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Nettuno
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
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
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Hotel restaurant with executive chef expertise and coastal Italian authenticity
Who should go: Hotel guests, business professionals, celebration diners
When to visit: Weekend brunch or dinner Friday through Monday
What to order: Start with carbonara, try ricotta pancakes at brunch
Insider tip: Valet parking available at the Fairmont Breakers entrance
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet parking available at Fairmont Breakers entrance ($15-20), street parking nearby but limited availability during peak hours
Dress code: Smart casual - collared shirts and nice jeans acceptable, but hotel restaurant atmosphere suggests dressier side
Noise level: Low to moderate - elegant dining room acoustics allow for easy conversation, suitable for business discussions
Weekend wait: Reservations strongly recommended - walk-ins may face 30-45 min wait Friday-Sunday evenings
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait - typically seated within 10 minutes, popular with business lunch crowd
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - multiple pasta options including marinara and vegetable-forward dishes, Chef Musso accommodates requests
Vegan options: Limited but available - restaurant will modify dishes upon request, best to call ahead for optimal experience
Gluten-free options: Yes - gluten-free pasta available, kitchen takes cross-contamination seriously given hotel restaurant standards
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice - refined but not stuffy atmosphere, quiet enough for conversation, impressive without being intimidating. The coastal Italian setting creates romance without pretension.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunches and early dinners (before 6pm) usually have availability. Weekend dinners book solid - reserve 3-5 days ahead or risk significant wait times.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - high chairs available, accommodating service, and pasta-focused menu appeals to children. Best for kids 4+ who can sit through a nicer meal; elegant setting may not suit toddlers during busy service.
Best For
Better for: Handmade pasta with authentic Italian technique, elegant coastal setting for special occasions, reliable hotel restaurant service standards, business lunches requiring professional atmosphere
Skip if: You want casual neighborhood Italian, seek innovative modern twists on classics, prefer intimate mom-and-pop trattorias, or looking for budget-friendly pricing
Nettuno
8.4
Located within the newly renovated Fairmont Breakers hotel, this bright contemporary restaurant draws from authentic Italian home cooking with handmade pastas and seasonal ingredients. The refined-yet-warm atmosphere balances upscale elegance with relaxed California coastal dining, making every meal feel celebratory.
Must-Try Dishes:
Handmade Pasta, Seasonal Risotto, Italian Antipasti
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Hotel restaurant offering sophisticated Italian dining with ocean views
Who should go: Couples seeking upscale date nights near the waterfront
When to visit: Thursday-Monday dinner service, weekend brunch for special occasions
What to order: Daily handmade pasta specials, seasonal risotto, Italian wine pairings
Insider tip: Access the rooftop Halo lounge after dinner for panoramic harbor views
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel valet $15 (complimentary with validation), self-parking in Breakers garage $10, limited metered street parking on Pine Ave
Dress code: Business casual to upscale - collared shirts recommended, nice jeans acceptable but most guests wear dressier attire
Noise level: Intimate - high ceilings dampen sound, easy conversation even during peak hours
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation Friday-Saturday, reservations strongly recommended
Weekday lunch: Walk-ins usually seated within 15 minutes, Thursday lunch busier with business crowd
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - 6-8 options including vegetarian risottos, pasta primavera, wood-fired vegetable antipasti
Vegan options: Limited - 2-3 modified options available, chef can accommodate with advance notice
Gluten-free options: Yes - gluten-free pasta available for most dishes, dedicated fryer for calamari, knowledgeable staff about cross-contamination
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent choice - the sophisticated but not stuffy atmosphere hits the sweet spot, ocean views provide natural conversation starters, and the $$$$ price point shows effort without being intimidating. Request a window table when booking.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible Tuesday-Thursday before 7pm, but risky on weekends. The bar area accepts walk-ins and serves the full menu - a solid backup plan with the same quality food and better harbor views.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for well-behaved kids 8+ at lunch/brunch - simple pastas available, attentive service. Weekend dinner skews romantic and adult-focused. High chairs available but rarely needed - this isn't a family destination.
