2025 was one of the roughest years for Long Beach restaurants—and 2026 is looking rather dim when it comes to the food industry—but it was also a genuinely good year for new spaces opening. Nearly 40 new food spaces—from restaurants to second locations to new concepts to coffeeshops—opened across 2025.

This year, we are starting off with many already-knowns and some definite holdovers from previous years that are hoping to open—so send them all the good permitting/contracting/licensing vibes, food lovers. Here are the Long Beach restaurants hopefully making their debut in 2026…

Brodard

6480 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. #100

Brodard will be opening a location in Long Beach at the 2nd & PCH retail complex in the former Tocaya space. The famed Vietnamese restaurant is based out of Fountain Valley and has been named one of the best restaurants in the state—making it a welcomed addition to the city’s lacking Vietnamese food scene.

“As of right now, we don’t have a specific date as to when Brodard Long Beach is opening,” said Roberto Lemus, a representative with 2nd & PCH. “But it is coming sometime in 2026.”

It joins tiny but growing list of traditional Vietnamese spaces—Sesame Dinette and Pickle Banh Mi come immediately to mind—that are offering Long Beach the flavors of the southeast Asian culianry cornerstone.

For the full story, click here.

Massimo’s [open]

5616 E. 2nd St.

UPDATE (Jan. 27): Massimo’s will open on Wednesday, Feb. 4. For Brian Addison’s full feature, click here.

Original article: In one of the most glorious Long Beach stories of the year, long-loved hospitality leader Massimo Aronne—the man who led Michael’s on Naples through its glorious run before shuttering in late 2025—will take over the former market space he used to manage under the Michael’s Restaurant Group in Naples. The concept? Simple, straight-forward, quality Italian pastas, pizza, and wine.

Brother’s Keeper BBQ [open]

3701 E. 4th St.

The rumors have been true: Pitmaster and Brother’s Keeper BBQ owner Maurice “Mo” Stewart has been eying the space at 3701 E. 4th St. as a permanent home. And it’s also true: After signing a lease, he will soft open his barbecue concept on Thursday, Feb. 12 at noon. Rich with culinary history—it was once home to the original MVPs before it became Prime by Shenandoah, an underrated space before it shuttered in 2021 amid the pandemic—the space will now become Brother’s Keeper’s permanent home.

Given his extraordinary win at barbecue legend and James Beard award-winner Kevin Bludso’s local competition and his back-to-back wins at the Long Beach BBQ Festival, this is one a complete win for Long Beach food and Black entrepreneurship.

South of Nick’s

5354 E. 2nd St.

Of all the Long Beach restaurants on this list, this has been approaching opening the longest. Nick’s Restaurant Group—the massive, Irvine-based group that is home to mid- and upscale restaurants through the region—has decided to expand its presence in Belmont Shore by providing a sibling to its Nick’s on 2nd location, South of Nick’s.

The group’s Mexican concept, announced all the way back in June of 2022, already has two locations in Laguna Beach and San Clemente; its Long Beach location will take over the historic building at 5354 E. 2nd St., formerly home to Citibank before it closed several years ago.

While it is certain that Nick’s doesn’t challenge much in terms of its food—the existing location on 2nd has a menu that has largely remained unchanged since its opening nearly a decade ago—and it is as straight-forward as an American restaurant can be: Excellently made steaks, sides like fried deviled eggs that rarely fail and a butter cake dessert which is one of the best in the city. And while it could certainly elevate with a bit more finesse and a bit more focus, as well as a shift in its layout, to achieve something like the elegance of Arthur J, Nick’s on 2nd has been an anchor in a Shore that has constantly changed.

StormBurger

5801 Cherry Ave.

UPDATE (Jan. 23): StormBurger officials have said they are opening in the first quarter of 2026.

UPDATE (July 13, 2025): StormBurger officially has their truck outside the location while construction continues. To learn their story, click here.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Storm Burger Long Beach is coming to Cherry and South, drive-thru lovers.

