In the process of recovering from the wildfires earlier this year, restaurants in the Los Angeles area have continued to stay strong .
The Los Angeles area is home to over 180 MICHELIN Guide restaurants, and out of those, 34 are participating in this year’s Dine LA Restaurant Week. Running from July 25th—August 8th, dining at these spots not only support the restaurants on their road to recovery, but also provides the perfect opportunity to eat out at a great value.
Here is the breakdown on which MICHELIN Guide spots to visit this Restaurant Week to maximize flavor and value.
Los Angeles (Arts District, Chinatown, Downtown, Fashion/Jewelry District, Koreatown)
Neighborhood: Fashion/Jewelry District
Cuisine: Latin American
Price: $55 dinner menu
Sultry, colorful and complete with a breezy Caribbean vibe, folks flock here to tuck into satisfying food. Dama's feisty flavors play well off its chic old-Havana-style dining room, with plush leather sofas, massive wicker fans spinning overhead and colorful tile underfoot. The jaunty front patio is filled with plenty of greenery.
Inspector notes: “While starters like whipped white beans with crispy pork, cotija and pickled pearl onions are captivating, delve deeper into such unlikely items as a Latin take on panzanella, featuring tomatoes and garlic confit. And while a dry-aged ribeye is hard to beat on its own, it’s especially good in build-your-own tacos with pickled sweet peppers and salsa verde.”
Neighborhood: Arts District
Cuisine: Mexican
Price: $65+ dinner menu
Housed within a repurposed warehouse with polished concrete, exposed brick and pendant lighting, Damian has that industrial chic look down pat, but add plush leather-covered chairs and loads of leafy green plants, plus an ever-popular terrace, and this Arts District denizen is a notch above.
Inspector notes: “The menu speaks to a kitchen that is rooted in the nuances of Mexican cooking. While there may not be a right way to start a meal here, a delicious tamal de elote paired with a thirst-quenching cocktail is always a good idea. The uni tostada with a blue corn base topped with a generous pile of uni petals and a "Caesar salad" represents the kitchen's modern, subtle layering technique. Even the ever-traditional fish taco punches above its weight with precision and surprise.”
Neighborhood: Koreatown
Cuisine: Korean
Price: $65+ dinner menu
Danbi sports a sleek, modern dining room with an industrial feel (think concrete floors, hanging plants, and dark wood tables) as well as a large bar for bites and sips like their "kimchi mule." Chef Lareine Ko's streamlined menu pops with large, shareable plates.
Inspector notes: “The hit list includes mushroom bibimbap with fresh vegetables, as well as a crispy scallop pancake accompanied by a creamy mentaiko sauce. Wagyu Zabuton, cooked over charcoal and served on a hot cast iron skillet over a bed of grilled onions, is a solid winner. End the meal with one of Chef Isabell Manibusan's pastries—perhaps the almost-nostalgic banana milk cloud with brûléed meringue and banana milk crème anglaise, or the Mont Halla, a Korean twist on a Mont Blanc.”
Neighborhood: Arts District
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $65+ dinner menu
Chef Stephanie Izard's West Coast offshoot of her wildly popular Chicago original has made its home in downtown LA's Arts District among Spotify's podcast production campus. It's boho chic to a tee with an airy look, soothing linen-color design palette and loads of natural light and potted greenery. Perpetually full and lively, everyone comes here for a good time.
Inspector notes: “Patrons peruse the eclectic menu with the chef's trademark style (read: free-roaming with global inspiration and gutsy flavors). Savory dishes, like roasted oysters and goat curry, feed the evening crowds while über-popular Sunday brunch lures diners with items like the potato crepe, a whimsical riff on the Vietnamese banh xeo.”
Neighborhood: Arts District
Cuisine: Izakaya
Price: $65+ dinner menu
Natural materials set the scene with serenity and calm. Guests can choose between sitting outside in the SoCal sun or indoors, while the menu celebrates Kyoto cuisine with a splash of Cali influences.
Inspector notes: “Off-menu specials, such as the Japanese sea snail, are especially memorable, while sea bream and octopus are impeccable. A steaming bowl of little neck clams garlic and butter is dreamy. Up for something sweet? Cheesecake with passion fruit sauce and kinako crumble is a favorite. “
Neighborhood: Downtown
Cuisine: Mexican
Price: $45 dinner menu
This sister spot to Mexico City's Terraza Cha Cha Chá delivers on its name with its upbeat atmosphere. The indoor-outdoor space with West-facing views of DTLA feels like a lush garden, albeit one with hip mid-century modern furnishings.
