Hayato

Tucked inside the sprawling Row DTLA complex, Hayato offers one of the most exclusive dining experiences in Los Angeles. This tiny restaurant operates just a few nights each week, hosting a handful of guests at a time in an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. The intimate counter seating puts you face-to-face with the chef, creating a theatrical yet serene setting where every dish becomes a moment to savor.

The kaiseki menu unfolds across roughly a dozen courses, each one showcasing pristine Japanese ingredients prepared with meticulous care. Expect dishes like delicately fried sea eel tempura and fish gently poached in rich dashi broth—the kind of refined preparations that reveal just how transformative simple ingredients can become in expert hands. Every course arrives as a small work of art, reflecting the seasons and the chef’s exacting standards.

At around $400 per person, Hayato positions itself firmly in the splurge-worthy category. Securing a reservation has become something of a legendary challenge in LA dining circles, with devoted regulars making bookings notoriously difficult to come by. This isn’t a casual Tuesday night dinner spot—it’s a destination for those who live and breathe Japanese cuisine and want to experience kaiseki at its most authentic.

For true devotees of traditional Japanese cooking who don’t mind the price tag and have the patience to hunt down a table, Hayato delivers an unforgettable evening. It’s the kind of meal you plan around, save up for, and remember long after the last course has been cleared.