Cancel

Open app

Search

Rebel Omakase

4.6 (190 reviews)
Ultra High-EndSushi Bars
Open 12:30 pm - 9:00 PM

Rebel Omakase Photos

Business Info

REBEL OMAKASE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Intimate
Classy
Upscale

You might also consider

More like Rebel Omakase

Recommended Reviews - Rebel Omakase

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Menu
Shu Y.

Attentive service, but a $400 omakase that missed the mark We dined at Rebel Omakase on February 13 for the 8:00 PM seating. Service was attentive, but the food and overall value fell far below expectations for a Michelin-starred restaurant charging $400 per person. Arrival & Logistics The door did not open until exactly 8:00 PM. Guests who arrived early were required to wait outside in the cold, with no heaters or indoor waiting area -- only a bench along the wall. Given the price point and the occasion, this felt inhospitable. Once inside, coats were placed on a single rack by the entrance with no separation between parties. The meal lasted about 1.5 hours, despite OpenTable listing a 2-hour dining time. Service Service was attentive and professional. Staff folded napkins when guests stepped away, reset seating, and refilled water promptly. The use of glass-bottled Evian water was appreciated. However, several aspects detracted from the overall hospitality: The restaurant enforced a cash-only policy for Valentine's Week, despite premium pricing and a mandatory 20% gratuity. Guests arriving early were left waiting outside in cold weather. Each guest received a complimentary bottle of sake at the end -- a thoughtful gesture, but one that did not make up for the shortcomings in the food. Service was the strongest aspect of the evening. Food Unfortunately, the food was deeply disappointing in both balance and execution. Aperitif (Caviar & Crab): Excellent caviar, but the crab flavor was overly strong and unbalanced. Kegani Tart: The crisp shell was sticky and unpleasant, clinging to the teeth. Gold leaf blew off during service. Monaka (Monkfish Liver): Well executed and one of the few highlights. Sashimi: Fish quality was good, but the octopus was cooked, resulting in a rubbery, sticky texture. Sawara: Nearly flavorless aside from the caviar; the sauce added no discernible purpose. Chawanmushi: Very rich and heavy, yet still under-seasoned. Nigiri: Fresh fish but poor execution -- under-seasoned rice, soy sauce discouraged, and two pieces fell apart. Wagyu: Extremely tender but paired with a bland yellow curry sauce lacking salt, spice, or acidity. The richness became overwhelming; my wife could not finish her second slice. Crown Melon: Only three small pieces per guest. White Strawberry: Half a white strawberry per person -- surprisingly minimal for this price point. Ice Cream: Sardine ice cream that was noticeably salty -- ironically the saltiest dish of the evening. From the mid-course onward, many dishes lacked seasoning and depth, resulting in a flat progression. Portioning & Satiety Despite the number of courses, the meal did not provide a sense of satiety. For a $400 omakase, the portioning and progression felt incomplete, particularly given the minimal desserts. Overall While the service was attentive, the food lacked balance, seasoning, and technical execution. The experience did not deliver the level of craftsmanship or value expected at this price point. I had high expectations and genuinely wanted to enjoy the meal, which makes the disappointment all the more unfortunate.

Luann B.

Food was outstanding with freshness and tasted like when we were in Tokyo last year. The service was impeccable and I refer my hot tea hot so it was constantly refilled and hot. The quality and taste of seafood imported from Hokkaido were excellent and melt in our mouths. It worths the money and incredible experience for our Anniversary.

Chef Nakasone
Stewart L.