The much-hyped, Inglewood-born chain—which opened its first location in an abandoned Church’s drive-thru on La Brea—is looking to repeat its strategy. It will be opening its first Long Beach location inside a—you guessed it—former Church’s drive-thru. The space at 5801 Cherry Ave. saw Church’s shutter in December of 2024, the very month Storm Burger opened its doors in Inglewood.

Marathon Burger [open Mar. 1]

245 Pine Ave.

UPDATE (Jan. 11): Marathon Burger will open Mar. 1.

Original article: And, with yet another L.A. staple, things come full circle. Marathon Burger—birthed out of slain rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle’s estate—will be opening up its first Long Beach location. Where? Inside the former Johnny Rockets space in DTLB that closed back in July. And why is this a full circle moment? In fall 2024, Marathon Burger started as a pop-up in—you guessed it—Fairfax’s former Johnny Rockets space while they were building out their inaugural brick-and-mortar on Melrose.

For more info, click here.

Anna’s Pizza Joint

5351 E. 2nd St.

From the owners of Anna’s Joint in DTLB, this space will be directly next to the city’s oldest pizzeria, Domenico’s, while also being one of the few spaces in the city that offers by-the-slice service. As for the Shore/Naples area, Valentino’s and, when they serve it on Fridays and Saturdays, Colossus, are the sole spaces offering pizza by the slice.

Reinne’s Place [open]

1738 E. 7th St.

UPDATE (Jan. 20): Reinne’s Place is officially open.

Original article: Reinne’s Place is taking huge steps toward its formal backing from a pop-up into an actual brick-and-mortar, as owner Tommy Le said we can expect the coffee shop to open “in the coming months.” Birthed out of tragedy—in October of 2022, Tommy and his wife, Reinne, were struck by a drunk driver traveling on the wrong side of the freeway, later claiming the life of Reinne—the coffee shop is both a literal living memorial and a space for those to grasp this thing we call life. Customers are encouraged to leave notes on paper checks, ranging from apologies to I-Miss-Yous to simply a name.

Panama International Restaurant [formerly Caribbean Soul Kitchen LA; now open]

211 Pine Ave.

UPDATE (Jan. 7): Now dubbed Panama International Restaurant, the space is now open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3PM to 9:30PM, Fridays from 3PM to 10:30PM, Saturdays from 2PM to 10:30PM, and Sundays from 4PM to 9:30PM.

Original article: Tucked along Wilshire Boulevard, Caribbean Soul Kitchen LA has become a beloved destination not just for its witty take on Panamanian and Caribbean food, but for the entire experience provided by its owners, Rogelio and Mercedes Squires. The cozy 40-seat space hums with energy. Plates of jerk chicken and pargo frito are hitting tables. The scent of coconut rice and sancocho fills the air. And a crowd that often spills past the door. So much so, in fact, that owners Rogelio and Mercedes Squires have had to turn guests away because there just wasn’t enough room.

But now, the couple is betting big once again. They’re packing up their popular LA spot and heading south to open a new, larger location in Downtown Long Beach. Caribbean Soul Kitchen LA will take over a 3,000-square-foot space at 211 Pine Ave., in the former Taco Beach space. The new restaurant will seat nearly 150 people and, if all goes according to plan, open its doors by December.

Sunrise Shack [open]

245 Pine Ave.

UPDATE (Feb. 13): Sunrise Shack is officially open on Feb. 14.

Original article: Sunrise Shack, the literal shack based out of Hawaii known for its smoothie bowls and coffee, will be expanding Stateside by opening a space in Long Beach. Taking over the former Playas ceviche and torta shop that closed earlier this year, the idea is to have the Long Beach location act as a central hub for its mainland expansion.

For more info, click here.