Inspector notes: “The menu is refreshingly uncomplicated yet inventive with a round-up of botanas, platos principales and well-crafted desserts. The tostada terraza takes a crisp tortilla and piles on lush bluefin tuna with a flutter of fragrant crispy cilantro and a drizzle of chile morita aioli; pollo a las brasas is perfectly roasted and dressed with an achiote piquin sauce. Desserts are a masterpiece, as in a chocolate flan topped with a cocoa crisp flavored with Xila, a mezcal-based agave liquor highlighting the flavors of Puebla and Oaxaca.”
Maccheroni Republic (Bib Gourmand)
Neighborhood: Downtown
Cuisine: Italian-American
Price: $35 lunch menu / $45 dinner menu
There’s a reason why tables at this local favorite are always filled. The inconspicuous exteriors and tiled walls may deceive passing tourists, but behind those tall mirrors are classic Italian-American dishes and handmade pastas that will have you asking for seconds.
Inspector notes: “The array of excellent handmade pastas is seemingly endless, like long, tubular strands of bigoli della nonna, headlining an impeccably balanced angus-and-sausage ragout. Then, try to pry yourself away from the noodle nexus and savory tomato-based sauces to savor freshly baked olive oil bread, deliciously paired with bites of polpettine di gamberi. Be sure to finish with a creamy affogato and be on your merry way.”
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Cuisine: Asian
Price: $35 lunch menu / $65+ dinner menu
Sequestered inside a former warehouse on the industrial fringe of Chinatown, majordōmo pulsates with energy, especially from the open kitchen. Reservations can be a challenge to land online, but gamblers can test their luck by trying for one of the few counter seats on a walk-in basis. Is it worth the hype? You know it. Its singular take on Asian cuisine delivers hit after hit.
Inspector notes: "The menu zigs and zags through numerous sections; enjoy the refreshing melon salad bobbing in a fish sauce vinaigrette from the snacks section and go for the spicy fusilli with kimchi sauce, pork jowl and parsley from the noodles menu."
Neighborhood: Arts District
Cuisine: American
Price: $65+ dinner menu
Creativity is in the air in this restaurant. Conceptual art and an open-plan kitchen whet the appetite, while Southern leaning dishes serve as entrée.
Inspector notes: “Inspired by deer camps from the local farming community, the venison burger sandwiched between brioche with pickled green tomato and fried leeks is top of the charts. Sprinkled with benne seeds, Gulf shrimp aguachile with cucumber and avocado is enriched by a ginger-lime dressing. Excellent desserts await, but for a simple finale go for one of the house-made sorbets.”
Neighborhood: Downtown
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $65+ dinner menu
The open ceiling (and occasional celebrity sighting) at this former church means diners can pick and choose which stars to gaze at. Perhaps even more impressive is the globally influenced menu filled with creative dishes coupled with traditional treats.
Inspector notes: “Save room for clever desserts like yuzu custard with basil oil and cucumber sorbet, or opt for another cocktail from the extensive list.”
Neighborhood: Downtown
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $55 dinner menu
This standout from Chef/owner Steve Samson is a favorite among local shoppers and visitors alike. There’s nothing avant-garde about its food however, and thankfully so. In fact, due to delicious summers spent in Emilia-Romagna, the chef's creations are a veritable ode to the region and promise to make Italian palates proud.
Inspector notes: "Quality ingredients and simple execution come to life in redeye tuna tartare with shallots, capers, and preserved lemon over an avocado puree, served with lavash bread."
The Factory Kitchen (Bib Gourmand)
Neighborhood: Downtown
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $45 lunch menu / $65+ dinner menu
This “factory” is actually sleek, with cement columns, a modern bar and wide-open garage doors that enhance its lofty feel. However, the heart and soul of its kitchen is dedicated to traditional Northern Italian cuisine. This should come as no surprise, as Angelo Auriana and Matteo Ferdinandi are turning heads with their quickly expanding empire.
Inspector notes: "Devotion to regionally specific flavors is clear in every bite. Ravioli, made in house, tucked with seafood and tossed in an aromatic and savory sauce, is a winner, but don't skip the shatteringly crisp focaccina calda di Recco, filled with Crescenza cheese—it's sublime."
