The intriguing thing about the eateries listed here is that many are “hidden” in plain sight. People rush by them every day without realizing the amazing meals they’re missing out on. Tucked into strip malls, industrial areas, or just a tad off the beaten path, these ten hideaways are well worth searching out.
SHENANDOAH AT THE ARBOR 10631 Los Alamitos Boulevard Los Alamitos, CA (562) 431-1990 Hours: Lunch: (Mon-Sat) 11am-3pm; Dinner: (Sun-Thu) 5-8:30pm; (Fri-Sat) 5-9:30pm
Long-time customers were sad when Shenandoah Cafe closed its Second Street site in Belmont Shore, but the new and improved location in nearby Los Alamitos provides a gorgeous setting to showcase the American regional cuisine. Easily mistaken for a residence from the outside, the restaurant interior offers the warmth of a plantation home, while the beautiful patio features huge mulberry trees, twinkling lights and a koi pond with a bridge and waterfall. Regulars can’t get enough of the complementary hot apple fritters, and the salads prepared tableside with fresh, creamy dressings are equally delicious. Menu standouts are the hickory smoked prime rib, Dallas chicken, and Cajun rib eye. Special wine tasting dinners are held frequently throughout the year.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $32-$52
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
FRENCHY’S BISTRO 4137 East Anaheim Street Long Beach, CA (562) 494-8787 Hours: Lunch: (Tue-Fri) 11:30am-2:30pm; Dinner: (Tues-Sun)5:30-10:00pm
Located in a strip mall neighboring an industrial area, this charming French bistro consistently gets kudos from food critics and boasts an army of loyal customers who rave about the friendly service, intimate atmosphere and menu featuring classic and nouvelle cuisine. Signature dishes include French onion soup, foie gras, crispy orange duck, braised lamb shank provencale, and pork tenderloin with potato custard and mustard sauce. Grand Marnier soufflé is the must-have dessert.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $35-$55
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
CHA CHA’S CARIBBEAN FUSION CUISINE 762 Pacific Ave Long Beach, CA (562) 495-4242 Hours: Lunch: (Mon-Fri) 11am-3pm; Dinner: (Sun-Sat) 5-11pm
The colorful exterior on the corner of 8th and Pacific is hard to miss, but it’s the festively designed dining room and high energy atmosphere on the patio that make this eatery a fun place to dine for lunch or dinner. Featuring eclectic Caribbean-inspired cuisine and a lively bar scene, it offers friendly service and the relaxed feel of a tropical island. Popular appetizers include crispy jerk pork, ceviche, and shrimp cakes. Specialties on the dinner menu include St. Bart’s curry shrimp, swordfish brochettes, and red snapper Veracruz.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $19-$28
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open.
CLAIRE’S AT THE MUSEUM Long Beach Museum of Art 2300 E. Ocean Boulevard Long Beach, CA (562) 439-2119 Breakfast and Lunch Hours: (Tue-Fri) 11am-3pm; (Sat-Sun) 8am-5pm
Located on the first floor of the historic Elizabeth Milbank Anderson House, restored as part of the Long Beach Museum of Art’s multi-million dollar expansion, Claire’s offers an unobstructed view of Long Beach Harbor and the Pacific. A magnificent water sculpture, “Structure and Flow,” by Claire Falkenstein is displayed on the patio where customers enjoy live music on Sundays. The menu offers a good selection of breakfast fare including eggs benedict, pancakes and omelettes, while lunch features soups, sandwiches, salads and hot entrees. Popular favorites are the vegetarian lasagna, grilled chicken Caesar wrap, cobb salad, and bowtie pasta with rosemary shrimp.
Estimated cost per person for lunch: $14-$25
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
JOHNNY REBS’ 4663 Long Beach Boulevard Long Beach, CA (562) 423-7327 Hours: Breakfast: (Mon-Fri) 7-11am; Sat-Sun (7am-12pm); Lunch: (Sun-Sat) 11am-4pm; Dinner: (Sun-Thu) 4-9pm; (Fri-Sat) 4-10pm
From the outside it looks like a tornado picked up a Louisiana shotgun house and dropped it on Long Beach Boulevard, but this offbeat eatery patterned after a roadhouse has a devoted following. Peanut shells on the floor, loud country music and friendly greetings from western garbed waiters let diners know they’re in for a good time. License plates, road signs and nostalgic fruit and beer labels adorn the walls, while booths resemble rustic church pews. The atmosphere is rowdy and fun, but it’s the authentic Southern food that keeps fans coming back. After downing gargantuan portions of chicken fried steak, barbecued ribs, or fried catfish plus all-you-can eat sides of mashed potatoes with gravy, black-eyed peas and hush puppies, it’s hard to find room for desserts like peach cobbler and sweet potato pie, so there’s a constant parade of takeout containers as patrons leave full and happy.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $20-$35
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open.
