Beach Cafes in Long Beach

Not only does Long Beach offer a lot of great places to eat near the sand, but also an exceptional collection of eateries on the sand. These aren’t the usual shacks serving just burgers and hot dogs, but true restaurants, offering full menus of interesting cuisines: Argentine to Cajun to Ozzy Osbourne.

GAUCHO BEACH

ALAMITOS BEACH

Located on Alamitos Beach–in the shadow of the iconic Villa Riviera–Gaucho Beach (780 E Shoreline Dr) serves Argentine and California cuisine, as well as terrific cocktails, in a two-story location bursting with energy and exceptional views. You can take your food with you onto the sand if you like, and there’s a small playground attached for the kids to play while you dine in. The Gaucho Café is an attached, al fresco café serving delicious coffees and pastries right on the sand.

SALTWATER DECK

JUNIPERO BEACH

Saltwater Deck (2630 E. Ocean Blvd.) offers the ability to eat and drink directly on Junipero Beach beach and a wide ranging menu: breakfast burritos–with homemade salsa–grass-fed cheeseburgers, a popular tofu banh mi, chicken Caesar wrap and great pastrami sandwich. Located just steps away from the ocean and next to the paved beach path, you can watch joggers, roller skaters and cyclists zipping by or your kids playing on the attached, and huge, play structure.

LOUISIANA CHARLIE’S

MOTHER’S BEACH

Louisiana Charlie’s has been a destination dining spot in Shoreline Village for years, which is why people were thrilled when it took residence in a corner of Mother’s Beach (5839 Appian Way). Besides serving reliable beach food like burgers, tacos and breakfast items, Louisiana’s Charlie’s also serves the items that made their name: Cajun creations, barbecue, and fried fish. The spot is ideally located next to a large spread of grass, trees and picnic tables.

GRILL ‘EM ALL

BAY SHORE

The frenetic energy of Bay Shore–i.e. Horney Corner–recently welcomed the heavy metal burger madness that is Grill ‘Em All (5411 E Ocean Blvd). Originally a food truck–it won Food Networks’ initial Great Food Truck Race–Grill ‘Em All has a crazy collection of gnarly burgers, loaded fries and craft beers. How gnarly? One that comes with peanut butter, strawberry jam, bacon and sriracha, is named for Dee Snider while the Ozzy Osbourne (house made chimichurri, garlic aioli, blue cheese, onion frizzle, field greens) arrives on a black bun.

About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.