Best Date Night Restaurants in Culver City
28 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Sushi Masuyoshi
One-chef omakase experience in an intimate five-seat setting with exceptional fish aging techniques
Essential Picks
9.1
Chef Hozumi Masuyoshi transforms his five-seat counter into an intimate dinner party experience, serving an 18-course omakase that showcases dry-aged fish, charcoal-kissed preparations, and impeccable technique. The solo-chef operation delivers exceptional value at $165 with dishes like silk-textured salmon that dissolves on contact and sweet-glazed unagi roasted over binchotan charcoal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dry-Aged Sashimi Box, Charcoal-Seared Bonito, Shrimp Head Miso Soup
What Makes it Special: One-chef omakase experience in an intimate five-seat setting with exceptional fish aging techniques
Notable Picks
8.9
Hidden gem tucked in Jackson Market's back patio, where Pizza Today Rising Star 2023 Drew Butler crafts 48-hour naturally fermented sourdough pies in a wood-fired oven. The tranquil garden setting with koi ponds and fountains creates an unexpected oasis for enjoying Neo-Neapolitan pizza made with farmers market ingredients.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Sausage Party Pizza, Mushroom Pizza
What Makes it Special: 68-hour sourdough fermentation with wood-fired cooking in a secret garden setting
#3
Mensho Tokyo
8.8
Michelin-recognized Tokyo import specializing in rich tori paitan chicken broth with housemade mochi noodles and premium toppings like A5 Wagyu, duck, and fermented pork chashu. The signature bowl features truffle oil and draws hour-long weekend waits for its gravy-thick, umami-packed broth that has earned acclaim across multiple cities.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Toripaitan with Trio Meats, Garlic Knock Out Ramen, Karaage Fried Chicken
What Makes it Special: Michelin Guide recognition since 2017 for revolutionary chicken-based tori paitan broth
From the team behind successful Woodland Hills and Santa Monica locations, this Culver City outpost specializes in dry-aged fish like bluefin tuna and Ora King salmon from New Zealand, sourcing produce from local farmers markets. Chef Mark Okuda and Executive Chef Kenji Sato deliver multiple omakase tiers from $95 lunch to $200 dinner alongside exceptional a la carte options including their signature chirashi packed with uni, scallops, and fatty toro.
Must-Try Dishes:
JYO Chirashi Bowl, Dry-Aged Fatty Toro, Dry-Aged Salmon Nigiri
What Makes it Special: Dry-aged fish program with seasonal imports from Japan and hyper-local California produce
#5
Juliet
8.6
Michelin-recognized modern French restaurant designed by Jeremiah Brent featuring seafood-forward cuisine and an extensive French wine program. The contemporary space with its posh patio draws a fashionable crowd for everything from breakfast through late dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mousse au Foie de Volaille, Sea Bream with Ratatouille, Duck Confit Cigars
What Makes it Special: Michelin Guide recognition with contemporary French aesthetic and fashion-forward design
#6
Roberta's
8.4
Brooklyn's legendary pizzeria brings Neapolitan-style wood-fired pies to Platform's sun-drenched patio. The Bee Sting pizza balances soppressata, chili, and honey with cultish precision, while house-made pastas and inventive salads round out a menu that respects tradition without being precious about it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bee Sting Pizza, Famous Original Pizza, Japanese Sweet Potatoes
What Makes it Special: West Coast outpost of Brooklyn's iconic pizzeria with cult-favorite pies
#7
Bacari
8.4
Venetian-inspired small plates from Chef Lior Hillel featuring Mediterranean and Italian influences in a rustic downtown setting. The Kronfli Brothers' eighth location excels at shareable tapas, craft cocktails, and their signature 90-minute open bar special.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sea bass with tarragon aioli, Glazed pork belly, Lamb hummus
What Makes it Special: House-baked bread with roasted garlic olive oil sets the tone for creative small plates
8.4
This Peruvian restaurant and bakery serves exceptional seafood-forward dishes including pristine ceviches, grilled whole branzino, and honey bay oysters with rocoto pepper sauce. The combination concept means you can finish with house-baked pastries after feasting on fresh arroz con mariscos.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ceviche Mixto, Grilled Whole Branzino, Honey Bay Oysters
What Makes it Special: Authentic Peruvian seafood with an in-house bakery under one roof
#9
Margot
8.4
This rooftop Mediterranean stunner atop Platform delivers coastal Spanish-Italian cuisine with sweeping city views and psychedelic-chic design. Weekend brunch showcases wagyu steak and eggs alongside oatmeal pancakes, while the outdoor patio with pyramid heaters makes every meal feel like a sunset celebration.
