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.“

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

“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! ♥️“

“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.“

“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!“

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

“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?“

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

“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“

“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 🎂;)“

“Had an awesome experience at Louie’s on Second, and a huge part of that was the service. Christopher and Dennis were absolutely fantastic. From the moment we sat down, they were welcoming, very funny, and incredibly personable.

They took the time to really explain the menu and drinks without rushing us, answered all our questions, and made great recommendations based on what we liked. You can tell they genuinely know the menu and enjoy what they do. Their patience and sense of humor made the whole experience feel relaxed and fun, not transactional at all.

The drinks were excellent, and the service alone would bring me back. If you’re lucky enough to be taken care of by Christopher and Dennis, you’re in great hands. Definitely looking forward to coming back! Get the garlic fries and the ribs & Hugo Spritz!“

“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“

“Tasty dinners! Do the wine dinner.“

“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.😁“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“Good service good food 🥘!“

“We threw the dice and landed on this place earlier in the evening on New Years Eve. This was so last minute, we lowered our expectations. The place was quiet, but it was early.... We were bowled over by how good everything was! The fish was light and delicately seasoned. My steak was perfection. The vegetables were fresh, assorted and beautifully presented. The service was outstanding. This was our first time and we will visit again!“

“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!“

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

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

“The atmosphere is this place is awesome. The seating is also pretty cool as you can eat upstairs where you can overlook at the water. The service was great too! The food was a solid as well. I got the winger which is like their classic burger and the waste em all. The winger was a decent burger and I would say the bun steals the show as it is perfectly toasted. The waste em all was a decent burger but the green chilis overtake the flavor of the burger. Overall, this place was great and I would definitely come back for the vibes and to try different burgers.“

“it's so good and good pirces“

“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!!!“

“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.“

“Unbelievable experience! The entire time we felt like family and your can truly tell that the chef pours his heart and soul into his food. Tried the swordfish, pork chop, chicken and dumplings, and pasta… every dish was worthy of a Michelin star! Will definitely be back for more! Highly recommend Bar Becky!“

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

“Fantastic food in a cute neighborhood eatery! The food is fresh, homemade and super delicious. Everything we've tried here has a little unique flair that makes it special. The clam chowder is a MUST...a little spicy, a little smoky... incredible!“

“I have been a faithful customer fir years. Over the years I've tried many food on the menu. I have not had something I was displeased with. Appetizer are great and I was impressed with their dinner options. The service and atmosphere keeps me and friends coming back all throughout all year long.“