bowls were well thought out. We had the mango albacore poke bowl and the shitake chili tofu bowl.

Lots of people came and picked up takeout. They do have two small tables in the front on the sidewalk. I would definitely get their poke bowls again. Not much atmosphere needless to say.“

“I had such a great experience here! Danny, the manager, welcomed me right away and even set me up with a perfect corner table—which made the whole meal feel extra relaxed. Alissa, our server, was amazing—super friendly, professional, and on top of everything without ever rushing us. The ramen itself was incredible, full of flavor and beautifully balanced. Between the food, the atmosphere, and the team, this spot definitely deserves 5 stars. I’ll be back for sure!“

“The food has a great taste and I can tell the recipe of the broth is thoughtfully designed and flavored. The service was fine but the restaurant felt too crowded and loud. While I understand it’s a ramen spot, their décor and presentation are more refined than most, so the hectic atmosphere detracted slightly from the overall experience.“

“Freshest restaurant quality sashimi and sushi at a reasonable price in the U.S. Their sashimi is top notch. Highly recommend the Hamachi/yellowtail toro (so underrated), the scallops, and the squid/ika, but honestly any of the options won’t disappoint. Also a big fan of their tamago and their Takuan roll (which has fresh perilla leaves inside)!
If you’re a big sashimi/sushi enjoyer and value quality, this place is perfect!“

“Looked for a quiet restaurant and checked out n/soto. Sometimes creative sushi and sashimi is not a good thing. n/soto delivered elevated sushi, sashimi, hand rolls along with stand out casual and prompt service.

Our service person, Nicole, delivered a well detailed explanation of favz from the menu. The patio was a great space. I look forward to dining indoors in the future.

Great decor and table layout.

A nice review is unnecessary given that n/soto was fully booked.“