Best Trendy Restaurants in Culver City
18 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Destroyer
Michelin-recognized chef creating fine dining breakfast with futuristic presentation
Notable Picks
#1
Destroyer
8.9
Chef Jordan Kahn's minimalist daytime cafe transforms breakfast into edible art with Nordic-influenced dishes like snap-pea tartine and house-made coconut yogurt. The futuristic built-in coffee machine and stark white aesthetic create an otherworldly dining experience where simple ingredients become complex flavor compositions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avocado Confit with Onion Ash, Koshikari Rice Porridge, Persimmon French Toast
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized chef creating fine dining breakfast with futuristic presentation
#2
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
8.7
Former Providence chef Brandon Gray's pop-up serves 30-hour fermented Neapolitan-style pies named after LA hip-hop tracks inside Bar & Garden wine shop. The Thursday-Friday residency draws serious pizza enthusiasts for perfectly balanced pies like the FRIDAY pepperoni and creative seasonal specials.
Must-Try Dishes:
FRIDAY Pizza, Colors Pizza, Regulate Pizza
What Makes it Special: Fine-dining pedigree meets street-food format with hip-hop themed pies
8.6
California-based artisan doughnut shop making small-batch creations hourly with high-quality ingredients and creative seasonal flavors. Known for their huckleberry doughnut and brioche-based varieties that balance indulgence with refined technique. The bright, modern space attracts a steady crowd willing to pay premium prices for gourmet doughnuts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Huckleberry Doughnut, Butter & Salt, Saigon Cinnamon Crumb
What Makes it Special: Small-batch artisan doughnuts made fresh hourly with seasonal ingredients
#6
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
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
8.4
This food truck operation has built a devoted following for its beef birria served in multiple formats from traditional tacos to innovative birria ramen. The marinated shredded beef is slow-cooked and arrives with rich consomé for dipping, delivering bold flavors that stand out in Culver City's competitive taco scene.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quesa Tacos, Birria Burrito, Consomé
What Makes it Special: Slow-cooked beef birria with rich consomé in food truck format
#9
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
#10
All Too Well
8.3
Mitchell Jamra brings his Chicago pedigree to Platform LA with hot-pressed sandwiches blending Italian, Lebanese, and classic deli traditions. The inventive builds feature LA-exclusive creations like the Kobe with smoked turkey and stracciatella alongside Chicago favorites, all pressed to crispy perfection.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kobe, Bombay Chulet, Shaq
What Makes it Special: Chef from NY Times-recognized Evette's in Chicago serving hot-pressed fusion sandwiches exclusive to LA
#11
Go Go Bird
8.3
Chef Brandon Kida's LA-style fried chicken concept inside Citizen Public Market blends Japanese technique with local nostalgia. The Jidori chicken marinates 24 hours in koji, white soy, and bonito before frying, then gets finished with Sichuan chili oil for umami-forward complexity.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thunder Bird Wings, Chicken Sando, Japanese Cheddar Biscuits
What Makes it Special: Japanese marinade technique meets LA's Pioneer Chicken heritage with Sichuan finish
#12
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
8.1
International chain from Fukuoka known for silky Hakata-style tonkotsu broth with dramatic, generously portioned toppings including fried enoki mushrooms and niku-miso bolognese. Opened in 2024 at The Culver Steps, offering both classic and elaborate bowls plus strong vegan options with plant-based broths that match the richness of traditional pork versions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Karaka Spicy Ramen with Niku-Miso, Nirvana Classic Vegan, Takoyaki Balls
What Makes it Special: Historic Japanese chain since 1985 with elaborate toppings and excellent vegan menu
#14
The Red Chickz
8.1
Nashville-style hot chicken specialist serving halal, hand-breaded tenders and sandwiches with seven customizable heat levels from Cool to Inferno. The crispy coating delivers authentic spice without sacrificing crunch, complemented by signature comeback sauce and creative loaded wedges.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original Sandwich, French Toast Sandwich, 3 Tender Meal
What Makes it Special: Halal-certified Nashville hot chicken with customizable seven-level heat scale
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
7.9
Modern Indian restaurant with full cocktail bar and visible tandoor ovens, opened in 2021 by aerospace engineer-turned-restaurateur Mihir Lad and Executive Chef Sagar Ghosh. The menu takes contemporary liberties with classics while maintaining authentic spice profiles, served in a stylish space with two patios and sports bar elements. Creative touches include fusion appetizers alongside traditional curries, though the kitchen performs better with South Indian specialties than North Indian standards.
Must-Try Dishes:
Goat Curry, Butter Chicken, Garlic Fries
What Makes it Special: Contemporary Indian fusion with craft cocktails in modern lounge atmosphere with visible tandoor kitchen
7.9
LA-born Nashville hot chicken chain that started as an East Hollywood parking lot pop-up in 2017, now serving halal-certified tenders and sliders across seven heat levels. The hand-breaded chicken delivers consistent crunch and spice calibration, with late-night hours appealing to post-event crowds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot Slider, 2 Tenders with Fries, Dave's Combo
What Makes it Special: Viral LA hot chicken sensation with reliable heat levels and halal certification
7.8
Handroll specialist from Joint Seafood featuring dry-aged fish with distinctive umami depth in Citizen Public Market. The counter-service format focuses on temaki sets with fish aged in specialized cold cases. Limited bar seating creates an intimate but casual vibe for quick quality bites.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dry-Aged Toro Handroll, Toasted Lox Roll, Temaki Set
What Makes it Special: Dry-aged fish technique creates unique concentrated flavors