Sakana Sushi Lounge DTLA — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Sakana Sushi Lounge DTLA has earned a loyal following in Los Angeles for one big reason: the sushi is consistently top-tier. The menu strikes a beautiful balance between clean, traditional nigiri and more adventurous, fusion-style rolls that feel indulgent without being overdone. Crowd favorites like the crispy tuna, yellowtail nigiri, and a luxurious wagyu-truffle-caviar roll with freshly grated wasabi showcase both freshness and creativity. Every bite tastes intentional, with standout ingredients and careful presentation that impress even the most seasoned sushi lovers.

One of Sakana’s biggest strengths—often overlooked by newcomers—is its happy hour, which offers some of the best value in DTLA. Available during select hours (usually early evening), the Buy-One-Get-One-Free (BOGO) deal on sushi rolls and appetizers is a standout. This isn’t some watered-down version of the regular menu—many premium items are included, making it easy to fill your table with favorites without breaking the bank. Whether you’re sharing with friends or ordering solo, the deal stretches your dollar while still delivering top-quality sushi.

Regulars say the BOGO setup is perfect for trying new rolls or doubling up on a favorite without hesitation. It’s not uncommon to see tables loaded with multiple plates of sushi, crispy rice, and tempura shrimp—plus a couple of craft cocktails—all under what you might pay for a single entrée elsewhere. It’s the kind of deal that turns first-timers into repeat customers. Even outside of happy hour, the menu offers solid value for the level of quality, but timing your visit right can turn an excellent meal into an unbeatable one.

The drinks at Sakana deserve their own mention. Creative and visually fun, the cocktail list ranges from fruity and refreshing to bold and punchy. They pair well with the sushi and add a festive touch to the experience—whether you’re out for a weekday treat or kicking off a night downtown. A few guests even noted the cocktails as a highlight equal to the food itself, with interesting flavor combinations and stylish presentation.

While prices can creep up if you’re not watching the extras, the balance of quality, flavor, and atmosphere keeps people coming back. There are certainly fancier or more traditional sushi spots in LA, but few match Sakana’s vibe-for-value ratio. It’s especially ideal for groups, celebrations, or just those spontaneous nights when you want to treat yourself without blowing your budget.

All in all, Sakana DTLA delivers the kind of experience that lives up to the buzz. The sushi is excellent, the drinks are fun, and the happy hour is one of the best-kept secrets in the city. Whether you’re a sushi regular or just exploring the scene, this place is absolutely worth the visit—especially if you catch that...

The service and atmosphere are very good, I must focus my review on the food alone. Here's a breakdown of the dishes my party and I ordered:

Salmon Nigiri: The salmon nigiri was satisfactory, a little bit dry but it was a solid choice.

Salmon Belly Nigiri: better than regular salmon nigiri, the salmon belly nigiri provided a decent taste experience. The fish was fresh, and the flavors were enjoyable.

Tuna Toro Nigiri: The tuna toro nigiri was a step above the other dishes in terms of taste and quality. The tuna was tender and had a pleasant melt-in-your-mouth texture, making it one of the highlights of the meal.

Poke Salad: The poke salad was average. While it didn't disappoint, it didn't particularly impress either. It could have benefited from a more vibrant blend of flavors.

Fried Calamari: Unfortunately, the fried calamari left something to be desired. It was dry and lacked freshness, which was disappointing considering the overall positive experience of the restaurant.

Uni Nigiri: The uni nigiri had a bitter taste and seemed to have some foreign flavors, which detracted from the dish. It didn't meet the expectations for this delicacy.

In summary, while Sakana Sushi Lounge's service and atmosphere were excellent, the overall food experience was mixed. The salmon and tuna toro nigiri stood out as the better choices, but the fried calamari and uni nigiri were disappointing. I hope the restaurant can address these inconsistencies to elevate the dining...

Sakana provided us with the best meal we had during our stay in LA, and the service was extraordinary!!!

Our family was recently in LA for 4 days. Fortunately, we selected Sakana for our first evening meal as it was close to our downtown hotel. It was a Wednesday night, and parking was available right in front of Sakana. We were initially greeted by a kind security guard out front. He literally welcomed us to Sakana with a huge smile, and walked us right into the restaurant.

We were seated immediately. The service was prompt, and the food came out quickly. Everything was perfectly prepared and the sushi was super fresh and amazingly tasty. The servers made sure that we had everything we needed. At the end of the meal, Sakana employees even volunteered to take a family picture of us.

When we were packing to come home on Sunday, I realized that the beanie I had worn into Sakana was missing. Upon arriving home, I sent an email to Sakana inquiring about my beanie and offering to pay them to ship it back to me if they did have it. Within an hour, Sakana responded confirming that they did have it...and would mail it back to me at their expense. Three days later, my trusted beanie arrived!

Sakana took excellent care of us while we were there, and then went above and beyond after we were gone. If I lived in LA, I would become a regular at Sakana. If you are in the downtown LA You area, I would encourage you to have a meal there...you will not be...