Aloha Stacks

6451 E. Pacific Coast Hwy.

Speaking of Hawaii… Aloha Stacks, the family-owned brunch and Hawaiian-inspired eatery, is opening its first location at 6507 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. inside the Marina Market Place. And yes, it will be bringing their much-loved ube pancakes with them. It first opened its doors in Dana Point in 2010. Founded by Nixon and Ovita Tanuwidjaja, the restaurant reflects their love for Hawaiian food and culture, aiming to bring the “Aloha spirit”—warmth, care, and respect—into each guest’s experience. Since its founding, Aloha Stacks has expanded to a dozen locations, with formerly announced plans to grow outside Orange County now officially confirmed.

Sweetgreen [open]

6451 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. #C1.

UPDATE (Jan. 15): Sweetgreen will open Jan. 20 with festivities.

Original article: Sweetgreen, the D.C.-birthed fast casual health diner that has long been a SoCal staple, will be opening its first Long Beach location. Situated in the Marketplace complex at the southeast corner of 2nd Street and Pacific Coast Highway, the space will open up just west of Trader Joe’s. Breaking ground nearly seven weeks ago in August, the space is already has signage up with an opening expected in the coming months.

For more info, click here.

Sorry Not Sorry Creamery

4612 E. 2nd St.

Sorry Not Sorry Creamery—the ice cream brand famous for using dairy from a century-old farm—will be taking over the former Sweetfin space in Belmont Shore. After closing back in May, the space has been toured by far more local brands. (With Foodologie being one of them but unfortunately was rejected.) Ultimately, the sought-after space went to this quickly expanding ice cream chain.

For more info, click here.

Royal Indian Curry House

242 Pine Ave.

UPDATE (Jan. 5): The Kaur family has confirmed that they are moving forward with the project. Bubbly said they are in the final stage of construction and should be opening “very, very soon.”

UPDATE (Dec. 18, 2025): Bubbly Kaur was kidnapped by ICE agents in the middle of a court-ordered immigration meeting. Thankfully, thanks to the efforts of the food community and Congressman Robert Garcia, she has been returned home.

UPDATE (Apr. 18, 2025): Owner Bubbly said the space could be “open within the next month or two.”

Original article: Three months after it was announced that longtime East Village Arts District restaurant Utopia would permanently shutter, its new owners have already moved in and begun to alter the space—and that includes raising temporary signage. It would go on to become the Arabian Grill, leaving Royal Indian Curry House, well, homeless. According to co-ower Babbljit Kaur (aka Bubbly), the family signed a lease at the former Starbucks on Pine Avenue between Broadway and 3rd Street. Work is continually happening inside the space, with hopefully “a month or two to go before final permitting,” she said in January of 2025.

Bubbly former owners of Natraj—and I discovered her new food endeacor via a story that is more cute than it is journalistic. One of my favorite workers at my local RiteAid was Bubbly. I noticed she had mehndi on her hands, so I had presumed she had recently been to a wedding. And she had. We talked about how much I loved the food my friends Pakistani-Cambodian wedding and that’s when I learned that her and husband Singh were the former owners before they sold. Formally known aarjit Singh and Babbljit Kaur, Bubbly told me they are trying to open a new space at 1st and Linden—and what do you know: It’s RICH.

Mooney’s Pizza

8105 E. Wardlow Rd.

UPDATE (Jan. 23): Mooney’s is looking, well, more like a restaurant. Hal Mooney’s pizza journey has been a wild one: For those captivated by his refurbishing of an old Huff’s at 8105 E. Wardlow Rd. on Instagram, his work is finally reaching its full fruition. Stylized in a 1960s manner—complete with cushioned seating and pendant lights—the space will focus on midwest tavern-style pizza and a few Detroit-style pies, all using their own house starter culture, dubbed “Ruzu,” for its dough. Add some beer and wine and you have yourselves a fine East Long Beach destination.