Although I vacation in Laguna Beach twice a year, I only recently heard about this place. It's an unassuming Michelin-starred gem nestled in a small shopping plaza on Forest Ave near Beach. There was a Banana Republic here long ago. in 2025, Orange County has but 2 Michelin-starred restaurants, Rebel Omakase and Knife Pleat, the French spot in South Coast Plaza. Hana Re in Costa Mesa lost their star this year after having one for 6 years; Rebel got theirs in 2024. Rebel's chef/proprietor is Jordan Nakasone, who is Peruvian. He works the front with a sous chef and a server, who (after some Googling) I believe is his wife Debrah. Diners are seated at an L-shaped counter. It seems there are 10 seats, but the server said they limit lunch to 6 seats, and often limit dinner seating as well. Lunch is not offered every day; I believe dinner has 2 seatings. Lunch ran a little over an hour; dinner is 2 hours and of course more costly. After everyone is seated, the door is closed and service begins. There is a place setting with your name on it. There are sake/champagne/wine/beer alcoholic options; I ordered iced tea, which was of course Japanese tea. All of the fish, rice and ingredients are imported from Japan. Lunch began with a refreshing summery peach drink. There then were 4 plated dishes with multiple ingredients. Included was their signature sashimi platter which is made to smoke with the addition of a liquid (water?). Also included was a chawanmushi dish. Every dish was meticulously and delicately executed, all were delish. After the plated dishes came an assortment of 6 nigiri, of course presented one at a time. Also presented was a teacup of hot hairy crab soup. I didn't get the names of all the fish, but I remember there was mackerel and skipjack. The final piece was a handroll, maybe with tuna. Never have I had fish and seafood this exquisite! The final dishes were slices of Japanese crown melon and a purple soup that had kumquat and yuzu. Unique. The service was brisk, with all the diners kept on the same schedule time-wise. As a Yelper, it is incumbent the motto "the camera eats first" be honoured. So what with my photo-taking and trying to write down all the dishes, I was chastised by the server for not eating my nigiri as soon as it was presented. Even my mid-meal trip to the restroom put me behind. That being said, service was impressively meticulous and attentive, with your place setting and nigiri tray wiped down after each presentation, tea constantly refilled, dishes cleared ASAP, etc. Everyone is given a Polaroid photo of themselves as a parting gift. It's wonderful how a small family-run restaurant can have such exacting qualities and principles to warrant a Michelin star. I applaud Chef Nakasone et al for their success and will plan for a dinner experience here in the future.

Sarah L.

Wow, what a gem this place is. My partner and I had lunch here to celebrate our anniversary. The chef is incredibly talented because he just nailed every dish. The flavors were super balanced and seasoned to a tee. Every dish was superb quality. The lunch course was pretty close to perfect. I will be returning for dinner service! I was warned that the dinner course is double the serving of the lunch course. This place is a very intimate setting as there are only 6 counter seats and one table tucked away in the corner of the restaurant. There are 3 designated parking spots for the restaurant in the back of the building. You should visit!

Sammie C.

Came here for hubby's birthday dinner back in June 2025. Parking is incredibly difficult to find in Laguna beach so give yourself ample time to get here. They opened right on time for the first seating, so we ended up having a wait outside for a bit. Small, intimate 10-seat sushi bar. You could tell the chef takes pride in his creation. Each of the dishes was meticulously made. Nigiri was fresh and flavorful. Definitely glad to have a Michelin rated sushi establishment near us.

Incredible service, incredible tasty , thanks guys you amazing
Diliara B.

Incredible service, incredible tasty , thanks guys you amazing . We always like to comeback

Brian F.

Rebel Omakase is a high-end sushi restaurant in Laguna Beach tucked away next to a row of small shops and recently earned one Michelin star. Despite the small location, they have a free parking lot down the alley in the back. There's also street parking throughout the area. The inside was very minimal with lots of open space and had wood finishes throughout. There were only about 10 seats available at the counter but when we were there there were only six total people. The omakase was $300/person and consisted of 12 courses. Everything was of the highest quality, especially the fish which was all delicious. The sweet shrimp, white salmon, and the anago were great. The Hokkaido uni was so silky, and the bluefin tuna might have been my favorite. The crab in the kegani was so sweet, and the monaka yellowtail was savory. The wasabi was fresh and pungent, and the ginger was mild but effective. The service was amazing! They brought over and explained each course to us, and took our finished dishes promptly. When we were getting out of our seats and sitting back down, they would pull out our chairs. We ordered a bottle of wine and they would keep the bottle cold while we were drinking and refilled when our glasses were getting low. They were serious and attentive with their jobs but were also whimsical making slight jokes here and there. They made a delicious meal an even more wonderful experience. Overall the experience was two hours and we enjoyed it very much. It's a heavy price tag especially if you buy drinks. If you don't, there are plenty of places around the area to grab one before or after your meal here.

