How To Get A Reservation At Nobu Malibu

Perfect For: Boss You Haven't Seen In A Month

If we lived in Malibu and could afford Nobu on a regular basis, you wouldn't see much of us either. In a city where five-star sushi places are all but stacked on top of each other, Nobu Malibu is the undisputed king of splashy sushi experiences. World-class fish, panoramic ocean views, and countless amounts of Kardashians.

This high-end sushi palace in Malibu needs little introduction. Nobu is one of LA's most celebrity-filled patios in LA. And because of that, everybody else is trying to score a table too. Scoring a table here is a complete hassle and you'll probably have to dip into savings to cover the tab, but there's no denying that both the fish and the ocean views are incredible. If you're looking for a throw-down dinner where nothing matters except the experience, Nobu is a must.

If the closest you came to dining by the water during quarantine was parking your car on the side of Silver Lake Reservoir and eating a snack pack of hummus and pretzel chips, consider that it might finally be your time to make a reservation at Nobu. One of LA's fanciest restaurants (and one of the only places quoted in a literally tens of songs), they've got some of the best views of the Pacific in town, and - this is a scientific fact - no one has ever been mad about eating their yellowtail with jalapeño.

As a general rule, expensive sushi and ocean views usually lead to the kind of tourist trap hell-zones that will have you regretting ever going towards the beach in the first place. Except for Nobu. Not only are those unobstructed views of the Malibu coastline excellent, but so is the sushi. This is your big group spot when you want to show off that you not only live in LA, but you're thriving here too.

Your old college roommate wants to drive up the Malibu coast, see a celebrity, and eat on the water while the sun sets. And she's here for one night. Go to Nobu Malibu and knock out all three at once. The flagship restaurant of the Nobu empire is one of the most recognizable restaurants in LA, and despite the exorbitant prices and swarms of paparazzi literally sitting outside, it's a place that's always worth the hassle of getting in. Classic dishes like the sashimi tacos, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno, and black cod miso are still fantastic, and as long as they keep packing their patio with A-list celebrities, there'll never be a dull moment.

We don't need to remind anyone of Nobu's existence, but it is worth pointing out how blustery Malibu can get - making this famous sushi restaurant's fireplace-adorned dining room all the more useful. Yes, you're going to spend money here. A LOT of money. But at the end of the day, the food is excellent, the ocean views are unparalleled, and Oprah just walked in drunk with Spielberg. It's the kind of experience that simply comes with a certain price tag.

Your roommate won two new bedroom sets on The Price Is Right last month and now he thinks he's Shawn Mendes. It was pretty annoying up until the point when he told you he'd take you out to dinner anywhere you want. Obviously, you're choosing Nobu Malibu. The massive sushi restaurant on the water is one of the most over-the-top dining experiences in LA, but it's hard to deny the magic of eating high-quality sushi and watching the sunset - particularly when someone else is buying.

If you haven't heard the name Nobu by now, we're not sure what rock you've been hiding under, but our apologies, that thing must've been big. Because plain and simple, there are few names in the food world as recognizable as Nobu and LA claims him as their own. And while his landmark Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills was a game-changer for the entire sushi industry back in the day, it's his jaw-dropping space out in Malibu that takes the cake these days. With views of the ocean and some of the highest quality sushi in the world, it doesn't get more SoCal than this.

There is possibly no better day-off lunch in the greater Los Angeles area than Nobu. PCH traffic is non-existent on weekdays, you'll get a prime table next to the water (maybe plan ahead and make a reservation, but you can always try your luck), and you'll still probably see a celebrity (we're pretty sure there's a rule that there must be at least 2 C-list stars here at any given time). Nobu isn't just about the scene though - the food here is so much better than it needs to be. Go here and remember, this is why you live in LA.

Nobu is the official restaurant of Malibu. Combine world-class sushi with the best space on the coast, and you've got one of the most loved restaurants in California. To be clear, you are going to spend some money here. A LOT of money. But this is the legendary Chef Nobu we're talking about here, and Oprah just walked in drunk with Spielberg - you're not in Kansas anymore.

It's kind of a toss-up as to which view is better at Nobu - the big blue Pacific ocean, or the people-watching. If you don't see a celebrity here, you aren't looking hard enough. We'd actually understand if the food here was mediocre, but the best part about Nobu is that it's the opposite. All that excellent Japanese food comes at a price, but when Diane Keaton and her hats are sitting to your left, that's the least of your worries.

This Japanese restaurant sitting directly on the beach in Malibu could be considered a tourist trap in itself. It's been on too many episodes of Keeping Up With The Real Housewives of Sur, and you're almost guaranteed some kind of celebrity sighting. But the twist of Nobu is that even though Robert De Niro is a co-owner, the food here remains unbelievably good. And unbelievably expensive. Probably time to find a reality show to star in.

Again, you're probably not driving specifically to Malibu for brunch, unless you're dating a stoner surfer who lives in his van on the PCH. Or if it's at Nobu. This may just be the most prime real estate on the coast - you actually feel like you're eating on the ocean. And the day we discovered Nobu Malibu's brunch menu (exclusive to this location) was one of the happiest days of our life. You can skip your usual rock shrimp order and go for the sliders and kaya toast instead.

Despite all expectations (it's essentially a chain restaurant, sits right on the beach in Malibu, and the Kardashians go there), the food is legitimately excellent. Nobu's influence is felt in every plate of yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño you've ever had, but it probably won't ever be better than when you're sitting on their oceanside patio. They don't do omakase, so let your server do the ordering - you'll get more than just sushi, but every piece you eat will be fantastic.

Want to feel like a celebrity? Book a private dinner at Nobu, the iconic Malibu spot where celebs take in breathtaking ocean views while dining sashimi tacos, and paparazzi flock outside in the hopes that someone famous was overserved at dinner. They have two private event spaces that can seat 30-50 guests, individually (they can also be combined to seat 80), though they must be booked at three months in advance. Oh, also, this probably goes without saying, but they're expensive - the food and beverage minimums start at $3,000.

Capacity: 80