50 Best American Restaurants near Sunset Beach

“Rode our bikes down here to try a new to us spot . The beers hit the spot after a long bike ride and the pretzel was amazing .“

“Really good loco moco !!!“

“nice breakfast this morning, always enjoy HH Cafe when we visit.“

“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.“

“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! ♥️“

“This year we chose Black Bear diner for the location of our annual Chrispen Team Pumpkin Pie giveaway, and we couldn't have been more impressed. The manager Isaid was amazing from the start helping me plan the event and order hundreds of pies. The large patio provided a private and cheerful atmosphere and was the perfect spot for the event. Carlos and the rest of the staff were amazingly attentive and handled everything we needed on the day of the event. All of our clients raved about how delicious the pies were and loved the convenient location. We can't wait to come back next year!“

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

“We are from Puerto Rico and visited your restaurant last week. We all loved, the atmosphere is cozy and the food is excellent. Your staff is absolutely great. A great choice and a wonderful experience. Definitely a great 💯. Will visit you again on my next trip to California.“

“Good food and drinks! Reasonable prices. Great service!!“

“Great place to eat!!! We’ll be back!!!“

“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.“

“Great Burgers and Breakfasts“

“First class all the way. Great experience.“

“Came here to try something new. While it was expensive, the portion sizes defenitely do make up for its pricy cost, and the burger was absolutely amazing. Fries were nice and crispy, and staff was absolutely amazing. They answered every question I had and were absolute gems. I'd defenitely revisit this place when I visit Long Beach again, 10/10.“

“We dined at Amarith Table last night for the first time and can't wait to tell all of our friends about what a Great Restaurant it is. There is literally something on the menu for everyone. The food is delicious ontop of being all organic. The service was top-notch: friendly & efficient. Every staff member came to our table to introduce themselves and to see how things were. When we left we felt like we were part of The Amarith Family. We cant wait to Come Back...Woohoo!“

“A friend recommended this place. We go to Disneyland all the time and now I will always come here for breakfast!! I had biscuits and gravy and an over easy egg with a side order of crispy hash browns ! It was literally the best diner food I had in such a long time!

It’s a hole in the wall type of place a true gem!“

“I was here we come from Nederland 🇳🇱 and it was so nice good food and bartenders“

“Awesome place to visit for the entire family . Great service , food , and price . Also , super kid friendly and they accommodate dietary restrictions as well !“

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

“Delicious cuisine in a charming setting with exceptional hospitality on a lovely afternoon.“

“Good service, big servings at reasonable price 👍🏻“

“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!“

“My wife and I came here to celebrate an accomplishment of mine at my job and we had a wonderful time. We sat by the big windows where we had a perfect view of the ocean and the sunset which by the way was beautiful that day. Food was lovely, service was great and our server Aaron V was very nice, he made sure we were good and had everything we needed. To top off our food we had dessert and ordered the warm butter cake which was delicious. I would definitely recommend to friends and family looking for a wonderful place to dine and have a great time.“

“Delicious food and smoothies! I had the chicken salad sandwich and it was the best I’ve found. The honey mustard salad dressing on my green salad was amazing. My husband was actually adding it to his chicken sandwich. We enjoyed the vegetable split pea soup down to the last drop. This lovely little restaurant has a very friendly vibe and we could hear repeat customers engaging the owner in conversation and laughter. We plan to become repeat customers too.“

“Had to stop and try this chicken. I'm not from the area so I didn't know it was here. Only getting 2 pc's was a big mistake! Wow that was good chicken! True broasted, so no need for batter. Skin was good and crispy. Cooked to order so it takes a little longer but well worth the wait. She was very helpful and even brought my order to my car. Thank you.“

“I happened to be in Huntington Beach for my dog and wanted to join other veterans and the places that celebrated us. I stumbled on 25 degrees. What a pleasure. The bartender couldn't have been any more of a delight. She even had them make a patty for my service dog. I met an amazing vet Darren and his lady Becca. Hi Becca and Darren. I think we are going to be great boat friends. I have a 17 foot Boston whaler a Montauk fishing boat and and need other fishermen/women to take it out. Looking forward to many days on the water. I will wear their sweatshirt with the pride I have for other veterans. Stop in and say hi. I wish I got the bartenders name. I will tell many. Love you forever!!!! Patriots“

“Neighborhood cafe serving California American style breakfast and brunch items.
Delicious 3egg omelets served with your choice of breakfast fries and toast or biscuits with gravy.
Coffee is refillable but they come in those petite cups. $3.50 charge.
Pancakes are generous and come with your choice of fruit plus butter and syrup!
Friendly waitress assured me that I could stay to finish my meal past closing time.
Kitschy decor works for the space.“

“Fantastic service and delicious wings and a salad.“

“What a gem! BlackBoard Bistro has that cozy, neighborhood charm with a menu full of comforting classics. The pumpkin pancakes were fluffy and perfectly spiced (and yes, that pat of butter melted into absolute happiness). The breakfast burrito? Generous, hearty, and exactly what you’d hope for on a late morning when you’re running on coffee fumes.

The menu is extensive—everything from fresh salads to indulgent burgers—and you can tell they make things from scratch. The staff was friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere has a casual, cheerful vibe.

Whether you’re craving breakfast all day or a good sandwich, this spot checks all the boxes. Highly recommend for a laid‑back brunch or lunch!“

“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?“

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

“Good food good service decently priced!!“

“What a nice breakfast to start my morning but should have more breakfast deals“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“First timer says really good need to go back and try something other than the lobster roll, just for a variety😋“

“Love coming here in the morning..also..the Lady in the morning, (the mother, wife, of the owners,) she has the best hospitality ever :)“

“YUM!!! The breakfast burrito was AMAZING. The cinnamon roll french toast doesn't need syrup because it is perfectly sweet. Next time I will indulge in the pie. The view of the lake is beautiful and relaxing. I am so glad I found this gem.“

“Great Food/Shakes I’ll be Back“

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

“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!“

“Good food and service……..“

“so far everything I've had from here has been top notch. 👌🏻 Just tried the hangover burger for the first time today, I highly suggest you try it.👍🏻👍🏻“

“Great sandwiches And wonderful staff“

“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“