Ryan H.

A small and intimate setting for omakase that's more than worthy of its Michelin star. The service was incredible. Every dish was beautifully crafted, each course building on the last. It's not just a meal it's a carefully curated experience that keeps you fully engaged the entire time.

A sensational experience. Food becomes an art form at Rebel Omakase. The meticulous creations with top notch quality ingredients and incredibly fresh sushi were truly impressive. I loved every course. Everything was done with intention--dish composition, presentation, order of courses, service. Cleanliness was impeccable. Five stars all around, and a very well deserved Michelin star.

Omakase Oct 2024
Deb H.

While quite expensive ($300/person), the quality and experience is quite amazing here at Rebel Omakase. What sets this apart from other fine dining Japanese omakase experiences I have attended before are: 1) high end unique ingredients 2) obscure types of fish that I'd never tried before (white salmon for example!) 3) the nigiri is served in between other courses so that instead of nigiri one right after the other (as typical in omakase) you'll receive a course, then piece of nigir or two, then another course, then a piece of nigiri, etc. The nigiri offered was outstanding! That was my favorite part of the meal. The ambiance is simple but classy. Service was outstanding! We enjoyed the Polaroid photo presented to us with the bill. That was a very nice and impressive surprise! Parking is street parking and easier at dinner in the off season since it's in the heart of Laguna where there's a ton of tourists in the summer. Overall, due to the price, this is a special occasion restaurant. Chef does change the menu seasonally so I would try again next summer when there will be more cold dishes (this time as the end of October there were more soups and hot dishes). In terms of the high end Orange County omakase restaurants, Rebel Omakase is in both mine and my husband's Top 3 list! My husband and I both rank Omg Omakase by Gino as the best, then he ranks Hana re second (I rank Rebel Omakase second)!! and then he ranks Rebel Omakase third and I rank Hana re third) however in the grand scheme of things all 3 restaurants are outstanding and deliver a 5 star experience!

Don't go. It's a Michelin star experience restaurant not a good Japanese restaurant. The flavoring is bad. They don't put enough sauce so all the sushi have no flavor on it, so most fish tastes fishy. The slices on the sushi are too thin so you don't have enough feeling of the texture. They don't even know how to slice the melon so you can see the melon come with a lot of skin makes it not sweet and hard to chew. They don't give enough food so I came home and finish an other full doordash meal. 12 courses includes 4 or 5 pieces of sushi and 3 desert is not enough even for the skinny ladies. If you pay $500 or more for a meal you deserve better quality food not just a fine dinning experience with bad food. Sorry for my bad grammar but hope you got how angry I am. This restaurant drop so fast after they receive a Michelin star, you can tell from the rating trends.

Kyle J.

Incredible experience, definitely would go back. The service is impeccable, and the chef is very knowledgeable and personable.

Aleksandra N.

Went for my birthday dinner and the experience did not disappoint. The door was closed until the time of our reservation. Walked into simple and intimate room hosting only 12 people, the music was calm and relaxing almost felt like a spa. From excellent service to an outstanding 13 course omakase where we could watch chef's every step preparing the dishes. The experience was worth the hefty price tag.

See all

25 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Elisa G.
3500
3342
15225

3 months ago

Helpful 17
Thanks 6
Love this 19
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 16
Thanks 4
Love this 3
Oh no 5
Photo of Shu Y.
0
13
42

3 months ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 1

17 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

11 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

24 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 3
Oh no 1

3 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 10
Thanks 4
Love this 8
Oh no 2

2 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 13
Thanks 4
Love this 7
Oh no 2

6 months ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 2
Photo of Kyle J.
0
25
16

5 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

3 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 3

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 2
Photo of Ted S.
245
704
2079

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 2

9 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 12
Thanks 2
Love this 5
Oh no 0
Photo of Da C.
0
20
32

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 9
Thanks 6
Love this 3
Oh no 3

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 3
Love this 4
Oh no 2

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 2
Photo of Sam H.
0
12
1

5 months ago

Great experience. Foods are good. Great service. Quiet & cozy environment. Good at communications & accommodating.

