“Long Beach restaurants open on Thanksgiving?” is probably the most common question asked in my food group among its 56,000 members when the holidays begin to come around—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 would love to exemplify a society where “everyone has the day off”—and therefore not a single place would be open—the reality is very different. There are many folks who do work (and need an easy dinner) like nurses, emergency workers, city workers, people who work remotely for places outside the States… There are people who don’t have the luxury to be with family, be it because they live in another place or they no longer have a connection. Plus, restaurants are severely struggling—so patronizing them gives them a leg up.
In no particular order: Long Beach restaurants open on Thanksgiving.
And this is important: Assure to call in case reservations are needed.
Boathouse on the Bay
190 North Marina Dr.; 562-493-1100
For more information, click here.
With one of the city’s best patios and the ability to make reservations from 2 to 11 people, the Boathouse’s annual Thanksgiving buffet is $70 per adult and $25 per child under 10 years old. To secure your spot at the table, a $25 deposit per guest is required, which will be credited toward the final bill.
The time? 12PM to 6PM. What will be on hand? Indulge in a variety of dishes ranging from traditional Thanksgiving favorites to a selection of seafood and carved meats.
Saint & Second
4828 E. 2nd St.; 562-433-4828
For more information, click here.
The Shore staple—part of the Hof’s Hut family of restaurants that also includes Lucille’s BBQ—is open on Thanksgiving for dine-in or take-out. For those dining in, dinners will be $49 and $20 for those under 12 years of age.
The time? 10AM to 9PM. What to expect on the menu? Oven roasted turkey and Duroc ham. Andouille and brioche stuffing, crème fraîche mashed potatoes, green beans, maple sweet potatoes, cranberry and tangerine sauce, pumpkin pie…
Ruth’s Chris
180 E. Ocean Blvd., #160; 562-966-6777
For more information, click here.
The high-end steakhouse chain has historically been open for the holiday for years—and the dine-in dinner cost $44 for adults and $17 for children.
The time? 11AM to 8PM. What to expect? Oven roasted turkey stuffed with herbs along with choices of various beginners—like a lobster bisque or Cesar salad—and sides—like sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, green beans, and creamed spinach. All finished off with pumpkin cheesecake.
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 dinner will be $50 per person or folks can purchase the specials à la carte.
What time? 5PM until at least 10PM. What to expect? Three-course Spanish-meets-Thanksgiving dinner with mushroom cream soup, beer-glazed duck, and a pumpkin empanada.
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 time? 11AM to 9PM. What to expect? An à la carte menu that includes everything from lamb, turkey, sea bass, short ribs, and filet mignon to pumpkin mousse cheesecake and cocktails.
Parker’s Lighthouse
435 Shoreline Village Dr.; 562-432-6500
For more information, click here.
Roxanne’s can easily be deemed as vastly underrated: They offer some of the best wings in the city, their in-house tamarind barbecue sauce a staple on the menu since opening and expanding into other varieties like mango habanero and classic buffalo. Stellar empanadas. And a variety of Latin American food that eschews the focus on Mexico Only.
What time? 11:30AM to 9PM. What to expect? A special 3-course prix fixe menu that includes a traditional turkey dinner complete with all the trimmings. Other entrée options include steaks and seafood dishes.
The 555
555 E. Ocean Blvd.; 562-437-0626
For more information, click here.
A steakhouse in DTLB that never fails—and remains a Long Beach restaurant open on Thanksgiving throughout the years. Their traditional Thanksgiving dinner is $68 per adult and $24 for children under the age of 12.
What time? 11:30AM to 10PM. What to expect? Choices of turkey or ham along with starters like clam chowder and desserts like pumpkin cheesecake.
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, Thanksgiving 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.
Hof’s Hut
Multiple locations
For more information, click here.
I will always lament the loss of the Hof’s Hut at 2nd and PCH (and Rep. Robert Garcia agrees with me)—but they have other locations and remain a Long Beach restaurant open on Thanksgiving. Adults cost $30 and kids cost $15.
What time? 10AM to 8PM. What to expect? Turkey breast with apple almond stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, cinnamon creamed corn and apples, candied yams, toasted marshmallow pumpkin bread, and pumpkin pie.
Gladstone’s
330 S. Pine Ave.; 562-432-8588
For more information, click here.
The Pine Pier staple has been serving tourists and locals alike for decades—and they have long held a tradition of being a Long Beach restaurant open on Thanksgiving. Even better? Reservations are recommended but ultimately not requires.
What time? 11AM to 7:30PM. What to expect? A roast turkey dinner with all the fixings and a pumpkin pie dessert for dine-in or take-out. Kid’s menu and limited regular menu will also be available.
Lucille’s
Multiple locations
For more information, click here.
Despite the outright cringey origins of Lucille’s, it has long been a Long Beach restaurant open on Thanksgiving. Diners for adults will cost $35 and kids will cost $19.
What time? 10AM to 8PM. What to expect? Slow-smoked Turkey, ham—or both—with a ton of sides: garlic mashed potatoes, mac’n’cheese, stuffing, corn pudding, gravy, cranberry sauce, biscuits and apple butter, and pumpkin pie.
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 Thanksgiving 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.
El Torito / Acapulco
3301 Atlantic Ave.; 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 Thanksgiving with a buffet that is $38 for adults and $12 for kids at El Torito and a buffet that $36 for adults and $12 for kids at Acapulco.
What time? 11AM to 10PM. What to expect at both locations? The same all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving buffet with a turkey and ham carving station, apple-jalapeno stuffing, chipotle-honey sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, taco station, soups, salads, dessert bar, and unlimited champagne.
