Love that authentic Italian gem on 2nd street! I took my friend for her bday and we had the bruschetta, Alfredo pasta and Livernese (gnocchi with scallops). And the pistachio cake for desert. My friend was so happy! Felt like eating in Italy. read more

Was back after a long spell and decided to try something new. Armagnac Chicken caught my eye. I had no idea how it would taste but it was simple unbelievably tasty! So glad I stepped aside for something new! Service was awesome. And I was happy to see the place near capacity. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Armagnac Chicken - amazing! - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

This was my first time trying this place, and we opted for takeout. I had really been looking forward to dining in and experiencing the full sit-down atmosphere, but with the cold weather, it just wasn't the right night for it. That said, when I tell you this was some of the best pasta I've ever had, I truly mean it! As someone with a gluten allergy, I ordered the Michelangelo with gluten-free penne, and it was hands down some of the best gluten-free pasta I've ever tasted. My boyfriend went with the Parmigiano, and he couldn't stop raving about it--the breading on the chicken was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. I'm already looking forward to going back and soaking in the ambiance of the restaurant. Plus, the staff was incredibly kind and accommodating, which made the experience even better! 10/10 would recommend. . read more

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What a great place! It was our first time here. The food was delicious. We ordered the sautéed calamari, the 4 cheese pasta and the frutti di mare. The place is tiny but certainly cozy and comfortable. The service was perfect. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Frutti di mare 10/10 recommend. Delicious! - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Seriously the best Italian food in long Beach, no competition! Small, quaint place, mainly locals, sleeper spot for sure..no reservations needed here..Non pretentious really, really really great food! Fresh Italian, made to order! delizioso!! Service was great and price point on food, can't beat it!! read more

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It's a tiny gem of a restaurant reminiscent of a small cozy hole in the wall you'd find in a small Italian town. 8 tables in all. Classic Northern Italian menu with plenty of tuscan classics. The food is fantastic and worth the calories. Entrees come with Soup du Jour ( lentil vegetable) or green salad, along with complimentary bread and butter service. Veal Parm classically correct, tender and delicious served with buttered parm penne and green beans. Chicken Marsala was delicious and well balanced. Seafood linguini(shrimp , clams and scallops in pink light cream sauce) delicious well. We finished it off with a delicious slice of limoncello and white chocolate cake. Delish as well. Service was friendly and attentive. It's a must stop on LaVerne. No pretenses. Just good food. read more

Walk in here and you'll feel like you're in a small osteria on the outskirts of Rome. Service is 10/10 excellent, especially the old school desert display. I've lived all over, this may be the absolute best Italian food in California. read more

What a wonderful hole in the wall authentic Italian restaurant. The food is amazing, and the service is impeccable. It is a very small place. I wish I was in Long Beach longer so I could come back and try even more things! read more

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Perhaps the best restaurant ever. Delicious and memorable food and service. Always worth the wait. Many years of dining here (and their other/earlier locations). Thank you for such lovely times, dinners and memories. Delizioso e memorabile. Grazie. Ali. read more

This homestyle of italian restaurant was the best one to my fam. Still is but the price got noticibly increased(understandable), and the taste got decreased(unacceptable). I assume the chef is retired or in vacation? read more

I am speechless y'all. This is legitimately some of the best food, service, and ambiance I've ever experienced. We were blown away by the simple, fresh flavors of each course. The staff members were kind, and the restaurant itself is precious. Because of the limited seating, the staff provides a special experience to each table. The meal starts with fresh bread served to each guest. We also ordered bruschetta for the table, and it was delicious! I chose to start with salad and ordered the Checca for my main course. I can't express how phenomenal the flavors were in both the salad and pasta. The whole family was just as happy with their choices! We finished off the meal by splitting tiramisu and limoncello mascarpone cake. Both were absolutely top notch, and the perfect way to polish off such a good meal. This place is definitely one to check out. I can't say enough good things about Cafe Gazelle!! read more

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This is our special place...we've actually been faithful customers for almost 40 years! This is a very small restaurant...about 9 tables (2-tops and one 4-top). They do not take reservations, first come first serve. Service is excellent and they turn the tables quickly. It is expected they each guest will order an entree (no splitting). Food is Northern Italian, and very good! Menu selection is nicely varied, especially when you consider their diminutive size. The dessert tray should not be overlooked either! They have an excellent selection of wine . This is consistently ranked first in surveys of local favorite spots! They do a robust take out business, so if you don't want to wait in line, order out. This is not the fanciest decor, does not have a fabulous view, but it is right in Belmont Shore, with plenty of strolling options before or after dinner. Open for lunch and dinner. read more

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Went here last weekend, and this place was amazing. Small inside but it was very cozy and intimate. Everyone who worked there were super nice and attentive, food was delicious and filling but not heavy feeling, at least mine wasn't. I was very happy with my meal and would highly suggest anyone to come here. read more