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Michelle R.
1288
2354
12842

3 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 3
Photo of Salina G.
1630
112
2145

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 5
Oh no 1
Photo of El V.
0
76
118

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Dima K.
41
44
50

11 months ago

Very good ... loved the experience. The chief was on time with the next food and the designs were great

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 5
Photo of Shawn F.
159
34
1

2 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 6

4 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 5

Rebel Omakase Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Rebel Omakase

What is the dinner omakase price as of today?

Does this Restraunt allow you to bring your own alcohol and if so how much is the corkage fee?

I doubt it. You could call and ask, they might charge a corkage if you are brining wine.

What time is the last seating?

There's 2 seating, 5 and 7:30, I believe. Contact the restaurant directly

How much is the omakase here?

260 dinner 160 lunch

Do they have outdoor seatings?

Yes but the dining is intended for indoors.

Is this place vegetarian friendly?

Most of the dishes incorporate seafood. If you have a Dietary or food allergy, let them know in advance and they will cater your experience to your needs.

Is there a dress code enforcement for this place?

Not that I saw. I wore jeans and a nice button up shirt with Nikes :) Nothing fancy, just nice I… Read more

Is the chef japanese?

Chef and owner, Jordan Nakasone is Japanese.

How do you make reservation at Rebel Omakase?

Call or text (949) 664-3186

How much is omakase?

$200/person. Well worth it IMO.

View All 14 Questions

You might also consider

Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Salmon Sashimi

Seabutter - Laguna Beach

4.2(355 reviews)
0.7 mi

Went for our anniversary dinner and reserved via Resy for Amex credit. Went on a Sunday and had no…read moreissues with last minute planning. The team were able to accommodate my avocado allergy and were great hosts. We had a wonderful time and great experience. The seared rolls were the absolute best and I would come here again just for that. A bit on the pricey side but again we had the amex resy credit so it wasn't too bad.

Parking- It was surprisingly easy esp for the area. There's a convenient garage connected to the…read morebuilding and it's not crazy expensive. The restaurant also validates! Lobster Tail Cut Roll- This was incredible! The lobster was buttery, tender, and perfectly cooked with a slight crisp on the outside. Every bite tasted fresh and well-balanced. Not overly sauced and had an almost smoky aftertaste. A5 Wagyu Nigiri- The beef was incredibly rich, buttery, and literally melted the second it hit my mouth. You could almost mistake it for salmon with how soft the bite was. Perfectly seared with just enough warmth to bring out the fat without overpowering it. This alone is worth coming back for. Bluefin Tuna Sushi- The bluefin tuna nigiri completely melted in my mouth. The fish was visibly high quality, rich, and perfectly sliced. The rice was seasoned just right and held together without overpowering the tuna. You can really taste the freshness. Definitely coming back!

Photos
Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Bluefin Toro, Salmon Truffle, Hye

Bluefin Toro, Salmon Truffle, Hye

Seabutter - Laguna Beach - Baked Lobster on Crispy Rice

Baked Lobster on Crispy Rice

Seabutter - Laguna Beach

See all

Starfish

Starfish

4.4(1.6k reviews)
2.4 mi
$$
Takes reservations
Outdoor seating

Now after a day for business out in sunny California. I figured I'd have a bite in Laguna Beach…read more.. This is a for sure spot to eat I while in Laguna. Easy parking. Great location and parking. Even close to the beach where after eating, you could take a walk. The service was fair. Smiles and quick. Delicious food. No complaints from this review. But if you're in a mood for a bite and a drink. Check out Starfish! Thank you Starfish! I had a pleasant experience....

