Yamashiro Hollywood

Yamashiro sits 250 feet above Hollywood Boulevard at 1999 N Sycamore Avenue, in a mansion modeled on a mountain palace near Kyoto, Japan. The name is usually translated as "mountain palace." The Bernheimer brothers, German-Jewish dry-goods importers from a wealthy New York family, started construction in 1911 to house their collection of Asian art and antiques, and the house was finished in 1914.

A house of craftsmen and collections

Hundreds of craftsmen were brought from the Orient to build the ten-room teak and cedar mansion. Carved rafters were lacquered in gold and tipped with bronze dragons, and the walls were covered in silks and antique tapestries. After one of the brothers died in 1922 the property became the clubhouse of the exclusive Hollywood 400 Club, and by World War II it had fallen into disrepair.

How it became a restaurant

In 1948 a developer named Thomas O. Glover bought the property intending to demolish it for a hotel. While preparing for the tear-down he found antique silk wallpaper hidden under thick black paint, realized what he had, restored the house and opened it as a Cal-Asian restaurant called Yamashiro. The estate later became a place for celebrities to meet, and television shows including Perry Mason, I Spy and Route 66 filmed there.

Dinner with a view

The kitchen serves Japanese-inspired dishes such as Wagyu sukiyaki, matcha soba noodles, crispy rice, yakitori and specialty sushi rolls, with vegan and vegetarian options and a list of signature cocktails. The panoramic view over Los Angeles is a major reason people come.

Common Questions

What are the hours?
Typically dinner 5 PM to 11 PM Monday to Saturday, and on Sunday 11 AM to 2:30 PM and 5 PM to 11 PM. Call (323) 466-5125 to confirm.

When was it built?
Construction began in 1911 and the house was completed in 1914.

What is the food?
Japanese-inspired dishes, from sushi rolls to sukiyaki, with vegetarian options.

Who built it?
The Bernheimer brothers, to display their Asian art collection.

Is the view good?
Yes, the hilltop setting looks out over Los Angeles.