50 Best American Restaurants in Long Beach

“Heritage Restaurant, Long Beach – A Well-Earned Michelin Star by Michael Broderick. In a city where “Californian” culinary ambition often plays second fiddle to casual dining, Heritage in Long Beach has carved out a place of quiet excellence, earning a well-deserved Michelin star. This intimate dining experience is a testament to ingredient-driven, technique-forward cooking, where flavors are both restrained, unpretentious, and deeply expressive. From the first bite, it was clear that Heritage excels at layering textures and flavors in unexpected ways. The meal began with an Amuse Bouche trio: a delicate prawn cracker topped with sweet Dungeness crab, a green leaf with another seafood salad that was to be eaten like a mini street taco, and balanced with the brightness and light crunch of pickled turnip. A seemingly simple couple of bites, but one that foreshadowed the precision and thoughtfulness of the courses to follow. To cleanse the palate, a mint tea infused with palo santo was served—a meditative interlude that was both refreshing and aromatic, setting the stage for the evening’s journey. The first official course, Crème Caviar, featured Russian Sturgeon Heritage Caviar and chive, a chilled preparation that was rich yet elegantly restrained. This was followed by Kanpachi Crudo, presented with carrot, ginger, and macédoine vegetables, offering a balance of clean ocean flavors against bright, vegetal undertones. Then came what I consider the star of the evening: a dish that fully captured the ethos of Heritage—Hen of the Woods Mushroom, topped in a “sunchoke stew” (crispy fried sunchoke) with fermented mushroom. For an additional $25, an indulgent shaving of black truffle took the dish to another level, transforming it into a sensory experience that evoked the deep, earthy satisfaction of foraging. The interplay of umami-rich elements made this course a masterpiece of textural and flavor contrast. The proteins that followed were executed with equal care. First, a perfectly prepared Rainbow Trout, sauted to perfection with a crispy layer of skin on one side, delicate pink flesh on the other, bathed in a delicate dashi and punctuated with bursts of smoked trout roe in a light creme sauce, which lent salinity and depth. Then, a 32-day dry-aged rib chop, a cut that can sometimes lean too “gamey” in the tradiinal steak house that cuts corners on a post aging trim, yet here was a revelation—tender, deeply beefy, but balanced. Accompanying the dish was sous vide endive, black garlic, and a shaving of Parmesan, which surprisingly lacked the usual sharpness, instead presenting a more rounded, delicate, nutty flavor. Desserts were a study in technique and balance. The first, a Grilled Strawberry with strawberry granita and Meyer lemon crème, was bright and refreshing, its layers revealing different expressions of cool and sweetness. Then came the Coco Craquelin, a delicate choux pastry filled with beurre noisette ganache and banana cremeux, meant to be eaten with the hands—a playful and interactive moment in the meal. Finally, a Sage Basque Cake, its subtle herbaceousness complemented by toasted hemp seeds and lemon curd, provided a grounding, crispy finish. Heritage is the kind of restaurant that doesn’t simply chase trends—it refines them into something personal, something intentional. The execution is confident but never showy, and the experience is paced with precision, allowing each dish to tell its own story. This is not just a meal—it’s a quiet, profound meditation on flavor, technique, and the land from which it all comes. Where other restaurant profess to be a true “Californian” style farm to table experience , Heritage is, without a doubt, a must-visit for anyone who seeks out truly exceptional dining in California.“

“To John Hansen, My wife and I would like to thank you for such a lovely evening. Chez Bacchus represents the “True Expression of a Dining Experience”. Starting with the welcoming staff at the entrance. John, your hospitality is the beginning of the joyful experience. The restaurant is so elegant. We enjoyed the vaulted ceilings with wood beams. We enjoyed the large window at the kitchen area so you can see the Chefs at work. We got to sit next to the impressive wine rack display. The restaurant’s ambiance wouldn’t be complete without the soft background music. Our waiter, Issac, was a delight. He provided us with his expertise in choosing our wines, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. It was a pleasure to meet to give special thanks to the Chef, Danny Le and Su Chef, Donald. Their expertise is why we had an amazing and delicious dinner.“

“This place is always busy. We find seating there at the counter and we do not need to wait for 20 minutes. We love the bean soup? And the apple pie was great.“

“Nick’s food and service doesn’t disappoint! Menu options are great, and they’ll take a classic comfort dish such as a meat loaf to a gourmet degree. Service is impecable too. Worth every dollar you spend here in every aspect! They have my respect and heart! ♥️“

“The service was great, the ingredients were fresh, and we will be back next time.“

“Vibes are chill and the Holy Aioli burger was incredible! The onion rings were crispy, the sodas refillable (a rarity in these parts) and prices were reasonable. Glad we took a chance instead of trying the bougie restaurant across the street.“

“the food is great but I think the people make the place!!!!“

“Great Burgers and Breakfasts“

“While traveling from Idaho we were fortunate to have brunch with our dear friends in Long Beach before heading out on a cruise. They took us to this quaint, fun restaurant. Spectacular service, delicious food, Hazelnut coffee, yum! Thanks for the very cool stickers!“

“I love that this place is accessible via the Junipero beach parking lot or right off the beach trail.
Plus vegan options!!
And next to an outdoor roller rink.
And the food & drinks are bomb.

