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Santō
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Santō
7.6
Mexico City import brings Roma Norte energy to Sunset Junction with Japanese-Mexican fusion sushi that includes Oaxacan chocolate-blowtorched hamachi and charcoal-seared otoro. The sleek counter and street-facing seats showcase Chef Hiroshi Kawahito's creative cross-cultural interpretations since opening in 2023.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hamachi Choco Nigiri, Santo Tiradito, Hamachi Truffle Hand Roll
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.3
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Only LA restaurant blending traditional Edomae technique with Mexican ingredients like Colima salt and Oaxacan chocolate
Who should go: Adventurous eaters seeking fusion innovation over traditional omakase
When to visit: Weekend brunch service Friday-Sunday noon-4pm for unique daytime sushi
What to order: Santo Tiradito, Rock Shrimp Tempura, any nigiri with Mexican twist
Insider tip: Street-facing counter seats provide best natural lighting and people-watching for content creation
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only - competitive after 6pm, arrive 15min early. Sunset Junction lot 2 blocks east ($8 flat rate)
Dress code: Elevated casual - dark jeans and nice top works, but most guests dress up for the Instagram-worthy setting
Noise level: Lively but manageable - can have conversation at normal volume, gets louder after 8pm on weekends
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation Friday-Saturday after 7pm, reservations book out 2-3 weeks
Weekday lunch: Walk-ins usually available, 15-20 min wait during Friday-Sunday brunch peak (1-2pm)
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - 6-8 vegetarian items including miso-glazed eggplant nigiri and mushroom tiradito with truffle oil
Vegan options: Limited - 3 items possible with modifications (avocado maki, cucumber-jicama roll, edamame with chile-lime)
Gluten-free options: Partial - nigiri available with tamari, but many signature items use soy-based sauces. Ask for GF modifications
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, ideal for adventurous first dates - the fusion concept is a natural conversation starter, counter seating feels intimate without being too formal, and the $$$ price point ($60-80pp) signals effort without breaking the bank. Skip if your date prefers traditional sushi.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Counter seats (8 spots) are first-come for walk-ins - arrive right at 5:30pm opening or try 9:30pm+ for best odds. Tables require reservations on Resy, released 3 weeks out at midnight. Friday-Sunday brunch is easiest for walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Not recommended for kids under 12 - no kids menu, small space with limited seating, and refined atmosphere better suited for adults. Adventurous teens who appreciate sushi might enjoy the experience.
How long does dinner take? Plan 90 minutes for full experience - omakase-style pacing even for a la carte orders. Counter seats move slightly faster (75min). Not a quick-bite spot.
Is it actually good for photos? Exceptional for content - street-facing counter gets golden hour light (5-6:30pm), charcoal-searing is visually dramatic, and plating is intentionally photogenic. Chef Kawahito is comfortable with phones at counter.
Best For
Better for: Santo wins for Instagram-worthy presentation, unique fusion approach, and weekend brunch sushi. More creative and photogenic than traditional omakase, better atmosphere than typical fusion spots, and more accessible than high-end Japanese ($$$ vs $$$$)
Skip if: You want traditional Edomae omakase (try Sushi Note), need quiet intimate ambiance (too lively), traveling with kids, or prefer non-adventurous sushi. Also skip if dietary restrictions are extensive - limited accommodations for vegan/GF diners
Santō
7.6
Mexican-Japanese fusion sushi bar from Mexico City brings bold flavor experiments to Silver Lake. Hamachi with Oaxacan chocolate and charcoal-seared otoro push creative boundaries, though purists may find the add-ons distract from fish quality in this tiny, sleek counter space.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hamachi Choco, Seared Otoro, Akami Nigiri
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Unconventional Mexican-Japanese fusion from acclaimed Mexico City original
Who should go: Adventurous eaters who embrace non-traditional sushi preparations
When to visit: Late weekend evenings when creative energy peaks
What to order: Simple nigiri like akami, skip overly-garnished signature pieces
Insider tip: Counter seats facing the street offer the best vibe in this tiny space
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only, challenging after 7pm. Plan for 10-15 min search or use rideshare
Dress code: Elevated casual - dark jeans and nice top work, but most lean stylish
Noise level: Intimate but lively - can converse at counter, louder when packed
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation, book 2+ weeks ahead
Weekday lunch: Dinner only - no lunch service
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - 3-4 vegetable-forward rolls and maki options
Vegan options: Very limited - ask about modifications to vegetable rolls
Gluten-free options: Possible with tamari, but cross-contamination likely in tight kitchen
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent for adventurous first dates - intimate counter seating sparks conversation, and sharing bold fusion bites creates natural talking points. Skip if your date is a sushi purist.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Very difficult on weekends - only 8 counter seats total. Try showing up right at 6pm opening or after 9:30pm for walk-in chances. Weeknights slightly easier but still competitive.
Is it kid-friendly? Not recommended for kids under 12 - no high chairs, tight counter-only seating, and adventurous flavors (Oaxacan chocolate, charcoal) won't appeal to young palates. Better for teens who appreciate culinary experimentation.
Best For
Better for: Bold flavor experimentation and Instagram-worthy presentation in an intimate, late-night scene. Choose Santō when you want sushi as creative theater rather than traditional craftsmanship.
Skip if: You prefer pristine, traditional omakase or need a quiet conversation space. The fusion approach and tight quarters aren't ideal for sushi purists or business dinners.
