You’re never far from a great meal in Little Tokyo, one of Los Angeles’s most vibrant cultural and dining hubs. From a MICHELIN-pedigreed chef’s stylish coastal Italian spot to a traditional shabu-shabu experience at an intimate, celebration-worthy destination, feast your way through a variety of cuisines at the best Little Tokyo Los Angeles restaurants.
Grill your own meal at a family-style, DIY Japanese barbecue destination. Enjoy a traditional kaiseki tasting experience at an elegant fine–dining gem. Kick back with jerk chicken and other Jamaican favorites at a relaxed, tropical-inspired neighborhood favorite.
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Read more for a guide to the 7 best Little Tokyo Los Angeles restaurants.
For award-winning pizzas in the heart of Little Tokyo: Pizzeria Bianco (Little Tokyo)
Head to the DTLA outpost of Pizzeria Bianco for James Beard Award-winning pizzaiolo Chris Bianco’s signature thin-crust pizzas. Grab a cozy table in the light-filled, industrial space to watch blistering pies bubbling in the oven. Try the Rosa—an industry favorite topped with rosemary, red onion, parmesan, and pistachios from nearby Santa Barbara—along with a compact selection of seasonal salads and sides.
For an interactive, DIY Japanese barbecue experience: Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ (Little Tokyo)
The Little Tokyo location of global Japanese chain Gyu-Kaku is a go-to for family-style Japanese barbecue feasts. Choose your own dining adventure by cooking premium meats like filet mignon and short rib on one of the small tabletop grills, then mixing and matching with the restaurant’s traditional sauces and marinades. Add in playful sides like fried cheese wontons and an extensive sake collection, and you have all the makings of a festive night out.
For coastal Italian cuisine at one of the best Japanese town Los Angeles restaurants: Hearts and Flame (Little Tokyo)
Hearts and Flame is a stylish coastal Italian destination from Tuscan-born chef Michele Brogi, an alum of MICHELIN-Starred restaurants like Aubergine. He brings that expertise and refined touch to this Little Tokyo gem, where he whips up elegant seafood- and meat-forward dishes like polpo tocco toscano (chargrilled octopus) and whole branzino, cooked on a centerpiece grill in the modern, industrial-chic dining room. Silky handmade pastas round out the refined menu.
For a traditional Japanese kaiseki experience at one of the best restaurants in Little Tokyo Los Angeles: Eigikutei (Little Tokyo)
Eigikutei is one of the best Little Tokyo Los Angeles restaurants for kaiseki, a traditional tasting experience starring top-notch sushi and shabu-shabu (hot pot dishes). Menus change seasonally but expect stellar seafood from renowned Japanese fish markets and local purveyors along with world-class meats like A5 miyazaki—plus vegan omakase options. Attentive servers dressed in traditional kimonos and a pitch-perfect sake menu add to the transportative experience.
For family-inspired Jamaican fare in a lively setting: (abeautifullife) Jamaican Kitchen (Little Tokyo)
(abeautifulllife) Jamaican Kitchen is where you go for family-inspired Jamaican platters with Indian accents—think jerk chicken and savory curries. The relaxed island vibes extend to the restaurant’s tropical-leaning cocktails and energetic dining room, where DJs spin everything from reggae to dance hall music. Bonus points for a greenery-strewn patio decorated with string lights.
For traditional shabu-shabu cuisine at one of the best Little Tokyo Los Angeles restaurants: TENSHO (Little Tokyo)
TENSHO is one of LA’s top destinations for shabu-shabu fine dining. The sleek, modernist space and attentive service make this a special occasion and celebration favorite. Choose from tender slices of high-end meat and seafood like Japanese wagyu and king crab, cooked in hot pots and served on refined ceramics imported from Japan. Toast with a glass of rare sake from the restaurant’s top-notch collection.
For top-tier sushi in the heart of Los Angeles: Kombu Sushi & Sake (Little Tokyo)
This intimate Little Tokyo charmer named for the family’s beloved Shiba Inu is a neighborhood favorite for its exceptional sushi and laid-back setting, complete with a dog-friendly patio. Start with otsumami (shareable small plates) like spicy tuna rice cakes and baked mussels in eel sauce before moving on to standout nigiri, sashimi, and sushi rolls. Don’t miss the weekend happy hour, with discounted handrolls and beer and sake specials.
At the best restaurants in Little Tokyo Los Angeles, you can feast on traditional Japanese fare ranging from stellar sushi at a family-owned favorite to elegant shabu-shabu at a fine-dining destination. But you can also find a variety of other cuisines, ranging from family-inspired Jamaican dishes to wood-fired pizzas from a James Beard Award-winning chef.
