Best Trendy Restaurants in Studio City
15 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Sushi Bar Tetsuya
Third-generation chef innovating traditional sushi with contemporary precision
Notable Picks
8.8
Third-generation sushi chef Tetsuya Tanabe balances innovation with tradition through signature rolls that marry modern technique with family legacy. The contemporary space features both counter and table seating, where modern innovations meet timeless sushi craft in carefully composed specialty rolls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Truffle Halibut Roll, Seared Specialty Rolls, Albacore Belly Nigiri
What Makes it Special: Third-generation chef innovating traditional sushi with contemporary precision
#2
Sushi Tomoki
8.7
Chef Tomoki Hombe's 2023 opening quickly became a celebrity favorite, delivering Valley-style omakase with expertly seasoned nigiri and familiar specialty rolls. The intimate blonde-wood space tucked beside jazz club The Baked Potato offers exceptional bang-for-buck with entry omakase starting at $80.
Must-Try Dishes:
Albacore Fried Onion Roll, Seared Salmon Roll with Truffle, Nodoguro
What Makes it Special: Former Sushi Enya chef delivering celebrity-favorite rolls with exceptional value
#3
OyBar
8.6
Chef Jeff Strauss transforms a historic dive bar into Studio City's buzziest cocktail destination with Jewish-Japanese fusion bar food. Walk-in-only spot serving wagyu pastrami quesadillas, matzo ball ramen, and a cult-favorite burger with hoisin ketchup and cilantro that landed on LA's best burger lists.
Must-Try Dishes:
OyBar Burger with Hoisin Ketchup, Wagyu Pastrami Quesadilla, Smoked Salmon Yaki Onigiri
What Makes it Special: Self-taught TV writer turned chef creating deeply personal Jewish-LA fusion in a vintage dive bar setting
8.6
James Beard Award-winning chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo bring their acclaimed wood-fired pizzas and house-made pastas to this neighborhood trattoria. The casual yet elevated Italian-American spot features signature pies like Little Nats with pepperoni and caciocavallo, plus spicy fusilli that earns rave reviews for its creamy vodka sauce.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Fusilli, Little Nats Pizza, Gem Lettuce Salad
What Makes it Special: James Beard Award-winning chefs elevating red-sauce Italian classics with wood-fired execution
8.6
Chef Nozawa's Trust Me-style sushi focusing on pristine fish quality over elaborate rolls, with simplified omakase menus emphasizing ingredient purity. The modern space delivers consistently excellent nigiri and straightforward hand rolls without the flashy presentations typical of American sushi.
Must-Try Dishes:
Trust Me Menu, Albacore Sushi, Blue Crab Hand Roll
What Makes it Special: Nozawa's philosophy of pristine fish and warm rice without American-style excess
8.6
Michelin-recognized Japanese-Peruvian fusion from Chef Shige Fujimoto creating irreverent dishes in a hip space with distinctive dining areas. The innovative menu balances ceviche and sashimi-quality seafood with playful creations like udon carbonara with smoked pork belly and sticky-sweet oxtail bao.
Must-Try Dishes:
Udon Carbonara, Oxtail Bao, Halibut Ponzu
What Makes it Special: Michelin Guide recognition for Japanese-Peruvian fusion from Michelin-star chef
8.5
Chef Lanny Marquez's taqueria offers regional Mexican street tacos and burritos on a spacious string-lit patio. Fresh-pressed margaritas and counter-service format make it ideal for groups, while signature items like birria and cochinita pibil showcase authentic preparations with modern LA energy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Birria Taco, Roadside Burrito with Fish, Street Corn
What Makes it Special: Large heated patio with fresh-pressed juices in every margarita and Chef Lanny's regional Mexican preparations
8.4
Modern Japanese spot with Chef Shige's 40+ years of expertise translating into creative specialty rolls and pristine nigiri. The sleek wood-accented space balances casual accessibility with special-occasion quality, drawing crowds for signature rolls like the Citrus Roll and fresh truffle preparations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Citrus Roll, Truffle Halibut Sashimi, Dream Roll
What Makes it Special: Chef Shige's scratch sauces and truffle-enhanced signature rolls
#9
Loqui
8.4
Elevated street food inspired by Baja and the Yucatan, with achiote-marinated proteins and house-made tortillas. The fast-casual format belies the quality ingredients and careful preparation, delivering transportive flavors in bowls and tacos that showcase regional Mexican cuisine with LA polish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Achiote Chicken Taco, Spicy Garlic Shrimp Bowl, Cochinita Pibil Taco
What Makes it Special: Traditional Mexican ingredients from Baja and Yucatan with elevated fast-casual execution
8.4
The Studio City outpost of NYC's legendary Prince Street brings thick-crust Sicilian squares and the iconic spicy pepperoni SoHo Square to the Valley. Detroit-style influences shine through their square-cut pies with crispy, caramelized edges and generous toppings that deliver satisfying heft.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Original Prince (SoHo Square), Spicy Vodka Slice, Naughty Pie with Hot Honey
What Makes it Special: Authentic NYC thick Sicilian squares with crispy edges and cult following
8.1
Grass-fed Wagyu burger concept with hand-cut, twice-fried fries served in vented bags that maintain optimal crispness. The smash-style patties and no-tipping model create a modern fast-casual experience focused on ingredient transparency and sustainable sourcing from New Zealand.
Must-Try Dishes:
HiHo Double with Twice-Fried Fries, Pastrami HiHo Burger, Willie Mae's Fried Chicken Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Only burger restaurant in LA serving 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef with halal certification
#12
Sushi Katsu-Ya
8
The original location where Chef Katsuya Uechi invented spicy tuna crispy rice, this strip-mall spot predates the glitzy Katsuya empire. Despite spawning locations in Brentwood, Hollywood, and Dubai, this casual original maintains its neighborhood following with the same innovative menu at more approachable prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Seared Spicy Albacore, Jalapeño Hamachi
What Makes it Special: Birthplace of the now-ubiquitous spicy tuna crispy rice
Worthy Picks
7.9
This New American gastro-bistro blends rustic design with modern touches, featuring reclaimed materials and Edison bulb lighting that creates an atmospheric dining experience. The diverse seasonal menu and craft cocktails attract a trendy crowd, while the enclosed outdoor section and stylish interior provide multiple photogenic settings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Six Burger, Six Mac n' Cheese, Buffalo Cauliflower
What Makes it Special: Rustic-chic design inspired by 1920s artists' collective combines charm with modern food
7.9
A focused hand roll bar from the Nozawa group that builds each piece around warm rice and premium nori, keeping the menu tight and the execution precise. The counter format rewards solo diners and quick visits, though per-roll pricing adds up fast if you're eating to full—expect $35-50 a head for a satisfying session. Part of the lineage that reshaped how LA thinks about casual sushi, and the Studio City outpost holds the standard.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yellowtail Hand Roll, Scallop Hand Roll, Lobster Hand Roll
What Makes it Special: First hand roll-only bar with immediate counter service and pristine Nozawa-style fish
#15
Tocaya Organica
7.9
Modern Mexican focused on organic ingredients and plant-based options. The fast-casual concept delivers tacos, burritos, and bowls emphasizing clean eating with vegan proteins and gluten-free choices, catering to health-conscious Studio City residents in a contemporary setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegan Nachos, Organic Chicken Taco, Açaí Bowl
What Makes it Special: Organic ingredients with extensive vegan and gluten-free menu tailored to wellness-focused diners