10 Best Italian Restaurants in Long Beach

Italian restaurants in Long Beach are famous for offering a blend of authentic regional Italian food, historic family-run pizzerias, and contemporary establishments influenced by California's focus on fresh ingredients. The city's coastal location means fresh seafood is often incorporated into Italian dishes. Long Beach does not have a single Italian dish it is known for, but its food identity is defined by the quality and variety available, from fine dining restaurants like Michael's on Naples in Belmont Shore to long-standing neighborhood pizzerias like Domenico's, which has served its unique ground pepperoni pizza for decades.

The Italian food scene in Long Beach reflects the city's overall food landscape, offering a range of establishments from casual, family-owned pizzerias to upscale ristorantes. These different types of restaurants provide a breadth of dining experiences. The types of Italian restaurants commonly found in Long Beach are listed below.

• Pizzerias: Long Beach has many pizzerias, including historic family-run spots like Buono's Authentic Pizzeria and Domenico's Belmont Shore, as well as modern restaurants that specialize in wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas.
• Trattorias and Osterias: These comfortable, often neighborhood-focused restaurants serving home-style food are very present in Long Beach. La Parolaccia Osteria and La Tarantella Osteria are well-known examples that offer handmade pastas and a lively, welcoming atmosphere.
• Ristorantes: For more formal or upscale dining, Long Beach has several ristorantes. L'Opera Ristorante in downtown and Michael's on Naples in Belmont Shore are fine dining establishments known for their refined menus, extensive wine lists, and elegant settings.

Yes, Long Beach has several restaurants that serve authentic Italian food, proven by their dedication to regional recipes, house-made ingredients, and traditional cooking methods. Michael's on Naples focuses on contemporary but authentic Italian food, making its pasta and bread in-house and sourcing high-quality ingredients for its seasonal menus. La Parolaccia Osteria is another proof point, as it specializes in the food of Rome, serving classic dishes like Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe made with fresh, handmade pasta in an atmosphere that mirrors a bustling osteria in Italy.

The signature dishes at the best Italian restaurants in Long Beach showcase a mix of authentic regional classics, historic local specialties, and contemporary creations using fresh California ingredients. From handmade pastas to unique pizza preparations that have been served for decades, these dishes represent the delicious variety of Italian food available in the city. The most notable signature dishes are listed below.

• Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe: An authentic Roman pasta dish made with cheese and black pepper, famously served at La Parolaccia Osteria.
• Domenico's Original Pizza: A historic Long Beach specialty from Domenico's Belmont Shore, made with a unique ground pepperoni topping.
• House-Made Pastas: Many of the top restaurants, including Michael's on Naples and Ellie's, are known for their rotating selections of fresh, handmade pastas.
• Wood-Fired Neapolitan Pizza: A staple at modern pizzerias, known for its specific preparation method and fresh ingredients.
• Osso Buco: A classic fine-dining dish of braised veal shank, offered at upscale establishments like L'Opera Ristorante.
• Lasagna: A beloved comfort food classic, served in traditional, multi-layered style at restaurants like Buono's Authentic Pizzeria and La Parolaccia Osteria.

Yes, Long Beach enjoys Italian food; it is one of the most popular and well-represented food styles in the city. This is proven by the large number and long history of Italian restaurants in key neighborhoods like Belmont Shore, Bixby Knolls, and Downtown. The continued success of establishments that have been open for decades, such as Domenico's (since 1954) and Buono's (since 1973), alongside the popularity of modern, chef-driven spots like Michael's on Naples and Ellie's, demonstrates a strong and sustained demand for Italian food from the community.

Yes, some Italian restaurants in Long Beach offer vegan options, though they may require modification. While traditional Italian and Italian-American food is heavy on cheese, meat, and egg-based pasta, many kitchens can accommodate vegan diners. A common vegan option is to request an eggless pasta with marinara or aglio e olio sauce. For a dedicated experience, diners can visit plant-based restaurants in the area. While not exclusively Italian, The Wild Chive in Long Beach is a well-known all-vegan restaurant that sometimes features creative, Italian-inspired brunch or dinner items on its menu.

Yes, many Italian restaurants in Long Beach offer gluten-free options, most frequently in the form of gluten-free pasta. The awareness of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity has led many establishments, from casual to fine dining, to keep gluten-free pasta on hand as a substitute for traditional wheat pasta. For example, a restaurant like La Parolaccia Osteria or Buono's Authentic Pizzeria is often able to prepare many of its pasta dishes with a gluten-free alternative upon request. Some pizzerias also now offer gluten-free crusts. For naturally gluten-free entrees, diners can often choose grilled fish or steak, which are available at many of the finer Italian restaurants like Michael's On Naples.

The average meal price for Italian restaurants in Long Beach can range from $20 to over $100 per person. At a casual, family-style pizzeria or trattoria like Buono's Authentic Pizzeria or Domenico's, a person can expect to spend between $20 and $45 for a full meal. For a mid-range, upscale-casual restaurant like La Parolaccia Osteria or Ellie's, the price is often between $40 and $80 per person. At high-end, fine dining Italian establishments such as Michael's On Naples or L'Opera Ristorante, the cost for a meal will start at $75 and can easily exceed $100 per person with multiple courses and wine.