Best Birthday & Celebration Restaurants in Long Beach
17 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Chez Bacchus
Only fine dining in downtown with tableside service and sommelier-curated wine pairings
Notable Picks
#1
Chez Bacchus
8.8
Farm-to-table New American dining from Advanced Sommelier John Hansen and Chef Danny Le showcases seasonal California ingredients with refined technique. Open since June 2022 in the Arts District, this intimate spot earned People's Choice Best Fine Dining in 2025 and offers everything from weekend brunch to tableside desserts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Maple Leaf Duck, Miso-Glazed Norwegian Salmon, Bananas Foster (tableside)
What Makes it Special: Only fine dining in downtown with tableside service and sommelier-curated wine pairings
8.7
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Upscale casual taverna delivering classic American comfort food since 2008 in Belmont Shore's heart. Exhibition kitchen showcases culinary talent behind signature items like prime rib dip and butter cake dessert. Glass walls and spacious patio create sophisticated people-watching setting with consistently stellar service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime Rib Dip, Chilean Sea Bass, Butter Cake
What Makes it Special: 17-year neighborhood institution balancing casual warmth with upscale execution and exceptional hospitality
8.7
Established in 1990 inside the historic 1906 First National Bank building, L'Opera features Chef Walter Cotta's award-winning Northern Italian cuisine with live opera performances on weekends. The stunning restoration showcases marble columns on mahogany floors with an exhibition kitchen, while the Wine Cellar basement offers intimate private dining in the original bank vault.
Must-Try Dishes:
Veal Piccata, Homemade Ravioli, Butternut Squash Ravioli
What Makes it Special: 35-year institution in stunning historic bank with Chef of the Year
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
What Makes it Special: Long Beach institution with award-winning wine cellar and in-house dry-aging program
#5
La Traviata
8.6
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Live Music Showtime
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family Friendly Favorites
Operating since 1997 in the historic Willmore Building, La Traviata delivers award-winning Nuevo Italian cuisine with live piano music on weekends. Owner Mario creates an operatic dining experience with ornate nineteenth-century opera house décor including crystal chandeliers and silk drapes, while the kitchen turns out fresh pasta and theatrical presentations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilean Sea Bass, Chestnut Mushroom Ravioli, Linguini de Mare
What Makes it Special: Historic venue with live piano and operatic ambiance since 1997
8.5
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
Date Night Magic
National steakhouse chain's Long Beach outpost sits steps from the Convention Center, serving USDA Prime steaks on signature 500-degree sizzling plates. Modern interior with booth and bar seating offers prix fixe specials and weekday happy hour alongside classic sides like lobster mac and cheese.
Must-Try Dishes:
Center-Cut Filet with Crab Stuffed Shrimp, Salmon with Bay Scallops, Potatoes au Gratin
What Makes it Special: Convenient Convention Center location with consistent nationwide Ruth's Chris quality
8.4
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Sports Bar Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Family-owned BBQ institution serving Long Beach since 1992, specializing in baby back ribs, St. Louis ribs, and beef ribs slow-smoked with hickory wood. The cabin-style dining room features cozy booths perfect for celebrations, while the bar area draws sports fans with craft beers and cocktails.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baby Back Ribs, St. Louis Ribs, Beef Ribs
What Makes it Special: Over 30 years of fall-off-the-bone ribs with signature BBQ sauce and warm towel service
#8
Nettuno
8.4
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Family Friendly Favorites
Brunch Bliss Spots
Birthday & Celebration Central
Fairmont Breakers' signature Italian restaurant features handmade pasta crafted by Executive Chef Giuseppe Musso and authentic Italian home cooking in an elegant coastal setting. The bright contemporary space balances refined elegance with warmth, making it suitable for both business lunches and family celebrations with accessible high chairs and accommodating service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carbonara, Ricotta Pancakes, Lobster Florentine Benedict
What Makes it Special: Hotel restaurant with executive chef expertise and coastal Italian authenticity
8.3
Family-owned Spanish restaurant group bringing Barcelona's culinary traditions to Long Beach's waterfront at 2nd & PCH. Chef Oscar Cabezas leads a kitchen rooted in the Padrosa family's pintxos expertise, delivering authentic tapas and saffron-rich paellas in a Mediterranean-meets-coastal California setting with marina views and a lively atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Paella, Gambas al Ajillo, Pulpo Telefèric
