Looking for the best restaurants in Long Beach? This diverse coastal city south of LA has a laid-back, eclectic, and genuinely underrated food scene. This local food guide covers what the Long Beach dining scene is known for, the best neighborhoods to eat in, signature dishes to try, and how to find where locals actually eat right now.
What Long Beach’s food scene is known for
Long Beach’s scene is diverse and unpretentious — a strong Cambodian community (home to “Cambodia Town,” the largest outside Cambodia) gives it a food identity all its own, alongside excellent Mexican, seafood, a growing craft-beer culture, and walkable, independent-leaning restaurant districts.
Best neighborhoods for dining in Long Beach
Downtown and the East Village Arts District offer walkable, eclectic dining; Belmont Shore (2nd Street) is a beloved beachside restaurant-and-bar strip; Retro Row (4th Street) has trendy independents; and Cambodia Town along Anaheim Street is a destination for authentic Cambodian food. For more on each area, see our guide to the best neighborhoods in Long Beach.
Signature dishes & cuisines to try in Long Beach
Come for Cambodian food (a Long Beach specialty), fresh seafood, excellent Mexican, and a laid-back beach-city mix of independents and craft breweries.
What to know about eating out in Long Beach
Belmont Shore and downtown are walkable; elsewhere plan to drive. Cambodia Town is the standout for adventurous eaters. The scene is casual and value-friendly.
Where Long Beach locals actually eat
Menus, hours, and favorites change constantly — the freshest, most honest picks come from people who eat here every week. On Neighborhood Nurturers’ Long Beach community, real Long Beach neighbors share the spots they genuinely love (and the overhyped ones to skip). Planning a visit or a night out? See our guide to the best things to do in Long Beach too. Join your Long Beach neighbors free and get real local restaurant recommendations →
Where this fits in Long Beach
The strongest restaurants here are tied to their neighborhoods, and locals tend to have strong, specific opinions. The picks in this guide make the most sense once you know how Long Beach is laid out. Belmont Shore and Bluff Park sit at the center of where locals actually spend their time, so planning a memorable meal around one of them rarely goes wrong. When you want something calmer, the El Dorado Nature Center pulls you away from the busiest blocks, and the Naples canals is the kind of spot regulars mention but visitors miss. Anchor your plan to one of those and the rest of the day in Long Beach tends to fall into place.
More Long Beach guides
Long Beach rewards people who dig a little deeper. These related guides map the same neighborhoods from different starting points: Brunch in Long Beach, Bars & nightlife in Long Beach, Date ideas in Long Beach — enough to plan a whole day or two.
Ask a Long Beach neighbor
The best tips never make the guidebooks — they come from neighbors who know which spot is worth it this week. That is what the Long Beach community on Neighborhood Nurturers is for. Ask Long Beach locals what they would do, or join free and get honest answers from people who actually know Long Beach.
Frequently asked questions
What food is Long Beach known for?
A one-of-a-kind Cambodian food scene (Cambodia Town), plus excellent Mexican, fresh seafood, and a laid-back mix of independents and craft breweries.
Where is the best food in Long Beach?
Belmont Shore’s 2nd Street for beachside dining, downtown and the East Village for eclectic spots, and Cambodia Town on Anaheim Street for authentic Cambodian food.
Where do locals eat in Long Beach?
Locals prize Cambodia Town, neighborhood taquerias, and Retro Row independents — Long Beach neighbors share their current picks in our community.