“Long Beach restaurants open on Christmas?” is probably the most common question asked in my food group among its 56,000 members when the holidays begin to come around—maybe only second to, “Long Beach restaurants open on Thanksgiving?”
And to be honest, it is hard to find out which places are actually open and which ones are not because restaurants often don’t update their hours online, forcing you to read the very frustrating Google message, “Today is a holiday. Call establishment to assure hours are correct.”
And surely, while we are happy for those that do have the day off and participate, the reality is that there are many folks who do work or don’t celebrate (and need an easy dinner) like nurses, emergency workers, city workers, people who work remotely for places outside the States, people who don’t practice Christianity…
Plus, restaurants are severely struggling—so patronizing them gives them a leg up.
And this surely isn’t an exhaustive list because these lists are tricky. (You can’t depend on information from the past, for example—a fallout from my group’s comment sections.)
But before that…
Wait, real quick—are there any coffeeshops open on Christmas Day?
Yes—some of Long Beach’s independently owned coffee spaces are open on Christmas Day:
- Aroma di Roma (4708 E. 2nd St.) from 6AM to 3PM
- Recreational Coffee (237 Long Beach Blvd.) from 7AM to Noon
- Stereoscope (4925 E. 2nd St.) from 8AM to 5PM
- Wood Coffee (2728 E. 10th St.) from 7:30AM to 2PM
But back to those Long Beach restaurants open on Christmas…
In no particular order: Long Beach restaurants open on Christmas.
And this is important: Assure to call in case reservations are needed.
Long Beach Beer Lab
518 W. Willow St.; (562) 270-3253
For more information, click here.
Our Jewish community could definitively use some love—and Long Beach Beer Lab is one of its best representatives. Incredible food—their challah is par none in the city—and incredible humans run this space that is truly a gem for both the beer and food community.
Northern Cafe
4911 E. 2nd St.; (562) 343-2373
For more information, click here.
The much-anticipated Northern Cafe—the largest chain restaurant of loved’n’respected Chinese restaurateur Betty Ren—finally opened in Belmont Shore. From the space’s famed pork soup dumplings and beef rolls to dan dan noodles and their house special fried rice, guests were treated to what will eventually become a permanent part of their menu.
Gaucho Beach
780 E. Shoreline Dr.; (562) 580-1007
For more information, click here.
Long Beach’s largest, directly-on-the-sand restaurant was opened as part of a major overhaul of Long Beach’s beach amenities offerings—and they will be open on Christmas Day during normal operating hours from 11AM to 9PM.
Thai District (and its Partake Collective delivery services)
149 Linden Ave.; (562) 951-7181
For more information, click here.
Not only will the restaurant on Broadway and Linden Avenue be open, its Partake Collective offshoots—Thai District Express, Vegan Thai Kitchen, and Ramen District—will be available for pick-up and delivery.
Solita
1 Pine Ave.; (562) 357-6033
For more information, click here.
While it does come off as corporate-y, Solita is anything but stuffy, with some genuinely quality food being served up (like their stellar taco de alambre and wood-fired prawns). And whether you view it as corporate or not, Solita took over a much-needed-to-be-taken-over space—bringing with it 130 newly minted jobs for people, some of whom were returning from Rock Bottom after losing their positions there.
If you haven’t been, check it out without the pretense of presumption. Is it big? Absolutely—massive to be honest. Is it ma’n’pa feel? Absolutely not—the opposite. Nice alternative for Christmas? Sure.
Open Sesame
5215 E. 2nd. St.; (562) 621-1698
For more information, click here.
The Lebanese staple
Fuego at Hotel Maya
700 Queensway Dr.; (562) 435-7676
For more information, click here.
Fuego is likely to be the best hotel restaurant—especially after the said vacating of James Republic at the Marriott. It not only offers stunning views of the southern shore but is a great place to hang out.
What to expect? Live Latin music from 5PM to 9PM featuring a menu with everything from kabocha persimmon soup and oxtail tamales to crab cakes and filet mignon.
Breakfast Republic
5313 E. 2nd St.; (562) 512-7764
For more information, click here.
The Long Beach Breakfast Republic marks the chain’s 16th location since its opening in San Diego in 2008, with the 17th location opening in Palm Desert this year as well, joining San Diego-based restaurateur giant Johan Engman’s breakfast empire that encompasses four different brands.
Silverlake Ramen
4101 McGowen St. #150; (562) 420-7422
For more information, click here.
The brainchild of owner Jitaek Lim and Japanese-born ramen chef Thomas Aono, Silverlake Ramen has built up a faithful following that offers the best ramen in Silverlake—hands down—and some of the best in the Angeleno landscape, ranking up there with joints like Daikokuya and Shin Sen Gumi. It even prompted them to open up another location on York Boulevard (Ramen of York) and a straight to-go spot next door to the original Silverlake Ramen.
