Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Places to Dine in Long Beach
Top 10 Places to Dine in Long Beach
*Published June 23, 2026 · Updated June 23, 2026*
Long Beach feeds a lot of appetites at once: a working waterfront, the largest Cambodian community in the United States, a historic Italian row in Naples, and a string of independent kitchens along Retro Row and Bixby Knolls. Our Best Overall pick is Michael's on Naples Ristorante, the canal-side fine-dining Italian room that has anchored special occasions in Long Beach for two decades.
For the best plate-for-your-dollar in the city, our Best Value is Phnom Penh Noodle Shack, the family-run Cambodian institution on Cherry Avenue that turns out some of the most rewarding comfort food in Southern California for a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere.
The ten places below are all real, currently operating Long Beach restaurants, sorted so you can match a craving and a budget fast. Each entry flags the cuisine, the rough price tier, the neighborhood, and who it suits best, all open and bookable in 2026-2027.
1. Michael's on Naples Ristorante 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Cuisine: Italian | Price: $$$ | Location: Naples Island | Best for: special-occasion dinners
Set on Naples Island near the canals, Michael's on Naples has been Long Beach's go-to for a polished Italian dinner since 2007. The kitchen leans regional and seasonal — house-made pastas, wood-grilled proteins, and a deep Italian-heavy wine list — and the rooftop terrace is one of the better outdoor dining perches in the city.
It is the safest single booking when the night actually matters: an anniversary, a milestone, or visiting family you want to impress. Service is attentive without being stiff, and the multi-level space means you can pick a romantic corner or a lively table.
Pros:
- House-made pastas and a seasonal, regional Italian menu.
- Rooftop terrace with a strong outdoor atmosphere.
- Deep Italian wine list for pairing.
- Reliable special-occasion service over nearly two decades.
Cons:
- Among the pricier rooms in Long Beach.
- Reservations recommended on weekends.
Verdict: The most complete special-occasion dinner in Long Beach.
2. Phnom Penh Noodle Shack 💎 BEST VALUE
Cuisine: Cambodian | Price: $ | Location: Cambodia Town / Cherry Ave | Best for: best-value comfort food
A Long Beach institution since 1985, Phnom Penh Noodle Shack sits on Cherry Avenue in the heart of Cambodia Town and serves some of the most satisfying Cambodian comfort food in the country. The signature Phnom Penh noodle soup is the order most regulars steer you toward, but the menu runs deep into curries, stir-fries, and rice plates.
It is family-run, unpretentious, and astonishingly cheap for the quality. If you want one meal that explains why Long Beach matters on the national food map, this is it.
Pros:
- Signature Phnom Penh noodle soup worth the trip alone.
- Family-run since 1985 with consistent quality.
- Very low prices for generous portions.
- Cultural anchor of the largest Cambodian community in the U.S.
Cons:
- Cash-friendly, casual setting rather than a date-night room.
- Lines at peak hours on weekends.
Verdict: The best plate-for-your-dollar meal in Long Beach.
3. Roe Seafood
Cuisine: Seafood | Price: $$$ | Location: Alamitos Beach / Broadway | Best for: oysters and fresh local fish
Roe Seafood grew out of a beloved fish market into a full restaurant, and the through-line is freshness — a raw bar built around oysters, ceviche, and crudo, plus grilled and pan-seared catches that change with what comes in. The room is bright and casual-coastal, fitting for a city built on its harbor.
It is the pick when you want seafood that tastes like the coast it sits on, without the white-tablecloth formality of a hotel dining room.
Pros:
- Raw bar with oysters, ceviche, and crudo.
- Market-fresh fish that rotates with the catch.
- Bright, casual-coastal setting.
- Strong cocktail and wine options.
Cons:
- Seafood pricing can climb at the top of the menu.
- Popular, so book ahead on weekends.
Verdict: Long Beach's most dependable spot for fresh local seafood.