Must-Try Dishes:
American Wagyu Steak & Eggs, Patatas Bravas, Fried Chicken with Calabrian Honey
What Makes it Special: Rooftop location with 360-degree views and Mediterranean coastal cuisine
#10
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
8.3
Sara, an Italian native, brings her mother's authentic recipes to this cozy wine bar where homemade bucatini and flatbreads pair with an excellent selection of Italian wines from all 20 regions. The intimate space draws locals for its warm service and genuine Italian home cooking, from handmade pasta to traditional desserts like pecorino-stuffed pastries.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bucatini with Pancetta, Burrata with Tomatoes, Sardinian Pork Ragu
What Makes it Special: Owner Sara uses her mother's authentic Italian recipes and sources wines from every region of Italy
#12
Dear John's
8.3
Frank Sinatra's former hangout revived by acclaimed chefs Josiah Citrin and Hans Röckenwagner brings Old Hollywood glamour to modern Culver City. The dimly lit, vintage steakhouse serves standout dishes like mozzarella-stuffed chicken parmesan and buttery sand dabs, though steaks can be inconsistent. Strong martinis and tableside Caesar salads complete the classic experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmesan (stuffed), Sand Dabs with Lemon-Caper Butter, Frank's Spaghetti & Clams
What Makes it Special: Frank Sinatra's historic 1962 steakhouse revived with vintage dark-room ambiance
#13
Carasau
8.3
Sardinian chef Vincenzo Porcu brings rare island specialties to Culver Steps' cozy patio. Culurgiones potato ravioli and fregola di mare showcase hand-rolled pasta traditions seldom found in LA, while imported Sardinian wines and attentive service create an intimate neighborhood escape.
Must-Try Dishes:
Culurgiones, Fregola di Mare, Saffron Ravioli
What Makes it Special: LA's rare showcase of authentic Sardinian cuisine and regional wines
#14
Uzumaki
8.3
Head Chef Moto from the historic Chiba sushi bar brings modern minimalist aesthetics to this neighborhood gem established in 2017. The streamlined menu focuses on traditional nigiri and curated rolls with multiple omakase tiers starting at reasonable prices, featuring standouts like seared salmon belly with truffle and their signature baked crab handroll.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked Crab Handroll, Seared Salmon Belly Nigiri, Uzumaki Plus Omakase Set
What Makes it Special: Former Chiba chef's precise knife work and fish aging program in minimalist space
#15
Bianca
8.2
From the Madeo Ristorante family comes this Italian-Argentinian-French bakery-restaurant with a European courtyard feel. Ricotta pancakes and Spanish tortilla highlight the breakfast menu, while the adjoining bakery fills the space with the aroma of house-baked organic breads and pistachio tarts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ricotta Pancakes, Spanish Tortilla, Tomato Bisque-Avocado Toast
What Makes it Special: Family-run European bakery-restaurant with organic breads baked daily on-site
#16
Zaytinya
8.1
José Andrés Group brings Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese mezze to Culver City with polished service inside The Shay hotel. Wood-fired preparations and traditional spreads deliver solid Mediterranean flavors, though dishes can lean mild and require sauce support despite bold ingredient lists.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood-Fired Lamb Shoulder, Mezze Spreads, Whole Grilled Fish
What Makes it Special: José Andrés Group pedigree with DC import bringing elevated Eastern Mediterranean
#17
MEET in Paris
8.1
Family-owned French bistro since 2009 run by husband-and-wife team Sébastien and Cécile Cornic, specializing in over a dozen mussel preparations. Red-checkered tablecloths and cozy Parisian atmosphere create an authentic neighborhood bistro experience with generous portions of classic French comfort food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Moules Frites (12 preparations), Beef Bourguignon, Duck Confit
What Makes it Special: Chef from Parisian seafood family offers dozen mussel preparations rarely found elsewhere
8.1
Chef Ray Garcia's neighborhood evolution of his acclaimed DTLA modern Mexican restaurant delivers signature dishes like five-day chicharrón and refried lentils with quesillo at accessible prices. The Shure-designed space with sage-green tiles and wood accents creates a warm backdrop for his 'authentically inauthentic' Mexican cooking, where wood-fired flautas and duck albondigas draw regulars seeking refined flavors without fine-dining formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicharrón with Garlic Mojo, Refried Lentils with Quesillo, Fideo Verde
What Makes it Special: Chef Ray Garcia's 'authentically inauthentic' Mexican cooking delivers refined flavors at neighborhood-friendly prices in a warm, community-driven space.
