Long a bastion of excellent mom-and-pop restaurants and stellar Cambodian fare, the dining scene here has more recently emerged as one of the most vibrant in Los Angeles, and we’ve rounded up some of the best restaurants in Long Beach.
From a newly reopened resort with a gorgeous rooftop restaurant to a MICHELIN-Starred tasting menu spot to a speakeasy serving some of the best cocktails in Los Angeles County, Long Beach is ripe for exploration.
Read on to explore some of the best restaurants in Long Beach, and book them on OpenTable.
For a next-level tasting menu experience, head to Heritage
Sister-and-brother duo Lauren and Philip Pretty have won raves for their seasonal, multi-course tasting menu at Heritage. Much of the produce on the menu is grown on the restaurant’s nearby farm, and you’ll eat it all in a classic Craftsman that’s been transformed into a beautiful restaurant. The Prettys are committed to zero-waste practices, which has snagged the restaurant a Green Star alongside its MICHELIN Star.
For a wood-fired pizza night, make your way to Marlena
Wood-fired cooking is the name of the game at cozy Marlena, which is done up in light wood with lots of greenery. Come for coffee, pastries, and sandwiches during the day and return at night for crudo, little gems salad, and a handful of pastas. The real stars, though, are the meat and fish from the Josper grill and the pizzas, which range from the classics to one topped with roasted winter vegetables, caramelized onion, and olive oil.
For Art Deco vibes and killer views, make your way to Sky Room
The remodeled Fairmont Breakers has the only rooftop restaurant in Long Beach. Aside from the view, it’s also a gorgeous homage to the resort’s mid-century history, with brass Deco-style fixtures and curved orange banquettes. Once a haven for celebrities trying to escape the glare of Hollywood, Sky Room is now a dinner-only destination serving elegant fare like grass-fed steak tartare and Maine diver scallops. Splurge on caviar service and Champagne to tap into those old Hollywood vibes.
For the fluffiest house-made pita, try AMMATOLI
At the airy AMMATOLI, big tables quickly fill up with shareable mezze like mutabal (fire-roasted eggplant dip) and hummus slicked with chile oil. You can’t go wrong with classics like shawarma and rich moussaka, but absolutely no meal is complete without an order of the kitchen’s house-made pita, served warm and fluffy straight from the oven. Rip and dip to your heart’s content (and maybe order extras to take home).
For a cool bistro date, head to Olive and Rose
The Prettys’ sophomore effort is a petite, more casual restaurant in the newly remodeled City Center motel. Get artisanal bagels by day and a compact menu and an impressive list of traditional and NA cocktails at night. Make it a cozy date night over an endive salad and chicken with foraged mushrooms. Pair it with refreshing cocktails like the vodka and watermelon-based the Pretty and Basic.
For a flavor explosion, check out CaliChilli
CaliChilli describes its cuisine as “unauthentic Indian,” a mantra that shines through in chef Manjunath Mural’s butter chicken pot pie and eggplant bharta lasagna. Its modern dining room has pops of bright color and screams “fun night out.” Get the party started with shareable dishes for big groups (hello, CaliChilli nachos and cauliflower fritters) to a list of cocktails that doesn’t take itself too seriously. There are plenty of wines by the glass to keep the good times going.
For a seafood tower moment, make your way to Liv’s
Liv’s has been serving some of the freshest seafood in town since it opened in 2021. Sidle up to the small counter to feast on raw bar selections like the seafood tower (Beach tower) and shrimp cocktail before moving on to mains like a lobster roll and cioppino. Drop by for the restaurant’s Social Hour (Tuesday to Thursday from 4pm until closing and 4 pm to 6 pm on Friday) for discounted dishes like a hot fish slider, beer, and wines by the glass.
For a taste of Spain, head to Teleferic Barcelona
Views of the waterfront and a dining room with high ceilings set the stage for a menu that leans heavily into traditional tapas. Think pan con tomate and roasted chicken empanadas alongside hulking paellas topped with everything from steak and lobster to mushrooms, cauliflower, and artichokes. Don’t sleep on the trio of desserts (flan, churros, and torrija)—a sweet way to end a Spanish-themed night.
For expert cocktails, look no further than Tokyo Noir
Speakeasy Tokyo Noir has been serving some of the coolest cocktails in all of Los Angeles since its debut last fall. The sleek bar in the back of El Barrio Cantina is designed like a sushi bar, so you can see all of the drink-making action. Try the decadent Truffle Fashioned, which uplevels the classic with a truffle fat wash and a sliver of white truffle or go for the refreshing Drunken Tiger with whisky and umeshu. Playful izakaya-style snacks like okonomi corn dogs round out the menu.
For a choose-your-own-adventure meal, head to A PCH
Waterfront restaurant A PCH doesn’t just offer great views, it has an eclectic menu that does it all. Want a seafood snack? Go with the Alaskan halibut taco with crispy eggplant. Feeling adventurous? The “dirty” rigatoni with ground duck, sage, and ricotta salata has got your back. And if fanciness is what you desire, sit in the dining room for caviar service and crispy whole branzino. A full bar and brunch make this place a crowd-pleaser.
For barbecue and great cocktails, go to Broken Spirits
Although primarily a distillery making spirits like vodka, bourbon, and aquavit, Broken Spirits also does some killer barbecue. Pair your Old Fashioned (or any other craft cocktail) with pork belly tacos, or go for a platter of smoked meat like brisket, sausage, and barbecued chicken breast. With a casual vibe and plenty of outdoor seating, Broken Spirits is an ideal place to while away an afternoon with friends.
For an old-school steak night, check out 555 East
Meat is what’s for dinner at 555 East, which has been a local favorite since 1984. Lean into the classic steakhouse vibes with starters like an iceberg wedge, then choose a cut of beef to be cooked to your liking in seasoned butter and served with baked potato, garlic mashed potatoes, or French fries. With its black-and-white checkered floors, curved green banquettes, and classy brass accents, 555 is the perfect place to indulge in a meaty masterpiece with a martini in hand.
Karen Palmer is a pizza- and pasta-obsessed food writer based in Los Angeles. She is the former editorial director of Tasting Table, and her work has appeared in Eater, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and many other publications. Follow her on Instagram at @karenlpalmer.