4. Heritage Restaurant
Cuisine: Modern American | Price: $$$ | Location: Wrigley / Pacific Ave | Best for: chef-driven seasonal tasting
Heritage is the most ambitious cooking in the neighborhood, a chef-driven room from Philip Pretty serving a frequently changing seasonal menu of refined small and large plates. The team also runs the adjacent Olive & Rose bistro, so there is range across the two concepts.
This is where serious Long Beach diners go when they want creativity on the plate rather than a familiar classic. Portions are composed and thoughtful, the wine program is considered, and the space feels personal rather than corporate.
Pros:
- Chef-driven seasonal menu that changes often.
- Refined, composed plating for adventurous diners.
- Considered wine program to match.
- Personal, independent ownership.
Cons:
- Higher price point for the tasting-leaning format.
- Smaller room means limited seating.
Verdict: The most ambitious, creative kitchen in Long Beach.
5. 555 East American Steakhouse
Cuisine: Steakhouse | Price: $$$$ | Location: East Village Arts District | Best for: classic steak dinners
555 East is the city's enduring old-school steakhouse — dark wood, leather booths, dry-aged cuts, and a serious wine cellar. It has held down the East Village Arts District for decades and remains the default for a big celebratory steak night in Long Beach.
If your craving is a properly seared prime cut, a martini, and a creamed-spinach-and-potatoes spread, this is the room that delivers it without surprises.
Pros:
- Dry-aged and prime cuts done classically.
- Extensive wine cellar and full bar.
- Clubby, special-occasion atmosphere.
- Long track record of consistency.
Cons:
- Top-tier steakhouse pricing.
- Traditional rather than inventive menu.
Verdict: The go-to for a classic Long Beach steak dinner.
6. L'Opera Ristorante
Cuisine: Italian | Price: $$$ | Location: Downtown / Pine Avenue | Best for: downtown date nights
Housed in a historic 1924 bank building on Pine Avenue, L'Opera brings a grander, more formal Italian feel to downtown Long Beach. High ceilings, white linens, and a Northern-Italian-leaning menu of pastas and seafood make it a reliable downtown date-night and pre-show option.
It pairs well with a night out near the Convention Center or the Pine corridor, and the room itself is part of the draw.
Pros:
- Striking historic 1924 building with soaring ceilings.
- Northern-Italian menu of pasta and seafood.
- Central Pine Avenue location for nights out.
- Formal but warm service.
Cons:
- Pricing on the higher side for Italian.
- Downtown parking can be a hassle.
Verdict: The most atmospheric downtown Italian room in Long Beach.
7. Lola's Mexican Cuisine
Cuisine: Mexican | Price: $$ | Location: Retro Row (4th St) & Bixby Knolls | Best for: lively margaritas and mole
Opened in 2008 on Retro Row, Lola's blends traditional Mexican cooking with a progressive streak — a long mole list, strong margaritas, and a warm, family-friendly room. It grew popular enough to open a second Bixby Knolls location, and it remains one of the most beloved everyday restaurants in town.
This is the easy yes for a group dinner: approachable prices, a festive vibe, and a tequila list that gives the night some lift.
Pros:
- Multiple house moles and traditional dishes.
- Strong margaritas and a deep tequila list.
- Two locations (Retro Row and Bixby Knolls).
- Family-friendly, lively atmosphere.
Cons:
- Can get loud at peak weekend hours.
- Waits on Friday and Saturday nights.
Verdict: The best lively, value-friendly Mexican meal in Long Beach.
8. The Ordinarie
Cuisine: Gastropub / New American | Price: $$ | Location: Downtown / Promenade | Best for: craft beer and elevated pub fare
The Ordinarie is an English-style public house in downtown Long Beach, pairing a deep craft beer and cocktail program with elevated pub plates — think mussels, burgers, and shareable boards. The exposed-brick, wood-heavy room feels like a proper neighborhood tavern done right.
It is the spot for a relaxed dinner that does not require a special occasion, with enough kitchen ambition to outshine a typical bar menu.
Pros:
- Strong craft beer and cocktail lineup.
- Elevated gastropub plates above bar standard.
- Inviting public-house atmosphere.
- Downtown walkable location.
