Best Seafood Restaurants in Downtown LA
11 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Kato
James Beard Award-winning chef Jon Yao reimagines Taiwanese-American nostalgia through a 12-course wood-fired tasting menu that earned Michelin recognition and a spot on North America's 50 Best.
Notable Picks
#1
Kato
8.9
Chef Jon Yao channels Taiwanese-American nostalgia through a 12-course wood-fired tasting menu that has earned him three consecutive LA Times #1 rankings and the 2025 James Beard Best Chef: California award. The Row DTLA dining room is understated, letting the bold, heavily-seasoned dishes command attention. At $325 for the main room, it works best for diners seeking contemporary Taiwanese flavors filtered through fine-dining ambition rather than tradition.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish Maw with Dungeness Crab and Caviar, Youtiao with Sea Urchin and Jamón, Spice-Crusted Duck Breast with Bao Bun
What Makes it Special: James Beard Award-winning chef Jon Yao reimagines Taiwanese-American nostalgia through a 12-course wood-fired tasting menu that earned Michelin recognition and a spot on North America's 50 Best.
8.7
Chef Yoshi-san's 20-course Edomae omakase operates from a hidden 10-seat basement counter accessed through a Little Tokyo parking garage and hotel lobby. His training at two-Michelin-starred Sushi Ginza Onodera shows in the precise technique, with repeat customers comprising more than half of each evening's seating. Reservations release monthly and disappear within minutes—at $300, it draws sushi purists who compare it favorably to top Tokyo counters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hairy Hokkaido Crab Chawanmushi, Nodoguro (Blackthroat Perch), Ankimo (Monkfish Liver)
What Makes it Special: Chef Yoshi-san, trained at two-Michelin-starred Sushi Ginza Onodera, serves 20-course Edomae omakase at a hidden 10-seat counter in a Little Tokyo basement.
#3
Sushi Gen
8.3
A Little Tokyo institution since 1980 where the $23-26 sashimi lunch special delivers halibut, fatty tuna, uni, scallops, and oysters at prices that confuse people given the quality. Strip mall setting, no reservations, long waits—all part of the deal. Regulars know the sashimi lunch is table-only; the dinner omakase and a la carte nigiri satisfy those who want the counter experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sashimi Lunch Special, Chirashi Bowl, Omakase
What Makes it Special: Little Tokyo institution offering exceptional sashimi value since 1980
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.
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Pet Friendly Paradise
Fisherman's Outlet is a long-running counter-service seafood institution where lines form for fried shrimp, grilled fish, and chowder served on trays. The basic outdoor patio doubles as a pet-friendly lunch spot, drawing downtown workers and seafood fans who care more about generous portions than polished surroundings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Shrimp Plate, Grilled Fish with Rice, New England Clam Chowder
What Makes it Special: A decades-old seafood counter with big portions, low prices, and a pet-friendly patio.
#6
Tensho
8.1
A fine-dining shabu-shabu destination in Little Tokyo where A5 Miyazaki Wagyu and daily-fresh king crab are the main draws, prepared by a 23-year veteran of traditional Japanese cookery. The intimate, small-room setting and attentive service suit special occasions, though expect premium pricing ($128-$158 for wagyu courses) that matches the ingredient quality. Carries forward the legacy of predecessor Kagaya with a focus on letting high-grade proteins speak for themselves in bubbling broth.
Must-Try Dishes:
A5 Wagyu Shabu-Shabu Course, King Crab Hot Pot, Udon in Shabu Broth
What Makes it Special: Fine-dining shabu-shabu featuring A5 Miyazaki Wagyu and daily-fresh seafood, led by a 23-year veteran chef trained in traditional Japanese cookery
#7
Hama Sushi
8.1
A decades-old Little Tokyo sushi counter where the chef runs an omakase-style program built around whatever is freshest that day — you sit, you trust, you eat what's put in front of you. The format rewards solo diners and regulars who prefer a chef-led cadence over menu browsing, and the price point lands well below what the omakase label typically commands. Expect a no-frills counter setup with zero pretense and fish that reflects the morning market, not a preset rotation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chef's Choice Omakase, Eel, Scallop
What Makes it Special: Decades-old Little Tokyo sushi counter where the chef dictates the meal from whatever is freshest that day
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
A Virginia oyster farming family brings their Chesapeake Bay bivalves to a converted industrial space in ROW DTLA, with raw bar offerings outshining the cooked menu. Lunch draws the savvier crowds—simpler menu, better value on po'boys and lobster rolls—while dinner works best if you stick to seafood towers and skip the overreaching entrées. The patio under the tree runs loud and social, which suits the casual oyster bar format.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Roll, Ceviche, Scallops
What Makes it Special: Virginia-based oyster farm bringing East Coast bivalves and sustainable seafood to a converted industrial space in ROW DTLA
#10
Señor Fish
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Happy Hour Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
A Baja-style counter-service operation near Little Tokyo that moves high volumes of fish tacos and scallop tostadas at prices that make it a default group lunch spot. The year-round patio keeps the energy up, though street parking near Civic Center is a losing game—rideshare or Metro is the realistic play. It delivers exactly what the format promises: fast, cheap, competent seafood without pretense.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish Tacos, Scallop Tostada, Grilled Mahi
What Makes it Special: Casual seafood counter in the Arts District turning out Baja-style tacos and tostadas with a patio that draws crowds year-round
#11
Catch 21
7.8
Catch 21 is a casual seafood and grill spot near the edge of Skid Row known for fish and chips, grilled plates, and an easygoing patio. It serves as a pet-friendly everyday option for downtown workers and locals who want quick, affordable seafood without leaving the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish and Chips, Grilled Sole Fish Plate, Shrimp and Fries Combo
What Makes it Special: A low-key seafood counter with dog-friendly outdoor seating and solid everyday prices.