Stay nearby:
Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel (One MICHELIN Key)
In recent years L.A.’s once-overlooked downtown district has come roaring back, and its renaissance continues with the advent of the Proper Hotel Downtown L.A., a 148-room luxury boutique hotel by the team that includes star designer Kelly Wearstler among its creative minds. Like the original Proper Hotel in San Francisco, it begins with the rehabilitation of a classic building, in this case a 1926-vintage Renaissance Revival building at the corner of 11th and Broadway.
Beverly Hills, Encino and West Hollywood
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Cuisine: French Contemporary
Price: $35 lunch menu / $65+ dinner menu
Indoors or out? It's the eternal question in Los Angeles, but even more difficult to decide at Amour. Banquettes and booths beckon on the patio, while the dining room, accessed through a library stacked with vintage books, is loaded with charm down to the very last candlestick. Multicourse tasting menus are on offer or order à la carte from a menu that blends French and Asian influences, as in chawanmushi with Perigord truffles and trout roe.
Inspector notes: "New Caledonia blue prawn carpaccio and a French-style omelet with a quenelle of caviar and Comté foam are just two of the well-executed dishes."
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Cuisine: Californian
Price: $65+ dinner menu
If a luxury spa ran a restaurant, it would probably look something like Ardor. Cushy white velvet and leather booths, white and beige staff uniforms, and enough verdant greenery to rival a small forest match the equally chic aesthetic at its parent venue, the West Hollywood EDITION hotel. The prices are high too, not that any hotel guests would even notice. But know that there is plenty of substance and care packed onto this vegetable-forward menu.
Inspector notes: "Tandoor carrots with hummus and paprika vinaigrette or grilled dukkah-crusted ahi tuna with yogurt make for satisfying, clean eating."
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Cuisine: Seafood
Price: $35 lunch menu / $55 dinner menu
At this seafood shack, guests experience the brilliant flavors of both coasts. Chef Michael Cimarusti's New England roots come out in a delectable menu featuring sustainable, wild-caught seafood from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Inspector notes: "Chowder is a must for a seafood spot and this particular one offers a tempting flight of three: creamy New England, tomato-based Manhattan and buttery Rhode Island. The lobster roll, packed with tail and claw meat, is a gem among solo diners, while chilled seafood platters and the oak-grilled fish are great for crowds. Don’t forget to grab a bit of saltwater taffy on your way out."
Neighborhood: Beverly Hills
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Price: $65+ dinner menu
Tucked inside the sleek Four Seasons Hotel, this steakhouse from Wolfgang Puck isn't pulling any punches when it comes to luxury. Offering the finest cuts of beef from Australia and America to Japan, this is a place for a deep-pocketed crowd, and the elegant dining room with banquette seating is the ideal setting for a power meal.
Inspector notes: “Chilled prawns or oysters on the half shell are classic openers, and it may prove difficult to stop nibbling on the sundried tomato Parker house rolls and the house-knotted pretzels, served with roasted pepper and walnut dip. Creekstone filet mignon with Armagnac green peppercorn bearnaise sauce is a sure bet, but it's those wagyu tallow French fries that you'll be thinking about later.”
Pasta|Bar (One MICHELIN Star)
Neighborhood: Encino
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $65+ dinner menu
Start off at this One Star joint with drinks and a snack, before relocating for the main event—intriguing cuisine like fresh pasta pockets filled with black truffle and sprinkled with sunflower petals, or seared duck breast arranged with a fermented green garlic-filled agnolotti. The best part? It's all made using hyper-local ingredients.
Inspector notes: "Lamb loin is plated with a braised meat-stuffed ravioli, salsify puree and young snap peas. Desserts, like goat milk-white chocolate mousse, promise nothing less than sweet dreams."
Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $55 lunch menu / $65+ dinner menu
Italian food with local California products is the promise at Stella, where a two-story dining room has an Art Deco flair, and the chef's counter offers a mesmerizing look at live-fire cooking.
Inspector notes: "Don't miss the lardo di Colonanta, a dish of thinly sliced and meltingly soft lardo paired with strawberries, razor-thin caciocavello cheese, and a balsamic amaro. Su Filindeu is an impressive pasta dish with hand-stretched noodles cooked in bone broth accompanied by braised lamb neck and pecorino dolce. Other sure bets include Iberico pork pluma with porchetta spices, saba lacquer, and hens yolk cooked over the live fire, or opt for a hand-made pizza. Finally, cassata Sicilliana is a delicious dessert to cap off the meal."
