L’Antica da Michele—the Naples-birthed concept that opened its first Long Beach location at the beginning of 2024—has officially opened its Antica Cafe concept. From classic Italian espresso to sandwiches made from the famed dough they use for their pizzas, the concept is a full-circle moment for owner Francesco Zimone, who had attempted to have a cafe attached to the restaurant but ultimately wasn’t able to make it work.
Until now.
“We tried to do the cafe concept in the beginning but it simply didn’t work out—and we basically became just a dinner destination with a so-so lunch crowd,” Francesco said. “The cafe concept had been let go of, forgotten. But then, an opportunity dropped into our laps that—listen, I have restaurants in New York, L.A., Santa Barbara… And I assure you, what happened could only have happened in Long Beach.”
Even more, Francesco holds plans to make the Long Beach location of the pizzeria owned solely by locals. He will begin selling off the shares of outsiders in order to provide them to Long Beach residents as their own investment.
How former Aroma di Roma staff members sent L’Antica an offer they couldn’t refuse.
After Aroma di Roma, the long-loved Italian coffee shop and eatery across the street, announced it would be closing its Belmont Shore location and transferring the lease over to CoffeeDrunk, many were taken by surprise. Including Francesco.
“We know how much places like Aroma have meant to Belmont Shore,” Francesco said. “They’re institutions, really. Pleaces like Aroma, Nick’s, and Open Sesame are more than restaurants; they’re part of the heartbeat of the community. When Aroma closed, we couldn’t believe it. Kurt [Schneiter, my landlord], Sheila [my wife] and I had started a few weeks before designing and building our idea to launch a cafe.”
And then, Long Beach serendipity. Francesco received a five-page proposal that wasn’t about recreating Aroma more than it was about integrating its existing patronage into L’Antica. The result? Antica Cafe, complete with former Aroma employees who wished to not move to the Downtown Aroma or stya with CoffeeDrunk, and a brand new interpretation of one of Belmont Shore’s most gorgeous spaces. Now, from 6:45AM to 3PM every day of the week, Antica Cafe offers what Francesco has always wanted.
“Our coffee is not second- or third-wave; it’s Italian,” he said proudly. “Our menu has something for everyone, whether they want light or to be fed properly. Eventually, we will host a market on the patio. But until then, come with your laptop, work as needed, enjoy the space.
A look into some of the morning offerings at Antica Cafe…
Joining an array of croissants, muffins, lattes are…
Turkey Melt Panino: Turkey breast | provolone | bacon | aioli
Chia Pudding: Greek yogurt | chia seeds | honey | seasonal fruit | granola
Breakfast Croissant: Scrambled eggs | avocado | parmesan | roasted tomato
Avocado Toast: Avocado | olive oil | tomato| basil | garlic | toasted sourdough
Belgian Waffle: Maple syrup | butter | powdered sugar
IL Padrino Panino: Prosciutto | ham | capocollo | mortadella | spicy salami | provolone | aioli
Fruit and Greek Yogurt Bowl: Greek yogurt | berries | fresh fig | granola
IL Classico Italiano Panino: Ham | provolone | tomato | lettuce | aioli
Mediterranean Grain Bowl: Grilled chicken | avocado | farro | brown rice mix | romaine | tomatoes | green olives | cheese
Bagel: Cream cheese -or- avocado
Antica Cafe is located at 4621 E. 2nd St.
Aroma di Roma is so much more than Antica Cafe — and honestly, it’s not something that can just be replicated. You can’t simply enhance a fairly new place and expect to capture the same community, energy, and legacy that Aroma built over the years. Aroma wasn’t just a place to grab coffee; it was part of the fabric of Long Beach. It had a soul, a rhythm, and a personality that came from the people who worked there, the regulars who filled the tables, and the sense of belonging that came with every visit.
What made Aroma special wasn’t its menu or decor — it was the connection. It’s where friendships started, local artists shared their work, soccer aficionados watched their games, students found a quiet corner to write, and everyone felt welcome. That kind of authenticity doesn’t happen because someone wants to “attract” another business’s clientele. It happens naturally, over years of genuine interaction and community building.
Trying to recreate Aroma just to pull in its customers feels misguided. You can’t manufacture authenticity or loyalty. People supported Aroma because it meant something to them — because it represented consistency, comfort, and local pride. Antica might have good intentions, but chasing after someone else’s identity doesn’t create your own.
If anything, the focus should be on building something new that stands on its own values, not borrowing from the reputation of what came before. Aroma earned its place in this community through genuine effort and heart — not marketing strategy. That’s the difference, and that’s why Aroma di Roma will always be remembered as something unique and irreplaceable.
Definitively sure no one is trying to recreate Aroma; Antica doesn’t remotely feel like that and is its own entity. What _is_ cool is that former Aroma employees have a place to stay at on the Shore that feels like their previous home given there is coffee and food.
It will take time to build what Aroma De Rome created… Stepping in as Cafe Antica and expect to fit in what took years to create….Well time will show. I hope they can recreate some of the menu as Aroma offered… My favorite Begal with lax and creme cheese was big filling and offered good value for money.
Substituting begel with cream cheese or avocado is not the same.
They should advice from Aroma De Roma staff and try to keep the same Best John
Great article about Second Street’s newest star! Kudos to Francesco and his team. Antica Cafe is a great place to start your day and meet your neighbors.
Brilliant!