Cons:
- Pub-forward menu rather than fine dining.
- Busy bar scene can mean noise.
Verdict: The best elevated-pub dinner in downtown Long Beach.
9. The Attic on Broadway
Cuisine: Southern / Comfort | Price: $$ | Location: Alamitos Beach / Broadway | Best for: brunch and Southern comfort food
Set in a converted Craftsman home, The Attic built its reputation on Southern-leaning comfort food — its mac-and-cheese stuffed burger became something of a local legend — and a generous porch-and-patio brunch scene. It is casual, friendly, and full of personality.
Come for a long weekend brunch or a low-key dinner when you want comfort over fuss. The patio is one of the more pleasant casual outdoor spaces in the city.
Pros:
- Signature comfort-food dishes with a following.
- Charming Craftsman-home setting and patio.
- Big, popular brunch service.
- Relaxed, friendly vibe.
Cons:
- Brunch waits can be long on weekends.
- Comfort-food richness is not for every appetite.
Verdict: The best casual brunch and comfort-food stop in Long Beach.
10. Bake'n Broil
Cuisine: Diner / American | Price: $ | Location: Bixby Knolls | Best for: classic diner fare and pie
Open in Bixby Knolls since 1965, Bake'n Broil is the quintessential Long Beach diner — a massive menu of all-day breakfast, sandwiches, and dinners, plus a bakery case of pies and cakes that locals plan their visits around. The chicken pot pie is the regulars' move.
It is the most affordable, most nostalgic pick on this list: no reservations, no pretense, just a reliable plate and a slice of pie afterward.
Pros:
- Open since 1965 with a deep local following.
- In-house bakery for pies and cakes.
- Huge all-day menu at low prices.
- No reservations needed — just walk in.
Cons:
- Diner setting, not a destination room.
- Cash-and-comfort rather than refined cooking.
Verdict: The most affordable, nostalgic everyday meal in Long Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best restaurant in Long Beach overall? Michael's on Naples Ristorante is our Best Overall — a polished, canal-side Italian room with house-made pastas, a rooftop terrace, and nearly two decades of reliable special-occasion service.
What is the best-value place to dine in Long Beach? Phnom Penh Noodle Shack delivers the best plate-for-your-dollar in the city, serving outstanding Cambodian comfort food at very low prices in Cambodia Town. Bake'n Broil is the runner-up for nostalgic, affordable diner fare.
Where should I go for seafood in Long Beach? Roe Seafood is the top pick, with a raw bar of oysters and crudo plus market-fresh fish. 555 East also serves seafood alongside its steaks for a more formal night.
What is the best Cambodian food in Long Beach? Phnom Penh Noodle Shack on Cherry Avenue is the standard-bearer, fitting for a city that is home to the largest Cambodian community in the United States.
Where can I dine outdoors in Long Beach? Michael's on Naples has a popular rooftop terrace, The Attic on Broadway has a charming Craftsman patio, and Lola's offers lively patio seating on Retro Row.
Which Long Beach restaurant is best for a special occasion? Michael's on Naples and 555 East American Steakhouse are the two strongest special-occasion rooms, with L'Opera a close third for atmospheric downtown date nights.
Related on PULSE
- Top 10 Places to Dine in Pasadena — nearby San Gabriel Valley dining comparison.
- Top 10 Places to Dine in Santa Barbara — coastal Central Coast dining comparison.
- Pulse Travel & Dining Tools — restaurant-budget and reservation planners.
Bottom Line
Long Beach rewards range. The city's food identity is not one cuisine but several layered together — a working waterfront, the deepest Cambodian community in the country, a historic Italian island, and a row of independent kitchens. Our Best Overall is Michael's on Naples for a polished canal-side Italian dinner, while Phnom Penh Noodle Shack is our Best Value and arguably the most distinctive meal in town.
Seafood lovers should aim at Roe, steak traditionalists at 555 East, the adventurous at Heritage, and anyone watching the budget can land happily at Lola's or Bake'n Broil. Match the craving to the list above and Long Beach will not let you down.