Best (but smallest) place to get Italian food hand down. Not great for a large party- there are about 5 tables total - but the food can't be beat. read more

Have been going here for years, my husband's family for many years before that. Happy they survived the pandemic. Small family owned (two locations as one is in lgb) food is north Italian and always amazing with great specials that change often and very quality seafood and wine selection. Happy to continue to support family owned quality Italian local restaurant. Wish I took photos tonight but I ate everything without thinking about photos. I always go for the specials because they always are amazing. read more

The service is great and the food Delicious...meals come with salad and bread; unlike one of our used to be favorite Italian restaurant, where you need to pay for a salad and bread "basket" separately. This is our new favorite Italian Long Beach restaurant. read more

We have been visiting the Gazelle every time we are in Belmont Shore. I don't think menu has changed in all that time. But I don't remember it being better than last night. Seafood in saffron cream sauce was so fresh and deliciously layered tasting. Veal Calabrese was true to its name with chunky sweet pepper and a hint of hot pepper. Eggplant app was perfect with melted mozzarella. read more

Ok we came back after maybe 5 years since we moved away and I was so happy to see nothing has changed about this place including the delicious food! Everything is still amazing. We tried the calamari and artichokes for an appetizer and both were good. The limoncello cake was amazing - not too sweet with subtle lemon flavor. The decor, the menus, everything has the same charm that I remember so fondly. It's truly a gem and I can't wait to go back. read more

Absolutely delicious! Seems like one of those places where you can order anything and it will not disappoint! Definitely a smaller restaurant, only saw one table for 4, but perfect for an intimate get together. Attentive service and wonderful quality food, will be back again and again! :) read more

I love this place and did before and still do. The food is great and the place are iconic

Talk about a Taste of Italy in Long Beach! It's definitely an authentic Italian restaurant and the service was so warming. My absolute favorite part was dessert because I asked for the dessert menu and they brought out a tray full for me to pick from (I have a video but Yelp doesn't allow me to post it unfortunately just know it looked so bomb!) The pasta was so comforting and homey. If you're looking for an authentic Italian restaurant with a very romantic homey vide, this is the best place in Long Beach I've been! read more

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Delicious! Chicken piccata was delicious. Frutti di mare was delicious. We where planning on leaving some for lunch the next day or even as a late bite that same night. It didn't have a chance. Everything was so good we cleaned our plates. It's bittersweet that when things go back to normal [Corona2020]2nd Street LBC will go back to its crazy self and it will be impossible to find parking to get to this little gem. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Menu. - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

I was looking forward to trying this after the positive reviews, but I was disappointed . The food was sub par. Service was great, but food lacked flavor and freshness. I'm an above average home cook, so it's easy to tell when good ingredients aren't used or food is not fresh, reheated sauce. My son had chicken parmigiana that wasn't even breaded. Husband and I had pastas, both flavorless. read more

What a gem. This tiny family owned hole in the wall is everything I love about going out to eat. The place is tiny and the kitchen is just as small so it seems like a small miracle that they can churn out so much great food that is meticulously supervised and efficiently offered. The service is very kind and accommodating. We sat at a table of four and started with a bottle of their house Pinot noir and some artichoke and capers salad starters. Then we ordered our entrees which came with a solid dinner salad or soup. I got the chicken parm and it came with a side of garlic cheesy pasta and green beans. Wife got the chicken franchise, the food is delicious and well made. It reminded me of the small Italian joints in New Jersey. We ordered some amazing dessert and another bottle of wine. Just a great time. We will def be back when we're in Long Beach read more

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This is my favorite Italian restaurant. The food is authentic and tastes absolutely delicious. My favorite dish is the Russa with chopped sausage. The customer service from Rick and the staff is always 10/10 we feel so welcomed when ever we come here . They have a great wine selection, I highly recommend this hidden gem! read more

I loved the pasta, i enjoyed my time there. It was a cozy nice restaurant. I would go again. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

My husband and I have lived on Naples for almost 10 years and last night was our first visit to Cafe Gazelle. All I have to says is .. Why??? This place is AMAZING. We've definitely been missing out! You are too If you've never tried this place. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. It was DELICIOUS and AUTHENTIC. We're coming back once a week. SO GOOD!! read more

Feels like being in Italy, authentic, cute ambience Gnocchi appetizer is great. Great date spot as it's small tables mostly read more

My family and I absolutely loved this hole in the wall! It's a small place but we went on a Friday night at 6pm and we were able to sit down right away. There is only one table that sits four people, the rest of the tables are only for two. It's a really small place but it is super authentic! It felt just like the restaurants in Italy, small and straightforward with delicious food. We can't wait to go back! read more

