Best Japanese Restaurants in Los Angeles for a Date Night Worth Savoring
By Cassindy Chao | Elite Matchmaker & Founder of AWM Love
Japanese cuisine is the quiet power move of romantic dining—elegant, intentional, and designed to be savored. Whether you’re seated at a sushi counter or tucked into a minimalist booth, a great Japanese restaurant knows how to set the pace: slow, sensory, and intimate.
In a city like Los Angeles, where there’s no shortage of buzz or beauty, these are the Japanese restaurants we actually recommend to clients—because they go beyond “great food.” They create space for chemistry to unfold.
1. n/naka – Two Michelin Stars, One Unforgettable Experience
📍 3455 S. Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA
🌐 n-naka.com
Chef Niki Nakayama’s modern kaiseki restaurant is widely considered one of LA’s most important culinary experiences. But even more impressive than the accolades is the atmosphere: quiet, personal, and deeply intimate.
Why we love it: It’s for moments that matter. A second anniversary, a major milestone, or a date where you want to say, “this is different.”
Client Tip: Go for the 13-course Modern Kaiseki tasting menu. The uni pasta and wagyu courses are standouts. Request a sake pairing—or go all in with their Japanese whiskey selection.
2. Sushi Park – The Unassuming Strip Mall Icon
📍 8539 Sunset Blvd #20, West Hollywood, CA
🌐 sushiparkla.com
Don’t let the location fool you. Sushi Park, tucked into a Sunset Blvd strip mall, is a sushi lover’s sanctuary. It’s discreet, quietly upscale, and frequented by insiders who know where the real omakase lives.
Why we love it: It’s an under-the-radar gem that feels exclusive without needing to broadcast it. Ideal for a date that’s about connection, not spectacle.
Client Tip: Go omakase, no substitutions, and let the chef guide you. The toro and kampachi are unforgettable. Skip the menu—this is not the place for California rolls.
3. Yasu – Pure Omakase in Beverly Hills
📍 265 S. Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA
🌐 yasu-sushilounge.com
Yasu is calm, quiet, and meticulously focused on the purity of Edomae-style sushi. The space is sleek and intimate, with a 10-seat chef’s counter and minimal distractions. It’s an experience that feels both elegant and deeply personal.
Why we love it: A perfect first “serious” date spot—when you want to impress, but still keep things grounded.
Client Tip: The omakase menu changes daily, but the Hokkaido scallop and sea bream are usually featured. Let the chefs select the sake pairing—it adds texture to the evening without overpowering it.
4. Tsubaki – Izakaya Charm in Echo Park
📍 1356 Allison Ave, Los Angeles, CA
🌐 tsubakila.com
Tsubaki is a modern Japanese izakaya with warm lighting, shared plates, and a wine list that leans natural and bold. It’s casual but intimate—a great first or second date spot with just enough edge.
Why we love it: The shareable format encourages conversation, and the vibe is stylish but never stuffy.
Client Tip: Start with the chicken tsukune (meatballs) and the crispy rice with uni. Don’t miss their curated sake menu—or ask about the natural wine of the week.
5. Morihiro – The Art Lover’s Sushi Spot in Atwater Village
📍 3133 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
🌐 morionglendale.com
Chef Morihiro Onodera’s namesake restaurant is part sushi bar, part ceramic art gallery. Every piece of pottery is handmade. Every fish flown in and sliced with intention. It’s quiet, romantic, and emotionally resonant—the kind of place that stays with you.
Why we love it: For thoughtful daters who notice details. This is sushi as story, not just meal.
Client Tip: Choose the omakase and let it unfold slowly. The white fish progression is particularly memorable. The matcha ice cream served in a handmade bowl is a poetic finish.
Final Thought
Japanese cuisine, when done right, doesn’t just feed—it refines the experience. It slows time. It pulls attention to the present. And that’s exactly what great dating should do, too.
Whether you’re celebrating a connection that’s deepening or making a strong first impression, these restaurants offer the kind of romance that lingers well beyond the final course.
Ready to Find the Right Person to Share That Table?
At AWM Love, we match high-character, emotionally intelligent singles who are ready to date with intention—and eat well while doing it.
Great love, like great sushi, starts with quality.
