Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Long Beach / Catalina

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Long Beach / Catalina? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Sushi Nikkei - Belmont Shore

4.9

4.9 (127)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Chef Eduardo Chang Ogata brings Peruvian flavors and elements to traditional Japanese Sushi.
Sushi Nikkei on Bixby Knolls received Michelin recognition on 2022 and 2023.

Top review

JasonVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We go hear all the time and try something new every time we go. Their Ceviche is the best in town and their Sushi is one of a kind. Keep coming back and keep being pleasantly surprised. Service is amazing and the restaurant is spotless. Will always go back

Marlena

4.8

4.8 (193)

$31 to $50

Italian

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Driven by Seasonality + Local Ingredients – Our kitchen artfully balances Italian + Mediterranean culinary traditions with unexpected wood-fired flavors meant to transport your senses.

Top review

ReneeVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Our family went for Father’s Day, the food was delicious from the burger to the lemon ricotta pancakes.

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Experience

Dinner :9+ Guests Prix Fixe Menu $95 per person

Experience

Weekend Brunch 9+ Guests $45 per person

LBCC Bistro

4.8

4.8 (53)

$30 and under

International

Lakewood / Bellflower

About the restaurant

The Bistro, run by students in Culinary Arts, offers food at a fine-dining standard and features a revolving prix fixe menu with a choice of appetizer or salad, entrée, and dessert for $20, tax included. Each week the Bistro focuses on cuisine from a different region, such as Asian, Mediterranean, Southern, Latin American or French cuisine. A vegetarian option is available.

Top review

Fayelease

Dined on May 21, 2025

My entree was not warm enough, but it was very tasty. Lulu had us reach for the water we ordered on the tray. Usually the server sets the water on the table so this was different. The

Olive and Rose

4.8

4.8 (140)

$50 and over

Bistro

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Founded by sibling duo Chef Philip Pretty and Lauren Pretty, Olive & Rose is a culinary destination born from their shared passion for exceptional food and genuine hospitality. We'v reimagined the dining experience as a neo-bistro, where classic French techniques with a twist meet vibrant flavors that are unmistakably Californian. Each dish tells a story of flavor, texture, and creativity—a reflection of Chef Philip Pretty’s entire culinary career.
From sourcing local, seasonal ingredients to minimizing food waste and reducing our environmental footprint, we’re proud to continue the sustainable dining legacy of our sister restaurant, Heritage, by incorporating green certified and green Michelin star practices into our operations.

Our dining area is a covered patio, please dress accordingly.

We are reservation only, please call if you have any difficulty booking online. We look forward to hosting you!

Top review

Richard

Dined 2 days ago

Great flavors, nice decor. The services was friendly!

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Experience

Olive & Rose Summer Pool Party

El Barrio Cantina

4.8

4.8 (8)

$30 and under

Mexican

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Your Gateway to Modern Mexican Flavors. Located in the heart of Long Beach at 1731 East 4th Street, El Barrio Cantina is your go-to destination for a unique Mexican dining experience. Our restaurant offers a blend of traditional Mexican dishes with a modern twist, promising a meal that's both exciting and satisfying. Dive into a menu that's designed to delight with dishes like our savory Tacos de Papa and refreshing Ceviche Marinero de Camarón.

Top review

Teri

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

The servers are very friendly and smile no matter how busy it is! The Recession menu is awesome for locals and has a few vegetarian and vegan options which is not very common for a Mexican restaurant or bar. Highly recommended!

Tokyo Noir

4.7

4.7 (136)

$30 and under

Speakeasy

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Tucked behind El Barrio Cantina in Long Beach, Tokyo Noir is an intimate 25-seat speakeasy with a side-alley entrance and world-class cocktail program, co-concepted by restaurateur/founder Jesse Duron and acclaimed mixologist Kevin Lee. As the only certified Ice Master outside of Japan, Lee has created a cocktail menu at Tokyo Noir that will make it a destination for serious bar culture fans, who want to experience the art and craft of cocktailing. The beverages are complemented by a robust izakaya-style menu from Chef Ulises Alfaro-Piñeda, with craveable small plates that go beyond bar snack expectations. As a whole, this discreet speakeasy concept will surprise locals and impress the industry.

Food service ends 11pm Weds,Thurs, and Sun. Midnight on Fri and Sat.
If you don't see reservations we are fully booked, we do take walk-ins if people no show.
Best time to try is at 5pm or after 11pm.

Top review

Tim

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Everything was great as always. Got sat immediately after being greeted for our reservation. Fantastic cocktails, energetic service. Only small negative was the wagyu we ordered was slightly overcooked. Took a bit more chewing than when we ordered it before but the flavor was still great. All the other food items were fantastic as well. I love coming here and bringing friends to experience it.

Thai District

4.6

4.6 (738)

$30 and under

Thai

Long Beach

About the restaurant

First and only in Downtown Long Beach Modern Thai, very authentic in taste and ingredients. Features northern style, street food in a hip and modern decor.

Top review

joe

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent food. Great service. Will definitely come back again.

Heritage

4.6

4.6 (824)

$50 and over

Californian

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Heritage is family owned and operated by Chef Philip Pretty and sister Lauren Pretty. Our lively indoor dining room was built in 1922 as a craftsman house. Walk inside to an open kitchen, request bar seating to watch us cook over a live fire Santa Maria grill. Located in the Rose Park neighborhood of Long Beach on the corner of 7th & Saint Louis Ave. Heritage Restaurant uses sustainable meat & seafood, and Farmer's Market produce. Growing our own produce at Heritage Farm right up the street. Certified blue, green, and maintain a zero-waste kitchen. One red and green star Michelin awarded. We serve a tasting menu only. We politely decline modifications. Please specify all dietary restrictions/allergies when booking your reservation. Our menu is seasonal, and subject to daily changes. We are reservation only, please call if you have any difficulty booking online. We look forward to hosting you!

Top review

chris

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent experience for me and my wife. Sitting at the bar and chatting with the chefs made the already great experience of the food and wine even better.

CaliChilli

4.5

4.5 (457)

$31 to $50

Indian

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Chef Mural Manjunath has received four consecutive Michelin stars for his modern take on Indian cuisine. He took an innovative approach by blending traditional Indian flavors with Southeast Asian cuisine to deliver a truly unique experience. At Cali Chilli, we hope to bring you a similar experience through an Indian twist on traditional American dishes.
Located across Heartwell Park in Viking Way, a few blocks from Carson & Bellflower Blvd Cali Chilli boasts intimate and cozy seating, and some outdoor seating to enjoy the weather, perfect for any occasion.
Butter Chicken Pot Pie, Chef Mural's take on traditional Butter Chicken, Vindaloo, Chef's Signature cut filet mignon are among the favorites.

Top review

Deborah

Dined 1 day ago

Outstanding Experience. Creative take on Indian cuisine. Don't miss the chicken pot pie or quesadillas! One of our favorite restaurants.

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Popular dish

Butter Chicken Pot Pie

Broken Spirits Distillery

4.3

4.3 (61)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Long Beach

About the restaurant

We are Broken Spirits, a distillery born from a love of forgotten recipes and the desire to create something new from the echoes of the past. Step through our unassuming door and be transported to a bygone era. Our speakeasy-inspired interior is a warm embrace of exposed brick, plush seating, and the gentle hum of conversation. Worn leather-bound recipe books line our shelves, whispering secrets of forgotten cocktails, while vintage lamps cast a romantic glow. Our culinary creations are chef driven and locally sourced. Join us for a meal and stay for a memory.

Top review

Jessica

Dined on May 3, 2025

I love this place! They have great happy hour and their food is delicious!

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