Located one block north of the 91 Freeway, this off-the-beaten path Italian restaurant attracting regulars from Bellflower, Cerritos, Long Beach and Lakewood offers family dining in a cozy, candlelit atmosphere with wood paneled walls, comfy booths and roomy tables. Owner Tom Marino opened the restaurant more than 20 years ago and has worked in the restaurant business since he was 13. The diverse menu features many recipes his family originated in Sicily. Each entrée includes homemade minestrone soup, a tasty salad and fresh-baked garlic-Parmesan bread. Specialties include chicken piccata, eggplant parmigiana, and veal scaloppini, but diners can choose from an extensive selection of pasta, chicken and seafood dishes as well as pizza. Luscious desserts baked by the owner’s aunt include cheesecake, tiramisu and pastries.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $25-$39
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
PAPADAKIS TAVERNA 301 West Sixth Street San Pedro, CA (310) 548-1186 Hours: Dinner: (Daily) 5-10pm
Located a short drive from Long Beach, this legendry San Pedro restaurant is a favorite with locals, politicians and celebrities as well as tourists who have read the glowing reviews from food critics. On any given night you might spot Jerry Bruckheimer, Paula Abdul or John Travolta dining here. Whether you’re a VIP or not, owners John and Tom Papadakis greet everyone like family, and servers go out of their way to be attentive. Dining here is more like an event than a meal as the staff puts on a floorshow of singing, dancing and tossing plates. Dinner specialties include mousaka, roast leg of lamb and Greek style sea bass topped off with a tantalizing slice of white chocolate mousse cake.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $30-$50
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
JIMMY'S FISH & GRILL 6563 E Pacific Coast Highway Long Beach, CA (562) 594-0605 Hours: (Mon-Thu) 11am-9:30pm; (Fri-Sat) 11am-10pm; (Sun) 11am-9pm
Considered one of the best fish houses in town, this pretty restaurant tucked behind the United Artists theater at the Marketplace Shopping Center offers daily early bird specials and an extensive menu of fresh fish sure to please the most discriminating seafood lover. Comfortable outdoor seating with patio heaters and the warm glow of flickering candles is perfect for those who prefer a more intimate atmosphere, while the indoor exhibition kitchen keeps diners entertained as they munch on house specialties like scampi pasta and mahi mahi picatta.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $25-$40
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open,Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
PANORAMA GRILL Long Beach Airport Holiday Inn 2640 N Lakewood Boulevard Long Beach, CA (562) 597-4401 Hours: (Daily) 5-10pm
Thousands of people pass the 13-story cylindrically shaped Long Beach Airport Holiday Inn just off the 405 Freeway without realizing a restaurant and bar with skyline views occupy the penthouse. Serving dinner only, the restaurant is a popular spot for businesspeople, out of town guests, and in-the-know locals who stop by for drinks after work or order from the internationally inspired menu. Specialties include grilled meats, seafood, prime rib, pastas and pizza, with nightly specials.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $20-$30
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
BABETTE’S FEAST 4621 East Second Street Long Beach, CA (562) 987-4536 Hours: (Daily) 7am-9pm
Almost hidden by a flower shop and neighboring Papalucci’s restaurant, this European style gourmet shop and deli offers a healthy alternative to greasy fast food joints. Choose from tasty breakfast omelettes, savory panini sandwiches, five or more homemade soups prepared daily, generous salads, crepes, quiches and a large selection of fresh baked breads, meats and cheeses to take home. Those with a sweet tooth will find a plethora of pastries and tortes to choose from as well as truffles, chocolate mousse and other decadent delights. Beer and wine are served at indoor tables.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $13-$20
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open.
The Top List of Delicious Hideaways - Long Beach, CA