What more can you ask for?“

“Great restaurant and food. Will be a great addition to the Valley!“

“Excellent service! The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful. A special thank-you to Michael, who greeted me with a smile and took my order — his kindness set the tone for a great experience. The food was absolutely delicious, with generous portions — I couldn’t even finish in one sitting! My only suggestion would be to improve the signage. A few more signs around the area would make it easier to find this hidden gem.“

“I stopped by this diner today on my way back from the farmers market, not far from my house. I ordered the salmon filet and an orange juice. The food was good — the salmon was fresh and flavorful, served with vegetables and a small portion of soup with garlic bread.
The warm interior and welcoming service made the experience even better. Even the other visitors seemed friendly and comfortable, as if they visit this place often. On her way out, one lady even stopped to chat with the staff and wished them a good day — it created such a positive, local atmosphere.
Overall, it’s a charming spot with good food and a very inviting vibe. I’ll definitely be coming back.“

“While waiting for my vehicle to get finished servicing, decided to try this place out. I order French toast combo with scrambled eggs and bacon. Everything was pretty good, just need to add some seasoning to the eggs and maybe add strawberries and whipped cream as part of the French toast meal itself, besides that every thing was good, customer service was excellent. My whoot was no longer than 10 mins.“

“My 3rd time back and again an awesome breakfast. Delicious and will be back again soon!!!“

“Great burgers. Haven't had a burger that interest my taste buds in a long time.“

“Thank you so much for my Grand slam on my 55th Birthday 🎂;)“

“Easily the best craft beer tap list on 2nd Street. Lots of local SoCal breweries in rotation: Green Cheek, Pizza Port, Trademark. Many taps, lots of IPAs (which I like) but other options too.

Food is pricey but solid. Upscale but casual bistro feel.“

“it has been many years since I have been there but it was a great place with their three or four times when I was stationed on the USA USS New Jersey“

“Lemon pepper wings are AMAZING ❤️❤️❤️ Great drinks good crowd and super nice servers❤️❤️❤️“

“Jennifer was a wonderful server, she's always checking up on us and never fails to make us laugh! She's great at attending us and makes sure we have what we need, perfect server!“

“Great experience . Great views of the boats“

“I still think that they have the best Tamales around in the Long Beach area. The masa is moist and flavorful. But I noticed that the amount of meat in the tamales is less since the last time, I had to take one Star 🌟 off. I do understand that the cost of all goods, meat included has gone up. It's a way for the business to make a profit without increasing the price. But for me, I'd rather pay more to get the more the quality.

The place gets really busy, especially during the holidays. Customers are coming nonstop. I highly recommend placing your order ahead and in advance to get what you want or else they ran out.“

“Tasty dinners! Do the wine dinner.“

“Wonderful place to spend an afternoon. You get sunshine, fresh air, boats, water, and the city as your backdrop. Walk up to the light tower for a panoramic view. They have scooters and bikes you can rent. We spent the most beautiful day here people watching, rolling down the hill, foot race, and even made flower necklaces like we did in grade school. My godson made me make ten so he could give them out to all the women in his life (grandma, aunts, mama, etc.). He collected flowers and made me sit there until he had one for everyone. He also made me roll down the hill (not as easy as it looks). We snacked on gold fishes and dum dums. The boys did NOT want to leave but we had lunch reservations. It was the most wonderful day and it cost next to nothing“

“Delicious meal and a friendly staff. They definitely appreciate their customers.“

“great spot in downtown LB with a really nice view of the city and the bridge lights at night make for a romantic atmosphere. The music was great, the service was awesome and the food was delicious! I highly recommend the spicy shrimp.😁“

“Grilled Chicken pesto sammie was yummy....everything was!! Terrific service too...Thx Ryan...good fun!“

“Fun, tasty, fast, and reasonably priced.“

“I have gone to this little bistro several times and it is always great. The food is great, the service is excellent, and the wine is superb. I have gone here for girls nights, couples nights, Valentine's Day, solo, and more. I would highly recommend.“

“Good service good food 🥘!“

“I recently enjoyed a hearty breakfast here, ordering the Country Fried Steak and Eggs with biscuits and gravy. The portion was very generous, and the meal was delicious overall—the steak was perfectly cooked, and the biscuits were smothered in a rich, savory gravy. The only part of the meal that fell short was the homestyle potatoes; they were cut into large chunks and were unfortunately quite bland.
​However, the experience itself was fantastic. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring my coffee cup was never empty. Overall, this is a wonderful spot. With great food, exceptional service, a welcoming atmosphere, and reasonable prices, I'll definitely be coming back.“

“Had a great Father's day dinner with my family, which includes a couple of the 4 legged varieties, and had a really nice time this evening! Excellent service and courtesy from every member of the staff and Extreme props to our server Kayla, sorry if I spelled your name 😉, but she was so perfectly attentive and just awesome! Please give her a raise! Thank you all and Happy Father's Day to all!“

“I went to Knolls last weekend and I'm really happy about the changes! The new menu and new chef are a great improvement. The food has gotten so much better. I also appreciate that there's no more loud music during dinner. It's a much nicer dining experience now! Service is great! Highly recommended!“

“Good and friendly service. Good food. The best craft beer“

“First time here. Excellent service. Wonderful food and fantastic view. I will be back.“

“I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting the food to be this exceptional. And that is because sometimes chain establishments are not great. However, Camille suggested a couple of dishes for us and they did not disappoint and in fact I would’ve licked the plates if it was publicly appropriate. I highly recommend the biscuits and gravy and short rib hash!!!!! Omg so delicious!! I can’t wait to come back for more!!!“

“it's so good and good pirces“

“Food and drinks was very good“

“We had a 40th college reunion there. The ambience was perfect, food was great and the staff were wonderful! Everyone had a great time!“

“The food is always on point and the establishment is super clean with kind employees. 2 thumbs up for my home-base in-n-out burger!“

“Excellent burgers!!!!!!!!“

“good breakfast i came one's a week“

“Great tasting Omelette and excellent service. Waiter was very friendly and attentive. Highly recommended if you are visiting Long Beach.“

“Amazing place to spare with family and friends. I recommend it 100%“

“Tastes good, come back next time“

“Always a great time here. Food is hearty and tasty. Great drink options and local music/DJs most nights.“