What Makes it Special: Authentic Barcelona experience with Spanish-speaking staff and Michelin-starred Trenchs Studio design
8.3
Located on the third floor of Parkers' Lighthouse since 2011, this supper club-style steakhouse offers unmatched 360-degree views of the Queen Mary, Long Beach Harbor, and downtown skyline. Live jazz performances Tuesday through Sunday nights complement prime steaks, chops, and fresh seafood, creating a scene reminiscent of classic mid-century dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime Porterhouse for Two, Dry-Aged Ribeye, Bacon-Wrapped Dates
What Makes it Special: Rotating panoramic harbor views paired with nightly live jazz in elegant supper club setting
8.3
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Business Lunch Power Players
Since 1983, this waterfront landmark delivers mesquite-grilled fresh seafood and award-winning wine selections beneath a working lighthouse. The menu features innovative Southern California preparations alongside creative sushi, all served with panoramic views of Long Beach Harbor and the Queen Mary.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mesquite-Grilled Fresh Fish, Oysters Rockefeller, Sesame-Crusted Ahi Tuna
What Makes it Special: Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and unmatched harbor views from every table
8.1
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Since 1993, this corner location at Broadway and Pine serves a daily-changing menu based on fresh market availability. The clubby interior features black-and-white tile floors and inviting booths, with an extensive oyster selection and live shellfish including lobster and crab.
Must-Try Dishes:
Daily Fresh Oyster Selection, Chilean Sea Bass, Lobster Roll
What Makes it Special: Three-generation family expertise with menu printed daily based on fresh catch
#13
Madres Brunch
8
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Instagram-centric Mexican-American brunch chain bringing colorful, shareable plates and mimosa flights to Downtown Long Beach since October 2024. The menu features vibrant dishes like birria benedict and churro French toast, with the signature "Journey" pancakes paying homage to co-owner Mel Zepeda's strawberry shortcake inspiration.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria Benedict, Chilaquiles Verdes, Journey Pancakes (Strawberry Shortcake)
What Makes it Special: Technicolor sugar-bomb presentations perfect for social media moments
Worthy Picks
#14
Tokyo Wako
7.8
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Date Night Magic
Established teppanyaki theater combined with full sushi bar creates dual dining experiences under one roof. Theatrical chefs perform tableside while sushi artisans craft specialty rolls, making it ideal for celebrations and groups seeking entertainment with quality Japanese cuisine.
Must-Try Dishes:
Garlic Edamame, Alaskan Roll, Hibachi Filet Mignon
What Makes it Special: Dual concept offering theatrical teppanyaki and quality sushi bar in single venue
7.6
Vibes:
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
Birthday & Celebration Central
This 9,000-square-foot waterfront restaurant at The Pike Outlets features expansive harbor views from the patio overlooking the Queen Mary and Lighthouse. The diverse menu includes large portions of fresh seafood, grilled steaks, fresh sushi, and the famous Mile High Chocolate Cake, catering to convention center crowds and tourists.
Must-Try Dishes:
Live Maine Lobster, Truffle Lobster Mac & Cheese, Daily Fresh Fish Selection
What Makes it Special: Massive portions and prime location steps from Aquarium of the Pacific
7.6
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Quick Bites Champions
Birthday & Celebration Central
California chain restaurant at The Pike Outlets serving innovative pizzas with creative toppings since 1985. The spacious location offers patio seating overlooking Pine Avenue, kids menu, and the famous Original BBQ Chicken Pizza alongside salads and pasta.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, Margherita Pizza, Thai Chicken Pizza
What Makes it Special: Reliable chain with California-style creative pizza combinations and kids menu
#17
Next Door
7.5
A tequila-forward cantina built around 100+ agave spirits and seafood-heavy regional Mexican cooking from a native Mexican chef — Puerto Nuevo lobster, tablita, and chile relleno anchor the menu. The room runs loud with DJ sets on Thursdays and Saturdays, so early weekday seatings or the patio are the move if conversation matters. With only one Google review on record, the kitchen's track record is still unproven.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seafood Chile Relleno, Birria Tacos, Puerto Nuevo Lobster
What Makes it Special: Tequila-focused cantina with 100+ agave spirits and seafood-forward regional Mexican dishes from a native Mexican chef