Very tiny restaurant but the food was soo authentic & delicious. We returned for a 2nd time the following week. Not cheap but worth every penny. read more

This place is unbelievable! So amazing, come very hungry and make sure you eat off the whole menu. We have lived in the neighborhood for almost 10 years and feel dumb for how long it took to come here. Dont skip the desert either, it is incredible. This might be one of the best kept secrets in not only long beach but all of LA. What a vibe. Cant wait to come back. The experience was 10/10 read more

Favorite Italian restaurant in all of LA. Do not miss it, everything is delicious and environment is exactly what you'd expect in real Italy. It's lovely! Gorgonzola chicken was dynamite. Been coming here for over 10 years, My favorite spot in Long Beach. I'd drive from Studio City just to have it. read more

Amazing ambience and food, as always. Service is always attentive without being smothering, despite the intimate setting with few tables. I'll always bring out of town friends and family here! read more

Veal parmigiana was tender and flavorful. The service was great and staff was very atttentive. The restaurant has a cozy homey feeling and I will definitely be coming back read more

Cafe Gazelle is an amazing place to grab a fancy or celebratory Italian dinner! The ingredients were clearly fresh and so delicious! The service was also great and felt very genuine. I have been trying to get back, as I crave it often, however we just haven't made it there yet. The price is fair and definitely worth it! If I could give Cafe Gazelle more than 5 stars I would! Enjoy :) read more

My favorite Italian restaurant in the states. Sauces always intricate & delicious. Soup so tasty. Love mike & frank; service always exceptional & willing to tailor your experience. Never brought anyone here who didn't say one of the best meals in their lives read more

Authentic Italian food with a reasonable price tag is hard to come by, and Cafe Gazelle certainly did not disappoint. Upon perusing my smart phone, I came across this little gem and decided to head on over to sample their offerings. I was warned of the close proximity of patron's dinning experience and while the room certainly was intimate, I thoroughly enjoyed the cozy, warm environment. I ordered the Michael Angelo, which was a penne pasta with ham and mushroom in a cream sauce. It came with a complimentary soup or salad, but it wasn't memorable. Not the case with the rest of their offerings. When my pasta arrived I knew it was going to be a delicious meal. The pasta was cooked al dente (the only way pasta should be presented) and the sauce was rich and creamy. Mmm... The entree was fairly heavy, so I actually packed half of it for lunch the next day and... so I could sample their Chocolate Hazelnut Bread pudding with vanilla ice cream. Now, I rarely save room for dessert, but this indulgence is one where you'll just have to make an exception. Warm bread pudding combined with melted ice cream is just heavenly. Grazie Cafe Gazelle for a terrific meal! read more

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Best little Italian spot around 2cd street . Great service and quality food that makes olive garden look like a frozen dinner read more

Keeping my Italian restaurant reviewing streak alive, my daughter and son-in-law took me and Diane here for a double belated birthday dinner, and we were both quite pleased with the outcome. We opened with good complimentary bread served small loaf style with long rectangles of butter; and Shrimp Dore, plump lightly battered shrimp pan-fried in Choron Sauce, an orange-colored lubricant with an ever so slight whisper of spice. Hot Lentil Soup, featuring delicate shards of spinach, bits of cooked carrot, and of course Lentil Beans in a hot and tasty broth was very good, and a side of house salad with unusual beet-oriented Italian Dressing was an interesting and enjoyable third course. Veal Parmigiana with penne and broccoli was fork tender and amply covered with Tomato Sauce and baked Mozzarella Cheese. Diane also enjoyed her specially requested Veal Parm Alfredo. Lemony Chicken Milanese and Gluten-free Pasta Formaggio were also spot on. And for dessert we were surprised with an absolutely great large slice of rich and decadent fudge-like Chocolate Cake along with a large scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream. Diane and I let our three-year-old granddaughter Sofie blow out the birthday candle, which she ably accomplished in one try. Except for having to ask for one Iced Tea refill, dinner service was attentive and very good, as was the Iced Tea. And with few tables and fellow diners, the setting was casual but intimate situated as the restaurant is hidden away on a side street just off the bustling Belmont Shores main drag. This first outing for me is definitely worthy of a reprise via a repeat visit. read more

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This place is amazing! Food is simple and delicious. If you are looking for good Italian food, you must try this spot. We ordered their carbonara added shrimp, and their parmigiana. It was delicious! The restaurant is very small, so you may need to get there early to find a table. read more

Diamond in the rough!!! Great food no doubt, small place. If you blink you might miss the restaurant! Definitely a hidden gem in Belmont Shores! Highly recommended hands down read more

