When those cravings for a gooey slice of pepperoni pizza, shrimp scampi, or pasta smothered in a savory sauce set in, you won’t have to look far. Long Beach offers upscale Italian restaurants, trendy Second Street trattorias, and casual neighborhood spots to satisfy every taste and price range.
L'OPERA 101 Pine Avenue Long Beach, CA (562) 491-0066 Hours: (Mon-Thu) 11:30 am-11 pm; (Fri) 11:30 am-Midnight; (Sat) 5 pm-Midnight; (Sun) 5-11pm
Setting the standard for fine dining on Pine Avenue, this Northern Italian gem features an artsy décor and an attentive staff who go out of their way to make any occasion from a power lunch to an anniversary dinner a memorable event. There’s an extensive wine list to complement the gourmet menu featuring pasta, veal, pork, lamb, sausages, steak, and fresh fish prepared with contemporary Italian and European influenced sauces. Bison medallions wrapped in proscuitto and smothered in brandy sauce are a specialty along with ravioli stuffed with black truffles and wild mushrooms. The must-have dessert, Luna Piena, is a decadent white chocolate cheesecake featuring a dark chocolate cookie crust topped with fresh blackberries and blueberry sauce.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $26 - $51
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.
LA TRAVIATA 301 Cedar Avenue Long Beach, CA (562) 432-8022 Hours: Lunch: (Mon-Fri) 11:30am-2pm; Dinner: (Mon-Fri) 5-9pm; (Sat-Sun) 5-11pm
Boasting elegant 19th century décor inspired by its namesake, this posh restaurant in downtown Long Beach features sparkling chandeliers, opulent wood furnishings and lavish meals. A piano player and strolling opera singers provide entertainment as diners savor signature dishes like lobster ravioli, chicken violetta and farfalle andre. Lunch offers soups, salads, sandwiches and a variety of pasta, chicken and beef dishes at reduced prices. The bar menu is an even better bargain with appetizers like steamed mussels, seared ahi and grilled Portobello mushrooms from $5-$12. Frequent special events include opera performances, wine tastings and wine maker dinners. Catering and banquet menus are available.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $35-$60
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.
STEFANO’S DA VINCI RISTORANTE 2801 Spring Street Long Beach, CA (562) 685-8111 Hours: Lunch (Mon-Fri) 11:30 a.m.-5pm; Dinner (Mon-Thu) 5-11pm; (Fri-Sat) 5pm-12am; Happy Hour (Sun-Sat) 4-7pm)
With an exterior modeled after a Roman villa and a luxurious interior accented by majestic arches, soaring ceilings and sweeping views of Long Beach Airport, this contemporary Italian restaurant aims to excite the senses at every turn. When you look up you’ll be mesmerized by reproductions of Leonardo Da Vinci’s flying machines and a spectacular glass-enclosed wine cellar. Look to the side and you’ll view the exhibition kitchen where chefs artfully sauté Florida stone crab claws in champagne butter, or expertly wrap grilled prawns and porcini mushrooms in Italian pancetta. Other specialties include almond pasta filled with king crab, and square spaghetti sautéed with mussels, clams and prawns. Lunch is a bit less formal (and more affordable) with a broad selection of pastas, soups and salads to choose from.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $30-$50
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.
CHRISTY’S RISTORANTE 3937 East Broadway Long Beach, CA (562) 433-7133 Hours: Dinner: (Sun-Thu) 5-9pm; (Fri-Sat) 5-10pm
This popular spot in Belmont Heights offers award-winning Italian cuisine in a romantic setting featuring a bar and four dining areas. Founded by Christy Bono, daughter of the late singer, politician and restaurateur Sonny Bono, the eatery changed ownership recently but has retained the charm, Tuscan menu and attentive service that has won accolades from food critics over the last 11 years. Specialties include pumpkin ravioli, Sicilian scampi and Gorgonzola stuffed filet mignon. Mid-week prix-fixe dinners for $25 include a three-course meal and beverage. Monthly wine pairing dinners ($60 per person) require advance reservations.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $31-$50
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.
BUONA GENTE 5205 East Second Street Long Beach, CA (562) 438-8763 Hours: (Daily) 11am-10pm
This European style bistro with sidewalk tables and an intimate dining room has built its reputation on friendly service, a laid-back atmosphere and reasonably priced gourmet pizzas and pastas. There’s a broad selection of other Italian favorites like shrimp scampi, veal Marsala, and fettuccine alfredo, plus vegetarians will find many items to choose from including veggie pizzas, primavera pasta and Portobello gnocchi. All entrees come with minestrone soup or salad and fresh baked bread. Desserts include cheesecake, tiramisu, and gelato.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $12-$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.
