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Iki Nori
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Iki Nori
8.5
Vibes:
Girls Night Out Approved
Live Music Showtime
Trendy Table Hotspots
Birthday & Celebration Central
Status Restaurant & Lounge brings a Caribbean lens to Hollywood dining, serving jerk chicken, curry shrimp, fried snapper, and crab alongside cocktails in an upscale lounge setting. It leans into nightlife energy, so seafood plates often share the table with bottle service, DJs, and a dressed-up crowd.
Must-Try Dishes:
Caribbean curry shrimp pasta, Fried or escovitch red snapper, Curry crab legs weekend specials
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Caribbean restaurant-lounge where jerk meats and plated seafood share space with DJs and bottle service.
Who should go: Girls-night crews and couples wanting dinner that turns into nightlife.
When to visit: Weekend evenings once the DJ starts and tables are full.
What to order: Curry shrimp pasta, escovitch snapper, curry crab legs specials.
Insider tip: Book later seatings, and treat it as both dinner and night-out destination.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet is typically available on weekend evenings; street parking on Cahuenga becomes scarce after 7pm, so plan extra time.
Dress code: Dressy casual to nightlife-ready; heels, button-ups, and elevated outfits fit the room’s lounge energy.
Noise level: Loud once the DJ programming starts; expect more vibe than conversation during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer after 9pm when nightlife crowds arrive.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — the lounge operates primarily during late-day and evening hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited — a few sides and salads, but mains skew heavily toward seafood and jerk dishes.
Vegan options: Very limited; expect to modify dishes or rely on sides.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free seafood plates exist, but cross-contact risk is high; ask staff for current guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Great if you want a high-energy, nightlife-leaning first date with music and a dressed-up crowd. Not ideal for quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible early in the evening or on weekdays, but weekends after 8pm almost always require reservations due to DJ programming and bottle-service demand.
Is it kid-friendly? Not recommended for kids — the space skews nightlife-focused with loud music, dim lighting, and late-evening crowds.
Best For
Better for: High-energy seafood dinners with a Caribbean twist where the table can transition into a full nightlife experience.
Skip if: You want a quiet seafood meal, extensive vegan options, or a traditional sit-down dinner without club-like ambiance.
Iki Nori
8.6
From the team behind Iki Ramen, Iki Nori focuses on hand rolls, omakase, and sashimi in a sleek bar setting along Sunset. The menu leans into high-quality seafood and creative hand roll sets that feel elevated without becoming overly formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Iki Nori Premium Box hand roll set, Toro and caviar hand roll, Sunomono salad with seasonal seafood
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: An upscale hand roll bar with omakase-level seafood in a casual format.
Who should go: Sushi fans wanting elevated hand rolls near Hollywood studios.
When to visit: Prime dinner hours before or after nearby screenings.
What to order: Premium hand roll box, toro hand roll, scallop and uni selections.
Insider tip: Bar seats give you the best interaction with the chefs and pacing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Sunset and Cahuenga is limited and fills quickly; nearby paid lots typically range $8–$15 for evening hours.
Dress code: Smart casual; most guests wear elevated casual outfits suitable for Hollywood’s dining scene.
Noise level: Moderate—comfortable for conversation, though the bar area has a steady hum during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation, especially between 7–9pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; walk right in if open during lunch service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but available—vegetable hand rolls and a few side dishes.
Vegan options: Very limited—mostly simple vegetable rolls; best to confirm ingredients with the chefs.
Gluten-free options: Moderate options—many hand rolls can be made with tamari or no sauce, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—the sleek counter, interactive hand roll pacing, and approachable price point make it an easy, low-pressure but elevated first date spot.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for early evenings and weekdays. Peak weekend hours may require a short wait, but the bar counter generally turns over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat—older kids who enjoy sushi will be fine, but the compact bar seating and raw-fish-focused menu aren’t ideal for younger children.
Best For
Better for: A more casual, faster-paced version of omakase-quality seafood—especially strong for hand rolls and counter dining.
Skip if: You want a traditional, long-form omakase experience or a wide cooked menu; choose UKA or Rokusho instead.