Michelin Guide & Top Yelp Eats in Long Beach
Long Beach is a city well known for a welcoming, inclusive vibe that ribbons through its neighborhoods, beaches and dining scene – the latter being among the most exciting in the country. It’s this all-good, come-as-you-are perspective that feeds a comfortable, casual attitude permeating most eateries, even the Michelin Guide and Yelp Top 25 restaurants listed here. If you haven’t tried them, you really should. And don’t worry; you do you. They’ll do delicious.
CHIANG RAI
From its rather staid exterior, to its quirky, colorful, fun interior Chiang Rai (3832 E. Anaheim St.) isn’t necessarily what springs to mind when thinking of a Michelin recommended restaurant. But, once you sample its wide-ranging Thai cuisine, you’ll quickly understand it lays claim to the honor. Its menu not only spotlights Northern specialties and street food, but a local food section that caters to an American palate. Khao soi, a classic northern Thai curry, is given a twist here with thin slices of raw ribeye over thin egg noodles.
THE ATTIC
This Michelin recommended restaurant has one of the most loyal followings in the city. The Attic (3441 E. Broadway) has built that by offering sophisticated takes on comfort food, none more famous than its Mac & Cheetos, i.e. mac and cheese made with flaming hot Cheetos. This sophisticated comfort is embodied in the gorgeous, 1920s-era craftsman home that houses the Attic and helps to create the relaxed, neighborhood vibe that makes it an absolute must-go on the Long Beach food scene.
HERITAGE
It’s easy to pass by one of Long Beach’s most lauded restaurants, contained as it is in a relatively small, white stucco building located on a busy street. But once inside Heritage (2032 E 7th St.), its cozy, inviting interior and open kitchen make you feel right at home and ready to experience one of the singular dining experiences in the city. Its Michelin recommended menu features small plates made with local produce, seafood and cheese as well as ingredients from Heritage’s own, on-site garden.
APPU’S CAFE
Appu’s Cafe (3816 Woodruff Ave.) is ranked nationally in Yelp’s Top 25 and is a hidden gem, literally, located within a medical office building. Serving some of the most delicious and exciting takes on Indian food around, its Indian-Mexican fusion menu is perhaps best known for the Maharaja Burrito, a vegetarian offering filled with turmeric rice, saneer paneer chunks, lentils and mushrooms, which has been named the best burrito in the state. (There’s a vegan version, The Maharani.) All of this, and lots more, in a converted supply closet.
SUSHI NIKKEI
In a city brimming with creative cuisine, Michelin recommended Sushi Nikkei (3819 Atlantic Ave./5020 Second St.) offers one of the most intriguing concepts: Peruvian style sushi. Its creative menu offers familiar though intriguing options such as Peruvian ceviche with diced sea bass, sweet potato puree in tiger milk and aji amarillo sauce. There is all manner of nigiri and creative rolls offered in a casual atmosphere. A second location in Belmont Shore was opened not long after the initial restaurant opened in Bixby Knolls.
BMORE PROTEIN PUB
This top 25 Yelp rated spot is located on the ground floor of The Current luxury high rise apartment building, but available to the public. And the public seems drawn by BMore Protein Pub’s (707 E. Ocean Blvd.) ultra clean, ultra creative interior as well as a wide-ranging menu that includes peanut butter protein shakes, DietCokagne mimosas (Champagne and Diet Coke) as well as plenty of munchies, coffee and smoothies. If the place feels like home, it's because the owner/operator lives just a few floors above his shop.