Stay nearby:
The Edition hotels find one-time party king Ian Schrager in a more relaxed, mature mode, but the West Hollywood Edition is a reminder that “mellow Schrager” is, for most of us, still quite a party. Rooms are beautifully luxe and visually sparse, with views of the city or the Hollywood Hills; the British architect John Pawson brings an upscale gravity to modernist-friendly Southern California. It’s positioned, both literally and metaphorically, where the Sunset Strip meets Beverly Hills, and its restaurant, rooftop lounge, lobby bar, and subterranean nightclub suitably straddle the line between refinement and decadence, while the spa prepares you to do it all again the very next night.
West LA (Century City, Marina del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica)
Neighborhood: Venice
Cuisine: American
Price: $65+ dinner menu
At chef/owner Josiah Citrin's casual, upscale grill, the first thing guests are greeted by is the mouthwatering aroma of charred meat and a bustling bar area. The menu takes cues from old-school backyard barbecues, so expect nearly everything to be cooked over the fire.
Inspector notes: "Steaks come with ramekins of sauce like creamy and smoky choron, in addition to the trio of signature condiments on the table. However, this meat is too flavorful to really need anything. Diners may be here for the steaks, but those in the know also order the cabbage baked in embers, served with lemon-sumac yogurt."
Citrin (One MICHELIN Star)
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Cuisine: Californian
Price: $65+ dinner menu
Fans of Californian cuisine will be right at home with this One Star. Known for combining French techniques with seasonal produce from California, chef Ken Takayama delivers on Josiah Citrin's updated classics with modern influences.
Inspector notes: “Spendthrifts will revel in the opulent caviar and truffle add-ons; but even without a dollop or shaving of luxury; the impressive cooking here, such as artichoke agnolotti with Comte and smoked barigoule is an indulgence, as is the Sonoma lamb loin with rosemary scented jus.”
Neighborhood: Marina del Rey
Cuisine: American
Price: $65+ dinner menu
In case this Marina del Rey restaurant's glass wall with views of the boats outside didn't give it away, Dear Jane's celebrates the life aquatic with its focus on old school seafood and Continental cuisine. This spot pours it on with large portions and over-the-top flourishes (caviar makes a regular appearance) while keeping things grounded with strong cooking.
Inspector notes: "Shrimp Louie, done tableside, is sized to share, as is the wedge, which brilliantly subs in vinaigrette in place of creamy dressing. Blackened salmon with a rich parsley and caper sauce is perfectly cooked, and lemony potatoes are a nice accompaniment."
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $65+ dinner menu
A Santa Monica landmark dating back to the 20s, the onetime Wilshire has been reimagined with an Italian streak. It’s hard to imagine a more exquisitely Angeleno locale than this sprawling courtyard, encased by massive pine trees and illuminated by twinkling string lights.
Inspector notes: "Fia's menu features organic produce from local farmers from no further than 50 miles away, and though it appears routine on the surface, it's full of inventive twists, as seen in the spicy tuna on crispy arancini, or the porcini tortellini with asparagus, spinach and pearl onion. Save room for the Amalfi lemon mousse cake with Limoncello granita and meringue."
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Price: $65+ dinner menu
Some places are just right for stopping in on a regular weeknight, and then there's Fia Steak. This no expense-spared spot is just right for getting dressed up and feeling festive, even if all you're celebrating is the end of the week.
Inspector notes: “It has the classic masculine steakhouse look down pat, complete with dry-aged steaks on full display. The menu is a classic paean to meat with opulent touches (spy the separate sections for caviar and Champagne). Seafood-focused starters kick things off—keep an eye out for specials like the Dungeness crab salad topped with a seafood panna cotta. Of course, steak is the reason you're here, but the decadence continues through dessert, with either a soufflé or a seasonal strawberry trifle with basil ice cream.”