Original article (Aug. 5, 2025): A new pizzeria is heading to East Long Beach later this year as Mooney’s Pizza prepares to take over the former Huff’s Family Restaurant space at 8105 E. Wardlow Rd. The project is the passion of Cindy and Paul “Hal” Mooney, who aim to bring their love of pizza, craft beer, and frozen custard to the neighborhood. According to Hal, the couple is targeting a fall opening—likely October or November of 2025. Look for a more elaborate profile in the coming months.

Toma Tequila

1923 E. Broadway

Owner Sid Dakoria will be opening Toma Tequila, a modern Mexican concept, at the former Ambrosia Cafe/Beach Garden space at the northwest corner of Cherry Avenue and Broadway. They are currently ripping out the patio to install a contemporary one and are not associated with Toma, the failed concept from the former owner of Padre and Mezcalero.

Teryaki J’s [open]

1601 E. 7th St.

UPDATE (Feb. 13): Teriyaki J’s is officially open.

Original article: Bellflower staple Teriyaki J’s will be taking over the space on 7th Street that recently accommodated Adalberto’s first local location after it closed. It is a straightforward, no-frills spot serving teriyaki plates that have built up a loyal patronage in Bellflower. The menu centers on grilled chicken, beef, and shrimp, all cooked over an open flame and finished with their sweet-and-savory teriyaki sauce. Portions are generous—piled over rice with a simple salad on the side—and it is a fast-paced space. Which is why I am sure they are thrilled to have a drive-thru…

Zarape Long Beach [open]

4702 E. 2nd St.

UPDATE (Feb. 9): Zarape is officially open. To look at Brian Addison’s full feature, click here.

UPDATE (April 16, 2025): Signage has gone up for Zarape in Belmont Shore.

Original article: Belmont Shore is becoming the epicenter of elevated Mexican cuisine as Zarape Long Beach becomes a reality. The West Hollywood-based taqueria, owned by Oneismo Mendez, will be “high-end but casual, not cheap but not outrageously expensive.” Zarape Long Beach will be taking over the former Rubio’s space at 2nd Street and Roycroft Avenue. While the fast casual Baja-inspired chain had a presence in the Shore for nearly two decades and its lease was technically running through to December, new leasing signs appeared in May of this year luring in new tenants.

So Sentimental

1429 E. 4th St.

So Sentimental’s owner Julian Park has been working on the space for well over a year, having run pop-ups around the city to better familiarize people with his name. Having worked under the guidance of Stereoscope—a regional coffee shop and roaster whose Long Beach location is a caffeinated staple and beans can be found at Nonna Mercato as well—So Sentimental refrains from an excessively bloated menu. There are your straightforward offerings—lattes, espressos, Americanos…—along with just three seasonal offerings

Chagee Modern Tea House [open]

5246 E. 2nd St.

UPDATE (Feb. 11): Chagee is officially open.

Original article: After its short-lived life as Dave’s Hot Chicken in Belmont Shore, the space at 5246 E. 2nd St. is ready to become a Chagee Modern Tea House. Chagee (pronounced CHAH-jee) is one of China’s most beloved tea brands, with some 6,000 locations worldwide.

While Long Beach was originally intended to be the brand’s flagship U.S. store, Chagee opted to have its Century City location take on that role. Opening earlier this year in April, the store reflects the American iteration of a concept born in 2017 in Yunnan. Chagee has rocketed to over 6,400 locations worldwide, from China to Thailand and Singapore to Malaysia. And just ahead of this Century City debut, Chagee went public on the Nasdaq under the ticker “CHA.”

Paris Baguette [open]

81 S. Pine Ave.

UPDATE (Jan. 23): Paris Baguette has officially opened in DTLB.

Original article: South Korea-based French bakery Paris Baguette—which has seen a wildly large expansion into the U.S. when it opened its first Stateside shop in 2005—will be taking over the former T-mobile space between Kalavera’s and The Auld Dubliner at The Pike Outlets. According to their announcment, the bakery—which will be one of over 1,000 U.S. stores comes 2030—is expected to open by the end of this year or early 2026.