The Ultimate Italian Food Tour Through California: 10 Restaurants In Long Beach You Can’t Miss
Long Beach is a true gem when it comes to Italian food along the California coast. From beloved family-run pizzerias that have been around for decades to elegant spots serving up fresh, handmade pasta, this vibrant city brings authentic tastes from all over Italy.
Whether you’re dreaming of a classic Neapolitan pizza or house-made ravioli, these ten Italian favorites will whisk your taste buds straight to Italy. No passport needed!
1. L’Opera Ristorante
Stepping into L’Opera feels like entering an Italian opera house with its grand architecture and romantic lighting. The seafood-forward menu shines with their signature spaghetti tutti di mare—a symphony of fresh clams, mussels, and shrimp dancing in garlic white wine sauce.
Located in downtown Long Beach since 1990, this elegant establishment has earned its reputation as the city’s premier Italian dining destination. Their tiramisu alone is worth the visit!
2. La Traviata
Hidden in a historic building downtown, La Traviata captivates with its old-world charm and live piano music that fills the air Thursday through Saturday. Their linguini mare bursts with oceanic flavors—perfectly al dente pasta swimming alongside jumbo scallops and prawns.
The waitstaff treats you like family, remembering regulars’ names and preferences. Wine aficionados appreciate their carefully curated Italian selection that perfectly complements each dish.
3. Tarantella on 4th
Nestled along Retro Row, this intimate trattoria transports you to a countryside Italian village. Red-checkered tablecloths and bottles of olive oil create an unpretentious atmosphere where the food truly speaks for itself.
I still remember my first bite of their pappardelle with wild boar ragu—it was so authentic I momentarily thought I’d been teleported to Tuscany!
The homemade limoncello offered after dinner provides the perfect citrusy finale to your meal.
4. Nonna Mercato
Part bakery, part pasta shop, Nonna Mercato embodies the Italian concept of “fatto a mano”—made by hand. Morning visitors are greeted by the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked focaccia and pistachio-studded pastries displayed like edible artwork.
By afternoon, the pasta counter steals the spotlight with rainbow-colored ravioli and pillowy gnocchi. Their ricotta gnocchi, cloud-like potato dumplings that practically dissolve on your tongue, might be the closest thing to culinary heaven in Long Beach.
5. Domenico’s Restaurant
A Belmont Shore institution since 1954, Domenico’s walls tell stories through vintage photographs of Long Beach’s evolution. Their signature ground-pepperoni pizza, an unusual technique that distributes flavor throughout every bite, has converted countless thin-crust skeptics.
My grandparents had their first date here in the 1960s, and the recipe hasn’t changed since. The red leather booths have witnessed generations of family celebrations, first dates, and regular Tuesday night dinners when nobody felt like cooking.
6. Marri’s Pizza & Pasta Restaurant
Unpretentious and warm, Marri’s embodies the neighborhood Italian joint where everybody feels welcome. Massive portions of lasagna arrive bubbling hot, with cheese pulls that stretch dramatically as you dig in.
The decor might be stuck in the 1980s, but that’s part of its charm. Families gather around large tables while solo diners chat with longtime bartenders who remember exactly how you like your Manhattan.
Their garlic knots—buttery, garlicky clouds of dough—are dangerously addictive.
7. La Parolaccia Osteria
“Parolaccia” means “bad word” in Italian, and you’ll be muttering happy expletives after tasting their mushroom ravioli bathed in truffle cream sauce. This family-run osteria showcases recipes from Rome, with pasta made fresh daily in their open kitchen.
The owner, Paolo, often visits tables to share stories about his grandmother’s cooking techniques. I once watched him teach a young guest how to properly twirl spaghetti using only a fork, a skill that proved more challenging than expected!
8. Ellie’s
Forget red-sauce Italian stereotypes—Ellie’s brings California sunshine to Italian traditions. Seasonal ingredients from local farmers’ markets transform into vibrant dishes like squash blossom pizza and citrus-infused risotto that change with nature’s rhythms.
The space feels modern yet welcoming, with indoor plants softening the industrial elements. Their handcrafted gnocchi, little potato pillows that somehow remain both light and satisfying, has developed a cult following among Long Beach foodies who book weeks in advance.
9. Due Fiori
The newest star in Long Beach’s Italian constellation, Due Fiori marries California’s farm-fresh ethos with Italian techniques. Their sourdough focaccia pizzas emerge blistered and aromatic from wood-fired ovens, topped with unexpected combinations like fig-prosciutto-gorgonzola.
Sunlight streams through massive windows, illuminating the plant-filled space where cocktails incorporate herbs grown on-site. The vegetable-forward antipasti platters showcase seasonal produce in vibrant compositions that taste as beautiful as they look.
10. L’antica Pizzeria da Michele
Pizza purists, rejoice! The legendary Neapolitan pizzeria that Julia Roberts made famous in “Eat Pray Love” has brought its 150-year-old recipes to Belmont Shore. Their philosophy is beautifully minimalist: perfect dough, San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, basil. Nothing more.
The 900-degree wood-fired oven imported from Naples creates those characteristic leopard spots on the crust in just 90 seconds. Be prepared to wait, but when that Margherita pizza arrives, still smoking and fragrant, time suddenly becomes irrelevant.