Best Instagram Worthy Seafood Restaurants in Los Angeles
20 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Uchi West Hollywood
James Beard Award-winning chef creates innovative Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine
Essential Picks
9.1
James Beard Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole's non-traditional Japanese cuisine elevates business dining with creative sushi and seasonal omakase. The sophisticated atmosphere balances energy with professionalism, making it ideal for impressing clients.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hama Chili, Gyutoro, Crispy Brussels Sprouts
What Makes it Special: James Beard Award-winning chef creates innovative Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine
Notable Picks
KazuNori’s Westwood outpost is a standing-room hand roll bar built entirely around made-to-order temaki. Warm rice, crisp nori, and high-quality fish move in a tight rhythm across the counter, making it the go-to spot in Westwood Village when you want focused sushi rolls rather than a sprawling menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toro hand roll, Bay scallop hand roll, Yellowtail hand roll
What Makes it Special: A dedicated hand roll bar where every roll is assembled to order at the counter.
8.9
This coastal Italian gem from NYC serves silky handmade pastas with pristine seafood, including their legendary fusilli with charred octopus and bone marrow. The sophisticated space draws power brokers and food enthusiasts seeking elevated Mediterranean seafood preparations executed with precision.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fusilli with Octopus & Bone Marrow, Lobster with Burrata, Dover Sole Meunière
What Makes it Special: NYC's acclaimed seafood-focused Italian arriving with Michelin pedigree
8.8
Chef Octavio Olivas transforms raw seafood into Mexico City-style ceviches in a tiny nautical-themed space that feels like stepping onto a vintage cruise ship. Fresh fish is diced behind the marble bar and dressed with inventive combinations like tai snapper with pineapple and cancha, while the Hawaiian kanpachi tostada layered with avocado mousse has become legendary among regulars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tai Snapper Ceviche, Hawaiian Kanpachi Tostada, Scallop Shooters with Uni
What Makes it Special: Owner-chef prepares Mexican-style ceviche in a Wes Anderson-worthy jewel box setting
#5
The Lobster
8.8
Perched above the Santa Monica Pier since 1923, this Michelin Plate restaurant showcases Celebrity Chef Govind Armstrong's seasonal seafood menu with locally-sourced ingredients. The second-story dining room offers a breathtaking 180-degree ocean view spanning from Santa Monica Bay to Point Dume.
Must-Try Dishes:
Charred Octopus with Romesco, Maine Lobster Thermidor, Pan-Roasted Black Cod
What Makes it Special: Century-old legacy restaurant with Michelin recognition and panoramic ocean views
8.7
Chef Helene An's modern Vietnamese institution features a dramatic walk-on water entrance and serves weekend dim sum-style brunch from roaming carts. Known for the secret kitchen's famous garlic noodles, this 30-year Beverly Hills gem offers innovative fusion like ube soufflé pancakes and filet mignon hash.
Must-Try Dishes:
AN's Famous Garlic Noodles, Dungeness Crab, Ube Soufflé Pancake
What Makes it Special: Secret kitchen recipes and theatrical water entrance
8.6
Executive Chef Bret Thompson brings innovative sea-to-table cuisine with specialized dry-aging techniques for seafood. The restaurant features an emerald marble bar, shellfish towers reminiscent of Parisian brasseries, and a California-Mediterranean coastal atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dry Aged Kingfish Ceviche, Whole Fried Fish of the Day, Chilled Seafood Tower for Two
What Makes it Special: Only restaurant in Pasadena specializing in dry-aged seafood techniques
8.6
Chef Ricardo Zarate brings Michelin-recognized Nikkei cuisine to this vibrant Echo Park ceviche bar opened in August 2024. The inventive Japanese-Peruvian fusion features technicolor ceviches, hefty hand rolls, and theatrical plating assembled at the turquoise-quartz bar, all in a scrappy-chic space with live piano music.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salmon Tiradito with Miso, Yellowtail Tostada, Shrimp Dumpling Ceviche
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized chef's Nikkei fusion with fine dining execution at casual prices
#9
The Albright
8.5
This seafood-focused pier restaurant elevates their Old Bay-seasoned fries to complement fresh catches. Beer-battered and twice-fried, these golden beauties pair perfectly with their sustainable seafood offerings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Old Bay Seasoned Fries, Fish & Chips Platter, Raw Bar Selection
What Makes it Special: Sustainable seafood meets perfectly seasoned fries
8.4
Silver Lake's most photogenic izakaya transforms traditional sushi into edible art with gold leaf, black tobiko, and truffle oil presentations. Chef Damon Cho's Premium Sashimi Hashimori features 18 pieces arranged like a cornucopia, while the Miso Crab Salmon wrapped in truffle oil draws crowds with cameras ready.
Must-Try Dishes:
Premium Sashimi Hashimori, Truffle Toro Bowl, Miso Crab Salmon
What Makes it Special: Gold leaf and caviar-topped presentations elevate traditional izakaya sushi into showstopping Instagram moments
#11
Royal Lobster LA
8.4
Royal Lobster LA specializes in fresh Maine lobster rolls, bringing Hawaii’s acclaimed lobster expertise to LA. Known for focusing on lobster and salad, it’s celebrated for buttery, classic lobster rolls and vibrant flavors in a casual setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Lobster Roll, Garlic Butter Lobster Roll, Lobster Salad
What Makes it Special: Direct-from-Maine lobster, executed with pure classic focus.