Wine Wednesday search brought us to Cafe Gazelle! Although they do not participate in Wine Wednesday specials, they do have a wide selection of CA and Italian Wines. The food was "chef's kiss" & I am definitely coming back not just once more but multiple times! The pasta was so soft and creamy. The lentil soup (not pictured) tasted very homey & comforting. The limoncello cake was to die for! So fresh and light that I could eat an entire cake not just a slice We ordered the: Michaelangello Chicken Milanese Chateau st Jean Pinot Noir Limoncello Cake Also, the service here is so attentive! It's a small and cozy space that allows for a more intimate dinner. Perfect for date night !!!! See instagram @melikecomida for more! read more

This is among my top 3 Italian restaurants in Long Beach! It's definitely the best one in Belmont Shore. It's tucked away in a corner like a hidden gem. The restaurant is tiny but always busy because locals know it's good. It's a very cute, cozy atmosphere, perfect for a romantic date night. I came here with a small group of friends. No reservations, walk-in only. The pasta is authentic northern Italian. You can taste the quality, like it was made with love. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu! There is a good selection of wines to pair with your pasta. Service is excellent too. Don't skip dessert! read more

Cafe Gazelle - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Have been here many times , but never reviewed.... I love this place... i had the Capperi (breaded veal with capers and lemon), my wife had Carbonera... Then we finished it off with the piece of pistachio ricotta cream cake ... Absolutely delicious every step of the way! That dessert was the best part!!! read more

Wow. I'm so beyond thrilled to have found this tiny little gem! The food is beyond delicious. Take a trip to flavortown and enjoy the ride hahahaha this place is insanely good. I got calamari and some penne russa (I think) with chicken and it came with a salad WHICH WAS ALSO SO DARN DELICIOUS. Everything was delicious. Everything was hot. The man who I believe was the owner gave me theeee best service I could ask for after a long day of work. The place looked so cute and cozy I wish I could've stayed and dined in. Found my new favorite Italian spot in Long Beach!! Thank you so much for the amazing food and service! I will definitely be back read more

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Cute restaurant with great ambiance! The space is a little small but it had a cozy feel to it! The servers were very quick to fill up water and also to bring food. Kudos to them for navigating the space so elegantly. The owner was also there and he was very pleasant The food was delicious!! I got the chicken Gorgonzola and the chicken was so, so tender, the mushroom sauce was creamy and flavorful - to the point where I wanted to dip everything in it! The side of pasta that it came with was really deliciously creamy with a hint of lemon. The meal came with a small loaf of bread with butter and choice of soup or salad. I chose salad and the beet dressing was perfect! The proportions were on point and I left full and happy. Such a great meal overall, this restaurant had it all! read more

Cafe Gazelle - Chicken Gorgonzola - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Third year in a row that I have gone to this restaurant during my vacation to California, and again it was amazing. Each year I get something different and I always get great service. This year's menu choice was Michaelangello. So delicious and enough food for leftovers the following day. The fresh roll is the size of a baked potato and the salad is fresh and crisp. I believe this quaint restaurant is family owned and run as I have seen the same two gentlemen each year. Thank you for always going above and beyond to make my visit fantastic. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Michaelangello, yum! - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Food is so delicious however , place needs a big space, try this Italian restaurant feel s the Italian flavors

Food and service are amazing, definitely compliment each other. The ambiance is very unique as it's nothing fancy but it feels like home. That being said it's the size of an apartment. It's very small, so if you're big they won't be able to maneuver around you read more

Perfect italian restaurant you should be try food is amazing ambience very small great service 10/9 read more

Cafe Gazelle is by far my favorite Italian restaurant. We discovered this restaurant a few years ago and love coming here. Whenever friends and family ask me to go to Cafe Gazelle, I know I will leave happy. The restaurant is small and the decor is very simple but the food is absolutely delicious. I have tried several dishes on the menu and have never been disappointed. The gentlemen that work here are sweet and attentive. Their dessert platter is super cute. We love taking home a treat after dinner. This restaurant is a hidden gem that I highly recommend. read more

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Very small restaurant with little seating room but service was great! The warm rolls with butter that they serve are amazing! I ordered linguine and clams and I had to add a LOT of salt and grated Parmesan to give flavor to the dish. Once I added the extra condiments, it was perfecto! My husband ordered lemon piccata and he said it was good and he'd order it again. I'd probably go back and maybe just the chef to add extra salt, lemon, garlic and Parmesan to the linguine and clams as I'd love to see this quaint little restaurant succeed! read more

Still our first choice for Italian food in Long Beach. The well prepared and served selections compare favorably with those of the fine restaurants where we have dined in Italy. Our friends and family that we have taken with us always say the same. After many years now, Frank knows what we will order when we walk in the door. read more