BUONO’S AUTHENTIC PIZZERIA 401 West Willow Street Long Beach, CA (562) 595-6138 and 250 West Ocean Boulevard # A Long Beach, CA (562) 432-2211 Hours: (Daily) Lunch: 11am-2pm; Dinner: 5-10pm
Serving the Long Beach area since 1967, Buono’s began as a small pizzeria in San Pedro and expanded to a large family restaurant on Willow Street and a retro inspired location at the Pike. Authentic brick-oven pizzas are the mainstay of the menu but you’ll also find a wide range of pasta dishes like lasagna and ravioli plus chicken parmigiana, scampi, panini sandwiches and calzones served with beer and wine. Reasonably priced family dinners include pizza, pasta, salad and garlic bread for $32 (enough to feed five). The all-you-can eat lunch buffet includes four gourmet pastas, soup and salad bar plus garlic bread for $6.99. Delivery, takeout, and catering are available.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $10-$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.
PAPALUCCI’S 4611 East Second Street Long Beach, CA (562) 434-4454 Hours: (Mon-Thu) 11am-9:45pm; (Fri) 11am-11pm; (Sat-Sun) 12-11pm
Situated at the northern end of Belmont Shore, this family-run eatery has built a loyal following over the years with its pizza, pasta, calzones and to-die-for garlic rolls, but traditional dishes like chicken Marsala and spaghetti carbonara are also a big part of the menu. The long and narrow dining room can get crowded and noisy on weekends, but weekdays the vibe is more subdued with service that’s friendly and attentive. Daily lunch specials for under $6 make the hunt for a parking spot and the cash only policy a bit more tolerable. Ask for a seat by the window for optimum Second Street people watching.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $15-$25
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.
CAFÉ PICCOLO 3222 East Broadway Long Beach, CA (562) 438-1316 Hours: Lunch: (Mon-Fri) 11:30am-2pm; Dinner: (Sun-Thu) 5-9:30pm; (Fri-Sat) 5-10:30pm
Specializing in Northern Italian cuisine with some Middle Eastern influences, Café Piccolo is perfect for those seeking a special night out without paying an exorbitant price. The enclosed outdoor patio surrounded by waterfalls and greenery is particularly charming at night when twinkling lights, flickering candles on the tables and two fire pits provide romantic ambience in an otherwise casual setting. On cooler days the indoor dining area provides comfortable seating and garden views in a room decorated with rich tones of red. Menu standouts include penne Antenello, shallots and porcini mushrooms in a cream sauce topped with chicken, veal Florentine, and black linguini with shrimp and calamari. Popular desserts are chocolate mousse cake and premium vanilla ice cream covered in raspberry or caramel sauce. Periodic wine dinners are $49.95 per person by reservation only.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $25-$30
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.
DOMENICO’S 5339 East Second Street Long Beach, CA (562) 439-0261 Hours: Lunch: (Sat-Sun) Noon-4pm; Dinner: (Mon-Tue) 5-9pm; (Wed-Thu) 5-10pm; (Fri-Sat) 4-11pm; (Sun) 4-10pm
A legend in Belmont Shore since 1954 this casual neighborhood eatery treats newcomers and regulars to friendly and attentive service in a comfortable atmosphere where everyone gets a booth. Featuring handmade dough and pasta sauce made fresh every day, pizza is the main attraction with your choice of generous toppings like ground pepperoni, capicolla and mushrooms. Locals rave about the creamy house salad dressing that’s so addictive they sell it in bottles. Traditional entrees like eggplant parmigiana and lasagna are popular takeout items along with meatball subs and the tasty cheesecake.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $10-$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.
FRANCELLI’S 3404 East Fourth Street Long Beach, CA (562) 434-3441 Hours: Lunch: (Mon-Fri) 11:30am-3pm; Dinner: (Sun-Fri) 3-9pm; (Sat) 3-10pm
Located in Belmont Heights, Francelli’s has been a popular neighborhood hangout since 1969. The family-friendly atmosphere is cozy and casual with considerate service and minimal waiting time on most days. Serving lunch on weekdays and dinner nightly, the restaurant offers authentic Italian dishes like chicken cacciatore, veal scaloppini and fettuccine carbonara, along with pizza, salads and a variety of reasonably priced appetizers and wines by the glass or bottle. Pasta combinations include your choice of any two or three selections including lasagna, ravioli, manicotti and spaghetti with meat or marinara sauce for $11.95 or $12.95.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $15-$25
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 Best Italian - Long Beach, CA