I love starfish. I live in NorCal and every time I come down, this is the one and only spot I make…read morea date to go. It's just me and I don't need much, so HH is perfect. The libation of choice: lychee martini. Though this last visit, I finally tried another at the rec of Alexis - enlightenment. It's very refreshing- now I've got two favs. The wontons are fire! I normally go for shrimp chive, but also tried the pork Saigon ones this last visit, pan fried. Also super delicious. Crab Philly sushi was quite yum, I had a few left over and ate on my drive home. The roll is big!! Alexis is phenomenal- I only wish I could be as natural and on point as she. Fantastic server... I mean, fantastic person really. A++ Two drinks, an app or sometimes two and my evening instantly livens up. Gd I wish I lived in Laguna. One day! This is a local must. Love what the owners do, all the responses are genuine, the staff are great, and the vibes/drinks/food will keep you coming back. Till next time starfish!

Photos
Starfish
Starfish
Starfish

See all

Oto Sushi - Coho Salmon

Oto Sushi

4.6(397 reviews)
0.1 mi

This contemporary restaurant creates outstanding food while providing excellent service. Our…read morewaiter, Samer, was kind and respectful. We ordered a Sushi Board for 2, but the 3 of us had plenty. In fact, we cleared the board. Everyone raved about the food and cocktails. All of us are eager to return!

There's a reason why this restaurant was voted 2nd place winner for best sushi in Orange County…read more What an incredible experience. What made it this great though had to do with our waiter Wes, his knowledge from living in Japan that he brought to our dinner was so unique and he really just went above and beyond. He was so attentive and engaging and if you haven't given him a raise, well now is the time The vibes are so chic, yet casual too. We had the lovely lightning as the sun was setting and sushi menu that is made to order you can taste the freshness of each bite as if you'd caught the fish yourself. We took advantage of their daily happy hour from 3-6pm and ordered some edamame, chicken kaarage and a sushi roll, then.. we went for it.. we ordered the sushi board and shared among the 4 of us which is $430. It was well worth it, along with the award winning burger. We ordered every single dessert, even the vegan one (and I'm not vegan) but ended up being my favorite surprisingly. I have no complaints other than wishing my stomach could expand when food tastes this good and you truly feel like you've known the waiter your entire life, especially as he table grated our wasabi and told us how they are grown in Japan next to waterfalls. Thank you for such a core memory that I'll forever hold dear

Photos
Oto Sushi - Upstairs ambience

Upstairs ambience

Oto Sushi - Scallop Yakumi

Scallop Yakumi

Oto Sushi - Paloma Soju

See all

Paloma Soju

242 Cafe Fusion Sushi - from http://www.fusionart.us/fs/top.php

242 Cafe Fusion Sushi

4.1(444 reviews)
0.3 mi
$$

(Now called Miki Sushi & Sake) This is hands-down the #1 best sushi restaurant in OC! The artistry…read moreof Chef Miki is unparalleled. Been coming here for years, and the quality has remained supreme! Sauces so good you will literally want to lick your plate. I have ordered a bowl of rice, just to not waste the rest of the sweet butterfly sauce before. The sauce that comes on the side of the edamame is also incredible! The staff are wonderful, friendly and very helpful! Attentive and knowledgeable. Could not recommend highly enough. Even the bathroom has cool decor. Come see for yourself

I am SO happy 242 Cafe Fusion Sushi is still thriving after all these years! I don't get to Laguna…read moreBeach around dinner time often, but when I have the chance, I always want to come here. Chef Miki Izumisawa is the only female sushi chef I know of to this day, and still consider her one of my heroes. She is an artist at heart, getting inspiration from nature to create unique nigiri, cut rolls and hand rolls. She has trained more female sushi chefs to execute her masterpieces, and it's really awesome to see these bad ass women challenging Japanese gender norms! Traditional nigiri run about $7, whereas, fusion nigiri are priced around $8, so I suggest trying fusion pieces, which are thoughtfully crafted with house-made sauces and flavorful garnishes. I recently came with four friends around 5pm and was graciously seated outside. We each ordered the Sexy Hand Roll and a cut roll to share and that seemed to be enough. We also tried the Toro Fusion nigiri, Tuna Fusion nigiri with spicy miso and chili paste as well as a recommended appetizer of seared albacore and a delicious gingery, garlicky sauce. Each bite of everything had umami, texture, fragrance, and beauty, playing with all our senses. The restaurant is teeny tiny, and only open from 4:30-8:30pm, so I recommend arriving when they open or make a reservation 24 hours in advance. Note that they only take reservations at 5pm though. Street parking is metered and a bit pricey and challenging being close to Main Laguna, but so worth the hassle!