Santō
7.5
Silver Lake outpost of Mexico City's sushi bar brings bold fusion flavors to hand rolls and nigiri with Mexican-Japanese twists. The sleek counter setup and imported concept create buzz, though execution can feel inconsistent when truffle reductions and chocolate blowtorching distract from fish quality rather than enhance it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Akami Nigiri, Chu-Toro, Hamachi with Jalapeño
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Mexican-Japanese fusion from acclaimed CDMX restaurant group
Who should go: Diners seeking inventive sushi with non-traditional preparations
When to visit: Weekend lunch or weeknight dinner; street seating available
What to order: Simple nigiri selections, hamachi jalapeño, sake pairings
Insider tip: Stick to simpler preparations where fish quality shines through
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only, moderate difficulty. Sunset Junction area has metered spots ($1.50/hr until 8pm) and residential streets after. Arrive 10-15 min early to circle.
Dress code: LA-casual with edge - think nice jeans, fashion sneakers, leather jackets. Silver Lake crowd skews stylish but not stuffy.
Noise level: Lively but manageable - counter seating means you're close to sushi chefs and neighboring diners. Can hold conversation but not intimate whispers.
Weekend wait: 45-75 min without reservation, especially Friday/Saturday 7-9pm. Counter seats sometimes available for walk-ins.
Weekday lunch: 15-20 min wait typical, though quieter Tuesday-Thursday. Dinner requires reservation most nights.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - avocado hand rolls, vegetable tempura, cucumber nigiri, miso soup. About 6-8 options but limited compared to fish selections.
Vegan options: Very limited - 2-3 items (cucumber roll, edamame, some veggie sides). Not ideal for vegan-focused meal.
Gluten-free options: Possible with modifications - tamari available for soy sauce, skip tempura/fried items. Inform server as some sauces contain gluten. Most nigiri/sashimi naturally GF.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Strong choice if your date appreciates adventurous food. Counter seating creates natural conversation flow watching chefs work. Trendy vibe impresses without being pretentious. Skip if they prefer traditional sushi or quiet intimacy - it's buzzy and unconventional.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Tough on weekends without booking ahead. Best walk-in strategy: arrive at 5:30pm opening or after 9pm, target counter seats (higher turnover). Tuesday-Wednesday your odds improve significantly. Call ahead same-day to check - they sometimes accommodate.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children - no kids menu, small space, adventurous flavors. Tweens/teens who eat sushi could work for early dinner (before 7pm when it's calmer). The chocolate-blowtorch theatrics might entertain older kids but flavors skew adult.
What's the damage for two people? $80-120 for two with appetizers, hand rolls/nigiri, and a drink each. Goes higher if you order specialty rolls or multiple sake pairings. More affordable than high-end omakase but pricier than neighborhood sushi.
Is it actually authentic Japanese? No - it's intentionally fusion pushing boundaries between Mexican and Japanese techniques. If you want traditional edomae-style sushi, go elsewhere. This is for diners who appreciate creative mashups over purist preparations.
Best For
Better for: Adventurous eaters wanting Instagram-worthy fusion creativity and trendy Silver Lake energy. Choose this over traditional spots when you want conversation-starter dishes and a scene, not meditative omakase.
Skip if: You're a sushi purist who values pristine fish quality over creative flourishes, need quiet ambiance for serious conversation, or want reliably consistent execution. The fusion gimmicks can overshadow fundamentals - traditional spots deliver better fish-forward experiences.
Santō
7.7
Silver Lake outpost of Mexico City's Roma Norte hotspot blends Japanese sushi precision with Mexican culinary creativity. Creative touches include Oaxacan chocolate on hamachi nigiri and Colima sea salt on edamame, though the fusion approach can overshadow traditional fish quality at times.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hamachi Choco Nigiri, Santo Tiradito, Otoro Sashimi
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Japanese-Mexican fusion from acclaimed CDMX restaurant bringing creative sushi interpretations to Silver Lake
Who should go: Adventurous diners, fusion cuisine fans, trendy food scene seekers
When to visit: Dinner Tuesday-Sunday from 5pm, weekend lunch available
What to order: Hamachi with chocolate, soft shell crab, curated sake selection
Insider tip: Natural wine and sake program shines; street parking easier on weeknights
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only - meters until 8pm, relatively easy to find on surrounding blocks. Uber/Lyft recommended on weekends.
Dress code: Elevated casual - dark jeans and nice top works, but most diners lean dressy. Skip the gym wear.
Noise level: Moderate to lively - conversation-friendly at early dinner, gets buzzy after 7:30pm on weekends
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation after 6pm, bar seating sometimes available
Weekday lunch: Walk-ins usually seated within 15 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - creative vegetable nigiri and tempura options, but sushi-focused menu limits variety
Vegan options: Very limited - 2-3 items including edamame and vegetable sides, better to call ahead
Gluten-free options: Challenging - tamari available but cross-contamination concerns with fusion sauces, communicate clearly with server
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice - trendy but not intimidating, conversation-friendly early seating, shareable plates encourage interaction. Omakase counter seats are romantic. Budget $80-120 per person with drinks.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunches yes, weekday dinners maybe before 6pm. Weekend dinners nearly impossible - book 1-2 weeks ahead. Bar seats are first-come but fill fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal - no kids menu, small portions at high prices, and atmosphere skews date night/adult crowd. Better for teens 14+ who appreciate adventurous food.
Best For
Better for: Creative fusion experience and Instagram moments - this is about inventive combinations and scene, not pristine traditional sushi. Strong for groups wanting something trendy and conversation-worthy.
Skip if: You want traditional omakase or pristine fish quality without creative flourishes. Also skip if you're on a budget - prices are steep for portion sizes. Choose traditional sushi spots like Sushi Gen or Morihiro for purist approach.