#19
AFURI
8
Tokyo-based concept featuring signature yuzu-infused shio ramen with bright, citrusy chicken broth that diverges from heavy tonkotsu styles. Known for lighter, refreshing bowls alongside creative items like hazelnut tantanmen and quality dumplings, with outdoor patio seating at The Culver Steps and all-day happy hour at the bar.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yuzu Shio Ramen, Spicy Yuzu Ramen, Chicken Karaage
What Makes it Special: Signature yuzu citrus-forward ramen with lighter, refreshing chicken-based broths
A 24-seat wraparound counter in Mar Vista pairing made-to-order hand rolls wrapped in first-harvest Ariake nori with charcoal-grilled kushiyaki skewers. The tight format puts you close enough to watch each roll assembled and each skewer turned, making it work equally well for a focused solo meal or a date where the counter itself drives the conversation. Expect a deliberate, ingredient-forward pace—this is a place that treats nori sourcing and charcoal technique as the main event.
Must-Try Dishes:
Blue Crab Hand Roll, Tsukune (Chicken Meatball), Negima (Chicken Thigh with Green Onion)
What Makes it Special: A 24-seat chef's counter where each hand roll is wrapped in first-harvest Ariake nori and every skewer is grilled to order over charcoal.
Worthy Picks
#21
Shojin
7.9
Plant-based Japanese cuisine built on shojin-ryori tradition, where organic and macrobiotic ingredients are shaped into sushi rolls and small plates using classical technique rather than imitation shortcuts. The tasting menu format and white-tablecloth quietness make it a reliable date-night pull for mixed dietary tables—non-vegans routinely leave impressed. Expect moderate-to-high pricing with portions calibrated for a multi-course pace, not volume.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dynamite Roll, Dragon Roll, Crispy Potato Dumplings
What Makes it Special: LA's first vegan sushi restaurant, where Hiroshima-born chef Jun Matoshiro crafts entirely plant-based, gluten-free Japanese cuisine using organic and macrobiotic ingredients.
7.9
This approachable Japanese restaurant near Sony Studios offers classical ambiance with extensive outdoor seating on a shaded patio. Known for generous portions and daily happy hour from 4-7pm with half-price specialty rolls, the menu spans traditional sushi alongside teriyaki and tempura options at neighborhood-friendly prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lady in Red Roll, Yellowtail Jalapeño Sashimi, Crunchy Onion Albacore
What Makes it Special: Extensive outdoor patio dining with heating lamps and strong happy hour program
#23
Simonette
7.9
All-day French café and bistro inside Palihotel Culver City reimagining a 1920s boarding house with a charming courtyard. The menu delivers approachable French-American classics from morning croissants through evening beef bourguignon in an unpretentious, light-strung setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Moules Frites, French Onion Soup, Dijon Burger
What Makes it Special: Hidden courtyard setting with tree growing inside creates magical garden atmosphere
7.8
A Culver City institution since 1931, this family-owned roadhouse steakhouse serves generously portioned dry-aged steaks hand-cut on premises. The old-school atmosphere with nostalgic décor creates a comfortable, unpretentious setting for celebrating special occasions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Porterhouse Steak, Bone-in Ribeye, Beef Noodle Soup
What Makes it Special: Nearly century-old family operation with hand-cut dry-aged steaks
#25
Ugo
7.8
Established VPN-certified Neapolitan pizzeria since 2002, serving traditional pasta and house-made gelato. The travertine marble and dark wood interior creates Italian charm, though service can be inconsistent during peak hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Fettuccine Bolognese, Pistachio Gelato
What Makes it Special: One of only 94 US restaurants with VPN certification for authentic Neapolitan pizza
#26
The Corner Door
7.7
A cocktail-first New American kitchen that rotates its Italian-leaning menu with the seasons, anchored by a bar program that has drawn Culver City regulars since 2012. The food rewards shareable ordering—charcuterie, tacos, and a sticky toffee pudding that outlasts most menu changes—but the concrete-and-industrial room runs loud enough that conversation takes effort, so plan for energy over intimacy.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Fries Carbonade, King Crab Tacos, Short-Rib Ravioli
What Makes it Special: Craft cocktail-driven New American kitchen with Italian influences and a menu that rotates with the seasons
#27
Fire My Pasta
7.6
Italian eatery established 2018 offering handcrafted pasta and pizza with vibrant cocktails in a cozy Palms neighborhood setting. While pasta is the primary focus, wood-fired pizzas with quality ingredients provide solid Italian-American options for the area.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Italian Sausage Pizza, Carbonara Pasta
What Makes it Special: Pasta-focused Italian with late-night hours and cocktail program
#28
Butterfly
7.6
José Andrés Group's rooftop taco concept atop The Shay Hotel brings polished small plates and agave cocktails to Culver City's skyline. The Baja California fish tacos and coconut ceviche deliver chef-driven technique, though the setting and celebrity pedigree drive the experience as much as the food itself.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja California Taco, Coconut Ceviche, Queso Fundido con Tequila
What Makes it Special: Celebrity chef pedigree meets rooftop setting at boutique hotel