Everything was amazing! I can't wait to go back and try more dishes. Service was outstanding! Everyone was so kind and helpful. I love that they bring out the dessert options to show you vs hand you a little piece of paper. It's a small place with huge gestures and I look forward to becoming a regular. read more

Lovely little restaurant. Reminds me of a European bistro. Food is great! Have tried the chicken gorgonzola and another chicken dish, both were terrific. Chicken dishes seem to come with a side of the house pasta which is excellent. You also get salad or soup. Dinner is a bargain. The restaurant is tiny and most tables are for 2 so if you have 4 people- definitely go early. Can't wait to try more of their entrees. So many look good on the menu! Appetizers are good too. Had the artichokes and the eggplant. Both were very good. read more

FOOD/DRINK: I really like this spot, it's been a Belmont Shore staple for me for years. The food is comfort food and has that homemade feel. They always offer bread and salad/soup (included in price of entree) as well to round out your meal, which a lot of spots don't do anymore. I tend to get the Penne Russa which has a vodka sauce, and it hits the spot when I want warm, cheesy, creamy carbs. AMBIENCE: It's a hole-in-the wall restaurant with a small array of tables meant for 2-4 (I wouldn't come here with large groups, it just doesn't have the capacity). You can see the kitchen from the dining area, as it's all fluid. It's not fancy, it's cozy. It's meant to feel like you're in someone's home. Great for date nights. I actually tend to go solo, and I find it a comforting solo spot to read over dinner without feeling awkward. Street parking, or walk if you live within Belmont. SERVICE: Great. It's a family-owned spot. Since it's a smaller space, they are always aware when you need something (e.g., more water, the bill). read more

Everything was marvelous. Food was delicious. The service is always attentive and friendly. This is one of my fabulous spots and definitely one of the best restaurants in Belmont Shore. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Eggplant parmigiana with side of spaghetti and fresh green beans, the other plate is linguini with clams. - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Kafe gazelle is a staple here in Belmont Shore their . Love it. the intimacy and charm this perfect for a date. read more

Excellent food, service and menu choices. Treated royally. We were a party of five. Offered a bowl of soup after our appetizer. Everything was delicious! read more

Believe it or not, I have never heard of this place until now! I wanted to try something new and oh my gosh this was fantastic! It's now our favorite new Italian spot! From the food to the service it was top notch! The place is small but the ambiance is cozy and kinda romantic. Not a good place for large parties. We will definitely return! read more

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Shhhh! Don't tell anybody about this perfect neighborhood spot! Definitely don't mention the cozy vibe, the delicious food, and the friendly service. read more

This is an amazing restaurant that we had heard about but waited to long to finally enjoy a meal! Started with the Calamaertti then a house salad, each of us had an entree; sausage salcici and veal bolognese with Pene pasta finishing with a tiramisu which was all sublime! read more

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Every thing about this dining experience was amazing. The food was delicious, absolutely everything on the table was perfect. Such authentic Italian meals, ambiance, and an amazing staff. The food was timed perfect and such reasonable prices although I would pay even more for How good everything was. This felt like I was back in Italy. Honestly not enough words can describe how much I loved their restaurant. I will most definitely be back. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Bruschetta - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Good and service excellent- small and sometimes crowded but very much worth going. Very sweet proprietor

I've never brought someone here who doesn't fall in love/become completely obsessed. The owners and staff are incredibly nice and often memorize the orders of returning customers, which is a very classy, personal touch. This place has also spoiled me greatly, as the service is impeccably fast, faster than anywhere I have ever been. The vibe is very intimate and romantic, you truly feel transported to a small Italian cafe. Now, the food. Deceptively simple when reading the menu but the flavors this place creates are just top notch. Even my favorite order, the checca, has a number of ingredients you can count on one hand and yet blows my mind every time. There's no "wrong" thing to order here. At the end, someone will bring out a dessert platter for you to choose from, which truly ties the experience together. I can't recommend this place enough. read more

Cafe Gazelle - Italian Near Me - Long Beach, California

Too rushed. We couldn't enjoyed our food because you are being so carefully watched by the wait staff. As soon as you set your fork down they clear your plate and the next item is brought out. I felt like this is how they run the business because there are only 7 tables, so they want you in and out so the tables will always be occupied. We went for a nice dinner and were there for 40 min. The food was good and staff was nice. Ambiance is ok. Tables too close together. read more

The food is fabulous, the service is amazing. This is a hidden treasure. Try it out! We come every Friday!

The food was amazing! It's a tiny gem of a place! Hidden on 2nd street in Long Beach. Best Italian restaurant I've had in years! I had the egg plant Parmesan. The tiramisu was delicious! read more