Best For
Better for: Nettuno excels when you want hotel-caliber service and consistency without hotel stuffiness - the handmade pasta quality rivals standalone Italian fine dining, but the coastal California vibe keeps it approachable. The rooftop progression option makes it unbeatable for milestone celebrations where you want multiple acts to the evening.
Skip if: Choose elsewhere for authentic Italian hole-in-the-wall charm or red-sauce nostalgia - this is polished contemporary Italian, not your nonna's kitchen. Also skip if budget is tight; there are better value Italian spots in Long Beach, though none match the total package of food, views, and ambiance.
Nettuno
8.5
Chef Giuseppe Musso's bright, contemporary restaurant in the Fairmont Breakers Hotel offers authentic Italian home cooking with coastal charm from 7am to 10pm daily. The elegant space blends warmth with sophistication, serving everything from breakfast to intimate dinners with fresh handmade pasta and seasonal ingredients.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carbonara, Ricotta Pancakes, Spaghetti Nero di Seppia
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.9
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Hotel restaurant elevating Italian home cooking with all-day service
Who should go: Business diners and hotel guests seeking refined Italian breakfast-to-dinner
When to visit: Saturday-Sunday brunch or dinner Thursday-Monday for full experience
What to order: Carbonara for dinner, ricotta pancakes for brunch, fresh pasta specialties
Insider tip: Valet parking available at hotel entrance on Ocean Boulevard
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet parking available at Fairmont Breakers Hotel entrance on Ocean Boulevard - complimentary for hotel guests, fee for restaurant guests. Street parking meters on Pine Avenue nearby, harder to find evenings/weekends
Dress code: Smart casual - business casual works perfectly for lunch, slightly dressier for dinner. Jeans acceptable if paired with nice top, but hotel setting elevates the vibe
Noise level: Moderate to quiet - hotel restaurant acoustics allow conversation at normal volume. Breakfast/lunch quieter, dinner has gentle ambient buzz but never loud
Weekend wait: Reservations strongly recommended Friday-Saturday dinner. Walk-ins possible before 6pm or after 9pm, otherwise 30-45 minute wait
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait Tuesday-Friday lunch, usually seated within 10 minutes. Business crowd moves efficiently
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent options - multiple pasta dishes, seasonal vegetable preparations, risottos. Chef accommodates with advance notice for tasting menu modifications
Vegan options: Limited but workable - 2-3 dedicated options, pasta with marinara or aglio e olio available. Call ahead for best experience as kitchen will prepare special plates
Gluten-free options: Yes - gluten-free pasta available for most dishes. Kitchen aware of cross-contamination, separate prep for celiac requests with advance notice
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Excellent first date choice - sophisticated without being stuffy, noise level allows actual conversation, and hotel setting provides elegant backdrop without intimidation factor. The 7-10pm dinner window gives flexibility if date runs long or short
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible but risky for dinner Thursday-Saturday. Your best walk-in windows: weekday breakfast/lunch, Sunday-Wednesday dinner, or Friday-Saturday before 6pm or after 8:45pm. Bar seating often available without wait
Is it kid-friendly? Appropriate for well-behaved kids 8+ at dinner, all ages welcome at breakfast/brunch. No kids menu but kitchen makes simple pasta or pizza. Atmosphere is refined but not stuffy - families blend in during daytime service better than evening
Good for business meetings? Ideal for business lunch - quiet enough for deals, professional atmosphere, efficient service respects time constraints. Breakfast meetings also work well 7-9am before hotel activity peaks
What's the best time to experience the full menu? Thursday-Monday dinner service 6-9pm showcases Chef Musso's talents most completely. Handmade pasta specials and seasonal tasting menu options only available during dinner hours
Best For
Better for: Choose Nettuno over casual Italian spots when you want: authentic regional Italian (not red-sauce American-Italian), all-day dining flexibility from 7am breakfast through 10pm dinner, hotel-level service polish, or a sophisticated business lunch setting. The handmade pasta program rivals standalone Italian restaurants at this price point
Skip if: Skip if you want: loud, energetic scene (this is refined hotel dining), cutting-edge modern Italian (Chef Musso focuses on traditional home cooking), quick casual meal under $30pp, or late-night dining past 10pm. Also skip for large groups 8+ as space limits big party accommodations