#12
Yunomi Handroll
8.4
Chef David Movsisian's Michelin-rated handroll specialist operates in The Culver Steps with a sleek industrial bar setting and just 24 counter seats. The focused menu delivers fresh handrolls made to order alongside quality sashimi appetizers, Japanese craft beer, and loose-leaf teas served in traditional tetsubin iron teapots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked Crab Roll, Negi Toro Handroll, Soft Shell Crab Roll
What Makes it Special: Michelin recognition for focused handroll-centric menu in modern industrial setting
A 25-year-old food truck running a tight seafood operation where the taco dorado de camarón—shrimp folded into a crispy-fried tortilla—set the template that dozens of imitators still chase across LA. The aguachile and ceviches hold their own against full-service mariscos restaurants at street-food prices, which is why the line never really stopped forming. Cash only, no frills, just precise execution on a short menu that rewards repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco Dorado de Camarón, Tostada Poseidón, Aguachile Rojo
What Makes it Special: Jonathan Gold-anointed food truck turning out LA's most iconic fried shrimp taco since 2001, with seafood so fresh the ceviche and aguachile compete with sit-down mariscos spots at a fraction of the price.
#14
Omakase By Osen
8.2
Chef Damon Cho's omakase-focused sibling restaurant delivers theatrical multi-course experiences with caviar-topped toro, truffle-enhanced sashimi, and baked king crab hand rolls. The intimate counter seats and table options showcase seasonal Japanese fish with modern flourishes designed for maximum visual impact.
Must-Try Dishes:
Miso Crab Salmon, Caviar Toro Appetizer, Baked King Crab Hand Roll
What Makes it Special: Focuses exclusively on sushi with decadent caviar and truffle presentations unavailable at sister restaurant
#15
Catch LA
8.1
Vibes:
Rooftop Views Revelry
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Rooftop steakhouse and sushi destination combining Tokyo's Toyosu Market seafood with premium steak cuts cooked tableside on hot rocks. The retractable rooftop offers stunning downtown LA views in the heart of the Design District.
Must-Try Dishes:
Japanese Wagyu on Hot Rock, Catch Roll, Truffle Sashimi
What Makes it Special: Unique combination of high-end sushi and tableside steak with city views
#16
YESS Restaurant
8.1
Progressive Japanese izakaya in a 1920s Arts District bank building where binchotan charcoal and wood-fired cooking anchor the approach. The whole lobster katsu burger and Monk's chirashi carry the menu; the cooking runs minimalist and somewhat monastic—reviewers call it polarizing for those expecting conventional izakaya energy. NYT 50 best US restaurants and LA Times 101 recognition validate the concept.
Must-Try Dishes:
Monk's Chirashi, Whole Lobster Katsu Burger, Junya's Daily Sashimi
What Makes it Special: Arts District izakaya with binchotan charcoal grilling and NYT top-50 recognition
Worthy Picks
#17
Cento Raw Bar
7.9
A bleached-coral grotto on West Adams built around a tiered raw bar format—oysters, crudo, and uni pasta served in a space designed to be photographed as much as eaten in. The energetic, cavernous interior rewards groups and date nights who want spectacle with their seafood, though a back patio offers a quieter lane. A polarized review profile (70% five-star, 11% one-star, almost nothing in between) suggests the experience lands hard when it lands, but doesn't always connect.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oysters, Seafood Tower, Hamachi Crudo
What Makes it Special: A bleached-coral grotto design turned one of LA's most photographed restaurants, anchored by pristine oysters and tiered seafood towers
#18
Kombu Sushi
7.9
Vibes:
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Pet Friendly Paradise
Family Friendly Favorites
Family-owned neighborhood gem pairs fresh nigiri and creative signature rolls with an unexpected backyard patio and rotating classic films projected on the wall. The Nirvana Roll and truffle sashimi showcase chef creativity, while the dog-friendly patio and movie screenings create a distinctly Silver Lake vibe.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nirvana Roll, Baja Salmon Fusion Roll, Truffle Sashimi
What Makes it Special: Combines sushi counter artistry with outdoor movie nights and extensive vegan options rare in traditional sushi bars
Inside the Original Farmers Market, Roxy & Jo's focuses on boat-to-table seafood platters, lobster rolls, and chowders served from a polished stall with counter and patio seating. Diners build meals around oysters, fish and chips, and grilled salmon before or after wandering the market.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster roll, Fish and chips, Seafood platter with oysters and shrimp
What Makes it Special: Farmers Market seafood counter doing chowders, platters, and lobster rolls.
#20
Kickin KAsian
7.7
A Cajun-Asian seafood boil operation where you build your own bag — pick the shellfish, choose the sauce and spice level, then eat hands-on with gloves and no silverware. The format works well for groups who want the communal mess of a boil with options like king crab and softshell crab alongside the standard shrimp-and-sausage lineup. Northridge strip mall setting keeps it casual and loud, which fits the gloves-on, paper-on-the-table energy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seafood Boil, King Crab, Fried Oysters
What Makes it Special: Cajun-Asian seafood boil spot where you pick your shellfish, sauce, and spice level, then dig in with gloves and no silverware