Photos
242 Cafe Fusion Sushi - From http://www.fusionart.us/fs/top.php

From http://www.fusionart.us/fs/top.php

242 Cafe Fusion Sushi - One of my Favorites - Aloha Roll from http://www.fusionart.us/fs/mikidish.html

One of my Favorites - Aloha Roll from http://www.fusionart.us/fs/mikidish.html

242 Cafe Fusion Sushi - P and g sashimi

See all

P and g sashimi

FIN Sushi & Sake - Fatty Tuna and a Beach

FIN Sushi & Sake

4.1(56 reviews)
0.2 mi

What a wonderful little sushi spot! My family and I visited FIN Sushi and Sake today and it was…read moresuch an unbelievably delicious and unforgettable experience! I just want to say, for starters, how beautiful both the hotel and the view from the hotel is. We were seated inside next to the sushi bar area, and we had such a beautiful view of the ocean and the beachside. It's so beautiful. We went around 6:00, just as the sun was beginning to set, and it was honestly breathtaking. Chef Sam Park is the absolute BEST! He's hilarious and good at what he does. The food was so phenomenal, I cannot believe it! We got a lot of items, such as the sashimi platter, the sunset roll, and the geisha roll. The sunset roll has got to be my favorite of the rolls, it was so yummy! Slightly spicy and citrusy from the lemon garnish. The fish tasted so fresh and didn't have the fish smell that I typically am wary about when ordering sushi. Their Toro is SO GOOD! Oh my goodness, really melts in your mouth. Their cocktails are also delicious! What a real treat. Our server was Spencer, and he was just an absolute doll. He was super attentive and quick to give us drink refills! The food also came out in a timely manner, giving us time between our dishes to be able to enjoy without overcrowding our table. All in all, such an amazing time! I'm so glad that my family and I stopped in! I cannot wait to come back and try Chef Park's other creations. Definitely stop by if you want a good view and an even better bite!

We made reservations at FIN after walking by the Hotel Laguna and seeing the seaside restaurant…read morenear the back. We were not disappointed. The views are incredible - particularly in the late afternoon leading up to sunset. The bar was lively and the patio was filled with happy diners. We loved the high-quality sushi rolls as the quality of the fish was spectacular. In addition to the sushi, we ordered the brussel spouts and burrata appetizer which was worth the trip alone. We also ordered a side of the hot honey cauliflower which was equally amazing. The service was incredible. Our waiter was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuine. Although we didn't order cocktails, the drinks coming from the bar looked amazing. We will definitely return to FIN.

Photos
FIN Sushi & Sake - Corridor leads you to the hostess for Fin Sushi

Corridor leads you to the hostess for Fin Sushi

FIN Sushi & Sake - Point break roll

Point break roll

FIN Sushi & Sake - Aug 1, 2025

See all

Aug 1, 2025

Hapi Sushi

Hapi Sushi

3.8(321 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

Let me set the scene: It's a Friday evening and you're…read morewalking through beautiful downtown Laguna Beach and suddenly acquire a craving for sushi. You ideally want somewhere more quiet, intimate, and low-key, since you aren't dressed up for a "Nobu" style dining experience. You do a quick Yelp search and find that Hapi sushi is conveniently located in downtown Laguna Beach and looks to have the exact ambiance that you're searching for. You plug the address into Google Maps, and keep your fingers crossed that they'll have a table open late on a Friday night! Fortunately, they had a table available, and my boyfriend and I were able to be seated right away! The restaurant is very intimate with dark lighting, and would make for the perfect romantic date night spot. The sushi bar was packed and they had small tables with chair seating on one side and booth seating on the other side. We both sat on the booth as to not impede the narrow aisle between the booth and sushi bar, and enjoyed watching the sushi chef work his magic and create fresh rolls from time to time. We had eaten dinner a couple hours ago, and just wanted something to satisfy the craving. We ordered the Chirashi bowl (off menu) and it came packed with fresh sashimi on top of a bed of sushi rice. We enjoyed the cozy interior and were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the meal. This felt like a "neighborhood" sushi spot, and we would definitely return should we be strolling through Laguna Beach in need of a sushi restaurant again. As a side note, this is right in downtown Laguna Beach, so parking could be quite difficult! Be prepared to walk if planning to come on the weekend or for dinner on weekdays!

