Last updated: 2025-05-06
Best Upscale Restaurants in Universal City
Universal City’s dining scene bursts with culinary excellence, offering sophisticated palates an array of extraordinary restaurant experiences. From Hollywood glamour to innovative cuisine, these establishments transform ordinary meals into memorable gastronomic journeys.
Discerning diners can explore remarkable venues like Saddle Ranch Chop House, Asanebo, and Samba Brazilian Steakhouse, each delivering unique flavors and atmospheric dining that capture the essence of Southern California’s vibrant restaurant culture.
Discover Universal City’s most extraordinary dining destinations!
Featured Fine Dining Spots in Universal City
- Somni (West Hollywood)
- Crossroads Kitchen - Melrose (West Hollywood)
- The Tower Bar (West Hollywood)
- Asanebo
- Samba Brazilian Steakhouse
- Saddle Ranch Chop House
Asanebo
What to Expect
Authentic Japanese omakase with direct seafood imports
Description
Asanebo offers an intimate sushi dining experience featuring meticulously prepared omakase-style Japanese cuisine. The restaurant showcases pristine seafood sourced directly from Japan, with expert chefs crafting delicate sashimi and innovative nigiri at an elegant chef's counter. Guests can expect precision-driven presentations and authentic Japanese culinary techniques.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Asanebo ↗
Crossroads Kitchen - Melrose (West Hollywood)
What to Expect
Upscale vegan cuisine with Mediterranean and international influences
Description
An innovative plant-based fine dining restaurant nestled on Melrose Avenue, Crossroads Kitchen offers sophisticated vegan cuisine in an elegant, contemporary dining room. The restaurant transforms classic dishes into gourmet plant-based creations, featuring intricate plating, globally inspired flavors, and a refined atmosphere that challenges traditional perceptions of vegan dining.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Crossroads Kitchen - Melrose ↗
Saddle Ranch Chop House
What to Expect
Mechanical bull riding in restaurant dining area
Description
A boisterous Western-themed steakhouse featuring a mechanical bull, rock 'n' roll atmosphere, and hearty American chop house cuisine. The expansive dining room combines rustic ranch decor with high-energy entertainment, offering tableside service and signature oversized meat platters that create a theatrical dining experience.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Saddle Ranch Chop House ↗
Samba Brazilian Steakhouse
What to Expect
Tableside carved mesquite-grilled meats in traditional Brazilian churrascaria style
Description
An authentic Brazilian steakhouse featuring an extensive churrascaria-style dining experience with mesquite-grilled meats carved tableside. The restaurant offers a diverse selection of grilled proteins including picanha, New York steak, and specialty kabobs, complemented by traditional Brazilian sides like black beans and farofa.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Samba Brazilian Steakhouse ↗
Somni (West Hollywood)
What to Expect
Single-seating, 14-seat Chef's Counter with boundary-breaking culinary performance
Description
Nestled in West Hollywood, Somni offers an intimate 14-seat Chef's Counter experience crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Aitor Zabala. The restaurant reimagines fine dining through a Spanish lens, blending Basque and Catalan culinary traditions with Los Angeles creativity. Guests enjoy an immersive journey where chefs and servers blur traditional boundaries, presenting meticulously sourced ingredients through an artistic, storytelling approach.
Restaurant Details
More Info: Somni ↗
The Tower Bar (West Hollywood)
What to Expect
Hollywood glamour-era dining in Bugsy Siegel's historic apartment
Description
The Tower Bar offers an intimate, Art Deco-inspired sanctuary nestled in West Hollywood, featuring walnut-paneled walls, rose-colored lighting, and sweeping city views. Located in Bugsy Siegel's former apartment, this chic restaurant delivers a nostalgic Hollywood experience with discreet niche seating, live jazz piano, and an elegant indoor/outdoor terrace with panoramic Los Angeles landscapes.
Restaurant Details
More Info: The Tower Bar ↗
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