Galata
5205 E. 2nd St.; (562) 572-3777
The owners of Istanbul Home in Belmont Shore have expanding into the restaurant business: Galata, a restaurant dedicated to the Turkish delights of their heritage, officially opened in the former Buona Gente space, which closed in 2022 after serving the Shore’s community for over three decades. Joining them is poke favorite Sweetfin, marking the chain’s 20th location.
Cafe Sevilla
140 Pine Ave.; 562-495-1111
For more information, click here.
The massive club-meets-restaurant has three locations—and its Long Beach location has been a staple on Pine for well over a decade. The three-course dinner will be $65 per person, with service starting at 2PM.
City Cruises (brunch and dinner)
310 S. Pine Ave., Rainbow Harbor, Dock 6A
For more information on dinner, click here.
For more information on brunch, click here.
Yes, Christmas brunch or dinner on a boat across a 2-hour (brunch) or 2.5 hour (dinner) cruise throughout the waters nearby.
What time for brunch? Board the ship at 10:30AM, then set sail from 11AM to 1PM. What to expect? Smoked salmon, French toast, pasta salads, birria-style chicken and more.
What time for dinner? Board the ship at 3:30PM and set sail from 4PM to 6:30PM. What to expect? A live DJ, dancing, along with a dinner that includes turkey, salmon, tri-tip, mac’n’cheese and more.
Arize Bistro
306 Elm Ave.; (562) 912-4045
For more information, click here.
Considering I had a personal hand in #Popeyesgate—being the first to write about how Sweet Dixie Kitchen, where Arize Bistro now sits, was reselling Popeye’s chicken tenders under the guise that she had handmade everything—it is hard for me not to be consistently reminded of it when passing by this space.
But the time has come to move on—and Arize has become a popular breakfast spot that will be open on Christmas.
Goyen Sushi
4905 E. 2nd St.; (562) 434-5757
For more information, click here.
Shenanigan’s Irish Pub & Grille
423 Shoreline Village Dr. #A; (562) 437-3734
For more information, click here.
Natraj Cuisine of India
5262 E. 2nd St.; (562) 930-0930
Once operated by the same family for over two decades—who are searching for a new space to try out the restaurant business against in the Gayborhood—Natraj has since switched hands and reflects far too small of a sliver of Indian offerings here in Long Beach.
D’Vine Mediterranean
5525 E. Stearns St.; (562) 431-0070
For more information, click here.
The small Corona-based chain will be offering its array of lamb chops, falafel, and more at its East Long Beach location.
Panama Joe’s
5100 E. 2nd St.; (562) 434-7417
For more information, click here.
Oh, Panama Joe’s. You would be open on Christmas Day. You. Would. Fear not, Gen Z, this is your joint: You likely won’t find a single Millennial or Gen X-er here (well, maybe), let alone a Boomer unless they’re on some hapless prowl.
LV Seafood
4139 Norse Way; (562) 938-8088
For more information, click here.
In all frankness, I don’t give LV Seafood the recognition it deserves for being one of the stalwarts of Chinese food here in Long Beach (which is severely lacking on all levels).
Rakkan Ramen
5242 E. 2nd St.; (562) 588-9318
For more information, click here.
Where there once was a Long Beach that had not one single ramen shop, we are now home to many—including the Michelin-recognized HiroNori in Bixby Knolls—and Rakkan is part of that noodle family.
Sweet Jills
5001 E. 2nd St.; (562) 438-4945
Not necessarily a restaurant but I know some of y’all are going to be needing a quick pastry buy or cookie collection or or or…
El Torito / Acapulco
3301 Atlantic Ave.; thanks (562) 595-1795 / 6270 E. Pacific Coast Hwy.; (562) 596-3371
For more information on El Torito, click here.
For more information on Acapulco, click here.
El Torito and Acapulco are part of the same parent company and will both be offering the same menu—and they are, like the others, a Long Beach restaurant open on Christmas with a buffet that is $38 for adults and $12 for kids.
Black Bear Diner
1898 E. Willow St. in Signal Hill; (562) 513-7001
For more information, click here.
The Signal Hill diner is known for its massive plates and absurdly big menu—and Christmas is no exception, with full-on turkey, ham, and prime rib dinners that run from $26 to $29. What time? 11AM to 10PM. What to expect? The traditional: your protein choice from the list above with mashed potatoes, muffins, pie, salad, and more.
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Sorry if this is off topic, but I’ve been curious about what is going to replace the Japanese restaurant on Wardlow and Walnut–I don’t remember its name. But the building has a big banner up saying “EA Seafood” (I think) and some Chinese characters. Do you have any info?