As long as the fish is fresh, I'm not particularly picky about my sushi so I've got nothing but…read moregood things to say about the sushi offerings here. We got the sashimi sampler, which came with some sliced cucumber that I really enjoyed, and the tuna dream -- which really lived up to its name! The tuna and hamachi were especially good -- salmon was just okay, fresh enough but not great. We also had the hamachi kama, it was slightly overcooked but still buttery and flaky enough to enjoy. The only issue was the wait staff, they seemed a little incompetent and maybe a little confused? Our tuna dream got delivered to the wrong table and it took a while for them to realize and correct the mistake. Luckily, their sushi chef is super speedy and helped make up for their mistake (super fun to sit at the bar and watch him grind out roll after roll so perfectly!) It's a small space and the whole time the waiters were kind of running around haphazardly without any sort of system... Left everyone waiting for food, drinks, checks, etc. much longer than was probably necessary which kind of made for bad vibes. We weren't in a rush, so not a huge deal for us, but we noticed ‍ Ultimately though, all that matters is the chef was super competent and the fish was fresh so the food was good!

Photos
Hapi Sushi - Inside

Inside

Hapi Sushi - Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice

Hapi Sushi

See all

Nick's Laguna Beach - Warm Butter Cake

Nick's Laguna Beach

4.5(4.3k reviews)
0.1 mi
$$$

I can't believe it took me this long to experience Nick's, especially as someone who's deeply…read morefamiliar with the Laguna dining scene. To put it simply: this is the kind of place Laguna has been missing. From the moment we walked in, the energy felt dialed-in in a way that immediately reminded me of a Hillstone experience -- polished but not pretentious, lively but still intimate. That balance is incredibly hard to execute, and Nix nails it. For context, I'm part owner of 230 Forest Avenue, so I don't say this lightly: Nix easily lands in my top five in Laguna Beach. We started with Aperol spritzes (perfectly balanced, not overly sweet), along with a couple of appetizers -- including a fried asparagus dish that was addictive in the best way. Crisp, flavorful, and gone way too quickly. For mains, I ordered the veggie burger, which was genuinely one of the best I've had -- hearty, well-seasoned, and thoughtfully constructed (not an afterthought, which vegetarian options so often are). My boyfriend had the noodle salad, which was fresh, vibrant, and layered with flavor. But beyond the food, what really stood out was the overall experience. The atmosphere feels intentional , great music, beautiful crowd, and a buzz that makes you want to linger. It's the kind of place where dinner effortlessly turns into drinks, and drinks turn into "should we just stay a little longer?" Laguna Beach doesn't have a ton of restaurants that hit this level across the board -- food, service, ambiance, and energy, but Nix absolutely does. We'll be back, and soon.

Can you say delicious x10?! The food here is dangerously good…read more We kicked things off with drinks, an old fashioned and a skinny margarita, both doing exactly what they needed to do! Then came the artichoke appetizer and the soup of the day... and honestly, I could've stopped there and been happy. But we powered through like professionals and went for a late lunch entrée, the Chilean sea bass- and WOW. Worth every bite. And shoutout to our server and the entire staff, total pros. Super polished, attentive, and clearly know what they're doing without being over the top. If you're looking for amazing food with a cool, laid-back vibe, Nick's is your spot. Just come hungry... and maybe wear stretchy pants.

Photos
Nick's Laguna Beach - Inside

Inside

Nick's Laguna Beach - Chicken piccata

Chicken piccata

Nick's Laguna Beach - Boulevardier, top shelf

See all

Boulevardier, top shelf

Rebel Omakase - sushi - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...