Neighborhood: Century City
Cuisine: French
Price: $65+ dinner menu
Nestled inside the Fairmont Century Plaza, Lumière is a relaxed brasserie-styled spot for French-inspired cooking. Friendly staff are on hand to offer guidance and share their favorite selections
Inspector notes: “You'll certainly want to indulge in a variety of classics like fruits de mer and steak frites, if only for the delicious fries. Start things off right by ordering the velvety chicken liver mousse served with an olive jam, or sample the Bayonne, Fermin Iberico or five year-aged Iberico hams from the charcuterie menu. Seared sea bass is plated with a delicious onion soubise for a pleasing main dish. Then for dessert, you'll never go wrong with crème brûlée with its pure vanilla flavor and nutty caramelized crust. “
Mélisse (Two MICHELIN Stars)
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Cuisine: Modern French
Price: $65+ dinner menu
Since opening in 1999, Chef Josiah Citrin’s flagship has been a Santa Monica mainstay. Through its many evolutions, the restaurant has sought to offer a certain kind of fine dining experience that will never go out of style. Slip in through a discreet side entrance to enter the enclosed space that combines a vibe-y underground feel with classic luxury. One can expect the finest cutlery and plates, gorgeous presentations, plenty of tableside saucing, and a level of French decadence that borders on gratuitous. The results are indulgent.
Inspector notes: “Truffles, wagyu, uni, and crab weave their way across intricate canapés and courses, ending with a signature finale of dry-aged duck “Rouennaise” that features a rich sauce made with the help of an antique silver press.
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
Cuisine: Seafood
Price: $65 lunch menu / $65+ dinner menu
True to its name, this lovely perch overlooking the Santa Monica pier has earned its reputation for great American seafood, thanks to its focus on Maine lobsters and much more. Don’t let its beachy location lure you into thinking that this is a tourist trap. Tightly spaced tables don’t leave much room for privacy and the service seems focused on efficiency, but those expansive views and steaming seafood more than compensate.
Inspector notes: “Lobsters arrive at the height of temptation—find them beautifully steamed until the meat is so incredibly tender, rendering that side of melted butter all but superfluous. Hearty seared crab cakes have a crisp exterior and are generously filled with meat, served alongside peppery arugula, fennel salad and remoulade.”
Stay nearby:
Santa Monica Proper Hotel (One MICHELIN Key)
Combine a 1920's Spanish Colonial building with updated contemporary interiors and what do you get? The Santa Monica Proper Hotel, a modern boutique hotel with high-luxury details (the Surya Ayurvedic Spa, yoga terrace, and rooftop pool, to name a few) and rooms decorated with works by local Los Angeles artists.
Neighborhood: Inglewood
Cuisine: Mexican
Price: $25 lunch menu / $35 dinner menu
This local treasure has been earning accolades since it first opened in 1987. Today it continues to flourish as a family affair, as the founder’s daughter is running the show. It's the perfect setting for relishing the kitchen’s Nayarit-style cooking that showcases shrimp and fish imported from Sinaloa.
Inspector notes: "Those shrimp appear again and again, perhaps breaded and fried in tacos, or sautéed head-on in a bright red sauce of roasted chilies and beer. Enjoy their fish fried, cooked whole or even inside heaping bowls of ceviche with bracing, lemony flavors and a basket of chips."
Neighborhood: Manhattan Beach
Cuisine: International
Price: $55 dinner menu
There’s a reason why this Bib Gourmand from chef/co-owner David LeFevre is one of the area’s buzziest spots. Featuring creative bites, the menu is as playful as the casual and fun space with something for everyone—just make sure to try their bacon-cheddar buttermilk biscuits.
Inspector notes: “Everything revolves around gathering, conversing and sharing; portions are small so plan your ordering as a group to explore a majority of the menu. Weekends can veer towards loud and crowded with plenty of young families in tow, so this isn’t a place for anyone with a yen for calm.”
Neighborhood: Hermosa Beach
Cuisine: Contemporary
Price: $35 lunch menu, $55 dinner menu
Don’t get distracted by the coastal design elements and sophisticated vibes. Husband and wife duo Ray Hayashi and Cynthia Hetlinger serve delicious plates of Japanese-centric dishes with Asian influences. And while the small plates are perfect for sharing, we won’t tell anyone if you don’t.
Inspector notes: “Pick a main like ox tongue curry rice. This Japanese curry with a touch of sweetness is chock full of vegetables and cubes of buttery tender ox tongue, while rice finished with sweet corn and pickled green strawberries cuts the richness. End with matcha tiramisu or soy milk pudding, topped with a brown sugar gelee, fresh strawberries and a scoop of strawberry shiso sorbet with a spicy ginger-sugared churro.”
