Long Beach Restaurants and Dining

(Long Beach, California - CA, USA)

Being a significant tourist destination in California means that Long Beach comes with plenty in the way of dining. Since the city is situated right next to the North Pacific Ocean, many of the city's restaurants and eateries choose to specialise in seafood, particularly around the Shoreline Village area.

There are lots of restaurants spread along all of the principal thoroughfares around the city, such as the East Pacific Highway, Anaheim Street and 7th Street. However, many of the most popular tend to be concentrated close to the waterfront around West Shoreline Drive and its numerous attractions, such as the Pike at Rainbow Harbor shopping complex, the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Long Beach Convention Center.

Especially close to the aquarium is the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company on Aquarium Way, where the fresh fish dishes range from shrimp cocktails, shrimp gumbo, deep-fried calamari, New England clam chowder and charbroiled fish sandwiches. For a spot of fine dining Asian style, the nearby P. F. Changs China Bistro serves up signature dishes such as crispy chicken wings, miso chicken, steak and noodles, and Shanghai salads.

Where to Eat

With views across the harborfront and an outdoor patio area for al fresco dining, Gladstone's Restaurant on South Pine Avenue is certainly worth looking out for and rates itself as the top seafood restaurant in the city. Daily specials such as Oyster Tuesdays, Lobster Wednesdays and Crabby Fridays ensure good value for money.

The downtown core of Long Beach is another good choice for dining options, with the award-winning Sky Room on South Locust Drive often being busy. Located above the historic Breakers Hotel and near to the Terrace Theater, the Sky Room certainly offers impressive views to accompany your meal with.

Slightly more inland and sited on the West Ocean Boulevard is the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, which boasts consistently good reviews and superb fish and chips. However, the Rock Bottom's popularity and freshly cooked dishes does mean that there can sometimes be a little wait after you order your food. Along intersecting Pine Avenue, close to the Long Beach Transit Mall, is the Alegria Cocina Latina, George's Greek Cafe, the King's Fish House, the L'Opera Ristorante and the Seville Restaurant.

For dining with a difference, consider booking yourself a table aboard the RMS Queen Mary, a retired ocean liner moored along the Queens Highway. Onboard the Queen Mary you will find a number of different eateries, lounges and bars, such as the Chelsea Chowder House and Bar, the Midship Marketplace, the Observation Bar, the Promenade Cafe, and Sir Winston's Restaurant and Lounge. The Champagne Sunday Brunch special on the Queen Mary is always extremely popular and boasts some 50 different dishes from all over the world.