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555 East Steakhouse
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
555 East Steakhouse
8.6
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Luxury Dining Elite
Since 1984, this classic American steakhouse has built its reputation on hand-cut USDA Prime steaks dry-aged in-house for 30 to 120 days in a pink Himalayan salt brick room. The clubby, old-school interior with plush booths and dark wood paneling creates an atmosphere that has earned recognition as one of OpenTable's most romantic restaurants in the country.
Must-Try Dishes:
45-Day Bone-In Ribeye, Filet Mignon, Japanese Satsuma Wagyu A5 Strip
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Long Beach institution with award-winning wine cellar and in-house dry-aging program
Who should go: Special occasion diners and steak purists seeking traditional steakhouse excellence
When to visit: Dinner for celebrations, business lunches weekdays
What to order: Any dry-aged cut (specify aging days), oysters Rockefeller, crème brûlée
Insider tip: No corkage fee on wine makes this ideal for bringing special bottles
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet available ($15), or paid lot at 111 W Ocean Blvd (2 blocks). Street parking very limited downtown.
Dress code: Business casual to dressy - collared shirts recommended, jackets common but not required. Avoid athletic wear.
Noise level: Moderate to quiet - intimate booth seating allows easy conversation, gets livelier near bar area
Weekend wait: Reservation essential - walk-ins unlikely Friday/Saturday. Book 2+ weeks ahead for prime times.
Weekday lunch: Usually available with 24-hour notice, walk-ins possible before noon
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - sides-focused (creamed spinach, asparagus, loaded baked potato). Call ahead for composed options.
Vegan options: Very limited - can accommodate with advance notice but not their strength. Better choices nearby.
Gluten-free options: Yes - most steaks naturally GF, staff knowledgeable. Avoid breaded items, confirm sauces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want to impress with a serious dinner. The romantic lighting and booth privacy are ideal, but $$$ price point signals commitment. Better for 3rd+ dates or confident first impressions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunches sometimes, but dinner requires reservations 1-2 weeks out minimum. Bar seating available first-come for full menu, but fills fast after 6pm.
Is it kid-friendly? They'll accommodate families but atmosphere skews adult (think anniversary dinners, not casual family night). Kids menu available. Best for well-behaved ages 10+. Earlier seating (5-6pm) more family-appropriate.
How much should I budget per person? $100-150 with appetizer, steak, sides, and drinks. Can easily reach $200+ with premium aged cuts and wine. No corkage helps control costs.
What's the best seat in the house? Corner booths offer most privacy for romance. Window tables overlook downtown but sacrifice intimacy. Bar seats great for solo dining or pre-dinner drinks.
Best For
Better for: Traditional steakhouse experience with serious dry-aging program (rivals any chain). Best wine value in Long Beach with no corkage. More intimate and romantic than louder modern competitors. Established reputation for special occasions.
Skip if: You want modern/trendy vibes, need extensive vegetarian options, prefer casual atmosphere, or are looking for value over prestige. Also skip if you don't care about dry-aging - you're paying for that expertise.
555 East Steakhouse
8.9
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Business Lunch Power Players
Since 1984, Long Beach's flagship steakhouse serves USDA Prime beef dry-aged 25-90 days in an ambiance of wood paneling and brass. Sister restaurant to King's Fish House, 555 East earned OpenTable's 100 Most Romantic Restaurants designation in 2023 with its old-school clubby atmosphere and award-winning wine cellar.
Must-Try Dishes:
20-oz Bone-In Ribeye, Japanese Satsuma Wagyu A5 NY Strip, 18-oz Kansas City Strip
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 9.1
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: 41 years as Long Beach's premier steakhouse with no corkage fee policy
Who should go: Steak connoisseurs and special occasion celebrants with refined tastes
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for quieter experience or Saturday for full atmosphere
What to order: Bone-in ribeye, mac n cheese side, chocolate soufflé
Insider tip: No corkage fee makes it perfect for bringing special wine bottles
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet available $15, street parking competitive downtown but metered until 8pm
Dress code: Business casual to dressy - collared shirts preferred, jackets optional but common
Noise level: Intimate - clubby atmosphere allows easy conversation across table
Weekend wait: Reservation essential - walk-ins quoted 90+ minutes Friday/Saturday
Weekday lunch: 15-20 min without reservation, immediate seating before 11:30am
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - sides-focused menu with mac n cheese, creamed spinach, grilled asparagus
Vegan options: Very limited - can accommodate with advance notice but primarily side vegetables
Gluten-free options: Yes - staff trained, can modify most dishes, GF bread available
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent for 3rd+ dates or confident first dates - the upscale atmosphere and $200+ dinner creates high expectations but OpenTable's romantic designation is well-earned with intimate lighting and attentive service
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch yes, dinner unlikely - bar seating sometimes available but Saturday nights are fully booked weeks ahead, especially for prime 7-8pm slots
Is it kid-friendly? Ages 10+ appropriate - formal atmosphere better suited to older children who can handle 2-hour dinners, no kids menu but servers accommodate modifications
How does the dry-aging work? 25-90 day on-site aging develops concentrated beefy flavor and tender texture - longer aging available by request, visible aging room adds theater to experience
What's the damage for two people? $180-250 before drinks - steaks $55-95, sides $12-16 (sharable), desserts $14-18. No corkage policy can save $60-100 on wine
Best For
Better for: Classic steakhouse experience with zero corkage fees, serious wine collectors, business dinners requiring old-school gravitas, celebrating 41-year Long Beach institution
Skip if: You want modern/trendy steakhouse vibes, need extensive vegetarian options, prefer casual atmosphere, or dining on tight budget under $100pp