Stay nearby:
Located just three blocks from the beach, the Shade Hotel, Manhattan Beach’s comfy goose down duvets and two-person spa tubs are the perfect way to cap off a delicious night. Designed by celebrity decorator Christopher Lowell, expect modern rooms infused with a variety of patterns, colors, and textures that are luxurious.
San Gabriel Valley - SGV (Alhambra, Arcadia, Pasadena) and Cerritos
Neighborhood: Pasadena
Cuisine: American
Price: $35 lunch menu
With a cheese shop and bar in the front and an airy patio at the rear, this is Pasadena's haute, but not haughty hangout. During the day, cheese and charcuterie is served but at night you'll be met with fingerlicking dishes from the kitchen's grill.
Inspector notes: "Cornbread eclair with chicken liver mousse is an easy decision, but choosing between the cavatelli with braised lamb and lamb fat gremolata or the half chicken with smoked jus is no small thing. The latter is brined, steamed, and charred over open flames until the skin is crisp as a chip. You probably won’t have room for dessert, but order the tres leches with corn pudding, anyway."
Amor y Tacos (Bib Gourmand)
Neighborhood: Cerritos
Cuisine: Mexican
Price: $35 lunch/dinner menu
Yet another in the wave of Mexican-American LA chefs transforming the cuisine, Thomas Ortega brings his fine-dining drill to bear on this vibrant offering in his native Cerritos. Here he fuses his specific style of the city’s Mexican cuisine, like handmade tortillas and spicy salsas, with an American twist.
Inspector notes: "Look for that Coca-Cola glaze on his pork belly or the sprinkle of Doritos on chilaquiles, not to mention such luxurious accents as truffles."
Neighborhood: Pasadena
Cuisine: French
Price: $65 dinner menu
This quaint French bistro feels right at home in downtown Pasadena. The cozy space draws in anybody walking by, thanks to vintage frames, sturdy Mahogany tables, and a coffered wood ceiling. Whereas many restaurants are content to merely look like a French bistro, in this one Chef Dean Yasharian has the chops to cook like one too.
Inspector notes: "There is no need to reinvent the wheel and he knows it, carefully preparing such sleek, straight-shot Parisian classics as Burgundy snails glistening in herbed butter; silky-smooth pork pâté wrapped in pastry; and duck à l’orange with celery root purée. Dessert is essential: the airy Gran Marnier soufflé with crème fraîche ice cream and indulgent apple tarte Tartin are exactly the kind of sweet comforts worth returning for."
Sichuan Impression (Bib Gourmand)
Neighborhood: Alhambra
Cuisine: Chinese
Price: $65 lunch/dinner menu
Other than the delicious Sichuan hits, be prepared for a wait. With two additional locations in Tustin and West Los Angeles, you’ll be thankful for the big windows and airy interiors once the scarlet-red numbing oils and fiery, chopped chilis arrive.
Inspector notes: “All of the usual hits are still in play—tea-smoked duck, big mouth ginger frog, mapo tofu. One recent highlight was a cauldron of fish and rattan pepper boiled in a thrillingly complex broth rippling with numbing, spicy tones.”
Neighborhood: Arcadia
Cuisine: Japanese
Price: $65 lunch/dinner menu
Sushi restaurants can be as expensive as a mortgage and as quiet as a library, but this casual Arcadia hotspot is a wonderfully refreshing change of pace. The setting is more like Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing, a frenetic intersection of customers lined up at the door, servers scurrying about, and chefs working like they are on a tight deadline. Counter seating or a table farther back? Omakase or à la carte? It doesn’t matter.
Inspector notes: "The rice for the nigiri is reliably generous and lush in texture, and fish flies in from Japan on Monday and on Thursday. For this reason, Friday is often packed, as regulars look to catch the freshest shipment. Efficient, fairly priced and friendly, Sushi Kisan meets all expectations in the most approachable of ways."
Stay nearby:
Soho Warehouse DTLA (One MICHELIN Key)
Like the other Soho House locations, it’s a club first and a hotel second, but overnight guests earn the benefits of temporary membership — this means access to the 50-foot rooftop swimming pool, as well as the House’s public spaces, including the Rooftop Terrace and Bar, the House Kitchen, and the Garden, an impressive indoor-outdoor dining and drinking venue. There’s art everywhere, including a massive mural by Shepard Fairey, and the lavishly outfitted gym spans two floors of the building.
Hero and thumb image: Wonho Frank Lee / Fia
