Best Italian Restaurants in Long Beach
12 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
L'Opera Ristorante
35-year institution in stunning historic bank with Chef of the Year
Notable Picks
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
Authentic Neapolitan pizzeria from Naples opened in January 2024, bringing wood-fired tradition and imported Italian ingredients to Belmont Shore. The restaurant transformed a former dreary space into a bright, modern setting with both indoor fireplace charm and dog-friendly outdoor patio seating with firepits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita DOC Pizza, Marinara Pizza, Chocolate Lava Cake
What Makes it Special: Family-owned Naples pizzeria tradition using imported Italian ingredients and wood-fired ovens
#3
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
#4
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 Roman osteria since 2004 serving wood-fired pizzas and homestyle pasta in a casual atmosphere decorated with Ferrari collectibles and Italian soccer memorabilia. The expansive street-side outdoor deck seats about 40 guests with umbrellas and awning coverage, creating a lively neighborhood gathering spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese Wheel Pasta, Linguine with Clams and Artichokes, Wood-Fired Calzones
What Makes it Special: Roman family recipes and theatrical cheese wheel pasta service on outdoor deck
#6
Ellie's
8.3
Chef Jason Witzl's Southern Italian restaurant in Alamitos Beach specializes in handmade pasta made fresh daily with California-sourced ingredients. The intimate neighborhood bistro features a charming front patio and small dining room where the chef's energy bounces between kitchen and table, creating a warm familial atmosphere despite the upscale sensibility.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagliatelle with Shrimp and 'Nduja, Potato Croquettes, Grilled Bread with Pork Butter
What Makes it Special: Chef-driven pasta showcase with California seasonal ingredients
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family-owned neighborhood pizzeria serving Long Beach since 2000 with a unique cornmeal crust and generous toppings. The casual spot offers huge slices and whole pies at budget-friendly prices, with locals returning for decades to this East Side staple.
Must-Try Dishes:
Meat Lovers Pizza, Veggie Pizza, Italian Calzone
What Makes it Special: Distinctive cornmeal crust recipe and exceptional value with enormous portions
#8
Cafe Gazelle
8
A nine-table, walk-in-only Italian bistro in Belmont Shore where handmade pastas and classical preparations come out of a kitchen barely larger than a closet. The 18-seat room rewards couples and regulars who treat dinner as the main event rather than a prelude to something else. Expect tight quarters, no reservations, and the kind of neighborhood loyalty that keeps a place at 87% five-star reviews across 337 ratings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Veal Carciofi, Polpette Di Pollo, Spaghetti with Meatballs
What Makes it Special: Nine-table, walk-in-only Italian bistro in Belmont Shore where handmade classics are cooked in a kitchen smaller than most home kitchens
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Northern California-based fresh pasta cafe established 2014 at 2nd & PCH shopping center, offering customizable pasta dishes with imported ingredients from Italy's Romagna region. Counter-service format with both indoor and outdoor marina-view seating creates a casual, affordable Italian experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gnocchi with Pesto, Fettuccine Bolognese, Butternut Squash Ravioli
What Makes it Special: Build-your-own fresh pasta with authentic Northern Italian ingredients under $20
#10
JJ Italian Deli
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
An Italian-Vietnamese deli counter built around Boar's Head cold cuts, scratch-made eggplant parmesan, and homemade meatballs — with Vietnamese coffee as a quiet left-field addition that regulars know to order. The portions run generous for the price, making it a reliable lunch stop for anyone who treats a good sandwich as a serious meal. Expect a bare-bones deli setup next to a Taco Bell parking lot; come for what's between the bread, not the ambiance.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Longshoreman, Eggplant Parmesan, The Long Beach Special
What Makes it Special: Italian-Vietnamese deli built on Boar's Head premium meats, homemade meatballs, and scratch-made eggplant parmesan — with Vietnamese coffee on the side.
7.8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Family patriarch Nicolaniello Buono brought Old Country traditions to America in 1967, maintaining hand-kneaded dough made fresh daily, homemade sauces and sausages, and gas-fired brick ovens. The third-generation pizzeria serves authentic Italian specialties like lasagna and linguini e vongole alongside their signature pizzas with fresh mozzarella.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Pizza with Homemade Sauce, Lasagna, Eggplant Parmigiana
What Makes it Special: Three-generation family operation since 1967 with Old Country authenticity
7.8
Long Beach's oldest restaurant operating since 1954, famous as one of California's first pizzerias serving ground pepperoni pizza and maintaining original recipes. The old-fashioned booth-filled dining room offers warm, cozy ambiance perfect for hearty Italian-American comfort food, though outdoor seating is limited.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ground Pepperoni Pizza, Rigatoni with Link Sausage, Classic Italian Salad
What Makes it Special: Oldest restaurant in Long Beach with 71-year pizza tradition