Food & service were great. It's a tiny place & as we went spur of the moment & on a weekend we were lucky to get in. Will come back on a weekday & it should be a bit more relaxing! read more

This gem is amazing! I hesitate to tell people about It because I want to keep it for me/my wife and friends. It's quaint and has a great vibe. They offer an eating experience that is made with love. Service is personal and the food is delicious! You're welcome... read more

Cafe Gazelle - Linguine with chicken and pink sauce, served with love - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Came here last Monday with my husband and cousin and her husband for lunch. If I did not see the sign "Cafe Gazelle, Lunch Specials" from 2nd street, I would have never found this place since it is down the street from the main street. After we all walked down La Verne Ave, my cousin thought this would be a nice place to grab a bite to eat, so we sat down. My initial though to this restaurant is that it is nice and small and kind of looks like the restaurant was made from a house. The dining area has only a handful of tables (maybe 10 small tables). Anyways, this is what my husband and I ordered: Balsamic & Gorgonzola Salad- ($6.95 before tax) I actually ordered this salad with the dressing on the side and to have the cheese omitted. The balsamic vinegar was nice (one of my favorite vinegars actually). I thought this salad was a little above average. I liked the tomato slices, cucumber slices & artichoke hearts. But this salad would have been better if it was made with the dark green leafys. The size of this salad is actually an okay portion for the lunch special price, but still would have liked the salad to be a bit bigger. Spaghetti Carbonara- ($5.95 before tax) I was pretty disappointed with the portion size of this dish and also wished it came with more protein. There were only little bits of bacon in it, but it did give a nice flavor to the creamy sauce. I think this dish would have been better with a few ounces of grilled chicken breasts. I thought this dish was pretty tasty despite the lack of meat in this dish. The creamy sauce was excellent. Each person was given a nice piece of hot bread, which tasted nice. But I was actually a bit disappointed to see a bag of the exact bread pieces we were given in the restroom on top of a shelf. Honestly, that is not sanitary at all to have that in a restroom, even though it is kept in a closed bag. The health department would for sure bring that up with the owner/ manager of the restaurant about that if he/ she found that. Overall, although the prices for lunch are pretty affordable, the food itself is just average. I don't know if I would really want to come back, but I suppose if a friend wanted to meet me here for a meal, I guess I would come (but would probably skip the bread). read more

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When I lived in Long Beach, I would come here at LEAST 2x a month. Nothing has changed. The service is still stellar and the food is OUTTA THIS WORLD!!! True authentic Italian food. The setting is very intimate and nice. There's about 8 tables, the vibe is peaceful, and you feel right at home. The bread ... mannnn listen. You'll never look at bread the same. Amazing. Everything is absolutely delicious. I don't think I've ever had anything I didn't enjoy. For the quality and portion, the prices are amazing!!! I will, and have, recommend this restaurant to every person I know in LBC. Thanks so much for this hidden gem. I'll be back!!! read more

I love that this spot is just off 2nd St, away from the bustle. They have several outdoor tables. The server was friendly and helped me choose a wine that would go with my food. My pasta (alfredo ) came with a salad that had a pink dressing on it. Beets I think? Anyway it was awesome! The Alfredo sauce was lovely- thick and creamy with a hint of nutmeg. Good sized portions! I couldn't finish the pasta, sadly. Prompt service on a weeknight. It had a nice view of the pink tinted sky after sunset, too. read more

Charming little place in LB, food is delicious and service is excellent. Craving the roasted artichoke hearts. I can see why they've been around for 40 years! read more

still the absolute BEST Italian VEAL dishes in all of CALIFORNIA!!! #1 by a landslide. Kindest friendliest owners and workers. Had veal again did not dissapoint. My favorite JOINT Hard to find its on La Verne ave 50 yards OFF 2nd St. A hidden GEM Try it, I gaurantee you will LOVE atmosphere and food. Its very small dont get freaked out or scared, try the food before commenting. read more

Great hole in the wall. Food was fast & delicious. Feels like a little piece of Europe!

Service was great! Food was mediocre at best. Ambiance was simple and very casual. Not what I expected. May go back ... read more

Very unassuming hole in the wall. The food is excellent and made with finesse. There can be a bit of a wait time due to how small it is, but I don't mind. It feels very comfortable inside. My favorite is the Veal Principesa. read more

Best authentic Italian spot in Belmont Shore! Great service and delicious food. The cheese ravioli is to die for but everything on the menu is amazing! Highly recommend :) read more

Came here for my birthday dinner and this place it all perfectly quaint! Mike is great and we had amazing service but the food was a hit for everyone. I personally had the veal with bearnaise sauce which was heaven on a dish. Thank you for making my birthday even better! Date or double dates highly recommended! read more